Researchers take another step towards a cure for HIV 7 Mar, 2021 05:45 PM 3 minutes to read Researchers believe between 2.7% and 4.3% of HIV carriers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are 'elite controllers' and can suppress the virus. Photo / Martin Sykes, File Researchers believe between 2.7% and 4.3% of HIV carriers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are 'elite controllers' and can suppress the virus. Photo / Martin Sykes, File Otago Daily Times By: John Gibb Researchers, including a former Dunedin scientist, have made a discovery which raises hopes of finding an eventual cure for HIV. Professor Carole McArthur, who is a University of Otago graduate, is among the authors of a newly-published study on the discovery of a large group of people whose bodies naturally control HIV without taking medication.