Disclosed herein, are compositions and methods for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The compositions comprise engineered transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs) comprising a TALE DNA binding domain flanked by two spacer sequences, and a Fold nuclease catalytic domain. Also, described herein, are methods of using TALENs to cleave nucleic acids and methods of administering the TALENs to subjects at risk for or having an HIV infection.
