Molecular condom

Bioengineers from the University of Utah have developed a "molecular condom" that women can use to protect themselves against the AIDS virus.Hydrogelreacts to various temperatures and pHs (pH measures acidity or alkalinity). A woman would insert the substance vaginally as a liquid at room temperature. At body temperature and at the vaginal fluid pH of 4.2, it would become gel coating. Then, in the presence of male seminal fluid with a pH of 7.7, it would become a liquid again and release an antiviral drug to block infection by the human immunodeficiency virus.

Source: eurekalert.orgAdded: 9 January 2007