University of Utah investigators have developed a vaginal "molecular condom" that starts as a liquid substance to be inserted by a woman vaginally, that turns into a gel at body temperature and at the vaginal acidity of 4.2, and then in the presence of sperm with an acidity of 7.7, it becomes a liquid again, only to release an antiviral drug load to block infection by the HIV.

"We have developed a new vaginal gel that we call a molecular condom because it is composed of molecules that are liquid at room temperature and, when applied in the vagina, will spread and turn into a gel and effectively coat the tissue," says Patrick Kiser, an assistant professor of bioengineering.

"It's a smart molecular condom because we designed this gel to release anti-HIV drugs when the gel comes into contact with semen during intercourse."

"The ultimate hope for this technology is to protect women and their unborn or nursing children from the AIDS virus."
Kiser said the molecular condom is five years away from testing on humans and roughly 10 years until it might be in widespread use.

This is part of a worldwide research effort to find "microbicides", drug-delivery systems such as gels, rings, sponges or creams to prevent infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

HIV destroys the immune system, causing AIDS, when the patients are left vulnerable to other infections, cancers and death...

The molecular condom is composed by a polymer (a molecule with a repeating, chain-like structure) made from three chemicals in these proportions: 80 molecules of N-isopropylacrylamide, 15 molecules of butyl methacrylate ( used in coatings, adhesives, solvents, resins, oil additives and to finish leather and paper ) and 5 parts acrylic acid ( used in lubricant and spermicidal gels ).

"The three together have the property of liquid at room temperature and vaginal pH, solid at body temperature and vaginal pH, and liquid at body temperature and semen pH," said Kiser.