This project is part (Project 2) of the research consortium project 'Long Acting Acceptable Microbicides:Novel Delivery, Activity and Pharmacodynamics.' It will evaluate new gel and ring materials for delivery ofmicrobicides to the vaginal lumen and epithelium. New in vitro and in vivo assays, and mathematicalmodels, of gel distribution, drug delivery and HIV neutralization will be developed. Together with currenttechniques operational in our laboratory, this diversified set of performance analysis assays will providefeedback to Projects 1 and 3 of the research consortium. The in vitro assays and mathematical models willrelate gel and ring properties and potency of active microbicidal ingredients to the extent that semen borneHIV is neutralized before it migrates into epithelium and initiates the transmission process. Current and newin vivo imaging techniques will map the coating of human vaginal epithelium by microbicide gels. Thisinformation will help enable Project 1 develop new gels and rings with properties optimized for good vaginaldistribution and drug delivery. Interactions with Project 3 will link biophysical properties of the gels and ringsto measures of their perception and acceptability by women. Together, Projects 1, 2 and 3 will create newmicrobicide gels and rings with properties co-optimized to provide good biological activity against HIVtransmission and good behavioral acceptability by women.
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