Women will be able to protect themselves from HIV by 2010 if South African research into a microbicide gel, known commonly as an "invisible condom", proves successful.

About 10 000 healthy women will be part of a groundbreaking microbicide trial, the biggest conducted, which kicks off next week.

The research marks an important step forward for women, who are the hardest hit by the HIV/Aids pandemic.

Microbicides, in either gel or cream form or as suppositories or films, are used vaginally to prevent HIV infection or infections from other sexually-transmitted diseases.