Research at the Tulane Primate Center in Covington is yielding a possible breakthrough treatment fighting the HIV virus for women.

Using a microbicide gel, doctors are having success in keeping test monkeys from contracting the virus that causes AIDS.

It's estimated that a quarter of new AIDS cases are now found in women worldwide.

It's not the first time the Primate Center has generated headlines, and this creates more postive images for NORBI, the newly formed New Orleans Regional Biosciences Iniative.

''To really showcase some of the cutting edge research that's being conducted in the New Orleans region and this is a perfect example of that,'' said spokesperson Catlin Kain.

The next step would be human trials, which could begin later this year.