STI viruses meet mucus like gel (IMAGE) KTH, Royal Institute of Technology Caption The synthetic gel replicates the self-healing function of mucus in the body: mucin molecules trap virus particles, such as HIV and herpes, which are then cleared through mucus turnover. Credit Cosmin Butnarasu Usage Restrictions Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms. License CC BY-SA Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.