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Our Imaging Life research theme is hosting a seminar with Dr Raveen Tank from the University of Manchester who will be talking about 'Understanding women’s host-microbiomes and improving health outcomes using cutting-edge microfluidic technologies' on Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 13:00.

Abstract:

Understanding women’s host-microbiomes and improving health outcomes using cutting-edge microfluidic technologies.

The human microbiome encapsulates all the microbes that live in and on us – and its composition and community dynamics are essential for human health. Current research is disproportionately weighted towards the importance of the gut microbiome with large knowledge gaps in other health-defining microbial communities such as the vaginal microbiome. Approximately 4.5% of the overall global disease burden can be attributed to gynaecological disease, which exceeds that of other major global health priorities such as malaria (1.04%), and tuberculosis (1.9%). It is thought this value is much higher as there is on average a 6.7 year delay in diagnosis for gynaecological issues. It is likely that bacterial vaginosis, chronic endometritis-related infertility is multifactorial and partially stem from inflammation and the presence of bacterial toxins. A key disruptive factor for the vaginal microbiome, is the cyclic change in hormone level. Hormonal fluctuations disturb the microbiome, increasing susceptibility to pathogenic invasion and raising the risk of asymptomatic infections and chronic diseases, including infertility, early pregnancy loss, and cancers. Our understanding of the mechanisms behind recurring and persistent vaginal and upper gynaecological tract infections is limited by gaps in our fundamental understanding, and the absence of suitable approaches to observe microbiome rhythms and host responses in real-time. My research program will develop a unique approach to determine how temporal and spatial variations in vaginal microbiome composition impact infection, combining cutting-edge microfluidic technology, super-resolution imaging, and advanced computational modelling.