Saliva Microbiome, Skin Microbiome, Vaginal Microbiome
Conditions
Keywords
Metagenomic sequencing, vaginal microbiome, skin microbiome, saliva microbiome, large-scale self-sampling cohort, Microbiota, Probiotics
Brief summary
The aim of the project is to improve our knowledge on the stability and temporal dynamics of the Flemish female microbiome (vagina, skin and saliva) in relation to different lifestyle factors and environmental conditions and to establish certain individual and social risk factors that can influence the healthy microbiome. Therefore, microbial DNA from swabs will be isolated via commercially available DNA extraction kits, followed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing in order to identify the microbial species present in these samples. Special attention will go to microbial species that are overrepresented in the healthy populations as potential health promoting microbes (i.e. probiotics).
Interventions
OTHERno intervention
self-sampling
Sponsors
University Hospital, Antwerp
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* none
Exclusion criteria
* none
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Differences in microbial communities colonizing the vagina, skin and saliva between healthy individuals measured with Illumina MiSeq | up to 5 years | After metagenomic shotgun and amplicon sequencing with the Illumina MiSeq, bio-informatic tools will be used to analyse taxonomic and functional data. The investigators will specifically screen for health-promoting and pathogenic taxa that can be associated with specific environmental conditions and lifestyle factors. Additionally, the investigators will pay attention to the dominant members of the vaginal bacterial community (i.e. beneficial microbes such as lactic acid bacteria). |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactSarah Lebeer, Professor
Backup ContactSarah Ahannach
Outcome results
None listed