The vaginal microbiome plays a pivotal role in genital and reproductive health, serving as a primary defense mechanism against cervicovaginal infections. Vaginal lactobacilli offer broad-spectrum protection through the production of lactic acid and bacteriocins. Each vaginal microbiome including bacterial vaginosis condition, is characterized by a unique combination of strains that influence specific vaginal conditions. Among these, Lactobacillus iners occupies a distinct position, with diverse strain combinations contributing to its functional versatility and survival across various vaginal environments. However, progress in understanding L. iners is hindered by the limited availability of comprehensive collections of isolates with complete genomes, phenotypic data, and information about their environmental origins. Future research incorporating strain-level resolution could significantly enhance our understanding of L. iners, paving the way for novel therapeutic targets to address a range of genital health challenges.
Mokslinis vadovas / Supervisor: Dr. Milda Plečkaitytė
Kontaktai / Contacts:
tel. / phone: +37069873094
Programme: Biochemistry N 004