How tiny differences between bacteria affect bacterial vaginosis
Defining the role of single-cell heterogeneity in bacterial vaginosis
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11170432
This project looks at differences between individual bacteria in the vagina to learn why bacterial vaginosis starts, comes back, and resists treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11170432 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have bacterial vaginosis (BV), researchers will examine individual bacterial cells from vaginal samples to see how they differ at the DNA and RNA level. The team will use single-cell genomic and transcriptomic techniques to map diversity among microbes that live together in the vagina. By linking specific bacterial cell types and activity patterns to treatment response and recurrence, they aim to find what drives BV to return. The work combines lab analysis of human-derived samples with advanced sequencing and computational methods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women of reproductive age who currently have BV or who experience frequent recurrences would be the most likely candidates to provide samples or participate.
Not a fit: People without BV, with unrelated vaginal conditions, or who cannot provide vaginal samples are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to target the specific bacteria or behaviors that cause BV and reduce the high rate of recurrence.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell approaches are fairly new for vaginal microbes; related single-cell work in other microbial communities has revealed important biology but has not yet solved BV recurrence.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEWIN, GINA — CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LEWIN, GINA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus