Lactic acid helps protect the cervix and vaginal lining from infections
Official title: Lactic Acid–Mediated Protection of the Cervicovaginal Epithelium
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11433083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether lactic acid produced by healthy vaginal bacteria can protect the cervicovaginal lining from sexually transmitted infections, using human-like lab models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 21, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $649,728 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI202116-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11433083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals interested in prevention strategies for STIs and willing to participate in studies that involve vaginal health research or provide biological samples in future translational work.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not at risk for STIs or those not contributing samples or participating in future trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced lab models that mimic the cervicovaginal environment to study how lactic acid influences infection risk. Researchers will grow microbiota and human-like tissue in a microfluidic system and introduce the bacteria that cause STIs to observe responses. The goal is to see if lactic acid can prevent infection or help the tissue recover, potentially reducing reliance on antibiotics. The work emphasizes human-relevant models to better predict safety and effectiveness in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to new lactic-acid–based strategies to prevent or treat STIs, lowering antibiotic use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using human-like tissue models have shown that microenvironment factors influence infection risk, with this work extending findings to lactic acid–mediated protection.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nelson, Katherine — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Nelson, Katherine
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.