People are often curious when I mention that I am currently working as a PhD researcher. They are interested in what I am investigating, but just as often they admit to not knowing what this type of work looks like. More specifically, what a day-to-day looks like. Do I attend a lot of classes? Or am I in the lab full time? Read more to find out!
The life of a scientific researcher is quite varied, and no two days are the same: from meetings to hours in the lab, writing, and the occasional conference… you get the idea. In this blog, I’d like to give you a glimpse into the everyday work in the Isala lab and what I am doing to shed light on the vaginal microbiome.
Who am I?
My name is Monica. I am a second-year PhD student and member of the Isala team with a research focus on the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy. Due to increased estrogen levels, pregnancy is commonly associated with an increase in the lactobacilli community, while an altered composition (and specific pathogens) is associated with vaginal inflammation. In turn, this inflammation may increase the risk of preterm birth, which can have serious consequences for both mother and baby. I am specifically interested in how beneficial lactobacilli interact with other bacteria that are present in the vagina and how they might be able to regulate inflammation.
In the Isala team, we are a diverse group of researchers who all share one singular trait, a passion and curiosity about the human microbiome and its role in health, something clearly reflected in our Isala daughter studies. For instance, our ongoing Maggie study investigates the transfer between women living in the same household, or the Luna study, which investigates the role of menstrual hygiene products on the intimate microbiome.
Another thing we all have in common is a dedicated “research question”. A research question is a clear question that guides a study and helps us find out something we do not yet know. The answer usually contributes to the global knowledge on that topic. But how do we actually find the answer? For this, we often have to dive into our laboratory at the University of Antwerp and plan an experiment, having in mind that all our results must be as relevant, reproducible, and accurate as possible.
Seems somewhat abstract? Let’s look at an example!
As you may know from our previous blogs, the vaginal microbiome of women in Flanders is typically dominated by lactobacilli, one of the features that makes this bacterial community so unique to humans. While this uniqueness makes it fascinating to study, it also presents some challenges as there are still limited models that accurately mimic what happens in the human body.
In research, a model is simply a way to recreate part of the real world in a controlled setting. Instead of experimenting directly on complex organisms (like people), scientists use models to safely explore how cells, tissues, and microbes behave. These models can take many forms, from computers to cells grown in a dish to animal systems or even advanced platforms. Developing better models is so important for advancing women’s health because if we can recreate the vaginal environment more realistically, we can better understand what happens during health and disease, including conditions like yeast infections.
One exciting invention in vaginal research is the “vagina-on-a-chip”. Sounds cool, right!? This is an innovative model that closely mimics the real vaginal environment, developed by the Gleghorn Lab. To bring this technology closer to home, I traveled to the University of Delaware in the United States on a FWO short research stay grant. Over two intensive weeks, I gained hands-on experience working with the model and learned the engineering principles behind its development.
My time there was both inspiring and incredibly educational; especially as someone who thrives in the lab, it felt almost surreal and deeply motivating to step into a research environment on another continent and experience that shared scientific passion firsthand!
Bringing the vagina-on-chip to Belgium
Now back in Belgium, I am eager to apply in our lab everything I learned overseas. First on the schedule: making sure that the model works, since it still takes some time to implement in the Isala lab! I start by growing vaginal cells, which are the cells that line the inside of the vagina (epithelial cells). These cells form a protective barrier, help the immune system, and create a place where beneficial bacteria can live. I grow these together with supporting cells called fibroblasts. These make up a large part of the vaginal wall and help keep the tissue strong and flexible, so it can repair itself. I do this in a way that mimics real human vaginal tissue. An important and challenging aspect is that this work must be done in sterile conditions (meaning the complete absence of all living microorganisms, including bacteria). These cells are then attached onto the chip, where they gradually grow to form a complete layer.
But how do you know when the model is ready? This can be checked visually under a microscope or functionally by adding a small molecule that should not pass through if the cell layer is intact (basically, the cells should have no gaps).
Once the model is fully established, it can be used by the entire team to find answers to their research questions. For instance, I can introduce specific lactobacilli, together with potentially harmful bacteria, and check how the cells respond. This allows me to measure changes in inflammation and better understand protective effects. Could these lactobacilli become future probiotics and help alleviate some vaginal issues? We’re not there yet, but the research is ongoing. Stay tuned!