Following the phenomenal success of our first Isala study in 2020, we analyzed vaginal samples from no fewer than 3,000 healthy women. In doing so, we mapped the vaginal microbiome of women in Flanders for the very first time. And we are still incredibly proud of that.
But it is time for the next step: at the University of Antwerp, we would now like to investigate which factors have the greatest impact on a healthy vagina. Do you inherit your vaginal microbiome at birth? And is there a difference between a vaginal delivery and a caesarean section? Does breastfeeding have an impact? Or are there entirely different factors at play: such as your diet or even your washing routines?
Mothers and daughters
That is why this time we are specifically looking for mothers and daughters who want to make history together. To get a good picture of the impact of heredity and environmental factors, we are looking for pairs who still live under the same roof and for pairs where the daughter is already independent.
We ask both mother and daughter for two vaginal samples and to complete a questionnaire. That’s it. With that, we can get to work in our lab to take yet another big step forward in unraveling the secrets of our vaginas. At Isala, we are convinced that our research will contribute to better knowledge regarding healthy pregnancies, solving fertility problems, or remedies for common ailments such as bladder infections and yeast infections. But for that, we need your help.
Together for Maggie
This study with mothers and daughters from Isala was named Maggie . With this, we once again chose a female scientist who truly made a difference. We think Margaret Dayhoff would be proud if she knew we named this study after her. She is one of the founders of bioinformatics. And did you know that we almost missed out on her insights? Because after her maternity leave, she received a lot of negative responses to new job applications. Fortunately, this mother of two daughters was given another chance. And she made scientific history.
The inspiration behind the name: Margaret Dayhoff
You may also be wondering where the name Maggie comes from. The study is named after Margaret Dayhoff (1925 – 1983), the founder of bioinformatics. Her groundbreaking work helped shape a scientific discipline that continues to transform research today. Like many women in science, Margaret (Maggie) faced challenges along her career path. After taking a break from research to care for her two daughters, she was told that she had been away from science for too long. Fortunately, someone saw what others had missed. Today, her story reminds us that supporting women in science can leave a lasting impact for generations to come.
It would be even better if we could make this a success together. Will you help make Maggie proud? Then give your mother or daughter a call and arrange to participate in our research together.
When are you unfortunately unable to participate?
- Fill out the short pre-selection questionnaire, and you will hear as soon as possible whether you can participate in Maggie.
- One of you will then come to pick up a package of samples at the Isala lab, on the Campus Groenenborger of the University of Antwerp.
- You will each take two vaginal swabs in the privacy of your own bathroom. Rest assured, there is nothing difficult or painful about it. It really is over in no time.
- Ideally, you should return the two collected samples to our lab within 24 hours so that we can start the analyses immediately. Don’t worry, you can easily make an appointment for this so that you don’t have to wait and don’t lose any time.
- Both mother and daughter also complete an extensive questionnaire so that we can link the results of your swabs to specific dietary habits, washing routines, etc. Naturally, all of this is done completely anonymously.ipants, you cannot participate if you are participating in another intervention study.
What can you expect from us?
- Innovative and groundbreaking fundamental scientific research in which we truly want to discover how our vaginal microbiome develops.
- The utmost care in handling your samples and your data. Our research is fully approved by the competent ethics committee.
- Your personal result, which you can compare with your mother or daughter if you wish. Please give us some time for this. This type of research is time-consuming and complex.
Who can participate?
- There is no minimum age in principle for participating daughters, but experience has shown us that it is best for them to be adults. For younger teenage girls, the taboo surrounding this examination sometimes proves to be just a little too great, but it is certainly possible and permissible. For daughters between 10 and 17 years old, we can discuss together what is feasible and comfortable for them. The vaginal swab can potentially be replaced by a urine sample in this case.
- If you have a (twin) sister and you can convince your mom and even your grandma to participate together, that is certainly possible too. Feel free to send us an email!
- Unfortunately, you cannot participate if you:
- have used vaginal or systemic (intravenous or intramuscular treatments) antibiotics or antifungals in the 2 months prior to the start of the study,
- had cancer in the last 6 months or received immunosuppressive therapy,
- used vaginal douches during the study.
Maggie has already made (a bit of) history
The first step in the search for the role of heredity and environmental factors in a healthy vagina was already taken in 2025. At that time, 150 women donated samples along with their families. We already had some mothers and daughters then, but also sisters, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and other relatives. We are currently carefully analyzing the samples from those 150 participants. However, we lack the necessary quantity of samples to draw truly reliable conclusions. That is why we are continuing with Maggie this year and are specifically looking for mothers and daughters. Did you participate in 2025? Then you do not need to participate again, but you can help us enormously by sharing our research. Anyone can do that, by the way! Do you perhaps know a mother or daughter who would like to contribute to research into women’s health? Feel free to send them a message!
An enthusiastic team of researchers!
Behind every study stands an enthusiastic team of researchers ! Maria Pinedo Bardales is the PhD student leading this Isala subsidiary project, under the supervision of Dr. Stijn Wittouck, Dr. Sarah Ahannach, and Dr. Leonore Vander Donck (all three of whom have been involved since the very beginning of Isala). Naturally, they can count on the expertise of experienced Isala researchers such as Professor Sarah Lebeer (the one and only!) and Professor Veronique Verhoeven (the Isala physician). The team is further strengthened by Ines Tuyaerts, who has extensive experience in the Isala lab, and Brayan Gonzales, a PhD student who combines expertise in biostatistics with lab experience. As always at Isala, the saying holds true: Teamwork makes the dream work! We would like to thank the FWO and the University of Antwerp for supporting this study.