The role of female genital tract microbial function in inflammation and HIV infection risk
The primary aims of this project are to use metaproteomics data to describe the microbial activities and properties that drive genital inflammation, reduce epithelial barrier integrity and increase HIV infection risk.
Hypotheses generated are then validated by in vitro characterisation of bacterial isolates from the same women. Another aim of this work is to identify biomarkers of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis for point-of-care diagnostic development.
Objective
This project spans multiple cohort studies, including the Women’s Initiative in Sexual Health (WISH), the Mucosal Injury from Sexual Contact (MISC), and the Depo Provera and Beyond studies. As part of these studies, mucosal specimens for characterisation of the metaproteome and for bacterial isolation are being (or have been) collected.
Timeline
2016–ongoing.
Partners
Funding partners
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Carnegie Corporation of New York
- Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF)
- National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF)
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
- European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
- FHI 360
Collaborators
- University of Cape Town
- Seattle Children’s Hospital
- Centre For Proteomics and Genomic Research
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation
- Centre For the Aids Programme of Research In South Africa
- University Of Stellenbosch
- FHI 360
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Match Research Unit
- Setshaba Research Centre
Project contacts
Dr Lindi Masson
Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health
Project team
Jenna Wilson
Research Assistant
Dr Lindi Masson
Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health
