“Development of a novel in vitro model of the human female cervicovaginal region to investigate host-pathogen interactions”

Filipa Maria Ribeiro Soeiro de Carvalho, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Delaware, received IFER funding from 2024-2025 for her project, “Development of a novel in vitro model of the human female cervicovaginal region to investigate host-pathogen interactions.” This project seeks to develop an in vitro system that can accurately recapitulate the complex physiological environment of the cervicovaginal region of the female reproductive tract. This area is a common site of invasion for many pathogens, including N. Gonorrhoeae. This project proposes to design a microfluidic device that includes the extracellular matrix and models the interplay between host immune responses, microbiota, and endogenous tissue structure. The device will include a hydrogel microchamber that allows for altered fluid flow and an air/cell interface to allow for more accurate mimicry of the cervicovaginal region. The models will be subject to infection with gonorrhea to validate infection pathogenesis and advance our understanding of sexually transmitted infections and reduce reliance on animal models which are commonly used for this purpose.