Like the human gut, the female genital tract is its own complex microbial ecosystem, where billions of beneficial bacteria make their home. The way Harvard chemist Emily Balskus sees it, the vaginal microbiome is an underappreciated, understudied part of the body where critically important chemistry takes place.

The Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of Chemistry and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Balskus is fascinated by how microbial chemistry influences health outcomes and has particular expertise in the human gut microbiome. For new research published in Nature Microbiology, Balskus pivoted to a less-studied realm — the vaginal microbiome — to provide insight into fundamental metabolic activities that shape a healthy vaginal environment.

Specifically, Balskus and her team, working with Seth Rakoff-Nahoum of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, examined how vaginal bacteria access glycogen, which is thought to be their key source of nutrition.

“This is biologically important chemistry that might explain why members of the vaginal microbiome community can survive and grow in their unique environment,” Balskus said.

To continue reading, click here: Vaginal bacteria must eat to survive — but how?