Validation of Vag3Gel as a biomimetic gel for the growth of the microbiota of the cervicovaginal environment - Vargas Bautista, Alejandra (Universidad Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería, 2025)
Este estudio valida Vag³Gel como un gel biomimético capaz de reproducir condiciones del entorno cervicovaginal en estados ovulatorios y no ovulatorios. Se evaluó su capacidad para favorecer el crecimiento de bacterias beneficiosas, como Lactobacillus, y su respuesta frente a especies oportunistas, tanto en inoculaciones individuales como en comunidades derivadas de donantes.

This study validates Vag³Gel as a biomimetic gel capable of replicating the cervicovaginal environment under both ovulatory and non-ovulatory conditions. Its ability to support the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and its response to opportunistic species were evaluated through both single-strain inoculations and donor-derived microbial communities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................7 2. OBJECTIVES..............................................................................................................10 2.1. General................................................................................................................10 2.2. Specifics..............................................................................................................10 3. METHODS AND MATERIALS.....................................................................................11 3.1. Problem to solve..................................................................................................11 3.2. Project Phases....................................................................................................11 4. RESULTS....................................................................................................................15 5. DISCUSSION..............................................................................................................22 6. FUTURE WORK.........................................................................................................22 7. CONCLUSIONS..........................................................................................................23 REFERENCES....................................................................................................................24 ANEXS................................................................................................................................25
Keywords: Microbiota; Mujeres - Salud e higiene; Women - Health and hygiene; Materiales biomiméticos; Biomimetic materials; Moco cervical; Cervix mucus; Vag³Gel; Gel biomimético; Microbiota cervicovaginal; Lactobacillus; Dinámicas microbianas; Condiciones ovulatorias y no ovulatorias; Propiedades fisicoquímicas; Entorno mucoso; Análisis de 16S rRNA; Reología; Modelado de microbiota; Investigación en salud vaginal; Biomimetic gel; Cervicovaginal microbiota; Microbial dynamics; Ovulatory and non-ovulatory conditions; Physicochemical properties; Mucosal environment; 16S rRNA analysis; Rheology; Microbiota modeling; Vaginal health research