Comparison of Storage Conditions for Human Vaginal Microbiome Studies

BACKGROUND: The effect of storage conditions on the microbiome and metabolite composition of human biological samples has not been thoroughly investigated as a potential source of bias. We evaluated the effect of two common storage conditions used in clinical trials on the bacterial and metabolite composition of the vaginal microbiota using pyrosequencing of barcoded 16S rRNA gene sequencing and (1)H-NMR analyses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Eight women were enrolled and four mid-vaginal swabs were collected by a physician from each woman. The samples were either processed immediately, stored at -80°C for 4 weeks or at -20°C for 1 week followed by transfer to -80°C for another 4 weeks prior to analysis. Statistical methods, including Kolmogorovo-Smirnov and Wilcoxon tests, were performed to evaluate the differences in vaginal bacterial community composition and metabolites between samples stored under different conditions. The results showed that there were no significant differences between samples processed immediately after collection or stored for varying durations. (1)H-NMR analysis of the small molecule metabolites in vaginal secretions indicated that high levels of lactic acid were associated with Lactobacillus-dominated communities. Relative abundance of lactic acid did not appear to correlate with relative abundance of individual Lactobacillus sp. in this limited sample, although lower levels of lactic acid were observed when L. gasseri was dominant, indicating differences in metabolic output of seemingly similar communities. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings benefit large-scale, field-based microbiome and metabolomic studies of the vaginal microbiota

DESA1002 'Continuous City' <Danielle Gardner>

My familiarity of the design process has been extended and I have found this semester to be a rewarding and worthwhile experience where I have been challenged and have begun to have a clearer understanding of the different approaches and techniques used in design and architecture. The exercises have been valuable with ongoing weekly research benefiting us with our independence in following up queries on our own and improving our critical thinking. The experience of presenting in front of a group of people in the design classes is an area that I needed to improve on and something that I have appreciated. At times I have found myself to be nervous and uncomfortable about having to express my opinions although doing this repetitively has enhanced my capabilities and given me confidence. I have enjoyed the experience of seeing a project through from the beginning, starting with the selection of an appropriate site and balancing up the options of orientation, site size, accessibility in order to come to an appropriate resolution. As I have progressed through I have changed my design in accordance with feedback and formed new ideas and concepts that eventuated through this design process