Isala

Meet Isala, our ambitious citizen science project at the University of Antwerp. In March 2020, we launched a call to find 200 women in Belgium willing to take simple swab samples from their vaginas, skin, and saliva to analyze the female microbiome. The microbiome describes all bacteria living on and in an individual that contributes to health and well being. We were looking for 200 women and found more than 6000 enthusiastic volunteers! Our first results point to fascinating results linking bacteria to the lifestyle and health of the volunteering women. We are expanding our activities, and Isala is now becoming a highly ambitious international program dedicated to breaking taboos, informing the general public on women’s health, and building a vibrant community to support equal rights for women and inclusivity. Isala’s driving force is Prof. Sarah Lebeer’s research group, a team of dedicated scientists fascinated by bacteria and their positive influence on our health. The multidisciplinary team includes microbiologists, bioinformaticians, and bioengineers collaborating with multiple parties, such as gynecologists and general practitioners, to better understand how we live with our bacteria. For more information, visit https://lebeerlab.com/. "Every step we can take with Isala is a step towards more knowledge, more understanding and more attention to female health. And we are very happy that such a wonderful, enthusiastic community is walking with us. Thank you!" ~ the Isala research team