New perspectives into the vaginal microbiome with systems biology

The vaginal microbiome (VMB) is critical to female reproductive health; however, the mechanisms associated with optimal and non-optimal states remain poorly under-stood due to the complex community structure and dynamic nature. Quantitative systems biology techniques applied to the VMB have improved understanding of community composition and function using primarily statistical methods. In contrast, fewer mechanistic models that use a priori knowledge of VMB features to develop predictive models have been implemented despite their use for microbiomes at other sites, including the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we explore systems biology approaches that have been applied in the VMB, highlighting suc-cessful techniques and discussing new directions that hold promise for improving understanding of health and disease.

Automated summary

The mechanisms associated with optimal and non-optimal states of the vaginal microbiome (VMB) remain poorly understood due to its complex community structure and dynamic nature. Statistical methods have improved understanding of VMB composition and function, but mechanistic models using a priori knowledge of VMB features are underutilized. This review discusses systems biology approaches that have been applied to the VMB, highlighting successful techniques and new directions for improved understanding of health and disease.