Lee, Seoyoon2025-05-082025-05-082025https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22190The human body is extensively colonized by different microbes, including bacteria, virus, and fungi. An optimal vaginal microbiota is characterized by Lactobacillus dominance and previous research has shown vaginal lactobacilli protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea through various mechanisms. However, the relationship between Lactobacillus and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of the STI, syphilis, has yet to be investigated. I am investigating the impact of beneficial vaginal Lactobacillus species on T. pallidum adhesion to the vaginal epithelial cells. Pathogen attachment to the host environment is an essential step for infection. Research findings will contribute to the field’s understanding of how the resident human microbiota interacts with and confers protection against STIs.syphilismicrobiotasexually transmitted infectionsinfectious diseasesvaginal microbiomePoster