Zaira Malloy-Salgado is making mutations in Gardnerella vaginalis and Gardnerella pickettii to identify factors needed for infection of human cervix tissue. Zaira is working on adherence factors including FIVAR repeat fibronectin-binding proteins, GA-module proteins, and pili. She is working to create a Gardnerella strain that produces antigenic proteins that will induce protective responses while not producing an active toxin or certain other pathogenesis-related factors. For developing new drugs, probiotics, or attenuated strains, we need to know which factors are crucial for infection and avoiding immune-mediated clearance.