Current contraceptive methods often rely on hormonal interventions, which can have undesirable side effects. There is a pressing need for non-hormonal options. STIs among women have also been on the rise, we need preventative measures.
Introducing Ovaguard contraceptives…
I present a novel approach to develop a multipurpose contraceptive and anti-HIV strategy using engineered Lactobacillus jensenii. A dual plasmid system was designed to simultaneously secrete Eppin, anti-Eppin antibodies, and the antiretroviral drug AZT. The first plasmid encodes Eppin and anti-Eppin antibodies, while the second plasmid expresses enzymes for AZT biosynthesis and secretion. Suitable signal peptides were selected- SlpA to ensure efficient secretion of the target proteins.
The engineered L. jensenii strain is optimized for stable co-expression and secretion of the desired proteins. In vitro studies need to demonstrate the functionality of secreted Eppin and anti-Eppin antibodies in inhibiting sperm motility, while secreted AZT exhibited potent anti-HIV activity.
Traditional methods of female contraception come with their own set of drawbacks – limited duration of action, or reliance on partner cooperation, stripping women of their autonomy. Moreover, the current landscape of contraceptive options is dominated by hormonal methods, which come with a host of potential side effects and may not be suitable for all women. Many women are seeking non-hormonal alternatives. This highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions that prioritize a women's overall wellbeing.
Existing prevention strategies, such as condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, face significant barriers to accessibility and adherence, leaving women vulnerable.
Therefore, a dual action synbio contraceptive will be a viable solution at this juncture.
Chassis organism: Lactobacillus jensenii
Lactobacillus jensenii is a naturally occurring species found in the lower reproductive tract of healthy women, alongside other dominant Lactobacillus species such as L. crispatus, L. iners, and L. gasseri (1,2). Despite variations in the composition of vaginal bacterial populations across different ethnicities, L. jensenii shows a lot of promise as an engineering platform will be applicable to other similar species (3), enabling the enhancement of our non-hormonal contraception system.