Synopsis of Project

Unlike the gastrointestinal microbiome, greater biodiversity in the vaginal microbiome leads to dysbiosis and clinically significant changes. Lactobacillus sp. are a common resident of the human vaginal microbiome. Excretions of lactic acid and other physiologically relevant chemicals may help keep the vaginal environment stable and healthy. The scope of this project is to engineer Lactobacillus plantarum, a recognized probiotic, to create conditions found in a healthy vaginal environment: acidity, low diversity, and the absence of pathogenic bacteria. In vitro and in vivo fly models will be used to demonstrate proof of concept. I am seeking partnerships with women's healthcare professionals for design and clinical research stages of this project. Don't douche.
See this great article: ​https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2015/04/lessons-about-vaginal-microbiome.html

Engineering challenges

1. Final product must have no antibiotic resistance
2. Exclusive use of native genes to avoid regulation
3. Scale up 
4. Setting up clinical trials

Phase 1

Develop protocol to engineer Lactobacillus plantarum.
Clone native bacteriocin and other genes to transform Lactobacillus plantarum.
Determine in vitro vaginal microbiome residents.

Phase 2

In vivo testing of engineered Lactobacillus plantarum in Drosophila melanogaster.
​Optimizing scale up and strain stability.

Phase 3

Safety studies in rats. 
Effectivity study in rats.
Clinical trials to demonstrate effectiveness.
Productization and distribution through microlending model.

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