The human egg, or oocyte, grows to maturity within an ovarian follicle and is then released through the process known as ovulation so it can contact sperm and be fertilised. Ovulation is a unique process during which the follicle is ruptured and cells around the oocyte produce a specialised protein matrix which plays the critical role in carrying the oocyte out of the follicle. A technology that blocks ovulation would produce an ideal contraceptive from efficacy, safety and acceptability considerations because it can be non-hormonal, acute acting and not disturb the other aspects of endocrine physiology that are important for health and wellbeing. Additionally, by preventing fertilisation, there are no ethical concerns around embryo fate. Our team uses genomics tools to fully characterise the hormone actions unique to ovulation. One key mediator of ovulation is Progesterone Receptor (PGR). We use vertical integration of ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and RNA-seq in human cells and mutant mouse models, to define the specialised transcriptional mechanism of PGR in the ovary and the downstream biomechanical effectors that are essential for ovulation. We are also applying our expertise in the biomechanics of ovulation to develop in vitro surrogate models as screening tools to survey whole genome or large drug libraries as an objective means to identify new critical pathways and lead compounds that specifically block ovulation. The results have uncovered exciting ovary specific mechanisms of steroid hormone signalling and tissue remodelling that present novel targets for ovulation blocking contraceptives.