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Engineering microalgae as a whole cell catalyst for PET degradation
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Researchers engineered the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to express PETase, a plastic-degrading enzyme, creating a solar-powered whole-cell biocatalyst capable of breaking down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under saltwater conditions without external energy inputs.
Plastic pollution has become a serious issue on Earth. Although efficient industrial recycling processes exist, a significant fraction of plastic waste still ends up in nature, where it can endure for centuries. Slow mechanical and chemical decay lead to the formation of micro- and nanoplastics, which are washed from land into rivers and finally end up in the oceans. As such particles cannot be efficiently removed from the environment, biological degradation mechanisms are highly desirable. Several enzymes have been described that are capable of degrading certain plastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Such enzymes have a huge potential for future biotechnology applications. However, they require model systems that can be efficiently adapted to very specific conditions. Here, we present detailed instructions, how to convert the model diatom Phaeodactylum into a solar-fueled microbial cell factory for PETase expression, resulting in a whole cell catalyst for PET degradation at moderate temperatures under saltwater conditions.
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Using a marine microalga as a chassis for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degradation
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Researchers genetically engineered a marine microalgae to produce enzymes that break down PET plastic (the kind used in bottles and synthetic fibers), demonstrating for the first time that a saltwater microalgae can be used as a biological platform for PET degradation. This proof-of-concept points toward eco-friendly, ocean-based solutions for tackling plastic pollution at its source.
Engineered Vibrio natriegens as a living biocatalyst for in-situ biodegradation of microplastics in seawater
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Researchers engineered the fast-growing marine bacterium Vibrio natriegens to display PETase enzymes on its outer membrane, creating a living biocatalyst that degrades PET microplastics directly in seawater conditions, outperforming comparable E. coli-based systems in both growth rate and hydrolytic activity. This halophilic whole-cell approach addresses a key gap in bioremediation — most PETase studies use freshwater organisms that cannot survive the salinity of marine environments where plastic pollution is most severe.
Efficient secretion of a plastic degrading enzyme from the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
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Scientists engineered green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) to produce and secrete PHL7, an enzyme capable of breaking down PET plastic. The algae successfully secreted active enzyme that degraded both PET and polyurethane plastics in laboratory tests. This approach suggests that photosynthetic microorganisms could potentially be deployed as a biological tool to help break down plastic pollution in the environment.
Enzymatic Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastics by Bacterial Curli Display PETase
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Researchers engineered bacteria to display a PET-degrading enzyme on their surface, creating a reusable biocatalyst capable of breaking down polyethylene terephthalate plastics. The system worked under various conditions, remained stable for at least 30 days, and could even degrade PET microplastics in wastewater and highly crystalline consumer plastic waste. This biological approach offers a promising environmentally friendly alternative for plastic recycling and waste treatment.
Breakdown of polyethylene therepthalate microplastics under saltwater conditions using engineered Vibrio natriegens
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Scientists engineered a marine bacterium, Vibrio natriegens, to break down PET plastic into its basic chemical building blocks in saltwater conditions at moderate temperatures. The engineered bacteria display enzymes on their cell surface that can depolymerize PET without needing any pretreatment of the plastic. This biological approach could eventually help address ocean microplastic pollution, though significant work remains to scale the technology from the laboratory to real-world applications.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.