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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.
We provide a promising and eco-friendly solution for biological decomposition of PET waste in a saltwater-based environment by using a eukaryotic microalga instead of a bacterium as a model system. Our results show that via synthetic biology the diatom P. tricornutum indeed could be converted into a valuable chassis for biological PET degradation. Overall, this proof of principle study demonstrates the potential of the diatom system for future biotechnological applications in biological PET degradation especially for bioremediation approaches of PET polluted seawater.
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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.
Engineering Plastic Degrading Algae
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Scientists genetically modified algae to produce enzymes that can break down PET plastic (the type used in water bottles), which normally takes hundreds of years to decompose and often ends up as microplastics in our environment, food, and bodies. While only one modified algae sample survived testing, this early proof-of-concept suggests engineered algae could one day offer a cheaper, more eco-friendly way to break down plastic waste before it fragments into the microplastics linked to health concerns. More research is needed to confirm this approach actually works at scale.
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.
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.
Marine PET Hydrolase (PET2): Assessment of Terephthalate- and Indole-Based Polyesters Depolymerization
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Researchers characterized a marine enzyme (PET2) capable of breaking down PET plastic and related polyester materials under relatively mild conditions. Discovering and engineering enzymes that can degrade PET could help address the massive accumulation of PET microplastics in ocean environments.
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.