Annually, the U.S. generates as much as 40 million tons of plastic waste

Scientists have been actively searching for solutions to tackle the growing problem of plastic waste. Sadly, plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose. As plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, it becomes more difficult to remove and poses a greater risk to wildlife and ecosystems.

Now, Rice University researchers have come up with a solution inspired by mussel.

The researchers harnessed the natural adhesive properties of mussels to develop bioengineered microorganisms that can strongly stick to surfaces. 

“Very excitingly, our research holds promise for addressing the growing problem of plastic pollution in the U.S. and across the globe,” said Han Xiao, study leader and an associate professor of chemistry, biosciences, and bioengineering.

Genetically modified bacteria

Annually, the U.S. generates as much as 40 million tons of plastic waste. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — a type of plastic — forms the major chunk of this waste (64%). PET may take centuries to decompose. 

The researchers developed adhesive bacteria and proteins that can help break down PET more efficiently. Interestingly, this could be a valuable tool in reducing plastic pollution worldwide.

In this development, the researchers used a technique called genetic code expansion to modify bacteria. 

They introduced a natural amino acid called 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) into the bacteria’s genetic code. DOPA is found in mussels and is responsible for their ability to stick to surfaces. 

This method significantly increased the bacteria’s ability to adhere to PET surfaces and made the bacteria more effective at breaking down PET plastic.

“Our approach underscores the innovative utility of genetic code expansion in material and cellular engineering. It can potentially transform bioengineering applications and solve real-world problems,” Xiao said.

Tackling biofouling

The engineered bacteria exhibited a 400-fold increase in adhesion to PET substrates when tested at 37 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, these sticky bacteria were combined with an enzyme called polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase to break down plastic.

This resulted in “what the researchers call a significant amount of degradation of the plastics overnight.”

Besides tackling plastic pollution, the researchers also suggest ways to prevent biofouling, which is a major problem in industries like shipping, marine construction, and water treatment.

Biofouling happens when microorganisms, plants, algae, and small animals attach to submerged surfaces. This can cause damage to ships’ hulls, underwater structures, and pipes, leading to increased maintenance costs.

For this, the team created modified proteins using the DOPA technique. The proteins created a protective layer on various surfaces, stopping organisms from attaching.

As per the press release , this research can be applied in many areas, such as healthcare. The DOPA-modified proteins could be utilized to inhibit bacterial adhesion on medical devices, enhancing their safety and efficacy.

“This will open up new avenues for leveraging these interactions to develop smart material-protein conjugates for various biomedical applications like implantable medical devices, tissue engineering and drug delivery,” said Mengxi Zhang, first author of the study and a graduate student in chemistry.

In another recent development, Northwestern University researchers discovered a wastewater bacteria that feeds on PET. The Comamonas testosteri bacterium uses an enzyme to break down PET. 

The findings were published in the journal Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.

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