Bioremediation of Plastic Pollution to Conserve Marine Biodiversity (2019-2020)
This Bass Connections project leveraged newly identified enzymes to create a lab strain of bacteria capable of rapidly degrading plastic to restore environmental health and conserve marine biodiversity.
The team tested and optimized a new system for plastic bioremediation that uses bioengineered laboratory strains of E. coli to express the two plastic-degrading enzymes PETase and MHETase. Using this strain, the team tested if the new E. coli-based system can degrade plastic and then work on optimizing this new system to enhance plastic bioremediation.
In the long term, this research will inform work to engineer a solar-powered portable bioreactor that can be deployed to areas in need of plastic remediation and removal. This project will therefore have the positive societal benefit of creating a new way to protect our oceans.
Timing
Fall 2019 – Summer 2020
Team Outputs
Emma Schmaltz, Emily C. Melvin, Zoie Diana, Ella F. Gunady, Daniel Rittschof, Jason A. Somarelli, John Virdin, Meagan M. Dunphy-Daly. "Plastic pollution solutions: emerging technologies to prevent and collect marine plastic pollution." 2020. Environment International 144(106067).
Protecting Oceans by Putting Plastic Waste to Use (Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Virtual Showcase 2020)
Maya U. Sheth, Sarah K. Kwartler, Emma R. Schmaltz, Sarah M. Hoskinson, E. J. Martz, Meagan M. Dunphy-Daly, Thomas F. Schultz, Andrew J. Read, William C. Eward, Jason A. Somarelli. "Bioengineering a Future Free of Marine Plastic Waste." 2019. Frontiers in Marine Science 6(624)1-10.
Bioremediation of Plastic Pollution to Conserve Marine Biodiversity (video)
Reflections
This Team in the News
Bogs, Banks and Bubble Barriers: Five Great Projects to Protect Nature
Duke Innovates Together to Protect the Planet
Celebrate Earth Day with 12 Stories About the Environment
52 Technologies to Fight Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans
Confronting the Plastic Pandemic to Restore Environmental Health and Biodiversity
Doctoral Students Honored for Commitment to Outstanding Mentorship
Meet the Winners of the 2020 Bass Connections Student Research Awards
New Webpage Highlights 52 Technologies to Fight Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans
See related team, Bioremediation of Plastic Pollution to Conserve Marine Biodiversity (2020-2021).
Image: Smithsonian’s National Zoo presents “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea,” by Adam Mason/Smithsonian’s National Zoo, licensed under CC BY 2.0