Biocatalysis by plastic-degrading enzymes for bioremediation and recycling

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Biochemistry

Abstract

Microplastic contamination presents an urgent environmental problem. Biocatalytic degradation of microplastics would be a 'green'
remediation technology, but enzymes that destroy the unreactive plastics such as PET are rare - and currently inefficient. Our
ultrahigh-throughput screening of metagenomic libraries using innovative microfluidic technologies has helped to identify a new
family of enzymes that is able to break down microplastics. We also have invented the first direct assay for particle breakdown that
allows directed evolution of plastic degrading enzymes: uniquely tailor-making catalysts for microplastics breakdown become
possible. We now want to explore real world application for our workflow and its outcomes. This project is designed to analyse
markets and IP landscape for commercializing (i) polymer degrading enzymes generated thus far; (ii) the microfluidic devices used for
catalyst selection based on polymer particle-scatter. Interactions with stakeholders in industry (recycling) and also in the public sector
(bioremediation) will help us to define the target markets and their different demands. Limited experimental work is proposed to
extend our results to create an industrially relevant set of showcase results and for expanding the scope of our ultrahigh-throughput
assay to particle degradation of other plastic materials in the environment to demonstrate versatility. At the end of the project we will
be in a position to rank and evaluate different business models ranging from a spin-out company (including a draft business plan) to
licensing or direct industrial collaboration and consulting.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Technologies for development of enzymes for plastic degradation in recycling and bioremediation.
Exploitation Route Technologies for development of enzymes for plastic degradation in recycling and bioremediation.
Sectors Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

 
Description Material for business plan & proof-of-principle experiments that led to successful fundraising for spin-out company.
First Year Of Impact 2023
Sector Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Economic

 
Title DropBase: repository of device designs for handling moicrofluidic droplets 
Description DropBase is a collection of microfluidic droplet device designs that are free to download and use. We are making these designs freely available as a service to the microdroplet research community. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2015 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Positive direct feedback from user community 
URL http://www.openwetware.org/wiki/DropBase
 
Description Exhibition at Love Nature / Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibition booth to demonstrate library screening with ultrahigh throughput tools - with a focus on sustainable biocatalysis
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://hollfelder.bioc.cam.ac.uk/outreach