Molecular up-cycling: bio-transforming waste plastic into value-added products
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
It is estimated that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the oceans each year and that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the seas by weight than fish. This plastic is both incredibly dangerous to marine ecosystems and also sequesters materials prepared from non-renewable fossil fuels, with just ~14% currently being recycled globally each year. It has been estimated that recycling the remaining 86% of plastics could generate up to $120bn, but new methods and processes to transform waste plastic into value-added products must be developed in order to realise this potential. The proposed research will focus on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a feedstock for a bio-based 'molecular up-cycling' platform to produce value-added, industrially relevant small molecules. PET accounts for 15% of plastic waste in the UK, out of which ~60% is accounted for by synthetic fibres and 30% by plastic bottles, whilst other uses include plastic wrappers and films and thermoforming for manufacturing. Although chemical and thermal methods for PET recycling are well-established, there is a dramatic loss in value throughout the plastic life-cycle, with the value of the waste PET bottles being 86% lower than the virgin polymer.
This Fellowship proposal unites cutting edge research from both the chemical and biological sciences to transform waste PET into high-value small molecules. The research will address the global plastic waste disaster twofold by (i) decreasing the amount of plastic waste deposited in the environment in the future and (ii) transforming pre-existing, low-value waste products into industrially relevant, value-added products via a new 'molecular up-cycling' process. The research will be organised into two phases. Initially, a robust and efficient plastic degradation process will be developed. This will exploit PET degrading enzymes that have been isolated from microbes found in landfill sites, which have evolved to use PET as a carbon source for growth. In the second phase, the PET degradation technology will be integrated with 'microbial cell factories', which we will genetically programme to turn the degradation products of PET into industrially relevant small molecules. The initial target of the project will be the synthesis of vanillin - the primary extract from the vanilla bean and the primary molecule responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of vanilla. Vanillin is used extensively for flavours and fragrances and is also a valuable intermediate in the production of fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals. As such, it has huge commercial value, with the global market for vanillin estimated to reach $724.5 million by 2025. Beyond this, the project also holds great potential for the production of a range of other high-value small molecules which are accessible through developing and integrating novel, bio-compatible chemical reactions with the PET degradation system. Such compounds include pharmaceuticals, fragrance/flavouring compounds, agrochemicals and polymers. As such, it is anticipated that this project will have significant academic and industrial value, as well having a positive impact on the environment by removing plastic waste from the natural environment.
This Fellowship proposal unites cutting edge research from both the chemical and biological sciences to transform waste PET into high-value small molecules. The research will address the global plastic waste disaster twofold by (i) decreasing the amount of plastic waste deposited in the environment in the future and (ii) transforming pre-existing, low-value waste products into industrially relevant, value-added products via a new 'molecular up-cycling' process. The research will be organised into two phases. Initially, a robust and efficient plastic degradation process will be developed. This will exploit PET degrading enzymes that have been isolated from microbes found in landfill sites, which have evolved to use PET as a carbon source for growth. In the second phase, the PET degradation technology will be integrated with 'microbial cell factories', which we will genetically programme to turn the degradation products of PET into industrially relevant small molecules. The initial target of the project will be the synthesis of vanillin - the primary extract from the vanilla bean and the primary molecule responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of vanilla. Vanillin is used extensively for flavours and fragrances and is also a valuable intermediate in the production of fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals. As such, it has huge commercial value, with the global market for vanillin estimated to reach $724.5 million by 2025. Beyond this, the project also holds great potential for the production of a range of other high-value small molecules which are accessible through developing and integrating novel, bio-compatible chemical reactions with the PET degradation system. Such compounds include pharmaceuticals, fragrance/flavouring compounds, agrochemicals and polymers. As such, it is anticipated that this project will have significant academic and industrial value, as well having a positive impact on the environment by removing plastic waste from the natural environment.
Technical Summary
The proposed research will focus on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) as a feedstock for a bio-based 'molecular up-cycling' platform to produce value-added, industrially relevant small molecules from plastic waste. PET accounts for 15% of plastic waste in the UK, out of which ~60% is accounted for by synthetic fibres and 30% by plastic bottles, whilst other uses include wrappers, films and thermoforming for manufacturing. Although chemical and thermal methods for PET recycling are well-established, there is a dramatic loss in value throughout the plastic life-cycle, with the value of the waste PET bottles being 86% lower than the virgin polymer. The research will be organised into two phases: (1) The development of a robust and efficient plastic biodegradation process and (2) Integration of plastic degradation with in vivo engineered pathways and biocompatible chemistry for the production of value-added small molecules, with an initial focus on the production of vanillin. Our strategy for Phase 1 is to express a PET hydrolase (PETase) on the surface of an E. coli biofilm, which will be used as a biocatalyst presentation platform. In Phase II of the project, the PET degradation system will be integrated with engineered in vivo pathways for the production of high-value small molecules, with an initial focus on vanillin. This multi-disciplinary research will draw on advances in metabolic engineering, microbiology, synthetic organic chemistry and synthetic biology for the development of a versatile and tunable platform for the sustainable production of industrially relevant small molecules, with significant environmental and economic impact and provide vital proof-of-concept for further development of processes using plastic waste as a feedstock for microbial cell factories.
Planned Impact
Environmental and Public Impact:
This project will address an urgent unmet need for new technologies to breakdown and remove plastics from the environment and responds to public calls for reduction of plastic waste. These recalcitrant polymeric materials are pervasive throughout marine and soil ecosystems and have even recently been detected in drinking water, raising serious concerns about potential risks to human health and that of marine organisms. Consequently, there is mounting pressure on local authorities, governments and retail industries to reduce the amount plastic waste released into the environment, with new regulations such as the banning of plastics straws being proposed. However, these measures do not address the millions of tonnes of plastic waste that has already bioaccumulated, which is the focus of the proposed research. Crucially, this research will break the cycle of relatively high-value virgin plastics, which are made from small molecules from petrochemical origin, being made into disposable items, recycled and transformed into low-value second generation products or ending up in landfill, rivers and oceans.
Academic Impact:
This research will provide vital proof-of-concept for the molecular up-cycling of plastic waste, prompting further research in the area, thereby contributing to a toolbox of technologies for the transformation of plastic - an environmental pollutant - into industrially relevant, value-added products. Importantly, the unique merging of synthetic organic chemistry and synthetic biology for the valorisation of plastic waste will also go some way to address the prevailing disciplinary gap between these two fields.
Industrial and Economic Impact:
Production of commercially valuable bulk chemicals such as vanillin, benzyaldehyde and benzyl alcohol from a waste product will drastically reduce process costs and environmental footprint for the production of these chemicals. There is also the potential for a start-up or spin out company from this project, focusing on the production of bulk chemicals from plastic waste. This would generate jobs and revenue, boost the local economy and have a positive social impact.
This project will address an urgent unmet need for new technologies to breakdown and remove plastics from the environment and responds to public calls for reduction of plastic waste. These recalcitrant polymeric materials are pervasive throughout marine and soil ecosystems and have even recently been detected in drinking water, raising serious concerns about potential risks to human health and that of marine organisms. Consequently, there is mounting pressure on local authorities, governments and retail industries to reduce the amount plastic waste released into the environment, with new regulations such as the banning of plastics straws being proposed. However, these measures do not address the millions of tonnes of plastic waste that has already bioaccumulated, which is the focus of the proposed research. Crucially, this research will break the cycle of relatively high-value virgin plastics, which are made from small molecules from petrochemical origin, being made into disposable items, recycled and transformed into low-value second generation products or ending up in landfill, rivers and oceans.
Academic Impact:
This research will provide vital proof-of-concept for the molecular up-cycling of plastic waste, prompting further research in the area, thereby contributing to a toolbox of technologies for the transformation of plastic - an environmental pollutant - into industrially relevant, value-added products. Importantly, the unique merging of synthetic organic chemistry and synthetic biology for the valorisation of plastic waste will also go some way to address the prevailing disciplinary gap between these two fields.
Industrial and Economic Impact:
Production of commercially valuable bulk chemicals such as vanillin, benzyaldehyde and benzyl alcohol from a waste product will drastically reduce process costs and environmental footprint for the production of these chemicals. There is also the potential for a start-up or spin out company from this project, focusing on the production of bulk chemicals from plastic waste. This would generate jobs and revenue, boost the local economy and have a positive social impact.
Organisations
- University of Edinburgh (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- Victrex (Collaboration)
- University of the Arts London (Collaboration)
- University of Portsmouth (Collaboration)
- SOLVAY SA (Commercial Partner) (Collaboration)
- Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Joanna Sadler (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications

Armijo-Galdames B
(2024)
One-Pot Biosynthesis of Acetone from Waste Poly(hydroxybutyrate)
in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

Dennis J
(2022)
Tyramine Derivatives Catalyze the Aldol Dimerization of Butyraldehyde in the Presence of Escherichia coli
in ChemBioChem

Goss R
(2020)
SynBio: Green and clean sustainable solutions for designer pharmaceuticals, catalysis, and bioremediation.
in Current opinion in chemical biology

Sadler J
(2021)
Bacteria serve up a tasty solution to the global plastic problem
in The Biochemist

Sadler JC
(2021)
Microbial synthesis of vanillin from waste poly(ethylene terephthalate).
in Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC

Sadler JC
(2020)
The Bipartisan Future of Synthetic Chemistry and Synthetic Biology.
in Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology

Sadler JC
(2023)
Overproduction of Native and Click-able Colanic Acid Slime from Engineered Escherichia coli.
in JACS Au

Sadler JC
(2021)
Interfacing non-enzymatic catalysis with living microorganisms.
in RSC chemical biology

Schneier A
(2024)
Engineered plastic-associated bacteria for biodegradation and bioremediation
in Biotechnology for the Environment
Title | Different Days anthology |
Description | PET to vanillin upcycling work inspired a student to write a poem, which has been published in the anthology 'Different Days' from Grey Hen Press, with proceeds supporting UK Youth Climate Coalition. |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | Impacts unknown at this time. |
URL | https://www.greyhenpress.com/books/ |
Description | A new method to convert waste plastic into the high value compound vanillin (found in flavourings, fragrances, pharmaceuticals etc etc) has been developed. This method uses engineered microorganisms and operates under extremely mild conditions (aqueous system, room temperature, no expensive reagents). This resulted in a high impact publication which was widely reported in the public media (e.g. Guardian, BBC, Washington post and numerous podcasts and interviews). I have also developed a method of growing engineered biofilms on plastic surfaces. We are now determining the usefulness of these biofilms in degrading plastic materials. |
Exploitation Route | This result will form the basis of a further grant application to develop this technology into a commercially viable and scalable processes to realise industrial up-cycling of plastic waste. |
Sectors | Chemicals Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Collaboration with artists has resulted in dissemination of new concepts based on this work at the international level and has won awards. Eg: https://crqlr.com/crqlr-awards/2023/winners/guilty-flavours/ This is changing perception of origin of food in the context of sustainability. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | Cyclodextrin-coated nanoparticles as an innovative technology for rapid, low-cost, sustainable product recovery from biomanufacturing |
Amount | £28,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2024 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Engineering Escherichia coli for plastic upcycling (Research Grants 2021 Round 2) |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RGS\R2\212067 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | |
End | 04/2023 |
Description | FTI Initiative Circular Economy |
Amount | € 295,153 (EUR) |
Organisation | Austrian Research Promotion Agency |
Sector | Public |
Country | Austria |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 06/2024 |
Description | IBioIC Feasibility Funding: Microbial production of hydroquinone from waste |
Amount | £42,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | IBioIC |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2021 |
End | 11/2021 |
Description | IBioIC-Industry PhD Project: Microbial production of hydroquinone from waste feedstocks |
Amount | £121,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | IBioIC |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | Launchpad: bio-based manufacturing in Scotland |
Amount | £349,635 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | Net Zero Chemical Manufacturing Flexible Funding |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 13763407 |
Organisation | IBioIC |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2024 |
End | 05/2024 |
Description | Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) |
Amount | £13,800,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 03/2029 |
Description | SULSA Early Career Researcher Award in Technology and Analysis |
Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2019 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Sustainable Microbial Manufacture of Adipic Acid from Industrial and Post-Consumer Waste |
Amount | £1,348,312 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/W019000/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | Valorization of polyester-derived CO¬2 through self-feeding microbial co-cultures |
Amount | £87,498 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 13704402 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 10/2024 |
Title | Conversion of post-consumer PET to vanillin |
Description | An engineered strain of E. coli capable of converting PET derived monomer terephthalate to the value added compound vanillin at room temperature under very mild conditions. We have also demonstrated coupling this to enzyme catalysed PET depolymerisation to show conversion of post-consumer plastic waste to vanillin. Manuscript submitted January 2021, awaiting outcome at time of writing. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Proof of concept for molecular up-cycling of plastic waste. This will form the foundation of subsequent research programmes based on valorising waste plastic. |
Title | E. coli strain for conversion of terephthalic acid to 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid |
Description | Strain of E. coli for use as a whole cell biocatalyst for the conversion of terephthalic acid to 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Enables a key step in the development of novel up-cycling pathways for plastic waste. |
Description | Central Saint Martins, UAL collaboration |
Organisation | University of the Arts London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of vanillin producing strain and scientific advisory role |
Collaborator Contribution | Artistic interpretation of UKRI-funded work to be presented at high-profile national and international art exhibitions. |
Impact | No outcomes yet - project is in early stage. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Collaboration with the University of Strathclyde - use of mesolens to analyse microbial biofilms |
Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Growth of E. coli biofilms on plastic films, sample preparation, intellectual input (original idea) |
Collaborator Contribution | Owners of mesolens instrumentation, technical expertise and time spent analysing samples |
Impact | Collaboration still active and have obtained preliminary data only. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Designer biofilms for microplastic aggregation and degradation |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Department | School of Physics and Astronomy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of engineered microbial strains capable of biofilm formation on plastic surfaces and expertise/advice on assays and protocols |
Collaborator Contribution | Testing of novel strains on microplastics and measuring settling rate and aggregation in comparison to negative controls |
Impact | no outputs yet - new collaboration |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Designer nanoparticles for product recovery |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Department | School of Biological Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Testing of our terephthalic acid to vanillin pathway with their designer nanoparticles; HPLC analysis of samples and chemistry expertise. |
Collaborator Contribution | Design, synthesis and testing of designer nanoparticles for product recovery . |
Impact | No outputs yet, exploring opportunity to file a patent at time of reporting. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Directed Evolution platform at Edinburgh Genome Foundry |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Conception of idea to establish a directed evolution platform at Edinburgh Genome Foundry based on previous research; experimental design; project coordination |
Collaborator Contribution | Bioinformatics expertise, generation of worklists for automation, help with experimental design |
Impact | Project in infancy - no outcomes yet. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Internal Collaboration on development of cold-active PETases |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaborator on project to develop cold-active enzymes for plastic degradation. Provided letter of support and input into project proposal, which went on to be funded. This project will likely provide POC for a larger grant proposal in the future. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners wrote the bulk of the proposal and will carry out the majority of wet-lab experimental work. |
Impact | Project ongoing. Multi-disciplinary: bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, synthetic biology and biochemistry. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Microbial synthesis of vanillin from PET |
Organisation | SOLVAY SA (Commercial Partner) |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We are working with Solvay to further develop the vanillin-from-terephthalate pathway towards being an industrially useful platform for sustainable synthesis. Our contribution is all experimental work, data analysis and experimental design. |
Collaborator Contribution | Solvay are contributing project input, management and financial support. |
Impact | A three-fold improvement in vanillin titres has been achieved after 9 months working on the project. This is the basis for further engineering of this pathway and will likely lead to filing of a patent. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Non-Random AHRC research project |
Organisation | Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Advisor to research project looking to develop a series of creative processes/methodologies that will engage both general and specific publics in the conversation around these technologies and the ethical implications and long term impact of their use, a 'future visioning'. My contribution will be design and delivery of a workshop for the public at the ASCUS art and science laboratory at Summerhall in year 1 and/or year 2; and 2 meetings a year with feedback and engagement on the art works/prototypes. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are leading the project and developing the new methodologies for engaging the public with current scientific research. |
Impact | No outputs yet; project still in infancy. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) |
Organisation | University of Portsmouth |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contribution of research projects on upcycling of plastic into flavour molecules; and development of novel sustainable routes to plastic monomers |
Collaborator Contribution | Hub coordination and contribution of a range of projects centred around improving sustainability of plastics using engineering biology |
Impact | n/a - hub only just started |
Start Year | 2024 |
Description | Victrex partnership |
Organisation | Victrex |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Biotechnology and strain engineering expertise; performing wet-lab experiments to drive forwards project |
Collaborator Contribution | Strategic direction of the project; provision of PEEK materials to UoE lab for testing |
Impact | Joint Victrex-IBioIC funded PhD studentship converting industrial waste streams into hydroquinone. Project is in its first 6 months, but proof of concept data already generated. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | British Science Festival Award Lecture (Environmental Sciences) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public lecture as part of the 2022 British Science Festival. Attended by >100 members of the public, including school students. Sparked general discussion on the use of microbes to tackle the plastic waste crisis and to make everyday chemicals such as vanillin. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://britishsciencefestival.org/award-lecture-winners-at-british-science-festival-2022/#:~:text=J... |
Description | EUSci Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Podcast interview discussing use of engineered microbes for plastic valorisation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/plastic-is-the-new-vanilla/id1521154097?i=1000543611418 |
Description | Fun Kids Science Weekly Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Podcast for children talking about turning plastic into useful chemicals using microbies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plastics-challenge/id1565632801 |
Description | Further roll out of Leaders in Science outreach programme in collaboration with IBioIC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Leaders in Science (www.leadersinscience.co.uk) is a long term outreach schemes that I started during my PhD. I am now programme Director and collaborate with IBioIC to deliver the programme in Scotland. We recruit programme mentors (typically PhD students and PostDocs) to work regularly with secondary school pupils, first delivering off-curriculum workshops (eg on food security, vaccines, industrial biotechnology), then the mentors help the students develop workshops to take into local primary schools. The cascade learning structure enables development of commination skills, technical knowledge and teamwork skills of both mentors and pupils. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020,2021 |
URL | http://leadersinscience.co.uk/ |
Description | Interview for Galileo German TV programme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Featured on a German science channel video discussing process of converting PET into vanillin. Video viewed 48K times. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shd3wGBiirQ |
Description | Plastics Challenge Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Podcast interview on bio-based PET to vanillin upcycling work |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plastics-challenge/id1565632801 |
Description | Press release |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | University of Edinburgh press release regarding use of engineered microbes to convert waste plastic into vanillin. Triggered substantial media interest and resulted in articles and interviews in several mainstream news outlets, including: BBC World Service (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09lslmg) The Guardian The Washington Post The Daily Mail |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2021/bacteria-serves-tasty-solution-to-plastic-crisis |
Description | RSC Podcast: A sustainable future for plastics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Part of Royal Society of Chemistry podcast series. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.rsc.org/new-perspectives/brought-to-you-by-chemistry-podcast/#undefined |
Description | RecycleSmart Get Better at Garbage Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Podcast interview on vanillin from PET work using engineered microbes |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://d.facebook.com/RecycleSmartSolutions/videos/did-you-know-that-most-of-the-vanilla-flavouring... |
Description | TV interview for FranceTV |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | TV report on bio-based upcycling of plastic waste into the aroma molecule vanillin aired on FranceTV |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/polynesie/programme-video/la1ere_polynesie_journal-polynesie/diffusio... |
Description | Talking Biotech Podcast (most listened to episode of 2021) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Podcast series designed to make biotechnology accessible to non-expert audiences. Most listened to episode of 2021, and as of October 2021 had been downloaded 7548 times. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/296-turning-plastic-waste-into-vanilla/ |
Description | Talking Science Lecture (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public lecture on the use of microbes to upcycle plastic waste into high value chemicals, using our work on vanillin production from PET as an example. Sparked a lot of interesting discussion on the use of microbes to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges and changed perceptions and understanding of where everyday chemicals come from. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://m.facebook.com/ScienceAndTechnologyFacilitiesCouncil/videos/talking-science/284165310382385/ |