Researchers Create Genetically Modified Marine Bacterium to Degrade Plastic in Saltwater

• 19 Sep 2023

Scientists have recently genetically modified a marine bacterium to break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, addressing the issue of plastic pollution in marine environments.

Key Points

• Addressing Plastic Pollution: This breakthrough offers a potential solution to combat plastic pollution in oceans by breaking down PET, which contributes significantly to microplastic pollution.
• Reusability: The goal is to transform plastics into reusable products instead of merely removing them from the water and sending them to landfills.
• Environmental Impact: Reducing plastic pollution in marine environments can have a positive impact on ecosystems and marine life.
• Groundbreaking Achievement: This research marks the first successful expression of foreign enzymes on V. natriegens cells.
• Saltwater PET Degradation: It's the first genetically engineered organism known to break down PET microplastics in saltwater, overcoming challenges related to high salt concentrations.