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− | + | This project started with only a few things in mind. Our team members knew they wanted to find a solution to an environmental issue that is prevalent in Baltimore City, and they wanted to develop a solution that could be created using the tools in the lab. | |
− | + | </article> | |
+ | <article> | ||
+ | While researching solutions to the issue of plastic pollution, we found a paper describing a bacteria that could degrade PET plastic. This bacteria is known as Ideonella sakaiensis. | ||
+ | </article> | ||
+ | <article> | ||
+ | Found in Yoshida Sasuke's Lab, the bacterium Ideonella s. degraded the surface of a thin PET film at a rate of 0.13 mg/cm2/day at an incubation temperature of 30°C. | ||
+ | </article> | ||
+ | <article> | ||
+ | Two enzymes that were secreted onto film were believed to have aided in the almost complete degradation of the PET film. These enzymes are: | ||
+ | </article> | ||
+ | <article> | ||
+ | PETase (Esterase) : | ||
+ | <ul> | ||
+ | <li>catalyzes PET hydrolysis</li> | ||
+ | <li>Turns PET into MHET (Mono (2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate acid)</li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </article> | ||
+ | <article> | ||
+ | MHETase (Lipase) : | ||
+ | <ul> | ||
+ | <li>Breaks down MHET</li> | ||
+ | <li>Turns MHET into ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.</li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </article> | ||
+ | <article> | ||
+ | Ethylene glycol and Terephthalic acid are used as energy source for I. sakaiensis. | ||
</article> | </article> | ||
</section> | </section> |
Revision as of 03:49, 1 November 2017
BALTIMORE BIO-CREW
Bio-Engineering E.Coli To Degrade Plastic and Save The Baltimore Inner Harbor
Design
- catalyzes PET hydrolysis
- Turns PET into MHET (Mono (2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate acid)
- Breaks down MHET
- Turns MHET into ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.