An enzyme variant created by engineers and scientists at The University of Texas at Austin can break down environment-throttling plastics that typically take centuries to degrade in just a matter of hours to days.
This discovery, published today in Nature, could help solve one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems: what to do with the billions of tons of plastic waste piling up in landfills and polluting our natural lands and water. The enzyme has the potential to supercharge recycling on a large scale that would allow major industries to reduce their environmental impact by recovering and reusing plastics at the molecular level.
“The possibilities are endless across industries to leverage this leading-edge recycling process,” said Hal Alper, professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin. “Beyond the obvious waste management industry, this also provides corporations from every sector the opportunity to take a lead in recycling their products. Through these more sustainable enzyme approaches, we can begin to envision a true circular plastics economy.”
The project focuses on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a significant polymer found in most consumer packaging, including cookie containers, soda bottles, fruit and salad packaging, and certain fibers and textiles. It makes up 12% of all global waste.
The enzyme was able to complete a “circular process” of breaking down the plastic into smaller parts (depolymerization) and then chemically putting it back together (repolymerization). In some cases, these plastics can be fully broken down to monomers in as little as 24 hours.
Researchers at the Cockrell School of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences used a machine learning model to generate novel mutations to a natural enzyme called PETase that allows bacteria to degrade PET plastics. The model predicts which mutations in these enzymes would accomplish the goal of quickly depolymerizing post-consumer waste plastic at low temperatures.
Through this process, which included studying 51 different post-consumer plastic containers, five different polyester fibers and fabrics and water bottles all made from PET, the researchers proved the effectiveness of the enzyme, which they are calling FAST-PETase (functional, active, stable and tolerant PETase).
“This work really demonstrates the power of bringing together different disciplines, from synthetic biology to chemical engineering to artificial intelligence,” said Andrew Ellington, professor in the Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology whose team led the development of the machine learning model.
Recycling is the most obvious way to cut down on plastic waste. But globally, less than 10% of all plastic has been recycled. The most common method for disposing of plastic, besides throwing it in a landfill, is to burn it, which is costly, energy intensive and spews noxious gas into the air. Other alternative industrial processes include very energy-intensive processes of glycolysis, pyrolysis, and/or methanolysis.
Biological solutions take much less energy. Research on enzymes for plastic recycling has advanced during the past 15 years. However, until now, no one had been able to figure out how to make enzymes that could operate efficiently at low temperatures to make them both portable and affordable at large industrial scale. FAST-PETase can perform the process at less than 50 degrees Celsius.
Up next, the team plans to work on scaling up enzyme production to prepare for industrial and environmental application. The researchers have filed a patent application for the technology and are eying several different uses. Cleaning up landfills and greening high waste-producing industries are the most obvious. But another key potential use is environmental remediation. The team is looking at a number of ways to get the enzymes out into the field to clean up polluted sites.
“When considering environmental cleanup applications, you need an enzyme that can work in the environment at ambient temperature. This requirement is where our tech has a huge advantage in the future,” Alper said.
Alper, Ellington, associate professor of chemical engineering Nathaniel Lynd and Hongyuan Lu, a postdoctoral researcher in Alper’s lab, led the research. Danny Diaz, a member of Ellington’s lab, created the machine learning model. Other team members include from chemical engineering: Natalie Czarnecki, Congzhi Zhu and Wantae Kim; and from molecular biosciences: Daniel Acosta, Brad Alexander, Hannah O. Cole, Yan Jessie Zhang and Raghav Shroff. The work was funded by ExxonMobil’s research and engineering division as part of an ongoing research agreement with UT Austin.
747 comments
rr88
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Best wishes! Exactly where can I find the contact details for questions?
theexamhive.com
You’re so awesome! I do not think I have read through something like that before. So wonderful to discover another person with a few unique thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the internet, someone with some originality.
geek bar pulse
Hi, I do believe your blog may be having web browser compatibility issues. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, fantastic website!
additional info
After looking at a few of the blog articles on your web page, I seriously appreciate your way of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site too and let me know what you think.
Cost of new AC unit installation
In terms of power usage, the distinction in between an air con and a fan is
rather significant.
ACKED WP-ADMIN - TELEGRAM @SEO_ANOMALY
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
cam
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me lunch because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this issue here on your web page.
Elane Duque
Hola! Digging the design—it’s fantastic. In fact, this piece brings a awesome touch to the overall vibe. This is epic!
systemcentercentral
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you.
Cost of new AC unit installation
Appropriate for cooling down private spaces
or smaller locations within a business building.
sex trẻ em 16+
Hi there! I just want to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great information you have got here on this post. I’ll be returning to your web site for more soon.
sex trẻ em 16+
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this during my search for something relating to this.
Phim Sex mới nhất
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up plus the rest of the website is also very good.
Phim Sex mới nhất
I love reading through an article that can make people think. Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment.
http://insitelandgroup.com
Initially, the portable a/c comes completely set up and can be used right out of the box.
sex trẻ em 16+
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and also the rest of the site is also really good.
Morton Siler
I totally agree with this comment. It’s a view that I’ve come across on Gemwin, and I think it’s one worth paying attention to, given the solid arguments behind it.
DR88
Very nice post. I absolutely appreciate this site. Continue the good work!
HDBET
Can I just say what a relief to uncover a person that actually understands what they are talking about on the web. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular given that you certainly possess the gift.
188bet
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Many thanks! Exactly where can I find the contact details for questions?
m88
You should be a part of a contest for one of the finest blogs on the web. I am going to recommend this blog!
geek bar vape
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now 😉
Create on Real Mango Tube
This excellent website truly has all of the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
VHM construction company Las Vegas
Wonderful article! We are linking to this great content on our site. Keep up the good writing.
garage door Denver
I really like it whenever people get together and share ideas. Great site, keep it up!
garage door installation Salt Lake City
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thanks for providing this info.
garage door spring repair
Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe this website needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the advice.
driveway gate repair San Diego
Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
San Diego garage door service
After checking out a handful of the articles on your site, I seriously like your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site too and tell me what you think.
Boostaro
There is definately a great deal to know about this subject. I really like all of the points you’ve made.
Dong Tigner
I agree 100 with your point. It’s a perspective I’ve encountered on https://kong88n.com recently, and it really made me think more about the topic at hand.
Cellucare
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Appreciate it!
Fitspresso
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this issue. I really like all of the points you made.
Fitspresso
This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read post.
kerassentials
I used to be able to find good advice from your blog articles.
Prodentim
Great site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
prostavive
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover someone who genuinely understands what they are talking about online. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you’re not more popular because you certainly have the gift.
boostaro
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉
boostaro
Very nice article. I definitely appreciate this website. Thanks!
boostaro
Hello! I just want to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great info you have right here on this post. I will be returning to your website for more soon.
boostaro
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Take care! Where can I find the contact details for questions?
boostaro
This website definitely has all of the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
boostaro
I was very happy to discover this site. I wanted to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to see new stuff in your web site.
boostaro
I love looking through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment.
Zeneara
Hi there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
breast cancer treatment
I like it when individuals come together and share thoughts. Great site, keep it up!
출장마사지
You’re so awesome! I do not think I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find somebody with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the internet, someone with some originality.
rd 863/1985
You made some really good points there. I checked on the net to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.
Best Gifts Finder is An Online Shop Disney Shirts
Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.
스포츠중계
bookmarked!!, I like your website!