New enzyme invented that breaks down plastic waste in hours

Rod Janssen innovation, plastic pollution, pollution, R&D, Sustainable development May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

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Published May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

2 thoughts on “New enzyme invented that breaks down plastic waste in hours”

Mike Parr says:

May 6, 2022 at 09:30

This is a welcome development. Without wishing to be churlish, enzymes are fairly complex & so far humans have been unable to develop one from the ground up. There is a good book on quantum biology by Al-Khalili & McFadden (Life on the Edge) which offers a useful description of enzymes. As the latter part of the article correctly notes, an existing enzyme was modified in a clever way. Given that it can eat plastic, some thought needs to be given to how to use it and how to avoid its spreading – everywhere.

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1. Rod Janssen says:
  
  May 6, 2022 at 09:42
  
  Thanks for this comment, Mike. I have a lot of respect for Al-Khalili so I will look out for the book. You make a very good last point.
  
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