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Ultrahigh-throughput protein evolution for polyethylene biodegradation

Project description

On the trail of the most potent enzymes to biodegrade plastic pollution

Mass production of plastics began about 60 years ago. Plastics have provided great convenience regarding food and beverages in addition to enhancing the properties of materials in fields from transport to construction. However, despite years of efforts to establish plastic recycling policies and processes, more than 90 % of plastics – billions of tonnes over the years – have not been recycled. Polyethylene is the most widely used plastic in the world, found in products from plastic food wrap and shopping bags to detergent bottles and automobile fuel tanks. The EU-funded UTPE PEB project is streamlining the search for enzymes that could biodegrade polyethylene efficiently. After selecting the most promising candidates, the team plans to express and optimise them in an evolutionary way, creating a solution to a growing problem for the planet and its varied ecosystems.

Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution
€ 224 933,76
Address
Trinity Lane The Old Schools
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom

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Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00