PETase, aplastic-eating enzyme, was first discovered at a Japanese waste facility in 2016.
And, it appears, that the Texas engineers have done just that.
They’ve named their enzyme variant FAST-PETase (functional, active, stable and tolerant PETase).
Photo: jaggat/Depositphotos
To create this variant, the researchers used machine learning to generate mutations to natural PETase.
The model they used helped predict which mutations would quickly break down consumer plastic at low temperatures.
Harnessing this knowledge, they were able to fabricate this FAST-PETase.
Through these more sustainable enzyme approaches, we can begin to envision a true circular plastics economy.
The researchers have already filed a patent for FAST-PETase and will now begin work on scaling up enzyme production.
This requirement is where our tech has a huge advantage in the future.
