[P001] Poster

12:10 PM - 1:00 PM JST(3:10 AM - 4:00 AM UTC)

[P01-009] Polyethylene Degradation: Discovery of Novel Microbes and Enzymes and Their Mechanisms

○Soo-Jin Yeom¹ (1. Chonnnam National University (Korea))

Keywords:

Plastic biodegradation

Plastic contamination currently threatens a wide variety of ecosystems and presents damaging repercussions and negative consequences for many wildlife species. Sustainable plastic waste management is an important approach to environmental protection and a necessity in the current life cycle of plastics. In this regard, plastic biodegradation by microorganism is most notable. Moreover, enzymatic biodegradation offers a promising and sustainable solution for PE bio-treatment. This presentation highlights current trends in plastic pollution and the screening of novel bacteria capable of biodegrading plastic. It also covers the discovery of new biocatalysts for PE degradation, achieved through whole genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, the presentation will introduce new biochemical mechanisms for PE degradation, including both single-enzyme and multi-enzyme systems. This work demonstrates the potential for industrial-scale bio-upcycling of PE into high-value products, such as biodegradable materials and biofuels, offering a promising pathway for sustainable plastic waste management.

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