PlastiXterminator: Next-Gen Synergistic Enzyme Complexes for Microplastic Degradation

Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments that infiltrate food chains, water sources, and air, pose a major environmental challenge. Unlike uniform materials, they consist of a heterogeneous mix of polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene), each with distinct degradation pathways, complicating removal. This project develops engineered enzyme complexes to enhance microplastic degradation via smart recognition technologies, cooperative catalysis, and AI-driven optimization. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) anchored to bacterial surfaces will enable target-specific recognition of microplastics, triggering the production of optimized enzyme complexes to ensure efficient breakdown into monomers. This approach offers a scalable, adaptive solution for mitigating microplastic pollution and its ecological impact.