At OSRL, we are always looking for innovative solutions to environmental challenges, and our partnership with the University of Portsmouth under the ‘Bridging Science to Response’ initiative is a testament to this commitment. Our Science, Technology, and Stakeholder Engagement (STSE) team drives the development and integration of scientific research and advanced technologies, working closely with academic institutions. Through our collaboration with the Centre of Enzyme Innovation, we have explored groundbreaking research in plastic degradation, focusing specifically on enzyme-based solutions for nurdle waste management.
Student Haydon Ross’ Contributions: Enzymes vs Plastics
Over the past year, Haydon Ross, a recipient of the OSRL Masters scholarship, has been at the forefront of this research. His work investigated the potential of enzymes in nurdle recycling, an effort inspired by the devastating impacts of the X-Press Pearl incident in Sri Lanka in 2021. This research, which we funded, sought to address the waste management issues resulting from plastic pollution and marine spills.
Haydon’s findings were shared in a lunch and learn session in our office, where he highlighted the progress made in enzyme-based plastic degradation. His contributions also extended to the wider industry, as he played a key role in the UK Spill Plastic Pollution Working Group (PPWG) conference last week, presenting his research to industry leaders and stakeholders. His work aligns closely with our Plastics Working Group, led by Marta Januszewska, and continues to shape discussions on plastic pollution mitigation.
Looking Ahead
Building on Haydon’s achievements, Alexander Foster will be continuing this important work in the coming year. His project will focus on refining and scaling up the enzymatic breakdown of polyethylene (PE), one of the most common types of plastic found in packaging and marine waste. This research is an extension of the previous OSRL-funded project that successfully genetically engineered yeast to produce high amounts of wax worm enzymes known to degrade PE.
The key objectives of Alexanders’s project are:
- Process Refinement & Scaling: Enhancing the yeast fermentation process to maximize enzyme production.
- Enzymatic Breakdown of PE: Investigating the ability of these enzymes to break down polyethylene and improving their efficiency using genetic engineering techniques.
- Testing on Nurdles from X-Press Pearl: Applying the engineered enzymes to polyethylene nurdles collected from the Sri Lanka spill to assess their real-world effectiveness.
Expected Outcomes:
- Increased production of wax worm enzymes through yeast fermentation.
- Demonstration of enzymatic activity against smaller PE molecules.
- Genetic enhancement of enzyme activity to optimize plastic degradation.
- Successful application of engineered enzymes to degrade PE nurdles from the X-Press Pearl spill.
This research represents a significant step forward in our mission to combat plastic pollution through innovative biotechnological solutions. We are excited to see how Alexander’s work unfolds and how it contributes to broader environmental response efforts.
Through partnerships like this, we continue to bridge the gap between research and real-world environmental challenges, ensuring a sustainable future for marine ecosystems.