Degrading Plastic Through the Power of Microbes: Angie Beckett

Joyful Microbe

Plastic waste in our oceans is a significant problem, but some bacteria might offer a solution. Did you know that certain bacteria can break down plastic?

Plastic pollution affects wildlife and can even enter our food and water. As plastic production increases, finding better ways to manage this material is essential.

Current recycling methods are not very efficient. Most plastic ends up in landfills or the environment after just one use, and it can take centuries to degrade.

Researchers are investigating plastic-degrading microbes and enzymes that could improve recycling. These microbes can break plastic into its original building blocks, allowing for more effective recycling.

Join me as I talk with Angie Beckett, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth, about the potential of plastic-degrading microbes to enhance recycling and reduce plastic pollution.

In this episode, we will explore:

• The discovery of plastic-eating bacteria
• How microbes break plastic down and their potential for large-scale use
• Challenges in finding and engineering efficient plastic degraders
• Using portable DNA sequencing to discover new microbial solutions
• The importance of collaboration in applying microbiology to real-world problems
• At-home microbiology activity: Find Plastic-Degrading Bacteria via Sequencing Simulation

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