Contribution
PFAS degrading enzymes and an Enzyme Classifier
PFAS degrading enzymes and an Enzyme Classifier
We have two useful contributions for future iGEM teams and the wider scientific community.
Our first breakthrough parts are computationally generated enzymes that can degrade PFAS, for example an A6RdhA-T7RdhA chimera, which we have uploaded to the parts registry so future teams can build upon our research.
The second contribution is an Expression Classifier that we are building to predict the expressibility of our enzymes. This will be useful for other projects beyond our enzyme project.
We expressed the enzyme in a cell free mixture that allows us to express our enzymes quickly and without the need of live bacteria. After expression, we send it to a collaborator to test PFAS degradation.
Our enzymes are important because they combat a global problem, but they also allow for teams to build upon our research. We have reached out to many experts in the water industry as well as the scientific PFAS research community, and what the industry really needs is a PFAS degrader. This is mainly because filters already exist for PFAS, however they are scaled and have a lack of implementation. We wanted to pursue a filter originally in order to combat the implementation and scaling problems. But after conversations with experts, we realized that the disposal of PFAS is difficult. This is because after filtering PFAS, the only way that people dispose of it is through incineration, which has been proven to be energy intensive and harmful to the environment. There is a paper from researchers, Tasha Stolbier, Sydney Evans who concluded that “incineration of PFAS-containing wastes can emit harmful air pollutants, such as fluorinated greenhouse gasses and products of incomplete combustion, and some PFAS may remain in the incinerator ash.”
So, even if PFAS is disposed of through incineration, some of the chemicals seep in the water.
Our original project focused on a filter for PFAS, but after conversing with experts in the water industry,
we realized that there are already filter methods out there for PFAS. Again, it should be noted that while filtering solutions exist, they have not been scaled or implemented widely in our water systems. Right now, degradation of PFAS is in an earlier stage of development,
which is why creating this enzyme will prove more impactful as a contribution. comment-filter for PFASThat is why this part is so useful, because it is a safer, cheaper alternative to current degradation methods. But another upside to this part is that people can
build upon it, possibly as a composite part. Eg. pairing a filtration method with a degradation enzyme
could have amazing effects on the PFAS pollution problem. In conclusion, our enzyme part is able to help future iGEM teams through the parts registry, but also is useful for the greater scientific community.