The need for change

The accumulation of PET waste is steadily increasing, posing a significant threat to ecosystems worldwide. Naturally occurring microorganisms can take hundreds of years to fully degrade PET plastics. However, developing engineered microorganisms that can break down PET into vanillic acid (VA) offers a promising solution, transforming plastic waste into a valuable molecule used across various industrial sectors. This method not only provides a sustainable approach to managing plastic waste but also supports the principles of a circular economy.

Chlamydomonas to the Rescue!

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a well-studied, photosynthetic unicellular eukaryote that presents an exciting opportunity for creating an autonomous system to convert PET into vanillic acid. This microalga is an excellent platform for recombinant protein synthesis, thanks to its cost-effective phototrophic cultivation. Additionally, several strains, including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, have been designated as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS), enhancing their suitability for our research
Moreover, Chlamydomonas has been extensively explored as a model organism in plant biology, with its physiology and metabolism thoroughly characterized. The sequencing of both its nuclear and chloroplast genomes in 2007 has provided valuable insights for genetic engineering applications. All these factors position Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an ideal choice for our study.

Project Morpheus

Our project, Morpheus, is grounded in the concept of a circular economy. Our goal is not only to degrade plastic but also to produce a useful molecule. Imagine a photosynthetic organism capable of autonomously transforming plastic into vanillic acid—impressive, isn’t it? That is the vision of Morpheus. We aim to modify Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to enable this algae to degrade PET plastics through enzymatic processes. The transformation involves several stages: PET to TPA to PCA to VA, each requiring specific enzymes:
PET to TPA: PETase and MHETase
TPA to PCA: tphAa, tphAb, tphAc, tphB
PCA to VA: HsOMT
To achieve this, we have decided to use a MoClo technique to design the necessary plasmid containing all these enzymes, followed by transforming our algae with this plasmid (which includes a kill switch). All constructions and results are detailed on the engineering and results page.
Ultimately, we hope to demonstrate that our transformed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can autonomously convert PET into vanillic acid, contributing to a more sustainable and healthier planet.