<p>We achieved excellence in synthetic biology by introducing a custom-engineered operon that plays a pivotal role in advancing the frontiers of plastic bioremediation in ReMixHD. This operon orchestrates the smart co-culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens, enhancing the efficiency of plastic waste degradation. The engineering ingenuity involves two key strains: a helper strain proficient in depolymerizing polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, and a main strain adept at utilizing intermediates as a carbon source to synthesize a recombinant product.
The dynamic regulation of the bacteria co-culture is meticulously achieved through the operon, which exerts precise control over the growth of the helper strain by being operon-dependent on plastic degradation. To sense the breakdown product of polyethylene (PE), we employ the alkane sensor, AlkS-V760E/PalkB, to express a growth factor for P. fluorescens. Simultaneously, a novel engineered XylS-K38R-L224Q/Pm expression system is utilized to recognize the breakdown product of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), terephthalic acid. This recognition activates the sRNA repressor system, effectively downregulating the growth of the helper strain.
For more detailed information, please visit our Results page and the Registry page for the Part BBa_K4757999</p>
