Grant: Alliance Grants

The "Next-Generation Whole-Cell Catalysts: Bioorthogonal Chemistry and Genome Editing for Plastic Degradation and Sensing" project, led by Dr. Nediljko Budisa (Chemistry) and Dr. David B. Levin (Biosystems Engineering) at the University of Manitoba, complements the DFG-funded "Bacto-Click" project. Focused on developing advanced whole-cell catalysts for plastic degradation and environmental sensing, the project involves collaboration with experts from Kiel University, the Technical University of Berlin, and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research. The Canadian team will engineer microbial cells using CRISPR-based genome editing and bioorthogonal chemistry to display functional plastic-degrading enzymes on their surfaces, targeting the breakdown of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PLA (polylactic acid), and LDPE (low-density polyethylene) - key components of plastic waste. This research supports Canada's Zero Plastic Waste Initiative and Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA), aiming to enhance polymer structure understanding and enzyme efficiency for more sustainable recycling. The project includes HQP training in biochemistry, synthetic biology, genome editing, and fermentation technologies, with a strong emphasis on supporting Indigenous students and increasing diversity in STEM fields. By integrating advanced materials science, biosensing, and bioremediation, the collaboration will significantly impact the Canadian bioeconomy and global efforts to address plastic pollution.