The rising global issue of plastic waste has prompted urgent investigations into effective biodegradation methods, including plastic composting. Functional metagenomics, a powerful tool for uncovering microbial diversity and functionality in environmental samples, holds a significant promise for identifying novel plastic-degrading enzymes. This approach bypasses the need for culturing microorganisms, enabling the discovery of functional genes that contribute to plastic degradation within complex microbial communities. In the context of plastic composting, functional metagenomics can be used to explore microbial consortia involved in breaking down plastic polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. By isolating functional genes from compost samples enriched with plastic waste, researchers can identify enzymes with potential applications in bioremediation or industrial-scale plastic recycling. Moreover, this approach allows for investigating microbial cooperation and interactions that optimize plastic degradation. Understanding the microbial pathways and enzymes involved in plastic composting could lead to developing more efficient and sustainable methods for plastic waste management. Through deeper insights into microbial communities and their genetic potentials, functional metagenomics could significantly mitigate the growing environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution.
Mokslinis vadovas / supervisor: dr. Audrius Gegeckas
Kontaktai / Contacts:
tel. / phone: +370 628 05948
Programme: Biology N 010