Polyesterases, which can include certain lipolytic enzymes such as lipases, carboxylesterases, cutinases as well as polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases (PETases), have been widely studied in recent years due to their ability to hydrolyze different polyester plastics (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactide (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS). Microbial polyesterases already demonstrated their superior potential for degradation and management of plastic waste. During the PhD studies, strategies for more efficient screening of polyester-degrading enzymes and/or microorganisms will be developed using substrates such as PET, Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), PLA, PCL and their derivatives. By applying directed evolution strategies (error-prone PCR, DNA shuffling) and rational enzyme design, microbial lipolytic enzymes will be developed and improved for the hydrolysis of polyesters. Geobacillus lipolytic enzymes, which have already shown excellent hydrolytic activity towards PCL films, will be used as initial targets of research. Due to their activity and stability in high temperatures and in organic solvent environments, the polyester hydrolysis process can be combined with ester synthesis. There are several studies that suggested that lipolytic enzymes can also be applied for polyester synthesis. By combining these two reactions, the principles of zero pollution and circular economy could be applied to the management of polyester plastic waste.
Mokslinis vadovas / supervisor: doc. dr. Renata Gudiukaitė
Kontaktai / Contacts:
tel. / phone: +370 5 239 8209
Programme: Biology N 010