SEOUL: Korean researchers have modified E. coli bacteria with the aim of producing biodegradable polymers that could be used in biomedical applications.
Bioengineers around the world are trying to develop bacteria capable of producing plastics as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Recently, a team of researchers in Korea has achieved a significant breakthrough by engineering bacteria to produce polymers with a ring-like structure, which in turn increases the plastic’s hardness and thermal stability.
Because these molecules are normally toxic to microorganisms, the researchers had to develop a new metabolic pathway that would enable the E.coli bacteria to accumulate and tolerate the polymer and the building blocks it contains.
The resulting polymer is biodegradable and its physical properties may make it suitable for biomedical applications, although further research is needed.
The research findings are presented in the August 21 Cell Press journal Trends in Biotechnology.
