Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded research is advancing biological approaches to plastic waste, with potential applications in manufacturing, recycling and environmental management.
Led by Professor Amy Cain through an ARC Future Fellowship, the research is investigating how naturally occurring microbes can be harnessed and adapted to break down common plastics.
In a news release, ARC said the work forms part of broader research into synthetic biology, an emerging field that involves engineering organisms such as microbes to perform useful functions.
It noted that plastic waste remains a significant environmental challenge, with hundreds of millions of tonnes produced globally each year and only a small proportion successfully recycled.
According to the ARC, new approaches could complement existing recycling systems and help reduce the long-term environmental impacts associated with plastic waste.
Professor Cain’s research focuses on microbes found in the gut of the wax moth caterpillar (Galleria mellonella), which has demonstrated an ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a plastic commonly used in single-use products.
“It’s the only organism in the whole world that can eat this particular type of long, low-density polyethylene, which is the [typical] single-use plastic bag,” Professor Cain said.
Rather than relying on the organism itself, the research is examining the genes and enzymes responsible for the degradation process, with the aim of applying these biological functions in controlled and scalable systems.
The ARC said the approach reflects wider developments in synthetic biology, where engineered microbial “chassis” can be developed to perform new functions in areas including waste processing, energy and industrial production. Professor Cain is also an investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology.
One challenge for the research has been identifying which genes are responsible for particular biological functions among large volumes of genetic data.
“It’s like trying to pinpoint a needle in a haystack,” Professor Cain said.
With advanced genomic techniques and support from the Australian Genome Foundry, the research team has developed methods to rapidly test gene function and identify candidates that could contribute to plastic degradation.
The work has produced early results, including the identification of microbial strains capable of degrading multiple types of plastic. The team has also used adaptive laboratory techniques to improve the performance of some strains.
“We enhanced it using adaptive laboratory evolution… basically training them on plastic to become better,” Professor Cain said.
The project has also generated potential intellectual property, according to the ARC, indicating possible pathways for further development and application.
The ARC said its funding has supported the research across multiple stages, helping develop new approaches that may contribute to sustainable materials and environmental management.
Professor Cain is now exploring pathways for further development, including potential engagement with industry through the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre.
“My vision is to create an at-home plastic recycling system…where you seed some microbes into the recycling system and then you can put plastics in there like a compost,” she said.
The ARC said the research demonstrates the role of publicly funded research in developing scientific capability and creating opportunities for future translation and industry collaboration, while the technologies and applications remain under development.
