We’re engineering microalgae with low level expression of plastic degrading enzymes with specific activity inside the stomachs of a broad range of microalgal consumer species. The engineered microalgae will be cultivated at low cost in open pond bioreactors and collected for scheduled release into marine ecosystems. Once there, they will be consumed by natural consumer species and concentrated inside the stomach environment where they will break down microplastics into essential nutrients promoting organism and ecosystem health. The goal is to effectively reduce the level of microplastic accumulation in the gut of consumer species which compounds accumulation of microplastics in the organs of animals higher up the food chain.
This project addresses the urgent global challenge of microplastic pollution, leveraging engineered microalgae to mitigate ecological harm and protect marine biodiversity. By producing plastic-degrading enzymes at controlled, low levels within microalgae cultivated affordably in open pond bioreactors, the solution provides a scalable and economically viable approach to microplastic degradation. When these algae are introduced into marine ecosystems, natural consumption by marine organisms concentrates enzyme activity within digestive systems, effectively transforming harmful microplastics into essential nutrients. This targeted biological intervention reduces microplastic accumulation in marine organisms' guts, thereby limiting bioaccumulation higher up the food chain and safeguarding the health of ecosystems and human food sources. Ecologically, the project supports biodiversity by alleviating microplastic toxicity that disrupts reproductive and physiological functions across species. Environmentally, it offers a sustainable, nature-compatible solution to a pervasive pollutant, minimizing chemical or physical remediation strategies with higher environmental costs. At a planetary scale, this innovative biotechnology approach contributes positively to ocean health, resilience, and the sustainability of marine resources critical to millions worldwide. By offering a proactive and cost-effective method, the project directly supports global efforts to protect marine ecosystems, improve food security, and sustain ecological balance. Strategically deployed, this technology can meaningfully reduce microplastic burdens, promote biodiversity conservation, and strengthen ecosystem resilience, thereby yielding substantial environmental and societal benefits globally.
The methodology for engineering microalgae to degrade microplastics in marine ecosystems begins with a comprehensive literature review to identify candidate enzymes such as PETase, MHETase, or cutinase, known for effective plastic degradation. Each enzyme will be evaluated based on specific activity, stability under marine conditions, and compatibility with the algal host.
Following enzyme selection, the next phase involves genetically engineering a suitable microalgal species. Selection criteria include ease of genetic manipulation, rapid growth, resilience in open pond conditions, and palatability to diverse marine consumers. The chosen enzyme genes will be cloned, optimized, and stably integrated into the microalgal genome using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, ensuring controlled, low-level enzyme expression.
After genetic modification, laboratory screenings will confirm successful gene integration and expression using PCR, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and enzymatic assays. Engineered algae will undergo characterization to confirm enzyme activity under simulated marine gut conditions (temperature, pH, salinity). Expression levels will be optimized for effective plastic degradation without compromising algal growth or viability.
The validated microalgae will be cultivated in controlled open pond bioreactors, monitoring growth rates, contamination resistance, enzyme stability, and expression consistency. Cultivation conditions will be optimized for cost-effectiveness and biomass productivity.
Once stable cultivation practices are established, laboratory feeding trials with marine consumer species such as zooplankton, bivalves, and small fish will be conducted. Trials will evaluate ingestion rates, enzyme activity within consumer guts, plastic degradation efficiency, and organism health impacts. Breakdown products will be quantified to verify microplastic conversion into beneficial nutrients.
Subsequent ecological and environmental safety assessments will evaluate risks associated with engineered algae, focusing on local ecosystem interactions, gene transfer potential, and trait stability over time. This ensures minimal environmental and ecological risks upon release.
Pilot-scale marine trials will follow, involving controlled algal biomass releases in marine environments. Data on ecosystem interactions, microplastic reduction efficiency, and impacts on marine food chains will be collected and analyzed.
All data will be analyzed to determine technology effectiveness, ecological safety, and scalability. Genetic engineering strategies, cultivation practices, and deployment protocols will be refined iteratively based on feedback.
Stakeholder engagement, including ecologists, policymakers, and local communities, will be prioritized to clearly communicate technology benefits, risks, and operational strategies. Compliance with local and international regulations regarding genetically modified organisms will be rigorously maintained.
A strategic roadmap for large-scale deployment will be developed, outlining logistics, continuous monitoring systems, and protocols to track long-term environmental impacts, informing future optimizations and ensuring sustained performance.