THE SCIENCE
We’re breaking the mold when it comes to plastics on this planet.
Plastic is a macro problem.
Breaking is the micro solution.
Empowering
biology to
eliminate
plastic
waste
BREAKING SCIENCE
Breaking Through
Discovering Microbe X-32™
We've discovered microorganisms that naturally feed off the chemicals and compounds in waste by digesting and breaking them down into harmless organic matter. And now we're enhancing these microorganisms and releasing them worldwide to tackle the decades of debris scattered across our landfills and oceans.
Breaking Through
We call our first discovery
Incubated from Colossal Labs.
In conjunction with Harvard & Wyss Institute.
Our Ground-Breaking Discovery
Microbe variants
Iterations 1 - 32
We at Harvard/ Wyss Institute, Colossal, and Breaking have identified that MICROBE X-32™ has the potential to transform the landscape of plastic pollution by accelerating the breakdown process of various types of plastics that are traditionally challenging to degrade.
Plastics, comprised of a myriad of polymers have long posed a significant environmental challenge due to their persistence in the environment.
That’s right, we’ve
discovered
microorganisms that eat
plastic alive.
And we’re genetically enhancing microbes to be hungry for it.
Our mission began a few years ago with bioprospecting. That’s a fancy way of saying we were like Indiana Jones on the hunt for the Holy Grail - in this case microorganisms. Scouring the planet through the lens of a microscope. In lakes, rivers, bogs, swamps and more.
Until we found our first treasure. We isolated it and identified it as Microbe X-32™, a microorganism that can use multiple major types of plastic (polyesters, polyolefins, and polyamides) as the sole carbon and energy source for its growth.
Until we found our first treasure. Then isolated it and identified it as Microbe X-32™, a mircrorganism that can use multiple major types of plastic (polyesters, polyolefins, and polyamides) as the sole carbon and energy source for its growth.
Microbe X-32™
Breaks Down
Polyesters / Polyolefins / Polyamides
Among them polyolefins, and polyamides, have the toughest carbon-to-carbon and have never been reported to be degraded by microbes without any pretreatment. The interaction of Microbe X-32™ with these polymer chains results in the output of very innocuous substances, namely water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Ongoing efforts are being done to further characterize the biomass.
Plastic waste is
on the menu.
Conventional methods often fall short of efficiently processing these materials, leading to vast accumulations of plastic waste across landfills, oceans, and our environment.
Unlike its recycling plant counterparts,
this microscopic
marvel doesn't just
break down plastic;
it devours plastic waste as its sole source of carbon for energy. Imagine it as a microscopic Pac-Man, gobbling up the notorious synthetic plastic waste. Its ability to consume such a wide range of plastic types makes it
A GAME CHANGER
IN
THE
FIGHT
AGAINST
PLASTIC
POLLUTION
A
GAME
CHANGER
IN
THE
FIGHT
AGAINST
PLASTIC
POLLUTION
Enhancing Microbe X-32™ with Genetic Engineering
The discovery of Microbe X-32™ offers a promising solution to this global crisis. By harnessing the natural abilities of this microorganism, we aim to genetically engineer it to enhance its plastic-degrading capabilities further. Through genetic modification and targeted evolution, we envision a future where Microbe X-32™ can rapidly break down even the most resilient types of plastics into simpler molecules that are amiable to nature.
The potential applications of this breakthrough extend beyond mere waste management. As Microbe X-32™ degrades plastics, it generates biomass containing different biomolecules that may hold immense value in various industries. These molecules could potentially be utilized in the production of biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and high-value chemicals.
This groundbreaking discovery is still in its early stages, but the potential is clear. The plastic-eating microorganism could be the key to unlocking a cleaner, greener future, one microscopic bite at a time. Stay tuned as this tiny hero embarks on its mission to devour plastic and pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Our Scientific
Process
Boosting plastic degradation by enhancing Microbe X-32™
Product Y
Product Z
Product X
Evolve and Engineer
Use synthetic biology tools to evolve the natural isolates to up-regulate the degradation and use genetic engineering methods on them to make them SuperMicrobes
Scale up
Work with commercial partners to scale up the production of SuperMicrobe(s) tailored towards the specific degradation usecases
Identify Enzymes
Use synthetic biology tools to identify and purify the enzyme(s) that are involved in plastic degradation
Evolve and Engineer
Use synthetic biology tools to evolve the enzyme(s) to up-regulate the degradation and Engineer them to make them SuperEnzymes
Scale Up
Work with commercial partners to scale up the production of Transformed microbe(s) for potential specific / ecological degradation use-cases
Transformation
Transform the SuperEnzymes chemistry to model / ecological microbe(s) for targeted applications
Scale up
Work with commercial partners to scale up the production of SuperEnzyme(s) tailored towards the specific degradation use-cases
Breaking Down
the Benefits of
Microbe X-32™
Our planet’s plastic nightmare needs to end.
Plastic Pollution Mitigation
By accelerating the breakdown process of various types of plastics, including those that are traditionally difficult to degrade, this microorganism and its derivatives can help mitigate the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills, oceans, and other ecosystems. By reducing the amount of plastic pollution in the environment, it helps safeguard wildlife and ecosystems from the harmful impacts of plastic debris.
Bioremediation
While larger plastic pieces are the primary target for similar existing technologies, our research focuses on BugX to tackle microplastics and nanoplastics, tiny plastic fragments posing significant environmental and health concerns. This could contribute to cleaner ecosystems and potentially reduce microplastic pollution in the food chain.
Promoting Circular Economy
Instead of viewing plastic waste as a disposable material, MICROBE X-32™ transforms it into valuable resources. By converting plastic into breakdown molecules that can be used to produce biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and high-value chemicals, it promotes resource conservation and reduces reliance on finite fossil fuel-derived resources.
Energy Efficiency
Traditional plastic recycling methods often require significant energy inputs and can result in the degradation of plastic materials into lower-quality products. In contrast, this microorganism offers a more energy-efficient approach to plastic recycling. By harnessing the natural enzymatic activity of the microorganism, it breaks down plastics into simpler molecules with minimal energy expenditure, thus reducing the environmental footprint of the recycling process.
Economic Opportunities
The breakdown molecules produced by this microorganism have immense economic potential. By generating valuable byproducts that can be used in various industries, including biofuels, plastics manufacturing, and chemical production, it creates new economic opportunities while simultaneously reducing the environmental costs associated with plastic waste disposal.
