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A new enzyme that will 'eat' plastic pollution

Press/Media: Research

Professor John McGeehan

Description

Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.

Period	16 Apr 2018 → 16 May 2019

References

Title	Global Plastic Plague Reaches Epidemic Proportions
Media name/outlet	Green Builder Media
Media type	Web
Country	United States
Date	16/05/19
Description	An article about green building and reducing plastic waste, the reporter mentions the work of John McGeehan who has engineered an enzyme to digest some plastics
Producer/Author	Sara Gutterman
URL	https://www.greenbuildermedia.com/blog/global-plastic-plague-reaches-epidemic-proportions
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Largs scientist makes 'global discovery' that could save our oceans - by accident
Degree of recognition	Regional
Media name/outlet	Largs & Millport Weekly News
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	31/03/19
Description	John McGeehan has helped to create a plastic-eating enzyme which could revolutionise recycling across the world.
URL	https://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/17527395.largs-scientist-makes-global-discovery-that-could-save-our-oceans-by-accident/?ref=rss
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	They create the anti plastic molecule
Degree of recognition	National
Media name/outlet	Ambientum
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	11/02/19
Description	Report on the research of John McGeehan last April in which he described the creation of a new enzyme capable of digesting PET plastics
URL	https://www.ambientum.com/ambientum/ciencia/crean-la-molecula-anti-plastico.asp
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Our plastic addiction has reached a new crisis level
Degree of recognition	National
Media name/outlet	Daily Magazine
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	15/12/18
Description	Article about the extent of the plastic crisis which mentions the discovery of the plastic-eating enzyme by researchers at the University.
URL	www.dailymagazine.news/our-plastic-addiction-has-reached-a-new-crisis-level-nid-694788.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	The UK's green discoveries: plastic-eating enzymes and seawater biofuels
Media name/outlet	The Guardian
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	16/10/18
Description	A feature about environmental research taking place in UK universities includes Professor John McGeehan's plastic eating enzyme project.
Producer/Author	Zofia Niemtus
URL	https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/oct/16/the-uks-green-discoveries-plastic-eating-enzymes-and-seawater-biofuels
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	The UK's green discoveries: plastic-eating enzymes and seawater biofuels
Media name/outlet	The Guardian
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	16/10/18
Description	A feature about environmental research taking place in UK universities includes Professor John McGeehan's plastic eating enzyme project.
Producer/Author	Zofia Niemtus
URL	https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/oct/16/the-uks-green-discoveries-plastic-eating-enzymes-and-seawater-biofuels
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Report on innovation in dealing with plastic waste
Degree of recognition	National
Media name/outlet	BBC World Service Radio
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	4/10/18
Description	Innovation dealing with plastic waste reports on research by Professor John McGeehan in April 2018 whereby an enzyme capable of digesting PET plastic was engineered.
URL	mms.tveyes.com/mediaview/?U3RhdGlvbj03MTk1JlN0YXJ0RGF0ZVRpbWU9MTAlMkY0JTJGMjAxOCUyMDIzJTNBNTQlM0EzMyZFbmREYXRlVGltZT0xMCUyRjQlMkYyMDE4JTIwMjMlM0E1OSUzQTUzJlBhcnRuZXJJRD0xMTQ4NiZFeHBpcmF0aW9uPTEwJTJGNSUyRjIwMTglMjAxMSUzQTA5JTNBNDcmTW9kRWRpdG9yRW5hYmxlPVRydWUmU2lnbmF0dXJlPTBjZDgyZmMwYjYzNjhhYWEzMzI3OWExMWMxZjc0MDZi
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic free, today the revolution starts at the Ministry of the Environment: only water on tap. And the research goes on
Degree of recognition	International
Media name/outlet	Millennium
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	4/10/18
Description	Last spring, the results of a study by researchers from The University of Portsmouth and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the US Department of Energy, which discovered a mutant enzyme capable of "Eat" plastic waste. The result arrived accidentally during experiments on the crystalline structure of PETase , the enzyme that helps the Japanese microbe Ideonella sakaiensisto destroy the plastics.
Producer/Author	Luisiana Gaita
URL	https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/10/04/plastic-free-oggi-parte-la-rivoluzione-al-ministero-dellambiente-solo-acqua-alla-spina-e-la-ricerca-va-avanti/4668049/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Jonathan Dodd: The Mountain and the Microbe
Degree of recognition	Local
Media name/outlet	On The Wight
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	30/09/18
URL	https://onthewight.com/jonathan-dodd-the-mountain-and-the-microbe/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-munching caterpillars could save the planet, new research reveals
Media name/outlet	talkRADIO
Country	United Kingdom
Date	20/09/18
Description	Article and studio talk about new research which has shown a caterpillar can digest polyurethane mention Professor John McGeehan's research in which he engineered an enzyme capable of digesting PET plastic
URL	mms.tveyes.com/mediaview/?U3RhdGlvbj0xMzU1NSZTdGFydERhdGVUaW1lPTklMkYyMCUyRjIwMTglMjAwMiUzQTI4JTNBMjcmRW5kRGF0ZVRpbWU9OSUyRjIwJTJGMjAxOCUyMDAyJTNBMzMlM0E0NyZQYXJ0bmVySUQ9MTE0ODYmRXhwaXJhdGlvbj0xMCUyRjIlMkYyMDE4JTIwMTAlM0ExMiUzQTA5Jk1vZEVkaXRvckVuYWJsZT1UcnVlJlNpZ25hdHVyZT1kNzQyY2Y0ZDc5M2M5NDZkOTdjMGI1YmY4NTE2ZTQzNw==
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-munching caterpillars could save the planet - if they don't destroy it first, new research reveals
Degree of recognition	National
Media name/outlet	Daily Mail
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	20/09/18
Description	Reports on new research which has shown a caterpillar can digest polyurethane mention Professor John McGeehan's research in which he engineered an enzyme capable of digesting PET plastic
URL	https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6187153/Plastic-munching-caterpillars-save-planet-new-research-reveals.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists engineer mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles
Degree of recognition	International
Media name/outlet	Springs Advertiser
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/09/18
Description	The enzyme is able to digest PET (polyethylene terephthalate) – the material used in the plastic bottles that are clogging up landfills, coastlines and oceans around the world.
Producer/Author	Caxton Central
URL	https://springsadvertiser.co.za/196294/scientists-engineer-mutant-enzyme-eats-plastic-bottles/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles
Degree of recognition	International
Media name/outlet	P.M. News Nigeria
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	15/09/18
Description	Report on John McGeehan's research in which he engineered a enzyme to digest PET plastic.
URL	https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/09/14/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Bugs can help in plastic fight
Country	United Kingdom
Date	5/09/18
Description	At a time when plastic pollution is reaching catastrophic levels, scientists have made some discoveries which indicate that digestive enzymes produced by some plastic-eating bugs may provide a solution to complete recycling of plastic.
URL	www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=199872&sid=5&sid=5
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Saving the planet from plastic
Media name/outlet	Rathbone Greenbank Investments
Country	United Kingdom
Date	5/09/18
Description	The environmental damage that plastic waste causes has become a global problem. Steps to address the issue are now being taken worldwide, with a reduction in non-biodegradable plastics a key goal. But how close is science to offering us viable solutions?
Producer/Author	Victoria Hoskins
URL	https://www.rathbonegreenbank.com/insight/saving-planet-plastic
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastics and recycling
Media name/outlet	BBC 2 Radio
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	22/08/18
Description	Discussion about plastics and recycling includes mention of Professor John McGeehan's research, in which he engineered an enzyme able to digest PET plastic
URL	mms.tveyes.com/mediaview/?U3RhdGlvbj01NzE1JlN0YXJ0RGF0ZVRpbWU9OCUyRjIyJTJGMjAxOCUyMDE1JTNBNDMlM0ExNiZFbmREYXRlVGltZT04JTJGMjIlMkYyMDE4JTIwMTUlM0E0OCUzQTM2JlBhcnRuZXJJRD0xMTQ4NiZFeHBpcmF0aW9uPTglMkYyMyUyRjIwMTglMjAxMCUzQTMwJTNBNDQmTW9kRWRpdG9yRW5hYmxlPVRydWUmU2lnbmF0dXJlPTY4MTc5NmJiNTZmZmZhODAyZTg2NjhlOTc2N2I3NzIx
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Científicos japoneses descubren una bacteria que elimina el plástico (Spanish)
Media name/outlet	Blasting News
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	31/07/18
Description	Report on research by Professor John McGeehan which developed a new enzyme more efficient than the one which evolved naturally at digesting PET plastics
Producer/Author	Pepa Martorell
URL	https://es.blastingnews.com/ciencia/2018/07/cientificos-japoneses-descubren-una-bacteria-que-elimina-el-plastico-002673657.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Researchers Discover Enzymes to Convert Lignin into Plastics and Chemicals
Media name/outlet	SpecialChem
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	31/07/18
Description	Report on research by Professor John McGeehan and colleagues which has discovered enzymes which could be used to convert lignin into plastics and chemicals
URL	https://polymer-additives.specialchem.com/news/industry-news/researchers-discover-enzymes-converting-plastic-lignin-000215382
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Bacteria could eat our plastic garbage
Degree of recognition	National
Media name/outlet	Bild
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	22/07/18
URL	https://www.bild.de/bild-plus/ratgeber/plastikmuell/bakterien/produzieren-plastik-fressende-enzyme-55419156,view=conversionToLogin.bild.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Is Biodegradable Plastic The Answer To Our Plastic Pollution Problem?
Media name/outlet	Good Men Project
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	16/07/18
Description	The products that decompose rather than stay around forever may be a necessity more than ever.
Producer/Author	Doug Moss and Roddy Scheer
URL	https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/plastic-pollution-sjbn/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Newly Found Enzyme can Help Turn Plant Waste to Plastic
Degree of recognition	International
Media name/outlet	labroots
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	10/07/18
Producer/Author	Carmen Leitch
URL	https://www.labroots.com/trending/cell-and-molecular-biology/12033/newly-found-enzyme-plant-waste-plastic
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Reducing reliance on plastic is key to our future
Media name/outlet	Evening Echo
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	10/07/18
Description	Report on research by Professor John McGeehan in which he engineered an enzyme capable of digesting PET plastics
Producer/Author	Anthony Angelini
URL	https://www.eveningecho.ie/opinion/Reducing-reliance-on-plastic-is-key-to-our-future-100b10b5-daff-4b18-9a4b-24190c7841c5-ds
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	New Enzyme to Improve Lignin to Chemicals Conversion
Degree of recognition	International
Media name/outlet	SpecialChem
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	6/07/18
Description	An international research team, including scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has discovered and characterized a new family of cytochrome P450 enzymes that is critical to improving the conversion of lignin—one of the main components of plants—into valuable products such as nylon, plastics, and chemicals.
URL	https://coatings.specialchem.com/news/industry-news/new-enzyme-chemicals-conversion-000215111#provider_moreover
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists create 'promiscuous' enzyme that turns plant waste into sustainable products
Media name/outlet	Environmental Data Interactive Exchange
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	29/06/18
Producer/Author	Sarah George
URL	https://www.edie.net/news/8/Scientists-create-special-enzymes-that-turn-plant-waste-streams-into-resources/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Creation of a new enzyme which can digest PET plastic
Media name/outlet	The Chemical Engineer
Country	United Kingdom
Date	6/06/18
Description	report on research by John McGeehan which has resulted in the creation of a new enzyme which can digest PET plastic
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic waste pollution in the ocean: technology at the tipping point
Media name/outlet	The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	22/05/18
Description	Report on research by Professor John McGeehan which has resulted in the creation of a new enzyme which can digest PET plastic
Producer/Author	Christine Evans-Pughe
URL	https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2018/05/plastic-waste-pollution-in-the-ocean-technology-at-the-tipping-point/#provider_moreover
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles
Degree of recognition	National
Media name/outlet	Onmy Radio South Africa
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	26/04/18
URL	https://omny.fm/shows/the-best-of-azania-mosaka/playlists/podcast/embed?style=artwork
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Beating Plastics with Science
Media name/outlet	My Green Pod
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	19/04/18
Description	SCIENTISTS HAVE ENGINEERED A PLASTIC-EATING ENZYME THAT COULD BE USED TO RECYCLE PLASTIC BOTTLES
Producer/Author	Katie
URL	https://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/beating-plastics-with-science/#provider_moreover
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists Created Something That Could Be Huge for the Environment
Media name/outlet	iHeart Radio
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	19/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
URL	https://973now.iheart.com/content/2018-04-18-scientists-created-something-that-could-be-huge-for-the-environment/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plásticos poluentes em praias podem ter solução
Media name/outlet	Caribbean News Digital
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	19/04/18
Description	Report on research by Professor John McGeehan in which he engineered an enzyme capable of digesting PET plastic, returning it to its constituent parts
URL	https://www.caribbeannewsdigital.com/pt/noticia/plasticos-poluentes-em-praias-podem-ter-solucao
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Could a tiny enzyme eradicate plastic garbage plaguing the world’s oceans?
Media name/outlet	CBS News
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	A small enzyme could be the solution to plastic pollution, one of the planet's biggest environmental problems. Millions of metric tons of plastics wind up in the ocean each year.
URL	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-an-enzyme-eradicate-plastic-pollution-in-the-worlds-oceans/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Mutated Plastic-Munching Enzyme Accidentally Created During Lab Experiment
Media name/outlet	Gizmodo
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
Producer/Author	George Dvorsky
URL	www.gizmodo.co.uk/2018/04/mutated-plastic-munching-enzyme-accidentally-created-during-lab-experiment/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally discover enzyme that could 'eat' plastic pollution
Media name/outlet	Austin American Statesman
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Pollution has negative effects on our health, but scientists may be able to better combat the issue with a plastic-eating enzyme they discovered accidentally.
Producer/Author	Najja Parker
URL	https://www.statesman.com/news/science/scientists-accidentally-discover-enzyme-that-could-eat-plastic-pollution/HACfBhd7H0Uj2BG64aUEqJ/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-Eating Enzyme Holds Promise in Fighting Pollution
Media name/outlet	Jakarta Globe
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution.
Producer/Author	Kate Kelland and Stuart McDill
URL	jakartaglobe.id/international/plastic-eating-enzyme-holds-promise-fighting-pollution/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists Just Created An Enzyme That Eats Plastic, And It Was By Accident
Media name/outlet	Tech Times
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
Producer/Author	Carl Velasco
URL	www.techtimes.com/articles/225417/20180418/scientists-just-created-an-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-and-it-was-by-accident.htm
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scissors cut paper. Paper wraps rock. Lab-made enzyme eats plastic
Media name/outlet	The Register
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Brit boffins save planet
Producer/Author	Andrew Orlowski
URL	https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/04/18/petase_enzyme_portsmouth/#provider_opoint
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally discover enzyme that could 'eat' plastic pollution
Media name/outlet	Palm Beach Post
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Pollution has negative effects on our health, but scientists may be able to better combat the issue with a plastic-eating enzyme they discovered accidentally.
Producer/Author	Najja Parker
URL	https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/science/scientists-accidentally-discover-enzyme-that-could-eat-plastic-pollution/HACfBhd7H0Uj2BG64aUEqJ/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Nytt hopp för miljön: Hittade plastätande enzym av en slump
Media name/outlet	Aftonbladet
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
URL	https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/G1gX0l/nytt-hopp-for-miljon-hittade-plastatande-enzym-av-en-slump
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Muterat enzym ska kunna ”äta upp” plast i naturen
Media name/outlet	Dagens Nyheter
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
URL	https://www.dn.se/nyheter/vetenskap/muterat-enzym-ska-kunna-ata-upp-plast-i-naturen/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Improved Plastic-degrading Enzyme That Can Break Down Ubiquitous PET Bottles
Media name/outlet	Omnexus
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	18/04/18
Description	A breakthrough in enzyme research led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the United Kingdom’s University of Portsmouth has led to an improved variant of an enzyme that can break down ubiquitous plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET.
Producer/Author	SpecialChem
URL	https://omnexus.specialchem.com/news/industry-news/nrel-university-of-portsmouth-better-plastic-degrading-enzyme-000214230
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	This enzyme eats plastic and could revolutionize recycling, scientists say
Media name/outlet	USA Today
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution.
Producer/Author	Ashley May
URL	https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/17/enzyme-eats-plastic-and-could-revolutionize-recycling-scientists-say/523399002/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists Inadvertently Create Mutant Plastic-Eating Enzyme
Media name/outlet	Daily Beast
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	An international group of scientists has accidentally created an enzyme that eats plastic
Producer/Author	Carlos Jasso
URL	https://www.thedailybeast.com/scientists-inadvertently-create-mutant-plastic-eating-enzyme
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	POLLUTION SOLUTION Scientists accidentally create a mutant protein that eats plastic
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Researchers in Portsmouth created the plastic-digesting protein while investigating its natural counterpart
URL	https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6069244/scientists-accidentally-create-a-mutant-protein-that-eats-plastic/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Researchers accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic
Media name/outlet	Independent
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	British researchers created the plastic-digesting protein accidentally while investigating its natural counterpart.
Producer/Author	John von Radowitz
URL	https://www.independent.ie/news/environment/researchers-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-36814741.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	University of Portsmouth scientists accidentally develop plastic-eating enzyme
Media name/outlet	The News
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Sign up 1 HAVE YOUR SAY SCIENTISTS at the city’s university have inadvertently engineered an enzyme which can digest some of our most commonly polluting plastics, providing a potential solution to one of the world’s biggest environmental problems.
Producer/Author	Millie Salkeld
URL	https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/university-of-portsmouth-scientists-accidentally-develop-plastic-eating-enzyme-1-8462047
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	An accident in a lab may have just solved the world’s plastic problem
Media name/outlet	Metro
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	British researchers created the plastic-digesting protein accidentally while investigating its natural counterpart.
Producer/Author	Richard Hartley-Parkinson
URL	metro.co.uk/2018/04/17/accident-lab-may-just-solved-worlds-plastic-problem-7473141/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Enzyme which can digest most commonly polluting plastics discovered
Media name/outlet	The Ecologist
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of our most commonly polluting plastics, providing a potential solution to one of the world’s biggest environmental problems.
Producer/Author	Brendan Montague
URL	https://theecologist.org/2018/apr/17/enzyme-which-can-digest-most-commonly-polluting-plastics-discovered
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists hope new enzyme will 'eat' plastic pollution
Media name/outlet	CNN
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have accidentally developed a plastic-eating enzyme that may be used to combat one of the world's worst pollution problems.
Producer/Author	Bard Wilkinson
URL	https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/16/world/plastic-pollution-science-environment-enzyme-intl/index.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists Accidentally Create A Plastic-Eating Enzyme
Media name/outlet	Huffpost
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	The discovery may be a breakthrough in tackling the plastic pollution crisis.
Producer/Author	Laura Paddison
URL	https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/enzyme-plastic-bottles-pollution_us_5ad5e364e4b0edca2cbde373
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists announce plastic eating breakthrough
Media name/outlet	Environment Journal
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the world’s most commonly polluting plastics, and they believe it could offer a potential solution to the problem of plastic waste.
Producer/Author	Thomas Barrett
URL	https://environmentjournal.online/articles/scientists-announce-plastic-degrading-breakthrough/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally discovered a mutant enzyme that could help the world eliminate plastic waste
Media name/outlet	Business Insider UK
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have accidentally discovered a mutant enzyme that can fully eat up and decompose common plastic, and could help the world solve the problem of plastic waste.
Producer/Author	Alexandra Ma
URL	uk.businessinsider.com/scientists-accidentally-discover-mutant-enzyme-that-decomposes-plastic-2018-4?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=referral&r=US&IR=T
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	British scientists may have just found an answer to the planet’s plastic crisis
Media name/outlet	Country Living
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Could single-use plastics soon be recycled?
Producer/Author	Katie Avis-Riordan
URL	https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a19836203/british-scientists-discover-plastic-eating-protein/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists make new plastic-eating enzyme in fight against pollution
Media name/outlet	New York Daily News
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	One man's trash is this enzyme's lunch.
Producer/Author	Christopher Brennan
URL	www.nydailynews.com/news/world/scientists-new-plastic-eating-enzyme-fight-pollution-article-1.3938338#provider_moreover
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Forscher entwickeln zufällig Enzym, das Plastikmüll zersetzen kann
Media name/outlet	Russia Today
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
URL	https://deutsch.rt.com/newsticker/68531-forscher-entwickeln-zufallig-enzym-gegen-plastikmull/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-eating enzyme holds promise in fighting pollution - scientists
Media name/outlet	Gulf News
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	The enzyme is able to digest polyethylene terephthalate, or PET - a form of plastic patented in the 1940s
Producer/Author	Reuters
URL	https://gulfnews.com/news/europe/uk/plastic-eating-enzyme-holds-promise-in-fighting-pollution-scientists-1.2206800
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Tuesday briefing: Scientists create plastic-devouring mutant enzyme
Media name/outlet	Wired
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists researching a microbe that eats plastic have made it even more effective
Producer/Author	Wired
URL	www.wired.co.uk/article/wired-awake-170418#provider_moreover
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Big victory: Scientists engineer plastic-eating enzyme that could help in the fight against pollution
Media name/outlet	Financial Express
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution.
Producer/Author	Reuters
URL	https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/big-victory-scientists-engineer-plastic-eating-enzyme-that-could-help-in-the-fight-against-pollution/1136156/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Forskere oppdaget enzym som «spiser plast»
Media name/outlet	Nettavisen
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Et nytt enzym som raskt kan fordøye miljøskadelig plast, er nærmest ved en tilfeldighet oppdaget av en gruppe britiske og amerikanske forskere.
URL	https://www.nettavisen.no/na24/forskere-oppdaget-enzym-som-spiser-plast/3423443039.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Bilim insanları plastikleri çözebilecek bir enzim geliştirdi
Media name/outlet	Posta
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Bilim insanları, doğada çözünmeyen ve kirliliğe yol açan plastikleri çözebilecek bir enzim geliştirdi. Plastik şişelerde kullanılan PET'lerin doğada çözünmesi yüzlerce yıl sürebiliyor. Fakat PETase adlı enzim sayesinde plastikleri birkaç gün içinde çözündürmek mümkün olabilir
URL	www.posta.com.tr/bilim-insanlari-plastikleri-cozebilecek-bir-enzim-gelistirdi-1406384
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Naukowcy przez przypadek stworzyli enzym, który "je" plastikowe butelki
Media name/outlet	Onet
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	Odkrycie, do jakiego doszło na jednym z japońskich wysypisk, miało miejsce przez przypadek. Okazuje się jednak, że może mieć niebagatelne znaczenie w rozwiązaniu globalnego kryzysu związanego z zanieczyszczeniem tworzywami sztucznymi.
URL	https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/nauka/naukowcy-przez-przypadek-stworzyli-enzym-ktory-je-plastikowe-butelki/pmz17lt
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	This enzyme eats plastic and could revolutionize recycling, scientists say
Media name/outlet	Pacific Daily News
Media type	Web
Date	17/04/18
Description	New research shows an enzyme could erase millions of tons of plastic bottles polluting the world.
Producer/Author	Ashley May
URL	https://eu.guampdn.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/17/enzyme-eats-plastic-and-could-revolutionize-recycling-scientists-say/523399002/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	A GAME-CHANGING DISCOVERY TO COMBAT PET WASTE?
Media name/outlet	Packaging Europe
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest plastics, providing a potential solution to one of the world’s biggest environmental problems, the University of Portsmouth reports.
Producer/Author	Elisabeth Skoda
URL	https://packagingeurope.com/a-game-changing-discovery/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally develop plastic digesting enzyme
Media name/outlet	Recycling & Waste World
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have accidentally developed an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics.
Producer/Author	Jo Gallacher
URL	www.recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/news/scientists-accidentally-develop-plastic-digesting-enzyme/172709/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists announce plastic eating breakthrough
Media name/outlet	Environment Journal
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the world’s most commonly polluting plastics, and they believe it could offer a potential solution to the problem of plastic waste.
Producer/Author	Thomas Barrett
URL	https://environmentjournal.online/articles/scientists-announce-plastic-degrading-breakthrough/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles
Media name/outlet	Business Green
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	The breakthrough, spurred by the discovery of plastic-eating bugs at a Japanese dump, could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis
Producer/Author	Damian Carrington
URL	https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3030297/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	'Accidental' enzyme guzzles plastic bottles
Media name/outlet	Microscopy and Analysis
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Using X-ray analysis, researchers have resolved the structure of the plastic-digesting enzyme, PETase, and accidentally engineered a 'mutant' enzyme that is even better at breaking down the polyethylene terephthalate used for drinks bottles.
Producer/Author	Rebecca Pool
URL	https://microscopy-analysis.com/editorials/editorial-listings/accidental-enzyme-guzzles-plastic-bottles
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-eating enzyme to help fight pollution
Media name/outlet	Industry Europe
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists engineer a revolutionary enzyme to tackle the plastic pollution epidemic.
URL	https://industryeurope.com/engineering-a-plastic-eating-enzyme/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	HOPE FOR PLANET AS SCIENTISTS ENGINEER ENZYME THAT EATS PLASTIC BOTTLES
Media name/outlet	Environment Times
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Bottles made of plastic that persist in the environment for hundreds of years could become a pollution of the past thanks to the discovery of an enzyme that eats the substance, and work by scientists to further improve it by engineering.
URL	www.environmenttimes.co.uk/news/item/662-scientists-engineer-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists create plastic-eating mutant enzyme
Media name/outlet	Packaging News
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	Scientists have stumbled on an enzyme that consumes PET, which they believe can potentially help solve the plastic waste problem.
Producer/Author	Tony Corbin
URL	https://www.packagingnews.co.uk/top-story/scientists-create-plastic-eating-mutant-enzyme-17-04-2018
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Could This Plastic-Eating Enzyme Save the Earth From Waste?
Media name/outlet	Yahoo UK & Ireland
Media type	Web
Country	United Kingdom
Date	17/04/18
Description	An international team of scientists have engineered an enzyme that can “eat” one of the most commonly used plastics, potentially providing a new weapon in the fight against plastic pollution.
Producer/Author	Aristos Georgiou
URL	https://uk.news.yahoo.com/could-plastic-eating-enzyme-save-115545222.html?guccounter=1
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-eating enzyme holds promise in fighting pollution
Media name/outlet	Reuters
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution.
Producer/Author	Kate Kelland and Stuart McDill
URL	https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-science-plastic-enzyme/plastic-eating-enzyme-holds-promise-in-fighting-pollution-idUKKBN1HN2OZ
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Protein that eats plastic could be pollution solution
Media name/outlet	Penarth Times
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	British researchers created the plastic-digesting protein accidentally while investigating its natural counterpart.
URL	www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/national/16163225.Protein_that_eats_plastic_could_be_pollution_solution/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Researchers accidentally engineer plastic-eating enzyme
Media name/outlet	Jamaica Observer
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	Researchers in the US and Britain have accidentally engineered an enzyme which eats plastic and may eventually help solve the growing problem of plastic pollution
URL	www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Researchers_accidentally_engineer_plastic-eating_enzyme?profile=1228
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-eating enzyme holds promise in fighting pollution - scientists
Media name/outlet	Yahoo
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution.
Producer/Author	Kate Kelland and Stuart McDill
URL	https://www.yahoo.com/news/plastic-eating-enzyme-holds-promise-fighting-pollution-scientists-190226788.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists create mutant enzymes that eat plastic bottles
Media name/outlet	cnet
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	A possible solution to the world's plastic pollution problem was created by accident.
Producer/Author	Jennifer Bisset
URL	https://www.cnet.com/news/scientists-create-mutant-enzymes-that-eat-plastic-bottles/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Could scientists have accidentally saved the planet? British researchers create enzyme that can DIGEST old plastic bottles while testing bacteria
Media name/outlet	Daily Mail
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	Scientists hope an engineered enzyme that eats plastic could usher in a recycling revolution - and it was found entirely by accident.
Producer/Author	Joe Pinkstone and Colin Fernandez
URL	www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5621807/Scientists-develop-enzyme-destroy-common-type-plastic-used-water-bottles.html
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	New hope in battle against plastic rubbish as scientists make accidental discovery
Media name/outlet	Mirror
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	Penicillin is probably the most important accidental discovery - but could scientists at the University of Portsmouth have found a similar gamechanger for rubbish?
Producer/Author	Ann Gripper and John Von Radowitz
URL	https://www.mirror.co.uk/science/new-hope-battle-against-plastic-12375413
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Plastic-eating protein created in British lab could spark recycling revolution, researchers claim
Media name/outlet	Telegraph
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	The enzyme, created by accident during tests by researchers from Portsmouth University, is the first known protein capable of digesting polyethylene, one of the most commonly used plastics for consumer goods.
URL	https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/16/plastic-eating-protein-created-british-laboratory-could-bring/
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Scientists accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles
Media name/outlet	The Guardian
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	The breakthrough, spurred by the discovery of plastic-eating bugs at a Japanese dump, could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis
Producer/Author	Damian Carrington
URL	https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	An enzyme that digests plastic could boost recycling
Media name/outlet	The Economist
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	A way to break down PET into the chemicals that made it in the first place. These could then be used to make new high-grade PET.
URL	https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2018/04/16/an-enzyme-that-digests-plastic-could-boost-recycling
Persons	John McGeehan

Title	Recycling hope for plastic-hungry enzyme
Media name/outlet	BBC News
Media type	Web
Date	16/04/18
Description	Scientists have improved a naturally occurring enzyme which can digest some of our most commonly polluting plastics.
Producer/Author	Mary Halton
URL	www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43783631
Persons	John McGeehan

Related information

Projects

New enzymes for degrading natural and synthetic polymers: A combined structural and synthetic biology approach
Project: Research

Outputs

Characterization and engineering of a plastic-degrading aromatic polyesterase
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
A promiscuous cytochrome P450 aromatic O-demethylase for lignin bioconversion
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Relations

ID: 10437111

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