Module 3: Design

Description | Design | Construction | Characterisation | Modelling | Results | Conclusions

Description

We identified two requirements for this system, and have designed the module to meet each requirement.

Requirement 1: The bacteria should carry a system capable of degrading polythelene

Laccase, an oxidoreductive enzyme, is important in bioremediation. Laccase from Rhodococcus Ruber C208 has been found to be involved in polyethylene biodegradation. The Laccase mechanism involves the generation of free radicals which encourages degradation of polyethylene. As Rhodococcus strains are presently unavailable to us, our system includes cueO, a laccase/multi-copper oxidase from E. coli.

Requirement 2: The system must be compatible with the marine environment

Our chosen enzyme has been suggested to survive in harsh conditions; Laccase is thermostable (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14586105) and can function within a broad pH range, (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852412002234) therefore we expect our system will function in the marine environment.