Scientists from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, together with research groups from the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry of the CSIC and the Complutense University of Madrid, have developed artificial proteins capable of degrading microplastics and nanoplastics found in PET bottles. They have added three amino acids to a defense protein from the strawberry anemone, enabling it to function as scissors that cut small PET particles. The protein degrades PET micro- and nanoplastics at room temperature with a higher efficiency than existing PETases on the market. The protein’s pore-like structure allows for potential use in filters for water purification plants.
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-artificial-protein-capable-degrading.html