Abstract: The provided methods and systems describe the breakdown of plastic materials into valuable products, thereby both eliminating waste and providing reusable materials. The described systems and methods utilize catalytic depolymerization and biological funneling via bacteria, which may reduce the costs of recycling plastics in terms of expensive catalysts, energy, and time. Advantageously, some embodiments may target mixed plastic streams, which due to having multiple chemical compositions, may not be easily recycled via conventional recycling techniques. Such mixed plastic streams are currently often discarded (e.g., landfilled) rather than recycled due to the cost and effort required for separating the various compositions present.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a genetically modified microbial cell that includes a first genetic modification resulting in the expression of an exogenous vanillate demethylase, such that the microbial cell is capable of metabolizing an S-lignin decomposition product and producing 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate (PDC).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the genetically modified Pseudomonas with improved tolerance to hydroxycinnamic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered Pseudomonas useful to relieve the metabolic bottleneck of 4-hydroxybenzoate transformation in a muconate accumulating strain on an engineered Pseudomonas by swapping its endogenous para-hydroxybenzoate-3-hydroxylase (PHBH), PobA, with a homolog, PraI, that has a broader cofactor preference.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a genetically modified microbial cell that includes a first genetic modification resulting in the expression of an exogenous vanillate demethylase, such that the microbial cell is capable of metabolizing an S-lignin decomposition product and producing 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate (PDC).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for catalytic glycolysis to deconstruct PET to bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). For BHET conversion to terephthalate and ethylene glycol, we engineer Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with PETase and MHETase enzymes from Ideonella sakaiensis. We further engineer P. putida to convert terephthalate to a performance-advantaged bioproduct, ?-ketoadipic acid, and for improved utilization of ethylene glycol, a byproduct of BHET catabolism. In a bioreactor, we produce 15.1±0.6 g/L of ?-ketoadipic acid (?KA) from BHET at 76±3% molar yield. Lastly, we demonstrate conversion of catalytically depolymerized PET to ?KA. Overall, this work highlights the potential of tandem catalytic deconstruction and biological conversion as a means to upcycle waste PET.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the genetically modified Pseudomonas with improved tolerance to hydroxycinnamic acids.