Plastic pollution is an environmental threat that continues to impact sustainability efforts not only in Ohio, but the world. While the material itself is very useful, it proves quite resistant to natural degradation, contributing to major challenges to global waste management.
Polyethylene (PE) plastic specifically is a leading contributor to pollution, since it is by far the most highly produced at 27% of global plastic production. PE is commonly found in plastic bags, food containers, bottles, and water pipes.
Fifteen students from The Ohio State University's College of Engineering, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and Fisher College of Business made up the Mycobite team that travelled to Paris, France last month to present their work at the iGEM Jamboree.
The team was awarded a silver medal in the annual synthetic biology competition for their project focused on utilizing fungal enzymes from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus Ostreatus to break down polyethylene (PE) plastic.
Undergraduates Olivia Sullivan, Emma Masters, and Ellie Schroer represented the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) on the team, while lecturer Mike Rowan and graduate student Lindsey Shimoda served as advisors.
During the three-day event, the team presented their project at their booth to judges and fellow teams from around the world, completed the judging session, and gave a live talk session at the bioremediation village housed at the event.
Nearly 400 teams presented in this year's Jamboree, with nearly 5000 total attendees.
Visit the conference's website for a complete list of medalists.
View the Mycobite website for more information about their project.