Beyond Recycling: Why Biodegradation Could be a Game-Changer for Plastic Waste – An Interview with Dr. Federica Bertocchini
In a world where plastic pollution is a severe problem, researchers are exploring various methods to tackle this issue. In this blog article, we interview Dr. Federica Bertocchini, a molecular biologist who has dedicated her research to studying the biodegradation of plastic waste. Dr. Bertocchini talks about her discovery of enzymes in the wax moth larvae's saliva that can break down polyethylene, the potential implications of these enzymes for addressing plastic pollution globally, and her startup Plasticentropy. She also shares her experience as a woman in a male-dominated field and provides advice for young researchers and entrepreneurs interested in pursuing similar research sustainability.
Dr. Bertocchini, thank you for taking the time to talk about your research. Before we start with that, please tell me more about your background.
I studied Biology, and then I encountered the field of molecular biology. After obtaining my PhD I specialized in early development of vertebrates. Parallel to that, I was interested in plastic degradation because I've always been very interested in the environment since I was a kid. I stumbled into the waxworm somewhat coincidentally by being a beekeeper. Developmental biology is a brilliant discipline that still fascinates me, but now I focus on insects and plastic degradation.
How did the waxworm change your life?
The discovery of the waxworm fit into a little niche that opened up about a handful of larvae that could degrade polyethylene and polyester. And in my case, we saw the degradation by the waxworm within a few hours! That was amazing. After this discovery, we focused mainly on the waxworm to see what enzymes could do that, and that is how we found the enzymes that could degrade polyethylene. Since this was the first time that a scientific research team has found a natural solution that has proven capable of degrading PE, we have received much attention. I founded a startup focusing on this topic and concentrated my research on these newly discovered proteins. In a way, yes, this discovery changed my life!
Can you talk about the potential implication of the enzymes for addressing plastic pollution globally?
We might manage to produce the enzymes in large quantities and thus biodegrade plastic. At the moment, however, more research is needed to be done. From here, the supposed biotechnological application will take some time. There currently needs to be more methods for degrading polymers like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET. Recycling does not work effectively because of technical limitations. I know chemical recycling plants are being built, but that is a very energy-intensive process. There is no ideal way right now. Of course, biodegradation is not a all-in-one solution for the global plastic pollution problem, but it would be fitting to introduce biodegradation into managing plastic waste globally! Combining enzymatic degradation and whatever technology is applied to-date to build building blocks would be an excellent first step. Our work with enzymes could change waste management to tackle the problems of plastic recycling.
Earlier, you mentioned your startup Plasticentropy. Can you tell me more about it?
Funding is a tremendous challenge in my research, and my work depends on it. With my colleague Nicolas Dubaut, an experienced entrepreneur, I set up our spinoff business to tackle this problem. We use it to collect funding, which is a crucial step for commercialization in the future. Founding Plasticentropy is a way to secure financing and, at some point, to go on with the R&D of the project.
What are your long-term goals?
Right now, we focus on two essential topics: funding and growing our team. Our long-term goals are optimizing the production and efficiency of the enzymes and applying them on a large scale.
How do you see the role of enzymatic degradation in the broader context of plastic waste management and environmental sustainability?
The improvement of plastic waste management is crucial. Enzymatic degradation could contribute to that, depending on how efficiently it works. For PET, for example, a pilot is in the making, and at some point soon, the enzymatic degradation of PET could enter the market. This could be an excellent addition to the current plastic waste management. We are walking in the right direction, but we need to implement solutions faster because the clock is ticking.
Do you have any advice for young researchers or entrepreneurs interested in pursuing similar research sustainability?
For me, the most important thing is to try to break the schemes and avoid to conform. My experience is that there is an established path, and everybody follows this allegedly perfect path. If you dare to walk differently and follow YOUR way, even if it's just a little trail, you might stumble across accidental discoveries and breakthroughs that will lead you somewhere unexpected!
Can you talk about your experience as a scientist AND a woman in a male-dominated field?
I can only speak about my personal experience in this case. I don't experience evident and direct mistreatment, which I could address. It is rather subtle. Also, it highly depends on the country. As a woman, you are experiencing discrimination in some way, and it is only a sense; I can't truly grasp it. Sometimes men tend not to listen if a woman is talking, or they won't consider that women deserve something. It's frustrating, but unfortunately, the science world is not different than every other aspect of everyday life.
What are your future goals and plans?
I hope to find a place with our spinoff. And, of course, I will go on with my research. First, the optimization of the scaling up of this project and second, to study the worm further: the cause for the worm to have these enzymes in the first place and the effects of the enzyme in the worm. Also, the question of which other animals have this enzyme? There are a lot of plans for my future.
Thank you again for taking the time, Dr. Bertocchini. All the best for you, your research and Plasticentropy!
The discovery of the waxworm larvae's capacity to degrade polyethylene and the subsequent identification of the enzymes responsible for this degradation has opened up a new avenue in the fight against plastic pollution. Dr. Federica Bertocchini's research on plastic-degrading enzymes and her startup, Plasticentropy, offer hope for more efficient and sustainable ways of managing plastic waste. Enzymatic degradation, if successfully implemented on a large scale, could be a game-changer in plastic waste management and contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. As Dr. Bertocchini noted, there is still much work to be done, but her advice to young researchers and entrepreneurs to break the schemes and follow their own path can lead to unexpected discoveries and breakthroughs. With continued research and innovation, it is possible to find solutions to the global problem of plastic pollution.
Zaidi ya kuchakata: Kwa nini Biodegradation inaweza kuwa Game-Changer kwa ajili ya Plastiki Waste - Mahojiano na Dk Federica Bertrocchini Katika ulimwengu ambapo uchafuzi wa plastiki ni tatizo kubwa, watafiti ni kuchunguza mbinu mbalimbali ya kukabiliana na suala hili. Katika makala hii, tunamhoji Dk Federica Bertoccini, mwanabiolojia wa molekuli ambaye amejitolea utafiti wake wa kuchunguza biodegradation ya taka za plastiki. Bertoccini amefunua kwamba nyuki wa nondo wa wax wanaweza kuvunja polyethylene, na kwamba hii inaweza kusaidia kupunguza uchafuzi wa plastiki duniani kote. Pia anashiriki uzoefu wake kama mwanamke katika uwanja unaotawaliwa na wanaume na hutoa ushauri kwa watafiti wachanga na wajasiriamali wanaopendezwa na kufuatilia uendelevu wa utafiti kama huo. Dr. Bertoccini, asante kwa kuchukua muda wa kuzungumza juu ya utafiti wako. Kabla hatujaanza na hilo, tafadhali niambie zaidi kuhusu historia yako. Nilijifunza biolojia, na kisha nikakutana na uwanja wa biolojia ya molekuli. Baada ya kupata shahada yangu ya udaktari nilijishughulisha na ukuzi wa mapema wa wanyama wenye uti wa mgongo. Kwa upande mwingine, nilikuwa na hamu ya kuharibika kwa plastiki kwa sababu siku zote nimekuwa na nia ya mazingira tangu nilipokuwa mtoto. Niligongana na mdudu huyo kwa bahati mbaya kwa sababu nilikuwa mfugaji wa nyuki. Biolojia ya maendeleo ni taaluma nzuri ambayo bado inanivutia, lakini sasa mimi hukazia fikira wadudu na uharibifu wa plastiki. Ugonjwa wa waxworm umebadilisha maisha yako? Kwa mfano, mnyama anayeitwa waxworm aliweza kuharibu nyuzi za polyethylene na polyester. Na katika kisa changu, tuliona uharibifu uliosababishwa na mdudu wa nta ndani ya saa chache tu! Hiyo ilikuwa ya ajabu. Baada ya kugundua hii, tulizingatia hasa waxworm kuona nini enzymes inaweza kufanya hivyo, na kwamba ni jinsi tulipata enzymes ambayo inaweza kuharibu polyethylene. Kwa kuwa hii ilikuwa mara ya kwanza kwa timu ya utafiti wa kisayansi kupata suluhisho la asili ambalo limethibitika kuwa na uwezo wa kuharibu PE, tumepokea umakini mwingi. Nilianzisha kampuni ya kuanza inayozingatia mada hii na kukazia utafiti wangu kwenye protini hizi zilizogunduliwa hivi karibuni. Kwa njia fulani, ndiyo, ugunduzi huo ulibadili maisha yangu! Je, unaweza kuzungumza juu ya athari ya uwezekano wa enzymes kwa kushughulikia uchafuzi wa plastiki ulimwenguni? Huenda tukaweza kutengeneza vimeng'enya vingi na hivyo kuharibu plastiki. Hata hivyo, kwa sasa, utafiti zaidi unahitaji kufanywa. Kutoka hapa, matumizi ya biotechnological inadhaniwa itachukua muda. Kwa sasa kuna haja ya mbinu zaidi za kuharibu polima kama vile polyethylene, polystyrene, na PET. Utaratibu wa kuchakata haufanyi kazi kwa ufanisi kwa sababu ya mapungufu ya kiufundi. Najua viwanda vya kuchakata kemikali vimejengwa, lakini hiyo ni mchakato unaotumia nishati nyingi sana. Hakuna njia bora kwa sasa. Bila shaka, uharibifu wa kibiolojia si suluhisho la wote-katika-moja kwa tatizo la uchafuzi wa plastiki duniani, lakini ingekuwa sahihi kuanzisha uharibifu wa kibiolojia katika usimamizi wa taka za plastiki ulimwenguni pote! Kuunganisha uharibifu wa enzymatic na teknolojia yoyote inayotumiwa hadi sasa kujenga vitalu vya ujenzi ingekuwa hatua bora ya kwanza. Kazi yetu na enzymes inaweza kubadilisha usimamizi wa taka ili kukabiliana na matatizo ya kuchakata plastiki. "Kabla ya hapo, nilizungumza na kampuni yangu ya kwanza ya ""Plasticity.""" Je, unaweza kuniambia zaidi kuhusu hilo? Ufadhili ni changamoto kubwa katika utafiti wangu, na kazi yangu inategemea hilo. Pamoja na mwenzangu Nicolas Dubaut, mjasiriamali mwenye uzoefu, nilianzisha biashara yetu ya spinoff kushughulikia tatizo hili. Tunatumia kukusanya fedha, ambayo ni hatua muhimu kwa ajili ya kibiashara katika siku zijazo. Kuanzisha Plasticentropy ni njia ya kupata fedha na, katika hatua fulani, kuendelea na R&D ya mradi. Ni malengo gani ya muda mrefu unayoweza kufikia? Kwa sasa, tunazingatia mada mbili muhimu: ufadhili na kukuza timu yetu. Malengo yetu ya muda mrefu ni kuboresha uzalishaji na ufanisi wa enzymes na kuzitumia kwa kiwango kikubwa. Jinsi gani unaweza kuona jukumu la uharibifu wa enzymatic katika muktadha mkubwa wa usimamizi wa taka za plastiki na uendelevu wa mazingira? Uboreshaji wa usimamizi wa taka za plastiki ni muhimu. Uharibifu wa enzymatic unaweza kuchangia hilo, ikitegemea jinsi inavyofanya kazi kwa ufanisi. Kwa mfano, katika hali ya PET, kuna uwezekano wa kuonekana kwa njia ya enzymatic. Hii inaweza kuwa nyongeza bora kwa usimamizi wa sasa wa taka za plastiki. Tunaenda katika mwelekeo sahihi, lakini tunahitaji kutekeleza suluhisho haraka kwa sababu saa inakwenda. Je, una ushauri wowote kwa watafiti vijana au wajasiriamali wanaopendezwa na kufuatilia uendelevu wa utafiti kama huo? Kwangu, jambo muhimu zaidi ni kujaribu kuvunja mipango na kuepuka kufuata. Uzoefu wangu ni kwamba kuna njia iliyowekwa, na kila mtu anafuata njia hii inayodaiwa kuwa kamilifu. Kama wewe kuthubutu kutembea tofauti na kufuata njia yako, hata kama ni tu njia ndogo, unaweza kukwazika juu ya uvumbuzi wa bahati mbaya na mafanikio ambayo itakuongoza mahali fulani isiyotarajiwa! Je, unaweza kuzungumza juu ya uzoefu wako kama mwanasayansi na mwanamke katika uwanja wa wanaume? Ninaweza tu kuzungumza juu ya uzoefu wangu binafsi katika kesi hii. Mimi si uzoefu dhahiri na moja kwa moja unyanyasaji, ambayo ningeweza kushughulikia. Ni jambo la hila sana. Pia, inategemea sana nchi. Kama mwanamke, wewe ni uzoefu ubaguzi kwa njia fulani, na ni tu hisia; Siwezi kweli kuelewa. Wakati mwingine wanaume huwa hawawasikilizi wanawake wanapozungumza, au hawatazingatia kwamba wanawake wanastahili kitu fulani. Ni jambo la kusikitisha, lakini kwa bahati mbaya, ulimwengu wa sayansi hautofautiani na nyanja nyingine zote za maisha ya kila siku. Ni malengo na mipango gani ya wakati ujao? Natumaini kupata mahali na spinoff yetu. Na, bila shaka, nitaendelea na utafiti wangu. Kwanza, ni kuboresha kiwango cha mradi huu na pili, ni kujifunza zaidi juu ya mdudu: sababu ya mdudu kuwa na enzymes hizi kwanza na athari za enzyme katika mdudu. "Kwa hivyo, swali ni, ""Ni wanyama gani wana enzyme hii?""" Kuna mipango mingi kwa ajili ya wakati wangu ujao. Asante tena kwa kuchukua muda wako, Dk. Bertocchini. Kila la kheri kwako, utafiti wako na Plasticentropy! Ugunduzi wa uwezo wa mabuu ya wadudu wa waxworm wa kuharibu polyethylene na baadaye kutambua enzymes zinazohusika na uharibifu huu imefungua njia mpya katika mapambano dhidi ya uchafuzi wa plastiki. Utafiti wa Dk Federica Bertrocchini juu ya enzymes za kuharibu plastiki na kuanza kwake, Plasticentropy, hutoa matumaini kwa njia bora na endelevu za kusimamia taka za plastiki. Uharibifu wa enzymatic, ikiwa utafanikiwa kutekelezwa kwa kiwango kikubwa, unaweza kuwa mabadiliko ya mchezo katika usimamizi wa taka za plastiki na kuchangia kwa kiasi kikubwa uendelevu wa mazingira. "Bertocchini alisema: ""Bado kuna kazi nyingi ya kufanywa, lakini ushauri wake kwa watafiti wachanga na wajasiriamali kuvunja mipango na kufuata njia yao wenyewe inaweza kusababisha uvumbuzi usiotazamiwa na mafanikio.""" Kwa utafiti na uvumbuzi unaoendelea, inawezekana kupata suluhisho la tatizo la ulimwengu la uchafuzi wa plastiki.