Project Details
Projekt
Microbial biofilms upcycling plastics to produce valuable chemical compounds [BIOCYCLING]
Subject Area
Biological Process Engineering
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 559397992
The BIOCYCLING project aims to develop a biofilm-based system to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics into valuable chemical compounds. With a focus on microbial degradation, the project is investigating the mechanisms of biofilm formation on PET surfaces and how bacterial architecture and cell physiology influence the efficiency of PET degradation. The research focuses on the development of bacterial strains, in particular Comamonas thiooxidans, that can robustly secrete PETase and metabolize PET. With these, a continuous bioreactor system is being developed in which biofilms efficiently degrade PET and convert terephthalic acid into 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (PCA). This process includes the optimization of inline analytical methods, including FTIR and NMR, for the precise detection of degradation products. Through this fundamental research, the project aims to create an efficient, scalable solution for sustainable plastic recycling. This project is divided into three main objectives: understanding biofilm binding, developing PET-degrading bacteria, and optimizing bioreactors for the continuous upgrading of PET to valuable chemicals.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
Subproject of
SPP 2494:
Productive Biofilm Systems
