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Plastic-Microbial BioRemediation DB: A Curated Database for Multi-Omics Applications

Summary

Scientists have created a new database called Plastic-MBR that catalogs bacteria capable of breaking down plastic waste. Using computer analysis of genetic information from soil and river samples, researchers identified numerous bacterial species and enzymes that could potentially help eliminate plastic pollution. This database serves as a starting point for selecting promising bacteria that could be tested in laboratories and eventually used to develop practical plastic-cleaning solutions for contaminated environments.

Background

Plastic pollution is a major environmental challenge with millions of tonnes accumulating in ecosystems annually. Conventional disposal methods like landfilling and incineration are inadequate, necessitating sustainable solutions such as bioremediation. However, the bacterial biodiversity involved in plastic biodegradation remains poorly understood.

Objective

To develop a comprehensive curated multi-omics database (Plastic-MBR) that integrates genetic and enzymatic data related to putative plastic-degrading microorganisms. The database was designed to support in silico analyses of metagenomic data and comparative genomics to identify microbial taxa with potential plastic-degrading functions.

Results

The Plastic-MBR database contains 120,224 bacterial genes predicted to degrade 27 plastic matrices. Metagenomic analysis identified 23 plastic-degrading functions in soil and 24 in river samples with high ecological significance. Taxonomic profiling revealed bacterial genera including Pseudomonas, Mycolicibacterium, Nocardioides, and previously unreported species with potential plastic-degrading capabilities.

Conclusion

The Plastic-MBR database serves as a valuable tool for identifying candidate bacteria for plastic bioremediation through in silico screening. While computational predictions require experimental validation, the database successfully identified numerous putative plastic-degrading genes and novel microbial taxa, providing a framework for developing targeted bioremediation strategies.
  • Published in:Environmental Microbiology Reports,
  • Study Type:Database Development and Validation Study,
  • Source: 10.1111/1758-2229.70178, PMID: 40922105
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