(270f) High-Throughput and Pan-Genomic Approach to Multi-Species Polymer Biodegradation

Due to increasing plastic waste accumulation, there's a growing need for polymers with shorter environmental lifespans. Biodegradable polymers offer a potential solution, but research is hindered by lengthy testing periods and limited understanding of complex microbial degradation patterns. A recently developed high-throughput biodegradation test allows hundreds of polymers to be screened in just 2-3 weeks. However, culturing limitations currently restrict this method to a single species, P. lemoignei. To better represent natural conditions and explore the degrading ability of additional species, this study adapted the method for broader microbial use. A modified test assessed 14 commercial polymers with 18 bacteria and fungi, generating over 250 biodegradation results. Trends in polymer structure and degrading organisms were identified. Additionally, representative microbial consortia were created to explore species-species interactions with these polymers. The effect of molecular weight on PLA biofragmentation was studied using selected organisms. Leveraging diverse omics platforms, a pan-genome analysis was performed on a broad set of polymer-degrading species, including experimental strains. Hundreds of species with polymer-degrading capabilities were identified from existing databases, and representative genomes were selected for pan-genome analyses. Major depolymerase clusters shared by many organisms were identified, and high-potential clusters were computationally analyzed to predict polymer degradation roles. This work expands the potential for rapid, comprehensive screening of polymer biodegradability and highlights microbial mechanisms underlying degradation. These approaches provide practical insights to guide future research into polymer design and biodegradation processes.