The Supercomputing Center in Barcelona, Spain, the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemical Research, and a research team from the University of Compton have jointly developed a synthetic protein that can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics and nanoplastics and reduce them to basic components, enabling them to be decomposed or recycled. The team used defense proteins from strawberry anemones and added new functions through computational design. The research results are published in the new issue of the journal Nature Catalysis. Researchers vividly depict this work as' adding an arm to a person '. These "arms" are composed of three amino acids that act as scissors and can cut small PET particles. The researchers explained that in this case, they are added to the protein from sea anemones, essentially "acting as cell drills, opening pores, and acting as defense mechanisms. Researchers have concluded that machine learning and supercomputers used in protein engineering can "predict where particles will bind and where new amino acids must be placed in order for them to function". The resulting geometric shape is very similar to the enzyme of the PET swallowing bacterium Idionella Sakaiensis. The results indicate that the new protein can degrade PET microplastics and nanoplastics, and its efficiency is 5 to 10 times higher than that of enzymes currently on the market at room temperature. In addition, the pore like structure of the protein was chosen because it allows water to pass through and can be fixed on membranes similar to those used in seawater desalination plants, which will help it degrade particles that are invisible but difficult to eliminate and can be ingested by the human body in the form of filters. Another advantage of the new protein is the design of two variants, depending on the placement of the new amino acid. A variant can more thoroughly decompose PET particles for degradation in sewage treatment plants; Another variant can generate the initial components required for recycling, which researchers can purify or recycle as needed. (New News Agency)