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Updated: Jul 13, 2025

A Convenient and General Expression Platform for the Production of Secreted Proteins from Human Cells

A Convenient and General Expression Platform for the Production of Secreted Proteins from Human Cells

Published on: July 31, 2012

Two-step conversion of polyethylene into recombinant proteins using a microbial platform.

Alexander Connor^1,2, Jessica V Lamb³, Massimiliano Delferro³

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.

Microbial Cell Factories

|October 17, 2023

Summary

Researchers developed a new Pseudomonas strain that converts plastic waste into valuable recombinant proteins. This microbial platform upcycles plastic-derived alkanes into silk proteins, promoting a sustainable materials economy.

Keywords:

Microbial upcycling Plastic waste Recombinant silk Sustainability Synthetic biology

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Last Updated: Jul 13, 2025

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High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

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Published on: August 26, 2012

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Microbial Engineering
Sustainable Materials

Background:

Growing plastic waste necessitates advanced recycling methods beyond mechanical processes.
Current microbial plastic conversion is limited, primarily to polyhydroxyalkanoates.
Expanding microbial capabilities can drive sustainable materials economies.

Purpose of the Study:

To engineer a microbial platform for converting plastic waste into diverse, high-value biomaterials.
To develop a Pseudomonas strain capable of producing recombinant proteins from plastic-derived substrates.
To advance the upcycling of recalcitrant plastic waste.

Main Methods:

Optimized media for Pseudomonas growth using hexadecane as a proxy for depolymerized polyethylene.
Genomic integration of genes for green fluorescent protein and spider dragline-inspired silk protein.
Cultivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with chemically depolymerized polyethylene.

Main Results:

Achieved robust Pseudomonas biomass growth (>1x10^9 cfu/ml) with optimized media.
Successfully expressed recombinant silk and fluorescent proteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Converted depolymerized polyethylene into silk protein at titers of 11.3 ± 1.1 mg/L.

Conclusions:

Demonstrated a novel microbial platform for converting alkanes and plastic-derived materials into recombinant proteins.
Established a pathway for upcycling plastic waste into value-added protein-based materials.
Provided a foundation for future research in plastic waste valorization.