Intelligent Microbial Platform for Plastic Valorisation via AI-guided Synthetic Biology

Objective

Plastic production exceeds millions of tonnes annually, with leakage and microplastics threatening ecosystems and human health. Mechanical and chemical recycling methods are energy-intensive, generate greenhouse gases, and suffer from quality loss. Current biological solutions are limited by the need for purified enzymes and high temperatures and are not addressing simultaneous valorisation of degraded plastic monomers. Val-PLAS (Valorisation of PLastics with AI-guided design and Synthetic biology) will develop an AI-enabled microbial platform for direct, low-energy upcycling of plastics. The project combines three innovations: (i) AI-guided discovery and engineering of plastic-degrading enzymes active at mild conditions (30–40 °C); (ii) modular microbial chassis for enzyme secretion and metabolic engineering of converter strains; and (iii) integrated co-cultures that couple degraders with converters to transform PET/PLA-derived monomers into high-value molecules such as naringenin and hydroxytyrosol with applications in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Four research objectives structure the work: (1) computational bioprospecting, (2) in silico enzyme engineering, (3) modular chassis and pathway design, and (4) integrated co-cultures for decentralised plastic upcycling. This first-in-class microbial system will provide a scalable, sustainable alternative to inefficient recycling technologies. Beyond scientific advances, Val-PLAS will enhance the researcher’s interdisciplinary expertise and independence, consistent with the MSCA mission to support career development. By valorising plastic waste into valuable products under mild conditions, the project contributes directly to the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, advancing Europe’s transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient bioeconomy.