Abstract 2793 Exploring Plastic-Binding Peptides for Targeting Soluble Proteins and Scaffolds to Synthetic Plastics: Opportunities and Challenges

Non-biodegradable synthetic plastics, prized for their durability, lightweight nature, and chemical inertness, are accumulating in the environment at an alarming rate. Current recycling methods are limited by harsh processing conditions and the inferior quality of recycled products. While biological approaches to plastic degradation show promise, available enzymes remain inefficient at degrading recalcitrant synthetic plastics due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Inspired by nature's strategies for breaking down resistant natural polymers like cellulose and chitin, we investigated the use of plastic-binding peptides to anchor soluble proteins and scaffolded complexes onto synthetic plastic surfaces.