PET-X works by bringing plastic degrading enzymes to the surface of e. coli cells. Our work with MHETase and PETase combined with various anchor proteins, such as AIDA-I, Ice Nucleation Protein, and YeeJ can be used by other teams in the future to advance work on plastic degrading enzymes, as well as other enzymes.

Our work with the BHET plate assay allows for the fast detection of enzyme activity. By adding BHET to agar plate solution, enzyme activity can be detected by comparing the changes in opacity to the plate medium to negative and positive control samples on the same plate. As teams in the future work to further alter and improve plastic degrading enzymes, this assay will be extremely useful. We also believe this same methodology could be used with other types of enzymes by dissolving other components into the agar medium, instead of BHET.

We worked extensively with an assay to quickly characterize and quantify the activity of PETase using the compound FDBz. We hope our work with this assay will allow other teams to quantify their work with plastic degrading enzymes, and that they can use this as inspiration for other assays.

We collaborate with the iGEM team from the University of Texas to create a coloring book to help young students understand the basics of biology and genetics, including the central dogma of life. We also included topics on environmental impacts of plastic pollution. We hope future iGEM teams will be able to take selections and inspiration from this book to help in their education and outreach efforts.