Bright key facts / Experimental

An enzyme for a plastic problem.

Scientists used machine learning to help engineer an enzyme that breaks down PET plastic.

AI’s role
A model guided protein mutations for improved performance.
Documented result
Engineered enzymes demonstrated PET depolymerization in laboratory experiments.
Important limitation
Laboratory success does not establish industrial economics or a solution for all plastics.

Source published 2022-04-27 · Bright published 2026-09-05 · Evidence and limitations

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