Polyurethane (PUR) Degradation Module

Introduction

Both efficiencies of Polyurethane (PUR) degradation and ethylene glycol production are important for the performance of MAPLE system. We built a mathematical and deterministic model based on MATLAB extension Simbiology for Polyurethane degradation. The model contains the kinetic data of degradation enzymes is helpful for the experimental design. As we scaled up the initial concentrations of all substrates to meet the conditions for a bio-reactor, the model can provide preliminary simulations and predictions for the MAPLE system.

Design

Objective

Here are some specific objectives for the model to achieve:

1. The model should contain the gene expression model of the degradation enzymes because the enzyme concentration determines the rate of plastic degradation. In our case for PUR degradation, we used [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K206000 pBAD strong promoter K206000] for most enzymes. We built the gene expression model based on inducible pBAD promoter, which gene expression rate can be regulated by inducer concentration.

2. The model should show the efficiency of the enzyme secretion to the culture from the cells. It's also important for degradation rate. Here we used pelB secretion tag for most enzymes in order to achieve a high efficiency.

3. The model basically predict how long will take to degrade a known concentration of soluble polyurethane.

Polyurethane (PUR) degradation involves 5 different degradation enzymes:</p>