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Synthesis
of PHA by Using Plants
Judy Ho (3A), Lucille Wong (2F)
Advisor:
Mdm Erlis
- Current methods
of producing bioplastics include microbial synthesis or using
transgenic microorganism. We hope to genetically engineer plants
to grow biodegradable plastics.
- As opposed
to petroleum-based plastics, these plastics are biodegradable
and thus provide a renewable and sustainable alternative in the
management of our finite natural resource.
OVERVIEW
- Preliminary
research revealed three genes from the bacteria Ralstonia eutropha
encoding the enzymes for the synthesis of PHB (PHB is one form
of PHA) namely phbA (ß-ketothiolase), phbB (acetoacetyl-CoA
reductase) and phbC (polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase).
- The genes
would be introduced into a suitable model plant (eg. Arabidopsis
thaliana) by Agrobacterium-mediated (Agrobacterium tumefaciens)
transformation.
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