“The unique gut microbiome found within a tiny plastics-munching worm could potentially be harnessed to successfully break down problematic materials on a large scale,” reports New Atlas:
The larvae of the darkling beetle are popular insect snacks in many countries where they are often bred and sold for pet reptile food. But while they’re known as superworms for their protein-rich nutritional value, their true superpower may be found in the makeup of their gut bacteria.
The team began by feeding three sets of worms three different diets of common plastics – high-density polyethylene, which is notoriously difficult to break down, polypropylene, and polystyrene for 30 days. (A lucky control group was served oatmeal.)
The scientists then extracted the microbiomes from the plastic-munching worms’ guts and incubated them in flasks filled with synthetic nutrients and the three plastics, letting them develop into an artificial gut over six weeks.
What they found was that the lab-grown guts, compared to the control group of worms, had developed far more plastic-degrading bacteria, and each showed superior efficiency with the specific material it had been fed on.
Scientists have discovered fungus that can eat plastics in bodies of water, without needing any other food source, reported The Independent.
Scientists have engineered a virus that steals proteins from the HIV virus, hoping to use it to eliminate AIDS.
A company is using microbes and air to make a meat substitute.
Methane-eating microbes are being sold to Whole Foods to make fertilizer and reduce pollution.
Genetically-engineered skin bacteria keep some mosquitoes away.
A virus is being used to cure deafness in new gene therapy.
