Can marine bacteria be superheroes in the fight against plastic pollution?

What if we could use marine bacteria as tiny superheroes in the fight against plastic pollution? Working with UWA colleagues, Anna teaches the fastest-growing bacterium in the world to eat certain types of plastic in seawater conditions. The marine bacteria then turn some of the plastic degradation product into bacterial fat which can be harvested as a biodegradable plastic alternative. Anna also hunts for natural bacteria in Perth’s Swan River Estuary to learn more about microbial plastic degradation in our oceans. Come along and find out how synthetic biology turns marine bacteria into the superheros we need in the fight again plastic pollution.

Bio

Driven by her excitement for knowledge and social contribution, Anna Faber started her PhD in the School of Molecular Sciences to tackle marine plastic pollution. By combining methods of synthetic biology and biochemistry, Anna and her research colleagues in the FritzLab aim to engineer marine bacteria for plastic degradation and bioplastic production. As a Forrest Research Scholar, Anna is also passionate about science communication and public engagement, and has worked with school students, NGOs and media to address plastic pollution.

Event

Tuesday 29 October, 7:00 pm @The Globe, 495/497 Wellington St, Perth

Also speaking at this location at 5:30 pm is Mayowa Babalola