> Due to its structure featuring a wide-open active site, the researchers have named this "plastic-eating" enzyme the "Pac-Man enzyme"
and the context, of course,
> Since [the past 75..50 years] ... microbial communities - such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi - ... would certainly like to use the plastic as a growth substrate - but they cannot. At least, so far. The "Pac-Man enzyme" could signal a turning point, indicating that certain microorganisms may be able to specialize in breaking down plastic. "I find this encouraging, because it seems that bacteria can adapt to breaking down polyester plastics more quickly than we expected" [says biologist David Schleheck]
To the obvious question:
> Due to its structure featuring a wide-open active site, the researchers have named this "plastic-eating" enzyme the "Pac-Man enzyme"
and the context, of course,
> Since [the past 75..50 years] ... microbial communities - such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi - ... would certainly like to use the plastic as a growth substrate - but they cannot. At least, so far. The "Pac-Man enzyme" could signal a turning point, indicating that certain microorganisms may be able to specialize in breaking down plastic. "I find this encouraging, because it seems that bacteria can adapt to breaking down polyester plastics more quickly than we expected" [says biologist David Schleheck]