0907085_Nomura

1. Protein and metabolic engineering for the producion of biodegradble plasticsChristopher Nomura, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, DMR 0907085 Intellectual Merit: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biobased, biodegradable plastics that can be produced from renewable feedstocks such as sugars and fatty acids. PHA polymers have been touted as potential replacements for petroleum-based plastics, but producing polymers with physical properties similar to petroleum-based plastics has been challenging. Our lab is interested in controlling the physical properties of these polymers by manipulating the repeating unit structure of the polymers. To accomplish this goal, we have engineered bacteria to convert sugars such as glucose directly into the PHA polymers we want. A number of different PHA polymers can be made using this technique, some with physical properties similar to petroleum-based plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. A. B. A. Sugars are fed to engineered bacteria to be converted to PHA polymers. B. Purified PHA polymers.

2. Protein and metabolic engineering for the producion of biodegradble plasticsChristopher Nomura, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, DMR 0907085 Broader Impacts: Outside of the broader impact of producing biodegradable replacements to petroleum-based plastics, Dr. Nomura has been mentoring underrepresented and underserved undergraduate students for summer research in his laboratory. In addition, he has been working with 7th and 8th grade students from Syracuse middle schools and has given a workshop on biodegradable polymers every year of the program.