Shows
crisscrossing ScienceEpisode 217: PET Eating BacteriaChad and Mike invite Dr. Jay Mellies to talk about his research into bacteria that are able to break down plastics into their constituent pieces. To learn about plastics and more, subscribe to the podcast, wherever you listen to them.2025-01-0631 min
SciPodUsing Hungry Microbes to Devour Plastic Pollution | Dr Jay MelliesPlastic pollution is accelerating the destruction of our planet. Discarded plastic can be found in the remotest areas – from the highest mountain tops to the deepest ocean trenches. As many types of plastic take hundreds of years to break down, finding better solutions to the plastic crisis is vital. In recent research, Dr Jay Mellies from Reed College in Oregon examines the ability of microbes to break down mixed-plastic waste.2023-09-1307 min
TED Talks Science and MedicineThese bacteria eat plastic | Morgan VagueHumans produce 300 million tons of new plastic each year -- yet, despite our best efforts, less than 10 percent of it ends up being recycled. Is there a better way to deal with all this waste? Morgan Vague describes her research with microbiologist Jay Mellies on bacteria that have evolved the unexpected ability to eat plastic -- and how they could help us solve our growing pollution problem.2019-05-2809 min