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Two Ideas
Francisco Cai
(from the brainstorming session)
First Idea: Trash-eating bacteria
Problem:
The planet has too much trash.
Idea:
Can we engineer E.coli to degrade plastics, Styrofoam, etc.?
Why it might be a good idea
0. Tackles a global problem
1. Bacteria...
... are efficient at decomposing other things
... can proliferate to match amount of trash
... are portable
2. Trash-eating bacteria may...
... produce useful by-products
... give insight into how to customize bacteria metabolism
Things to watch out for
1. The bacteria eats only trash and nothing more.
2. The bacteria does not generate any toxic by-products.
Second Idea: Desalinating bacteria
Problem:
Seawater is a large source of potentially potable water
Idea:
Use bacteria as desalinators to produce potable water.
Why it might be a good idea:
0. Tackles a global problem
1. Bacteria...
... already regulate their osmotic pressure
... can proliferate to match amount of seawater
... are portable
2. Desalinating bacteria may...
... provide a source of salt
... give insight into designing bacteria for other
purifying purposes
Things to watch out for:
1. The bacteria does not introduce undesirable compounds in
to the water.
2. The bacteria does not affect the marine ecosystem.