Team:ASIJ Tokyo

The BIG TEMPLATE : RESPONSIVE and FREE

Project Description

We are surrounded by plastic everyday, specifically PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). Considered as the most common type of polyester, PET is a plastic resin often used for packaging consumer products. We can also find it in our water bottles, plastic toys, and even in the fiber of our clothing. PET is a combination of two monomers known as ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid that, when combined, form the polymer PET. The problem with PET is that although it is a convenient material for humans to use, it does not easily biodegrade. As PET accumulates in the ecosystems around the world, it poses detrimental effects on habitats worldwide. That is why it is crucial that we find an efficient way to degrade PET.

TEAM

We are the American School In Japan’s IGEM team and Japan’s first high school team! Our team is made up of a vast variety of individuals focused in different fields. We have 27 team members and 9 traveling to Boston this year to compete. Their biographies are located down below, check out the map if you would like to learn more about our team! We also have one teacher advisor, Beth Crissy and one mentor, Dr. Tyler DeWitt. We hope our contribution will combat the artificial waste ever growing on our Earth, bringing about change and a more optimistic future.

Lab