Integrated Human Practices

A comprehensive human practices report which considers how the world affects our work and how our work affects the world.

Project Overview

Plastic was handcrafted to be perfect. Polymer scientists have curated chemical reactions, compressions, heating, and cooling to create a uniquely durable material. However, its greatest strength is also its biggest problem: plastics are so durable that they do not break down naturally. Instead, plastic just breaks up into tiny pieces called microplastics (MPs). Now, after infiltrating water, soil, and wildlife, MPs have begun to colonize their very creators: humans. For decades, Americans have considered plastic pollution to be defined by external images, such as overflowing landfills or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. We now understand that the problem is not just out there in the environment, but that our bodies are also at risk of this pollution.

The 2025 FSU iGEM team is initiating a conversation about microplastics by not only identifying and understanding their role in the environment and how they enter the human body through commercial production and consumption, but also by focusing on their human health effects. Our project focuses on understanding the biological impacts of MPs on the human body, specifically focusing on developing an aggregation therapuetic to remove MPs from the ileum. This work broadens participation in synthetic biology by connecting our solution to everyday concerns, educating others in the community, working towards our goal of keeping people healthy and reducing the risk of MPs, as well as educating others in the production and consumption of MPs in their everyday lives. Through a life cycle evaluation of the MP Polystyrene (PS), we can see it starts from the environment and ends with us, making this issue a broad topic of conversation for the risks and solutions of plastic use.

At the beginning of our research process, we sought to understand the role and impact of plastics in our society. To start the process, we created a series of maps to document those impacted by the problem - the stakeholders. Who is directly impacted, and who is impacted by association with those directly impacted?

We focused our attention on four sectors: Public Sector (governmental entities), Private Sector (industry), Academia, and the local Tallahassee community. The purpose of the stakeholder maps was to prioritize our time and effort on those from whom we can learn the most. Throughout our project cycle we interacted with stakeholders, to narrow our focus on where we could be the most effective and impactful.

Stakeholder Map 1
Stakeholder Map 2
Stakeholder Map 3
Stakeholder Map 4

Figure 1: Stakeholder Maps, created using Miro

The Problem: What Are Microplastics and Why Do They Matter?

The journey to Plastipeutics began with a broad interest in environmental waste, which narrowed to the issue of plastic pollution in landfills. Landfills store up to 42 percent of worldwide plastic waste and are an essential source of microplastic pollution (Lin et al., 2023). Our team wanted to tackle the pressing issue of plastic waste because of the widespread and devastating impact this pollution has on ecosystems far beyond the landfill itself. Over time, this large-scale plastic waste does not simply disappear; it breaks down into smaller particles infiltrating our bodies.

"Plastic accumulating in our oceans and on our beaches has become a global crisis... At current rates plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050” (Center for Biological Diversity).

Microplastics are plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in diameter. Microplastics encompass a wide range of polymer types, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). These particles originate from two main sources: primary microplastics, which are intentionally manufactured as small particles (such as microbeads in cosmetics, shower gels, & glitter), and secondary microplastics, which are much more common. Secondary microplastics are formed by the gradual physical, chemical, and biological degradation of everyday plastic products. Anything from plastic food packaging, synthetic clothing, car tires, medical devices, plastic bottles, and bags breaks down over time, releasing countless microscopic particles into the environment and our bodies (Bora et al., 2024). Even seemingly harmless items such as synthetic leggings, paper cups, cutting boards, furniture, table salt, and seafood release microplastics. One study found a single teabag can release up to 11.6 billion MPs in one cup of tea (Ali et al., 2023). We quickly realized microplastics can be found in almost every aspect of our lives. This led us to a critical question: If MPs are all around us, what impact are they having inside our bodies? Our initial research revealed the alarming extent of microplastic contamination not just in the environment, but within our own bodies. The key turning point was realizing that the problem was not only out in oceans and landfills, but also inside of us.

Through the constant and widespread use of plastic products in our daily lives, humans interact with microplastics on an everyday basis. In addition, once in the environment, microplastics can be found in our drinking water, food supply, and the air we breathe. This leads to three main ways the particles can enter the body: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal (skin) contact. Ingestion through contaminated food and water is considered the most significant route. Inhalation is also a major concern, as we breathe in airborne fibers shed from synthetic fabrics. Given that ingestion is the primary pathway, our team decided to focus on the gut as the body's first and most critical line of defense against the systemic spread of microplastics (Yee et al., 2021).

Routes of microplastic entry into the human body

Figure 3: Routes of microplastic entry into the human body (Source: Yee et al., 2021).

Responsibility & Impact: Human Health Implications

While the full scope of microplastics' effects on human health is still an emerging field of research, recent evidence has documented the presence of microplastics throughout the human body and identified concerning correlations with a wide range of human health implications. It is important to note that these studies often show strong associations and correlations, not definitive causation, but they do highlight the urgent need for solutions.

  • Neurological and Brain Health: Our team conducted an interview on February 19th with Dr. David A. Davis, from the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank. We discussed a study released just weeks before the interview that found microplastic concentrations within the liver, kidney, and brain. This study also found the brains of deceased dementia patients contained a greater abundance of microplastics than those of individuals without the disease, suggesting a potential link between microplastic accumulation and neurodegenerative conditions (Nihart et al., 2025). (A full summary of this interview is available on our Timeline page.) Furthermore, another study detected microplastics found in the olfactory bulb, confirming a direct pathway for inhaled particles to enter the brain (Amato-Lourenço et al., 2024).

  • Hematological and Cardiovascular Effects: The presence of MPs in the bloodstream is well-documented and has been linked to potential cardiovascular issues. Research has shown a significant association between the concentration of MP particles in the blood and markers of decreased coagulability (higher aPTT and lower antithrombin III levels), implying a potential risk for abnormal bleeding (Lee et al., 2024). Additionally, microplastics have been detected in the carotid artery plaque of patients who had a 4.5 times higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause over a 34-month follow-up period compared to patients whose plaque was free of plastics (Marfella et al., 2024).

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) Health: Since the primary route of entry is ingestion, the gastrointestinal system is a key site of impact. Research has shown that PET microparticles affect the function of the enteric nervous system in the ileum—the same region our project targets. This suggests MPs could interfere with gut motility and function (Makowska et al., 2024). Additionally, evidence has shown that exposure to MPs can result in oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammatory responses, cell membrane injury, and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, leading to potential issues with intestinal barrier function (Zhang et al., 2025).

  • Organ System Disruption: Once inside the body, MNPs can damage cells and trigger inflammatory responses in various organs within the body. A comprehensive review by Yee et al. (2021) outlines the potential for systemic toxicity, linking MP exposure to intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and potential damage to the liver, lungs, and heart individually. Furthermore, research correlates MPs with potential negative effects on the digestive, nervous, reproductive, skeletal, excretory, and cardiovascular systems (Zeng et al., 2024).

  • Hormone and Reproductive Issues: There is a growing body of evidence showing that exposure to MPs has effects on male reproduction, testosterone, and sperm quality. Additionally, MPs have been detected in human stool, cancer specimens, and female placenta, raising urgent questions about the possible role MPs play in disease, successful pregnancies, and possible in utero transmission to the offspring (D’Angelo and Meccariello, 2021; Ragusa et al., 2021). Additionally, microplastic exposure has been shown to have significant effects on ovarian functions, fertility, hormone levels, and embryo development (Inam, 2025).

    It is because of these significant health concerns that our team was motivated to develop a therapeutic to address the threat of microplastic accumulation within the human body.

Selecting Aggregation: Our Design Rationale

At the beginning of this project cycle, we considered three different avenues to approach the issue of microplastics: plastic alternatives, degrading microplastics, and aggregating microplastics. Since our primary goal was to prevent the further accumulation of microplastics within the body, we determined that creating new plastic alternatives was the least direct path. Through research and discussing plastic alternatives in interviews with Dr. Farner (2/11), Dr. Chung (2/12), and Dr. Davis (2/19) we discussed financial constraints, legistlative pushbacks, and the already existing plethora of options for plastic alternatives such as bamboo, avocado, seaweed, plant fueled bioplastics, silicon, mushroom, and more (Earth day.org). Instead of re-creating plastic, we wanted to introduce something novel and impactful to this issue, hence we researched degradation and aggregation methods.

Next, we explored the degradation-based design which utilized the PETase enzyme to degrade microplastics, an enzyme that is known for breaking down the PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), the polymer commonly found in single-use water bottles (Burgin et al., 2024). Enzymes such as PETase work because microplastics each have different reactivities and properties which make them easier or harder to react with. PETase is effective because it specifically targets and breaks the ester linkages in the PET polyester’s backbone, assisting in its degradation, as seen in the figure below. It is through this discovery that we sought to explore a degradation approach when removing microplastics within the body and preventing their diffusion through the small intestine and into the blood stream. However, our research and an interview with Dr. Wen Zhu (4/10) revealed a critical safety issue. The complete enzymatic breakdown of PET releases MHET, which breaks down into ethylene glycol, a by-product known to be toxic if ingested (Lopez-Lorenzo et al, 2024). We rejected this approach because of the critical safety concern, discussed with Dr. Zhu, that MP degradation could possibly leave behind toxic by-products in the human body. Our commitment to a safe and beneficial outcome meant that any method with this possibility had to be eliminated.

After pivoting away from a degradation design, we shifted our focus to developing an aggregation therapuetic. Our aim was to collect ingested microplastics as they enter the body through consumption, travel through the GI tract, and facilitate their excretion through solid waste. Our design uses a genetically engineered, non-replicating E. coli chassis that expresses plastic-binding peptides on its surface to collect these particles. This aggregation occurs specifically in the ileum, preventing the microplastics from diffusing through the intestinal wall into organs from which it would be nearly impossible to remove.

Our project focuses on the gut because it is the primary gateway for microplastics to enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs. The main sources of these MPs are contaminated food (i.e., seafood, salt, honey) and beverages (i.e., bottled water, tap water, beer). By causing disruptions in the gut microbiota, microplastics can possibly weaken the intestinal barrier, correlating to further health problems. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the first major organ to encounter ingested microplastics. The ileum is a primary site for nutrient absorption, and its structure is designed to allow substances to pass into the bloodstream. Research suggests that micro and nano plastics can cross the ileum’s intestinal barrier, particularly through specialized cells called M cells found in the Peyer's patches, and then travel to other organs like the liver, kidney, and even the brain (Makowska et al., 2024). This direct link between microplastic pollution and the gastrointestinal tract became a central factor in our design. (Sinha et al., 2025; Kannan and Vimalkumar, 2021; Stock et al, 2019).

Our Human Practices team met with a community stakeholder and healthcare professional Dr. Judith Cornely (8/29), whose insights guided our decision to design the therapeutic for oral intake which would be the most practical and accessible option for everyday use, supported by her medical perspectives on public safety, usability, and doctor-patient dynamics. Moreover, a capsule-based delivery system was selected to ensure our therapeutic reaches the ileum, its target site of action. This approach ensures the capsules protect the chassis from stomach acid and ensure targeted release in the lower intestine, the ileum (Nicze et al., 2024). Oral delivery is also supported by patient behavior. An oral route of administration is preferred by the vast majority of patients and improves compliance compared to other methods (Eek et al., 2016). Probiotics are already taken orally and have a strong track record of adherence, reflecting the trust patients place in capsule-based medication.

Additionally, current research is focused on improving the effectiveness of oral capsules by enhancing bioavailability, stability, and targeted delivery through innovations such as nanoparticles, permeation enhancers, hydrogels, and microneedle capsules (Nicze et al., 2024). These advancements make oral capsule delivery both scientifically sound and patient-friendly, aligning with ongoing efforts to create safer and more efficient therapeutic systems.

For further cycles of our projects development, we aim to go further regarding our therapeutics method of intake. We spoke with May Jingyan Wang (9/23) about the entrepreneurial side of establishing a safe product that is in line with the public's perception about probiotics. In the future, we aim to create surveys that measure the publics opinion towards oral ingestion of probiotics, with the survey being specific to our project and its goal. From the results of this survey, we would make changes to our ingestion model to abide by any preference posed by the public.

During the project cycle we spoke with many stakeholders from the public sector, private sector, academia, and local communities to guide our therapuetic design. We successfully brought our aggregation idea to fruition and are now in the testing phase. To guide the development of our plastic-binding peptides modeling, we consulted with Michael T. Bergman (2/11), Dr. Nick Cogan (3/14), and Dr. Bhargav Karamched (7/16, 8/1),, experts in computational modeling and biomethematics. Their insights were crucial as we designed our peptides through a combination of literature research and computational modeling to determine their binding affinities to plastic. To refine our experimental design and laboratory protocols, we held multiple interviews with Michael Taylor (5/21, 6/18, 6/22, 7/1, 7/12), Dr. Stephen Arce (7/23), and Dr. Jeffrey Farner (7/21). Their collective expertise was invaluable for developing and troubleshooting our wet lab procedures and testing assays. In addition to discussions mentioned above our design was influenced by Ulysse Castet(2/28), Alberto Chaves (3/5), Dr. Jingjiao Guan (4/10), Dr. Nienke Vrisekoop (4/11), Dr. Jamel Ali (4/13), Dr. Stephen Lenhert (4/14). With our final aggregation design, we hope to reduce the systemic spread of microplastics and prevent their absorption into vital organs like the brain, liver, and other tissues. Stakeholder feedback helped refine our experimental design and guided our choice of aggregation over degradation to ensure a responsible solution for human health. (A full summary of these interviews is detailed on our Timeline page. Refer to our Models page and Engineering Report for a more in-depth overview of our design).

There are a few ethical considerations and safety measures to be aware of when creating a bacteria-based therapeutic and introducing it to the market. Below are some of the considerations we have identified in our project and how we would plan to address them.

We acknowledge through possible misuse or unintended consequences we would take steps in future design cycles to ensure our therapeutic is safe and effective. First, we will knock out pathogenic genes in E. coli and incorporate a kill switch to prevent survival outside the intestinal tract. In the event the chassis lodges in the intestine, we will either design a mechanism for detection and elimination or model intestinal movement to ensure proper exit. Our therapeutic will be submitted as a dietary supplement and will follow relevant regulatory guidelines. Additional engineering cycles will rigorously test chassis viability, plastic-binding peptide functionality, and interactions with the intestinal environment to minimize potential side effects for users. lastly, through education and outreach we can spread awareness about microplastics to reduce the use and production of plastic which may correlate with serious human health affects.

A Lifecycle Assessment of PS

To ensure that our design not only supports human health but also minimizes environmental harm, we conducted a Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) of polystyrene (PS).

Originally, our team planned to focus on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) because of its prevalence as a primary component of single-use water bottles, a major source of microplastic pollution. However, after conducting an interview with Dr. Farner (7/21), he advised our build lab team to choose polystyrene (PS) due to practical factors, including the high cost and limited availability of PET particles in our desired specifications (1-5 µm, spherical). In this interview, we also learned that the Environmental Engineering community has been studying PS since the 1970s, thus providing us with a greater scope of research.

The life cycle of polystyrene (PS) begins with the extraction of fossil fuels (petroleum and natural gas). Crude oil is drilled and transported to a refinery. Through a series of energy-intensive processes, the oil is refined to produce various chemicals, including the styrene monomer, which is the fundamental building block of polystyrene. This stage has a significant environmental impact due to the energy consumed, habitat disruption from drilling, and greenhouse gas emissions from refining and transport. Next, styrene monomers are converted into PS plastic through manufacturing and production. This process involves polymerization, where chemical reactions link the styrene monomers into long polymer chains, requiring substantial energy (heating and cooling) and chemical inputs (Franklin Associates, 2022). The resulting PS can be formed into solid products (such as cutlery) or expanded to create expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam.

PS and other plastic products are used for a short time, such as a single-use foam coffee cup or a takeout container. During this time, heat and oil can cause the plastic to break down, releasing microplastic particles that are then ingested along with the food or beverage. At the end-of-life stage, due to pollution runoff and inadequate filtration systems in our water supply, microplastics can pass through current filters and re-contaminate natural waterways and bodies of water. This re-entry can lead to the slow bioaccumulation in organisms like birds, fish, reptiles (Sadia et al., 2024), and us humans. PS products are mainly found in landfills, escape into the environment, or pollute our oceans. Through discussions with Dr. Mariana Fuentes (2/27) and Kayla O’Brien (2/28), we learned the long-term direct and indirect ecological impacts plastic waste has on our natural environments, such as altering reproductive patterns, polluting habitats, and poisoning wildlife. It is still unknown to what extent the effect this bioaccumulation will have on the ecosystem and organism populations, but recent evidence shows sea birds experiencing organ failure due to plastic ingestion (de Jersey et al., 2025) and whales are washing up on the shores of beaches with bellies filled with plastic (Environmental Action, 2025). Moreover, at the end-of-life stage, PS has high energy content and can be burned in waste-to-energy facilities. However, incomplete combustion can release harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide, soot, and styrene vapors. Lastly, PS is technically recyclable (carrying the #6 symbol), but it is rarely recycled in practice. This is because it is lightweight and bulky (making it uneconomical to collect and transport), is often contaminated with food, and there is a very low market demand for recycled material (Jiao et al., 2024; Xayachak et al., 2024).

Our Lifecycle Assessment of polystyrene showcases the environmental persistence of microplastics, reinforcing the importance of addressing their accumulation within the human body. By linking environmental and human health considerations, our therapuetic design maximizes positive impact both locally and globally.

Routes of microplastic entry into the human body

Figure 2: Lifecycle Assessment of MPs, created using Canva Pro.

From Local Impact to Global Concern

Microplastic accumulation poses a major problem in Florida. Our project’s focus was decisively shaped by the unique environmental, economic, and political landscape of our home state. The state of Florida has over 1,350 miles of coastline and biodiverse ecosystems, including the Everglades and the Florida Keys. Additionally, Florida’s beaches and marine environments drive a multi-billion-dollar tourism industry and support one of the nation’s largest commercial fisheries (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2023). Florida’s identity, economy, and health of its residents are inextricably linked to the health of its environment.

Plastic pollution correlates with a direct and pressing health risk for Floridians. University of South Florida researchers estimated over 4 billion microplastic particles in the waters of Tampa Bay, FL. The most common type of microplastic found was thread-like fibers, from sources like fishing lines, nets, and clothing (McEachern et al., 2019). Furthermore, research conducted in Sarasota Bay found microplastics in the gastric fluid of local bottlenose dolphins (Hart et al., 2022). Another study examined the muscle and gastrointestinal tracts of the dolphins, finding that most of the fish that make up dolphin diets also contained microplastics (Conger et al., 2024). This issue extends beyond bioaccumulation within apex predators in Florida because Floridians consume more fish than the national average, often the same fish that dolphins eat (Conger et al., 2024). Furthermore, Florida ranks 11th in the United States for seafood production, accounting for 4.2 percent of the national average, which means that the microplastics in fish near our coasts affect not only local consumers but also other states that rely on Florida’s seafood supply (Conger et al., 2024). This reliance creates a heightened risk of exposure, as scientific studies have confirmed the alarming presence of microplastics in the local food chain. The problem is not merely local; as a major seafood producer for the nation, the contamination of Florida's fisheries has implications that extend far beyond the state line. Lastly, Florida lacks the infrastructure to properly recycle certain plastic wastes, such as polystyrene, allowing these materials to persist in the environment and further contribute to microplastic pollution (Hillsborough County, 2025).

In the face of powerful studies conducted on microplastics yielding valid results, there have been several attempts at policy change in regard to MPs in the environment in our home state of Florida. Miami City Beach's ban on party balloons from city parks, public marinas, marine facilities, and along city beaches has been expanded to ban all plastic and metallic decorations, enforced by fines of up to $4,000 (City of Miami Beach, 2025). Additionally, the government in Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County passed a policy on June 1, 2025, banning single-use plastics such as cutlery, containers, and straws in all Village facilities, parks, sponsored events, and affiliated vendors. This builds off the 2014 ordinance banning polystyrene Styrofoam in public areas, making Key Biscayne a pioneer in plastic restriction (Village of Key Biscayne, 2025).

Within Florida, there have been efforts to reduce plastic waste, but these local efforts are actively constrained by state preemption laws. For example, Florida Statute § 403.7033, passed in 2008, made it so that local governments could not regulate or ban certain kinds of plastic, specifically auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags. Furthermore, Florida Statute § 500.90, enacted in 2016, prevents local governments from banning the use or sale of polystyrene.

This complex political landscape, where the scientific need for action is clear, but policy is inconsistent, directly shaped our project's direction. Florida's preemption laws make traditional environmental solutions like advocating for local legislation or developing plastic alternatives ineffective at the community level. Current Florida legislation protects the use of plastic for businesses and entities from local law, so our efforts going down that path would be undermined and reduced by the existing legislative barriers. Hence, our team chose to develop an aggregation therapuetic that works inside the human body, a solution where the legislature cannot diminish its impact.

The complex challenge of regulating plastic pollution is not just unique to Florida, but it reflects a broader global struggle with inconsistent results. At the international level, the United Nations has spent years in negotiations for a legally binding treaty, but progress has been slow. Nonetheless, these talks marked the first attempt at creating an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, essentially a contractual agreement between countries to hold each other accountable for plastic production, management, and education (United Nations Environment Programme, 2023).

In contrast, the European Union has successfully implemented a comprehensive directive that bans many single-use plastics and holds producers financially responsible (European Union, 2019). EU Directive (EU 2019/904) required all member countries to ban certain single-use plastic items in markets and mandated product design changes, such as requiring lids to remain attached to beverage containers. Additionally, the directive set goals for separate plastic collection. Lastly, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) placed more responsibility on producers, making them cover some costs of waste management and labeling requirements to inform consumers (European Union, 2019).

Conclusion

Our goal has been to create a multifaceted solution to resolving the issues that plastics pose in the world. The presence of MPs within the body correlates with many health issues, such as reproductive issues, cardiovascular events, endocrine toxicity, detection within the lung, kidney, and liver, and much more (Zhao et al., 2025). Our proposed solution targets a critical stage of this cycle within the human body: the prevention of the systemic spread of microplastics. We aim to intercept microplastics after ingestion but before they can cause systemic harm by preventing their absorption and subsequent accumulation in vital organs.

Plastipuetics was fundamentally guided by our Integrated Human Practices. Our initial consultations with environmental scientists, public health experts, and chemical and biomedical engineers revealed the need for a human health intervention. Discussions with stakeholders also revealed that pursuing plastic alternatives would be ineffective in Florida due to legislative pushback, cost, durability, and the current emphasis on the environment, rather than human health implications. Expert interviews also identified safety risks with degradation-based approaches due to toxic byproducts. In response, we designed an orally ingested, aggregation-based therapeutic targeting the ileum, which reflects careful consideration of safety, accessibility, and preference, guided directly by stakeholder insights and professional recommendations. Additionally, our lifecycle assessment of polystyrene connects environmental impact with human health, reinforcing the urgency and holistic understanding of our aggregation-based therapeutic.

This project is more than just biotechnology and more than the removal of microplastics from the human body. This is a step toward a healthier future for humanity by removing these long-lasting compounds from our systems, raising awareness through education, and laying the blueprints for a better society. Although we are still far from a world without these harmful substances, this marks an important first step in the right direction. We acknowledge that through continued design iterations, education, and outreach to different communities, we can inspire both individual action and meaningful policy changes.

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