Dispendix - Blog

Jack Cahill, Ph.D. (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) at the Forefront of Sustainable Solutions: Mass Spec & the I.DOT for a Waste-Free Future

Written by Nila Lê | Jan 31, 2024 4:00:00 PM

Imagine a world where plastic waste disappears, transformed not by fire or landfill, but by the tiny power of engineered enzymes. Panelists from our recent webinar, Innovations in Drug Discovery: Advancements in Protein Engineering and Mass Spectrometry, are making this vision a reality, harnessing the remarkable precision of enzymes to tackle one of our planet's most pressing challenges: pollution.

Mass spectrometry and enzyme engineering play a crucial role in developing sustainable solutions for various industries. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology, scientists create enzymes with specific properties to facilitate chemical reactions that are environmentally friendly and economically viable. This field of research has the potential to revolutionize multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, energy, and waste management.

Meet Jack Cahill, Ph.D., a renowned R&D scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) who has been at the forefront of enzyme engineering research. With a background in analytical chemistry, Jack has dedicated his career to developing innovative solutions at ORNL.

Nylon Degradation: A Promising Application for Enzyme Engineering

Nylon, a widely used synthetic polymer, poses a significant challenge for waste management due to its slow degradation rate. Traditional methods of nylon disposal, such as landfilling and incineration, are neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. However, with the advent of enzyme engineering, there is new hope for addressing this issue.

Enzyme engineering is a rapidly evolving field, and the work being done at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is at the forefront of innovation. By combining cutting-edge technologies like the I.DOT Liquid Handler with the expertise of scientists like Jack's, we can unlock new possibilities and drive sustainable change.

The Versatility of the I.DOT Liquid Handler in Mass Spectrometry Workflows

Jack's work, in collaboration with fellow webinar panelist Leann Teadt (Codexis), using the I.DOT Liquid Handler with an open port sampling probe has the potential to revolutionize waste management practices.

 

In his corner, he has a cutting-edge ally: the I.DOT Liquid Handler. This state-of-the-art instrument acts as a tireless lab assistant, its custom-made open port sampling probe is used with ORNL's portfolio of mass spectrometers and accelerates enzyme screening tenfold. This versatile tool allows scientists like Jack to automate liquid handling tasks and streamline the process of enzyme engineering.

 

With the I.DOT Non-Contact Dispenser, Jack and his team can efficiently engineer enzymes for nylon degradation. By optimizing the enzyme's structure and activity, they aim to develop a sustainable solution for tackling the environmental issues associated with nylon waste. This breakthrough technology has the potential to transform waste management practices and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Watch Jack present his latest work from our webinar:

 

Unleash the Power of Automated Liquid Dispensing for Yourself

Jack's story is just the tip of the iceberg. Dive deeper into the I.DOT Liquid Handler's capabilities and discover how it can supercharge your workflows:

    • Contact us and book a demo today to discuss how the I.DOT can fuel your own mass spectrometry breakthroughs.

The I.DOT Liquid Handler is a bio-architect's micro-brush. Design the future of life with DISPENDIX in your back pocket and the I.DOT on your lab bench.