Core Findings - A clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, PA-W23, has been discovered to degrade a medical-related biodegradable plastic, polycaprolactone (PCL) [4][7] - The enzyme responsible for this plastic degradation is named Pap1, which allows the bacteria to utilize PCL as its sole carbon source for growth [5][7] - The presence of PCL enhances the formation of biofilms by the bacteria, which increases its pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance [6][9] Research Implications - The ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to degrade plastics in a hospital environment poses a risk to medical devices made from plastic, potentially compromising patient outcomes [4][5] - The study highlights the need to consider the plastic-degrading capabilities of hospital bacteria as a significant factor in healthcare settings [9]