(September 13, 2016 at 2:51 pm)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote: Ever heard about the microbes that live exclusively on nylon?
I am familiar with the nylonase enzyme, although I have not heard, that they lost abilities to absorb materials they where previously capable of (excluseively sustains itslef on nylon). There is some controversy about as to the how and why. Some think that a previously existing enzyme was partially capable of breaking down nylon, but not as efficient as the current form.
Then there is directed mutagenesis and some people make money, by doing similar things on purpose. Perhaps it is not random and unguided after all.