Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have successfully engineered bacteria to transform plastic waste into L-DOPA.
For the first time, researchers have developed a new method to transform common plastic into a medication used to treat neurodegenerative Parkinson’s disease.Polyethylene terephthalate is a common plastic used in food and drink packaging.
It was converted to Levodopa , a primary medication for Parkinson’s, using engineered E. coli. The team at the University of Edinburgh has developed this natural, biological process. Notably, this method transforms a persistent environmental pollutant into a high-value life-saving medication and offers a greener alternative to fossil-fuel-based pharmaceutical manufacturing.“Turning plastic bottles into a Parkinson’s drug isn’t just a creative recycling idea, it’s a way of redesigning processes that work with nature to deliver real-world benefits,” said Dr Liz Fletcher, Director of Impact and Deputy CEO at the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre .“By demonstrating that a harmful material can be converted into something that improves human health, the team is proving that sustainable, high-value applications of biology are both practical and effective,” Fletcher added.Bacterial factoryThe world produces roughly 50 million tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate plastic every year. Most of it ends up in landfills or the ocean. Standard recycling is often inefficient, but the Edinburgh team, led by Professor Stephen Wallace, saw a goldmine of carbon hidden in that waste.Researchers have developed a process that dismantles PET plastic waste into its primary building block, terephthalic acid, to serve as a sustainable raw material. This acid is then fed to engineered E. coli bacteria, which act as microscopic factories to rearrange the carbon molecules. Through a series of programmed biological reactions, the bacteria synthesize L-DOPA from these fragments. Levodopa is the most common drug doctors prescribe to replace the dopamine lost in Parkinson’s disease, as it turns into dopamine in the brain.Sustainable synthesisUsing a biological middleman, this innovative method replaces the pharmaceutical industry’s heavy reliance on finite fossil fuels and toxic chemical synthesis with a sustainable circular carbon economy. Instead of simply disposing of plastic, this approach upcycles environmental waste into a high-value medical resource, thereby reducing the industry’s ecological footprint while benefiting human health.“This research shows the huge potential of engineering biology to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. By converting discarded plastic into a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, the team has demonstrated how carbon that would otherwise be lost to landfill or pollution can be turned into high value products that improve lives,” said Professor Charlotte Deane Executive Chair, UKRI EPSRC.The implications are massive. This study suggests that we are at the dawn of a bio-upcycling industry. If we can brew Parkinson’s medication in a vat of plastic-munching bacteria, then experts can likely do the same for flavorings, perfumes, and industrial dyes.Although the team has proven the concept at a laboratory scale, the finish line isn’t here yet. The next phase involves moving toward industrial application. This means making the bacteria faster, the process cheaper, and the yield higher.The findings were published in Nature Sustainability on March 16.
E.Coli Health L-DOPA Levodopa Parkinson’S Disease PET Waste Plastic
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mad scientists to power AI data centers with living brain neuron-powered microchipToday's Video Headlines: 03/13/26
Read more »
Scientists Say Something Bizarre Is Hiding Inside Black HolesAt Futurism, my work has often centered on bringing a sense of clarity and insight to complex topics ranging from the regulation of emerging technologies to the esoteric ideologies of Silicon Valley executives, while striving not to lose the poetic sense of awe inspired by often-obscure fields like astrophysics and quantum computing.
Read more »
Finnish scientists show green hydrogen production possible with semiconductor electrodesResearchers' simulations showed how and why changing the electrode potential achieves hydrogen production on TiO2 semiconductor electrode.
Read more »
Researchers Upload Fly’s Brain to Matrix, Let It Control Virtual BodyI've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing.
Read more »
In physics first, Chinese scientists create rare 'hexagonal diamond' that's harder than natural diamondDamien Pine (he/him) is a freelance writer, artist, and former NASA engineer. He writes about science, physics, tech, art, and other topics with a focus on making complicated ideas accessible. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut, and he gets really excited every time he sees a cat.
Read more »
Scientists revive activity in frozen mouse brains for the first time‘Cryosleep’ remains the preserve of science fiction, but researchers are getting closer to restoring brain function after deep freezing
Read more »