Scientists convert plastic into Parkinson's drug in a world first

A University of Edinburgh study published in Nature Sustainability reports that engineered E. coli converted PET plastic into levodopa, a treatment for Parkinson's disease; the work was done at laboratory scale and will require further development for industrial production and regulatory review.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh report in Nature Sustainability that engineered E. coli bacteria can turn polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into levodopa, a key treatment for Parkinson's disease. PET is commonly used in bottles and food packaging, and levodopa remains the most effective medicine for managing Parkinson's motor symptoms. The team and other research groups have previously shown plastics can serve as chemical feedstocks for medicines, including paracetamol and drug precursors. The work is at laboratory scale and the authors note practical and regulatory hurdles before any industrial use. Key facts: - The study was published in Nature Sustainability and led by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. - Engineered E. coli converted PET plastic into levodopa in laboratory experiments. - Earlier Edinburgh work converted up to 90% of PET from a one-litre bottle into paracetamol within 24 hours in lab tests. - Other teams have used different plastics and microbes to make drug building blocks and starting materials for cancer and bleeding therapies. - The article highlights challenges including developing cost-effective manufacturing, meeting regulatory safety standards, and securing sufficient plastic feedstock. Summary: If further developed and validated, converting some types of plastic waste into medicines could reduce reliance on fossil-fuel chemical routes and support more circular use of materials. However, the research remains at an early laboratory stage. Engineers, regulators and supply chains will need to address scale-up, safety assessment and feedstock availability before industrial production can be considered.