- Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have successfully converted plastic bottles into L-DOPA, a crucial drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
- The innovative process involves engineering E. coli bacteria to transform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, commonly found in food and drink packaging, into the medication.
- This development marks the first time a natural, biological process has been used to turn plastic waste into a drug for a neurological condition.
- The new method offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional L-DOPA production, which relies on fossil fuels, and helps reduce the 50 million tonnes of PET waste generated annually.
- Researchers anticipate that this technology could be expanded to create various other products, including paracetamol, flavourings, and cosmetics, from recycled plastic.
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