Researchers Reprogram E. coli to Transform Plastic Into Paracetamol

In a groundbreaking fusion of synthetic chemistry and biotechnology, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have engineered E. coli bacteria to convert plastic waste into paracetamol, the common painkiller also known as acetaminophen. The process begins with polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—the plastic found in water bottles and food packaging—which is chemically broken down into terephthalic acid. This compound is then fed to genetically modified E. coli, which, through a fermentation process, transforms it into paracetamol in under 24 hours. Remarkably, the entire process occurs at room temperature and produces virtually no carbon emissions, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel–based pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The key to this innovation lies in a classic chemical reaction called the Lossen rearrangement, which the team successfully triggered inside living bacteria—a feat never before achieved. By designing E. coli strains that rely on this reaction to survive, the researchers ensured the bacteria would naturally perform the transformation. Once the bacteria produced para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a precursor to paracetamol, additional enzymes completed the conversion. The result: a 92% yield of paracetamol from recycled plastic, demonstrating the potential of microbial “factories” to upcycle waste into high-value medicines.

While the process is still in its early stages, the implications are vast. This approach not only addresses the global plastic crisis but also reimagines how we produce essential drugs. With support from AstraZeneca and other industry partners, the team is now working to scale the technology.