In a groundbreaking development bridging biotechnology and environmental science, researchers have created a microbial system that transforms common plastic waste into salicylic acid—the core compound in aspirin and a versatile pharmaceutical agent.

Using a genetically engineered strain of Pseudomonas putida, scientists modified the bacteria to digest polyethylene—the most prevalent and problematic plastic in landfills—and convert it into salicylate through a multi-step enzymatic pathway. This approach not only alleviates plastic accumulation but also offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based drug synthesis.

The research, published in Nature Chemical Biology, opens the door to decentralized biorefineries where plastic waste could be upcycled into useful medicines or even industrial chemicals. The project’s implications stretch from environmental cleanup to equitable healthcare, particularly in regions where access to basic pharmaceuticals remains limited.

“It’s a closed loop: we clean the planet while empowering communities,” says Dr. Rami Seth, lead bioengineer on the project. “It redefines what ‘waste’ can mean.”

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