Researchers have demonstrated that E. coli can perform a biocompatible Lossen rearrangement, enabling phosphate-catalysed conversion of synthetic substrates into valuable compounds. This approach allows engineered bacteria to upcycle PET plastic waste into paracetamol,

In a nutshell Scientists engineered E. coli bacteria to perform a chemical reaction that transforms plastic-derived compounds into acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. The process uses waste from PET plastic bottles and achieves a conversion efficiency of up to 92%,