Developing a highly efficient whole-cell biotransformation of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone into Apocynin by engineered Escherichia coli expressing caffeic acid O-methyltransferase.

Summary: Scientists have found a clever new way to make a helpful plant medicine called Apocynin. Usually, this medicine is hard to get because it only comes from certain plant roots. To solve this, the research team used tiny bacteria as living factories! They added a special tool—an enzyme from another plant—into the bacteria to help them turn simple chemicals into the medicine. By tweaking this tool and finding the perfect temperature, they more than doubled the amount of medicine the bacteria could make. This exciting discovery makes producing this helpful plant medicine much easier, faster, and cheaper!