Scientists have modified E. coli, and now it produces a cure for Parkinson's disease directly in the human body.

     American scientists have created a genetically modified Escherichia coli E. coli Nissle 1917, which produces levodopa, an effective drug for Parkinson's disease. The microorganism can now continuously produce it directly in the human body, writes Naked Science.

    Levodopa is similar in action to the neurotransmitter dopamine. It regulates movement. Patients with Parkinson's disease must receive the drug continuously, otherwise the symptoms will quickly return.

    The genetically modified bacillus is able to live in the human intestine and continuously produce levodopa there. Its dosage can be varied by controlling the level of a rare sugar called rhamnose in the microbes. It affects the activity of the gene that synthesizes the drug.

    Experiments on mice were successful. Scientists believe that the bacterial route of drug delivery could help treat depression, Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that require constant medication.