Mohammad R. Seyedsayamdost

Mohammad R. Seyedsayamdost is a Professor of Chemistry and Molecular Biology at Princeton University, affiliated with the Frick Chemistry Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding bacterial interactions through small molecule chemistry, with emphasis on natural product discovery, enzymology, and microbial communication. He leads the 'Mo Lab,' which explores how bacteria use small molecules to compete, collaborate, and adapt in complex environments.

His work integrates metabolomics and genetic approaches to activate silent biosynthetic gene clusters, uncovering novel antibiotics and bioactive compounds. Notable contributions include discoveries in selenium-containing metabolites (ovoselenol), radical SAM enzyme mechanisms, and synthetic lethality strategies against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

• Key Awards: MacArthur Fellow (2020), NIH New Innovator Award (2015), NSF CAREER Award (2019)
• Labs/Teams: Mo Lab (Chemistry & Molecular Biology)

Recent research highlights include drug combinations targeting melioidosis and Clostridium difficile, as well as elucidating bacterial responses to environmental stressors like iron limitation. His studies bridge fundamental chemical biology with translational applications in drug discovery and microbial ecology.