Amedea Perfumo

Dr. Amedea Perfumo is a Research Scientist in the Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems department at the Alfred Wegener Institute. Her research examines microbial life in cryo-environments, focusing on low-temperature adaptations, ancient DNA preservation in permafrost, and bioactive molecules from extremophiles.

Current projects include DFG-funded paleodiversity investigations using sedimentary ancient DNA from Siberian permafrost to reconstruct Pleistocene ecosystems and microbial responses to climate change. Her group employs metagenomic and cultivation approaches to study microbial survival strategies in ice wedges and permafrost sediments.

Dr. Perfumo develops biotechnological applications for cold-active enzymes and biosurfactants, with recent discoveries including novel proteases from extremophilic bacteria. She collaborates internationally on projects ranging from space exposure experiments (ExoCube platform on ISS) to Arctic bioremediation strategies for hydrocarbon contamination.