Mohammad Seyedsayamdost

Mohammad Seyedsayamdost is a Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University, affiliated with the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). His research focuses on environmental microbiology, microbial symbiosis, and the discovery of bioactive natural products. He investigates how microorganisms interact with their environments, particularly in soil and marine ecosystems, to produce novel antibiotics and other bioactive molecules. His work integrates chemical synthesis, enzymology, and systems biology to understand and harness microbial metabolic pathways.

Key areas of research include antibiotic discovery via high-throughput screening methods like MetEx and HiTES, the study of microbial responses to environmental stressors (e.g., iron limitation), and the biosynthesis of selenium-containing antioxidants such as ovoselenol. He also explores the ecological roles of microbial metabolites in symbiotic relationships and pathogen interactions.

His contributions to natural product chemistry have advanced strategies for awakening silent biosynthetic gene clusters and identifying cryptic metabolites with therapeutic potential. Seyedsayamdost’s interdisciplinary approach bridges chemistry, biology, and environmental science, addressing global challenges in public health and sustainable chemistry.