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Harnessing microbiology to tackle global challenges

Professional headshot photo of Dr Lizbeth Sayavedra

Dr Lizbeth Sayavedra

BBSRC Discovery Fellow

Research themes:
Microbial Community Interactions
Plant-Microbe Interactions
Contact details:
lizbeth.sayavedra@quadram.ac.uk
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Biography

I am passionate about unravelling the mysteries of microbial life and how it shapes our world, from the human gut to the deep sea. I specialize in microbial ecology, bioinformatics, and microbiome research, focusing on sulfur metabolism and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and their role in gut health and disease. Currently, I hold a prestigious BBSRC Discovery Fellowship at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), where I am investigating the fascinating process of nitrogen fixation in the gut.

My journey in science began with a degree in Genomic Sciences from the National University of Mexico, which opened my eyes to the incredible diversity of microbial life. I then pursued a Master’s and PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Germany, where I studied sulfur-oxidizing symbionts of deep-sea mussels that thrive in extreme environments like hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. I focused on understanding the intricate interactions between these bacteria and their mussel hosts, fuelling my fascination with how microbes adapt and contribute to larger ecosystems.

At QIB, I have expanded my research to the human gut, working to uncover how sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) impact human health. Currently, I am exploring the role of nitrogen fixation in the gut by SRB. My work integrates cutting-edge genetic tools, anaerobic bacterial systems, and colon models to address fundamental questions about the microbial world that could have far-reaching implications for human health.