Mohamed S. Donia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. His research focuses on small-molecule-mediated interactions within complex microbial communities. Recognizing that microbes, like humans, exist in diverse communities, his work explores how small molecule natural products mediate interactions among these organisms. He studies the human microbiome and its impact on health and disease states, examining how these microbial inhabitants define the differences between commensals and pathogens. His lab investigates microbial interactions in various environments, including marine invertebrates and soil ecosystems, emphasizing the chemical defenses provided by microbial symbionts. Donia's ongoing research utilizes advanced metagenomics and single-cell genomics to examine uncultivable microbes within these communities, striving to develop tools for analyzing their interactions. He aims to bridge microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics to address fundamental biological questions and develop new therapeutics.
Princeton University • Princeton, NJ
Teaching and research in molecular biology focusing on microbial interactions and small molecules.