Dipti Nayak

Dipti Nayak is an Assistant Professor of Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of BIO. Her research focuses on the evolutionary history of conserved molecules and cellular features, which divide life on Earth into three domains: Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea. Her work explores the molecular and cellular biology of archaea, particularly methanogenic archaea, using them as a model system to study methanogenesis and other aspects of archaeal physiology and metabolism. The Nayak lab develops genetic, genomic, and biochemical tools for methanogenic archaea to investigate their biology, evolution, and role in climate change and human health.

Dipti D Nayak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley, specializing in Archaea, Methanogenesis, Microbiology, and Evolution. Her research explores the molecular mechanisms underlying methanogenesis, particularly focusing on key enzymes like methyl-coenzyme M reductase and their post-translational modifications. She investigates the genetic and functional interactions that enable archaea to adapt to diverse environments, including their roles in biogeochemical cycles and horizontal gene transfer. Her work also examines the evolutionary significance of metabolic pathways in archaea, such as methylotrophy and carbon assimilation. Through genetic and biochemical approaches, she aims to uncover the molecular basis of archaeal survival and adaptation.