Chujing Fu is a visting PhD student in Food Science from the College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, China. Under the supervision of our Postdoc Fei Yan, she will investigate specific bacterial strains to reveal the molecular mechanism of its serotonin synthesis. Below is an interview we did with Chujing recently. You can learn more about her - her background, her focus during the internship and her thoughts about the science field.

What are your studies and where?
"I am a PhD student in Food Science from the College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University. My doctoral research focuses on how natural bioactive components (particularly polysaccharides) influence host health via the gut microbiota."

How come you choosing our lab for your internship?
"I chose this lab because of its outstanding reputation in gut microbiology and Professor Bäckhed's pioneering work on gut microbiome. I will be here focusing on the molecular mechanism of serotonin biosynthesis in a specfic bacteria strain. This aligns perfectly with and deepens my PhD research on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. I am eager to explore how microbes directly produce key molecules that influence brain function within a world-class team."

What are you hoping to learn from the internship?
"I hope to systematically master microbial genetics, metabolic pathway analysis, and functional study techniques for specific bacterial strains to thoroughly reveal the complete molecular mechanism of its serotonin synthesis. I also look forward to learning how to connect fundamental microbial mechanisms with broader host physiology and health outcomes."

What are your impressions from the lab so far? 
"I have been deeply impressed by the lab's cutting-edge facilities and its international, collaborative academic atmosphere. Everyone has been incredibly friendly and helpful, which made me feel integrated quickly. If there's a "bad" thing, it might be that it will take me a bit of time to get fully accustomed to the weather here."

And your impressions of Gothenburg/Sweden?
"Gothenburg is a beautiful and livable harbor city. I appreciate how it seamlessly integrates nature, urban life, and sustainability. While I am still adjusting to the winter heavy snow, the peaceful, orderly environment and the local emphasis on a healthy work-life balance provide ideal conditions for focusing on research."

How come you choose this field of science?
"I have always been fascinated by how the microscopic world of microbes exerts a massive influence on human health. The fact that gut microbes can directly produce neuroactive substances like serotonin provides the most direct window into understanding the "gut-brain dialogue." Exploring this cutting-edge, interdisciplinary field satisfies my scientific curiosity and holds great potential for microbial interventions to improve mental health, which I find incredibly exciting."

How would you explain your research to someone who is not familiar with science in 1-2 sentences?
"I study the trillions of tiny bacteria living in our gut, known as the microbiome. Think of it as a hidden organ that talks to our body. I'm trying to understand what these bacteria “say” and how their conversations affect our health."

 

We are happy to welcome Chujing to our team! Looking forward to supporting her and sharing insights during her internship journey.