Suzanne Thompson
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1
Total Citations
82
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1
About
Suzanne Thompson is a leading yeast biologist whose work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of how spoilage yeasts resist weak organic acid food preservatives, a critical issue in food and beverage safety. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of microbial stress resistance, particularly the genetic determinants that allow *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* to survive and grow in preserved environments. Thompson’s most impactful contribution is her pioneering use of high-throughput robotic screening of the yeast deletant mutant collection to identify genes governing hypersensitivity and hyper-resistance to sorbate, a common preservative. This landmark 2004 study, cited over 80 times, systematically mapped the cellular pathways—from membrane transporters to stress signaling—that enable spoilage, providing a powerful genetic blueprint for developing more effective preservation strategies. By bridging functional genomics with applied food microbiology, Thompson has not only illuminated fundamental yeast biology but also delivered practical insights for reducing food waste and economic losses. Her work remains essential reading for researchers tackling microbial spoilage in the food industry.
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