Petra Oyston

Petra Claire Farquhar Oyston is a British researcher and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Fellow. She has developed the UK's engineering and synthetic biology research programme. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 New Year's Honours.

Early life and education Oyston was born in High Wycombe and grew up in Whitley Bay in North East England. Her mother was a teacher and her father was a civil engineer. Her doctorate looked at anaerobic bacteria in the gut that can cause sepsis. She is interested in the study of pathogens, the evolution of bacteria and the development of medical strategies to protect public health.

At Porton Down, Oyston developed anti bio-warfare vaccines, including vaccines to prevent bacterial infection and the spread of plague. The Porton Down department have responded to international chemical situations, including the 2001 anthrax attacks and the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

Selected publications