Michael CalcuttDr. Michael (Mick) Calcutt is a Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies for the Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Program at the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri. He completed is BSc. in the University of Sheffield, UK, and his Ph.D in the University of Leicester, UK.

Dr. Calcutt's research focuses on aspects of the molecular genetics and pathogenesis of Mycoplasmas, a diverse genus of cell wall-less bacteria that includes many important pathogens of food animals and humans. In the absence of a cell wall, the single limiting membrane represents the unique and critical interface between the pathogen and host. Analysis of the repertoire, function and potential antigenic variation of surface membrane proteins is one of the primary research interests in the laboratory, together with understanding chromosomal dynamics and the role of mobile genetic elements in such plasticity. Increasingly, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomic approaches are being exploited to systematically assess the deduced surface proteome, horizontal gene transfer and accessory gene pool that likely contribute to the pathobiology of these organisms. Read More Read Less