Michael McClelland

Michael McClelland is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Pathology. His research focuses on bacterial genetics, particularly the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in Salmonella and other Gram-negative bacteria. He investigates quorum sensing, host-pathogen interactions, and bacterial resilience in diverse environments including food matrices and host tissues.

His work integrates genomic approaches, functional genomics, and molecular biology to understand microbial adaptation. Notable research includes studies on Salmonella's survival strategies in food systems, regulation of virulence genes, and the role of alternative sigma factors in bacterial pathogenesis.

McClelland has received NIH funding for projects on bacterial genetics and pathogenesis, including grants AI034829, AI057733, and AI52237-06. His contributions span basic science to translational research, addressing urgent issues in food safety and infectious disease control.