Takehiro Kado

Dr. Takehiro Kado is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Missouri State University. His research focuses on the cell surface biology of mycobacteria, particularly the role of mycolic acids in cell wall synthesis and resilience. He employs advanced techniques like fluorescent microscopy, lipid extraction, and biochemical/click chemistry analyses. Kado holds a DVM from Kitasato University (2009), a PhD in Veterinary Science (2015), and completed a postdoc at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2019). He teaches courses in immunology and pathogenic microbiology.

His awards include the 2022-2023 Summer Research Award from the Institute for Applied Life Sciences and the 2017 Young Scientist Award from the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science. His work bridges microbiology, immunology, and infectious disease, with a focus on bacterial virulence mechanisms and membrane biology.

Research highlights include studying mycobacterial membrane compartmentalization via tuberculostearic acid and the role of lipoarabinomannan in cell division. He investigates Vibrio vulnificus pathogenesis, including its role in necrotizing infections and chemotactic tissue invasion. His lab emphasizes translational research to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve treatment strategies for mycobacterial infections.