I am a Visiting Scientist at the Quadram Institute, and was previously a Senior Principal Investigator at the Quadram Institute from 1992-2018. My research interests focus on basic and strategic aspects of the physiology and molecular biology of Clostridium botulinum, including applying my research to deliver social and economic impact (for example, working with industry and policy makers to ensure safe mildly heated refrigerated foods).

I am a Consultant Microbiologist for QIB Extra. I hold Professorships in Applied Bacteriology at the University of Nottingham and in Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia. I have published more than 150 refereed articles and book chapters.

In recognition of the contribution that myself and my research group made to the field of Clostridium botulinum research, in 2016, I was invited to give the Charles L. Hatheway Memorial Lecture at the 53^rd annual meeting of the Interagency Botulism Research Coordinating Committee held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I am only the third European to receive this honour.

Key Publications

Carter, A.T., Paul, C.J., Mason, D.R., Twine, S.M., Alston, M.J., Logan, S.M., Austin, J.W. & Peck M.W. 2009. Independent evolution of neurotoxin and flagellar genetic loci in proteolytic Clostridium botulinum. BMC Genomics 10 115.

Peck, M.W. 2009. Biology and genomic analysis of Clostridium botulinum. Advances in Microbial Physiology 55 183-265.

Stringer, S.C., Carter, A.T., Webb, M.D., Wachnicka, E., Crossman, L.C., Sebaihia, M. & Peck, M.W. 2013. Genomic and physiological variability within Group II (non-proteolytic) Clostridium botulinum. BMC Genomics 14 333.

Brunt, J., Plowman, J., Gaskin, D.J.H., Itchner, M., Carter, A.T. & Peck, M.W. 2014. Functional characterisation of germinant receptors in Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes presents novel insights into spore germination systems.  PLoS Pathogens 10 e1004382.

Carter, A.T., Austin, J.A., Weedmark, K.A. & Peck, M.W. 2016. Evolution of chromosomal Clostridium botulinum type E neurotoxin gene clusters: evidence provided by their rare plasmid borne counterparts. Genome Biology and Evolution 8 540-555.