Matthew Holden

Since the first bacterial genome was sequenced in 1995, whole genome sequencing (WGS) has provided unprecedented insights into the genetics and evolution of microbial pathogens. Having worked at the Sanger Institute 13 years on a broad range of bacterial genomes, I recently moved to the School of Medicine establishing a pathogenomics group. Research in my group is directed at two main areas: translational genomics, the application of WGS in clinical microbiology; and experimental genomics, using data WGS to investigate the relationship between pathogens’ genotypes and phenotypes.

The research areas that the group are focused on include: developing rapid WGS to combat hospital-associated infections, the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance and virulence, and epidemiology and evolution of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA).