Summary:
In this talk, I will discuss how we can use phylogenetic approaches to date the emergence of new bacterial clones, understand their transmission locally and globally, and identify genetic adaptations involved in this process. I will compare and contrast two pathogens affecting people with Cystic Fibrosis: Mycobacterium abscessus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bio:
Julian is currently a professor of Bacterial Evolution in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. His research interests are focussed on the evolution of bacterial pathogens, and his group uses large-scale genomics to understand their origin and transmission, and how they adapt to selective pressures such as antibiotics and vaccines. Before moving to Cambridge in 2019, he worked at the Wellcome Sanger Institute for 20 years.