Past event
Saints Talk: Professor Matthew Holden DNA detective work tracing the spread of pathogens
Development is delighted to invite you to the next instalment in our Saints Talk series from Professor Matthew Holden, ‘DNA detective work tracing the spread of pathogens' on Microsoft Teams.
In this talk, Professor Holden will explore how whole genome sequencing (WGS) has been used to trace the spread of pathogens.
Infections are caused by pathogens, tiny microbes like bacteria or viruses that can make us ill. Understanding where these pathogens come from and how they spread is crucial for preventing outbreaks and keeping communities healthy. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool that allows scientists to decode the entire genetic makeup of pathogens and genetically fingerprint them. This technology has revolutionized our ability to track and understand outbreaks, providing valuable insights into how diseases spread and helping us develop strategies to combat them.
Matthew Holden is Professor of Pathogen Genomics in the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews. Since 2017 he has been an Honorary Consultant at Public Health Scotland, advising on the implementation of whole genome sequencing into the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratories and also the establishment of the Scottish NHS SARS-CoV-2 sequencing service. He is an honorary consultant with Public Health Scotland, where he is the Head of Genomics and has been responsible for establishing the Scottish SARS-CoV-2 sequencing service and integrating genomics into the COVID-19 public health response, and since the end of the pandemic, the development of the Pathogen Genomics strategy for Scotland.