Population Genomics of Bacterial Pathogens

Speaker: Kathryn Holt, PhD

NHMRC Career Development Fellow and Associate Professor
Centre for Systems Genomics, University of Melbourne

Abstract:

 Over the last decade, high throughput genome sequencing has revolutionised our ability to investigate and understand bacterial pathogen populations. I have been involved in establishing and applying population genomic frameworks and associated tools to the study of several important pathogens, including typhoid, dysentery and the emerging hospital superbugs Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii . The insights and implications offered by population genomics vary substantially between organisms, but understanding the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance is a common and important goal. Here I will highlight some recent insights into the evolution and spread of two highly drug-resistant bacterial pathogens that have very different population structures – SalmonellaTyphi (typhoid) and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

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