Prof Julian Rood is Professor of Microbiology at Monash University. His research has focused on the genetics and pathogenesis of anaerobic bacteria, particularly the pathogenic clostridia and the ovine footrot pathogen Dichelobacter nodosus. His research group has been responsible for the development of many of the genetic tools that are used to study these important bacteria. His current research interests are centered upon Clostridium perfringens, which causes disease in both humans and domestic livestock. This research is focused on the role of toxins in disease pathogenesis, the regulation of toxin and virulence gene expression and the mechanism by which conjugative antibiotic resistance and toxin plasmids can move between C. perfringens strains. His work on D. nodosus involves the use of reverse vaccinology to develop a cross-protective footrot vaccine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, a Fellow and Life Member of the Australian Society for Microbiology and a Past-President of the Australian Society for Microbiology.