Mark Holmes studied veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge. After a year in veterinary practice Mark returned to Cambridge to do A PhD on immunology and was appointed to a lectureship at the veterinary school in Cambridge after post-doctoral work on immunology. 

Mark was appointed to a personal chair in “Microbial Genomics and Veterinary Science” in 2019.  His work now focusses on antibiotic resistance in bacteria infecting animals and people. He and his group exploit DNA sequencing of bacteria and laboratory based molecular biology to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. His research group discovered a previously unknown livestock-associated MRSA harbouring a novel penicillin resistance gene (mecC). This type of resistance in commonly found in both wildlife and farm animals and is transmitted to people where it can cause serious disease. His research group collaborates around the world addressing research questions about antibiotic resistance including funded collaborations in India, Brazil, China, Ghana and Nigeria.