BEAST

BEAST (Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees) is a software tool used by scientists to study how viruses, bacteria, or other organisms have evolved over time. It uses genetic data from different samples to infer the most likely evolutionary relationships and estimate when specific changes or events occurred. By applying statistical methods based on Bayesian inference, BEAST provides a detailed picture of an organism’s history, helping researchers understand patterns of transmission, origin, and diversification. It's a valuable resource for studying disease outbreaks, conservation, and evolutionary biology.