Phylogenetic models work by comparing genetic sequences from different samples of a pathogen. The steps typically include: 1. Data Collection: Genetic data is collected from infected individuals. 2. Sequence Alignment: The genetic sequences are aligned to identify similarities and differences. 3. Tree Construction: A phylogenetic tree is constructed to represent the evolutionary relationships. Methods like Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference are commonly used. 4. Analysis: The tree is analyzed to infer transmission routes, evolutionary rates, and other important parameters.