The Pirbright Institute

The Pirbright Institute

We are a world-leading centre of excellence in the research and surveillance of viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans.

Explore our science

Four black and white cows grazing on lush green grass. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds.

Protecting the UK

Our facilities provide a National Capability and are unique within the UK with a complement of scientific expertise and physical resources.

National Capability

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Controlling bluetongue virus

With a Restricted Zone in place in England, our Reference Laboratories are ramping up bluetongue virus (BTV) testing to protect livestock and minimise economic impacts.

Bluetongue virus testing

Researcher in white lab coat and purple gloved hands pipetting into an eppendorf tube

Ourscience

Our innovative fundamental and applied bioscience contributes to global food security and health, improving quality of life for animals and people.

Explore our science

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Engage with us

Collaborate with us to access our facilities and explore our training courses delivered by our experts in science, engineering and biosafety.

Engage with us

Facilities and resources

Discover our specialist science facilities, including unique high-containment laboratories, advanced technology platforms, and access our services and products like diagnostic testing.

Facilities and resources

Latest news

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Pirbight's Plowright building from afar with wild plants in front

15 November 2024

Pirbright welcomes two successful Doctoral Landscape Awards in life and environmental sciences

The Pirbright Institute is celebrating two major doctoral training initiatives funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), each offering unique opportunities for the next generation of scientists. These programmes…

Close up of a pipette tip in a well of gel electrophoresis. Blue liquid is visible in the wells.

14 November 2024

Emerging threat: Study reveals gaps in knowledge about EHDV transmission in Europe

A new study highlights significant gaps in our understanding of the transmission dynamics of epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) which primarily infects cattle and deer. EHDV was detected in Europe for the first time in 2022, with outbreaks reported in Italy and Spain, and it has since…

Three photos of Munir, Don and Georgina at lecterns presenting

24 October 2024

Pirbright expertise supporting control of livestock diseases in North Africa

Three scientists from The Pirbright Institute have shared their knowledge of tackling animal viruses at a North African conference. Professor Munir Iqbal, Dr Donald King and Dr Georgina Limon-Vega addressed an audience of vets and representatives from animal health authorities at the 8th Scientific…

Plowright and Jenner Buildings at Pirbright

22 October 2024

Pirbright appoints new science leaders

Two scientific specialists have been appointed to new roles at The Pirbright Institute. Dr Georgina Limon-Vega has been promoted to Group Leader in Applied Epidemiology. Georgina studied Veterinary Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and holds a Masters and PhD in…

18 October 2024

FMDV antibody discovery could aid vaccine development

Scientists have discovered a universal antibody that could help vaccine developers tackle foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Causing a highly contagious disease with high economic impact, FMDV affects susceptible cloven-hooved animals and fatalities may occur in young animals. Writing in the…

People in scrubs looking at someone speaking

18 October 2024

Sharing animal expertise

Animal technicians from The Pirbright Institute and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are collaborating to share expertise and best practice in animal care. The teams, who specialise in large animals, are exchanging information and learned experience on issues including housing, enrichment…

15 October 2024

Study explores aerosol immunisation as path to broadly protective influenza vaccine

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute and the University of Oxford have taken a significant step towards developing a universal influenza vaccine. Influenza vaccines have long been the first line of defence against flu, but they come with a significant challenge. These vaccines are designed to…

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Preventing and controlling viral diseases

Viruses we study

Our research focuses on viruses that are potentially devastating for the economy, food security and the wellbeing of animals and humans.

Explore the viruses we study

Transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Crown-like spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name.

Latest research

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Virion morphology and on-virus spike protein structures of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants

Ke Z, Peacock TP, Brown JC, Sheppard CM, Croll TI, Kotecha A, Goldhill DH, Barclay WS, Briggs JAG

Comparative pharmacokinetics of porcine and human anti-influenza hemagglutinin monoclonal antibodies in outbred pigs and minipigs

Paudyal B, Moorhouse E, Sharma B, Dodds M, Nguyen V, Milad M, Tchilian E

Deep mutational scanning of H5 hemagglutinin to inform influenza virus surveillance

Dadonaite B, Ahn JJ, Ort JT, Yu J, Furey C, Dosey A, Hannon WW, Baker ALV, Webby RJ, King NP, Liu Y, Hensley SE, Peacock TP, Moncla LH, Bloom JD

Immunisation of chickens with inactivated and/or infectious H9N2 avian influenza virus leads to differential immune B-cell repertoire development

Dascalu S, Sealy JE, Sadeyen JR, Flammer PG, Fiddaman S, Preston SG, Dixon RJ, Bonsall MB, Smith AL, Iqbal M

Corrigendum to “Evaluation of commercial quadrivalent foot-and-mouth disease vaccines against east African virus strains reveals limited immunogenicity and duration of protection” [Vaccine 42 (1–12) (2024) 126325]

Kerfua SD, Haydon DT, Wilsden G, Ludi A, King DP, Okurut RA, AtimS, Dhikusooka MT, Kyakuwa I, Motta P, Paton DJ

Using the basic reproduction ratio to quantify transmission and identify data gaps for epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

Gubbins S

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Diagnostic testing

How to request virus diagnostic services from our reference laboratories.

Train with Pirbright

Explore our training courses in science, engineering, and biosafety, and learn from leading experts.

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Careers and learning

Browse our current vacancies and explore opportunities for Fellowships, PhDs, and apprenticeships.

The Pirbright Institute

Protecting the UK

Controlling bluetongue virus

Ourscience

Engage with us

Facilities and resources

Latest news

Pirbright welcomes two successful Doctoral Landscape Awards in life and environmental sciences

Nurturing emerging leaders in science

Pirbright joins UKRI-backed network to tackle livestock diseases

Outbred pigs can serve as model for human therapeutics

Emerging threat: Study reveals gaps in knowledge about EHDV transmission in Europe

Pirbright expertise supporting control of livestock diseases in North Africa

Pirbright appoints new science leaders

FMDV antibody discovery could aid vaccine development

Sharing animal expertise

Study explores aerosol immunisation as path to broadly protective influenza vaccine

Viruses we study

Latest research

Virion morphology and on-virus spike protein structures of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants

Comparative pharmacokinetics of porcine and human anti-influenza hemagglutinin monoclonal antibodies in outbred pigs and minipigs

Deep mutational scanning of H5 hemagglutinin to inform influenza virus surveillance

Immunisation of chickens with inactivated and/or infectious H9N2 avian influenza virus leads to differential immune B-cell repertoire development

Corrigendum to “Evaluation of commercial quadrivalent foot-and-mouth disease vaccines against east African virus strains reveals limited immunogenicity and duration of protection” [Vaccine 42 (1–12) (2024) 126325]

No evidence that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern derive from homologous fragments in gut microbiota

Development of bovine IgG3-specific assays using a novel recombinant single-domain binding reagent

Cell entry mechanisms of African swine fever virus

Undiagnosed West Nile virus lineage 2d infection in a febrile patient from South-west Uganda, 2018

Using the basic reproduction ratio to quantify transmission and identify data gaps for epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

Diagnostic testing

Train with Pirbright

Careers and learning