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

A curious sheep stands alert in grassy field, looking straight a camera

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

Two people stood having a discussion amongst wildflowers

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

See all news

31 October 2024

Outbred pigs can serve as model for human therapeutics

Laboratory-made monoclonal antibodies are used to treat conditions including cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Commercial outbred pigs can be used as models to test how quickly therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) disappear from the human body after injection, according to research by…

30 October 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

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…

01 October 2024

ProImmune and Pirbright collaborate to advance animal health

A strategic partnership between The Pirbright Institute and ProImmune aims to develop target-binding reagents that significantly accelerate research in animal health. Ankyrons™ are small, recombinant, target binding ankyrin repeat proteins developed by ProImmune. They are directly selected in vitro…

Bryan and Bing Zhang shaking hands. Bing is holding a white A4 piece of paper

30 September 2024

China and Pirbright strengthen research collaboration

Academic institutions across China have signed an agreement with The Pirbright Institute to develop a five-year programme of joint research. The partnership strengthens ongoing work to tackle a range of avian diseases that affect the poultry industry in the UK and China. The collaboration builds on…

Black and white cow laying down in field next to a chicken

24 September 2024

Review shows bird flu control strategies ‘not working’

A review of sustained mammal-to-mammal bird flu transmission in diverse species, led by The Pirbright Institute, shows global control strategies are not working. Writing in Nature, researchers analysed whether outbreaks in European fur farms, South American marine mammals and United States dairy…

See all news

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

See all publications

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

Gubbins S

Activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response regulates the dynamic formation of stress granules

Lopez-Nieto M, Sun Z, Relton E, Safakli R, Freibaum BD, Taylor JP, Ruffieri A, Smyrnias I, Locker N

Assessment of PPMV-1 Genotype VI Virulence in Pigeons and Chickens and Protective Effectiveness of Paramyxovirus Vaccines in Pigeons

Hamouda EE, Eid AAM, Gouda HF, Dessouki AA, El-Deeb AH, Daines R, Iqbal M, ElBakrey RM

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.

Two people stood looking a piece of paper in front a cabinet with electrical equipment

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

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

ProImmune and Pirbright collaborate to advance animal health

China and Pirbright strengthen research collaboration

Review shows bird flu control strategies ‘not working’

Viruses we study

Latest research

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

Activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response regulates the dynamic formation of stress granules

Assessment of PPMV-1 Genotype VI Virulence in Pigeons and Chickens and Protective Effectiveness of Paramyxovirus Vaccines in Pigeons

A genome assembly and transcriptome atlas of the inbred Babraham pig to illuminate porcine immunogenetic variation

The 2024 IPD-MHC database update: a comprehensive resource for major histocompatibility complex studies

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

Diagnostic testing

Train with Pirbright

Careers and learning