The Pirbright Institute | Preventing and controlling viral diseases

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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.

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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

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Ourscience

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

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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

The Plowright Building

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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Single large pink pig standing on hay looking at the camera

19 December 2024

Pig research paves way for human respiratory vaccine development

A study in pigs, which shows that inhaled vaccines could potentially reduce viral transmission and improve efficiency, is an important step toward advancing vaccines for human use. Interest in administering vaccines mucosally, rather than by intramuscular injections, has been growing since the SARS…

17 December 2024

Research offers hope for future African swine fever vaccine

Scientists have gained new insights into African swine fever virus (ASFV), a deadly pathogen that causes major losses in global pig farming and threatens global food security. A study, led by The Pirbright Institute and published today in mBio, uses a novel strategy to make a modified live vaccine…

flock of chickens on grass

17 December 2024

Pirbright workshop explores avian flu control

A workshop hosted by The Pirbright Institute convened world-leading experts to explore ways of reducing the impact of bird flu on livestock, poultry production and human health. Hosted at the Institute’s site in Surrey, the two-day event brought together international delegates to build…

Three sheep in a field

16 December 2024

Study confirms the clinical impact of a BTV-3 outbreak on the UK sheep population

A new study highlights the potentially serious consequences of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) on the UK sheep population. This BTV-3 strain emerged in Northern Europe in September 2023 and has since been reported in 16 countries across the continent, causing outbreaks of the haemorrhagic…

Linda, Alison and Louise. Linda is stood behind Alison and Louise with gold balloons 4 and 0 while Alison and Louise are sat. Alison on the left holds a gold 2 balloon while Louise holds a gold 5 balloon.

12 December 2024

Three dedicated staff celebrate Long Service Awards

Three dedicated colleagues who have worked at The Pirbright Institute for a combined total of 90 years are celebrating Long Service Awards. Group leader Dr Linda Dixon has served 40 years, whilst researcher Dr Alison Burman and animal services specialist Louise Stevenson are both celebrating 25…

Artist impression of CVIM building

10 December 2024

CVIM to accelerate global vaccine development

The Pirbright Institute is partnering with Scitech, a leading specialist in pharmaceutical design, engineering, construction and qualification, to build and deliver a new Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM). CVIM’s mission is to fulfil an unmet global need to accelerate…

Aerial shot of The Brooksby Building surrounded by woodland and The Pirbright Institute site

06 December 2024

Major new facility supports pandemic preparedness

A major new high-biological containment science facility, to be named The Brooksby Building, has been completed by The Pirbright Institute. Pirbright is the UK’s world-leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of viral diseases of livestock, and viruses that spread from animals to…

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

Nurturing emerging leaders in science

Two talented Pirbright researchers have been awarded with Strategic Career Development Awards (SCDAs) to advance their research and career trajectories. Dr Rory Fortes de Brito, a Senior Postdoctoral researcher in the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Immunology group and Dr Lidia…

Cattle and goats in Tanzania

14 November 2024

Pirbright joins UKRI-backed network to tackle livestock diseases

The Pirbright Institute is joining a new network which aims to help detect, predict and prevent viral diseases that threaten animals. Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) the One Health Computational Network (OHCN) is an interdisciplinary project strengthening UKRI’s work on tackling…

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

Parry RH, Lytras S, Petrone ME, Wille M, Crits-Christoph A, Gifford RJ, Saito A, Smura T, Peacock TP

From structure prediction to function: defining the domain on the African swine fever virus CD2v protein required for binding to erythrocytes

Reis AL, Rathakrishnan A, Petrovan V, Islam M, Goatley L, Moffat K, Vuong MT, Lui Y, Davis SJ, Ikemizu S, Dixon LK

Viral miRNA delivered by exosomes from Marek's disease virus-transformed lymphoma cell line exerts regulatory function in internalized primary chicken embryo fibroblast cells

Teng M, Luo J, Zhang Y, Reddy VRAP, Samuel P, Yao Y, Nair V

Clinical disease in British sheep infected with an emerging strain of bluetongue virus serotype 3

Newbrook K, Obishakin E, Jones LA, Waters R, Ashby M, Batten C, Sanders C

Evaluation of commercial quadrivalent foot-and-mouth disease vaccines against east African virus strains reveals limited immunogenicity and duration of protection

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

High pathogenicity avian influenza H5N5: the next threat?

Brown IH, Banyard AC

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, Ruggieri A, Smyrnias I, Locker N

Genetic coping mechanisms observed in Leishmania tropica, from the Middle East region, enhance the survival of the parasite after drug exposure

Glans H, Matos GM, Bradley M, Downing T, Andersson B

Newcastle disease virus infection induces parthanatos in tumor cells via calcium waves

Qu Y, Wang S, Jiang H, Liao Y, Qiu X, Tan L, Song C, Nair V, Yang Z, Sun Y, Ding C

Antimicrobial resistance genes and associated mobile genetic elements in Escherichia coli from human, animal and environment

Rana C, Vikas V, Awasthi S, Gautam D, Vats A, Rajput S, Behera M, Ludri A, Berwal A, Singh D, De 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.