Who should attend

This course has been specifically designed for laboratory staff who are responsible for implementing FMDV diagnostic techniques in the laboratory. This course is not suitable for research or group leaders who are not based in the laboratory.

Requirements and qualifications

Participants must work within a laboratory and have a basic understanding of virological and related techniques. The course is presented in English.

Course details

  • Two-week course
  • Dates: Monday 12 May - Friday 23 May 2025
  • Deadline to apply: 3 January 2025
  • £2,500 ex VAT
  • Limited to four participants
  • Plowright Building

Course description

The course is designed and taught by subject matter experts within the World Reference Laboratory for FMD. The course will include a combination of hands-on practical sessions, demonstrations, lectures, and eLearning. Relevant course material will be provided at the close of the course.

Learning outcomes

In addition to the stated “Foot-and-Mouth-Disease (FMD) eLearning” outcomes listed in the next section; participants gain exposure to:

  • Isolating FMDV from field samples using tissue culture techniques.
  • Detecting FMDV antigen using ELISA.
  • Performing real-time RT-PCR for FMDV genome detection and VP1 Sanger sequencing for FMDV genome characterisation.
  • FMDV antibody detection methods.
  • Vaccine matching for different FMDV strains.

Next steps 

Past participants' comments 

“Overall I thought the course was fantastic, with really good input from all of the tutors giving great suggestions for the hands on testing.” 

“I would like to congratulate you because the course is well organised, and you can tell that the tutors have a lot of experience working with FMDV and moreover all of you have been very friendly.” 

“…Pirbright supplies Uganda with FMD diagnostic kits. Through this course we have learnt where there are gaps in our SOPs and we are certain that our kits will now work effectively.”