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Hands holding 2 pieces of the puzzle

Pirbright expert collaborates with Punjab Agriculture, Food & Drug Authority

A leading Pirbright authority on animal health has met with representatives from the Punjab Agriculture, Food & Drug Authority (PAFDA) to discuss potential collaboration in disease research, diagnostics, and laboratory systems. Professor Munir Iqbal, Head of the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease…

New vaccine platform shows promise against pig coronaviruses

New vaccine platform shows promise against pig coronaviruses

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have tested an innovative vaccine platform developed by SpyBiotech Ltd that could transform how coronaviruses are controlled in livestock, and potentially help guard against future zoonotic outbreaks in humans. Respiratory coronaviruses remain a major global…

Latest news

group of chickens

Emerging bird flu strain shows greater spread and infection potential in chickens

A widely circulating strain of avian influenza (H9N2) demonstrates significantly greater ability to replicate, spread, and infect chickens compared to another major lineage, research has shown. Led by The Pirbright Institute, and published in the Journal of General Virology, the study evaluated H9N2…

Hands holding 2 pieces of the puzzle

Pirbright expert collaborates with Punjab Agriculture, Food & Drug Authority

A leading Pirbright authority on animal health has met with representatives from the Punjab Agriculture, Food & Drug Authority (PAFDA) to discuss potential collaboration in disease research, diagnostics, and laboratory systems. Professor Munir Iqbal, Head of the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease…

Rat eating a berry hided in a tree

Institute experts discuss Hantavirus outbreak with global media

Specialists in viral disease from The Pirbright Institute have been discussing the hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius with global media. Dr  Giulia Gallo, a researcher in the Institute’s Viral Glycoproteins group, spoke to Sky News’ anchor Mark Austin, and her expert commentary…

New vaccine platform shows promise against pig coronaviruses

New vaccine platform shows promise against pig coronaviruses

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have tested an innovative vaccine platform developed by SpyBiotech Ltd that could transform how coronaviruses are controlled in livestock, and potentially help guard against future zoonotic outbreaks in humans. Respiratory coronaviruses remain a major global…

Chicken

Researchers identify mutations driving bird flu vaccine escape

Critical haemagglutinin residues shape antigenic diversity in H5 avian influenza viruses Research led by The Pirbright Institute has identified specific mutations in the haemagglutinin (HA) protein of H5 avian influenza viruses that significantly influence how well poultry vaccines work, providing…

Bat

Scientists find a new way coronaviruses can get into human cells

An international team of researchers has identified an East African bat coronavirus capable of entering human cells. Whilst the virus - Cardioderma cor coronavirus (CcCoV) KY43, or CcCoV-KY43 - can bind to a cell receptor found in the human lung, preliminary testing in Kenya suggests it has not…

Group of six pink pigs on straw

New publication describes the vesicular disease outbreaks of Seneca Valley virus in England in 2022

Published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a research letter describes the first detection of Seneca Valley virus (SVV) in England, with cases identified across five outdoor pig farms between June and September 2022. The work was a collaboration between The Pirbright Institute and the Animal and…

PI and SHP crew (

Pirbright staff support heathland restoration at Bullswater Common

Pirbright staff and volunteers helped clear more than 500 square metres of invasive gorse in a single morning, supporting the restoration of rare heathland habitat at Bullswater Common - located on the Institute’s doorstep. Last month, members of the Energy and Environment Team and Animal Services…

Artist impression of CVIM building

CVIM and Tiba Biotech join forces to advance RNA-based livestock vaccines

A collaboration to accelerate the development of next-generation RNA vaccines targeting high-impact livestock diseases has been forged between the Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM) and biopharmaceutical company Tiba Biotech. Supported by funding from the Gates…

Close up of two pink pigs lying on straw

Pigs ‘human-like’ antibody responses to flu can aid advancement of novel therapeutics

Research led by scientists at The Pirbright Institute has highlighted the role played by pigs as a key natural host and important preclinical model for influenza. The study, published today in Discovery Immunology, shows that pigs can generate antibody responses similar to those seen in humans…

Large scientific lab with four rows of benches. It is full of equipment and boxes and people in lab coats moving about

Pirbright, UKHSA and Glasgow forge partnership to strengthen UK epidemic preparedness

The Pirbright Institute, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the University of Glasgow have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a strategic partnership which will ensure a collaborative approach to UK epidemic preparedness, advanced virology research and the…

person showing green leaf

Turning over a new LEAF: Supporting more sustainable labs at Pirbright

Scientific laboratories at The Pirbright Institute have achieved bronze status under the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) after improving sustainability and reducing environmental impact. The Institute’s containment level 3 (CL3) facilities support UK research on high-consequence…