Scientists from Pirbright are heading to the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London this month to showcase new developments in the global fight against influenza virus. Flu Fighters, a collaborative exhibit with The Roslin Institute at The University of Edinburgh, highlights the science behind the different approaches being used to control and combat this highly contagious disease at two of the UK’s leading Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Institutes.
Through hands on exhibits and by talking to scientists, visitors to the Exhibition will discover how our scientists are developing different methods to contain, control and eradicate this viral disease which can have a devastating effect on both human and animal health. These include: building knowledge about how the virus is transmitted, creating flu-resistant animals using GM technology, and developing better vaccines and diagnostic tests.
“Our scientists are working with a network of experts around the world to better understand influenza viruses and how they change in order to develop novel ways to control transmission” says Dr Bryan Charleston, Acting Director of Science at Pirbright. “The Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition offers us an exciting opportunity to bring our research to the public so they can discover more about the important role both Institute’s play in controlling devastating viral diseases that affect animals and people.”
The Summer Science Exhibition is an annual display of the most exciting cutting-edge science and technology in the UK. This free, week-long exhibition runs from 30 June – 5 July 2015, and features 22 innovative exhibits.
Keep up to date with the latest festival news on Twitter by following @Flu_fighters and @royalsociety.
For more information on all the exhibits heading to the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition visit: http://sse.royalsociety.org/2015/