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 humans.
Dedicated to the scientific study of livestock diseases, Brooksby supports the control of high-consequence viral diseases of livestock, such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), African swine fever virus, African horse sickness virus and bluetongue virus, all of which can cause devastating social and economic damage.
The 4,745 square-metre building is named in honour of John Brooksby CBE, former director of the Institute and a pioneer in FMDV research.
Constructed by Kier and built to rigorous international safety standards, the building will enable scientists to also study viruses that infect humans, including Rift Valley fever virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.
Professor Bryan Charleston MRCVS FRS, Director of The Pirbright Institute, said: “This is the final piece in the jigsaw to provide the UK with world-class facilities to understand and to respond to major viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans.
“This new facility complements Pirbright’s existing state-of-the art high containment laboratories and extensive insectary facilities. Viruses spread by insect vectors, including mosquitos, represent a major threat to the UK because of climate change.
“These facilities at Pirbright will help provide the UK with the resilience to respond to these growing and severe threats. Brooksby reinforces the Institute’s role as a unique UK National Capability, in addition to fostering collaborations with worldwide organisations to access our unrivalled scientific expertise and physical resources.”
Funded by UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Pirbright provides the UK with its capacity to predict, detect, understand and respond to the threat of specific potentially devastating viral livestock diseases.
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Executive Chair at the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), said: “The Brooksby facility represents an important enhancement to our nation's research infrastructure, equipping the UK research and innovation community with the tools necessary to improve our understanding of diseases that pose a very real threat to humans and animals alike.
“This state-of-the-art infrastructure is not just a building, however. It is the cornerstone upon which cutting-edge research is built and a crucial driver of bioinnovation. By investing in critical research infrastructure, BBSRC is not only future-proofing UK bioscience, but safeguarding and preparing our society and economy against future threats.”
Kier Strategic Projects Managing Director, Spencer Baber, said: “We are delighted to hand over this highly technical project that will support the UK’s national scientific research sector. Working collaboratively with our in-house mechanical & electrical business, Kier Mechanical & Electrical (KME), was essential to the success of this complex and innovative building.”
The Pirbright Institute was designated the World Reference Laboratory for FMDV in 1958, thanks to ground-breaking work by John Brooksby, who had joined the institute at Pirbright in 1939. He spent years developing diagnostics methods and vaccines for FMDV and swine vesicular disease and helped build the Institute’s international reputation. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1970.
Pirbright played a major role in the global eradication of cattle plague (Rinderpest) and in establishing Europe as free from FMDV.
