News

New research led by scientists at The Pirbright Institute has shown how an influenza virus protein, called PB1-F2, is able to shut down two pathways of the chicken immune response to increase the length of time the virus can be transmitted. The PB1-F2 protein of influenza viruses is an accessory…

Research led by The Pirbright Institute has shown mutant H9N2 bird flu viruses isolated from Pakistan are able to escape immune responses and adapt to infect humans. This could result in reduced vaccine efficiency and the possibility of human outbreaks. Published in the journal Emerging Infectious…

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have identified a key mutation in the H7N9 avian influenza virus which could allow it to escape immune system defences, reducing the effectiveness of vaccines. The research, published in the Journal of Virology, demonstrated that small genetic differences in the…

For the first time, researchers led by Professor Munir Iqbal at The Pirbright Institute have been able to insert protective avian influenza virus genes into the duck enteritis virus (DEV) vaccine by using a method of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing that allows higher rates of gene insertion. This makes the…

The recent H5N6 bird flu outbreak is confined to the south of England, partly due to the introduction of an Avian Influenza Protection Zone in England and Wales including strict biosecurity measures for affected bird keepers. But what is bird flu? Why is it such a threat? And what can we do to stop…

Experiments by researchers at The Pirbright Institute have identified the molecular mechanisms that enable H9N2 viruses - the most common type of avian influenza (bird flu) virus - to infect humans, helping improve risk assessments for its potential to cause pandemic. Although H9N2 viruses are…

A new study of a strain of avian influenza virus, which can pose a risk to both poultry and human health, will help guide surveillance efforts and ensure vaccines are more effective; helping prevent serious outbreaks. The H9N2 virus leads to significant losses in poultry production across Asia, but…

A new study by a group including Dr Munir Iqbal, from The Pirbright Institute, has identified a previously unknown factor which works to limit the host range of influenza viruses. The research, recently published in Nature, has revealed that the avian protein ANP32A works as a species barrier…