Pirbright joins a consortium of six institutes to receive funding of £1.6 million to support collaborative research against infectious diseases.

African swine fever is a highly contagious disease caused by the African swine fever virus. It infects both domestic and wild pigs and has a case fatality rate of up to 100%.

There have been outbreaks in Europe in recent years, with the latest near the French border in Germany, bringing this disease closer to the UK.

Pirbright scientists have been working to understand African swine fever since 1963.

Here’s what we know about African swine fever:

Pirbright research shows that immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, decreases over time after vaccination, but that booster vaccinations can help restore immunity and help the immune system recognise new variants of the virus, including Omicron.

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been pivotal in protecting people across the world, especially older adults and the vulnerable, preventing serious disease and hospitalisations.

Pirbright was one of just 16 exhibits selected to attend the prestigious Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2022 which showcased cutting-edge science for people of all ages.

The Institute is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level hiring platform, to find two new Trustee Directors to join its Board. One will be a high-achieving bio-scientist, ideally in the fields of virology or immunology, and who will be a leader in their discipline, bring senior strategic-level experience, and a commitment to act as an ambassador for the Institute.

Pirbright’s insectary facilities are among the best in the world. They allow us to research vector-borne viral diseases, including those spread by midges, mosquitoes, and flies.

Vector-borne viral diseases such as Rift Valley fever virus and bluetongue virus have devastating effects on human and livestock health, which has a knock-on effect on food and economic security.

Pirbright researchers are set to join forces with some of the UK’s top experts in avian influenza in a new research consortium dedicated to tackling bird flu.

This consortium has received £1.5 million from the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and is responsible for developing new strategies to tackle bird flu outbreaks.

Last week Pirbright celebrated the success of two of our apprentices, Lucy Drudge and Alex Reeves, both of whom completed their apprenticeship programme earlier this year and have gone on to secure positions at the Institute.

Lucy is currently working in the Grants Office and Alex in BACS (Building Automation and Control System). The knowledge and skills they have both gained during their time as apprentices has enabled them to make valuable contributions to their respective departments.