A large delegation from The Pirbright Institute will be flying the flag for great British science this week, at the biggest ever entomology conference.
The Institute’s scientists, many of whom are world-leading experts in their respective fields, have been asked to present their research at the 25th International Congress of Entomology 2016; being held in the United States from 25 – 30 September, 2016. Thousands of scientists and experts from all over the world, who work in the discipline of entomology (the study of insects), are expected to attend this major event.
The Pirbright Institute is an internationally renowned research body, helping to understand and prevent animal diseases - many of which can also infect humans. It is also a diagnostics and surveillance centre for virus diseases that are transmitted by insects to animals and people; being home to world reference laboratories that serve the UK government, EU and world health organisations.
Dr Simon Carpenter, Head of Entomology at the Institute, who is jointly chairing one of the conference Symposiums said: “This is an unprecedented and exciting opportunity to share our research. It will enable us to engage not only with fellow scientists and experts in our field, but also with policy makers, potential partners and funders – as well as the wider science media. This is important because it helps us to further develop our research ideas, and I hope will help us build new relationships and facilitate greater scientific collaboration”.
Institute scientists will be presenting on the following days:
Wednesday 28 September:
Professor Luke Alphey: Engineered sterile insects: From lab to field
Dr Anthony Wilson: Modelling with Impact: developing insect population models to improve control in partnership with industry and policy
Dr Jo Stoner: The potential for biting flies to mechanically transmit blood-borne viruses causing livestock disease – importance of mechanical feeding
Thursday 29 September:
Dr Simon Carpenter: Co-chairing Symposium: Ecology, Surveillance, and Control of Biting Midges
What influence does entomology have on policy decisions during arbovirus outbreaks?
Dr Adrian Zagrajek: Factors affecting the ability of Culex pipiens mosquitoes to transmit Rift Valley fever virus
Dr Chris Sanders: Culicoides and reassortant bluetongue viruses: A study of virus/vector/host interactions
Dr Lara Harrup: Quantifying the vector’s impact on the epidemiology of Culicoides-borne equine arboviruses
Research exhibition (posters): Tuesday 27 September:
Laura Tugwell: Approaches to controlling Culicoides biting midges in the United Kingdom using vector-proof housing and immunological approaches targeting salivary proteins
Christopher Gamble: How does hybridisation influence life-history parameters and dispersal in Culex pipiens mosquitoes?
Alice Muntzer: Visualisation and quantification of bluetongue virus in Culicoides biting midges
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Andrea da Gama
communications@pirbright.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 231417.
About The Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute is a world leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of virus diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. Based in the UK and receiving strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Institute works to enhance capability to contain, control and eliminate these economically and medically important diseases through highly innovative fundamental and applied bioscience.
With an annual income of nearly £28.5 million from grants and commercial activity, and a total of £11.8 million strategic investment from BBSRC during 2015-2016, the Institute contributes to global food security and health, improving quality of life for animals and people.
For more information about The Pirbright Institute see: www.pirbright.ac.uk
About BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, BBSRC invested £473 million in world leading bioscience, people and research infrastructure in 2015-16. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/research/institutes/strategically-funded-institutes/