The Pirbright Institute

The Pirbright Institute

We are a world-leading centre of excellence in the research and surveillance of viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans.

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Four black and white cows grazing on lush green grass. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds.

Protecting the UK

Our facilities provide a National Capability and are unique within the UK with a complement of scientific expertise and physical resources.

National Capability

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Ourscience

Our innovative fundamental and applied bioscience contributes to global food security and health, improving quality of life for animals and people.

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Engage with us

Collaborate with us to access our facilities and explore our training courses delivered by our experts in science, engineering and biosafety.

Engage with us

Facilities and resources

Discover our specialist science facilities, including unique high-containment laboratories, advanced technology platforms, and access our services and products like diagnostic testing.

Facilities and resources

Latest news

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An empty CL3 laboratory at The Pirbright Institute. There are three Biological safety cabinets, two of which have yellow gloves that go into the cabinet

09 June 2025

Launch of the Biorisk Advisor Training course

A new training course developed at The Pirbright Institute has been approved by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) for continuing professional development (CPD) purposes. This approval recognises and underscores its relevance and value to those in the field and marks a significant milestone for…

Very large and close group of cattle in India. They all have horns

09 June 2025

Scientists pioneer ‘early warning’ analysis for foot-and-mouth disease

A novel lineage of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) can have severe socio-economic impacts in Asia. Researchers at the FAO World Reference Laboratory for FMD (WRLFMD), based at The Pirbright Institute, have tracked an emerging FMDV lineage in the Middle East. Writing in the journal Infection…

30 May 2025

Tools to assess the performance of FMD vaccines – driving improvements in quality

Despite widespread use of inactivated vaccines to control foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), there is no systematic approach to demonstrate the regional relevance of products against the specific serotypes and strains that circulate in endemic countries in Africa and Asia. A failure to adopt independent…

A Chef and a person stood on grass together looking at the camera. Behind them on the left is a green cylinder with metal legs. White words on the green composter read "ridan food waste composter. keeping the world turning."

21 May 2025

Mulch ado about food waste

A new composter is helping The Pirbright Institute recycle its food waste, fertilise allotments and reduce its carbon footprint. The hot aerobic composter uses no power and blends wood pellets with canteen waste to produce up to 6.5 tonnes of mulch a year on site. For every 5 kg of combined food and…

Small herd of white cattle in South Africa on dried grass. The image has a sunset haze to it.

21 May 2025

Pirbright expertise informs economic analysis for foot-and-mouth disease control

How much should policymakers invest in controlling animal diseases that spread across national borders, who should pay, and will intervention really work? A researcher at The Pirbright Institute is one of a team of seven authors who have drafted a new handbook for the Food and Agriculture…

Small young yellow chick on sawdust. Both legs have little loose yellow rings

14 May 2025

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Preventing and controlling viral diseases

Viruses we study

Our research focuses on viruses that are potentially devastating for the economy, food security and the wellbeing of animals and humans.

Explore the viruses we study

Transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Crown-like spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name.

Latest research

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Clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses: knowns, unknowns, and challenges

Xie Z, Yang J, Jiao W, Li X, Iqbal M, Liao M, Dai M.

Gene-modified genotype II live attenuated African swine fever virus induces cross-protection against genotype I but not against genotype IX

Rathakrishnan A, Hemmink JD, Petrovan V, Reis AL, Dixon LK.

Vaccination and surveillance for high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry-current situation and perspectives

Sajjadi NC, Abolnik C, Baldinelli F, Brown I, Cameron A, de Wit S, Dhingra M, Espeisse O, Guerin JL, Harder T, Ho J, Chua TH, Hussein K, Lyons N, Monne I, Okamuro Y, Pacheco DT, Pavade G, Poncon N, Prajitno TY, Rojas JG, Swayne D, Stegeman A.

Proliferation makes a substantive contribution to the maintenance of airway resident memory T-cell subsets in young pigs

Vatzia E, Zhang Y, Sedaghat-Rostami E, Martini V, Paudyal B, Carr BV, McNee A, Chiu C, Moffat K, Asquith B, Beverley P, Macallan D, Tchilian E.

Estimating population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 by random sampling from primary and secondary healthcare in Scotland, May 2024

McCormack MJ, Scott S, Logan N, Raveendran S, Newman J, Santos IA, Bailey D, Murcia PR, Thomson EC, Hosie MJ, Willett BJ.

High pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b natural infection in captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti)

Schlachter AD, Furman N, Byrne AMP, Reid SM, Smith SJ, Maskell D, Mollett BC, Peers-Dent J, Falchieri M, Schock A, Banyard AC, Brown IH, Núñez A.

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Diagnostic testing

How to request virus diagnostic services from our reference laboratories.

Train with Pirbright

Explore our training courses in science, engineering, and biosafety, and learn from leading experts.

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Careers and learning

Browse our current vacancies and explore opportunities for Fellowships, PhDs, and apprenticeships.