Press releases

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, is thought to have originated in bats, but how it jumped hosts to infect humans is unclear, as is the potential for the virus to infect other animal species. Researchers from The Pirbright Institute have identified key differences in SARS-CoV-2 that may be responsible for the jump from bats to humans, as well as establishing which animals have cellular receptors that allow the virus to enter most effectively.

The Pirbright Institute will support the NHS Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) and the national NHS Test and Trace programme by providing induction and training for staff joining the new Lighthouse Laboratory in Bracknell. The Lighthouse Laboratory is designed to increase the UK’s COVID-19 diagnostic testing capability and will process COVID-19 samples from drive-in centres as well as swabs that people take at home.

The Pirbright Institute’s Annual Report 2019-2020 showcases a year of scientific progress in the world of viral diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp focus the importance of the research that Pirbright carries out on the border between animal and human disease, and in pushing forward One Health Agenda research.

The Pirbright Institute will undertake two projects with ECO Animal Health Group plc (ECO) to develop vaccine candidates for porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV). The first project is a tripartite collaboration between The Pirbright Institute, The Vaccine Group (TVG) and ECO whilst the second project is a joint collaboration between Pirbright and ECO.