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Evaluation of commercial quadrivalent foot-and-mouth disease vaccines against east African virus strains reveals limited immunogenicity and duration of protection

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a contagious disease (FMD) in cloven-hoofed animals. For FMD-endemic countries, vaccination is critical for controlling disease but is rarely monitored, despite substantial funds spent on vaccine purchases. We evaluated antibody…

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An updated framework for SARS-CoV-2 variants reflects the unpredictability of viral evolution

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 variants have been designated as variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs) on the basis of their potential to replace previously circulating variants and cause new waves of increased transmission globally; such…

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Genetic tracing of market wildlife and viruses at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic

Zoonotic spillovers of viruses have occurred through the animal trade worldwide. The start of the COVID-19 pandemic was traced epidemiologically to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. Here, we analyze environmental qPCR and sequencing data collected in the Huanan market in…

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A genome assembly and transcriptome atlas of the inbred Babraham pig to illuminate porcine immunogenetic variation

The inbred Babraham pig serves as a valuable biomedical model for research due to its high level of homozygosity, including in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci and likely other important immune-related gene complexes, which are generally highly diverse in…

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The global H5N1 influenza panzootic in mammals

Influenza A viruses (IAV) have caused more documented global pandemics in human history than any other pathogen1,2. High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses belonging to the H5N1 subtype are a leading pandemic risk. Two decades after H5N1 "bird flu" became…

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Financial impact of low pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 on commercial broiler chicken and egg layer production systems in Pakistan

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) subtype H9N2 is endemic in Pakistan and impacts poultry farming through disease related mortality, poor weight gain and reduced egg production. This study aims to estimate the farm-level financial impact of LPAI H9N2 infection on…

African swine fever one of the "hottest" topics at international conference

As fears grow over outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in eastern Europe, and Moldova becomes the latest country to impose bans on certain pork meat and live animal imports, ASF is one of the "hottest" topics of discussion according to organisers of the 10th Annual…

Transgenic larva

Inconsistencies in regulation hinders efforts to combat deadly diseases with GM technology

The full potential of genetic modification or GM technology to tackle some of the world’s most dangerous diseases is still not being realised well over a decade after it was first developed. The lack of effective international regulation, regional variations in public…

Pigs and piglets on farmland

Study explores aerosol immunisation as path to broadly protective influenza vaccine

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute and the University of Oxford have taken a significant step towards developing a universal influenza vaccine. Influenza vaccines have long been the first line of defence against flu, but they come with a significant challenge. These…

International conferences are “invaluable opportunities” for Pirbright students

Training is a key part of The Pirbright Institute’s mission and each year the Institute offers a diverse range of research projects for prospective PhD students. During their time at Pirbright, students would normally attend (and hopefully present at), at least one…