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Pirbright’s ground-breaking research explores how pig immune system fights flu

Pirbright scientists investigate the pig’s immune response to flu and identify specific cells which are important for fighting infection and for long term protection against influenza infection. It is hoped the findings will shed more light on human response to flu and help…

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Using pangenome variation graphs to improve mutation detection in a large DNA virus

Accurately quantifying viral genetic diversity is essential for understanding pathogen evolution, transmission and emergence. However, standard approaches that map sequencing reads to a single linear reference genome introduce substantial reference bias, particularly for…

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Integrating multiplexing into confineable gene drives effectively overrides resistance in Anopheles stephensi

Abstract Anopheles stephensiis a major malaria vector mainly present in southern Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Since 2012 it has invaded several countries of eastern Africa, stimulating urgent efforts to develop more efficient strategies for vector control such as CRISPR…

Department of Health and Social Care’s UK Vaccine Network funding awarded to Pirbright to aid Nipah virus vaccine development

Pirbright researchers have been awarded £389,089 to develop a Nipah virus vaccine that could protect pigs and prevent disease in humans. This funding was provided by the UK government’s UK Vaccine Network (UKVN) and will be delivered by Innovate UK. The Institute’s award is…

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The African swine fever virus MGF505-1R protein recruits the cullin-RING-ligase machinery to promote p300 degradation

Abstract African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, complex DNA virus that causes a haemorrhagic disease with lethality rates approaching 100%. Mechanisms of virulence are still poorly understood, but loss of members of the multigene families (MGF) is commonly observed in…

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Copper(II) benzyloxychalcone analogues as new potential metallodrugs against SARS-CoV-2 replication

Chalcones, a naturally occurring class of molecules found in various plants, serve as both precursors and final products in the biosynthesis of flavonoids. Renowned for their diverse therapeutic actions, chalcones demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antimalarial and…

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Pirbright scientist Kevin Maringer to chair the Microbiology Society’s Members Panel promoting diversity and inclusion in science

The Microbiology Society has formed a new Members Panel to promote equality and diversity in the microbiology community. Pirbright’s Dr Kevin Maringer, group leader of the Flavivirus Transmission and Pathogenesis group, will co-chair the Members Panel which will ensure that…

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A G57 (BJ/94-like) H9N2 avian influenza virus exhibits enhanced replication and tissue dissemination in chickens compared with a G1-B virus

Graphical abstract Analysis of H9N2 lineages shows G57 virus replicates, spreads and transmits more efficiently than G1‑B, driven by their gene constellations, enhanced neuraminidase activity, sulphated avian receptor binding and acid‑stable haemagglutinin.

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Stability of influenza viruses in the milk of cows and sheep

In late 2023, H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) started circulating in dairy cattle in the USA. High viral titres were detected in milk from infected cows, raising concerns about onward human infections. Although pasteurisation was shown to effectively…

Inspiring a generation – The Festival of Tomorrow

Last week The Pirbright Institute was back on the road, sharing our science with the public and inspiring potential scientists of the future at the Festival of Tomorrow in Swindon. Bug Busters LEGO mosquito builder The two-day event celebrated the wonders of science and…