Search | The Pirbright Institute

Filters

default publication image

The Gordon Memorial Lecture: A paradigm shift in high pathogenicity avian influenza and perspectives for the future

Since 2020, H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have spread rapidly to all continents except Oceania. This panzootic presents an unprecedented threat to global poultry health, with severe uncertainties as to when it will peak or resolve…

Flock of brown and white chickens following a person in boots

Pirbright develops new ways to create safe vaccines to protect poultry from infectious bronchitis virus

Researchers from The Pirbright Institute working to improve vaccines for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) have identified targets in the virus’s genetic code that could make vaccines safer. Better vaccines would have a huge impact on improving health and welfare of poultry…

Pirbright ramps up testing as bluetongue returns

The Pirbright Institute is ramping up testing in response to a surge in the number of reported cases of suspected Bluetongue serotype-3 (BTV-3). To date, 265 cases have been reported in England and five in Wales in the latest 2026-27 season. The numbers are expected to…

Helen Watts

Helen Watts appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer

The Pirbright Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Watts as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Helen brings a wealth of leadership, financial and operational experience to the role, having served as the Institute’s Director of…

Image of a cell infected with Mareks disease

Pirbright discovers ways to improve vaccine development and control of Marek’s disease virus

Research by Pirbright scientists reveals that the chicken immune response to Marek’s disease virus (MDV) differs depending on the genetic makeup of infected birds, with some chickens being more resistant to disease than others. MDV is a highly contagious virus that affects…

Electron cryotomography image of a cell infected by vaccinia virus

Beyond the ‘portal complex’ - Pirbright researcher builds on breakthrough discovery

A scientist at The Pirbright Institute who contributed to a recent breakthrough in poxvirus research says the findings open new avenues for research. They could help scientists investigate how poxviruses establish infection after entering a cell and how that process can be…

HEPA Deck at the Pirbright Institute

Pirbright launches specialist training programme on engineering in biological containment

The Pirbright Institute has launched a specialist training programme to help engineers, technical professionals and biosafety specialists develop the engineering knowledge needed to support safe biological containment. High-containment laboratories depend on carefully…

The inside of The Philip Mellor Insectary (PMI) at The Pirbright Institute

Science spotlight: Day in the life breeding insects in the Pirbright Philip Mellor Insectary

Dr Melanie Nicholls is a postdoctoral scientist at The Pirbright Institute working in the Philip Mellor Insectary (PMI), a specialist science facility which houses exotic and endemic (native to the UK) insects for use in research on vector-borne viruses. Six bio secure…

African swine fever virus hijacks cell's own disposal system to evade immunity

Researchers at The Pirbright Institute have uncovered a molecular trick used by the deadly African swine fever virus (ASFV) to silence the host antiviral response. A study published in npj Viruses (2026) reveals how a protein produced by ASFV exploits the host cell's own…

Livestock Antibody Hub Phase Two Meeting

Pirbright scientists help launch next phase of Livestock Antibody Hub

Recently, scientists from The Pirbright Institute joined collaborators at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh to launch the next phase of the Livestock Antibody Hub, following a second five-year funding award from the Gates Foundation. Building on the success of the original…