Dr Andrew Shaw

Andrew Shaw is a molecular virologist with extensive experience in both fundamental and applied aspects of viral diseases. Andrew completed his PhD at The Pirbright Institute prior to a postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Professor Massimo Palmarini at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

During his time in Glasgow, Andrew performed fundamental research aiming to uncover the molecular basis of the pathogenesis of Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus. The innate immune system plays a fundamental role in the differing clinical outcomes of BTV infection in different species. In 2017, Andrew published the transcriptomes of 10 different species in response to type I interferon (IFN), a central component of innate immunity, in turn allowing a genuine side-by-side comparison of the IFN response in multiple species. In addition to his work on BTV and innate immunity, Andrew participated in projects developing next generation ‘synthetic’ vaccines for BTV and African Horse Sickness virus.

Andrew joined The Pirbright Institute in 2018 to lead the application of next generation technologies to fundamental discoveries made in the Institute, with a particular focus upon technologies that can be of benefit to countries receiving overseas development aid. An overarching goal of Andrew’s research is to develop novel, applied methodologies whilst answering fundamental questions.