Recognition and control of virus infections
Lead Research Organisation:
The Pirbright Institute
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The activities contributing to this objective examine the underlying basis behind the induction and effector phases of immune responses from pathogen recognition through to virus elimination and the formation of memory responses. These complex and interdependent events can now be explored at a resolution that was previously impossible, owing to recent advances in high throughput screening methods, recombinant technologies and imaging techniques. The immune responses of the three key species studied at Pirbright (cattle, pigs and chickens) will all be examined at the molecular and cellular level during natural viral infection and vaccination studies. This will include the use of inbred and transgenic chickens, as well as our inbred pigs and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) homozygous cattle. As these species are the natural viral hosts, our studies have the potential to immediately inform strategies that improve the duration and broaden the efficacy of current vaccines as well as underpin the rational design of the next generation of vaccines.
Viruses have evolved an array of strategies to favourably influence host responses after infection. After cell entry, viruses influence innate and adaptive responses by interfering with multiple intracellular and intercellular pathways, for example proteins of many viruses inhibit specific immune recognition mechanisms. Our work in the natural hosts using well characterised and recombinant viruses will establish how different viruses can alter both immune activation and regulation pathways.
T and B cells are the major effector cells of the adaptive immune system being able to distinguish between self and pathogens, mount a specific response and reside after the infection to provide immunological memory. Vaccines remain by far the best method to control viral diseases. Consequently T and B cell receptor diversity and their protective roles are a major component of research activities at Pirbright during infection and vaccination.
Decades of existing work with influenza and human immunodeficiency viruses has demonstrated that even antigenically variable viruses possess conserved, broadly neutralising antibody eliciting epitopes, but that they are weakly immunogenic. Many of the viruses studied at Pirbright possess regions of high antigenic variability and dominant epitopes that don’t induce broadly neutralising antibody responses. However, it is now clear that sub dominant epitopes and cross-reactive epitopes exist with enormous potential to inform vaccine antigen engineering to boost immunogenicity. Among potential candidate vaccine antigens for each pathogen only a minority induce protective immunity. Therefore, the identification of protective B and T cell antigens and epitopes is crucial for vaccine development and for evaluation of their immunogenicity and efficacy. We will identify and characterise T and B cell antigens and epitopes derived from a range of veterinary species and their viral pathogens, focussing on identification of conserved antigenic targets that may provide broad cross-protection.
The immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines is both quantitatively and qualitatively dependent upon the delivery system used. We will evaluate delivery platforms including virus-like particles (VLP), empty capsids, nanocarriers, viral vectors or live attenuated viruses to improve the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines. The combination of vaccine vector technology and targeted delivery of antigen-antibody fusions will facilitate delivery of protective antigens and induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immunity against target viruses.
Viruses have evolved an array of strategies to favourably influence host responses after infection. After cell entry, viruses influence innate and adaptive responses by interfering with multiple intracellular and intercellular pathways, for example proteins of many viruses inhibit specific immune recognition mechanisms. Our work in the natural hosts using well characterised and recombinant viruses will establish how different viruses can alter both immune activation and regulation pathways.
T and B cells are the major effector cells of the adaptive immune system being able to distinguish between self and pathogens, mount a specific response and reside after the infection to provide immunological memory. Vaccines remain by far the best method to control viral diseases. Consequently T and B cell receptor diversity and their protective roles are a major component of research activities at Pirbright during infection and vaccination.
Decades of existing work with influenza and human immunodeficiency viruses has demonstrated that even antigenically variable viruses possess conserved, broadly neutralising antibody eliciting epitopes, but that they are weakly immunogenic. Many of the viruses studied at Pirbright possess regions of high antigenic variability and dominant epitopes that don’t induce broadly neutralising antibody responses. However, it is now clear that sub dominant epitopes and cross-reactive epitopes exist with enormous potential to inform vaccine antigen engineering to boost immunogenicity. Among potential candidate vaccine antigens for each pathogen only a minority induce protective immunity. Therefore, the identification of protective B and T cell antigens and epitopes is crucial for vaccine development and for evaluation of their immunogenicity and efficacy. We will identify and characterise T and B cell antigens and epitopes derived from a range of veterinary species and their viral pathogens, focussing on identification of conserved antigenic targets that may provide broad cross-protection.
The immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines is both quantitatively and qualitatively dependent upon the delivery system used. We will evaluate delivery platforms including virus-like particles (VLP), empty capsids, nanocarriers, viral vectors or live attenuated viruses to improve the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines. The combination of vaccine vector technology and targeted delivery of antigen-antibody fusions will facilitate delivery of protective antigens and induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immunity against target viruses.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- The Pirbright Institute (Lead Research Organisation)
- Agricultural Research Centre (Collaboration)
- University of Miyazaki (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Collaboration)
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (Collaboration)
- University of Minnesota (Collaboration)
- INOVIO Pharmaceuticals (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) (Collaboration)
- ACM Biolabs (Collaboration)
- Gift of Life Michigan (Collaboration)
- University of Lleida (Collaboration)
- Suez Canal University (Collaboration)
- Aerogen (Collaboration)
- EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) (Collaboration)
- University College Hospital (Collaboration)
- Royal Veterinary College (RVC) (Collaboration)
- Distributed Bio. (Collaboration)
- THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE (Collaboration)
- Eco Animal Health Ltd (Collaboration)
- University of Guelph (Collaboration)
- Francis Crick Institute (Collaboration)
- Humabs Biomed SA (Collaboration)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Collaboration)
- Lancaster University (Collaboration)
- University of Nigeria (Collaboration)
- University of Pennsylvania (Collaboration)
- Zagazig University (Collaboration)
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) (Collaboration)
- University of Tokyo (Collaboration)
- BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON (Collaboration)
- Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (UCBL) (Collaboration)
- Leidos (Collaboration)
- Aviagen (Collaboration)
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) (Collaboration)
- AIMM Therapeutics (Collaboration)
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica (Collaboration)
- Putra Malaysia University (Collaboration)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Collaboration)
- University of Glasgow (Collaboration)
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (Collaboration)
- Enesi Pharma (Collaboration)
- National Agricultural Research Centre (Collaboration)
- Government of Canada (Collaboration)
- University at Buffalo (Collaboration)
- University of Hertfordshire (Collaboration)
- Penn State University (Collaboration)
- China Agricultural University (CAU) (Collaboration)
- French National Institute of Agricultural Research (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA (Collaboration)
- Cardiff University (Collaboration)
- Indian Immunologicals Ltd (Collaboration)
- University of Parma (Collaboration)
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) (Collaboration)
- National Taiwan University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- Babraham Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Collaboration)
- University of Plymouth (Collaboration)
- Horizon Discovery Group plc (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) (Collaboration)
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) (Collaboration)
- Freie Universität Berlin (Collaboration)
- Huvepharma (Bulgaria) (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (Collaboration)
- Leibniz Association (Collaboration)
- University Hospital Erlangen (Collaboration)
- University of Central Lancashire (Collaboration)
- Kansas State University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF KENT (Collaboration)
- MSD (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Government of Thailand (Collaboration)
Publications
Abubakar M
(2017)
Serological Detection of Antibodies to Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Large Ruminants.
in Transboundary and emerging diseases
Adams JRG
(2023)
Preventing bacterial disease in poultry in the post-antibiotic era: a case for innate immunity modulation as an alternative to antibiotic use.
in Frontiers in immunology
Ahmed A
(2020)
Risks and Challenges of Arboviral Diseases in Sudan: The Urgent Need for Actions.
in Viruses
Ali M
(2019)
Avian Influenza A(H9N2) Virus in Poultry Worker, Pakistan, 2015.
in Emerging infectious diseases
Altan E
(2019)
Molecular characterization of Peste des petits ruminants viruses in the Marmara Region of Turkey.
in Transboundary and emerging diseases
Arias M
(2017)
Approaches and Perspectives for Development of African Swine Fever Virus Vaccines.
in Vaccines
Asfor AS
(2022)
Modeling Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) Antigenic Drift In Vitro.
in Viruses
| Description | The BBSRC-funded Institute Strategic Programme Topic "Recognition and control of virus infections" has four objectives which aim to improve the control of high consequence livestock diseases. Objective 1. Establish the influence of viral infection on immune pathways. We identified key determinants of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus pathogenicity and established that chicken interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins are potent restriction factors for avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus. Multi-omics datasets were generated and combined with highly efficient in situ CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools to examine potential determinants of transformation and latency in Marek's disease virus (MDV). The power of these in vitro analyses has yielded fundamental insights into the process of oncogenesis. Using bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV) we demonstrated that viral replication factories from these viruses, so-called inclusion bodies, sequester the innate immune transcription factor NF-KB to inhibit the cellular response to viral infection. Similar findings were also reported for human RSV confirming this mechanism is active across the orthopneumovirus genus. Objective 2. Measure the contribution of T cells and B cells to immunity. We developed novel reagents to analyse immune response against MDV in chickens. The effect of route of inoculation on the kinetics and magnitude of humoral and cell mediated immune responses and severity of disease in cattle were characterised after experimental inoculation with lumpy skin disease virus. African swine fever virus (ASF) research continued to focus on pig pathology and immune responses alongside studying the virus. Novel monitoring tools and multiple vaccine candidates have been developed to prevent the spread of the disease further into Europe. ASF encoded genes were deleted from the genome of highly virulent isolates and when used as vaccines, reduced clinical signs and viral load. Protection was associated with strong ASFV specific early antibody and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, a pool of ten ASFV genes were identified that when used to immunize pigs give excellent protection against a typically lethal dose of the virus. We characterised natural genomic variation in goats, pigs and cattle in regions containing immune-related genes. This has produced a panel of genetic markers which can now be applied to population level studies where disease traits are known. This can inform breeding strategies and identify functionally important genomic variation driving differential pathogenesis. Objective 3. Identify cross-strain reactive epitopes. Cross-protective antibodies to porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus were identified by novel genetic programming methodology and will guide the design of immunogens to induce cross-protective immunity. We have identified monoclonal antibodies (mAb) derived from humans naturally infected with H7N9 AIV and a found a potential therapeutic candidate for humans and animals. Through significant leveraged funding from the Livestock Antibody Hub, we have developed pipelines to isolate and study single antigen-specific B cells as part of the overall host response at various levels of throughput. This has led to production of porcine antibodies that mimic human anti-influenza antibodies, the identification of cross-neutralising antibodies against FMDV serotypes isolated from cattle and definition of a new functional variant of IgY in chickens. Objective 4. Determine if targeted delivery improves vaccine efficacy. Antigen delivery to specific cells of the immune system has great potential to increase vaccine efficacy. We have fused avian influenza virus antigens with single chain variable fragments of a mAb specific to the CD83 receptor expressed on chicken antigen presenting cells. Immunisation of chickens induced a faster and stronger antibody response than the antigens alone and full protection. We further improved the delivery systems for poultry vaccines, by using CRISPR/Cas9 and Reverse Genetic systems for generation of recombinant viral vectored-based vaccines. We generated a recombinant infectious bronchitis virus which induced 100% protection following homologous challenge. We have explored how best to harness mucosal immunity in protection against influenza using our well-established pig influenza challenge model. The toolkit to study pig immune responses was also applied to porcine respiratory coronavirus and Nipah virus providing key evidence to support vaccine design and delivery. This now places the pig model centre stage for understanding how best to apply vaccines and therapeutics in humans. |
| Exploitation Route | • Vaccines o SARS-CoV-2: Demonstration of the immunogenicity of RBD-SpyVLP in pigs supported its approval for testing in clinical trials. The immunogenicity data of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in pigs was included in the pre-clinical dossier submitted to regulators (e.g., European Medicines Agency) and supported the successful Marketing Authorisation application. o New vaccine candidates: Development and characterisation of new vaccines have been or will be taken forward in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies. For example, the outputs of the project to develop a live attenuated ASFV vaccine have been used to establish collaborations and gain funding from an international veterinary vaccine company and an NGO that promotes development of veterinary vaccines for livestock farmers in low and middle income countries. This will facilitate development to market of vaccines against African swine fever virus, which will protect the global pork industry and improve food security. • Models o Gene mapping and expression pipelines: The potential for our gene mapping and expression pipelines to be incorporated into whole genome analysis is being discussed with UK and international partners. Adoption will depend on integration as well as expanding the overall proof of concept. o Pig model of human disease: The pig is becoming increasingly recognised as a reliable and useful model for selection of vaccines and therapeutics for human influenza. Its utility for other respiratory infections has been recognised in the testing of vaccine candidates for SARS-CoV-2 by The Pirbright Institute. o Babraham pigs: The immune response in the inbred Babraham pig following pH1N1 was comparable to that of outbred animals. The ability to utilize these two swine models together with the availability of fine grain immunologic tools in Babraham pigs will provide unparalleled power to study immunity to influenza and other pathogens. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Healthcare |
| Description | The vaccine candidates evaluated in the pig model at The Pirbright Institute include the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. The immunogenicity data of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in pigs was included in the pre-clinical dossier submitted to regulators (e.g., European Medicines Agency) and supported the successful Marketing Authorisation application. The rapid approval of this vaccine for widespread use in the UK and other countries has been linked with a reduction in cases of COVID-19 and thus has reduced the impact of the pandemic. This has substantial economic and societal impacts. |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Advice to DEFRA |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | Provided advice and report on activities related to African swine fever virus to DEFRA. Took part in planning for Desktop Exercise for planning response to and ASF outbreak in the UK |
| Description | Annual Report to OIE on Activities |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Report of advice, training and diagnosis of African swine fever virus given internationally to OIE (World Animal Health Organisation) |
| Description | Contributed to Chief Medical Officers report- Genomics section |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6310... |
| Description | Deputy Chair of BBSRC grant Committee A |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | As chair of the committee I influence the decision on grant funding which have effect on animal and human health and food security |
| Description | Development and Evaluation of PPR DIVA vaccines |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease, severely affects small ruminants in almost 70 countries in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. It causes USD 1.5 to 2 billion in losses each year in regions that are home to over 80% of the world's sheep and goats and to more than 330 million of the world's poorest people, many of whom depend on them for their livelihoods. The estimated current expenditure on PPR vaccination ranges between USD 270 and 380 million. The annual impact of PPR alone may be valued at between USD 1.45 and 2.1 billion per year. Approximately a third of the global financial burden of PPR is borne by Africa, with a further quarter borne by South Asia. This burden will be removed with the successful eradication of PPR. The undiscounted costs for a fifteen-year Global control Strategy of FAO and OIE are between USD 7.6 and 9.1 billion, with the first five years costing between USD 2.5 and 3.1 billion. (http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4460e.pdf). PPR is currently controlled by vaccination using mainly two live attenuated PPRV vaccines (Nigeria 75/1 and Sungri 96). However, the current vaccines and serological tests are unable to enable Differentiation between naturally Infected and Vaccinated Animals (DIVA). This factor precludes meaningful assessment of vaccine coverage and epidemiological surveillance based on serology, in turn reducing the efficiency of control programmes. Therefore, it is almost impossible to assess the quality and efficacy of existing PPR vaccines without knowing whether positive animals are vaccinated or naturally infected. Unlike rinderpest, where cattle and buffalo were primary hosts, in PPR, new crops (about 30-40%) of lambs and kids are produced every year and are the most susceptible population to bring back new PPR outbreaks6&7. Therefore, it is likely that the cycle of vaccinations and PPR outbreaks will continue until and unless we reach the stage of 80-90% herd immunity. Therefore, development of a marker vaccine and associated DIVA diagnostics will enable the assessment of vaccine efficacy which is essential for any successful vaccination campaign. https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/2018/09/pirbright-scientists-run-vaccination-campaign-eradicate-peste-des-petits-ruminant The availability of a recombinant PPRV vaccine with a proven functionality is a prerequisite for the development of novel vaccines that may enable the development of DIVA tools for PPRV diagnostics. In the DBT-BBSRC FADH BB/L004801/1 grant we have rescued Sungri 96 and Nigeria 75/1 vaccine strains. Both the vaccine strains were rescued from respective synthetic c-DNA clones with mutations in the variable part of C terminus of the nucleocapsid (N) gene similar to Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV) to enable negative marker DIVA vaccines. These two DIVA vaccines along with parental vaccines have been recently tested in a pilot studies in goats. Both the DIVA and parent vaccines provided safety, stability and protection for vaccinated goats whereas the control animals were clinically infected. Patent applications have been made to protect these DIVA vaccines. Agreements are being done with vaccine industries for the licensing and commercialisation. |
| URL | https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/press-releases/2018/09/pirbright-collaboration-provides-tools-peste-des-... |
| Description | Facilitated the transfer of molecular technology for the capacity building of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) peste des petits ruminants (PPR) laboratory.19-25.01.2020 |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Facilitated the transfer of molecular technology for the capacity building of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) peste des petits ruminants (PPR) laboratory.19-25.01.2020. The PPR virus infected samples can be diagnosed now at SUA, Tanzania without sending to Pirbright or CIRAD reference laboratories. This will enhance the capacity building of SUA and help immensely in the ongoing PPR eradication. |
| Description | Human Infection Challenge Models for Vaccination |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Member of the British Society for Immunology Forum |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | The BSI is very active in lobbying MPs and Government on subjects to do with clinical immunology and immunisations. |
| URL | https://www.immunology.org/ |
| Description | OIE and FAO Lumpy Skin Disease Regional Meeting for Asia and the Pacific |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Organised seminar series on Sequencing, Virus Evolution and Molecular Biology at Pirbright (with Luca Ferretti and Graham Freimanis) |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | PPR DIVA Vaccine development . FAO/OIE in the meeting proceedings in December, 2018 recorded the future use of DIVA vaccine in the ongoing PPR eradication programme. This will be useful at least at the end phase of eradication to differentiate between vaccination and infection.As such few industries have contacted us to have the DIVA vaccine strains for commercialisation. Also some of the endemic countries are keen to have the strain for testing the DIVA vaccines in endemic settings. |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Participation in DEFRA African swine fever disease outbreak simulation exercise |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Provided expert advice on African swine fever virus including transmission and diagnosis |
| Description | Press release on threat of PPR to Europe |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | We have press released in May 2018 and the PPR out break, first in Europe main land, Happened in June-July 2018 |
| URL | https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/press-releases/2017/05/peste-des-petits-ruminants-neglected-disease-whic... |
| Description | Training MSc students |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Delivered a new training session to MSc students teaching viral quantification assays. This lead to a greater understanding of laboratory techniques and academic research. |
| Description | WOAH Global Network of African swine fever diagnostic labs |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Participated in discussions to establish an WOAH Global Network of African swine fever virus diagnostic laboratories and became a member of the organizing committee |
| Description | member of management of IAA MRC awards |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | sLoLa |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | No changes yet |
| Description | "Vaccines for Global Epidemics: A Nipah virus vaccine to eliminate porcine reservoirs and safeguard human health" |
| Amount | £2,348,798 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 971555 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | 21ROMITIGATIONFUND Pirbright Institute |
| Amount | £283,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W510725/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Active and passive Immunity induced by aerosols |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R506448/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2017 |
| End | 08/2021 |
| Description | African swine fever control tools |
| Amount | £1,077,663 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SE1520 |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2023 |
| End | 09/2026 |
| Description | Antigenic characterisation of infectious bursal disease virus to improve vaccination strategies and vaccine design |
| Amount | £450,685 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S014594/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Application of AI to profile the nasal and faecal microbiota of pigs following respiratory virus challenge |
| Amount | £16,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | Assessing the functionality of avian BST2 as a viral restriction factor. |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2025 |
| Description | Assessment of the immunogenicity of bovine herpesvirus 4-based vectors delivering Nipah virus glycoproteins in swine |
| Amount | £41,895 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 02/2019 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Description | BBSRC IAA |
| Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506680/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | BBSRC IAA' |
| Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506680/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2019 |
| End | 04/2020 |
| Description | BBSRC Impact Accelerator Award: Evaluation of RNA-vectored delivery of PRRSV glycoproteins as a novel vaccine platform to combat emergent strains |
| Amount | £27,600 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | BBSRC Industrial CASE (iCASE) |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | BBSRC Industrial CASE (iCASE) studentship programme Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2023 |
| Description | BBSRC International Institutional Award - Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of a Nipah virus neutralising monoclonal antibody |
| Amount | £70,385 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | BBSRC Newton Fund Swine and Poultry Research Initiative |
| Amount | £865,623 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R01275X/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 06/2021 |
| Description | BBSRC Responsive Mode IPA |
| Amount | £302,086 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R002606/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 06/2019 |
| Description | BBSRC Responsive Mode funding |
| Amount | £595,574 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R008833/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 04/2021 |
| Description | BBSRC iCASE) Studentship: Enhancing protective efficacy of avian influenza vaccines through targeted delivery of protective antigens to chicken immune cells. |
| Amount | £98,212 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R50595X/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | BBSRC in year funding for Covid-19 research |
| Amount | £50,024 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W510725/1 |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | BBSRC responsive mode funding |
| Amount | £356,484 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/T005173/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2021 |
| Description | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and University of Oxford joint Doctoral Training Project |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2018 |
| End | 08/2022 |
| Description | Blood Markers for prediction of respiratory virus infection |
| Amount | £21,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | British Egg Marketing Board PhD studentship |
| Amount | £76,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Egg Marketing Board |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Broad and effective protection against influenza achieved by viral vectored vaccines |
| Amount | £1,668,741 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/S037160/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | Commonwealth Scholarship. Molecular determinants impacting avian influenza H9N2 virus evolution, replication fitness and virulence |
| Amount | £200,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | LKCS-2019- 665 |
| Organisation | British Council |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2019 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | Defining the circadian clock in chicken cells and its impact upon viral replication |
| Amount | £4,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Houghton Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2019 |
| End | 11/2020 |
| Description | Developing a complex in vitro airway model to study respiratory viral pathogenesis, lung macrophage function and herpes viral vaccine vectors in pigs BBSRC/NC3Rs NC/X002446/1 |
| Amount | £249,908 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| Description | Developing a complex in vitro airway model to study respiratory viral pathogenesis, lung macrophage function and herpesviral vaccine vectors in pigs |
| Amount | £199,927 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NC/X002446/1 |
| Organisation | National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2023 |
| End | 02/2025 |
| Description | Development of next generation vaccine technology inducing rapid and strong immunity through targeted delivery of antigens to chicken immune cells |
| Amount | £473,080 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/T013087/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2021 |
| End | 05/2024 |
| Description | Development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for coronaviruses |
| Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 09/2026 |
| Description | Dysregulation and evasion of the adaptive immune system by PRRSV |
| Amount | £47,760 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W510725/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | EU VetBioNet Transnational Access Fund: Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a bivalent PRRS-Nipah virus vaccine |
| Amount | £61,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 04/2021 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | Efficacy of mRNA expressed antibodies against influenza |
| Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 07/2021 |
| End | 08/2022 |
| Description | Emerging porcine influenza and coronaviruses" (EPICVIR) |
| Amount | £596,027 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/X019780/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 10/2026 |
| Description | Enhancing protective efficacy of avian influenza vaccines through targeted delivery of protective antigens to chicken immune cells |
| Amount | £98,212 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R50595X/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | Evaluation of CD4+ T-cell responses to vaccination with next generation FMD vaccines using Tetramer-guided epitope mapping of foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid |
| Amount | £18,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506680/1 |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2019 |
| End | 08/2021 |
| Description | Evaluation of transmission blockers in the pig influenza challenge model |
| Amount | $2,371,127 (USD) |
| Funding ID | INV-058747 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 06/2023 |
| End | 07/2025 |
| Description | Evalution of a stable liquid formulation of the PPR vaccine in sheep and goats |
| Amount | £225,638 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IAH-R67A1151A1 |
| Organisation | GALVmed |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | Exploiting novel African swine fever virus virulence factors and a porcine macrophage cell line to develop a live attenuated vaccine |
| Amount | £372,805 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/V007947/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2021 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | FLI- TPI joint PhD studentships Avian influenza immunology markers. |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Friedrich Loeffler Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | 06/2018 |
| End | 06/2022 |
| Description | GALVmed DFID Funding |
| Amount | £1,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | GALVmed |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | How does the lung protect itself against influenza? |
| Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 07/2026 |
| Description | Identification and evaluation of swine mAbs in pig influenza challenge model |
| Amount | $599,944 (USD) |
| Funding ID | OPP1201470 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 10/2019 |
| Description | In vitro evaluation of peptide-based immune checkpoint inhibitors as potential molecular adjuvants for improved PRRS vaccines |
| Amount | £4,921 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2019 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | Internal Seed Fund- Development of an IBDV diagnostic test that can differentiate infected from vaccinated animals, for use in surveillance. |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2019 |
| End | 02/2020 |
| Description | International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) |
| Amount | £1,291,209 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/Y033744/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 11/2025 |
| Description | Investigating the feasibility of adapting a direct PCR diagnostics approach to in-field animal testing |
| Amount | £864,356 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 104623 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2018 |
| End | 04/2020 |
| Description | Japan Partnering Award |
| Amount | £49,500 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/P025803/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 08/2021 |
| Description | LVIF |
| Amount | $1,500,000 (CAD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Market research and technical feasibility of a bivalent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome / Nipah virus vaccine |
| Amount | £10,880 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2019 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | NC3Rs Research Project Grant |
| Amount | £436,339 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NC/R001138/1 |
| Organisation | National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2017 |
| End | 11/2019 |
| Description | Newton Fund: UK-China-Philippines-Thailand Swine and Poultry Research Initiative |
| Amount | £841,995 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R012679/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | Newton Fund: UK-China-Philippines-Thailand Swine and Poultry Research Initiative. Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry. |
| Amount | £497,995 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R012679/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | Newton Institutional Links grant |
| Amount | £269,123 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 261727271 |
| Organisation | Newton Fund |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 08/2019 |
| Description | Next generation peste-des-petits ruminats (PPR) vaccines that differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA) - proof of concept in sheep |
| Amount | £158,845 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/T004096/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | PRCV model to better understand immunity to SARS-CoV2 |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Pathfinder BB/R012431/1 Grant holder: Dr Mark Fife. Grant title: chIFITM knockdown/knockout technology as a platform technology for increased vaccine yields in SPF Eggs. |
| Amount | £12,500 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R012431/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 02/2018 |
| Description | Pathogenesis, immunity, and control of coronaviruses in a large natural host animal, the pig |
| Amount | £893,800 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/X014266/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2023 |
| End | 09/2026 |
| Description | PhD Studentship: Understanding mechanisms involved in immunosuppression induced by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses |
| Amount | £104,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2024 |
| End | 09/2028 |
| Description | PhD studentship: A variable epitope library approach to the development of more broadly protective porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome vaccines. |
| Amount | £104,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 09/2028 |
| Description | Pirbright Institute Agri-Food Technology Seed Fund: Production of prototype lateral flow device (LFD) for detection/ diagnosis of H7 avian influenza virus infection in birds and humans. Value £30,000. |
| Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 11/2018 |
| Description | Pirbright Institute Flexible Talent Mobility Account |
| Amount | £255,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S507945/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2018 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Pirbright Institute PhD studentship |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2018 |
| End | 08/2022 |
| Description | Protecting poultry from avian influenza, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and Gumboro disease with a single dose of a multivalent vaccine |
| Amount | £448,937 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W003325/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Quadrivalent foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine technology |
| Amount | $1,474,103 (USD) |
| Funding ID | INV-003628 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 07/2019 |
| End | 02/2022 |
| Description | Recombinant pseudorabies virus as a multivalent vectored vaccine platform for emerging and endemic porcine diseases |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Reducing the Economic and Zoonotic Impact of Avian Influenza (REZIAI): delivering novel vaccines and diagnostics from laboratory to the field. |
| Amount | £400,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S013792/1 |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2019 |
| End | 01/2021 |
| Description | SFS-10-2017 - Research and approaches for emerging diseases and pests in plants and terrestrial livestock: Addressing the dual emerging threats of African Swine Fever and Lumpy Skin Disease in Europe (DEFEND) |
| Amount | € 5,986,250 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 773701 |
| Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 05/2023 |
| Description | SOMAmer technology to diagnose coronavirus infection: veterinary and zoonotic implications |
| Amount | £1 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2025 |
| Description | SOMAmer technology to diagnose coronavirus infection: veterinary and zoonotic implications. |
| Amount | £134,107 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 2601029 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 09/2025 |
| Description | Seed Catalyst Award |
| Amount | £25,527 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ISCF-TFPSA-Pirbright |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2018 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Description | Smart biomimetic nanomaterials for novel treatment and prevention of viral infection |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | The Global Challenges Research Fund |
| Amount | £640,473 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Research Councils UK (RCUK) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | The Pirbright Institute Flexible Talent Mobility Account Innovation Fellowship |
| Amount | £19,636 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2020 |
| End | 10/2020 |
| Description | The Pirbright Livestock Antibody Hub |
| Amount | $5,530,900 (USD) |
| Funding ID | INV-003007 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | The Pirbright Livestock Antibody Hub |
| Amount | $5,500,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 11/2019 |
| End | 11/2024 |
| Description | The genetic and functional analysis of variation in innate immune genes associated with restriction of influenza virus for chicken lines |
| Amount | £422,383 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Aviagen Group |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | Towards a novel multivalent poultry vaccine: Development of a recombinant infectious bursal disease vectored vaccine encoding conserved B- and T- cell epitopes from infectious bronchitis virus |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Houghton Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2019 |
| End | 11/2020 |
| Description | Turnover of porcine lung tissue resident memory cells |
| Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | UK International coronavirus network (UK-ICN) |
| Amount | £510,207 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W003287/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2025 |
| Description | Understanding the importance of the PI3K pathway in modulating influenza virus replication in chickens and ducks |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 04/2025 |
| Description | iCASE studentship: Production and assessment of antiviral prophylactic properties of natural biomolecules against avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses affecting poultry |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2023 |
| Title | A ligation and restriction enzyme independent cloning technique: an alternative to conventional methods for cloning hard-to-clone gene segments in the influenza reverse genetics system |
| Description | we developed an easy and efficient ligation and restriction enzyme independent (LREI) cloning method for cloning influenza gene segments into pHW2000 vector. The method involves amplification of megaprimers followed by PCR amplification of megaprimers using a bait plasmid, DpnI digestion and transformation. ligation and restriction enzyme independent (LREI) cloning method represents an alternative strategy for cloning influenza gene segments that have internal restriction sites for the enzymes used in reverse genetics. Further, the problem of genetic instability in bacteria can be alleviated by growing recombinant bacterial cultures at a lower temperature. This technique can be applied to clone any influenza gene segment using universal primers, which would help in the rapid generation of influenza viruses and facilitate influenza research and vaccine development. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The method will help in the rapid generation of reverse genetic base influenza viruses and facilitate influenza research and vaccine development. |
| URL | https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-020-01358-2 |
| Title | An ex vivo IBDV infection model using a chicken primary B cell culture system |
| Description | Recently, it has become possible to culture chicken primary B cells in vitro in the presence of a soluble construct of chicken CD40L that was made at The Pirbright Institute. We have demonstrated that these chicken primary B cells can be infected with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). This system will be validated and expanded to other B cell tropic viruses in order to replace the use of infected chickens in research, in an NC3Rs funded grant. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - in vitro |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Using this system, we have determined that chicken primary B cells respond to IBDV infection by inducing Type I IFN responses. However, the induction is more pronounced in cells infected with an attenuated strain compared to a very virulent strain. This is consistent with the very virulent strain down-regulating antiviral responses to a greater extent than other strains which may, in part, explain its enhanced virulence. We also observed a reduction in the expression of key genes involved in B cell proliferation and activation following IBDV infection which was only possible by using the primary B cell culture system. |
| URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=broadbent+dulwich |
| Title | Appropriate FMD vaccine strains for East Africa and South East Asia and new adjuvants for FMD vaccines that provide longer duration immunity |
| Description | We have identifies appropriate Vaccine strains for Serotyoe O and A for East Africa and for South east Asia which are published now. Additionally we have identified potent and safe adjuvants which has been tested in cattle and provides longer duration immunity. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Governments of East Africa and Regional OIE centre at South East Asia and vaccine producers are aware about the strains and adjuvants. |
| Title | Benifit of addition of TLR III to existing FMD vaccine |
| Description | We have demonstrated that TLR III adjuvants along with existing oil adjuvants provides longer duration immunity. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This will fulfill the lacuna of short living immunity of FMD inactivated vaccines |
| Title | Comprehensive analysis of genetic variants across immune loci in indigenous breeds. |
| Description | The interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) protein family comprises a class of restriction factors widely characterised in humans for their potent antiviral activity. Their biological activity is well documented in several animal species, but their genetic variation and biological mechanism is less well understood, particularly in avian species. Here we report the complete sequence of the domestic chicken Gallus gallus IFITM locus from a wide variety of chicken breeds to examine the detailed pattern of genetic variation of the locus on chromosome 5, including the flanking genes ATHL1 and B4GALNT4. We have generated chIFITM sequences from commercial breeds (supermarket-derived chicken breasts), ancient bone samples, indigenous chickens from Nigeria (Nsukka) and Ethiopia, European breeds and inbred chicken lines from The Pirbright Institute, totalling of 211 chickens. Through mapping of genetic variants to the latest chIFITM consensus sequence our data reveal that the chIFITM locus does not show structural variation in the locus across the populations analysed, despite spanning diverse breeds from different geographic locations. However, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in functionally important regions of the proteins within certain groups of chickens were detected, in particular the European breeds and indigenous birds from Ethiopia and Nigeria. In addition, we also found that two out of four SNVs located in the chIFITM1 (Ser36 and Arg77) and chIFITM3 (Val103) proteins were simultaneously under positive selection. Together these data suggest that IFITM genetic variation may contribute to the capacities of different chicken populations to resist viral infection. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - non-mammalian in vivo |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This paper is currently in press in. BMC Genomics. |
| Title | Detection of HA antigens of avian influenza viruses |
| Description | Assay for detection of recombinant HVT expressing HA antigens of avian influenza viruses |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This new method will help to detect recombinant HVT vaccine expressing HA antigen in infected cell. |
| Title | Developed assays for evaluation of antigen specific memory chicken T cells |
| Description | An in vitro model for generation of effector cells from memory T cells for chicken T cells were developed |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This method will enable scientists working on poultry vaccines and immune response to pathogens to assess memory T cell responses in chickens. |
| Title | Development of assay for assessing antigen-specific T cell responses in chickens |
| Description | An in vitro assay were developed to generate effector memory T cells from memory T cells (cultured ELISPOT assay for chicken T cells) |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Enables scientists to assess memory T cell responses induced by poultry vaccines |
| Title | Development of chicken NKT cell tetramer |
| Description | Tetramer for detection and quantification of chicken NKT cells are developed and tested. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This will lead to identification of a novel chicken lymphocytes which has major role in the control of infectious diseases and tumour in chickens. |
| Title | Development of tetramers to study immune responses in pigs |
| Description | The pig is a natural and important host of influenza viruses and is physiologically more comparable to humans than other animal models in terms of size, respiratory tract biology and volume. It is also an important vector in the birds to human infection cycle. A major drawback of the current pig model is the inability to analyze antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses, which are critical to respiratory immunity. We addressed this knowledge gap using an established in-bred pig model with a high degree of genetic identity between individuals, including the MHC (Swine Leukocyte Antigen (SLA)) locus. We developed a toolset that included long-term in vitro pig T-cell culture and cloning and identification of novel immunodominant influenza-derived T-cell epitopes. We also generated structures of the two SLA class I molecules found in these animals presenting the immunodominant epitopes. These structures allowed definition of the primary anchor points for epitopes in the SLA binding groove and established SLA binding motifs that were used to successfully predict other influenza-derived peptide sequences capable of stimulating T-cells. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Peptide-SLA tetramers were constructed and used to track influenza-specific T-cells ex vivo in blood, the lungs and draining lymph nodes. Aerosol immunization with attenuated single cycle influenza viruses (S-FLU) induced large numbers of CD8+ T-cells specific for conserved NP peptides in the respiratory tract. Collectively, these data substantially increase the utility of pigs as an effective model for studying protective local cellular immunity against respiratory pathogens. |
| Title | Establishment of the First WHO International Standard for anti-Rift Valley fever virus antibody |
| Description | We contributed to the characterisation of a panel of anti-RVFV antibodies to be used as an international standard. Our data and those of other national and international collaborators were collated by colleagues at NIBSC. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The antibody panel will we used as a standardised reference panel to normalise antibody responses to RVFV against. This will be particularly useful in diagnostics. |
| Title | Fluorescence activated single cell sorting to isolate gene-deleted/modified African swine fever virus |
| Description | A method was developed to use fluoresecence activated single cell sorting to isolate recombinant gene-deleted ASFV using insertion of fluorescence protein genes under control of African swine fever virus promoters as reporter to isolate cells infected with recombinant viruses. This method was used to generate 15 different single and multiple gene-deleted ASFV and study the impact of the gene deletions on virus replication and host responses and develop candidate live attenuated vaccines. This method has been further refined by splitting the fluorescent protein gene such that two genes can be deleted at the same time. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Development of candidate gene-deleted live attenuated African swine fever virus vaccines |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3390/v12060615 |
| Title | Gene expression analysis by qPCR to investigate the host immune response |
| Description | Evaluation of regulation of gene expression involved in the interferon response during viral infection is investigated by qPCR. Analysis of reference genes and experimental genes expression are compared to normalised gene expression variation and link them to events of up- and down-regulation in tissues collected during animal studies or from in vitro data of infected cells. The reference genes are first selected based on the variables occurring in the study (GeNorm and NormFinder are adopted for the selection) and the experimental genes linked to the interferon analysis are normalised to those basal expression level. The delta-deltaCt comparison is used to infer the fold change in gene expression. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The analysis of gene expression linked to interferon response has been used for evaluating the effect of viral replication during IBV infection, testing tissues collected during an animal study. Viral loads quantified by qPCR have been correlated to gene expression levels in tissues collected from birds infected with different recombinant IBV thought to have a targeted influence on the immune response. Equally, mock infected birds have been analysed to provide the basal expression data and threshold. The data have been collected and analysed for the manuscript "Recombinant avian infectious bronchitis viruses with targeted modifications in the nsp3 Macrodomain are attenuated in vivo and display morphological distinct phenotypes in vitro" under preparation. |
| Title | Generation of cell-free virus using feather follicle stem cells |
| Description | An in vitro model for generation and purification of cell-free virus using feather follicule stem cells |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Cell lines could be used to generate cell free vaccines against Marek's disease virus |
| Title | Generation of feather follicle stem cells |
| Description | Methods for generation and expansion of feather follicle epithelial stem cells are developed within Avian Immunology group. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Feather follicle stem cells can be used to examine Marek's disease virus replication in vitro. |
| Title | Generation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells and analyses of their infection by foot-and-mouth disease virus |
| Description | CD14+ cells were selected. Day 4 monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) were generated by positive selection using CD14 magnetic beads and LS columns, followed by differentiation by culturing in the presence of IL-4 and GM-CSF. Both non-cell culture adapted and cell culture adapted FMDV were used in this study. Immuno-fluorescence microscopy (IFM) was used to investigate internalisation of FMDV and immune complexed (IC) FMDV at 1-6 hours post infection (hpi) and also to investigate the uptake pathways utilised by non-cell culture and cell culture adapted FMDV in the presence of different pharmacological inhibitors. Western blot, IFM and quantitative RT-PCR was used to analyse viral replication at 0-6, 8, 16 and 24 hpi. Plaque assays were used to investigate the yields of live virus produced in moDC at 0, 4, 8 and 24 hpi. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the changes in IL-12 and IL-10 secretion following FMDV infection at 2, 4 and 6 hpi. MxCAT ELISA was used to investigate the secretion of IFN at different times post infection. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | These methods were used to generate MODC and characterise their interaction with FMDV. They are currently being incorporated into a manuscript for peer review and provide a workflow to analyse FMDV infections of other dendritic cell types. |
| Title | Genome enrichement with long read sequencing |
| Description | We have developed the Nimblegen-Roche SeqCapEZ probes based pull down method to work with genomic DNA fragments up to 6kb in length with PacBio sequencing. This is being used for de novo assembly of variable regions |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | We are now involved with industry to refine this protocol further with less input DNA and high multiplex capability. |
| Title | IBDV Reverse Genetics System |
| Description | We have developed a reverse genetics system for IBDV. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | We have used the reverse genetics system to generate recombinant IBDVs and chimeric recombinant IBDVs that contain genes from classical and very virulent strains of IBDV in the background of a cell culture adapted attenuated strain. This will enable us to study the effect of individual virus genes on pathogenicity. |
| Title | IBDV titration in chicken B cells by TCID50 to replace IBDV titration in chicken embryos by EID50 |
| Description | The titer of IBDV has traditionally been determined by infecting embryos, humanely culling them at embryonic day 18 and then observing the number that show growth abnormalities due to virus. As this goes beyond 2/3 gestation (14 embryonic days), this falls under Home Office Legislation. We demonstrated that the immortalised B cell line, DT40, could be used to titrate IBDV instead, replacing the use of embryos. This is being written up into a manuscript currently. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | we have already replaced the use of embryos in our research. Once this has been published and is in the public domain, we anticipate this will lead to more replacement in the field, |
| Title | Identified the best sampling material for the PPR virus genome detection |
| Description | Quantifying the DNA from all the body fluids of PPR virus infected goats we demonstrated that non-invasive nasal samples are the best material for the genome detection as virus appears as early as 2 days post infection before any clinical signs appear and the virus detection linger for this sample type than any other sample. |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | As we have shown the best sample type for the detection of PPR virus, we have not to do many sample analysis which save the money and effort during the eradication programme. |
| Title | Luciferase assay responsive to chMX stimulation for detection of bioactive IFN |
| Description | A luciferase assay was established for detection of chicken bioactive interferon in biological samples. A plasmid was generated containing the chMX responsive element paired with the luciferase gene. Transfection of DF1 cells with the selected plasmid, paired with a renilla based construct for estimating transfection efficiency allowing data normalisation is conducted to quantify the amount of interferon (IFN) units in the tested sample. Comparison of Renilla and luciferase luminescence values (RLU) detected by a luminometer upon use of a reporter system allows for the relative comparison of IFN quantity in different samples. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The quantification of bioactive interferon allows for the detection of an innate immune response in the context of viral infections. Specifically, reverse genetics targeting selected genes (nsp3, nsp16, spike) and allowing the generation of recombinant viruses with potential implication in the host interaction have been tested by this method to quantify the impact of the targeted modification in the ability of each rIBV to induce interferon. Notably interferon response is the first line of defence during viral infection. The assay has been tested on in vitro infections conducted in chicken kidney cells. The assay will also be used to evaluate the impact of temperature sensitivity of rIBVs in the context of the IFN immune response. |
| Title | Method for sequencing of ASFV (African Swine Fever Virus) based on long reads |
| Description | The ASFV genome is repetitive, due to the presence of families of genes that are present in multiple copies (>10). As a result, sequencing based on short reads only would not be able to reconstruct the genome in its entirety. In addition, good quality full genome sequencing of ASFV is complicated by persistence contamination with fragments of host DNA. We are developing a novel protocol that will allow the sequencing of the virus using long-read technologies (PacBio or Oxford Nanopore). Probe-capture libraries have been designed to mitigate the problem of host contamination by selectively purifying viral DNA from a wide range of different ASFV genotypes. Protocols are being developed to prepare high quality high molecular weight viral DNA from different sample types suitable for generating sequencing libraries for long-read sequencing. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | More than 100 samples from 18 different LMIC countries have been identified and collated for sequencing with the new protocol. They will be added to the web-portal for transboundary pathogens which is currently being developed thanks to BBSRC funding. |
| Title | Optimisation of chicken kidney cell culture preparation |
| Description | We have optimised the method of extracting kidneys and preparing chicken kidney (CK) cell cultures from chickens. CK cells are used for in vitro assays to study avian viruses, in particular infectious bronchitis virus. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This has increased the yield of viable cells and the quality of the cell cultures. We can now obtain the number of cells we require using fewer chicken kidneys, therefore requiring fewer chickens to be culled. This is an important development for the 3Rs. We hope to publish this method for others' information. |
| Title | Reverse genetics system for Rift Valley fever virus and other bunyaviruses |
| Description | We developed a T7-based reverse genetics system for RVFV including for the rescue of a panel of novel reporter viruses. Using this system, virus will be rescued by transfection of cells with three plasmids encoding the three genome segments, driven by T7 polymerase which needs to be provided (e.g. stably or transiently expressed). Helper plasmids are no longer needed. RVFV-specific sequences can be easily replaced by those of other bunyaviruses of interest. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This research tool is used by my team and by collaborators and will be made available to the research community on request without MTA. The development of this system has reduced our reliance on other systems with restricted use (by MTA) and thus increases the UK's preparedness for bunyaviruses emergences as well as provides opportunities for commercial use. |
| Title | Scintigraphy of the respiratory tract in pigs |
| Description | We have used in vivo scintigraphy in pigs to characterize the distribution of large and small droplets, delivered to the respiratory tract using nebulisers or a mucosal atomisation device. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Scintigraphy and the tools we have developed to analyse the specificity and function of tissue resident memory cells will allow the effects of localised distribution of antigen in the respiratory tract to be studied and established the pig as a useful model for investigating optimal targeting of vaccines for respiratory disease. |
| Title | Stable chicken cell lines overexpressing chicken IFITM1,2 and 3 |
| Description | In collaboration with Mark Fife, we have produced chicken stable cell lines overexpressing chicken IFITM1,2, 3 and a mutant chicken IFITM3 lacking palmitoylation sites. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | These cell lines will be used to evaluate the effect of the IFITM proteins on the replication of different viruses, including IBDV. |
| Title | The application of NHEJ-CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre-Lox system in the generation of bivalent duck enteritis virus vaccine against avian influenza virus |
| Description | We developed integrated non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ)- clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system and Cre-Lox system for generating recombinant Duck enteritis virus (DEV)as vectored vaccines against the avian influenza virus (AIV). This is an efficient and rapid method for generation of a recombinant DEV-AIV vaccine. The vaccine provide protection of ducks from AIV and DEV and enable differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA) approach. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Increased research collaboration and research funding from Industry |
| URL | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/10/2/81 |
| Title | UniMMap- a pipeline for mapping RNAseq data over repetitive immune complexes. |
| Description | To exploit the abundance of available short read sequencing data we have developed a pipeline that uses mappability to accurately measure transcription over repetitive gene complexes. This methods uses known haplotypes to examine regions of uniqueness, and then the RNAseq data from the individual to train the method to be species or individual specific. This is particularly important over gene complexes that contain genes involved in the immune system, that are often highly similar in sequence but can have profoundly different functions. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | the immediate impact will be adding fine resolution data to livestock gene expression atlas projects lead by the FAANG consortium. Further impact will be arising as this method is published and we apply it to numerous existing datasets the are publically avaialable as well as generated at Pirbright and by our collaborators. |
| Title | Use of reverse genetics to develop PPR DIVA vaccines |
| Description | Reverse genetics technique has been established for PPR virus in our laboratory. As PPR vaccine is a live attenuated virus, it is not possible to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals (DIVA) in existing antibody assays. However using reverse genetics technique we have manipulated/mutated residues in the full-length cDNA of virus and rescued the live attenuated vaccine strain which worked as a DIVA vaccine. Using this technique a GFP ( Green fluorescent protein) has been introduced into the virulent PPR virus that helped to follow the virus in the infected goats. Similarly using this technique we have modified the existing live attenuated viruses ( Nigeria 75/1) and Sungri 96/1) in to recombinant marker vaccines that enables to differentiate between infection and vaccination ( DIVA). So we have demonstrated that reverse genetics tool can be used to study the pathogenesis and to develop the marker vaccines. This technique can be adapted for other negative strand viruses to design the DIVA vaccines. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | PPR DIVA vaccine developed that can differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals. This will be helpful to know the efficacy of vaccine by knowing the presence antibodies in animal is due to vaccination or infection. This will reduce the eradication time and will facilitate to declare freedom of diseases as soon as Possible without long waiting period. |
| Title | chimeric IBDVs |
| Description | Andrew Broadbent has engineered chimeric IBDVs expressing individual genes from a very virulent strain in the backbone of an attenuated strain. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | These chimeric strains can be used to define viral determinants of virulence. |
| Title | in vitro model of IBDV antigenic drift in chicken B cells |
| Description | IBDV vaccines do not induce sterilising immunity, meaning vaccinated birds can become infected with field strains. As for other viruses, it is thought that vaccine-induced immune selection pressure drives the evolution of antigenic drift variants that accumulate amino acid changes in the hypervariable region of the capsid, which may lead to vaccine failures. However, antigenic drift has not been studied in any detail for IBDV, and there is therefore a paucity of information regarding how plastic the capsid is, how quickly mutations arise and become fixed in the virus population, or whether some are more dominant than others. One way of studying this is to vaccinate chickens with sub-protective doses and then challenge them with field strains of IBDV and then sequence the resulting viruses that emerge. To replace the use of birds in these experiments, we have developed an in vitro model of antigenic drift by serially passaging a field strain, F5270, in the immortalised chicken B cell line, DT40, in the presence of sub-neutralising concentrations of vaccine-induced antibodies to better characterise changes in the capsid. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | In our model, amino acid mutations arose in the hypervariable region of the IBDV capsid at the same sites previously observed in field studies, validating our model. Furthermore, we demonstrated that mutations arose early, by only 5 passages in chicken B cells, which subsequently became fixed by 10 passages. We are now doing next generation sequencing to better characterise the plasticity of the capsid. |
| Title | in vitro quantification of anti-IBDV neutralising antibodies using chicken B cells |
| Description | Typically, the titre of neutralising antibodies generated by a field strain of IBDV is quantified by determining the ability of the serum to neutralise the infectivity of a cell- culture adapted strain of IBDV into immortalised fibroblast cells. The reason for this is that field strains do not typically infect immortalised fibroblast cells and have a tropism limited to B lymphocytes. However, this technique may not quantify the correct titre against the field strain in question as it relies on cross-reactivity of the serum to the cell-culture adapted strain. We have developed an in vitro neutralisation assay using the immortalised B cell line, DT40, in order to quantify the titre of neutralising antibodies against field strains of IBDV. As cytopathic effect is not observed in lymphocytes, this assay relies on immunostaining with antibodies against IBDV to determine the endpoint. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This technique enables us to more accurately quantify the titre of antibodies against field strains of IBDV. |
| Title | method for identification of lung Tissue resident memory cells in pigs |
| Description | Recent overwhelming evidence indicates the importance of local tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) in protective immunity. Most work on TRM has been performed in mice and the TRM defined as inaccessible to intravenously administered anti-T cell antibody. However there are very few data on TRM in large animals. For the first time we have defined TRM in the pig influenza model. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The identification of TRM and their robust protective capacity in site-specific infection has provided a new paradigm by which to assess T cell-mediated responses and an important new target for vaccine design. Since swine are an economically important species, are used as a large animal model for human infection and play a key role in the emergence of novel and potentially zoonotic influenza viruses, the identification of TRM in pigs will allow us to study their role in immunity to swine influenza.and how best to induce them by immunisation. |
| Title | porcine TOCs |
| Description | We have developed the method of preparing and infecting tracheal organ cultures (TOCs) from pigs with porcine coronaviruses. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The development of the porcine TOCs will allow us to study the replication, tropism and evolution of porcine coronaviruses in biologically relevant tissues, without the requirement for an in vivo study. Porcine coronaviruses can be used as a model for SARS-CoV-2 infection of humans. |
| Title | scRNA seq analysis of porcine BAL |
| Description | We describe for the first time scRNA-seq analysis of porcine bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), a cell source increasingly used to analyse respiratory immune responses, and which has been shown to be major correlate for protection against respiratory infections such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2. Our work reveals both similar and unique cell subsets and divergent transcriptome profiles of BAL immune cells compared to publicly available data from blood cells. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The data we have generated will provide an atlas for future pig BAL scRNA-seq studies. |
| Title | tetracysteine-tagged IBDV |
| Description | Andrew Broadbent has engineered a tetracysteine (TC)-tagged IBDV that can be used in live cell imaging and co-infection studies with the split-GFP IBDV. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This tool, combined with the split-GFP IBDV, will enable us to study co-infection, super-infection exclusion, and the intracellular requirements for viral reassortment. |
| Title | Capsid-Specific Antibody Responses of Domestic Pigs Immunized with Low-Virulent African swine fever virus |
| Description | Excel file contains the raw data (P/N ratios) and results of statistical analyses that were used to plot the figures outlined in the publication Tng et al. Capsid-Specific Antibody Responses of Domestic Pigs Immunized with Low-Virulent African swine fever virus.Graphs were produced with GraphPad Prism v.9 and statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism v.9. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Capsid-Specific_Antibody_Responses_of_Domestic_Pigs_Immunized_... |
| Title | Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses after Immunisation with Low Virulent African Swine Fever Virus in the Large White Inbred Babraham Line and Outbred Domestic Pigs |
| Description | Raw data for manuscript. Contains temperature, clinical scores, qPCR, blood cell numbers and immune responses over time for two groups of pigs immunised with low virulent African swine fever virus and challenged with highly virulent virus. Data for each panel or figure is displayed on a separate worksheet in the file. The readme worksheet contains a brief description of each figure. The majority of data is displayed in an XY table format, with the number of days post immunisation with low virulent virus indicated. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://zenodo.org/record/6794941 |
| Title | Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses after Immunisation with Low Virulent African Swine Fever Virus in the Large White Inbred Babraham Line and Outbred Domestic Pigs |
| Description | Raw data for manuscript. Contains temperature, clinical scores, qPCR, blood cell numbers and immune responses over time for two groups of pigs immunised with low virulent African swine fever virus and challenged with highly virulent virus. Data for each panel or figure is displayed on a separate worksheet in the file. The readme worksheet contains a brief description of each figure. The majority of data is displayed in an XY table format, with the number of days post immunisation with low virulent virus indicated. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | None as yet |
| URL | https://zenodo.org/record/6794942 |
| Title | Characterization of the haemagglutinin properties of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that caused human infections in Cambodia |
| Description | High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus primarily found in birds. The subtype emerged in China in 1996 and has spread globally, causing significant morbidity and mortality in birds and humans. In Cambodia, a lethal case was reported in February 2023 involving an 11-year-old girl, marking the first human HPAI H5N1 infection in the country since 2014. This research examined the zoonotic potential of the human H5N1 isolate, A/Cambodia/NPH230032/2023 (KHM/23), by assessing its receptor binding, fusion pH, HA thermal stability, and antigenicity. Results showed that KHM/23 exhibits similar receptor binding and antigenicity as the early clade 2.3.2.1c HPAI H5N1 strain, and it does not bind to human-like receptors. Despite showing limited zoonotic risk, the increased thermal stability and reduced pH of fusion in KHM/23 indicate a potential threat to poultry, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Characterization_of_the_haemagglutinin_properties_of_the... |
| Title | Characterization of the haemagglutinin properties of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that caused human infections in Cambodia |
| Description | High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus primarily found in birds. The subtype emerged in China in 1996 and has spread globally, causing significant morbidity and mortality in birds and humans. In Cambodia, a lethal case was reported in February 2023 involving an 11-year-old girl, marking the first human HPAI H5N1 infection in the country since 2014. This research examined the zoonotic potential of the human H5N1 isolate, A/Cambodia/NPH230032/2023 (KHM/23), by assessing its receptor binding, fusion pH, HA thermal stability, and antigenicity. Results showed that KHM/23 exhibits similar receptor binding and antigenicity as the early clade 2.3.2.1c HPAI H5N1 strain, and it does not bind to human-like receptors. Despite showing limited zoonotic risk, the increased thermal stability and reduced pH of fusion in KHM/23 indicate a potential threat to poultry, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Characterization_of_the_haemagglutinin_properties_of_the... |
| Title | Data from: A field study evaluating the humoral immune response in Mongolian sheep vaccinated against sheeppox virus |
| Description | Sheeppox is a transboundary disease of sheep caused by infection with the capripoxvirus sheeppox virus (SPPV). Sheeppox is found in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and is characterised by fever, multifocal cutaneous raised lesions, and death, with substantial negative impact on affected flocks. Vaccination with live attenuated capripoxvirus (CPPV) strains is an effective and widely used means of controlling sheeppox outbreaks, however there are few reports of post-vaccination field surveillance studies of sheeppox. This study used a commercially available ELISA and a fluorescence-based neutralisation assay (FVNT) to examine quantitative and temporal features of the humoral response of sheep vaccinated with a live attenuated CPPV strain in Mongolia. 400 samples were tested using the ELISA, and a subset of 45 also tested with the FVNT. There was substantial agreement between the FVNT and ELISA tests. Antibodies to CPPV were detected between 40 and 262 days post vaccination. There was no significant difference between serological status (positive / negative) and sex or age, however an inverse correlation was found between the length of time since vaccination and serological status. Animals between 90 and 180 days post-vaccination were more likely to be positive than animals greater than 180 days post vaccination. This data provides temporal parameters to consider when planning sheeppox post-vaccination monitoring programmes. In summary, our results show a commercial CPPV ELISA kit is a robust and reliable assay for use in resource-restricted low and low-middle income countries for post CPPV vaccination surveillance on a regional or national level. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.msbcc2fvx |
| Title | E-MTAB-5947- Transcription profiling by array of differential gene expression in chicken primary B cells infected ex vivo with attenuated and very virulent strains of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) |
| Description | Microarray data submitted to ArrayExpress from chicken primary B cells infected with a very virulent and attenuated strain of IBDV. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This is the first ever microarray data of chicken primary B cells infected with IBDV and will be of use to other researchers in the area of B cell biology or IBDV virology |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/experiments/E-MTAB-5947/ |
| Title | Method to predict vaccine matching in-silico |
| Description | Every time a novel viral strain emerges, it is essential to know whether existing vaccines are effective against it. Several lab techniques are available in order to do so, the most widespread one arguably being VNT (virus neutralisation test). However VNT is expensive, difficult to implement and not very reproducible due to batch effects. Being able to reliably predict VNT-derived antibody titres with the computer would be a game changer in the field. We have developed an in-silico model based on machine learning that is able to effectively predict VNT outcomes out of sequencing data. We have shown that the method performs well for FMDV and also, apparently, for influenza. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | We are currently in the process of validating and optimising the method. If preliminary results are confirmed, the method could be put to good use in a number of fields, and become the basis for a more effective policy making when managing and controlling devastating livestock diseases such as FMDV. |
| Title | South-African buffalo FMDV sequences |
| Description | We have sequenced FMDV buffalo samples originated from a EEID project entitled: Persistence of a Highly Contagious Pathogen: Ecological and Evolutionary Mechanisms in Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus. This project aims to understand why a highly contagious pathogen such as FMDV, which induces a rapid host immunity and depletes the supply of susceptible host, is able to persist in isolated buffalo populations and thus avoid auto-extinction. The centre piece of the project is a cohort study which involves an established FMDV-positive breeding herd of ca. 70 buffalo in a 900-hectare enclosure surrounded by double game fencing housing buffalo in isolation from other herds in the Kruger National Park (South Africa). The entire herd is being monitored for three years (animals are sampled every 2 months (serum, tonsil swabs, probang) to trace FMDV transmission events, allowing us to define FMD infection dynamics across the susceptible calf cohorts and amongst adults. So far, FMDV genomes from 101 samples have been deep sequenced by illumina. Samples from the last year captures are currently being analysed and virus is currently being isolated. The second experiment is an experimental study, which involves a group of naïve buffalo experimentally infected with either a SAT-1, SAT-2 or SAT-3 virus. The infected buffalo were then allowed to mingle with susceptible animals and transmission of FMDV to naïve animals was monitored during the acute infection but also from persistently infected animals. So far, FMDV genomes from 48 samples obtained at days 2, 30 and 160 of the experiment have been deep sequenced. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The samples sequenced come from South Africa, which is an LMIC, While FMDV infection in cattle is very well studied, the mechanisms of persistence in buffalo, which is thought to be the natural reservoir of the infection, are not well understood. Such understanding would be essential to inform better policies to understand and manage FMDV, which is an economically important scourge of cloven hooved animals in LMICs. All the sequences will be made available on the Transboundary Portal which is being developed at Pirbright. |
| Title | The molecular basis of antigenic variation among A(H9N2) avian influenza viruses |
| Description | Avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are an increasing threat to global poultry production and, through zoonotic infection, to human health where they are considered viruses with pandemic potential. Vaccination of poultry is a key element of disease control in endemic countries, but vaccine effectiveness is persistently challenged by the emergence of antigenic variants. Here we employed a combination of techniques to investigate the genetic basis of H9N2 antigenic variability and evaluate the role of different molecular mechanisms of immune escape. We systematically tested the influence of published H9N2 monoclonal antibody escape mutants on chicken antisera binding, determining that many have no significant effect. Substitutions introducing additional glycosylation sites were a notable exception, though these are relatively rare among circulating viruses. To identify substitutions responsible for antigenic variation in circulating viruses, we performed an integrated meta-analysis of all published H9 haemagglutinin sequences and antigenic data. We validated this statistical analysis experimentally and allocated several new residues to H9N2 antigenic sites, providing molecular markers that will help explain vaccine breakdown in the field and inform vaccine selection decisions. We find evidence for the importance of alternative mechanisms of immune escape, beyond simple modulation of epitope structure, with substitutions increasing glycosylation or receptor-binding avidity, exhibiting the largest impacts on chicken antisera binding. Of these, meta-analysis indicates avidity regulation to be more relevant to the evolution of circulating viruses, suggesting that a specific focus on avidity regulation is required to fully understand the molecular basis of immune escape by influenza, and potentially other viruses. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/The_molecular_basis_of_antigenic_variation_among_A_H9N2_... |
| Title | The molecular basis of antigenic variation among A(H9N2) avian influenza viruses |
| Description | Avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are an increasing threat to global poultry production and, through zoonotic infection, to human health where they are considered viruses with pandemic potential. Vaccination of poultry is a key element of disease control in endemic countries, but vaccine effectiveness is persistently challenged by the emergence of antigenic variants. Here we employed a combination of techniques to investigate the genetic basis of H9N2 antigenic variability and evaluate the role of different molecular mechanisms of immune escape. We systematically tested the influence of published H9N2 monoclonal antibody escape mutants on chicken antisera binding, determining that many have no significant effect. Substitutions introducing additional glycosylation sites were a notable exception, though these are relatively rare among circulating viruses. To identify substitutions responsible for antigenic variation in circulating viruses, we performed an integrated meta-analysis of all published H9 haemagglutinin sequences and antigenic data. We validated this statistical analysis experimentally and allocated several new residues to H9N2 antigenic sites, providing molecular markers that will help explain vaccine breakdown in the field and inform vaccine selection decisions. We find evidence for the importance of alternative mechanisms of immune escape, beyond simple modulation of epitope structure, with substitutions increasing glycosylation or receptor-binding avidity, exhibiting the largest impacts on chicken antisera binding. Of these, meta-analysis indicates avidity regulation to be more relevant to the evolution of circulating viruses, suggesting that a specific focus on avidity regulation is required to fully understand the molecular basis of immune escape by influenza, and potentially other viruses. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/The_molecular_basis_of_antigenic_variation_among_A_H9N2_... |
| Title | Viral assembly pipeline |
| Description | The Integrative Biology and Bioinformatics group has developed a data analysis pipeline to obtain sensitive and robust viral assemblies out of high-throughput sequencing data. In spite of the relatively short genomic length of most viruses, assembling of viral sequences can be challenging due to several reasons, such as: low amount of material in the sample, which might require amplification, introducing biases, and/or generates low-quality sequences; uneven coverage due to low-quality material or the genomic material of the virus being RNA; the viral nucleic acid being almost lost in the background of nucleic acid of the host. Our pipeline overcomes most of those problems, and is even able to detect different viral strains being present together in the same sample. It can also be used on metagenomic environmental samples. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The pipeline is being deployed as the tool of choice for the nascent sequencing facility at Pirbright. It has been used by several groups at Pirbright, and the FMDV World Reference Lab, in order to assemble very different kinds of viruses. |
| Title | Viral variant calling pipeline |
| Description | The Integrative Biology and Bioinformatics group has developed a data analysis pipeline to obtain sensitive and robust variant calling for viral sequences out of high-throughput sequencing data. In spite of the relatively short genomic length of most viruses, calling variant for viral sequences can be challenging due to several reasons, such as: low amount of material in the sample, which might require amplification, introducing biases, and/or generates low-quality sequences; very high genome coverage, which slows down most existing variant callers; the presence of a potentially very high number of different haplotypes for RNA viruses, which is an unusual scenario in variant calling. Our fast and sensitive Bayesian pipeline overcomes most of those problems. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The pipeline is being deployed as the tool of choice for the nascent sequencing facility at Pirbright. It has been used by several groups at Pirbright, and the FMDV World Reference Lab, in order to assemble very different kinds of viruses. |
| Title | WRL FMDV sequences for transboundary portal |
| Description | We have generated a collection of sequences of FMDV (foot-and-mouth disease virus) from samples collected by the FMDV World Reference Laboratory at Pirbright. Those full-genome sequences sample a number of recent exotic strains across different regions/countries of the world, focusing mainly on LMICs in North Africa, Middle East and South East Asia. The main represented FMDV types are O and A. Part of the sequences have already been made available through GenBank -- all will be soon downloadable from the Transboundary Portal which is being developed at Pirbright. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Knowledge of the sequenced strains is essential to inform policy for FMDV control in the LMIC countries where the samples were collected. That chimes very well with the GCRF focus of the project. At a more global scale, knowledge of the features and sequence evolution of the virus in time and across different countries is essential in order to accurately model its behaviour. In general FMDV is a scourge of cloven-hoofed animals, and controlling it better is essential in order to alleviate the huge economic toll claimed by the virus in LMICs. |
| Title | Zimbabwe FMDV sequences |
| Description | Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes an acute vesicular disease in domestic cloven-hooved animals. However, in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) clinical disease is rarely observed and following infection virus is persistently carried in the oesophageal-pharyngeal area of the upper respiratory tract. During the 1990s oesophageal-pharyngeal scrapings were collected from free-living African buffalo in multiple herds in six different geographic areas of Zimbabwe. We sequenced over 140 FMD viruses each belonging to one of the Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes (SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3) from primary bovine thyroid cells. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This dataset has been generated from samples collected in Zimbabwe, which is a low-income country. Those viral sequences will be essential to help elucidating the nature of persistent FMDV infection in African buffalo, which is supposed to be the main virus reservoir in vivo. As the samples track viral infection and evolution over several years and across a number of different herds in different national parks and conservatories, the dataset will also inform better animal management and conservation. A better understanding of FMDV persistence would also be essential to mitigate the economic burden generated by the disease, which is a scourge of cloven-hoofed animals in LMICs. All the sequences will be made available through the Transboundary Pathogen portal that is being developed at Pirbright. |
| Description | ASFV Structure |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have prepared samples for analysis |
| Collaborator Contribution | Electron tomographic analysis of the samples we provided. |
| Impact | None as yet. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Adjuvants study-FMD vaccine at Indian Immunologicals |
| Organisation | Indian Immunologicals Ltd |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Conducted screening of 8 adjuvants with FMD vaccine in cattle and analyse the samples originated from the experiments. 4 selected adjuvants were tested in cattle at the Pirbright Institute and TLR III adjuvant was found as the best one. Under Follow on grant 12 cattle were vaccinated with existing vaccine with oil adjuvant and 12 cattle were vaccinated with oil and TLR III adjuvants. The protective immununity was assessed from the virus neutralizing antibody status. By 6 months post-vaccination only 17% of cattle were having protective antibodies (1:45 dilution) in conventional vaccine group whereas 80% cattle were having protective neutralizing titer (1:45) in TLR adjuvanted group. Therefore it is clear that adding TLR adjuvant one can increase the duration of immunity up to 6 months. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Facilitate the animal experiments at their High containment |
| Impact | Conducted screening of 8 adjuvants with FMD vaccine in cattle and analyse the samples originated from the experiments. 4 selected adjuvants were tested in cattle at the Pirbright Institute and TLR III adjuvant was found as the best one. Under Follow on grant 12 cattle were vaccinated with existing vaccine with oil adjuvant and 12 cattle were vaccinated with oil and TLR III adjuvants. The protective immununity was assessed from the virus neutralizing antibody status. By 6 months post-vaccination only 17% of cattle were having protective antibodies (1:45 dilution) in conventional vaccine group whereas 80% cattle were having protective neutralizing titer (1:45) in TLR adjuvanted group. Therefore it is clear that adding TLR adjuvant one can increase the duration of immunity up to 6 months. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Aerosol delivery of vaccines and therapeutics |
| Organisation | Aerogen |
| Country | Ireland |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Developed the pig influenza model which is a natural host pathogen system |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided expertise and equipment for aerosol delivery |
| Impact | Successfully delivered vaccines by aerosol |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Anihwa Call 1 |
| Organisation | Friedrich Loeffler Institute |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | 1. Conducted challenge experiments in goats to study pathogenicity. 2. Developed NGS technology to sequence PPR whole genome. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FLI has conducted transmission study between different species ( Goats, pig, camel). For the first time they showed that pigs are clinically infected by PPR virus. |
| Impact | Joint Publications |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Anopheles reannotation |
| Organisation | Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided RNA-sequencing data (produced by Jaroslaw Krzywinski and analysed by us) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Using the data to produce a reannotation of Anopheles Gambiae |
| Impact | No outputs yet |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Assessment of the effect of IL-1beta on the induction of protective mucosal immunity to influenza |
| Organisation | University Hospital Erlangen |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We have provided the pig influenza model and the tools we have developed to test local mucosal immunity and protection against heterologous viruses. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The team of Professor Tenbusch provided the Adeno viral vectored constructs expressing Il-1beta and the influenza hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein. |
| Impact | We have shown that IL-1B increased the mucosal antibody responses. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Aviagen |
| Organisation | Aviagen |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Influenza virus expertise in poultry. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sharing of commercial poultry breed resources |
| Impact | We have a sponsored PhD studentship to commence Oct 2021 agreed. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Avian influenza H7N9 virus evolution: defining the impact of internal genes on virus infection in avian and mammalian species |
| Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | (1) Exchange of research methods and reagents |
| Collaborator Contribution | (1) Exchange of research methods and reagents. (2) Provision of training to PhD students and postdoctoral Scientist (3) Critical review of experimental data and manuscripts. |
| Impact | (1) Joint funding: BBSRC Newton Fund: UK-China-Philippines-Thailand Swine and Poultry Research Initiative (2018-2021). Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry. Value: £497,995.93. UK Co-Is: Prof John McCauley (Crick Institute), Dr Richard Reeve (University of Glasgow). Collaborators from China: Dr Yipeng Sun, Prof Jinhua Liu and Dr Juan Pu (China Agricultural University), Prof Yongqing Li (Beijing Academy of Agriculture and forestry Sciences), Dr Wenfei Zhu (National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC). |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | BBSRC - Oxford University iCASE Studentship (October 2019- September 2023). Production and assessment of antiviral prophylactic properties of natural biomolecules against avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses affecting poultry production |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration between The Pirbright Institute (UK), Oxford University (UK) and industrial partners in Italy. This project will conceived and developed bu MI. The PhD student (Holly Everest) in my group is investigating the antiviral prophylactic properties of natural biomolecules against avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses affecting poultry production. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners in Italy will produce and purify natural antiviral molecules effective against avian influenza and other poultry viruses. |
| Impact | This project started in January 2020. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | BBSRC LINK Project |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Confirm susceptibility of porcine macrophage cell line to African swine fever virus |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide a conditionally transformed porcine macrophage cell line for research and diagnosis of African swine fever virus |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Bridget Penman |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Department | School of Life Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are providing genetic data and diversity measures of MHC and associated receptors to inform the modelling efforts to elucidate which selection pressures are the main drivers for the types of diversity we see in extant species. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They are experts in mathmatical modelling and will provide data to help explain genetic diversity in cattle. |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | CVR-TPI collaboration on Rift Valley fever virus and arboviruses |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Department | MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided technical expertise, identified objectives, shared protocols, undertook project and time management, established collaborations with third parties, provided leadership. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators provided technical expertise and reagents. |
| Impact | Generation of a Rift Valley fever virus reverse genetics system for use in research and commercialization. The RG system enhanced our preparedness to bunyavirus emergence in the UK and Europe more broadly. Over the years, we have published several research articles on arbovirus-insect interactions. We have a joint PhD studentship that commenced in October 2022. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Cattle antibody bindinig to bovine respiratory syncytial virus- Peter Kwong |
| Organisation | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | By studying the role of the light chain in cattle antibody binding, we have made a panel of recombinant antibodies against bovine respiratory syncytial virus that differ in their light chain pairing. This has show that the light chain has a structural role rather than direct binding to the pathogen. We are now making crystal structures of these antibodies in complex with the pathogen, which is being supplied by Peter Kwong at NIAID. We are making the recombinant antibodies and resolving their structure in complex with the antigen. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Peter Kwong is supplying us with pathogen material and the ability to express more antigen. In the future they will also help interpret the results. |
| Impact | Crytal structures of antibodies bound to epitopes on the major antigenic protein of bRSV. A deeper understanding of the role that the light chain plays in determining antigen specificity. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Challenge of transgenic chickens with influenza viruses |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Section of Virology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have challenged transgenic chickens with recombinant avian influenza viruses to determine outcome; infectivity, transmission, pathogenicity, dissemination within host. We also processed the samples generated from these animal experiments at The Pirbright Institute. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Imperial College (Wendy Barclay and Mike Skinner) generated recombinant avian influenza viruses for challenge. |
| Impact | This collaboration has resulted in the successful award of a joint grant with imperial college aiming to carry out challenge experiments on novel transgenic chickens to facilitate control of avian influenza virus in the poultry population. BB/S007911/1 - Investigating the role of ANP32A in the replication of avian Influenza virus |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration on the development of intranasal live-attenuated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributed reagents to tests the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of an intranasal live-attenuated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical animal models including mice and hamster. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners undertook most of the work to complete the study detailed in the publication entitled "Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of an intranasal live-attenuated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical animal models". https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.08.425974v1 Abstract of publication. The global deployment of an effective and safe vaccine is currently a public health priority to curtail the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we evaluated a Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-based intranasal vectored-vaccine in mice and hamsters for its immunogenicity, safety and protective efficacy in challenge studies with SARS-CoV-2. The recombinant (r)NDV-S vaccine expressing spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 administrated via intranasal route in mice induced high levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG2a antibodies and T cell-mediated immunity. Hamsters vaccinated with two doses of vaccine showed complete protection from clinical disease including lung infection, inflammation, and pathological lesions after SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Importantly, a single or double dose of intranasal rNDV-S vaccine completely blocked SARS-CoV-2 shedding in nasal turbinate and lungs within 4 days of vaccine administration in hamsters. Taken together, intranasal administration of rNDV-S has the potential to control infection at the site of inoculation, which should prevent both the clinical disease and transmission to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Impact | The partnership resulted in a joint publication. "Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of an intranasal live-attenuated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical animal models". https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.08.425974v1 Abstract of publication. The global deployment of an effective and safe vaccine is currently a public health priority to curtail the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we evaluated a Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-based intranasal vectored-vaccine in mice and hamsters for its immunogenicity, safety and protective efficacy in challenge studies with SARS-CoV-2. The recombinant (r)NDV-S vaccine expressing spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 administrated via intranasal route in mice induced high levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG2a antibodies and T cell-mediated immunity. Hamsters vaccinated with two doses of vaccine showed complete protection from clinical disease including lung infection, inflammation, and pathological lesions after the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Importantly, a single or double dose of intranasal rNDV-S vaccine completely blocked SARS-CoV-2 shedding in nasal turbinate and lungs within 4 days of vaccine administration in hamsters. Taken together, intranasal administration of rNDV-S has the potential to control infection at the site of inoculation, which should prevent both the clinical disease and transmission to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with NIBSC: Establishment of the First WHO International Standard for anti-Rift Valley fever virus antibody |
| Organisation | National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| PI Contribution | We have tested a set of antibodies provided by NIBSC for their neutralization efficiency against RVFV using viral neutralization assays. We reported results to NIBSC and edited a manuscript. |
| Collaborator Contribution | NIBSC project managed, provided reagents, analysed data and prepared a manuscript for publication. |
| Impact | Generation of research reagents. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1 on bunyavirus-host interactions |
| Organisation | Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (UCBL) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We undertake research studies on bunyavirus-host interactions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners undertake research studies on bunyavirus-host interactions and provide reagents to us. |
| Impact | Exchange of technologies and reagents. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Cambridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Virology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed experiments with SARS-CoV-2 to investigate the host response to infection in vitro. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have led the research and we have published a paper detailing the results. |
| Impact | Information on the host responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Echavarría-Consuegra L, Cook GM, Busnadiego I, Lefèvre C, Keep S, Brown K, Doyle N, Dowgier G, Franaszek K, Moore NA, Siddell SG, Bickerton E, Hale BG, Firth AE, Brierley I, Irigoyen N. Manipulation of the unfolded protein response: A pharmacological strategy against coronavirus infection. PLoS Pathog. 2021 Jun 17;17(6):e1009644. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009644. PMID: 34138976; PMCID: PMC8211288. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Cambridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed in vitro experiments with infectious bronchitis virus, contributed to data analysis, preparation of manuscripts and discussed further funding opportunities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have analysed viral transcription and translation, and host gene expression after infection of host cells with infectious bronchitis virus, prepared manuscripts and discussed further funding opportunities. |
| Impact | Dinan, A., Keep, S., Bickerton, E., Britton, P., Firth, A. and Brierley, I. (2019) Comparative analysis of gene expression in virulent and attenuated strains of infectious bronchitis virus at sub-codon resolution. J. Virol. 93(18) e00714-19. PhD studentship funding from The Pirbright Institute "Investigation of Canonical and Noncanonical Transcription during Coronavirus Replication" which commenced in 2021. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Oxford |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have written a PhD studentship and are supervising a student on this project |
| Collaborator Contribution | We have written a PhD studentship and are supervising a student on this project |
| Impact | PhD studentship funding "SOMAmer technology to diagnose coronavirus infection: veterinary and zoonotic implications" |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collaboration with the Babraham Institute on scRNA seq analysis |
| Organisation | Babraham Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We charscterised in depth the local and systemic immune responses following infleunza infection or immunisation in the pig influenza model |
| Collaborator Contribution | Arianne Richards from the Babraham Institute will perform scRNA seq analysis on samples from infection and immunisation influenza studies. |
| Impact | No outputs yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaborative project between The Pirbright Institute, UK and Miyazaki University, Japan |
| Organisation | University of Miyazaki |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of expertise in foot-and-mouth virus research; use of high containment facilities to perform experiments |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in tetramer production, analysis and provided financially towards a travel bursary. |
| Impact | The protection afforded by most foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines depends to a large extent on humoral immunity, dictating the need to characterise the underlying mechanisms that mediate antibody production. To address this, we have developed novel major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) class II tetramers to identify antigen specific CD4+ T-cells that are present following vaccination against FMD. To date, we have used a MHC II tetramer (MHC serotype: A18) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MHC-matched cattle vaccinated against FMD (O serotype). Importantly, we have identified CD4+ T-cells that recognise 15 epitopes (identified from 137 peptides) in the FMDV structural proteins; one in VP1, five in VP2, six in VP3 and three in VP4. This work will further our understanding of the repertoire of capsid epitopes recognised by the host's immune response following FMD vaccination and facilitate the identification of new correlates of protection. A first manuscript is in the final stages of preparation and will be submitted shortly. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Collaborative studentship PPRV |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Department | School of Veterinary Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Practical laboratory work and in vivo animal studies carried out |
| Collaborator Contribution | Intellectual input in scientific remit of studentship, training of student, use of facilities and lab |
| Impact | DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01471-18 Thesis: The immune response to live, attenuated peste des petits ruminants virus vaccines |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Commonwealth Scholarship. Molecular determinants impacting avian influenza H9N2 virus evolution, replication fitness and virulence |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I develop a research project proposal in which we are investigating how evolutionary changes in the H9N2 avian influenza virus modulate virus fitness and virulence in chickens. This PhD studentship project was funded by Commonwealth scholarship commission for 3 years. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborating Partner Dr Nicola Lewis at Royal Veterinary College is a co-supervisor of the PhD student Thusitha Karunarathna. she provide necessary guidance to achieve prescribed objectives of this project. |
| Impact | The project is at its initial stage. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Cost effectiveness of interventions for the control of avian Influenza virus infections in poultry in Pakistan. |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Capacity building, provision of training, sharing research samples and methods |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of Field data on prevalence of influenza viruses in poultry production systems . |
| Impact | 1. Mapping of the broiler production industry and trade patterns in Pakistan presented by Hassaan bin Aslam (PhD student) |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Cost effectiveness of interventions for the control of avian Influenza virus infections in poultry in Pakistan. |
| Organisation | University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences |
| Department | Department of Microbiology |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Capacity building, provision of training, sharing research samples and methods |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of Field data on prevalence of influenza viruses in poultry production systems . |
| Impact | 1. Mapping of the broiler production industry and trade patterns in Pakistan presented by Hassaan bin Aslam (PhD student) |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | DNA encoded monoclonal antibodies. |
| Organisation | INOVIO Pharmaceuticals |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We have established the pig influenza model to test monoclonal antibody delivery platforms. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Inovio provided the DNA encoded antibodies. |
| Impact | Joint manuscript submitted |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Development of a bivalent PRRS/Nipah virus vaccine |
| Organisation | National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) |
| Country | Thailand |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV and Nipah virus vaccine research |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in genetically engineering PRRSV |
| Impact | Too early. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines |
| Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The outcomes of research led to incite new collaborations with following partners in UK, Vietnam and Pakistan. Together with partners we apply for the collaborative research grant to BBSRC entitled "Combating avian influenza through systematic analysis of antigenic drift, genetic variation, and development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines". That led to further improvement avian influenza virus vaccines and diagnostics and a number of research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners are evaluating the potency and efficacy of vaccines in countries where the disease is enzootic in poultry. |
| Impact | 1. Peacock TP, Benton DJ, Sadeyen J-R, Chang P, Sealy JE.,d, Bryant JE, Martin SR., Shelton H, McCauley JW, Barclay WS, Iqbal M (2017) Variability in H9N2 haemagglutinin receptor binding preference and pH of fusion. Emerging Microbes & Infections 6, e11 2. Peacock T, Reddy K, James J, Adamiak B, Barclay W, Shelton H, Iqbal M (2016). Antigenic mapping of an H9N2 avian influenza virus reveals two discrete antigenic sites and a novel mechanism of immune escape. Scientific Reports 5: 18745. doi: 10.1038/srep18745. 3. Thuy DM, Peacock TP., Bich VTN, . Iqbal M, Juliet E. Bryant (2016). Prevalence and diversity of H9N2 avian influenza in chickens of Northern Vietnam, 2014. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 44: 530-540 |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | School of Public Health |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The outcomes of research led to incite new collaborations with following partners in UK, Vietnam and Pakistan. Together with partners we apply for the collaborative research grant to BBSRC entitled "Combating avian influenza through systematic analysis of antigenic drift, genetic variation, and development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines". That led to further improvement avian influenza virus vaccines and diagnostics and a number of research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners are evaluating the potency and efficacy of vaccines in countries where the disease is enzootic in poultry. |
| Impact | 1. Peacock TP, Benton DJ, Sadeyen J-R, Chang P, Sealy JE.,d, Bryant JE, Martin SR., Shelton H, McCauley JW, Barclay WS, Iqbal M (2017) Variability in H9N2 haemagglutinin receptor binding preference and pH of fusion. Emerging Microbes & Infections 6, e11 2. Peacock T, Reddy K, James J, Adamiak B, Barclay W, Shelton H, Iqbal M (2016). Antigenic mapping of an H9N2 avian influenza virus reveals two discrete antigenic sites and a novel mechanism of immune escape. Scientific Reports 5: 18745. doi: 10.1038/srep18745. 3. Thuy DM, Peacock TP., Bich VTN, . Iqbal M, Juliet E. Bryant (2016). Prevalence and diversity of H9N2 avian influenza in chickens of Northern Vietnam, 2014. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 44: 530-540 |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines |
| Organisation | National Agricultural Research Centre |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The outcomes of research led to incite new collaborations with following partners in UK, Vietnam and Pakistan. Together with partners we apply for the collaborative research grant to BBSRC entitled "Combating avian influenza through systematic analysis of antigenic drift, genetic variation, and development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines". That led to further improvement avian influenza virus vaccines and diagnostics and a number of research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners are evaluating the potency and efficacy of vaccines in countries where the disease is enzootic in poultry. |
| Impact | 1. Peacock TP, Benton DJ, Sadeyen J-R, Chang P, Sealy JE.,d, Bryant JE, Martin SR., Shelton H, McCauley JW, Barclay WS, Iqbal M (2017) Variability in H9N2 haemagglutinin receptor binding preference and pH of fusion. Emerging Microbes & Infections 6, e11 2. Peacock T, Reddy K, James J, Adamiak B, Barclay W, Shelton H, Iqbal M (2016). Antigenic mapping of an H9N2 avian influenza virus reveals two discrete antigenic sites and a novel mechanism of immune escape. Scientific Reports 5: 18745. doi: 10.1038/srep18745. 3. Thuy DM, Peacock TP., Bich VTN, . Iqbal M, Juliet E. Bryant (2016). Prevalence and diversity of H9N2 avian influenza in chickens of Northern Vietnam, 2014. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 44: 530-540 |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Vietnam (OUCRU) |
| Country | Viet Nam |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The outcomes of research led to incite new collaborations with following partners in UK, Vietnam and Pakistan. Together with partners we apply for the collaborative research grant to BBSRC entitled "Combating avian influenza through systematic analysis of antigenic drift, genetic variation, and development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines". That led to further improvement avian influenza virus vaccines and diagnostics and a number of research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners are evaluating the potency and efficacy of vaccines in countries where the disease is enzootic in poultry. |
| Impact | 1. Peacock TP, Benton DJ, Sadeyen J-R, Chang P, Sealy JE.,d, Bryant JE, Martin SR., Shelton H, McCauley JW, Barclay WS, Iqbal M (2017) Variability in H9N2 haemagglutinin receptor binding preference and pH of fusion. Emerging Microbes & Infections 6, e11 2. Peacock T, Reddy K, James J, Adamiak B, Barclay W, Shelton H, Iqbal M (2016). Antigenic mapping of an H9N2 avian influenza virus reveals two discrete antigenic sites and a novel mechanism of immune escape. Scientific Reports 5: 18745. doi: 10.1038/srep18745. 3. Thuy DM, Peacock TP., Bich VTN, . Iqbal M, Juliet E. Bryant (2016). Prevalence and diversity of H9N2 avian influenza in chickens of Northern Vietnam, 2014. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 44: 530-540 |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines |
| Organisation | University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The outcomes of research led to incite new collaborations with following partners in UK, Vietnam and Pakistan. Together with partners we apply for the collaborative research grant to BBSRC entitled "Combating avian influenza through systematic analysis of antigenic drift, genetic variation, and development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines". That led to further improvement avian influenza virus vaccines and diagnostics and a number of research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners are evaluating the potency and efficacy of vaccines in countries where the disease is enzootic in poultry. |
| Impact | 1. Peacock TP, Benton DJ, Sadeyen J-R, Chang P, Sealy JE.,d, Bryant JE, Martin SR., Shelton H, McCauley JW, Barclay WS, Iqbal M (2017) Variability in H9N2 haemagglutinin receptor binding preference and pH of fusion. Emerging Microbes & Infections 6, e11 2. Peacock T, Reddy K, James J, Adamiak B, Barclay W, Shelton H, Iqbal M (2016). Antigenic mapping of an H9N2 avian influenza virus reveals two discrete antigenic sites and a novel mechanism of immune escape. Scientific Reports 5: 18745. doi: 10.1038/srep18745. 3. Thuy DM, Peacock TP., Bich VTN, . Iqbal M, Juliet E. Bryant (2016). Prevalence and diversity of H9N2 avian influenza in chickens of Northern Vietnam, 2014. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 44: 530-540 |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Development of tetramers in the Babraham pig model |
| Organisation | Cardiff University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed the aerosol delivery method of vaccine and provided material (spleen, BAL and blood) from inbred animals (Babraham pigs) following immunisation with the candidate universal vaccine, S-FLU. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Developed porcine influenza specific class I tetramers and provided the epitope map of Babrahams S-Flu responses to NP, M1, M2, PB1 and PB2 that could be presented by SLA-1 or SLA-2 Grew pig T cell clones for the first time in 30 years. |
| Impact | Multidisciplinary - immunology, virology, protein chemistry. Paper not yet published |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Distributed Bio - Gates foundation funding - universal influenza vaccine |
| Organisation | Distributed Bio. |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Pirbright has provided expert advice to the design of adjuvant and challenge studies in appropriate animal models for human influenza vaccine trials. Pirbright is facilitating these studies in line with UK home office requirements and good scientific practice. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Distributed Bio have developed a novel vaccine that is hoped to be a candidate for a human universal influenza virus vaccine. |
| Impact | Funding from Bill and Melinda Gates foundation as part of the Grand challenges - Universal vaccine for influenza for the animal studies involving Pirbright and Distributed Bio |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Alex Schock, APHA - Detemining the prevalence and sequences of IBDV in vaccinated chicken flocks in the UK |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We will determine whether samples are positive for IBDV. If they are positive, we will amplify the hypervariable region of the capsid by PCR and send for Sanger Sequencing |
| Collaborator Contribution | APHA will obtain samples from Veterinary Practices and perform histology. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Pirbright Internal Seed Award, £10,000) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Carol Cardona, University of Minnesota- avian influenza virus challenge of IBDV or mock-infected chickens |
| Organisation | University of Minnesota |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We will challenge birds that have been exposed to IBDV, or mock exposed, with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains to determine how IBDV-mediated immunosuppression impacts upon HPAI infection in chickens. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Cardona's group will challenge birds that have been exposed to IBDV, or mock exposed, with low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) strains to determine how IBDV-mediated immunosuppression impacts upon LPAI infection in chickens. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Grant Ref: BB/T008806/1) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Caroline Denesvere |
| Organisation | French National Institute of Agricultural Research |
| Department | INRA Loire Valley Centre |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Worked together to establish a collaboration on development of feather follicular stem cell lines as a platform for the generation of cell-free vaccine against Marek's disease virus. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided expertise on cell free Marek's disease and microscopic evaluation of cells generating the virus. |
| Impact | Generation of data leading to a successful BBSRC IPA grant application |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Dr David Welchman, APHA -Detemining the prevalence and sequences of IBDV in vaccinated chicken flocks in the UK |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We wiil determine whether samples are positive for IBDV. If they are positive, we will amplify the hypervariable region of the capsid by PCR and send for Sanger Sequencing |
| Collaborator Contribution | APHA will obtain samples from Veterinary Practices and perform histology. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Pirbright Internal Seed Award, £10,000) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Finn Grey, The Roslin Institute- Identifying genes essential for the replicaiton of IBDV and IBV in vitro |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We will conduct a CRISPR screen and identify genes that are essential for IBDV replication |
| Collaborator Contribution | Finn Grey's group will aid in the CRISPR screen |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining a PhD studentship |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Helena Maier, The Pirbright Institute - Identifying genes essential for the replicaiton of IBDV and IBV in vitro |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We will conduct a CRISPR screen and identify genes that are essential for IBDV replication |
| Collaborator Contribution | Helena Maier's group will aid in the CRISPR screen and identify genes that are essential for IBV replication |
| Impact | We have been successful in obtaining a PhD studentship |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Holly Shelton, The Pirbright Institute- avian influenza virus challenge of IBDV or mock-infected chickens |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We will expose birds to IBDV, compared to mock controls |
| Collaborator Contribution | Holly will train my group in conducting studies with avian influenza viruses and, together, we will challenge birds with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains to determine how IBDV-mediated immunosuppression impacts upon HPAI infection in chickens. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Grant Ref: BB/T008806/1) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Liam Morrison |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Analysis is single cattle B cell antibody sequences |
| Collaborator Contribution | Single cattle B cell antibody sequences |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dr Michael Skinner, Imperial College London |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Department of Primary Care and Public Health |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We aim to compare the host transcriptional response of primary chicken B cells infected with different strains of IBDV of varying virulence. We have the specialist reagents and expertise in house that are required to culture primary chicken B cells, and we have access to different strains of IBDV. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Michael Skinner and his team at Imperial College London have the expertise and facilities to generate and analyse RNA-Seq data in order to determine host transcriptional responses. This is required in order to complete the aim of the project. |
| Impact | Further funding: PhD studentship (£102,800) - Dr Andrew Broadbent at The Pirbright Institute and Dr Michael Skinner at Imperial College London are joint supervisors for a PhD student working on this project. Further Funding: Houghton Trust (£8,000)- Dr Andrew Broadbent was awarded a Houghton Trust Small Research Grant to contribute to this project. Further funding: NC3Rs (Grant Ref: NC/R001138/1) |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Dr Rachel Edgar, Imperial College London- defining the circadian clock in chicken cells and how this impacts upon viral replication |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | we will supply sequences of chicken clock genes and chicken cells and challenge synchronised chicken cells with IBDV and perform in vivo experiments |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Edagr's group will synchronise chicken cells and characterise the oscillatory expression of chicken clock genes. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Houghton Trust, £4,500) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | EBI Culicoides genome project |
| Organisation | EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Performed experiments and provided material for Sequencing and genome build of the Culicoides genome project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sequencing and genome build for Culicoides genome project. |
| Impact | Publication and public release of genome data for Culicoides genome project |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Efficacy of a candidate universal influenza vaccine, S-FLU. |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Radcliffe Department of Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Tested the immunogenicity and efficacy of a candidate universal influenza vaccine, S-FLU, in pigs. For the first time we demonstrated that S-FLU when administered by aerosol can reduce viral load in nasal swabs and lung in pigs after influenza virus challenge. We have shown that the most efficient way to administer this vaccine is by aerosol. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Alain Townsend has developed the S-FLU vaccine. |
| Impact | The most efficient way to induce immune response in the lung is after aerosol delivery of LAIV vaccines in pigs. The most efficient way to induce cross-protective immunity is by aerosol delivery of S-FLU to the lungs of pigs |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Enhancing protective efficacy of avian influenza vaccines through targeted delivery of protective antigens to chicken immune cells |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Department of Zoology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Enhancing protective efficacy of avian influenza vaccines through targeted delivery of protective antigens to chicken immune cells ( PhD student training. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Training of next generation of Scientists (PhD student training). |
| Impact | Training of next generation of Scientists (PhD student training). |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Establishment of a novel poultry vaccine platform inducing rapid and strong immunity through targeted delivery of antigens to chicken immune cells |
| Organisation | MSD Animal Health |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The research focus is to develop next-generation of poultry vaccines that induce rapid and strong immune responses in chickens. The candidate vaccine constricts will be developed at the Pirbright Institute |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborating partner "MSD Animal Health" will evaluate the potency and efficacy for registration and feasibility for commercial production. |
| Impact | Based on the project preliminary data a new project was developed entitled Protecting poultry from avian influenza, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and Gumboro disease with a single dose of a multivalent vaccine". This project further strengthened the collaborative research work with MSD Animal Health. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Evaluate the potential of AstraZeneca's sialic acid tag technology for treating influenza viruses with Fc molecules |
| Organisation | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Department | Parasite Immunology Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Established partnership to investigate the antiviral properties of novel antiviral ( fragment-crystallisable (Fc) molecules) compounds that potentially block influenza virus infection. These compounds will be used to test their antiviral activity against avian influenza and Newcastle Disease virus that are causing sever economic looses to the poultry industry. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Partners have developed these antiviral compounds and showed that these compounds bids to specific cell surface receptors that are required by the virus to bind to and enter into the cell to cause infection. |
| Impact | Project is just started |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine candidate immunogenicity in pigs |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in evaluating vaccine immunogenicity in pigs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided COVID-19 vaccine candidates |
| Impact | Joint publication on the evaluation of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-020-00221-3). Data included in in the pre-clinical dossier submitted to regulators (e.g., European Medicines Agency) and supported the successful Marketing Authorisation application. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine candidate immunogenicity in pigs |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in evaluating vaccine immunogenicity in pigs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided COVID-19 vaccine candidates |
| Impact | Joint publication on the evaluation of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-020-00221-3). Data included in in the pre-clinical dossier submitted to regulators (e.g., European Medicines Agency) and supported the successful Marketing Authorisation application. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Evaluation of RNA vector delivery of PRRSV glycoproteins |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV immunology and vaccine research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Construction and formulation of an RNA vectored PRRSV vaccine candidate. |
| Impact | Work in progress. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Evaluation of a PRRSV-vectored Nipah virus vaccine |
| Organisation | National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) |
| Country | Thailand |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in porcine immunology/vaccinology, inc. PRRSV and Nipah |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV reverse genetics |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Evaluation of adjuvanted liposome delivery of PRRSV glycoproteins |
| Organisation | University at Buffalo |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PRRSV immunology and vaccine research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of adjuvanted liposomes for display of PRRSV glycoprotein. |
| Impact | Ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Evaluation of artificial cell membranes for delivery of PRRSV antigens |
| Organisation | ACM Biolabs |
| Country | Singapore |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Ability to evaluate the immunogenicity of artificial cell membranes (ACMs) for delivery of PRRSV antigens |
| Collaborator Contribution | To use their patented platform technology to produce a panel of ACMs embedded with different PRRSV envelope proteins |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Evaluation of bovine herpesvirus-4 as a vaccine vector for pigs |
| Organisation | University of Parma |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in porcine vaccinology/immunology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in the generation of recombinant bovine herpesvirus-4 (BoHV-4) vectors expressing heterologous antigens |
| Impact | We demonstrated that immunisation of pigs with recombinant BoHV-4 vectors expressing Nipah virus glycoproteins are highly immunogenic in pigs. Most promising and as hypothesised, were the potent CD4 and CD8 T cell responses which were an order of greater than those induced by other viral vaccine vectors. These data have led to the external funding of projects by two companies to evaluate BoHV-4 vectors in the context of other porcine diseases. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Evaluation of immune checkpoint inhibitors as molecular adjuvants for improved PRRSV vaccines |
| Organisation | Leidos |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV immunology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Patented immune checkpoint inhibitors |
| Impact | No yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Evaluation of mRNA vectored vaccines in pigs |
| Organisation | University of Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in porcine immunology/vaccinology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in mRNA vaccines |
| Impact | We evaluated in pigs the immunogenicity an mRNA vector encoding a Nipah virus glycoprotein. This vaccine formulation induced high virus neutralising antibody titres (comparable with protein subunit in adjuvant) and T cell responses (comparable with viral vectors). We also utilised mRNA immunised pigs to isolate Nipah virus neutralising monoclonal antibodies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Evaluation of multivalent viral hemorrhagic fever vaccine candidates immunogenicity in pigs |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Supported the pre-clinical development of multivalent viral hemorrhagic fever vaccine candidates by evaluating their immunogenicity in pigs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Conceived and produced vaccine candidates |
| Impact | Still ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Evaluation of porcine cytomegalovirus as a viral vaccine vector |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PRRSV model and vaccine candidate antigens. Expertise in porcine T cell immunology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in exploiting herpesviruses as vaccine vectors |
| Impact | not yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Evaluation of solid dose vaccines for livestock |
| Organisation | Enesi Pharma |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV and vaccine evaluation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in vaccine formulation |
| Impact | Multidisciplinary collaboration between formulation scientist and viral immunologists. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Evaluation of the efficacy of antiviral nanoparticles (AVNPs) against PRRSV |
| Organisation | University of Hertfordshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV and in vitro model to assess efficacy of AVNPs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in materials science |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of a Nipah virus neutralising monoclonal antibody |
| Organisation | Government of Canada |
| Department | Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Nipah virus immunology, vaccinology and antibody discovery. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in animal models of Nipah virus infection. |
| Impact | Work ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Evaluation of virus-imprinted polymers as synthetic neutralisng antibodies |
| Organisation | University of Central Lancashire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Model viruses and systems to evaluate the ability of molecularly-imprinted polymers to neutralise virus infectivity |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in molecularly-imprinted polymers |
| Impact | Wellcome Trust Seed Award |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Exploiting novel porcine macrophage cell lines and ASFV virulence factors |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My team has developed gene-deleted African swine fever viruses in order to study the role of these virus genes in virus replication and modulation of host responses. These gene-deleted viruses are also being evaluated as candidate live attenuated vaccines. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Plymouth provided novel porcine macrophage cell lines to evaluate their susceptibility to African swine fever virus (ASFV) replication and as tools for ASFV research, vaccine development and diagnosis. These cell lines are being further characterized and developed by our partners at University of Plymouth. |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary: Virology, Immunology, Cell biology, Vaccinology |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | FLU-Trailmap: Transmission and risk of avian influenza: learning more to advance preparedness |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This project brought together eight leading scientific organizations in the UK to develop strategies for mitigating bird flu. Its main objective is to devise tools that bridge significant knowledge gaps concerning the virus's prevalence in wild birds and the factors leading to its emergence in poultry. We are exploring molecular determinants potentially related to changes in virus virulence, antigenicity, cross-species transmission, and the capacity to infect humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provided field samples and sequence data of viruses isolated from disease outbreaks. This data was used to identify molecular determinants linked to virus phenotype changes. |
| Impact | At the frontline, ethnographic surveys were designed and implemented to understand farmers perceptions of farm biosecurity. Studies highlighted the need for an improved understanding of key biosecurity risk points and the implementation of effective biosecurity practices. Outputs showed that high quality facilities and management systems can be undermined by weaknesses in procedural compliance. As such, targeted farm worker education could help mitigate against future incursions which will be addressed in the follow-on research programme, FLUTRAILMAP. Recent work indicates that farm-to-farm spread is rare and that the virus is not spread long distances as an aerosol. Linked to biosecurity, virulence for poultry and the potential role of airborne spread of the virus was evaluated. Active sampling on infected premises across different hosts supported the experimental evaluation of pathogenesis and transmission (FLUMAP: Pathogenesis) by demonstrating that this virus is not spread long distances by the aerosol route (FLUMAP: Aerosol). Further, studies demonstrated that different bird species represent different risk levels for excretion of infectious material and potential transmission routes (FLUMAP: Gannets; FLUMAP: Environment; Pheasants). Ultimately, experimental, field and genetic data supported a lack of aerosol spread between premises. In support of this, genetic analysis of over 800 full bird flu virus genomes demonstrated that farm-to-farm spread was very rare with independent incursions from wild birds driving infection in poultry (FLUMAP: Genetics; Phylodynamics). Several genetic characteristics were identified that expanded our knowledge, explaining the explosive success of the current H5N1 bird flu viruses to spread fast and infect a greater range of bird species including a shift of infection dynamics to affect seabirds (FLUMAP: Infection dynamics) and via long distance and transatlantic spread (Transatlantic). These traits have contributed to the current H5N1 viruses having increased fitness across multiple species. Contemporary H5N1 viruses have enhanced fitness to infect, transmit and persist in birds, but remain of low risk to humans (FLUMAP: Characterization; Human Case). This project has defined a role for multiple virus genes which have switched and evolved over time to act together in a highly efficient manner. To better understand key species that may tolerate infection with this virus in the absence of clinical disease, sampling of hunter harvested wild birds was undertaken. Virus positive birds were detected in a small subset of Teal, Wigeon, and Pink-Footed Geese although carcasses were not available to evaluate the distribution of virus in these birds (Healthy birds). Further assessment of different avian species using this approach are planned. Gannet populations around the UK have been severely impacted by High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI), at Bass Rock the number of occupied nest sites decreased by over 70%. Linked to the detection of the virus in apparently healthy birds, interrogating survival from infection, and in particular the role of antibodies in birds that may have been infected, but survived infection was a key interest (FLUMAP: Gannets). FLUMAP has enabled the development of a suite of laboratory tools that will enable us to dissect the immune response in birds that may have been exposed to multiple and different influenza viruses in their lifetime. Tools are now available to dissect antibody responses to each of the two different viral surface proteins (both individually and in tandem). How these two different viral coat proteins interact with each other and what optimal protein combinations mean with respect to stability of interaction has also been assessed. These tools will enable a better understanding of how different key surface proteins drive immune responses and what that means where viruses emerge containing different coat proteins. The periodic switching of the neuraminidase (NA) protein (i.e., N8 to N1) is an important factor in influencing the emergence of new strains and the tools developed in FLUMAP will enable the impact of these genetic reassortment events to be assessed. Whilst further outputs are realised from the FLUMAP project, the follow-on project, FLUTRAILMAP, will enable the application of these data to this continually emerging global situation and will enable better prevention and mitigation approaches to be defined. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Factor H and influenza virus |
| Organisation | Brunel University London |
| Department | Brunel Arts |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our research team are hosting a PhD student from Brunel University to facilitate the investigation of any interaction between influenza virus and complement factor H. We are providing reagents, expertise in handling influenza virus and advice on the scientific hypothesis of the research programme. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Brunel university initiated the project and provided reagents including antibodies and methods for purification human co-factor H protein. They also provide funding for this PhD studentship. |
| Impact | No outcomes as yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Gene expression signatures in lungs after delivery of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies |
| Organisation | National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | In order to test candidate mAbs and delivery platforms, we have established a reproducible and robust pig influenza challenge model and identified a protective human HA1 specific mAb, 2-12C, which can be used as a standard to benchmark other mAb candidates and delivery platforms. We provided NIH with lung tissues from the 2-12C treated animals to analyse the gene signatures associated with protection |
| Collaborator Contribution | The NIH collaborators will test the gene expression in the lungs of 2-12C treated pigs and compare to mouse and ferret gene signatures. NIH team sequenced the virus after 2-12C treatment to determine if viral escape variants were generated. |
| Impact | Joint manuscript submitted |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Genetic mapping of vector competence in Culicoides sonorensis. |
| Organisation | EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The primary deliverable of this project will be the elucidation of the genetic basis of vector competence of C. sonorensis for bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV). It will also generate the first accurately annotated genome of a Culicoides species worldwide. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Horizon Discovery Ltd Cambridge Research Park, United Kingdom |
| Organisation | Horizon Discovery Group plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Verify IFITM knock-out cell by qPCR and immuno-blotting. Verification of further knock-out cell lines by DNA sequencing, immuno-blotting and qPCR Cell infection with Avian Influenza Viruses Assess the viral titre of cells infected with Influenza Viruses in K/O and wildtype cells. Quantitative analysis of viral infection in IFITM K/O cells Demonstrate increased AIV viral titres at lab scale and estimation of what this may equate to with respect to vaccine dose yields. Analysis of IFITM K/O cell lines permissivity to a range of additional animal viruses (Relevant to the LVIF). Milestone 7: Demonstrate permissivity increased and viral titres for a range of LVIF relevant viruses in the edited cell lines. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Develop a CRISPR/cas9 gene editing system to specifically target the chIFITM locus in avian cell culture |
| Impact | Grant funding |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | ILRI Research Collaboration (Kenya, March 2017) |
| Organisation | International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of ideas and samples for indigenous breeds of livestock |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed samples for analysis. |
| Impact | Analysis of indigenous breed genomic sequences for Immune function genes. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Identification of conserved B-cell epitopes of highly pathogenic coronaviruses for broadspectrum immunotherapy and vaccine design. |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed experiments to generate preliminary data for a collaborative grant application, contributed to the writing of the grant proposal and responded to reviewers comments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | My collaborators have performed experiments to generate preliminary data for a collaborative grant application, contributed to the writing of the grant proposal and responded to reviewers comments. |
| Impact | Submission of proposal entitled "Identification of conserved B-cell epitopes of highly pathogenic coronaviruses for broadspectrum immunotherapy and vaccine design" to the "One Health Approaches to Accelerate Vaccine Development" call that forms part of the UK government's commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in October 2017. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Identification of conserved B-cell epitopes of highly pathogenic coronaviruses for broadspectrum immunotherapy and vaccine design. |
| Organisation | University of Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed experiments to generate preliminary data for a collaborative grant application, contributed to the writing of the grant proposal and responded to reviewers comments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | My collaborators have performed experiments to generate preliminary data for a collaborative grant application, contributed to the writing of the grant proposal and responded to reviewers comments. |
| Impact | Submission of proposal entitled "Identification of conserved B-cell epitopes of highly pathogenic coronaviruses for broadspectrum immunotherapy and vaccine design" to the "One Health Approaches to Accelerate Vaccine Development" call that forms part of the UK government's commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in October 2017. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Identification of genetic markers in the haemagglutinin glycoprotein critical for antigenic activity of H9N2 avian influenza viruses. |
| Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | d provision of reagents and virus samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Technical training to PhD students and use of research facilities |
| Impact | (1) Talk: Avian influenza virus evolution: immune escape, increase in zoonotic potential and fitness in poultry. Presented at "Prevention and Control Techniques for Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry", 27th 29th August 2017, Beijing, China. (2) Impact of avian influenza virus evolution on antigenicity and zoonotic infection potential. Presented at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, Pakistan on 23rd August 2017. (3). Molecular determinants of H9N2 avian influenza virus influencing antigenicity and receptor binding. Presented at CERAD (Centre of Excellence for Research on Avian Diseases), 3rd Symposium Recent Advances in Avian Disease Research. 31st August - 1st September 2017 at the Harbour Hotel, Alexandra Terrace, Guildford, Surrey, UK. (4) Overview of ongoing research on Poultry diseases in United Kingdom. Presented as at International poultry Stakeholders work on poultry biosecurity in Sri Lanka from 26th February to 3rd March 2017. (5). Evolutionary fitness of avian influenza viruses and development of improved vaccines and diagnostics. Presented as invited seminar speaker at RVC (Hawkshead Campus), UK. 19th October 2016. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Identification of genetic markers in the haemagglutinin glycoprotein critical for antigenic activity of H9N2 avian influenza viruses. |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Section of Virology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | d provision of reagents and virus samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Technical training to PhD students and use of research facilities |
| Impact | (1) Talk: Avian influenza virus evolution: immune escape, increase in zoonotic potential and fitness in poultry. Presented at "Prevention and Control Techniques for Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry", 27th 29th August 2017, Beijing, China. (2) Impact of avian influenza virus evolution on antigenicity and zoonotic infection potential. Presented at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, Pakistan on 23rd August 2017. (3). Molecular determinants of H9N2 avian influenza virus influencing antigenicity and receptor binding. Presented at CERAD (Centre of Excellence for Research on Avian Diseases), 3rd Symposium Recent Advances in Avian Disease Research. 31st August - 1st September 2017 at the Harbour Hotel, Alexandra Terrace, Guildford, Surrey, UK. (4) Overview of ongoing research on Poultry diseases in United Kingdom. Presented as at International poultry Stakeholders work on poultry biosecurity in Sri Lanka from 26th February to 3rd March 2017. (5). Evolutionary fitness of avian influenza viruses and development of improved vaccines and diagnostics. Presented as invited seminar speaker at RVC (Hawkshead Campus), UK. 19th October 2016. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Identification of sows with antibodies broadly neutralising PRRSV |
| Organisation | University of Lleida |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV immunology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to large numbers of sows routinely vaccinated and exposed to PRRSV |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Immunogenicity study of the matrix 2 ectodomain (M2e) proteins of the avian influenza viruses displayed on nodavirus-like particles. |
| Organisation | Putra Malaysia University |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | provided training and protocols for the development of subunit vaccines against avian influenza viruses |
| Collaborator Contribution | increased interaction with partners and exchange of data on field outbreaks |
| Impact | Joint publication entitled: Virus-like particle vaccines: A prospective panacea against an avian influenza panzootic. Vaccines 8 (4), 694 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influenza and co-factor H protein |
| Organisation | Leibniz Association |
| Department | Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are screening influenza virus interaction with co-factor H proteins to determine the interaction interface. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Christine Skerka has provided fragment factor H peptides to facilitate our mapping studies of the interaction surface with influenza viruses. |
| Impact | No outcomes as yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Interferon stimulated genes |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Hosted meetings and carried out preliminary experiments |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed reagents and expertise |
| Impact | Preliminary data was used to support an MSc project. This has since led to a publication and a PhD project. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Investigating antigenic determinants inducing stronger and broader cross-protective immunity among H5 avian influenza viruses |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Department | Veterinary Basic Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The overarching aims of the proposed research are to improve controls against H5 subtype of avian influenza viruses infecting poultry by investigating underlying mechanisms that define how vaccines renders effectiveness and develop novel approaches enhancing the effectiveness of H5 avian influenza vaccines. We recently generated a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognise a variety of different clades of H5 viruses. Propagation of AIV in eggs or cultured cells together with mAbs drives virus to escape from mAbs neutralisation activity. These classical virus neutralization assays (VN) followed by HA gene sequence analysis allowed us to defined the role of amino acid substitutions that are associated with evasion of antibody neutralization through emergence of antigenic variants and failure of vaccine efficacy. |
| Collaborator Contribution | provided intellectual input for achieving prescribed objectives of this work. |
| Impact | Talk entitled "Molecular determinants for antigenicity and vaccine efficacy of avian influenza viruses" was presented at Newton Agham Researcher Links Workshop " Novel Vaccines and Diagnostic Technologies against Emerging and re-emerging Veterinary Pathogens" at Rizal Park Hotel, Manila, Philippines, 4-7 February 2019. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Investigating antigenic determinants inducing stronger and broader cross-protective immunity among H5 avian influenza viruses. |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We developed research programme to characterise diversity of antigenic epitopes induce protective immunity in chickens against H5 subtypes of avian influenza viruses. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborating partner Dr Nicola Lewis at Royal Veterinary College provide advise to on cartography programme to visualize the antigenic similarity or difference among different strains of influenza viruses. |
| Impact | The work under this collaborative determined the antigenic differences among different clades of H5 avian influenza viruses circulating in birds. This project is multi-disciplinary. our laboratory mainly work on virology and immunology part of the project and we seek help on computer modeling part from the collaborating partner Dr Nicola Lewis. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Investigating the role of the SH protein of RSV in the duration of immunity |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Department of Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provided initial data supporting the hypothesis that the small hydrophobic protein of bovine respiratory syncytial virus regulates the host's immune response by modulating the transcription factors NF-kB and STAT1 in bovine cells |
| Collaborator Contribution | Based on our results, Imperial has began investigating the role of the small hydrophobic protein of human respiratory syncytial virus on human cells. |
| Impact | Publication in progress titled "Regulation of the B cell activating factor BAFF by the small hydrophobic protein of respiratory syncytial virus". |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | JS - Production of monoclonal antibodies that recognise FMDV VP4 from mouse spleens |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | VLPs displaying the N-terminal 15 amino acids of FMDV were designed and produced at The Pirbright Institute and then mice were immunised with them. The spleens of the immunised mice were harvested and splenocytes stored. The response to the VP4 sequence was checked by ELISA and the mouse with the best response was selected to send the splenocytes for monoclonal production. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators took the splenocytes obtained from the mouse experiments and carried out the fusions. They then screened the supernatants for positive wells that detected the VP4 sequence. |
| Impact | Positive wells have been identified indicating some monoclonals that are specific for VP4 have been generated. These will be further screened for ability to recognise virus and to neutralise infection. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Janet Daly & Stephen Dunham- PI3K pathway and influenza |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Department | School of Veterinary Medicine and Science Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Preliminary data was produced by Pirbright using reverse genetics of avian influenza viruses to secure a 50:50 funded PhD studentship that will commence in October 2020 entitled "Understanding the importance of the PI3K pathway in modulating influenza virus replication in chickens and ducks". |
| Collaborator Contribution | Preliminary data was produced by University of Nottingham using PI3K p85 subunit pulldowns to secure a 50:50 funded PhD studentship that will commence in October 2020 entitled "Understanding the importance of the PI3K pathway in modulating influenza virus replication in chickens and ducks". |
| Impact | Funding for a PhD studentship entitled "Understanding the importance of the PI3K pathway in modulating influenza virus replication in chickens and ducks". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Molecular epidemiology of H9N2 avian influenza viruses in Vietnam and Pakistan. |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of technical ideas, reagents and samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of field samples and data on avian influenza infection in poultry. This diseases is endemic in poultry in Pakistan. |
| Impact | (1) Increased receptor binding avidity of H9N2 avian influenza viruses is associated with escape from antibody based immunity and enhanced zoonotic potential. presented by Joshua Sealy at GARAD and ZELS conferences in Haneoi, Vietnam from 17-27 January 2018. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Molecular epidemiology of H9N2 avian influenza viruses in Vietnam and Pakistan. |
| Organisation | University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences |
| Department | Department of Microbiology |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of technical ideas, reagents and samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of field samples and data on avian influenza infection in poultry. This diseases is endemic in poultry in Pakistan. |
| Impact | (1) Increased receptor binding avidity of H9N2 avian influenza viruses is associated with escape from antibody based immunity and enhanced zoonotic potential. presented by Joshua Sealy at GARAD and ZELS conferences in Haneoi, Vietnam from 17-27 January 2018. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Morphological differences of Influenza A viruses |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of research methods and reagents |
| Collaborator Contribution | (1) Exchange of reagents and Research methods.(2) training of PhD students and Postdoctoral Scientists (3) use of research facilities |
| Impact | Research output were presented at Avian Influenza A virus budding morphology: spherical or filamentous? presented at The European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI) Riga, Latvia. 10 to 13 September 2017 (2) .Budding morphology of avian influenza A viruses. Microbiology Society, annual Conference 2017, 306 April, EICC, Edinburggh, UK |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Mucosally Associated Invariant T cells (MAIT) in pig influenza model |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Identified MAIT cells in pig Influenza model. Provide samples from infected and immunised protected animals |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide expertise in characterising MAIT: development of tetramer; Zell scanner technology allowing high resolution studies of cell phenotype and functions |
| Impact | Joint PhD studentship with Paul Klenerman, University of Oxford |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Nanoparticulate antigen delivery systems |
| Organisation | University College Hospital |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in disease models, vaccine antigens and immune response evaluation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in nanoparticulate formulations |
| Impact | Several joint publications |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Next-generation PRRSV vaccines |
| Organisation | Eco Animal Health Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Know how in terms of genetically manipulating PRRSV and evaluating PRRSV vaccines. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Financial contribution and know how in terms of developing a commercial vaccine. |
| Impact | Too early. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Next-generation PRRSV vaccines |
| Organisation | Huvepharma |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRSV virology and immunology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding |
| Impact | Too early, project ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Novel PRRS and swine influenza vaccines |
| Organisation | National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) |
| Country | Thailand |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in PRRS immunology and vaccine evaluation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Novel vaccine strains and SE Asian field strains |
| Impact | Collaborative grant proposal funded under the BBSRC Newton Fund UK-China-Philippines-Thailand Swine and Poultry Research Initiative |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | PARTNERSHIP: Nanoparticle Vaccines Against Emerging Poultry Infections |
| Organisation | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Department | Department of Pathobiological Sciences |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We established a joint project with School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. My team will contribute in the development of Novel Target antigen delivery vaccines that selectively delivers antigens to the chicken immune cells and induces faster and stronger immune responses in vaccinated chickens. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partner developed a novel DNA nano-vaccine platform. This partnership will merge both technologies to enhance both the potency and delivery systems for poultry vaccines. |
| Impact | The partnership submitted a joint research grant proposal to USDA-NIFA-AFRI (Program A1181 Agricultural Biosecurity) entitled "Partnership: Nanoparticle Vaccines Against Emerging Poultry Infections". This grant proposal has been approved by the funders. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | PRRS and Influenza co-nfection studies |
| Organisation | Government of Thailand |
| Department | National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) |
| Country | Thailand |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The Pirbright team of 4 scientists with expertise in immunology and animal care visited Thailand in July 2018 to train Thai colleagues to perform animal experiments (Chiang Mai) and analyse immune responses by ELISPOT and Flow cytometry (Bangkok). This provided Thailand with trained personnel and expertise in testing vaccines in pigs. As a result of the joint work, the Chiang Mai animal facility is currently being renovated. Development of such an animal facility will promote the production and testing of more vaccines by Thai scientists. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our Thai colleagues provided us with local Thai PRRS and Influenza virus strains which we use in our co-infection studies. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Partnering with National Taiwan University |
| Organisation | National Taiwan University |
| Country | Taiwan, Province of China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have prepared and submitted an application for a BBSRC-Taiwan Partnering Award to study "Assembly of Recombinant Infectious Bronchitis Virus and Determination of Antigenic Sites that Confer Hemagglutination Activity". |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners conceived the project and got in contact about submitting an application for funding together. |
| Impact | An application has been made for a BBSRC-Taiwan Partnering Award in November 2018. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Paul Digard - The Roslin Insititute |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We generated constructs that express PB1-F2 from a variety of avian influenza strains in eukaryotic expression plasmids. We generated Chimera PB1-F2 expression plasmids where the C-terminus of the PB1-F2 are switched between strains. Using these plasmids we have determined the localization and antagonist activity toward the IFN beta signaling pathway and NF-kb signaling pathway in human and chicken cells. We have therefore provided reagents and intellectual input to the collaboration. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have used these plasmids in there well defined stability assays to determine sequence specific effects on this characteristic. Intellectual input and expertise in a particular assay were made by these collaborators. |
| Impact | We have successfully published some of this work; "The cellular localization of avian influenza virus PB1-F2 protein alters the magnitude of IFN2 promoter and NF?B-dependent promoter antagonism in chicken cells." doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001220. We have an ongoing joint PhD studentship in this area. This collaboration remains current and active. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Policy advice to DEFRA (JH) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Reviewed outline policy to be proposed to government. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Reviewed outline policy to be proposed to government. |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Pre-exposure influenza model and effect of routes of immunization on vaccine efficacy |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Nuffield Department of Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have developed the pre-exposure swine influenza model, the expertise to target different parts of the respiratory tract and the tools to assess the local and systemic immune responses. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The team of Professor Sarah Gilbert provided the viral vectored vaccines expressing influenza nucleoprotein, matrix protein and neuraminidase. |
| Impact | We have established a pre-exposure influenza pig challenge model, which closely mimics the situation in humans, who are commonly exposed to different influenza viruses. We showed that ChAdOx NP-M1-NA induces immune response in the face of pre-existing immunity , which is highly relevant to the situation in pigs and human where many vaccinees are pre-exposed to respiratory infections. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Professor Benedikt Kaufer |
| Organisation | Free University of Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Providing knowledge and methodologies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing reagents and methodologies to perform experiments. |
| Impact | Two publications from this collaboration: Gurung A, Kamble N, Kaufer BB, Pathan A, Shahriar Behboudi. Association of Marek's Disease induced immunosuppression with activation of a novel regulatory T cells in chickens, PLoS Pathogens, 2017, 13 (12), e1006745. Boodhoo N, Kamble N, Kaufer BB, Shahriar Behboudi. Replication of Marek's disease virus is dependent on de novo synthesis of fatty acid and Prostaglandin E2. J Virol. 2019 Apr 10 |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Professor Helen Sang,The Roslin Institute - GFP1-10 expressing transgenic chickens |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have developed IBDV tagged to GFP11 |
| Collaborator Contribution | Helen Sang's group at the Roslin Institute have developed transcgenic chicken lines that constitutively express GFP1-10 in every cell. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Grant Ref: BB/S014594/1) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Professor Jim Kaufman |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided information on CD4 T cell epitopes derived from Marek's disease virus |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided knowledge and information on assessing peptide binding to chicken MHC molecules |
| Impact | Generation of data leading to understanding correlate of protection against Marek's disease virus. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Professor Oliver Pybus, University of Oxford / Royal Veterinary College - IBDV-like viruses in wild bird populations |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My group will characterise the immunosuppressive potential of IBDV-like viruses from wild bird populations |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oliver Pybus' group have screened a wild bird population by metagenomics shotgun sequencing to determine the prevalence of IBDV-like viruses and correlate their presence with the abundance and diversity of viral sequences identified for other viruses. |
| Impact | we have been successful in obtaining funding (Grant Ref: BB/T008806/1) |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Professor Shayan Sharif, University of Guelph, Canada |
| Organisation | University of Guelph |
| Department | Department of Pathobiology |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration between my team and Professor Sharif lead to new finding in Avian immunology, specifically in understanding the effects of nutrients on antigen presenting cells and T cells of chicken. We took the lead in studying the effects of some nutrients (Vitamin D) on the function of chicken T cells, performed most of the experiments in our laboratory. Meanwhile, we participated in studying the effects of Vitamin D on antigen presenting cells of chicken by performing some key experiments because we had access to some specific reagents (monoclonal antibodies) recognizing molecules expressed on chicken antigen presenting cells. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Sharif team took the lead in studying the effects of Vitamin D on antigen presenting cells of chicken, and contributed to experimental plan for studying the effects on chicken T cells. |
| Impact | Two publications in 2015 and 2016: 1. Nitish Boodhoo, Shayan Sharif, Shahriar Behboudi. 1a,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3 Modulates Avian T Lymphocyte Functions without Inducing CTL Unresponsiveness. PLoS One. 2016 Feb 24;11(2):e0150134 2. Bahram Shojadoost, Shahriar Behboudi, Villanueva AI, Jennifer Brisbin, Ali Ashkar, Shayan Sharif. Vitamin D3 modulates the function of chicken macrophages. Res. Vet. Sci. 2015 June, 100: 45-51 |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Provision of PRRSV field strains |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Experimental heterologous PRRSV challenge model to assess the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies. Model to assess dendritic cell tropism of PRRS viruses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of PRRSV-1 and -2 field strains |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Provision of PRRSV field strains |
| Organisation | Kansas State University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Experimental heterologous PRRSV challenge model to assess the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies. Model to assess dendritic cell tropism of PRRS viruses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of PRRSV-1 and -2 field strains |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Pseudoparticles of influenza for interaction studies with co-factor H |
| Organisation | University of Kent |
| Department | Medway School of Pharmacy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We have screened the interaction between influenza pseudotype particles that only contain the surface HA protein from influenza viruses for interaction with human co-factor H protein. We have screen pseudotype particles of multiple influenza subtypes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nigel Temperton of the viral Pseudotype Unit at the School of Pharmacy provided influenza virus pseudotype particles of multiple subtypes to allow us to screen for interaction with co-factor H protein. |
| Impact | No outcomes yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Re-annotation of Marek's Disease Virus |
| Organisation | U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA |
| Department | Beltsville Agricultural Research Center |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are using bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput sequencing data in order to provide a better annotation of the genome of Marek's Disease Virus |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners are sharing their extensive expertise of the genomics of MDV, and performing experimental validations |
| Impact | No output yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Reporter PRRS viruses |
| Organisation | Kansas State University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A new application for recombinant reporter PRRS viruses i.e. to use them as a high throughput screen for neutralizing (monoclonal) antibodies. Use as tools to assess the tropism of PRRSV for dendritic cell subsets and the functional consequences. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of plasmids encoding GFP-expressing PRRSV-1 and -2. |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Research Collaboration with Nigeria (23rd - 28th January 2017) |
| Organisation | University of Nigeria |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Analysis of rare breed indigenous chicken in Nigeria. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Helped with sampling and background information of the breed. |
| Impact | Analysis is ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Retroviral-mediated genetic programming of porcine memory B cells |
| Organisation | AIMM Therapeutics |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Provided a novel 'model' system to test their technology to isolate novel monoclonal antibodies |
| Collaborator Contribution | To provide their patented platform technology to genetically program porcine memory B cells to enable the isolation of memory B cells |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Suresh Kuchipudi and Janet Daly |
| Organisation | Penn State University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have hosted a co-supervised PhD student twice at The Pirbright Institute. During these visits we have helped with viral infection of primary cells for analysis of PI3K pathway perturbations and generated new GM influenza viruses to help to understand if the difference in PI3K pathway activity observed between two different avian influenza viruses in avian cells was a result of difference in the NS1 protein. In addition we have provided support to the student regarding the future directions of the project and writing up and presentation of the material. Therefore we have provided reagents, practical expertise and intellectual input. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have provided access to data generated in their laboratories and intellectual input to the project. |
| Impact | Publication: doi: 10.1038/srep17999 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Suresh Kuchipudi and Janet Daly |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Department | School of Veterinary Medicine and Science Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have hosted a co-supervised PhD student twice at The Pirbright Institute. During these visits we have helped with viral infection of primary cells for analysis of PI3K pathway perturbations and generated new GM influenza viruses to help to understand if the difference in PI3K pathway activity observed between two different avian influenza viruses in avian cells was a result of difference in the NS1 protein. In addition we have provided support to the student regarding the future directions of the project and writing up and presentation of the material. Therefore we have provided reagents, practical expertise and intellectual input. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have provided access to data generated in their laboratories and intellectual input to the project. |
| Impact | Publication: doi: 10.1038/srep17999 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Swine haplotyping |
| Organisation | Gift of Life Michigan |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Prepared and shipped samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sample analysis |
| Impact | Data generation. Not multi-disciplinary |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | T folicullar helper cells in the pig influenza model |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Nuffield Department of Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provide material from influenza infected/vaccinated protected and unprotected animals. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Seph Borrow from Oxford University provide antibodies and advice as to how to identify and charcterise the TFH cells. |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Taiwan Partnering |
| Organisation | Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica |
| Country | Taiwan, Province of China |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | My Team provide expertise and licensed facility in High Containment to study African swine fever virus biology, diagnosis and vaccines |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Taiwan Team bring expertise in virus entry mechanisms, Vaccinia virus, protein expression |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary: Virology, cell biology, immunology |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Test of broadly neutralising antibodies in pig influenza model |
| Organisation | Humabs Biomed SA |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Tested the therapeutic use of broadly neutralizing antibodies in pig influenza model |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided the antibodies |
| Impact | Manuscript published |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | The GCRF One Health Poultry Hub |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The focus of the research is to achieve sustainable global intensification of poultry meat and egg production whilst reducing risks to human and animal health and welfare. We are undertaking research to investigate the diversity of avian influenza viruses prevalent in poultry and wild birds in south east Asia. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Royal Veterinary College, London is leading this GCRF One Health Poultry Hub. The project will address the need to meet rising demand for poultry meat and eggs in developing countries, while minimising risk to international public health. Population growth is driving global demand for poultry, meat and egg production; this unfortunately creates conditions in which animal diseases can spread to humans ('zoonoses'). These include bacterial food poisoning and strains with avian influenza with epidemic or pandemic potential. The GCRF One Health Poultry Hub will adopt a 'One Health' approach to the issue of combatting animal-to-human diseases by bringing together a team of laboratory, clinical, veterinary and social scientists. This team will test and evaluate novel interventions. The need for safe poultry production is most urgent in South and South East Asia, so the RVC and its partners will then use their local networks in these regions to put its positive research to immediate use. |
| Impact | Development of international interdisciplinary partnership of 55 investigators from 13 countries to address the emerging global challenges of food security and public health associated with intensification of poultry production. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | The Pirbright "Livestock Antibody Hub" funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Me and my team established collaboration in the "Livestock Antibody Hub" funded ($5.5 million) by the from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Focus of our partnership is to develop techniques and capacity to analyse immune cells (B cells) of cattle, poultry and pigs that produce virus neutralizing antibodies. This research will support rational development of next generation of vaccines and to explore antibody-based passive immunization approaches for treatment and prophylaxis of infectious viral diseases affecting livestock and humans. Our initial focus is to target major animal viral pathogens that cause severe losses within Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) animal production systems including avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a collaborative project and partners are providing help in provision of reagents and techniques for analysis of diversity of B cells repertoire that produce infleunza virus-specific antibodies, single cell sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. This project will further strengthen our on-going research collaborations with many research groups in academia as well as with animal health industry (Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Merck, CEVA, Jovac, YeBio, ILRI, Galvmed, The Roslin Institute, HuMabs, AbCellera and Distributed Bio) to take the research outputs from laboratory to the field. The outputs of research will be improved vaccines and diagnostics enabling to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on farm animals, which offer substantial direct and indirect economic, public health, environmental and social benefits to the UK and rest of the world. |
| Impact | Development of passive immunization approaches against avian influenza viruses affecting poultry (project incited in January 2020). |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | The effect of the microbiota on immunity to swine infleunza |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We wish to establish the gut and nasal microbiome in normal healthy pigs and how this is affected by influenza infection. We have collected gut samples from pigs at different stages of infection, as well as nasal swabs which we will provide to our collaborators in Surrey. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators in Surrey will perform the sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to determine the microbial communities present in the samples. |
| Impact | No outcomes yet - we are in the process of analysing the samples. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | The role of segment 3 in H9N2 avian influenza virus pathogenicity |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | The Roslin Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is a Joint studentship project funded by The Pirbright Institute and The Roslin Institute. We identiifed molecular markers that are responsible for increase in virus pathogenicity and transmission. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Roslin Institute contributed both intellectually and by proving research training, samples and regents to achieve the prescribed objectives this project. |
| Impact | 1. Oral Presentation Title: Identification of segment 3 sequence polymorphisms which alter shut off activity and pathogenicity of H9N2 avian influenza viruses in vivo. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Paul Digard and Munir Iqbal. Global Alliance for Research Into Avian Diseases (GARAD). January 17th to 19th 2018. Fortuna Hotel, Lang Ha Street, Hanoi, VietNam 2. Poster title: What is the role of H9N2 avian influenza virus PA-X within an avian model?. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Paul Digard & Munir Iqbal. UK- China CERAD (Centre of Excellence for Research on Avian Diseases), 3rd Symposium Recent Advances in Avian Disease Research. August 31st - 1st September 2017. The Harbour Hotel, Alexandra Terrace, Guildford, Surrey, UK. 3. Poster title: What is the role of H9N2 avian influenza virus PA-X within an avian model?. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Paul Digard & Munir Iqbal. Microbiology Society Annual Conference. April 3rd-6th 2017. Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), Edinburgh, UK. 4. Oral Presentation title: Identification of sequence polymorphisms in segment 3 of H9N2 avian influenza viruses that affect PA-X activity. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Paul Digard & Munir Iqbal. Focused Meeting 2016: Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of Avian Viruses. September 27th-29th 2016. Charles Darwin House, London, UK. 5. Oral Presentation title: The role of segment 3 in H9N2 avian influenza virus pathogenicity. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Munir Iqbal & Paul Digard. UK -Taiwan BBSRC Partnering Award workshop: Improving Control of influenza viruses. 26th-27th April 2016. Taipei, Taiwan. 6. Oral Presentation title: Identification of sequence polymorphisms in segment 3 of H9N2 avian influenza viruses that affect PA-X activity. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Munir Iqbal & Paul Digard. Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2016; virus Workshop: Negative strand RNA Viruses. 21st-24th March 2016. Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool, UK. 7. Poster title: The role of segment 3 in H9N2 influenza virus pathogenicity. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Munir Iqbal & Paul Digard. 7th Orthomyxovirus research conference. 16th-18th September 2015. Ecole Nationale Veterinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France. 8. Poster title: The role of segment 3 in H9N2 influenza virus pathogenicity. Anabel Clements, Saira Hussain, Holly Shelton, Munir Iqbal & Paul Digard. Edinburgh Infectious Diseases Annual Symposium. 20th May 2015. Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, UK. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | TrailMap-One Health |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b is panzootic in birds. Its widespread geographical distribution, sheer numbers of infections and frequent incursions in mammals indicate it to be a virus with pandemic potential. We are working as a consortium to achieve a coordinated in-depth risk assessment of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses particularly zoonotic potential of the current clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborating partners are jointly providing data and samples necessary for evaluating the threat posed by H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) to human health. This effort aims to understand the risks, potential spillover routes into humans, the virus's capacity to adapt for human transmission, and the probable severity of human infections should they occur. We will meet these objectives through three interconnected work packages: (1) assessing the infection likelihood in non-human mammals that could serve as bridging species, (2) evaluating the risk of direct or adapted virus spillover infections in humans, and (3) examining the potential for Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses to become transmissible among humans. |
| Impact | The work is currently in its initial stages, with anticipated outcomes expected by the end of this current year, 2024/2025. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | USDA Culicoides |
| Organisation | U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA |
| Department | National Animal Disease Center |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Combined data for Culicoides genome project to enable publication in high impact journal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Transcriptomics data for vector competence analysis and genome build. |
| Impact | Combined data for Culicoides genome project to enable publication in high impact journal. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Understanding animal health threats from emerging H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This is a collaborative research project funded by the UKRI-BBSRC to understand how the high pathogenicity Avian Influenza virus (H5N1) persisting in different species of wild birds and transmits from wild birds to farmed poultry, the gaps in biosecurity that allow the virus to penetrate premises, and how this could be addressed. My team contributing by by generating research reagents (such as viruses generated using reverse genetic technique) that allows the identification of molecular markers in the virus genes responsible for virus virulence, transmission and/or antigenic change. The data generated helped the partners to utilise the viruses and reagents for testing their biological behaviors ( such as infectivity and transmission parameters) via animal infection studies. The outcome of this collaborative work will provide insights for assessing threats from new and emerging strains, enabling national and international agencies to design and execute contingencies as part of risk mitigation and disease control. This will provide vital information when considering how to invest scarce resources for surveillance design aimed at early warning of the threat. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration enhance both the capacity of my team by providing field data ( such as sequences of viruses isolated from the field) and reagents such as post-infection antiserum containing antibodies specific to the field virus. This allowed the investigation of field virus antigenic profiles that can be used for selection of candidate vaccine seeds for the production of effective vaccines. |
| Impact | The data generated provided a risk assessment of contemporary H5Nx HPAIVs that are acquiring adaptive changes to increase fitness within domestic and wild avian populations. This partnership identified viral and host factors that potentially contribute to increased transmissibility, persistence, and pathogenicity in wild birds and those that enhance their potential to disseminate and manifest disease in poultry. We identified genetic changes that drive the virological, immunological, and zoonotic infection potential of these H5N1 viruses. The data generated allowed us an establishment of current and future risks from these viruses to both animals and humans if they continue to remain prevalent in wild bird populations. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry |
| Organisation | Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Undertake joint research work to investigate to identify the molecular determinants that are critical for enhancing potency and efficacy of vaccines, as well as those that are associated with heightened zoonotic risk. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples, reagents and research facilities |
| Impact | Published joint paper (1)ian Xu, Xixi Zhang, Shuanghai Zhou, Junjun Shen,Dawei Yang, Jing Wu, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua E. Sealy, Munir Iqbal&Yongqing Li (2017). A DNA aptamer efficiently inhibits the infectivity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 by blocking viral entry. Scientific Reports. 7: 11796. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10070-1. (2) Jian Xu, Jing Wu, Houjun He, Junjun Shena, Dawei Yang, Xixi Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua Sealy, Munir Iqbal & Yongqing Li (2017). Bovine single chain Fv antibody inhibits bovine herpesvirus-1 infectivity by targeting viral glycoprotein D. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8566-0. (2) |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry |
| Organisation | China Agricultural University (CAU) |
| Department | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Undertake joint research work to investigate to identify the molecular determinants that are critical for enhancing potency and efficacy of vaccines, as well as those that are associated with heightened zoonotic risk. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples, reagents and research facilities |
| Impact | Published joint paper (1)ian Xu, Xixi Zhang, Shuanghai Zhou, Junjun Shen,Dawei Yang, Jing Wu, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua E. Sealy, Munir Iqbal&Yongqing Li (2017). A DNA aptamer efficiently inhibits the infectivity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 by blocking viral entry. Scientific Reports. 7: 11796. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10070-1. (2) Jian Xu, Jing Wu, Houjun He, Junjun Shena, Dawei Yang, Xixi Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua Sealy, Munir Iqbal & Yongqing Li (2017). Bovine single chain Fv antibody inhibits bovine herpesvirus-1 infectivity by targeting viral glycoprotein D. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8566-0. (2) |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry |
| Organisation | Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Undertake joint research work to investigate to identify the molecular determinants that are critical for enhancing potency and efficacy of vaccines, as well as those that are associated with heightened zoonotic risk. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples, reagents and research facilities |
| Impact | Published joint paper (1)ian Xu, Xixi Zhang, Shuanghai Zhou, Junjun Shen,Dawei Yang, Jing Wu, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua E. Sealy, Munir Iqbal&Yongqing Li (2017). A DNA aptamer efficiently inhibits the infectivity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 by blocking viral entry. Scientific Reports. 7: 11796. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10070-1. (2) Jian Xu, Jing Wu, Houjun He, Junjun Shena, Dawei Yang, Xixi Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua Sealy, Munir Iqbal & Yongqing Li (2017). Bovine single chain Fv antibody inhibits bovine herpesvirus-1 infectivity by targeting viral glycoprotein D. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8566-0. (2) |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry |
| Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Undertake joint research work to investigate to identify the molecular determinants that are critical for enhancing potency and efficacy of vaccines, as well as those that are associated with heightened zoonotic risk. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples, reagents and research facilities |
| Impact | Published joint paper (1)ian Xu, Xixi Zhang, Shuanghai Zhou, Junjun Shen,Dawei Yang, Jing Wu, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua E. Sealy, Munir Iqbal&Yongqing Li (2017). A DNA aptamer efficiently inhibits the infectivity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 by blocking viral entry. Scientific Reports. 7: 11796. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10070-1. (2) Jian Xu, Jing Wu, Houjun He, Junjun Shena, Dawei Yang, Xixi Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua Sealy, Munir Iqbal & Yongqing Li (2017). Bovine single chain Fv antibody inhibits bovine herpesvirus-1 infectivity by targeting viral glycoprotein D. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8566-0. (2) |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding antigenic diversity, zoonotic potential and immunological prevention of avian influenza viruses affecting poultry |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Department | Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Undertake joint research work to investigate to identify the molecular determinants that are critical for enhancing potency and efficacy of vaccines, as well as those that are associated with heightened zoonotic risk. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples, reagents and research facilities |
| Impact | Published joint paper (1)ian Xu, Xixi Zhang, Shuanghai Zhou, Junjun Shen,Dawei Yang, Jing Wu, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua E. Sealy, Munir Iqbal&Yongqing Li (2017). A DNA aptamer efficiently inhibits the infectivity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 by blocking viral entry. Scientific Reports. 7: 11796. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10070-1. (2) Jian Xu, Jing Wu, Houjun He, Junjun Shena, Dawei Yang, Xixi Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Meiling Li, Xiufen Huang, Joshua Sealy, Munir Iqbal & Yongqing Li (2017). Bovine single chain Fv antibody inhibits bovine herpesvirus-1 infectivity by targeting viral glycoprotein D. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8566-0. (2) |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | Agricultural Research Centre |
| Department | Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute |
| Country | Egypt |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | MSk Lab |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | Suez Canal University |
| Country | Egypt |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | University of Tokyo |
| Department | International Research Center for Infectious Diseases |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding diversity of avian influenza viruses and improvement disease control in poultry and humans |
| Organisation | Zagazig University |
| Country | Egypt |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project helped my research group to establish research collboration between the Pirbright Institute and the scientists at the collaborating laboratories listed above and an excellent opportunity for building a joint "ONE HEALTH" platfor. I am sharing knowledge, reagents and techniques to improve efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tools against avian influenza viruses. The easy availability of better control tools against avian influenza viruses will aid in the reduction of poultry production losses and thus be important for global food security and improved animal welfare whilst also reducing zoonotic transmission to humans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each collaborating institute and team member has specific expertise and facilities in areas relevant to this research programme. Collaborators in different institutions have extensive experience collecting field samples and implementing vaccination and large scale surveillance programmes. Each partner institutions have unique experience in monitoring the endemic prevalence of many animal diseases including avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds from which UK is under constant threat. The partners are sharing knowledge, expertise and facilities to investigate fundamental biology of influenza viruses and predict their epidemiological relevance, to assess potential risks and to devise appropriate intervention strategies. The knowledge, reagents and field samples will be available through this partnership. which will be essential for development of informed control policies and tools(vaccines and diagnostics) that may contribute to reducing the ever increasing threat from endemic, emerging and re-emerging influenza virus variants posing risk to animals and humans. Also, All researchers involved will benefit through ongoing professional development and advanced training in new technologies and new systems-level approaches to disease management. Exchange visits of researchers from collaborating laboratories to undertake training in a number of disciplines including disease surveillance, molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics will have a tangible impact on capacity building and training of next generation researchers in control of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. |
| Impact | The ultimate aims of this collaboration are to reduce the impact of influenza virus on poultry production and reduce their zoonotic transmission to humans. The collaboration will improve resources and capacity for disease control systems. Achieving these specific goals will prove a step-change in AIV disease management and increase in poultry productivity directly drives economic prosperity of farmers and allied communities. The will directly impact on socio-economic well-being of partner countries. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Understanding the molecular parthenogenesis of influenza viruses in animals and humans |
| Organisation | China Agricultural University (CAU) |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Influenza A viruses cause disease in both animals and humans. We developed a programme of reseach to investigate how this virus overcome species barriers and infect alternative species e.g, how avian influenza viruses infect humans. we also developed a joint programme of research to investigate ?What are the prevalence and genetic evolution of different AIVs in China? ? What is the extent of antigenic diversity among the contemporary AIVs circulating in China? ?How these viruses overcome evade host antiviral system to manifest the disease. ? Which strains might threaten the poultry industry as well as public health?. We provided technical help and reagents to achieve the objectives of this joint project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners at China Agricultural University executed the prescribed experimental work, analysed data and translated it into publication. |
| Impact | We identified a host-cell protein "P21" which restricts influenza A virus replication in the infected host. The results will aid in designing new antiviral against these viruses. The research outcomes were translated into publications entitled: "p21 restricts influenza A virus by perturbing the viral polymerase complex and upregulating type I interferon signalling" (PLoS Pathogens 18:2, e1010295). |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Use of fluorescent virions to isolate PRRSV-specific porcine B cells |
| Organisation | University of Minnesota |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Deployment of a novel technology to facilitate isolation of PRRSV neutralizing monoclonal antibodies |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of a method to fluorescently tag purified virions to label PRRSV-specific B cells |
| Impact | None to report to date |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Vaccinia |
| Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Generated and analysed DNA- and RNA-sequencing data from vaccinia samples with bespoke in-house pipelines |
| Collaborator Contribution | Generated DNA and RNA vaccinia samples |
| Impact | The collaboration aims to better understand the interaction between vaccina virus and its host(s), through the use of modern high-throughput techniques. No outputs yet |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Wilhelm Gerner |
| Organisation | University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna |
| Country | Austria |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our lab hosted Dr Gerner who brought samples for RNA-seq. My lab planned and executed the sequencing and is contributing to the analysis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Gerner did all the animal work and cell sorting to produce the samples reading for RNA-seq |
| Impact | None as yet, analysis is ongoing |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Title | ??????? |
| Description | The present invention provides an attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) virus which lacks a functional version of the following genes: multigene-family 360 genes 9L, 10L, 11L, 12L, 13L and 14L; and multigene-family 505 genes 1R, 2R, 3R and 4R. The invention further provides an attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) virus which lacks a functional version of the DP148R gene. The present invention also provides a vaccine comprising such an attenuated virus and its use to prevent ASF. Further, the invention relates to intranasal administration of an attenuated ASF virus. |
| IP Reference | UA121217 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The gene-deleted African swine fever virus strains are being evaluated as live attenuated vaccines |
| Title | AVIAN CELLS FOR IMPROVED VIRUS PRODUCTION |
| Description | The present Invention provides as avian cell in which the expression or activity of one or more of the following genes, or a homologue thereof: Chicken IFITM 1 (SEQ ID No. 1); Chicken IFITM2 (SEQ ID No. 2) and Chicken IFITM3 (SEQ ID No. 3) is reduced. The invention also provides methods for passaging viruses in avian cells, embryos and/or avian cell lines which have reduced expression of one or more IFITM genes and methods which involve investigating the sequence of one or more of the following genes, or a homologue thereof: Chicken IFITM1 (SEQ ID No. 1); Chicken IFITM2 (SEQ ID No. 2) and Chicken IFITM3 (SEQ ID No. 3). |
| IP Reference | WO2014195692 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | The present invention provides an avian cell in which the expression or activity of one or more of the following genes, or a homologue thereof: Chicken IFITM1 (SEQ ID No. 1); Chicken IFITM2 (SEQ ID No. 2) and Chicken IFITM3 (SEQ ID No. 3) is reduced. The invention also provides methods for passaging viruses in avian cells, embryos and/or avian cell lines which have reduced expression of one or more IFITM genes and methods which involve investigating the sequence of one or more of the follow |
| Title | PPR DIVA vaccine |
| Description | We ahve developed two PPR live attenuated DIVA vaccines that can differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals. |
| IP Reference | PCT/GB2019/053641,WO2020128496 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | Till date there is no PPR vaccine avalable that can differentiate between vaccination and infection. This causes a huge issue on eradication of the didease and declare freedom from the disease. Therefore our newly develped chimeric live attenauted PPR vaccine and DIVA tests can differentiate between vaccination and infection which is a great achievement for ongoing PPR eradication. Please see detail from the below web. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2020128496 |
| Title | VACCINE AGAINST AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS INFECTION |
| Description | The present invention relates to attenuated African Swine Fever viruses. The attenuated viruses protect pigs against subsequent challenge with virulent virus. The present invention also relates to the use of such attenuated viruses to treat and/or prevent African Swine Fever. The invention also relates to EP402R proteins of African Swine Fever virus comprising particular amino acid substitutions, as well as polynucleotides encoding such proteins and African Swine Fever viruses comprising such proteins. |
| IP Reference | WO2021176236 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2021 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The gene-deleted African swine fever viruses are being taken forward as candidate live attenuated vaccines and included in a BBSRC LINK award |
| Description | "Challenges for Poultry Industry". Organised by Fakieh Poultry at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2nd -3rd December 2018, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference discussed prevention and control of infectious diseases affecting poultry production. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | "Interactive session with poultry stakeholders". Title: Overview of Avian Influenza group Research at The Pirbright Institute. Presented at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, Pakistan, 3rd August 2018. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The workshop discussed the economic impacts and prevention strategies against avian influenza viruses affecting poultry production and zoonotic infections. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | 2. Overview of Avian Influenza group Research at The Pirbright Institute. Presented at "Interactive session with poultry stakeholders" at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, Pakistan, 3rd August 2018. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dissemination of research Project outcomes These include presenting research data for vaccine seed strains with emergent field avian influenza variants; The zoonotic risk posed by emerging avian influenza viruses circulating in the wild birds and poultry. Impact of virus evolution on vaccine efficacy and persistence in poultry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | A talk at a symposium entitled: Using the 3Rs to support good science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk at a Symposium held at The Pirbright Institute entitled: "Using the 3Rs to support good science". The talk was entitled: "A chicken primary B cell culture model to study the pathogenesis and improve the control of immunosuppressive viruses of poultry" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | A talk at the British Poultry Diseases Group meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Poultry Diseases Group meet quarterly and is comprised of representatives from private veterinary practices, vaccine and pharmaceutical industries, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). I gave a talk at one of the meetings outlining my research to date and future directions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | AB Improving Approaches to Prevent and Control Viral Diseases of Livestock and Poultry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Batra, A., Maier, H.J., Britton P., Hiscox, J.A., Fife, M.S., 2015. PI3K/AKT signalling during infectious bronchitis virus infection. Food Security: Improving Approaches to Prevent and Control Viral Diseases of Livestock and Poultry, British Council Research Links Workshop, Istanbul, Turkey (Oral presentation) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Animal Health Investment Forum. Panel Discussion on African swine fever |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Panel discussion on African swine fever impact and control |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2022 |
| Description | Article and Video in AP press on African swine fever risk to pygmy hogs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview and video recording for AP press on risks of African swine fever virus to critically endangered pygmy hogs in Assam India |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Article in The Scientist Magazine following interview with Katya Zimmer (June 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with Journalist with The Scientist Magazine for a News Article concerning Race to Build ASFV vaccine in response to outbreaks in China/Asia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/scientists-race-to-build-vaccine-for-african-swine-fever-... |
| Description | Ash Manor School challenge week workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | For this event, 60 students were rotating around a series of science workshops as part of their challenge week based on a selected theme of their choice. Giulia and Phoebe contributed together with other people from our Institute in delivering the workshop about microbiology, hence student were actively interested in the topic. They organised activities that could be performed in small groups such as teaching pupils about the importance of hand hygiene using our UV Equipment, seeing live mosquitoes through a microscope, learning about flu using our Flu Fighters- H&N Selector and trying to take swabs from a model chicken using Flu Fighters- Henrietta the Chicken. The students were very interested in all the activities and actively participating, and they were asking many questions related to viruses, animal diseases, zoonotic diseases and microbiology in general. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Ash Manor Science Workshops; general science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Ash Manor Science Workshops |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Ash Manor school challenge week science workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Provide information on research activity at The Pirbright Institute and informing on pathogens infecting farmed animals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Ash Manor school challenge week science workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Discussion of research activities with school children and the school reported increased interests in the related subject. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Avian Influenza H9N2 and H7N9 evolution, fitness in poultry and zoonotic potential presented by Munir Iqbal at UC DAVIS EDUCATION CONFERENCE ON ONE HEALTH FOR FOOD SAFETY, AGRICULTURE, AND ANIMAL HEALTH |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research was discussed with academic and non-academic participants the risks of avian influenza viruses currently circulating in poultry and carry potential to cause zoonotic infections. Since avian influenzas viruses (AIVs) exist in many subtypes and co-infection of two or more different AIV subtypes in an individual bird can lead to the generation of novel reassortant viruses. The emergent reassortant viruses may carry differential phenotypic characteristics (virulence, host-transmission and host-range) compared to their parental viruses. Our studies revealed that experimental co-infection of chickens with two different subtypes of avian influenza viruses (H9N2 and H7N9) led to the emergence of novel reassortant H9N9 viruses which carry greater virulence for poultry and an increased zoonotic and pandemic potential. Our results also provided evidence that both H9N2 and H7N9 viruses can rapidly acquire antigenic changes in vaccinated birds causing vaccine failure and cocirculation of these viruses can also rapidly lead to rapid generation of novel reassortment viruses with increased virulence and host-range posing threat to both animals and humans. This presentation increased awareness among the audience risk posed by co-circulation of different subtypes of avian influenza viruses in poultry and wild birds and how best we can detect emerging threats and develop the disease risks and disease mitigation strategies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.wifss.ucdavis.edu/onehealthsummer21/ |
| Description | Avian Influenza Research at Pirbright |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented a talk as an invited speaker to the Animal Diseases Surveillance and Control Team at The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), London, UK sharing the research goals and achievements performed at the Pirbright Institute. The topics focused on (i) understanding the genetic and antigenic evolution of avian influenza viruses, (ii) drivers of zoonotic potential, (iii) improvement of poultry vaccine potency, (iv) investigating molecular markers of antigenic variants, (v) improving avian influenza detection and diagnostic approaches, e.g. lateral flow devices and (vi) development of novel vaccine candidates to improve protective efficacy including vector- and multivalent-based vaccines and targeted delivery of antigens. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Avian Influenza Vaccines Research at Pirbright |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Delivered a presentation to key research grant funders and stakeholders in the UK, including BBSRC and DEFRA, associated with animal welfare, disease control, and the research goals and achievements performed at the Pirbright Institute. The topics focused on (i) understanding the genetic and antigenic evolution of avian influenza viruses, (ii) drivers of zoonotic potential, (iii) improvement of poultry vaccine potency, (iv) investigating molecular markers of antigenic variants, (v) improving avian influenza detection and diagnostic approaches, e.g. lateral flow devices and (vi) development of novel vaccine candidates to improve protective efficacy including vector- and multivalent-based vaccines and targeted delivery of antigens. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Avian Influenza: Global Situation & Control Strategies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented a talk as an invited speaker at the International Symposium on Poultry Health Challenges in Pakistan. Organized by the World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA-Pakistan Branch) at Serena Hotel Faisalabad, Pakistan. Poultry production continues to face several challenges caused by avian influenza, including: (1) virus evolution & antigenic diversity, (2) emergence of new virus variants, (3) co-circulation of multiple variants of same pathogen, (4) mixed infection of different viruses (immunosuppression), (5) maternally derived antibody interference, and (6) poor quality vaccines and sub-optimal vaccination practices. From these challenges, the topic of discussion and research drives optimal vaccination strategies to improve: (1) potency: a single dose to induce faster, stronger and durable immunity against multiple pathogens, (2) effectiveness: protect from clinical disease, reduced shedding and transmission, (3) affordability: cheap to produce and easy to deliver, (4) safety: no adverse impact to host or environment, (5) stability: retain efficacy for at least 1 year at indicated temperature, (6) DIVA: to allow differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals. Implementing new emerging vaccine approaches can: (1) enhance the efficacy, duration, and breadth of immunity, (2) reduce production losses, (3) improve cost-effectiveness, (4) improve productivity and economy, (5) improve animal welfare, and (6) reduce prevalence of viruses and protect public health (reduced virus prevalence = reduced zoonosis). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Avian influenza virus evolution impacts on virulence and antigenicity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A talk was presented at Royal Veterinary College, London, by Thusitha Karunarathna (a PhD student in the Avian Influenza group at The Pirbright Institute). The Talk described the mechanisms used by the avian influenza viruses to evade host immunity to cause disease outbreaks and persists in poultry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Avian influenza viruses can combine two techniques to evade vaccine immunity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A study by researchers at The Pirbright Institute reveals more clues about how avian influenza viruses can evade vaccine immunity, aiding their spread in the field. The findings are published in Emerging Microbes and Infections. Influenza viruses are able to mutate, which can enable them to evade immunity generated by natural infection or vaccination. Influenza viruses have four main ways of duping the immune system so that they can continue to infect and spread between birds. Pirbright scientists investigated two of these to further understand how the H9N2 avian influenza virus can change its genetic makeup to overcome poultry vaccines. One of the methods the virus can use is to alter one of its surface proteins, haemagglutinin (HA), which enables the virus to enter the cell and replicate. HA is also a common target for the immune system's antibodies, which block the virus from binding to cell receptors. By changing just one or two protein components, HA can latch on far more tightly to the cell, preventing antibodies from stopping the virus. However, this can come at a cost, as particularly strong binding can prevent effective replication. The other method scientists investigated is how H9N2 viruses disguise themselves by adding sugar chains to the surface of their HA proteins. This can block antibodies from binding, but also has varying fitness outcomes for the influenza virus. The researchers found that the location of the sugar chain on HA could determine how effectively the virus replicated. They also demonstrated that the two evasive techniques could either compliment or act against each other - if an influenza virus had gained mutations that enable it to bind more strongly to cells, a sugar chain in the right position could restore its ability to replicate effectively. In contrast, weakly binding influenza viruses do not benefit from HA sugar additions, which instead reduce the virus's ability to replicate. Professor Munir Iqbal, head of the Avian Influenza Group at Pirbright said, "We can use this knowledge to develop new vaccines that will help antibodies to recognise how the flu virus can change. This will provide protection to birds even as the virus evolves. We can also use this information to understand how viruses survive in poultry despite vaccination and monitor new adaptions that may appear in the field." This research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the British Council with support from the Newton Fund. Article: Sealy, J. E., Peacock, T. P., Sadeyen, J. R., Chang, P., Everest, H. J., Bhat, S., Iqbal, M. (2020). Adsorptive mutation and N-linked glycosylation modulate influenza virus antigenicity and fitness. Emerging Microbes & Infections, advance online publication, 12 November 2020, doi: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1850180 [SOURCE: The Pirbright Institute] |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.star-idaz.net/2020/12/avian-influenza-viruses-can-combine-two-techniques-to-evade-vaccin... |
| Description | Avian influenza viruses in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka: investigating genotype to phenotype (antigenicity, virulence, host-range). Webinar on 28th March 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk by Munir iqbal describing ongoing research outcomes. We identified genetic determined that modules avian influenza H5 and H9 antigenicity virulence and transmission fitness in different host species. The role of identified markers that change the virus binding to host cells and impact on virus-host interaction leading to mild or severe disease manifestation in chickens and mammalian species (humans). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Avian influenza: tackling large numbers of outbreaks this winter in the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Nearly two years on, the COVID-19 pandemic is still dominating the news and continues to cause concern for populations across the globe. However, UK poultry and wild bird populations are currently facing their own health threat. We are not the only ones that have faced lockdowns because of spreading viruses, UK poultry and captive birds have also faced a similar situation to protect them from avian influenza. Scientists at The Pirbright Institute are working to increase understanding of how genetic changes in influenza A viruses can impact disease spread, host responses to infection and the pathology associated with the disease. What is the avian influenza virus? Avian influenza viruses are Influenza A viruses that circulate and transmit amongst birds. The disease is what we commonly know as 'bird flu'. Influenza A viruses can infect a range of hosts, including humans and two subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 circulate as seasonal flu each winter in the UK. Avian influenza viruses are different to those that can infect humans in that they cannot easily infect humans and must change and adapt to do so. Aquatic birds are a natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses, these birds typically experience fewer clinical symptoms but can spread disease to domestic birds, particularly in the migratory season, between October and March. Avian influenza viruses are categorised as either highly pathogenic (HPAI) or low pathogenic (LPAI) and this categorisation is linked to the severity of disease in chickens. HPAI has a high mortality rate which can be up to 100%, other symptoms can include swelling of the head, death of cells in the comb and wattle, red discolouration of legs and feet and diarrhoea. HPAI causes disease in more organs than just those in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts like LPAI, which mostly presents as respiratory symptoms such as a snick (like a sneeze), a rattle in the chest (known as rales) and discharge from the eyes and nose. What is causing bird flu outbreaks in domestic birds now? We are currently in the normal migratory season of wild birds. In the spring and summer months, these birds spend their time breeding and raising their young in North-eastern Asia where they mix with other bird species which enables virus transmission and mutation. Then, when they migrate for the autumn and winter months, they shed virus in their faeces along the way. One of the migratory paths is across Northern Europe and this includes the UK. This year, in the UK, the first avian influenza outbreak was on 15 October and was discovered in captive aquatic birds. To date (17 December 2021) there have been 50 outbreaks in England, 1 in Wales and 2 in Scotland, this has resulted in over half a million birds being destroyed to control the spread of disease. Are there more outbreaks this year compared to other years? The number of outbreaks this year has been the most extensive ever. There have been over 50 outbreaks in the UK, compared to 26 outbreaks last year. Although it is hard to pin down the reason for this high number, we know it is not linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK's response to the spread of avian influenza has been rapid, and from 29 November birds were required to be housed inside with additional biosecurity measures put in place such as foot dips and disinfecting clothing. Testing and surveillance of wild birds have shown that there is a high prevalence of the virus in these birds currently, and this is contributing to the spread of disease to farm and domestic bird populations. A more detailed look at the genetic make-up of these viruses shows that they are different to those from previous years. This is predicted to be as a result of the virus infecting multiple birds across a range of species, and this provides the perfect opportunity for the virus to evolve. Analysis of these genetic changes does not raise any alarm bells for increased transmission to humans, but they are likely impacting the spread and severity of disease in birds. What should we do if we find a dead bird or are concerned about bird health? If the public finds dead waterfowl birds they are encouraged not to touch them but to report them to Defra using the appropriate phone number that can be found on the website, also any other wild birds found dead in numbers of five or greater should be reported. What is Pirbright doing to tackle this virus? Researchers at Pirbright are attempting to enhance the control and detection of avian influenza in poultry populations as well as extend our basic knowledge about the virus in avian and mammalian hosts. The research groups led by Professor Munir Iqbal and Dr Holy Shelton are investigating how avian influenza virus strains originated from wild birds can rapidly adapt to cause disease outbreaks in poultry and gain the potential to infect humans. In addition, Professor Munir Iqbal is developing improved poultry vaccines that prevent virus replication and spread. These vaccines are particularly useful in countries where avian influenza is regularly found in the domestic poultry and the control and prevention of spread isn't easy, such as in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/2021/12/avian-influenza-tackling-large-numbers-outbreaks-winter-uk |
| Description | BBC World Service Science Programme "Science in Action" Broadcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an broadcast with BBC World Service Science in Action Programme to inform the public about the current African swine fever situation and provide information on pathogenesis mechanisms of transmission and our research on vaccine development |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsn |
| Description | BBSRC Partnering Seminar, University of Liverpool, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Science University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk presented entitled " Molecular determinants of antigenicity of H7 and H9 avian Influenza viruses". The research data shared with the colleagues working to reduce the impact of avian infectious diseases on poultry production. The discussion led to more collaboration and work together, acquiring reagents and protocols for further research and development activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | BSI (Britsh Society of Immunology) forum meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Regular meetings of BSI forum. Discussed how to raise awareness amongst the general public for immunisation against SARS-CoV2. Discussed the Government strategy for giving Pfizer vaccine 12 weeks apart and requested evidence from JCVI justifying this immunisation regime. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | BSI congress 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Chaired a session on coinfection sponsored by the BBSRC. Took part in a debate on the future of veterinary immunology |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | BSI report on the future of veterinary immunology and vaccinology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Organised and published a joint IVVN/BSI report to raise awareness of the UK's research status in veterinary vaccinology and immunology and the importance of maintaining this for the R&D landscape 'Securing Our Future: the value of veterinary vaccines'. This was aimed at influencing policymakers to support and commit to maintaining the UK's leading position. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | BSI webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I presented a webinar hosted by the British Society for Immunology entitled "BSI Coronavirus webinar: What can we learn from the animal coronaviruses?", which sparked questions and discussions afterwards. I have since been contacted to establish new collaborations with people in the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Big Band Science Event- AH, ER, LVC, MdP |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Stimulating increased interest in science and research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Big Bang Fair |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The Big Bang Near Me is a programme of regional and local Big Bang Fairs that take place all across the UK. Together with The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair and The Big Bang Competition, it forms part of the wider Big Bang programme, bringing science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to life for young people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://nearme.thebigbangfair.co.uk/about/ |
| Description | Big Bang Fair |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This is a South of England Showground in which students from schools and their parents participated which lead to discussion and interest in both school children and their parents. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://nearme.thebigbangfair.co.uk/view/?eve_id=1956 |
| Description | Big Bang SE |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Stimulating increased interest in science and research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Bird flu genetic make-up different from previous years |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Research outputs were mass comminated for the general public via a news story. Lockdowns due to spreading viruses are continuing to affect UK poultry and captive bird owners and scientists say the latest research into this year's avian influenzas shows a different genetic make-up. The number of outbreaks this year has been the most extensive ever across the UK with more than 50 cases, compared to just 26 last year. Testing and surveillance of wild birds have shown that there is a high prevalence of the virus currently in birds, and this is contributing to the spread of disease to farm and domestic bird populations. Dr Holly Shelton, head of Pirbright's Influenza Viruses group, is looking at understanding how genetic changes in influenza A viruses can impact disease spread, host responses to infection and the pathology associated with the disease. Shelton said avian influenza viruses are different to those that can infect humans in that they cannot easily infect and must change and adapt to do so. Aquatic birds are a natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses but typically experience fewer clinical symptoms despite spreading the disease to domestic birds in the migratory season between October and March. Bird migration Responding to questions on what was causing bird flu outbreaks in domestic birds, she said: "In the spring and summer months these birds spend their time breeding and raising their young in north-eastern Asia where they mix with other bird species. This enables virus transmission and mutation. Then, when they migrate for the autumn and winter months, they shed viruses in their faeces along the way. "One of the migratory paths is across northern Europe and this includes the UK. This year in the UK, avian influenza was first discovered on 15 October in captive aquatic birds. To date (17 December), there have been 50 outbreaks in England, 1 in Wales and 2 in Scotland. This has resulted in over half a million birds being destroyed to control the spread of the disease." Testing and surveillance Government testing and surveillance of wild birds have shown a high prevalence of the virus in these birds which was contributing to the spread of the disease to farm and other domestic bird populations. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said this week that avian influenza had already killed more than 850 barnacle geese at its Mersehead reserve near Dumfries. "We are probably approaching 4,000 - certainly over 3,000 - mostly barnacle geese. It is pretty large scale and likely to get worse. It is unprecedented. I have worked in the area for 25 years and I don't ever remember us seeing this many birds dying," said the charity's area manager, Andrew Bielinski. "A more detailed look at the genetic make-up of these viruses shows that they are different to those from previous years. This is predicted to be a result of the virus infecting multiple birds across a range of species, and this provides the perfect opportunity for the virus to evolve. "Analysis of these genetic changes does not raise any alarm bells for increased transmission to humans, but they likely impact the spread and severity of disease in birds." Enhancing control Research at Pirbright is looking at enhancing control and detection of avian influenza as well as extending knowledge about the virus in avian and mammalian hosts. The Influenza Viruses group is involved in the assessment of which avian influenza virus strains can rapidly adapt to cause potential infections of humans. In addition, Shelton's group is mapping the changes in the chicken respiratory and gastrointestinal microbiome following virus infection and assessing whether the application of probiotics can be useful in controlling virus shedding or transmission in birds. The Influenza Group, led by Professor Munir Iqbal, is developing improved poultry vaccines that can prevent virus replication and spread. These vaccines are particularly useful in countries where avian influenza is regularly found in the domestic poultry and the control of prevention of spread isn't easy, such as the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.poultryworld.net/health-nutrition/bird-flu-genetic-make-up-different-from-previous-years... |
| Description | Bird flu: What is it and what's behind the outbreak? ( BBC New) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Discussion with BBC News Editors (Helen Briggs & Jeremy Howell). As the The world is going through its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu which led the deaths of hundreds of thousands of wild birds and millions of domestic ones. It is also being found in mammals, so what are the threats from this virus to economy, food security, animal welfare and public health. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63464065 |
| Description | Blenheim High School Fair - DB |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Team members attended sessions at a local high school with secondary school children and those in the 6th form to talk about paths into scientific careers, sharing their experiences of working at The Pirbright Institute. Approximately 300 students attended and it stimulated increased interest in science and research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Bluetongue in wildlife workshop - presentation on "Bluetongue virus in deer (and other wildlife) - pathogenesis and immune responses" July 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This workshop brought together policy makers, veterinary advisers and scientist to share information and discuss the role of wildlife for important Culicoides-borne viruses of ruminants. Gave 15 minutes presentation on "Bluetongue virus in deer (and other wildlife) - pathogenesis and immune responses" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | British Science Week - Wilhelm Gerner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | British Science Week is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Broadcast on African swine fever on BBC wolrd service "The Food Chain" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with BBC World Service "The Food Chain" on African swine fever virus. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05xhflj |
| Description | CABI_Research activity of Avian Immunology Group at The Pirbright Institute |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Release of research activity within Avian Immunology group at The Pirbright Institute |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Centre of excellence for research on avian diseases (CERAD) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to present my work at the UK-China Centre of excellence for research on avian diseases (CERAD) meeting attended by researchers from UK, China and Thailand. There was lots of discussion about the research and future directions, including potential collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Chair of organising Committee for Wellcome Trust-Animal Genetics and Diseases 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This meeting brought together specialists working on the interface between genomics, genetic engineering and infectious disease with the aims of improving animal and human health and welfare. Scientific sessions included: Genetics of immune responses and disease resistance Genetically engineered livestock (including genome editing) Quantitative genetics and epigenetics applied to disease Epidemiology and pathogen evolution Bioinformatics, comparative and functional genomics Precision medicine of animal companions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://coursesandconferences.wellcomegenomecampus.org/events/item.aspx?e=635&dm_i=2SUU,HOGH,4R4AW1,... |
| Description | Cheltenham Science Festival 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Attended the Cheltenham Science Festival and presented "Pandemic Live" an interactive debate on the spread of viruses in livestock. The audience were guided through the decision making processes that accompany an outbreak of an exotic livestock disease outbreak. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Cheltenham Science Festival 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Kate Dulwich participated in an outreach activity at the Cheltenham Science Festival from 07-09 Jun 2019 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Cheltenham Science Festival- AH, ER, JC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Present at the Pirbright stand to discuss science with the public |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Cheltenham Science festival - LB |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | National science festival which Team members attended to demonstrate to the public how scientists at The Pirbright Institute can work to contain and control viral outbreaks. Over 500 people accessed the information and this stimulated increased interest in science and research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Combating avian influenza through systematic analysis of antigenic drift, genetic variation, and development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines. Presented at as PI of the ZELS project at ZELS grant holders and Stakeholders meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam 23th-24th January 2017. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement and dissemination of research outcome to representatives of research funding bodies such as Department for International Development (DFID), Medical Research Council (MRC) and the researchers working on different research projects funded by BBSRC under Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Controlling and monitoring Avian Influenza in poultry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with veterinarian and farmers involved in poultry production. The discussion focused was new strategies (vaccines and diagnostics) for reducing the the impacts of high pathogenicity of avian influenza viruses. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Coronavirus lecture MSc students (Surrey) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A lecture was presented on the replication, cellular interactions and pathogenesis of coronaviruses to 15-20 MSc students from University of Surrey. The students were engaged and interested, answering and asking questions during the session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2018 |
| Description | Could Bird Flu become a pandemic? (Aljazeera TV) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The discussion ( Inside Story) has been impacts of high pathogenicity avian influenza on poultry and whether bird flu become a pandemic?. The inside story was presented by Al Jazeera English corresponded "Mohammed Jamjoom" the discussion focus remains as the world is experiencing its largest recorded outbreak of bird flu, populations of poultry and wild birds are becoming infected. So what are threats of these viruses on food supplies, economy and public health. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spp2Cg-jqoc |
| Description | DB Winston Churchill School Careers event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | School careers event for a Secondary School - 1500 children ages 11 to 16 years |