VIRUS PROGRAMME - COVID 19 RESEARCH
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
unavailable
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE (Lead Research Organisation)
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF KENT (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK (Collaboration)
- University of Queensland (Collaboration)
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) (Collaboration)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Collaboration)
- KING'S COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
Publications
Biasetti L
(2024)
Risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease increase SARS-CoV-2 infectivity of endothelial cells and pericytes.
in Open biology
Cantoni D
(2022)
Pseudotyped Bat Coronavirus RaTG13 is efficiently neutralised by convalescent sera from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.
in Communications biology
Conceicao C
(2020)
The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has a broad tropism for mammalian ACE2 proteins.
in PLoS biology
Dong X
(2025)
Using minor variant genomes and machine learning to study the genome biology of SARS-CoV-2 over time.
in Nucleic acids research
Doyle N
(2021)
Coronavirus RNA Synthesis Takes Place within Membrane-Bound Sites.
in Viruses
El Sharif HF
(2022)
Evaluation of electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (E-MIPs) on disposable electrodes for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva.
in Analytica chimica acta
Everest H
(2022)
Known Cellular and Receptor Interactions of Animal and Human Coronaviruses: A Review.
in Viruses
Foster WS
(2023)
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination generates spike-specific CD8+ T cells in aged mice.
in Immunology and cell biology
Foster WS
(2022)
Tfh cells and the germinal center are required for memory B cell formation & humoral immunity after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination.
in Cell reports. Medicine
| Description | 1. We have developed significant understanding of how the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2, controls viral tropism at the species level. This is based on the development of ACE2 expression libraries and their implementation in screening SARS-CoV-2 and its variants (Alpha, Delta, Omicron etc.) for efficient receptor usage, a key component in viral entry. We have also developed a broader library of sarbecovirus Spike proteins to understand the inter-relationship between affinity, antigenicity and host-range at a genus wide level to improve pandemic preparedness. These data have contributed to our knowledge on at risk animal (wildlife/pet/livestock) populations, the interpretation of animal model data relevant to Covid pathogenesis and the potential for development of SARS-Cov-2 animal reservoirs. Examples include detailed understanding of rodent susceptibility, contextualised research data on mink outbreaks - information which has been fed to policymakers such as DEFRA. This research objective is now more substantially supported by follow up UKRI- and Wellcome-funded Genotype-to-Phenotype consortia. 2. Using a range of tools we have significantly contributed to a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 replication and the viral life cycle, in particular research on the evolution of the viral Spike protein during the pandemic. For example, we helped to characterise the function of deletions in the N-terminal domain of Spike in the Alpha VOC, cellular tropism and entry mechanism switches for Omicron, and have assessed the fusion capacity of multiple variants and Omicron sub-lineages, relating this back to individual changes in the protein. This work has been complemented at Pirbright through investigations on the mechanisms of action of antivirals and the development of reverse genetics systems - approaches which have facilitated these studies. Elsewhere, we have generated a panel of reagents to allow the study of the role of virus regulation of antiviral responses in cross species transmission by comparing emerging viruses (SARS-CoV2 and SADS-CoV) with their bat relatives. 3. Taking a correlative approach we have developed on our extant knowledge of veterinary coronaviruses to establish porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) as models for understanding SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathology. In particular, we have focused on developing the systems and tools to assess the role of RNA secondary structures in the coronavirus genome, Spike protein glycosylation, the role of the unfolded protein response in viral replication and lastly, the in vivo pathogenicity of variants. This information may help us to understand core aspects of coronavirus replication as well as the shifts in tissue tropism that regularly occur during coronavirus evolution and host switching. 4. We have developed a next-generation tool box for SARS-CoV-2 research encompassing next-generation sequencing (NGS) protocols for rapid whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2; pseudotyping technologies for examination of viral entry, host range and antigenicity; reverse genetics systems; considerable CL3 capabilities to work with infectious SARS-CoV-2 isolates (e.g. to perform VNTs). The molecular experience and expertise required to support the development of these tools was also leveraged in a broader context to support the implementation of mass PCR testing for SARS-COV-2 in the UK, through various channels; technical, equipment and hands-on expertise. |
| Exploitation Route | Our research on the host-range of SARS-CoV-2 has been routinely fed through to policymakers, e.g. assisting DEFRA with risk assessment on SARS-CoV-2 in rats. Our paper on SARS2 host range in PLOS Biology in 2020 has now been cited over 150 times and is one of the main references for the field on this aspect of the Covid pandemic. Broadly speaking this work will underpin how animals are dealt with in respect to understanding their ongoing/future role in the Covid pandemic, which might impact on the management of wildlife, pets and livestock. Our general research tools and results on SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses (PRCV and IBV) serves to improve our understanding of the virus and our ability to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, through standard academic means (supporting basic research on this virus, e.g. RNA secondary structures, E protein characterisation) and non-academically, e.g. through informing policymakers with periodic risk assessments of novel variants. |
| Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35836002/ |
| Description | Our work on improving our core understanding of SARS-COV-2 virology has had a direct impact on the management of the pandemic. The tools developed, for example viral pseudotyping, have been leveraged extensively to assist in the development and testing of vaccines (including those that have been approved for use, e.g. ChAdOx) and to understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 variants in undermining the Covid vaccination campaign, e.g. through our detailed work on understanding shifting antigenicity of the virus and its impact on vaccine effectiveness in older adults. Through regular communication with policymakers (e.g. at UKHSA) this has increased the effectiveness of public services and policy and enhanced the quality of life and health of people within the UK and wider afield. Our virology expertise also contributed to the development and roll-out of mass PCR testing, broadly benefitting society and the economy. Seperately, our research on the host-range of SARS-CoV-2 has, and continues to, feed into risk assessments on the potential impact of animal infections on managing the Covid pandemic. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Co-director of UK-International Coronavirus Network, a joint BBSRC-DEFRA initiative |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Facilitating networking, collaboration, sharing of data etc. between coronavirus researchers through funding of meetings, travel bursaries |
| Description | Contributing to risk assessments on SARS-CoV-2 infection of animals |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Data on SARS-COV-2 antigenicity for government committees, e.g. UKHSA variant technical group, NERVtag |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | This information was routinely fed into UKHSA and government decision making on managing the Covid-19 pandemic |
| 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 | An immunogenetic approach to guide the need for booster shots and combat immune failure in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response |
| Amount | £987,464 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/W020629/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2021 |
| End | 08/2023 |
| Description | BBSRC IAA The Pirbright Institute |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506680/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| 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 | G2P-UK; A National Virology Consortium to address phenotypic consequences of SARSCoV-2 genomic variation |
| Amount | £4,021,993 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/W005611/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2021 |
| End | 07/2023 |
| Description | Investigation of Canonical and Noncanonical Transcription during Coronavirus Replication |
| Amount | £122,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | STUD312000 |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 12/2025 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Viral entry at the human-animal interface; dissecting the pan-tropic nature of zoonotic viruses. |
| Amount | £393,707 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W006162/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Title | Assistance in establishment of NIBSC WHO International Standard for SARS-CoV-2 |
| Description | We assisted NIBSC and the WHO in developing an international serum standard (for ELISAs, VNTs etc.) for SARS-CoV-2. This is an essential tool for standardising assay results across different laboratories and the reagents have now been used by 100s of labs. The emergence of variants with altered antigencity meant that a new reagent was needed and in early 2022 we also helped with this next generation of reagents. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Development of an international standard for SARS2 is pivotal for standardising results across various labs working on the pandemic response to Covid. As such this is an essential tool for the international research community. |
| Title | Development of SARS-CoV-2 pseudotypes |
| Description | Method to allow assessment of SARS-CoV-2 entry, which can be used in various experiments including VNTs to assess humoral immune response (in convalescent or vaccinated individuals) |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Application in the establishment of the SARS-CoV-2 international reference standard by NIBSC |
| Title | Development of assays for quantifying fusion inhibitory antibodies in sera (mFIT assay) |
| Description | We have developed a micro-fusion inhibition test (mFIT) assay to identify and quantify antibody responses (to vaccines etc.) which are capable of inhibiting viral induced cell-cell fusion. This test has been developed for various negative strand viruses (Nipah and RSV) as well as SARS-CoV-2 |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This assay was used to aide development of the NIBSC WHO international standard for SARS-CoV-2 |
| Title | Development of high-throughput assay for examining viral mediated cell-cell fusion |
| Description | We have developed and optimised high-throughput assays (96 well plate format) to examine viral induced cell-cell fusion, using an adapted Bi-FC approach. We are using this to identify inhibitors of paramyxovirus, e.g. measles and RSV, fusion and attachment proteins as well as SARS-CoV-2. This has been integrated with next-generation platforms such as the Incucyte real-time imaging system available at The Pirbright Institute, and the system has been rationalised so that it is entirely inducible. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | We are using this assay to examine the innate immune restriction of paramyxovirus replication. |
| Title | Library of Arenavirus and alphacoronavirus receptors and attachment proteins |
| Description | We have developed a wide database of attachment proteins and receptors for two different virus groups to help better understand virus host range. This was developed in collaboration with a bioinformatician to help select a representative database. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | None to date - project still ongoing. |
| Title | Panel of ACE2 proteins for screening SARS-CoV-2 host range |
| Description | A biological library of ACE2 expression constructs representing receptors from 22 different human and animal species. In 2022 we extended this to over 60 proteins to widen our understanding of sarbecovirus host range. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Establishment of surveillance tools to examine the potential reverse zoonotic spillover of SARS-CoV-2 into anima species |
| 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 | FDA drug screening of RSV and SARS-CoV-2 cell-cell fusion |
| Description | Using inducible cell-cell fusion assays for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV we have screened the FDA approved use drug library for inhibitors of these viral-induced processes |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | No impact as yet, data still being validated in live virus assays |
| Description | Collaboration on SARS-CoV-2 host range with Prof. Wendy Barclay |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Assaying novel SARS-CoV-2 variant sequences for increased tropism to non-human receptors |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of variant Spike constructs |
| Impact | Mutations that adapt SARS-CoV-2 to mink or ferret do not increase fitness in the human airway. Zhou J, Peacock TP, Brown JC, Goldhill DH, Elrefaey AME, Penrice-Randal R, Cowton VM, De Lorenzo G, Furnon W, Harvey WT, Kugathasan R, Frise R, Baillon L, Lassaunière R, Thakur N, Gallo G, Goldswain H, Donovan-Banfield I, Dong X, Randle NP, Sweeney F, Glynn MC, Quantrill JL, McKay PF, Patel AH, Palmarini M, Hiscox JA, Bailey D, Barclay WS. Cell Rep. 2022 Feb 8;38(6):110344. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35093235/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with Dan Horton, Surrey Uni on antigenic cartography |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of data for analysis, specifically antigenic titres on SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation Provision of data for analysis, specifically data on virus receptor usage |
| Collaborator Contribution | Assessment of antigenic relatedness in neutralisation datasets by antigenic cartography Assessment of receptor usage data by cartography |
| Impact | Funding awarded by UKRI, BBSRC grant BB/W006162/1 Viral entry at the human-animal interface; dissecting the pan-tropic nature of zoonotic viruses. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collaboration with Dr. Tom Peacock on coronavirus in wildlife including bats |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed experiments on sarbecovirus host range and shared reagents and plasmids |
| Collaborator Contribution | Tom has performed assays looking at sarbecovirus receptor usage and collaborated with bat ecologists |
| Impact | Publication under review |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Dr. Tyler Starr and Prof. Jesse Bloom on sarbecoviruses |
| Organisation | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Worked together to establish this UK-US collaboration and write a small application for internal funding. Organised a research visit and developed reagents for experimentation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Worked together to establish this UK-US collaboration and write a small application for internal funding. Agreed to share DMS technology and train and host PDRAs from Pirbright. |
| Impact | None to date, work still ongoing or planned |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Katie Doores on Covid immunity |
| Organisation | King's College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have developed a series of SARS-CoV-2 Spike mutants to understand the immune response to vaccination and/or infection |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Doores lab have generated a large panel of human monoclonal antibodies from Covid-infected/vaccinated people |
| Impact | Project is still ongoing |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Keith Chappell on virus neutralisation |
| Organisation | University of Queensland |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Assessment of neutralisation to a range of viral immunogens by VNT using pseudotyping technology Assessment of neutralisation to a range of viral immunogens by microfusion inhibition test |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of sera from vaccination studies Provision of constructs for pseudotyping and cell-cell fusion |
| Impact | None yet, publications in preparation |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with Kevin Brown at UKHSA |
| Organisation | Public Health England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Performing neutralisation assays as part of UK Covid response, in particular as part of UKHSA/PHE Consensus Study |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing sera from Consensus study Advice on project design |
| Impact | Paper under review at Nature Microbiology |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collaboration with Neeltje can Doremalen on Covid vaccines |
| Organisation | National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We have performed virus neutralisation assays for SARS-CoV-2 against sera from hamsters and other animals vaccinated and/or infected with Covid vaccines. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They performed all the main experiments including the hamster infections. |
| Impact | Some of this work has been published already in Nature Communications. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Prof. Jane McKeating on RSV and SARS-CoV-2 virology |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 cell-cell fusion under various conditions, and with chemical inhibitors Provision of RSV reagents |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of inhibitors and other reagents Experimentation with RSV |
| Impact | None yet, paper under review |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with Ravi Gupta, University of Cambridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration on recurrent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion H69/V70 and its role in the biology of this virus. We performed research towards a paper focusing on related sarbecoviruses (RaTG13) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ravi's group led this research to understand the recurrent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion H69/V70, leading to publication in Cell Reports. |
| Impact | Recurrent emergence of SARS-CoV- spike deletion H69/V70 and role in B.1.1.7. Meng B, Kemp SA, Papa G, Datir R, Ferriera I, Marelli S, Harvey WT, Lytras S, Mohamed A, Gallo G, Thakur N, Collier DA, Mlcochova P, The COVID-9 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium, Duncan LM, Carabelli AM, Kenyon JC, Lever AM, De Marco A, Saliba C, Culap K, Cameroni E, Matheson NJ, Piccoli L, Corti D, James LC, Robertson DL, Bailey D, Gupta RK. Cell Rep. 2021 Jun 29;35(13):109292. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109292. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34166617/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| 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 University of Oxford and Warwick |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have supplied coronavirus samples and coronavirus expertise to the collaboration. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have led the research and we have published a paper detailing the results. |
| Impact | Evaluation of imaging technologies to detect coronavirus-infected samples. Shiaelis N, Tometzki A, Peto L, McMahon A, Hepp C, Bickerton E, Favard C, Muriaux D, Andersson M, Oakley S, Vaughan A, Matthews PC, Stoesser N, Crook DW, Kapanidis AN, Robb NC. Virus Detection and Identification in Minutes Using Single-Particle Imaging and Deep Learning. ACS Nano. 2023 Jan 10;17(1):697-710. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10159. Epub 2022 Dec 21. PMID: 36541630; PMCID: PMC9836350. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Oxford and Warwick |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Department | Warwick Medical School |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have supplied coronavirus samples and coronavirus expertise to the collaboration. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have led the research and we have published a paper detailing the results. |
| Impact | Evaluation of imaging technologies to detect coronavirus-infected samples. Shiaelis N, Tometzki A, Peto L, McMahon A, Hepp C, Bickerton E, Favard C, Muriaux D, Andersson M, Oakley S, Vaughan A, Matthews PC, Stoesser N, Crook DW, Kapanidis AN, Robb NC. Virus Detection and Identification in Minutes Using Single-Particle Imaging and Deep Learning. ACS Nano. 2023 Jan 10;17(1):697-710. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10159. Epub 2022 Dec 21. PMID: 36541630; PMCID: PMC9836350. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with Wei Huang, Uni of Oxford on SARS2 neutralisation |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Hosting of students to undertake SARS2 neutralisation experiments Training and data interpretation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of synthetic antibody-bearing particles for neutralisation experiments |
| Impact | Possible grant application in the future |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collaborative network with Ed Wright, Nigel Temperton and Giada Mattiuzzo on SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyping |
| Organisation | National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| PI Contribution | Development and establishment of SARS-CoV-2 research tools, including pseudotypes and cell-cell fusion assays |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of reagents, protocols and technical guidance |
| Impact | We aided in NIBSC's development of WHO international standard for SARS-CoV-2 and have a publication in press on sarbecovirus neutralisation: bioarchived here https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.17.456606v1 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaborative network with Ed Wright, Nigel Temperton and Giada Mattiuzzo on SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyping |
| Organisation | University of Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| PI Contribution | Development and establishment of SARS-CoV-2 research tools, including pseudotypes and cell-cell fusion assays |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of reagents, protocols and technical guidance |
| Impact | We aided in NIBSC's development of WHO international standard for SARS-CoV-2 and have a publication in press on sarbecovirus neutralisation: bioarchived here https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.17.456606v1 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaborative network with Ed Wright, Nigel Temperton and Giada Mattiuzzo on SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyping |
| Organisation | University of Sussex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Development and establishment of SARS-CoV-2 research tools, including pseudotypes and cell-cell fusion assays |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of reagents, protocols and technical guidance |
| Impact | We aided in NIBSC's development of WHO international standard for SARS-CoV-2 and have a publication in press on sarbecovirus neutralisation: bioarchived here https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.17.456606v1 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Miles Carroll PHE collaboration on pseudotyping |
| Organisation | Public Health England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provision of reagents to perform pseudotyping of Ebola G protein Hosting of visiting students to attempt sarbecovirus pseudotyping |
| Collaborator Contribution | Discussion of preliminary data Provision of sarbecovirus constructs |
| Impact | None to date, publications in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Stephen Graham collaboration on structural biology with University of Cambridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of data and sharing of experimental ideas regarding viral host range and techniques for simulating virus evolution |
| Collaborator Contribution | Structural analysis of mutants to viral glycoproteins |
| Impact | Journal of Virology paper on potential PPRV emergence in human populations (Abdullah et al, 2018) Application of error-prone PCR to functionally probe the morbillivirus Haemagglutinin protein. Gallo G, Conceicao C, Tsirigoti C, Willett B, Graham S and Bailey D. Journal of General Virology. J Gen Virol 2021 Apr;102(4). doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001580. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33739251/ The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has a broad tropism for mammalian ACE2 proteins. Conceicao C, Thakur N, Human S, Kelly JT, Logan L, Bialy D, Bhat S, Stevenson-Leggett P, Zagrajek AK, Hollinghurst P, Varga M, Tsirigoti C, Tully M, Chiu C, Moffat K, Silesian AP, Hammond JA, Maier HJ, Bickerton E, Shelton H, Dietrich I, Graham SC, Bailey D. PLoS Biology. 2020 Dec 21;18(12):e3001016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001016. eCollection 2020 Dec. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33347434/ |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Conference presentations at Microbiology Society 2022 meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talks from our lab at the Microbiology Society general meeting in Belfast in 2022. Talks were on the immune response to Covid vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses' host range. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Conference presentations at Negative Strand Virus meeting 2022 in Braga, Portugal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Four members of the research group (Drs Bailey, Jobe and Newman as well as Miss Thakur) travelled to Portugal to present our work on SARS-CoV-2 host range, immunity and also RSV inclusion bodies. We had 2 talks and a poster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interview with National Public Radio (USA) |
| 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 National Public Radio (USA) about veterinary vaccines for Covid-19 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invited seminar at St. Andrews University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited seminar on ongoing RSV and SARS-CoV-2 research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invited seminar at University College Dublin |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk on ongoing RSV and SARS-CoV-2 research to academics at University College Dublin |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Invited talk at Surrey-led meeting on SARS-COV-2 host range |
| 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 | Discussion group on SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals, led by University of Surrey. I presented our work on ACE2 usage by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Microbiology society 2021 online meeting talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop talk entitled "SARS-CoV-2 Spike has broad tropism for mammalian ACE2 proteins, yet exhibits a distinct pattern of receptor usage when compared to other ß-coronavirus Spike proteins." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Opening of The Biggs Avian Research Facility |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We presented our research and spoke to guests attending the opening of the Biggs Avian Research Facility at Pirbright. Guests who attended included politicians and members of the public from the local area, eminent researchers from other institutions, and members of BBSRC. Guests reported that they felt much more informed about the work going on at Pirbright and were impressed by our facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Plenary discussion at World Vaccine Congress on Pandemic Preparedness with CEPI and WHO |
| 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 | Round table discussion with representatives from WHO, CEPI and Pirbright on "how can we better collaborate with a one health approach to prepare for the next pandemic?" Organised as part of hybrid World Vaccine Congress. WHO representative was Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove who was leading the WHO's Covid response as well as Jakob Cramer from CEPI. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation at Microbiology Society Early Career Microbiologist Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | We presented a talk on "Examination of in vitro cell lines and ex vivo tracheal organ cultures for the study of porcine respiratory coronavirus" at the Early Career Microbiologist Forum organised by the Microbiology Society. This was a great opportunity for early career scientists to network with others and gain experience in presenting their research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at Microbiology Society annual conference in Belfast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of "The canonical stem loop RNA structure of the s2m genetic element is not required for avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus replication in vitro however deletion of the s2m sequence results in a 36-nucleotide insertion" and "Characterising the ion channel inactivating mutations in the E protein of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV)" during the virology workshops to other research scientists and students. We also presented a poster on "Examination of in vitro cell lines and ex vivo tracheal organ cultures for the study of porcine respiratory coronavirus". Good feedback was received and ideas generated for further research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at Nidovirus symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation given on "The canonical stem loop RNA structure of the s2m genetic element in the avian coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus is not required for viral replication in vitro but may play a role during in vivo infection" at the poster session of the The XVth International Nidovirus Symposium. Discussions with other researchers in the coronavirus field resulted in new ideas to take the research forwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentations at Avian Research Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have presented our research at the Avian Research Symposium organised by the National Avian Resource Facility at the Roslin Institute in 2021 (Rational vaccine design for the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus) and 2023 (Disruption of the s2m RNA structure in the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus results in reduced clinical disease during in vivo infection). We have engaged with other researchers to expand our network and discussed future research activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2023 |
| Description | Presentations at Microbiology Society focused conference on Avian Infectious Diseases |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Microbiology Society supported a focused meeting on avian infectious disease research, bringing together scientists from all over the world to discuss their research. We gave presentations on "Characterisation of the Infectious Bronchitis Virus E Protein for Rational Vaccine Design" and "Rational vaccine design for the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus", received good feedback on our work and ideas for future research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentations at the UK International Coronavirus Network (UK-ICN) AGM |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We presented research "The Genetic Stability, Replication Kinetics and Cytopathogenicity of Recombinant Avian Coronaviruses with a T16A or an A26F Mutation within the E Protein Is Cell-Type Dependent" and "A temperature sensitive recombinant of avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus provides complete protection against homologous challenge" and a poster on "A novel in-cell micro neutralisation assay for the human coronavirus OC-43: Allowing rapid and automated quantification of neutralising effect of antibodies and antiviral compounds" at the annual general meeting of the UK-ICN in Cambridge. We networked with other researchers working in the coronavirus field and discussed future research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Summer School at Greifswald |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Gave a talk about the use of the pig as a model to study influenza and other respiratory diseases. Discussion about the utility of the model and what lessons should be learned from the Covid pandemice |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk on Covid-19 to University of 3rd age |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on Covid origins to University of the 3rd age, discussing theories, background to coronavirus emergence |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | UK International Coronavirus Network AGM Cambridge 2022 |
| 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 | Three members of the team (myself, Dr. Newman and Miss Thakur) attended the AGM of the UK-ICN - which I am a co-director of - to discuss recent data and network with other coronavirus researchers. We presented talks and DB chaired a session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Volunteering at Royal Society Summer Science Festival |
| 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 | Several members of the team volunteered to help at the Royal Society's Summer Science Festival, working on Pirbright's stand to talk about virology, zoonosis and Covid with the general public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |