Use of reverse genetics systems to study avian viruses responsible for endemic diseases and the development of novel vaccine strategies
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
This project will use reverse genetics systems to study the role of genes involved in viruses responsible for causing endemic diseases in poultry. This will involve studying the role of the genes in the biology of the viruses, their transmission and in pathogenicity. The work will allow the rational development of molecularly defined vaccines and generation of diagnostic reagents. Other aspects of the work will involve the identification interactions between viral and host proteins to help understand their role in pathogenicity. The ultimate outcomes of the studies will provide information for the development of new generations of vaccines against avian viruses using novel approaches.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Publications
Bentley K
(2013)
Infectious Bronchitis Virus as a Vector for the Expression of Heterologous Genes.
in PloS one
Bentley K
(2013)
Identification of a noncanonically transcribed subgenomic mRNA of infectious bronchitis virus and other gammacoronaviruses.
in Journal of virology
Bickerton E
(2018)
The S2 Subunit of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Beaudette Is a Determinant of Cellular Tropism.
in Journal of virology
Bickerton E
(2014)
Cellular tropism of the infectious bronchitis virus spike glycoprotein
in 8th International Symposium on Avian Corona- and Pneumoviruses and complicating pathogens 2nd Annual Meeting of Cost Action FA1207, Rauischholzhausen, Germany
Bickerton E
(2017)
Reverse Genetics System for the Avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Bickerton E
(2018)
Recombinant infectious bronchitis viruses expressing heterologous S1 subunits: potential for a new generation of vaccines that replicate in Vero cells.
in The Journal of general virology
Britton P
(2012)
Recombinant vaccines against infectious bronchitis
in Avian Pathology Newsletter
Britton P
(2012)
Modification of the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus for vaccine development.
in Bioengineered bugs
Dent SD
(2015)
The proteome of the infectious bronchitis virus Beau-R virion.
in The Journal of general virology
| Description | We have used the reverse genetic system we developed for the pathogenic M41 strain of avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) to investigate the role of the spike glycoprotein in tropism and pathogenicity. To do this, we generated several recombinant IBVs expressing the whole spike glycoprotein or a chimaeric spike glycoproteins from different strains of IBV. We assessed replication of the recombinant strains in vitro in primary chicken kidney cells and in Vero cells, a continuous cell line and confirmed that the extended tropism of the Beaudette strain of IBV in cell culture is conferred by the S2 subunit of the spike glycoprotein. We also assessed replication of one recombinant IBV in vivo. |
| Exploitation Route | Knowledge about how recombinant IBVs with chimaeric spike glycoproteins replicate in cell culture will be of use in the rational design of next generation vaccines against IBV. This may aid the design of vaccines that can be propagated in cell culture rather than in embryonated eggs, an important consideration under the 3Rs. The findings of this work has contributed to the application and funding of a BBSRC Follow-on Fund grant, which will continue to develop some aspects of this research. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The findings have been used in the design of new vaccine candidates against avian coronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). These vaccines are being evaluated in collaboration with industrial partners. Funding has been awarded from BBSRC to continue some aspects of the research. Vaccines that can be produced in cell culture rather than in embryonated eggs would be very beneficial for the poultry industry. We have demonstrated that both the cell-type and IBV strain are important considerations for the future study of the E protein and replicase proteins in IBV replication. This is likely to be applicable to the study of the E protein in other coronaviruses and of interest to other researchers. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| 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 | A methodology to universally attenuate avian coronavirus strains |
| Amount | £450,616 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/Z516144/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2025 |
| End | 01/2027 |
| Description | BBSRC responsive mode link award |
| Amount | £1,382,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/P019137/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2018 |
| End | 01/2021 |
| 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 | Further development of infectious bronchitis virus vaccines adapted for production in cell culture |
| Amount | £262,701 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R019576/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | Rational development of the next generation of vaccines for Infectious Bronchitis Virus |
| Amount | £155,538 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Egg Marketing Board |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2024 |
| End | 09/2028 |
| Description | Taiwan Partnering Award |
| Amount | £40,700 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S020624/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Optimisation of preparation of TOCs from adult chickens |
| Description | Tracheal organ cultures (TOCs) are prepared from chicken embryos and used to assess growth of avian viruses that are not able to be propagated in cell culture. We have optimised the method of TOCs preparation from 3-week old chickens and are using these to assess viral genetic stability and phenotype in organ cultures that are a similar environment to the site of replication in whole chickens. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | We hope that this technique will reduce the number of chickens required for in vivo experiments, in line with the 3Rs, and plan to publish the method in due course. |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Bristol |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating on a PhD studentship to investigate "Rational development of the next generation of vaccines for Infectious Bronchitis Virus". We have sourced the funding and are hosting the student. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners at Bristol are supervising the PhD student and we have monthly meetings to discuss project progress. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| 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. We are supervising two PhD students in the group. |
| 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. They are supervising two PhD students in the group. |
| 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. PhD studentship funding from The Pirbright Institute 'Investigation of the role of the s2m motif in IBV replication and pathogenicity', which commenced in 2023. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Careers 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 | Students from several schools in the region attended the careers fair where we had a stall. Several students requested information about apprenticeships and were interested in possible careers in science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |
| 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 | International Avian Respiratory Disease Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Michael presented his research at the 2018 International Avian Respiratory Disease Conference in the US to an audience of avian researchers and representatives form the poultry veterinary vaccine industry. This sparked discussion and potential future collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | International Day of Women and Girls in Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a quote as a STEM ambassador about why I think it is important to make sure women and girls have the same opportunities in STEM. This was shared on social media to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a UN-led initiative. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Interview for national newspaper |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Interview with a journalist from The Telegraph about coronavirus replication and transmission. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Interview with Associated Press |
| 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 | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Interview with a journalist from Associated Press about coronavirus research at The Pirbright Institute. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Interview with BBC Radio Surrey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Interview with journalists from BBC Radio Surrey on the breakfast show about coronavirus research at The Pirbright Institute. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Interview with BuzzFeed News |
| 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 | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Interview with a journalist from BuzzFeed News about coronavirus research at The Pirbright Institute. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Invited seminar speaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Erica Bickerton was invited to give a seminar at Imperial College London, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | MSc student visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I hosted several MSc students from University of Surrey, discussed avian research with them and demonstrated some laboratory techniques. The students gained an understanding of academic research and laboratory work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| Description | Microbiology Society Annual conference (UK) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Poster or oral presentation at Microbiology Society annual conference, a major international event. The participants included researchers from many different areas of science. This provides a platform to promote research to a wider audience as well as discuss the key findings with experts in my own field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | Microbiology Society Avian Focus Meeting (UK) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I gave a 15 minute oral presentation to an audience of around 80 people in 2016 and 2018. The audience consisted of researchers from many different scientific institutions from different areas of avian research. This was a great opportunity to present to experts in this field and gain novel insights into the project and the possible applications of my work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2018 |
| Description | Nidovirus symposium |
| 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 my work at the Nidovirus Symposium, which is held every three years and brings together researchers from industry and academia from many different countries. I had some interesting discussions with other researchers and built my network. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| 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 | Positive Strand Viruses Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This was a poster presentation. There were several different poster sessions at the conference allowing a large selection of people to view each poster. The audience included world leaders in my research field and important names from groups all over the world. This gave me the opportunity to discuss my work with other scientists on a one to one basis, leading to generation of new ideas for future experiments and collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2013,2016,2019 |
| Description | Presentation at American Society for Virology conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited to give a keynote talk on "Rational vaccine design for the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus" at the ASV Satellite Symposium: Viral Pathogenesis and Prevention in Animals, discussed research and future plans with other researches in the field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation at Global Alliance for Research on Avian Diseases Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of my research at the Global Alliance for Research on Avian Diseases Conference in Vietnam to approximately 80 conference participants resulted in discussions about future research directions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| 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 | Presentation at RIVR meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of my research at Recently Independent Virology Researchers (RIVR) meetings in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. I discussed my work and future collaborations with other virology researchers working in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Presentation to BBSRC Executive Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I presented our research to the BBSRC Executive Board when they visited The Pirbright Institute in September 2018 and discussed the impacts of our work.. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| 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 | Reverse genetics seminar (University of 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 seminar was given based upon the reverse genetics system of infectious bronchitis virus. The audience was a group of 10 -15 MSc students from University of Surrey. The students were engaged, asked questions about the research and careers in science. We were asked to repeat the seminar for the next year's intake of students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
| Description | School visit (Compton, West Berkshire) |
| 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 | The school visits included working with small groups of a-level biology students demonstrating a technique in the curriculum. They were encouraged to ask us questions about our work and how we use the technique as well as trying it out for themselves. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015 |
| Description | Teentech |
| 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 | The annual Teentech student science event in Guildford aims to encourage teenagers to consider science subjects and science careers. Our stand had considerable interest from the schoolchildren who were very enthusiastic. The event stimulated an increased interest in science and research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2019 |
| Description | organised workshops at Microbiology Society annual conferences 2014 - 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I co-organised virology division workshops on viral evolution and diversity and RNA viruses with colleagues from the virology division. The workshops were held at the annual Microbiology Society conferences in spring each year. Organisation involved selecting abstracts for oral or poster presentation, ordering the presentations and chairing the sessions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018 |