PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING VIRAL DISEASES

CORPORATE REPORT 2019 THE INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

Cover image: © Professor Bryan Charleston, Director’s Welcome 3 Director A VISION About Pirbright 6 African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) FOR HEALTH are the primary carrier host of Our Expertise 8 foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in African savannah Scientific Impact 10 ecosystems, where the disease is endemic. The cover image A Global Centre of Excellence 15 shows one of the captured buffalo housed in the veterinary facilities in Skukuza, Kruger Science for Everyone 16 National Park, South Africa. The studies showed some viruses Investment in the Future 18 persist for up to 400 days in buffaloes Working with Industry 21 Global Collaborations 22 Our Success Stories 26 Emerging diseases, particularly viruses that Pirbright is one of the few laboratories in and Zika – as well as carrying out research Developing Our Culture have the potential to cause pandemics in the world that has continued research on their livestock hosts and insect vectors. and Workforce 28 animals and humans, are a growing concern, into ASF over the past 20 years and we are All have epidemic potential and insufficient World Class Expertise 29 and international disease control agencies currently working to develop a vaccine as control measures, and our research will quite rightly recognise the need for funding well as testing antivirals for this devastating support the drive to be ready to respond. Pirbright Performance 29 in scientific research to combat these threats. disease. This highlights our position as a Work has already begun on developing a The viral diseases Pirbright studies pose global leader in the field of animal and human vaccine against Nipah for pigs; trials are Financial Performance 30 some of the world’s biggest threats, not just health, where our knowledge and expertise underway to test a more effective vaccine to animal health, but to food and economic inform policy on disease prevention and against Rift Valley fever; and we continue to security, so impacting on human health. control around the world. develop genetic engineering solutions to Pirbright’s unique combination of high The Institute has undergone significant control the spread of diseases like Zika and containment laboratories and animal facilities, change over the past ten years and has dengue by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. and expertise in biosafety and research received over £350 million of capital Much of our work is done in collaboration enables us to study many highly infectious investment from BBSRC UKRI to ensure it has with partners, both commercial and viruses, their hosts and the interaction the capacity to respond swiftly and effectively academic, and we are proud of the fact that in between the two. Foot-and-mouth disease to these global threats. We are now seeing the 2018-19 we were involved in 154 partnerships virus (FMDV), a highly infectious disease benefits of this investment as new specialist and networks across 53 countries. affecting cloven-footed animals, has a huge buildings come on stream and construction Our collaborative approach in sharing our impact globally and our research is facilitating commences on a high containment large scientific expertise is highlighted further with the development of a safer, cheaper and animal laboratory and a pathogen-free poultry the launch of the immunological toolbox, effective vaccine against multiple strains of facility. We continue to operate efficiently a web-based repository for antibodies, the disease, designed to improve animal and and cost-effectively compared to similar high reagents and information to advance human health. containment research facilities, delivering veterinary vaccine development through In 2018-19 African swine fever (ASF), a good value for UK Government. knowledge exchange and working together. deadly haemorrhagic disease of pigs, swept Our new laboratories will give us the Working with partners and engaging with through Eastern Europe and China resulting flexibility to respond to new and emerging the public and key stakeholders globally in the death of at least 150 million animals diseases, particularly those that spread remains a top priority to ensure we are well so far, threatening global food supplies and between animals and people (zoonoses). In positioned to respond rapidly and effectively causing economic hardship. It is still spreading preventing and controlling viral diseases of to outbreaks and protect the world’s health, throughout Asia. There is no vaccine or cure animals we are playing a key role in protecting food and economic security. and since this highly infectious virus can human health and furthering research in these remain viable in the environment for many viruses and tools to combat their spread, Professor Bryan Charleston Image: Cells infected with Director and CEO African swine fever virus (ASFV). weeks, controlling the disease relies on strict fulfilling the ‘One Health’ agenda. The Pirbright Institute Nuclear proteins in blue, biosecurity measures and culling. The Institute studies four zoonotic viruses endoplasmic reticulum highlighted by the World Health Organization proteins in red, early ASFV proteins in green as a priority for research – Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Nipah, Rift Valley fever, The Pirbright Institute www.pirbright.ac.uk @Pirbright_Inst @ThePirbrightInstitute The Pirbright Institute

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THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE

OUR SCIENCE ABOUT Pirbright provides the UK with its capacity to predict, detect, understand and respond to PIRBRIGHT the threat of specific potentially devastating viral livestock diseases. We have two research programmes – one linked to the study of viruses, the other to the study of hosts – which are funded by BBSRC UKRI over a five-year period. One of Pirbright’s strengths is that it has the capability to study both viruses (particularly highly infectious viruses that must be studied under high containment) and the natural hosts (livestock and insects also under high containment), and the relationship between the two. Unusually Pirbright combines fundamental and applied research to develop a range of scientific methods to research and facilities at Pirbright have evolved our core capability grant. The Institute also OUR VISION prevent, diagnose and control these diseases. Pirbright’s purpose is to eliminate viral to provide the UK with its capability to prevent received grants from other funders including diseases of livestock and those that spread and control viral diseases of livestock. Wellcome Trust, the Bill & Melinda Gates PROGRAMME 1: ENHANCED HOST from animals to people (zoonoses). We receive The Pirbright Institute is an independent Foundation, Department for Environment, company, limited by guarantee and a Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Defence RESPONSES FOR DISEASE CONTROL strategic funding from BBSRC UKRI and work Professor John Hammond heads up the host registered charity, governed by a Board of Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). to enhance the UK’s capability to eliminate research programme which focuses non-executive Trustee Directors. Research at Our current Trustee Board members are: and control economically important diseases on immunology, genetics, the Institute is reviewed by an independent through highly innovative fundamental and entomology, vaccinology group of leading scientists who comprise the Chair: Professor John Stephenson applied bioscience. and bio-informatics to Science Advisory Board and whose role it is Trustees: Ian Bateman, Ian Black, Jon Coles, investigate host-virus interactions False colour electron to provide advice and guidance on science Professor Vince Emery, Roger Louth, micrograph of African swine from the perspective of the host. OUR VALUES strategy and direction. Dr Vanessa Mayatt OBE, Dr Sandy Primrose, fever virus (ASFV) infecting The Institute employs around 375 This includes virus vectors such as BBSRC UKRI provides capital funding for Sir Bertie Ross, Professor David Rowlands and a cell. ASFV in turquoise, staff, research students and visiting scientists, arthropods (mosquitoes, midges mitochondria in blue campus development and research funding Jane Tirard. and is situated in Pirbright, . We promote and ticks), host responses to viral for our two science programmes as well as a culture of openness and transparency which and the translation of this is underpinned by our core values which are: knowledge to develop new methods wellbeing. • Multidisciplinary immunological research The Institute is a world centre of excellence to enable detailed understanding of BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: to control viral diseases. Passion – for the highest quality standards, The Jenner Building that ensures the UK remains prepared in the recognition and control of viral infection by event of a major viral disease outbreak of the natural host delivery and performance PROGRAMME 2: livestock.Pirbright’s capabilities include: • Facilities for infection of vectors with viruses Reliability – in everything we do: leadership, UNDERSTANDING AND • Next generation sequencing and in vitro learning, biosecurity, problem anticipation and PREVENTING VIRAL DISEASES containment of unexpected events Dr Toby Tuthill oversees the virus research • World-class scientists who are experts in the bioimaging in high containment Innovation – the driving force behind our programme which studies the interaction fields of virology, vaccinology, immunology, • High biocontainment engineering and fundamental and applied research. Our work between virus and host from the perspective epidemiology, entomology, biomathematics health, safety and biosafety expertise is positioned at the cutting edge of science to of the virus. It explores those properties of and genetic engineering deliver solutions for global good viruses that determine their ability to cause • Unique high containment research facilities OUR PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS: Dignity and respect – we respect and trust all disease, replicate, evolve and spread. By to study animal viruses of economic • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences in our diverse community understanding how viruses behave at many importance in the natural host (in vitro and in Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Excellence – we aim to deliver the best in all levels, including molecular and cellular vivo study facilities) Research and Innovation (UKRI) aspects of our work including health, safety, biology, and how they evolve within the host, • International Reference Laboratories • UK Department for the Environment, Food biosafety, scientific research, stakeholder we can better reconstruct and predict how accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, a UKAS and Rural Affairs (Defra) support and protecting the environment. viruses are spread and cause disease with the accredited laboratory number 4025 • Other UK research funding agencies aim of creating new vaccines, diagnostic tests • Genetically defined and inbred lines of • International funding and disease control We take PRIDE in being a world-class and predictive models. animals, collections of arthropod agencies, such as the World Organisation for organisation where knowledge, expertise, vectors and a range of well Animal Health (OIE), Food and characterised virus stocks Organization of the United Nations (FAO), facilities, professional excellence and rigorous PROTECTING THE UK academic, biosafety and ethical standards Pirbright provides the UK • Production and World Health Organization (WHO), the combine to generate global health and with its capacity to respond engineering of European Commission, and Bill & Melinda economic impacts. to high consequence recombinant Gates Foundation livestock and zoonotic antibodies for • Veterinary vaccine manufacturers and animal GOVERNANCE viral pathogens to veterinary research breeding companies The Pirbright Institute was established as a protect our food and • Farmers and livestock keepers tuberculosis cattle testing station in 1914 and economic security and over the past 100 or so years both the scientific improve health and

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OUR EXPERTISE

ANIMAL RESEARCH SERVICES Pirbright’s animal facilities are managed by a small specialist trained team who are highly experienced in the care and welfare of animals. Each animal unit has a Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) to ensure high standards of welfare, husbandry and care are in place. Pirbright staff go above and beyond the legal requirements set by the Home Office for the use of animals in research. We have a culture of care to ensure that animals are treated with compassion and respect which positively impacts on our quality of science. The Institute is a signatory to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, demonstrating our commitment to enhance our communication about the use of animals in our research and its importance in improving Trainees taking part in animal health. the secure insectary experimental methods course hosted at Pirbright BIORISK Pirbright’s work with high consequence pathogens poses one of the highest inherent techniques available within high containment delivered through a combination of skilled and risks to the UK, and as such, Pirbright is can be used to image, analyse and sort expert personnel, high containment facilities, licenced as a Major Hazard site, subject to live cells from host animals infected in high effective and reliable diagnostic tests, intensive scrutiny by regulatory agencies. To containment. reagents and archive materials. The reference manage and control this biorisk, Pirbright laboratories work closely with our research maintains a complex, advanced high BIOINFORMATICS programmes, enhancing our ability to control containment infrastructure, and applies Modelling is a crucial element of disease disease through fundamental understanding rigorous operational and management prediction and control and requires complex of viruses, their hosts and vectors and their systems, policies and processes. This utilises mathematical calculations to build a picture interrelationships. extensive in-house risk management and of how disease can spread, depending on engineering specialist expertise and is different factors such as where farms are TRAINING achieved in conjunction with world-class located, how many animals they keep, how Pirbright’s global training activities contribute scientists and good leadership. Pirbright animals are moved between them and the to the prevention and control of viral diseases works in close cooperation with regulators weather. Understanding transmission is of animals worldwide. Courses in laboratory and stakeholders on biorisk, including essential for improving disease control and diagnosis of viral diseases provide a platform safety, security, quality, environmental surveillance. This can be done using data from where the Institute shares its scientific and engineering aspects, and plays transmission experiments or from disease expertise and knowledge internationally and a leading role nationally and outbreaks to estimate how long animals are in-country through twinning projects and internationally in these areas. infectious for and how likely they are to spread collaborations. Pirbright’s impact has recently infection to others. increased through the development of online e-learning courses which are accessible, BIOIMAGING Pirbright offers REFERENCE LABORATORIES despite geographical boundaries, and cost- bioimaging facilities The reference laboratories at Pirbright effective, particularly to allow all scientists inside and outside of provide the UK with its national capability to participate. Pirbright also utilises staff’s containment featuring for diagnostics and surveillance to monitor specialised expertise in biosafety and high confocal and electron livestock for ten diseases of high consequence containment engineering to deliver high- microscopes, flow such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), quality training in response to the needs of Scientists working in the BBSRC African swine fever (ASF), lumpy skin disease the global community. National Virology Centre: The Plowright cytometry and cell sorters. Building enjoy a light and airy working The imaging and analytical (LSD) and bluetongue (BT). This work environment, a departure for high underpins global disease control and is containment laboratories

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Pirbright’s work has global impact, touching the lives of people who depend on SCIENTIFIC livestock for survival, informing policy on disease control and helping to rid the IMPACT world of devastating disease through vaccination, prevention and control.

immune responses and are particularly viruses on UK farms including bluetongue UNDERSTANDING THE PIG important for studying flu in pigs because virus (BTV). The genome sequence is THE COMMON COLD IMMUNE SYSTEM they act as ‘mixing vessels’ for the creation freely available to scientists with the aim of COULD BECOME LESS Researchers from Pirbright, together with the of new virus strains with pandemic improving our knowledge about which genes COMMON University of Bristol, Cardiff University and potential. are involved in the transmission of livestock Most remedies for the common cold rely University of Oxford, have generated tools to viruses. It will also allow comparisons to be on treating the symptoms of the infection improve understanding of the pig immune drawn with other groups of vectors, including rather than the virus that causes the infection. system. Researchers used a PIRBRIGHT REDUCES mosquitoes and sandflies. Further innovations Researchers at Imperial College London, unique line of Babraham THE NEED FOR in disease control could be made via genetic Queen’s University Belfast, University of inbred pigs to CHICKENS IN RESEARCH manipulation of the midge vector, now the Dundee and University of York worked with develop novel Our birnavirus researchers have genome is fully sequenced. scientists at Pirbright to test a molecule tools for tracking established a lab procedure which allows designed to target the virus-infected host the response the response of chicken immune cells to instead of the virus itself, since the virus of immune infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) to be CREATING HYBRID FMDV mutates rapidly making it more difficult to cells, killer T studied without infecting live chickens. The VIRUSES TO MAKE BETTER target. The new molecule targets a protein in cells, following protocol shows scientists how to isolate VACCINES the host called N-myristoyl transferase (NMT) influenza the immune cells, called B cells, and grow DESIGNING AFRICAN In a quest to create foot-and-mouth disease which helps construct the protein ‘shell’, infection or and infect them in the lab via a published SWINE FEVER VACCINES viruses (FMDV) with improved stability, or capsid, that protects the virus’ genetic vaccination. video. The work has received funding from African swine fever (ASF), a deadly which will increase the effectiveness of material. Without NMT the virus is unable to These tools the National Centre for the 3Rs (reduction, haemorrhagic disease of pigs, has affected an FMDV vaccines, collaborative research replicate. Researchers demonstrated that this will enhance our refinement, and replacement of animals estimated 150-200 million pigs since August led by scientists at Pirbright has resulted drug was active against multiple viruses in the A foot-and-mouth understanding of how used in research) to improve the control 2018 in China alone, threatening global food in the generation of a ‘hybrid’ FMDV. The disease virus same family as the common cold, including infected cell best to vaccinate animals of different immunosuppressive viruses in supplies and causing economic hardship. The team genetically engineered a virus of the poliovirus and FMDV, without affecting host and humans to achieve powerful protective poultry. virus is still spreading and currently there is no Southern African Territories (SAT) 2 serotype cells, though further study is needed to make vaccine. Pirbright has maintained a research by replacing most of its internal material with sure it is not toxic in whole organisms. programme on African swine fever virus that of an O serotype virus, which is known to REWRITING THE The Culicoides biting midge is (ASFV) since 1963, even when the disease was be more stable. The resulting ‘hybrid’ and wild EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY responsible for the spread of restricted to Africa and did not attract research type vaccines were then exposed to elevated MILK SAMPLES USED OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH several animal diseases funding. We continue to provide knowledge, temperatures and only the hybrid was shown TO DETECT FOOT-AND- DISEASE VIRUS diagnostic tests and reagents to global to induce antibody responses predicted to MOUTH DISEASE Pirbright scientists have reconstructed disease control agencies to find solutions for protect against foot-and-mouth disease Control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) the global evolutionary history of FMDV this emergency. (FMD) infection. The study shows that this is heavily reliant on the rapid and accurate lineage that is currently spreading widely Pirbright scientists are developing a vaccine could be an effective method for improving detection of the virus, but current tests outside of the Indian subcontinent. Using against ASF by identifying and deleting an other FMD serotype vaccines. normally use tissue or blood samples. samples submitted to the World Reference ASFV gene that codes for a protein that is Scientists from Pirbright and the US Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease thought to play a role in suppressing the pig Model of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and (WRLFMD), researchers revealed evidence immune system. The resulting weakened foot-and-mouth Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have of ‘recombination events’, where genetic strain of ASFV does not appear to cause disease virus shown it may be possible to detect FMDV sequences coding for the FMDV outer severe disease or death in pigs and protects in pooled milk samples stored in bulk tanks. shell proteins, known as the capsid, were them against natural strains of ASFV. These encouraging results demonstrate that exchanged between lineages. These Further research is being undertaken on milk testing could play a key role in disease recombination events previously prevented other viral proteins thought to play a role in surveillance during and after outbreaks. It also scientists from accurately interpreting the immune response. removes the need to test animals individually, FMD virus movements, leading to the new or require a vet to be on hand, reducing recommendation that only sequences both testing costs and the potential stress to encoding capsid proteins should be used for GETTING TO GRIPS WITH animals. Further research also showed that broad-scale mapping of lineage distributions. THE MIDGE GENOME milk samples collected in the field in Tanzania Further analysis of recombination events Experts in genetics and bioinformatics could be used successfully to detect cattle in buffalo has provided insight into the at Pirbright and the European infected with FMD. These results provide molecular evolution of the virus and showed Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) have built a an accessible and cost-effective way of that the role of recombination as a generator complete Culicoides biting midge genome, monitoring FMD outbreaks, which could of genetic variability in FMDV has been greatly paving the way for better disease control. strengthen surveillance capabilities. underestimated. Midges transmit a range of important animal

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Disease Reference Laboratory Group’s (NVDRL) diagnostic facilities. BTV affects INEXPENSIVE IBV domestic farmed animals such as cows, VACCINE ON HORIZON sheep and goats, and infection can reduce Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is milk yield and cause infertility, which has a the most economically important massive impact on livestock production and infectious disease affecting movement. This shows the importance of chickens in the UK. IBV vaccines are the routine post-import testing regime in currently produced in hen’s eggs – a place, and that active surveillance carried cumbersome and expensive process – out on live animal consignments moving because most IBV strains do not grow from neighbouring countries where BTV is in cell cultures. Our researchers have circulating is vital in the control of disease. identified the exact genetic code that allows a non-virulent lab strain of IBV to GROUND-BREAKING grow in cell cultures rather than eggs. By transferring this code into a vaccine METHOD PINPOINTS strain, scientists demonstrated it could HOW LIVESTOCK VIRUS also be grown in cells enabling rapid Infectious viral diseases often affect COULD BECOME A production of many IBV vaccine viruses livestock communities in those ZOONOSIS in large volumes. This results in lower countries that rely on their livestock Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), herds to survive. We work to alleviate production costs and allows for greater this burden to improve peoples lives which causes disease in sheep and goats, flexibility for protecting against the and is a close relative of the measles virus, ever-changing circulation of IBV strains. could overcome barriers that currently prevent it from entering human cells. The HOW PIRBRIGHT’S FOOT-AND-MOUTH study revealed that a single amino-acid KNOWLEDGE IS HELPING DISEASE VACCINATION change to the PPRV haemagglutinin protein CURB THE SPREAD OF STRATEGY COULD REDUCE enables it to use the receptor SLAMF-1 to LUMPY SKIN DISEASE RURAL POVERTY gain entry into human cells. It is important Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a disease of Targeted vaccination programmes to note that this does not mean the virus cattle which has recently spread from Africa, against FMD could help alleviate poverty would have the potential to cause disease in where it is endemic, to Greece and much in eastern Africa. Research undertaken with humans as many other factors are required of the Balkans. To better understand more the University of Glasgow and Pirbright for the virus to successfully replicate and about how LSD is spread between animals showed that livestock production losses cause clinical symptoms, but it does indicate Pirbright scientists have developed a bovine due to FMD are estimated to be around $2.3 that these viruses have the potential to jump model of LSD to investigate the mechanism billion each year in Africa, affecting national from animals to humans given the right of transmission, particularly by insect economies, food security and the livelihoods mutations and conditions. The innovative vectors. The stable flyStomoxys calcitrans of livestock keepers – 85% of which live in techniques used for the study negated is thought likely to be the most efficient at extreme poverty. The study found that in the requirement for live infectious virus transmitting lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), East Africa FMD serotypes pass through and high containment laboratories, which with the mosquito Aedes aegypti also seen livestock in slow waves, but that it was rare meant modified live viruses with potential as an efficient vector, although there remains for livestock to become infected by viruses zoonotic capability were not, and will not, uncertainty regarding exact transmission circulating in wild buffalo. Understanding be generated. These techniques could from insect to bovine. However, the long- this pattern of infection means that scientists give researchers the ability to monitor and term persistence of LSDV in a range of insect can tailor control methods to make them predict the emergence of such viruses with vectors, and the existence of subclinical LSDV more effective, rather than copying methods increased accuracy. have filled key knowledge gaps and enabled used in other regions that may not work. This Pirbright to offer advice to help control the could provide a cost-effective vaccination LSD epidemic in Southeast Europe in 2015- strategy that would aid in alleviating poverty 2018 and inform strategy on the in communities that are dependent on their prevention and control livestock for income. of LSD in the UK, making us better PIRBRIGHT HELPS prepared in the event THE UK REMAIN of an BLUETONGUE outbreak. FREE Bluetongue virus (BTV) type 8 was successfully identified in imported cattle on at least Chicken cells infected with infectious bronchitis two occasions in 2018-19 virus (red), a major by the National Reference cause of economic loss Laboratory for Bluetongue in poultry production Virus, part of the Non-Vesicular worldwide

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Pirbright’s campus comprises both high and low containment research A GLOBAL laboratories and high and low containment animal research facilities which CENTRE OF enable us to study viruses of livestock, and those that spread from animals to EXCELLENCE people and develop methods to combat their spread.

THE HOUGHTON FACILITY – DISEASE features of high containment to the highest PIRBRIGHT RESEARCH FREE POULTRY LABORATORY international standards that will allow FACILITIES The Houghton Facility is a Specific Pathogen safe working for our staff and protect the Free (SPF) hatchery that allows Pirbright environment. The new high containment THE BBSRC NATIONAL VIROLOGY to hatch and grow poultry under clean building will provide a stand-alone SAPO4 CENTRE – HIGH CONTAINMENT conditions. This maintains the disease- and Advisory Committee on Dangerous LABORATORY free status of the birds for use in animal Pathogens Containment Level 3 (ACDP3) large The BBSRC National Virology Centre: The experiments to study viral disease which animal facility with sufficient flexibility to house Plowright Building became fully operational is important to the welfare of chickens and small animals (mice, guinea pigs, rabbits), in April 2015 and is the result of £135 million ultimately to ensure security of food supply for in vivo experiments. The Brooksby Building government investment to develop a new for the UK. Part of a £250 million investment is crucial in the overall development of the high containment laboratory for research by BBSRC UKRI, the £4 million poultry facility Pirbright campus and will be a key component of viruses of high consequence such as is a purpose-built animal house dedicated to that allows sustained success in livestock and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African the incubation, hatching and growth of SPF zoonotic pathogens research. It is named swine fever (ASF). The laboratory houses chickens. Houghton was named after the in honour of John Brooksby who joined the 160 staff, including 125 scientists, and is poultry research station that was started at Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Institute essential to underpin the Institute’s two Houghton Grange, Cambridgeshire in 1948 at Pirbright in 1939 and became Director in scientific programmes for the purposes and will be fully operational in late 2019. 1964. The laboratory was designated the of in vitro research into virus diseases of World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and- livestock. At the highest level of containment THE PHILIP MELLOR INSECTARY – NON Mouth Disease (WRLFMD) in 1958. to study animal diseases (SAPO 4), it is CONTAINMENT LABORATORY designed to ensure virus research can be Research on viruses spread by insect vectors THE BIGGS BUILDING – LOW undertaken safely so no virus can be released. requires expertise in insect production and CONTAINMENT AVIAN RESEARCH It is named in honour of Walter Plowright supply. The Philip Mellor Insectary, which was LABORATORY who played a key role in the eradication of named in honour of Professor Philip Mellor The Biggs Building is an avian research facility rinderpest and was a leading scientist at the who established entomology research at operating at Containment Level 2 which Institute. Pirbright, is outside of containment and is will be used for in vivo avian research and is used for the production and maintenance named after Peter Biggs, who was the first to BBSRC NATIONAL VACCINOLOGY of unique insect colony lines of disease isolate a herpesvirus, the causative agent of CENTRE – LOW CONTAINMENT vectors of veterinary, medical and agricultural Marek’s disease. The project will consist of the LABORATORY importance. Species include biting repurposing and refurbishment of an existing The award-winning BBSRC National midges Culicoides, and mosquitoes such in vivo high containment large animal facility. Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building as Aedes and Culex, including genetically Investment of £6.5 million from BBSRC UKRI was opened in 2017 by The Princess Royal as modified lines. These insects can be studied has facilitated the project and will enable part of phase two of the redevelopment of in and out of high containment (using the transfer of current avian research from the Pirbright site. This facility houses a wide The Plowright Building) to improve our temporary facilities. The laboratory is due for range of groups working on strategically understanding of the relationship between completion in 2020. important endemic and exotic viral virus, vector and host. Insect lines are also pathogens that can be handled under low supplied externally to research organisations. containment including Marek’s disease FUTURE PLANS Pirbright’s vision is to deliver a campus that virus (MDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), fulfils the following objectives under its and low pathogenicity animal influenza RESEARCH FACILITIES masterplan outline planning: viruses. The Jenner Building replaces old UNDER DEVELOPMENT laboratory space at Pirbright (and the now • New insectary closed Compton campus) and is home to THE BROOKSBY BUILDING – HIGH • New low containment in vitro building over 100 scientists. CONTAINMENT ANIMAL FACILITY FOR LARGE ANIMALS • Stores and facility management centre This laboratory, which is currently under • New administration building construction, is designed for experimental work on high consequence pathogens such The BBSRC National as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The Virology Centre: The Plowright Building building will have all the engineering

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Pirbright researchers are committed to engaging with the public on all aspects of SCIENCE FOR their research including controversial topics such as the use of animals in research EVERYONE and genetic engineering. Over 120 Pirbright staff (83 scientists) undertook 43 public engagement activities including national science festivals, agricultural shows and events, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers events and hands-on school workshops. There were over 70 STEM careers ambassadors who actively promoted the benefits of working in STEM careers to students at all key stages.

the choices scientists and public health animals to people) and why the viruses officials should make during a that cause them are of global pandemic of an unknown concern. Pirbright’s exhibit deadly virus, therefore included a containment box shaping the ultimate that required visitors to outcome. crack codes based on how scientists study viruses, CONSERVING a genetic build a virus COMMUNITY puzzle that highlighted WILDLIFE the challenges our Local engagement is scientists face in particularly important identifying viral diseases to the Institute, and every and preventing their spread year volunteers dedicate time and Dr Zoo’s Travelling Science to maintaining the Fox Corner Lab (see right). Community Wildlife Area, which is used by the public and many community groups. This year participants helped to remove invasive ROYAL INSTITUTION FAMILY FUN DAY plant species and clear the pond to allow Pirbright researchers represented BBSRC native wildlife to flourish. UKRI at the Royal Institution Family Fun Day where they showcased how cutting-edge VIRAL SURVIVAL CRISPR genetic technology is used to modify Innovate 2019, mosquitoes so they are unable to spread viral a local science and arts diseases like Zika and dengue. With a LEGO®- FARMING FOCUS festival, saw the debut inspired Bug Busters exhibit, our scientists Our scientists attended the of Pirbright’s ‘Viral continued to inspire the younger generations biannual British Pig and Poultry Survival’ exhibit, as they demonstrated how gene editing Fair to speak to farmers, vets which introduced research can be used to control viral diseases and industry workers about zoonoses (diseases and benefit people all over the world. the key avian and swine viral that spread from diseases being studied at Pirbright. African swine fever, a fatal disease of pigs was of particular interest due to its rapid DR ZOO’S TRAVELLING spread throughout Eastern Europe SCIENCE LAB and Asia and there is currently no cure We developed Dr Zoo’s Travelling or vaccine. Science Lab, a bright pink Tardis- inspired escape room, to showcase BUSTING BUGS the techniques used by scientists to Pirbright wowed visitors at the 2018 combat zoonotic diseases. Visitors Cheltenham Science Festival with ‘Bug assisted Dr Zoo by using their ® Busters’, a LEGO interactive created to skills as a virologist, vaccinologist, showcase innovative genetic engineering bio-mathematician and biosafety research that allows the control of mosquito expert to enter the lab and solve a populations to manage viral disease. We also series of scientific puzzles to evade sponsored two interactive talks . ‘How safe a deadly disease. are our food supplies?’ explored the ways livestock and crop disease have a direct impact on food and economic security and what approaches scientists are taking to combat these diseases. ‘Pandemic Live’, an interactive event, saw audiences making live decisions on Volunteers helping to clear Fox Corner pond

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KEY Virus

Host INVESTMENT IN Dr Don King and Dr Anna Ludi have been awarded £1.2 THE FUTURE million from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to assist the African Union Pan African Veterinary Our funding continues Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC) in Ethiopia to assess the quality of FMD vaccines used in Africa. to grow as we attract The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a consortium led by Professor Luke Alphey US$1.4 million to develop proof- investment from of-concept tools that could prevent mosquitoes from transmitting a broad The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded Professor range of viruses. The project forms part of DARPA’s Preventing Emerging a diverse range of John Hammond £1.1 million to investigate antibody Pathogenic Threats (PREEMPT) programme, which aims to predict and organisations. responses to a new foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine contain viral mutations to prevent cross-species transmission of viral in cattle. This research will help improve the protective infectious disease from animals and insects to humans. properties of the vaccine by pinpointing the regions on the surface of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) that cattle antibodies recognise to control infection.

Professor Munir Iqbal has received £640,000 as part of a new ‘One As part of a project with investigators at The Health Poultry Hub’, led by the Royal Veterinary College, one of twelve (University of Oxford), Dr Elma Tchilian has been awarded global research hubs funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund £826,000 from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to test (GCRF) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) worth more than £18.1 influenza vaccines combining multiple antigens in viral vectors million. The Hub aims to work in collaboration to address the significant in pigs as a model for human influenza. The study will address challenges faced by the poultry industry from avian diseases especially the impact of route of administration on vaccine efficacy. in light of the increasing demand for poultry meat and egg production.

BBSRC UKRI has funded Dr Jarek Krzywinski £746,000 to adapt a gene-drive system created in the fruit flyDrosophila , for BBSRC UKRI has awarded Dr Shahriar Behboudi £484,000 to study disease control in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. This ‘Medea’ immune responses to Marek’s disease virus (MDV), which causes gene drive system aims to introduce, and rapidly spread lymphoma in chickens. The study aims to understand why MDV through the natural mosquito populations, genetic elements vaccines fail to control virus replication, allowing the virus to evolve that suppress the ability of mosquitoes to transmit diseases and form increasingly virulent strains, by looking at specific cells in such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. the immune response called T-lymphocytes which are responsible for controlling tumour formation and viral replication.

Dr Elma Tchilian has been awarded £471,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to identify and test antibodies for their ability to Dr Simon Carpenter has been funded £483,000 from Defra to investigate the protect against influenza virus infection. Pigs and humans are infected factors that determine transmission of arboviruses such as bluetongue virus by the same subtypes of virus and have the same distribution of (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). The project aims to define limitations sialic acid receptors in their respiratory tract. The pig is genetically, such as the infectious period for BTV in cattle, the survival rate of Culicoides immunologically, physiologically and anatomically more similar to during the winter, and seasonality in arbovirus transmission to provide tools humans than small animals. The similarity of clinical disease and that could enable prediction of disease outbreaks more accurately. pathogenesis of flu infection in the two species make pigs an excellent animal model to study the effectiveness of antibodies for their ability to protect against influenza.

Funding of £443,000 from the Medical Research Council (MRC) was awarded to Dr Toby Tuthill to study part of the virus that causes BBSRC UKRI has invested £440,000 in Dr Andrew Broadbent’s the common cold, the human rhinovirus. His team will investigate research to investigate why some vaccines against infectious how VP4 (a protein on the cell membrane that allows the virus to bursal disease virus (IBDV) fail. This virus is responsible for replicate) is affected by antibodies during immune response. Gumboro disease in chickens, which is a worldwide concern for the poultry industry.

Professor Satya Parida has received £172,000 as part of an Innovate UK Dr Holly Shelton has been awarded £187,000 from BBSRC UKRI award, led by Biogene, to develop a molecular diagnostics approach as part of a project to generate flu resistant chickens, which is for in-field animal testing capable of differentiating peste des petits led by Professor Wendy Barclay at Imperial College along with ruminants virus (PPRV) from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), collaborators at The Roslin Institute. If successful, this project which cause similar clinical signs in small ruminant livestock. could pave the way for breeding flu resistant chickens.

Professor Munir Iqbal has received £167,000 from Dr Toby Tuthill has been awarded around £78,000 in funding from Genomia BBSRC UKRI Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems for further development of a validated universal test to ensure production (ZELS) programme to develop tailor-made vaccines and of effective foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines. The goal is to develop diagnostics that target avian influenza viruses. this test into a commercial product.

18 | WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK | 19 THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 PIRBRIGHT’S PARTNERSHIPS

Diseases of poultry have a major Collaborations around the world are a priority for Pirbright. We teamed up impact on the farming industry and WORKING animal health. Our research is helping with eight industrial partners, which included vaccine developers, biotech to prevent avian disease through companies, global disease networks and other international organisations vaccine development and a better WITH understanding of the viruses that and academic institutes on 19 projects. We also filed three new patent cause these diseases INDUSTRY applications and our researchers disclosed three new inventions.

PATENTS AIDING AVIAN VACCINE DEVELOPMENT Pirbright has been granted two patents to develop vaccines to protect against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Every 10% reduction in the incidence of IBV would be worth an estimated £654 million to the global poultry industry. Patent one, which was granted in both Europe and the USA, is for research that has led to the ability to grow IBV in cell lines rather than eggs. This will facilitate rapid production of many IBV vaccine viruses in large volumes, thereby lowering production costs. Granted in the USA, patent two, results from research funded by BBSRC UKRI and Zoetis, Sheep and goats are and will aid the development of an IBV vaccine susceptible to peste des that can be delivered into the egg (in ovo) thus petit ruminants virus, protecting the chicks before they hatch. costing the agricultural economy billions of dollars Another patent has been granted in both Europe and the USA for a novel way to an animal has PPR disease or whether it has enhance the growth of vaccines using editing NEW PATENTS FOR AFRICAN SWINE been vaccinated, enabling livestock owners technology. Pirbright scientists working FEVER AND FOOT-AND-MOUTH to continue to trade and protect animals. closely with Horizon Discovery Group plc, DISEASE VACCINES Pirbright has been granted a patent in Africa To further enhance disease control for PPR, a global leader in gene editing and gene for a vaccine against African swine fever virus an Innovate UK-funded collaboration has modulation technologies, have shown that (ASFV). To develop the vaccine our scientists been established to develop new diagnostic removal of the IFITM gene from chickens deleted an ASFV gene that codes for a protein methods for PPR with Biogene Ltd and the allows researchers to develop cell lines that thought to play a role in suppressing the pig Royal Veterinary College (RVC). grow viruses to higher yields. Developed immune system. This resulted in a weakened with funding from BBSRC UKRI and the strain of ASFV that does not cause severe International Development Research Centre DEVELOPING VACCINES FOR disease or death in pigs and protects them (IDRC), this project will make vaccines for MULTIPLE BIRD DISEASES against natural strains of ASFV. Many poultry vaccines currently use a modified diseases such as influenza cheaper to produce Indonesia is the latest country to grant a herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) to induce and more accessible to livestock owners in patent for Pirbright’s virus-like particle (VLP) protection against a number of different developing nations. capsid vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease. poultry diseases including Marek’s disease Patents have already been granted in major (MD) and infectious bursal disease (IBD). Our Advances in vaccine development markets including Europe, USA, China and scientists have successfully shown that they are enabling a reduction in the use of Korea. can complement HVT vaccines with a licensed eggs in vaccine production vaccine strain for MD that also protects against PROTECTING GOATS AGAINST PESTE IBD. This MD vaccine vector offers the scope DES PETITS RUMINANTS for developing commercial vaccines capable Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral disease of giving protection against three or more that mainly infects goats and sheep across avian diseases in a single dose. A ‘triple insert’ Africa, Middle East and India, currently costs HVT vaccine is also in development to combat the agricultural economy between US$1.4 multiple diseases in a single vaccine. Pirbright billion and US$2.1 billion per year. Pirbright scientists are working with several major scientists have filed a patent application vaccine manufacturers to develop bespoke for a vaccine that will protect against PPR. vaccines for them. The new vaccine is the first that will enable differentiation between infected animals and vaccinated animals with a simple test (DIVA). This validated test will verify whether

WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK | 21 WORKING TOGETHER THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 WORKING TOGETHER

We are proud of the fact that we share our knowledge and expertise GLOBAL globally to advance scientific solutions in the fight against infectious COLLABORATIONS viral diseases of livestock.

SUCCESSFUL OIE known to be high risk for Pirbright scientists along with 40 vets precision and functionality of the tools that TWINNING PROJECT Lamb the disease. CCHF affects co-ordinated a PPR vaccination campaign can be offered to scientists to answer their WITH AU-PANVAC receiving livestock animals but can in a small village in India, where over 400 biological research questions, which is an Pirbright is proud to CCHF also be transmitted to sheep and goats were vaccinated in a day. essential tool for researchers across multiple be involved in twinning vaccine humans through the bites Farmers and local vets were also provided fields of biology. However, many research projects with multiple of infected Hyalomma ticks with expert guidance on diagnosing clinical institutes have unique bioimaging challenges partners through the or contact with blood or signs of PPR and the measures they could due to the type of research they conduct. World Organisation for fluids from infected animals take to reduce its spread. The initiative The network has been set up to promote Animal Health (OIE), including or humans, with 10-40% of cases was funded by BBSRC UKRI and the Indian collaboration and encourage discussion on the African Union Pan-African resulting in death. Government’s Department of Biotechnology. the challenges and solutions of working in Veterinary Vaccine Center (AU-PANVAC). Results from this study will show whether the bioimaging and increasing the resources As part of this project we supplied training vaccine, developed by Public Health NETWORK GOES GLOBAL available across the network. and other operational assistance to further (PHE), is able to prevent infection after the The Veterinary Vaccinology Network (VVN) knowledge and expertise. Following an audit animals are exposed to a natural variant of officially handed over operations to the A PARTNERSHIP FOR CONTROLLING at the Center conducted by experts from the virus under field conditions. Protecting International Veterinary Vaccinology Network LIVESTOCK DISEASE IN MONGOLIA Pirbright, AU-PANVAC was later granted susceptible animals will prevent CCHF from (IVVN) after its final annual conference in Pirbright researchers have partnered with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which is the spreading between herds and reducing the January 2019. Previous work undertaken by scientists in Mongolia in order to improve accreditation given to organisations that can risk to people. If successful, this could pave the VVN will continue through IVVN on an their ability to assess the effectiveness of demonstrate testing competence, testament the way for the first licensed vaccine effective international scale. The IVVN, a partnership livestock vaccines. A series of workshops were to the success of Pirbright’s involvement. against CCHF. between Pirbright and The Roslin Institute Peste des petits ruminants virus held to help Mongolian scientists develop (PPRV) infecting cells. Green and red funded by Medical Research Council (MRC) show proteins expressed by PPRV, a progressive control pathway for foot-and- A ‘ONE HEALTH’ VACCINE TRIAL FOR NEXT STEP IN ERADICATION OF PESTE and BBSRC UKRI will provide conferences, blue shows the nuclei of cells mouth disease, sheeppox and goatpox, a RIFT VALLEY FEVER DES PETITS RUMINANTS workshops, funding, lab exchanges and series of incremental steps that will help better A trial of a vaccine for Rift Valley fever (RVF) Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), also known scholarships, with a remit to address specific manage these diseases. The workshops designed to protect both animals and humans as goat plague, is highly contagious and challenges in vaccinology for priority livestock entailed setting up models for the study of is under way in Kenya. RVF is a mosquito- infects small ruminants such as sheep and and zoonotic diseases impacting low- and vaccines used in the field to show whether they borne disease that has spread to many goats, causing up to 90% mortality. The middle-income countries. have been effective at protecting the animals. African countries and the Arabian Peninsula, disease is prevalent across large parts of The results of these tests inform national causing disease outbreaks affecting millions Africa, the Middle East, India and China and POOLING EXPERTISE IN BIOIMAGING control plans for these diseases. of livestock and hundreds of thousands of is estimated to cost between US$1.4 billion Delegates from BBSRC UKRI institutes and humans. Madeleine Clark (Pirbright student) and US$2.1 billion globally each year. In close collaborators attended the first meeting PIRBRIGHT JOINS NEW ‘ONE HEALTH’ and George Warimwe, (Group Leader, 2017, a global eradication programme was of the Inter-Institute Imaging Network POULTRY HUB KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, introduced to reduce the devastating impact (IIIN) at Pirbright in November 2018. New The potential for new animal diseases to Kenya and Associate Professor, Centre for PPR has in affected countries. technologies have rapidly improved the emerge and ‘spill over’ into humans continues Tropical Medicine & Global Health, University to cause global concern. To combat the of Oxford) have been conducting the trial at increasing risk from viral diseases that spread the International Livestock Research Institute from animals to humans Pirbright is among (ILRI) Kapiti farm with a vaccine strain already the international experts that have formed the proved to be safe for use against human ‘One Health’ Poultry Hub. The ‘One Health’ diseases such as influenza, malaria, and Ebola. approach taken by the Hub, which is funded By developing a cross-species vaccine the by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through researchers are adopting a ‘One Health’ the Global Challenges Research Fund approach to vaccine design. (GCRF), recognises that human, animal and environmental health are inter-related, and COMBATTING CRIMEAN-CONGO so collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts in HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER research, policy and management of zoonoses Pirbright’s Dr Nick Lyons and Dr Georgina Human, animal and environmental are needed. Limon-Vega, together with veterinarians health are closely connected. A global from the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, have ‘One Health’ Poultry Hub is designed begun a Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever to combat the risk of diseases spreading between species and (CCHF) vaccine trial in an area of Bulgaria Delegates from BBSRC UKRI institutes come together for the Inter-Institute Imaging Network improve animal and human health

22 | WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK | 23 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Pirbright has established partnerships all over the world and was involved in 154 projects with both commercial and academic partners and collaborators in 53 countries during 2018-19.

NORWAY !

SWEDEN ( ESTONIA @ $ RUSSIA # IS DENMARK CANADA @ ! KAZAKHSTAN ! LITHUANIA NETHERLANDS BQ IRELAND # GERMANY CL CU @ UNITED STATES PAKISTAN @ POLAND BELGIUM ( ! ! CHINA ( JAPAN ! FRANCE CQ CZECH REPUBLIC AZERBAIJAN BM INDIA ! SWITZERLAND & SOUTH KOREA ! ROMANIA ! THAILAND @ SLOVAKIA SENEGAL @ @ VIETNAM @ SERBIA # BN MONTENEGRO ! ! MALAYSIA SPAIN BR MALI ! ETHIOPIA ITALY GREECE $ TURKEY ! $ BURKINA BRAZIL ! % TURKMENISTAN ! FASO KENYA SLOVENIA ! ! ^ ! NIGERIA ! BANGLADESH AUSTRALIA ALBANIA ! ISRAEL $ TANZANIA ! MOROCCO

ARGENTINA ! SOUTH AFRICA $ KIRIBATI !

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Our staff have been recognised for their successes, both within the Institute OUR through our staff awards and by external stakeholders and partners, reinforcing SUCCESS the value placed on Pirbright’s role in preventing and controlling viral disease. STORIES

Professor Bryan Charleston, Dr Claire Colenutt received PhD student Veronica Martini Director and CEO of The the Innovation in Animal received the In Vivo Skills Pirbright Institute, has Healthcare award at the 2018 Award from BBSRC UKRI. been awarded an Honorary Guildford Innovation Awards. The £17,600 funding will give Professorship from the Dr Colenutt won the award for Veronica the opportunity to University of Edinburgh. the creation of a new foot-and- learn new skills to progress her mouth disease virus (FMDV) swine influenza research. field test, which improves disease surveillance and alleviates the burden that it places on many smallholders and subsistence farmers who are reliant on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) susceptible livestock.

Professor Satya Parida, Dr James Kelly was elected At the European foot-and- who leads the Vaccine to sit on the Microbiology mouth disease (EuFMD) Differentiation Group has Society Policy Committee open session conference been awarded an Honorary from January 2019. This in October 2018 research Professorship from the Royal committee is responsible for assistant Emma Brown Veterinary College. overseeing the development won best poster prize for and delivery of the policy her poster ‘Evaluating framework to support the Society’s strategic the efficiency of environmental sampling objectives. methods for the detection and quantification of foot-and-mouth disease virus’.

Dr Britta Wood, a postdoc Animal Technician Louise Students Rachel Nash, Matthew Edmans and at the Institute in the World Carder won Pirbright’s 3Rs Fatoumatta Jobe won the best talk prizes at Reference Laboratory for award for her invaluable Pirbright’s Student Day, while Lucy Gordon, Foot-and-Mouth Disease work in training pigs in order Matthew Brownsword and Veronica (WRLFMD) and Deputy to reduce stress in a high Martini were awarded prizes for their poster of the WRL Virology containment laboratory presentations. Prizes were also awarded for Section, won best oral environment. The annual public engagement to Abigail Hay, David presentation at the European Association Pirbright 3Rs Award aims to highlight an King and Sofia Riccio. of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians outstanding contribution to the 3Rs animal 2018 conference. research framework at the Institute (Reduction in numbers, Refinement of procedures, Replacement with laboratory procedures) by recognising an individual, team or group who From left to right: Fatoumatta Jobe, Matthew have implemented alternative approaches Edmans, Lucy Gordon, Matthew Brownsword, with a direct benefit to the 3Rs. Rachel Nash

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF THE WRLFMD The World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (WRLFMD) celebrated its 60 Year Anniversary in November 2018 with a two-day symposium which brought together leading scientists from around the globe. The milestone was marked with the erection of ‘The Bull’, a complete replica of the original brick bull that was set into the brickwork of the original reference laboratories in 1967, that could not be saved during demolition of the labs Stairwell in the BBSRC National in 2018. The WRLFMD provides the UK with its capability to respond and Virology Centre: The Plowright control any potential outbreak of FMD as well aiding its prevention by offering Building, an award-winning high diagnostics and surveillance services and advice to countries worldwide. containment laboratory

26 | WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK PIRBRIGHT’S PEOPLE THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 PIRBRIGHT’S SUCCESS

SUCCESS RATE DEVELOPING BY GENDER WORLD-CLASS PIRBRIGHT OUR CULTURE EXPERTISE PERFORMANCE

AND Male: Female: WORKFORCE 2.4% exceptional 8.4% exceptional

Pirbright’s people are passionate 27.2% highly successful Pirbright prides itself in attracting top talent, whether it be FROM 2019/20 PIRBRIGHT’S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES ARE: about delivering outstanding scientific 26.8% highly successful scientists, technical biosafety experts or skilled engineers. 1 To continue a world leading research programme by publishing research and operational support, and By attracting the best people, we continue to deliver groundbreaking scientific research, winning research funding and we are committed to making Pirbright leading-edge research to combat the spread of devastating recruiting and retaining the brightest and the best staff and students. a fantastic place to work and one diseases. 2 To further develop the Pirbright long term vision of scientific research where our staff can choose to develop 19.6% successful with impact, in particular enhancing our collaborations with agencies 14.4% successful ISABELLE DIETRICH CHRIS OVERTON improving disease control in low and middle-income countries. their careers. Pirbright’s PRIDE values Isabelle joined Chris joined the To continue to implement the fully funded development programme (Passion, Reliability, Innovation, Dignity Pirbright in 2018 as Institute in 2019 3  to provide additional animal research facilities to study high and Respect, Excellence) underpin a Fellow heading as Head of Managing performance is a key management priority, in terms of supporting people to meet organisational consequence pathogens. These facilities will further enhance the all aspects of the culture at Pirbright objectives and their own personal development objectives. Females outperformed their male colleagues up the Mosquito Information Institute as a unique National and International Capability. and promoting equality, inclusion and in the ‘exceptional’ performance category last year, with other ratings being relatively evenly split. Immunology Services To develop strong strategic collaborations with other global centres valuing diversity is fundamental to Group. Isabelle to provide 4 practices and ensure that everyone has was delivered, and a comprehensive studied mosquito immune strategic oversight of all of excellence to support the Institute science programme grants. Pirbright’s mission and goals. access to the same opportunities and fair e-learning portfolio is available to all. In responses to Rift Valley fever information technologies and To diversify our funding through greater collaboration with treatment. We support a range of different addition, the apprenticeship programme 5 virus (RVFV) at the University of oversee the IT department. international partners via various new funding opportunities. CELEBRATING DIVERSITY working patterns to provide flexibility and has provided opportunities in a range of Glasgow before moving to the Chris has over 25 years of We continue to enjoy success in recruiting 6 To maintain our high containment infrastructure, to manage the are pleased that a number of people have functions. University of Oxford to study experience in information talent from around the globe with new safety, security, environment and quality risks from our work with high taken advantage of shared parental leave. During the year our leaders and managers immune recognition of RNA technology across a diverse starters joining last year from 18 different consequence pathogens, and to provide training and expertise to We are committed to reducing the gender have all participated in a leadership training viral genome composition and range of sectors, 18 years countries. These employees enrich the external partners in these areas. pay gap at Pirbright and in our pay award programme which will be followed up with a structure. With the emergence of which have been in a community within the Institute by bringing in 2018 58.2% of female employees and practical management skills programme to of arboviruses such as Zika, management position. diverse experiences and view-points, helping PIRBRIGHT’S KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ARE: 47.4% of male employees received a bonus ensure that our managers continue to grow chikungunya and RVF and the Chris has a keen interest in us attract the best staff and building our performance reward. Our gender pay gap their capability and competence to support associated significant threat to cloud technology and will be • Publications in relevant scientific journals; being one paper per reputation in the UK and globally. To further report is published annually on our website. and encourage our people to reach their full public and animal health and local exploring ways to develop and postdoctoral scientist per year enhance this, we provide unconscious bias We are working hard to address our gender potential. economies, Isabelle’s work aims utilise emerging technology at training and ensure that our interview panels • Submission levels and success rates for research grant proposals; pay gap through ensuring that our processes to identify novel strategies to Pirbright. are diverse. going from 25% to 30% over the next five years and approaches align to our equality, diversity LOOKING AFTER OUR PEOPLE control arbovirus replication and We take our commitment to Equality and • Recruitment and retention of high-quality staff and students; to and inclusion (EDI) culture. Employee wellbeing is hugely important transmission by their mosquito Diversity seriously and this remains integral achieve less than 15% annual staff turnover within five years In 2018-19 an extensive programme of and increasingly our focus is on holistic vectors. to how we develop and improve our people training and development for our employees wellbeing (mind and body). We provide JAROSLAW • Annual research income of £11 million externally won funding each a comprehensive health surveillance KRZYWINSKI year over the next five years programme, monthly occupational health Jarek’s research GENDER Total part-time staff • Compliance with all statutory requirements as a Major Hazard site, clinics, and a free, confidential Employee ERICA focuses on BREAKDOWN 42 (12%) close cooperation with regulators, and conformity to applicable BICKERTON the molecular Assistance Programme. We ran a Wellbeing standards such as ISO/IEC 17025. Total students Total staff Day in November 2018 where a range of health Originally systemics and 67 356 and wellbeing benefits were provided – over joining Pirbright genomics of mosquitoes. He OUR PERFORMANCE AGAINST KPIS 2018-19: 150 people were involved. We regularly in 2006 as a heads up Pirbright’s Vector promote health awareness topics and have PhD student, Molecular Biology Group which Female staff Male staff Erica has recently become a explores novel ways, rather • We published 131 papers in a range of high-impact trained a number of our staff as mental health journals achieving an average 1.05 publications per 178 (50%) 178 (50%) first aiders to provide a first line of peer support Group Leader of Coronaviruses than insecticides, to control to those who may need it. We also provide following a successful fellowship. mosquito-borne diseases. His post-doc in the year Total Erica’s work utilises molecular group’s research is designed to workshops for managers to give guidance and • Grant application success rates for 2018-19 were staff and support in managing absences. virology, next generation gain a greater understanding of Male students students All of these initiatives signal our desire sequencing and reverse genetics the basic biology of mosquitoes, 58%, the average success rate over the past three 26 (39%) 423 Female students to provide our employees with the best to characterise the pathogenicity particularly the mechanisms of years was 46% 41 (61%) opportunities and environment to reach their determinants of the sex determination and sperm personal and professional fulfilment and take gammacoronavirus, infectious production in Anopheles • The annual grant income for 2018-19 was £17 million, pride in contributing to our world-leading, bronchitis virus (IBV). The aim of gambiae and how this can be exceeding the £11 million target by over 50% ground-breaking research and the positive this research is to develop new applied to controlling mosquito Total full-time staff impact we create. vaccines for better control of IBV populations, thus preventing the 314 (88%) and other coronaviruses. spread of disease.

28 | WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK | 29 FINANCIAL CHARTS THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

BBSRC Strategic 2018-19 and research grant INCOME £47.8M £19.1M

Other income £2.8M Other research grants £7.4M

Capital and maintenance grants £13.5M Defra grant £4.5M 2018-19 EXPENDITURE £46.2M

Research staff costs £12M

2018-19 CASH RESERVES £30.5M Total restricted resources expenditure £11M Research and Restricted capital infrastructure £20M costs £14.8M

Unrestricted general Other research £6.2M costs £8.3M New high and Unrestricted low containment designated laboratories stand side by side £4.3M facilitating Pirbright research objectives

30 | WWW.PIRBRIGHT.AC.UK Scanning electron micrograph of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) viral particles (green) budding from the surface of cultured epithelial cells from a patient

The Pirbright Institute Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF Telephone: +44 1483 232441 Email: [email protected] www.pirbright.ac.uk I @Pirbright_Inst Image: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Image: National Institute of Allergy