microscopy

The Pirbright Institute is a world leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of virus diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. We receive strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and work to enhance capability to contain, control and eliminate these economically and medically important diseases through highly innovative fundamental and applied bioscience. The Institute employs around 450 staff plus research students and visiting scientists. and has recently moved to one campus in Pirbright, Surrey, where investment by BBSRC has resulted in a redevelopment of the site and the construction of a high level biosecurity facility – the BBSRC National Virology Centre: The Plowright Building and a containment level two facility, The Jenner Building.
The Pirbright Institute provides the UK with capacity to predict, detect, understand and respond to the threat and potential attack of serious viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans. These viral diseases may not be present in the UK (endemic) and only circulating abroad (exotic).The Institute’s science strategy is delivered through three strategic programmes: Avian Viral Diseases; Livestock Viral diseases and Vector-borne Viral Diseases.

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University creates transformative technological breakthroughs by engaging in high-risk research, crossing disciplinary and institutional barriers, to develop new engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing. Our technologies are translated into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators, corporate alliances, and formation of new startups

Over the last five years, the URMC has garnered more than $1.18 billion in biomedical research funding, common and rare illnesses, landing the University in the top 26th percentile of U.S. medical centers in Federal research funding. Coupled with one million square feet of state-of-the-art research space, and high-end support services and shared resources, we’re building upon this strong legacy of research every day. Our scientists contributed vaccine technology: HPV vaccine, protecting against cervical cancer, newborns worldwide receive a vaccine that URMC researchers created against Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), virtually wiping out a leading cause of meningitis in preschoolers. And we conducted the first pivotal, H5N1 bird flu efficacious and safety study, and ready to administer if faced with a pandemic. The Medical Center also has a long history in HIV research, being one of the first sites in the United States to conduct HIV vaccine studies. The NIH-sponsored University of Rochester HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Unit, or The Rochester Victory Alliance, participated in more than 275 HIV treatment and vaccine trials, enrolling upwards of 3,500 volunteers since 1987.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is world renowned for its research and translational programs in virology and the global reach of these programs.  The UW-Madison Global Health Institute lies at the crossroads of these endeavors and serves as an umbrella organization for broad-based activities on emerging themes in global health.  Virologists at UW-Madison study agents infecting humans, animals, and plants, including highly pathogenic viruses (e.g. the ebolaviruses) and viruses with pandemic potential (e.g. influenza virus, arboviruses).  Activities range from basic research to the development of vaccines and therapeutics to public health and policy.  UW-Madison has particular strengths in emerging viral pathogens and zoonosis, including rapid detection and characterization of viral agents, the development of animal models (especially primates), and the development of countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics.

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is known worldwide for its academic excellence in virology research. The scientists and academic staff at the university include some of the world’s foremost infectious disease experts, and research at the university results in groundbreaking biomedical discoveries and the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tools. The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL), the flagship high containment facility of the UTMB Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, resides on the UTMB campus and houses research on Ebola, chikungunya, MERS coronavirus, dengue, West Nile, and other emerging viruses. The Institute also includes the Center for Biodefense & Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, the Center for Tropical Diseases, and the McLaughlin Endowment for Infection and Immunity.