Pirbright Institute opens new centre

The Pirbright Institute has opened a new National Vaccinology Centre in Surrey to further enhance the research of viral diseases in animals.

The new centre, named the Jenner Building, is part of the second phase of redevelopment at the Pirbright Institute and can house up to 100 scientists. Work carried out at the facility will investigate diseases such as avian influenza (bird flu), Marek’s disease (which affects chickens) and African horse sickness virus.

Dr Bryan Charleston, CEO of the Pirbright Institute, said: “Our innovative new facilities will enable scientists to develop a greater understanding of virus-host interactions and how best to combat diseases using the latest technologies including the genetic modification of vaccines and viruses.”

A recent breakthrough achieved at Pirbright includes new technologies that aid the development of genetically modified vaccines. As well as being cheaper and quicker to produce, genetically modified vaccines can protect against more than one strain of a viral infection. Researchers from the Institute are also working as part of an international team to prevent the spread of African swine fever.

The Centre’s construction cost £24m and formed part of a £350m capital investment from the government through the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council. It accommodates both in vitro and in vivo research, which is usually performed by the Avian Viral Disease Programme, in addition to experiments that require less containment than provided by other buildings on site.

The Jenner Building was designed by NBBJ, a design practice with a portfolio of buildings worldwide. Ingo Braun, Design Director at NBBJ, said: “We’ve designed The Jenner Building to be efficient both in terms of energy use and working methods. The architecture’s primary focus is to enable and inspire innovation and research that can set new global precedents. As the first new building on this campus we have designed it to signpost the work carried out by the Pirbright Institute.”

The design uses renewable technologies such as automated vents for night time cooling, rainwater harvesting and a large scale photovoltaic array on the roof.