A state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to combating viral diseases that spread from animals to humans has officially opened its doors in Surrey.
The Brooksby Building, located at the Pirbright Institute near Woking, is set to become a cornerstone of the UK’s pandemic preparedness and livestock disease research.
The high-biological containment facility will focus on studying viral threats such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), African swine fever virus, and bluetongue virus. Built to rigorous international standards, the building boasts advanced safety features to protect staff and the environment.
Revolutionary Research Capabilities
Designed with flexibility in mind, the Brooksby Building will enable in vivo experiments on small animals, including mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The standalone facility enhances the Pirbright Institute’s capabilities, complementing its existing high-containment laboratories and cutting-edge insectary facilities.
Named in honour of John Brooksby CBE, a pioneering researcher in foot-and-mouth disease and a former director of the Pirbright Institute, the new building represents a significant step forward in the fight against viral diseases.
Professor Bryan Charleston, the institute’s director, emphasised the importance of the new facility in tackling emerging threats:
“This is the final piece in the jigsaw to provide the UK with world-class facilities to respond to major viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread to humans.
“This new facility complements Pirbright’s existing state-of-the-art high-containment laboratories and extensive insectary facilities. Viruses spread by insect vectors, including mosquitos, represent a major threat to the UK because of climate change.”
A Boost for National Resilience
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, executive chair at the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), hailed the Brooksby Building as a crucial addition to the nation’s research arsenal:
“This state-of-the-art infrastructure is not just a building, however; it is the cornerstone upon which cutting-edge research is built and a crucial driver of bio-innovation.
“[It] represents an important enhancement to our nation’s research infrastructure, equipping the UK research and innovation community with the tools necessary to improve our understanding of diseases.”
Building UK Resilience
As climate change and globalisation heighten the risk of viral outbreaks, the Brooksby Building will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the UK’s agricultural sector and public health. With its advanced research capabilities, the facility aims to provide critical insights and innovations to combat diseases that threaten both humans and animals.
In a world increasingly vulnerable to pandemics, the Brooksby Building is a timely and vital investment in Britain’s biosecurity and scientific excellence.
