Microbiology

Research in Microbiology spans both Compton and Pirbright Laboratories. Pathogens under investigation include viruses, bacteria and parasites of farm mammals and poultry, some of which are transmissible to man. Much of our research is concerned with understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which pathogens interact with the host to cause disease. Thus we aim to identify, characterise and understand the functions and interactions of molecules that mediate uptake and trafficking of pathogens in host cells; molecules that contribute to pathogenesis, virulence, persistence and host range restriction; and molecules that perturb normal host signalling and regulatory pathways leading to evasion of host cell defence mechanisms or to viral oncogenesis. This knowledge helps us to better understand what is going on in the dynamic world of infectious diseases and equips us to develop new intervention methods, such as vaccines, in a rational manner.

Groups and Research Leaders

Coronavirus - Paul Britton
Avian Oncogenic Viruses - Venugopal Nair
Avian Influenza Virus - Munir Iqbal
Pircornavirus Structure - Terry Jackson
Morbillivirus Group - Tom Barrett
African Swine Fever Virus - Linda Dixon
Mammalian Enteric Pathogens - Mark Stevens
Eimeria - Fiona Tomley
Morbillivirus Host Interactions - Michael Baron
Bioimaging - Paul Monaghan
Bioinformatics - Mick Watson