Services

The IAH Pirbright Reference Laboratories provide the following services to Defra:

  1. Tests to detect the pathogens or antibodies against them. This service is provided on a 24/7 basis.
  2. Modification and validation of tests to deal with new, variant forms of the pathogens.
  3. Laboratory characterisation of pathogens in order to determine their origin, make predictions about their likely mode of transmission and the success of different control strategies, such as vaccination.
  4. Supply of specialist reagents and materials to other laboratories in case multiple diagnostic centres are needed to deal with a major epidemic.
  5. Animal experiments with the pathogens in order to evaluate biological properties such as host specificity, routes of transmission and efficacy of vaccines.
  6. Advice.

Follow the link for the Product Price List and Diagnostic Service.

 
Submission Forms

Serology testing submission form Serology Testing Submission Form
General sample submission form Non vesicular reference laboratory general submission form
   

The services provided to international organisations (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, the European Union, and the World Organisation for Animal Health, OIE) include:

  1. Receiving samples from overseas for diagnosis and characterisation (strain-typing, vaccine-matching).
  2. Organisation of inter-laboratory comparative testing exercises.
  3. Development and supply of reference materials and kits.
  4. Animal experiments with the pathogens in order to evaluate biological properties such as host specificity, routes of transmission, and efficacy of vaccines.
  5. Training scientists from other countries.
  6. Advice.

Funding of IAH?s Reference Laboratories comes from Defra, FAO and the EU, though not from the OIE.

Content Sub

Further information about the Reference Laboratories in IAH:
Diagnosis of Vesicular Diseases Group
Diagnosis of Non-vesicular Diseases Group
Viral Oncogenesis Group