Tag: chickens

Chicken antiviral proteins: study of genetic variation across breeds

A collaborative study led by The Pirbright Institute and Imperial College London has identified variations in the genes of chicken antiviral proteins called interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) which could have an impact on their ability to fight viral infections. This is the first study to look at the natural genetic variation of IFITM genes across […]

A single Influenza A virus protein can increase period of infection

Research led by scientists at The Pirbright Institute has shown how an Influenza A virus (IAV) accessory protein, PB1-F2, is able to shut down two pathways of the chicken immune response to increase the length of time the virus can be transmitted. The researchers say that the majority of avian IAV isolates are able to […]

Project aims to boost productivity and health of village chickens

Adopting a more local and flexible approach to sustainable development could be key to improving the productivity of small-scale chicken farms in Ethiopia, according to a study published in Nature Sustainability. The research was led by the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, University of Nottingham, the Royal Veterinary College, Wageningen […]

Marek’s disease: new gene editing technique aids vaccine development.

New approach offers a simple and efficient method to manipulate the Turkey herpesvirus genome for rapid development of recombinant vaccines. Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have used genetic engineering to develop a more efficient and effective vaccine for Marek’s disease, which could pave the way for a new generation of poultry disease vaccines. Marek’s disease virus (MDV) […]