The Pirbright Institute is a world leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of viral diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. This article summarises the research taking place at the Institute which is based upon a combination of fundamental and applied bioscience and which utilises unique biological and physical resources. Dr Emma Fishbourne details some of the virus diseases we are currently working on including diagnosis, host-pathogen interaction and vaccine development, and highlights the impact of our science across the globe on animal and human health.