Research Platform Expands Access to Over 20,000 Immune Reagents

The Immunological Toolbox, a research platform linking researchers to veterinary reagents and services from The Pirbright Institute and the Roslin Institute, has been relaunched with a new website. The platform provides access to information on more than 20,000 immune reagents, supporting global veterinary immunology research and the fight against animal viruses.

Supported by UKRI's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the platform consolidates one of the world's largest curated collections of immune reagent information. It facilitates research and collaboration among scientists in 81 countries.

The revamped website features a modernized interface, expanded documentation, and a dedicated FAQ section. It also streamlines the processes for submitting and requesting antibodies, aiming to enhance the usability and accessibility of the resource.

The platform has previously contributed to global vaccine development campaigns and initiatives such as the Livestock Antibody Hub and Swine Toolkit. Researchers from institutions like LMU Munich and Pirbright have utilized its reagents in studies on chicken immune markers, porcine antibodies, and zoonotic disease models. The resource is expected to support a global community of over 1,000 researchers.