25 Years Supporting Scientific Research
The National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses: A Strategic Resource for UK and Global Virology
The National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses (NCPV) was established in 2000 to address the absence of a centralised, authenticated repository for human pathogenic viruses in the UK. Its creation was funded by the Welcome Trust and over the past 25 years, the collection has become a valuable resource for virologists, researchers, and public health agencies worldwide.
NCPV was created with a clear remit: to preserve, authenticate, and distribute pathogenic viruses for use in scientific research, diagnostics, pharmaceutical development, and outbreak response. From the beginning, the collection has been committed to maintaining viruses of high scientific relevance. Operated initially by the Health Protection Agency and now part of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NCPV is based at Porton Down, one of the UK’s leading centres for biosafety and infectious disease research.
The collection consists of Hazard Group 2 and Hazard Group 3 pathogens and includes viruses regulated under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO). Each virus strain propagated by NCPV undergoes authentication and quality control, including checks for viability, bacterial and fungal contamination, mycoplasma presence and identification by whole genome sequencing.
The collection provides both historical and contemporary human and animal virus strains. NCPV played a critical role during the 2015–2016 Zika virus outbreak providing viruses to more than 50 laboratories across 16 countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NCPV supported the UK’s response by supplying authenticated SARS-CoV-2 isolates and expanding its coronavirus catalogue to support vaccine and diagnostics development. NCPV was also able to provide closely related SARS and MERS coronaviruses from its collection as well as less pathogenic seasonal human coronaviruses. The collection currently holds 16 strains of coronavirus, four of which have been inactivated by x-ray irradiation for use at lower containment.
NCPV’s preservation of both current and historic strains ensures that researchers have access to the biological tools needed to study the evolution, diversity, and pathogenicity of viruses over time. In addition to the viruses available via the online catalogue, NCPV holds a range of virus deposits. As part of the deposit package, NCPV also provides secure storage of viruses as a back-up for depositors.
Now under the UKHSA and entering its third decade, NCPV remains firmly committed to providing access to well-characterised, authenticated viruses, supporting the global scientific community in advancing virology and protecting public health. This includes supplying many of the viruses highlighted in the UKHSA Priority Pathogen families research and development tool. As emerging infectious diseases continue to pose global challenges, the role of trusted biological collections, such as NCPV becomes even more essential.
Hannah McGregor, Head of Culture Collections
“The National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses is a unique UKHSA asset with global impact. In the years ahead, we aim to ensure researchers everywhere can access authenticated, high-quality viruses to tackle the most pressing public health challenges. By expanding our catalogue, strengthening virus deposits, and working closely with international partners, NCPV will continue to contribute the UK’s leadership in global health security”
NCPV at 25 Webinar Event
Join NCPV on the 16 October at 1pm, for a lunchtime webinar celebrating NCPV’s history and impact over the last 25 years. Register for event
Useful Links
New viral strains | Culture Collections
Priority pathogen families research and development tool - GOV.UK