The Research & Evaluation department is the UKs largest capability for the handling of dangerous human pathogens and animal modelling of infectious diseases. The capability is used to understand pathogenesis and undertake pre-clinical development and clinical assessment of new vaccines and therapeutics. The capability is also used to undertake studies in microbiological aerobiology, decontamination and detection, and to develop diagnostic & serological assays for clinical use. Studies are focused on high priority activities including: Monkeypox, SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Q Fever, Anthrax, Melioidosis, Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease, Tuberculosis, Influenza, Pertussis, Meningococcal disease, Group B Streptococcal disease, Legionnaires Disease, Healthcare Acquired Infections, etc.

The Medical Interventions Groups clinical vaccine assessment activities and occupy new world-class research facilities currently dedicated to the development and testing of new COVID-19 vaccines. Research undertaken includes clinical testing to support regulatory licensing of new COVID-19 vaccines and research to inform government decisions on vaccination policies. Home to ground-breaking new technology vital to tackling both COVID-19 and a broad range of emerging health security threats, the facility houses new equipment which will improve the speed and capacity to evaluate COVID-19 vaccines and the potential risks from Variants of Concern.