Abstract

Dear colleagues, It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Virology from 20–23 March 2019 at the Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf. The annual meeting of the society covers a broad spectrum of topics in basic and clinical virology and attracts young scientists as well as experienced virologists. Keynote lectures by internationally recognized experts in viral immunology, molecular and clinical virology will complement the regular scientific workshops and poster sessions. A major aim of the meeting is to provide a platform for young scientist to present their work and ideas. Therefore, we welcome young researchers to join us and encourage all senior virologists to promote their mentees´ attendance. Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf is one of the younger higher education institutions in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Since 1988 the university carries the name of one of the city’s finest sons: the poet Heinrich Heine. Today around 30,000 students study at a modern campus under conditions ideally suited to academic life. The close proximity to the neighboring Universities of Essen and Cologne stimulates intensive collaborations in the field of infection and immunology. The state capital Düsseldorf situated at the river Rhine provides an attractive environment with a high quality of life. The seventh most populous city in Germany is an international business center and is also known for its museums and the academy of fine arts, from which world-known artists as Gerhard Richter, Andreas Gursky, Joseph Beuys and August Macke emerged. Düsseldorf is also proud to host the biggest Japanese community in Europe and its old town is notorious for being the “the longest bar in the world”. The organising committee is looking forward to seeing you in Düsseldorf! Best regards Jörg Timm