On June 3rd, the 28 PhD students of the research training group (RTG) 'virus discovery, pathogenesis and intervention' (VIPER) had their kick-off meeting at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Within three years they will perform their post-graduate studies and submit their PhD-thesis within the RTG. The RTG 2485/1 VIPER is funded by the German Research foundation (DFG). The RTG offers a diversity of lectures and training courses to its students that deal with the virus-host-interactions. Thereby, the next generation of researchers is trained to become well-educated infectiologists with special emphasis on virology that are able to work in interdisciplinary groups of veterinary and human medicine scientists.
After the president of the university Dr. Dr. Gerhard Greif welcomed the students, the head of the RTG initiative Professor Dr. Wolfgang Baumgärtner presented the topics and organisational structure of VIPER in detail. The three VIPER pillars are coordinated by Professor Dr. Silke Rautenschlein, Professor Dr. Andreas Beineke and Professor Dr. Guus Rimmelzwaan who presented the research focus of their pillars and their interactions with each other.
Professor Dr. Albert Osterhaus held a key note lecture on the importance of virus detection, especially within the scope of the one-health-concept.
The official presentations were followed by an informal get-together with finger food and drinks.
