Dear Madam/Sir

    The Institute of Virology is a state organization with a major commitment to perform basic research mainly in the fields of virology and rickettsiology, although during the last two decades we also successfully entered in oncology. Our scientists are internationally recognized experts in their areas of interests and participate in several European consortia of the 7th Framework Program as well as in intercontinental cooperative projects. They are ranking among top European specialists particularly in the plant virus genetics, ecology of hantaviruses, novel strategies against influenza virus, antigenic composition of rickettsiae and chlamydiae, as well as in understanding the role of hypoxia in virus reactivation and in cancer progression. We also develop efforts towards translational research with emphasis on prevention, diagnostics and therapy of infectious diseases and cancer.
    In the recent assessment by the international peers, the Institute of Virology was placed at the best position among the biomedical institutions of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. The importance of the Institute within the Slovak research space was recently emphasized by the visits of representatives of the European Parliament.

    In 2013, the Institute of Virology is going to celebrate its 60th Anniversary. The celebration will include several events held throughout the year. We are planning to remind the remarkable history and highlight the current achievements of the Institute by publishing representative print materials (book, leaflets and/or posters). Moreover, we intend to present the research activities and success stories of our scientists by edition of the special issue of the international scientific journal Acta Virologica. Finally the celebrating ceremony will take place at the Institute in May/June 2013 hosting about 120 invited guests.

    As the Director of the Institute I will be very grateful if you can become a sponsor of our Institute supporting our celebration events and contributing also to some of our research activities, funding of which is recently challenged by global economic crisis and limited institutional resources.

I would greatly appreciate if you can kindly consider this request.

Sincerely yours, Juraj Kopacek, Director, Institute of Virology, SAS