Masaryk University, located in Brno, Czech Republic, is one of the country’s largest and most prestigious institutions of higher education. Founded in 1919, it is named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first President of Czechoslovakia, who envisioned a university that would foster intellectual and cultural growth. The university offers a wide range of academic programs across various fields, including humanities, science, engineering, social sciences, and law. MU currently now consists of ten faculties, offers 400 study programmes and has 35,115 students.
The Laboratory of Virology at MU directed by D. Ruzek stores one of the largest arbovirus collections in Europe that include about 800 individual virus strains. The Laboratory is involved in the development and testing of new antibodies for preventive or therapeutic use, a new generation of antiviral vaccines and antiviral drugs. The lab houses an animal BSL3 laboratory for small rodents key for MU’s activities in InFlaMe.
Prof. Daniel Ruzek
Prof. Daniel Ruzek Daniel Ruzek is a distinguished Professor of Virology at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. With a specialized focus on virology, his research primarily investigates vector-borne viruses, which are transmitted to humans through arthopodvectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. Prof. Ruzek’s work is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these viruses, including how they interact with both the host and the vector. By studying the molecular and cellular processes involved, he aims to uncover new insights into the way these viruses cause disease. His research also emphasizes the development of innovative antiviral strategies, including potential treatments and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of these diseases. In InFlaMe, the team at MU leads tasks in WP3 (Dissection of the B cell response and selection of human mAbs) and WP5 (Virus-host interactions and drug development) and is partner in several other tasks.
