Rudolf Rott (born May 23, 1926 in Stuttgart, † April 28, 2003 in Gießen) was a German virologist.

Rott was the son of a civil engineer and went to school in Ellwangen and Rottweil. After two years of military service in World War II, imprisonment and two years in agriculture, he studied veterinary medicine at the University of Giessen, initially from 1950, with his doctorate in 1955 on swine influenza under Elmar Roots. He then worked as an assistant at the Giessen Institute for Animal Disease Studies at Roots and in 1958 went to [Dr. Heinrich Werner Schäfer (born 1912)] at the Max Planck Institute for Virus Research in Tübingen, where he dealt with the avian influenza virus, which is also one of the flu viruses. In 1964 he became a professor in Gießen (after his habilitation in 1963) and head of the newly founded Institute for Virology, which was the first in Germany. In 1994 he retired.

Rott published over 300 scientific papers. He dealt in particular with flu viruses, for example the gene structure and genetic relationship [1] of the flu viruses and surface proteins of the flu viruses (such as neuraminidase). In the mid-1970s, he and his group were able to demonstrate the structure of the virus RNA from eight segments that could be freely exchanged, which explains the high variability of the viruses [2]. The studies at that time also showed that the pathogenicity of the viruses depended on many factors. [3] He and his group in Gießen also researched the glycoproteins of the virus envelope and their role in penetrating the host cell. They were able to prove that the cleavage of the hemagglutinin in the virus envelope by the host's own enzymes was an important mechanism for the virus to be infectious [4]. Rott and his group also demonstrated that the increase in this proteolytic activity on hemagglutinin by bacteria could contribute to the pathogenicity of the influenza viruses [5]. He demonstrated the proteolytic activation of surface glycoproteins in other viruses (such as Paramyxoviridae in Newcastle disease [6], Sendai virus infection).

He also studied the Bornash disease virus, which causes chronic brain disease in horses. [7] Rott and colleagues also demonstrated virulence in humans.

He received the Robert Koch Prize in 1987 and the Otto Warburg Medal in 1982. In 1991 he received the Max Planck Research Award. He was an honorary member of the Society for Virology (1999) and an honorary doctorate from the Free University of Berlin. He was a member of the Royal Society of Medicine (1963), the New York Academy of Sciences (1966) and the Leopoldina (1973), whose Cothenius Medal he received in 1999. In 1995/96 he was a fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.

Rott was married to Renate Kröll since 1956 and has a daughter Sabine, who is married to the former director of the Bernhard Nocht Institute [Dr. Bernhard Fleischer (born 1950)].

Fonts

• with Hans-Dieter Klenk: The molecular biology of influenza virus pathogenicity, Advances in Virus Research, Volume 34, 1987, p. 247

[...]

Individual evidence

•  Rott, [Christoph Scholtissek (born 1929)], W. Rohde, V. v. Hoyningen: On the origin of the human influenza virus Subtypes H2N2 and H3N2, Virology, Volume 87, 1978, pp. 13-20. In it they demonstrated that H2N2, which replaced type H1N1 in the 1957 pandemic, arose from the exchange of several genes; in H3N2, which replaced H2N2 in the 1968 pandemic, but only the hemagglutinin gene was replaced by a gene from an animal virus.
•  C. Scholtissek, E. Harms, W. Rohde, M. Orlich, R. Rott: Correlation between RNA fragments of fowl plague virus and their corresponding gene functions, Virology, Volume 74, 1976, pp. 332-344
•  Scholtissek, Harms, Rohde, Orlich, Rott: Correlation of pathogenicity and gene constellation of Influenza A virus (fowl plague), Part 1 (Exchange of single gene), Virology, Volume 81, 1977, pp. 74-80, Part 2, Virology, Vol. 95, 1979, pp. 492-500
•  H.-D. Klenk, R. Rott, M. Orlich, J. Blödorn: Activation of influenza A virus by trypsin treatment, Virology, Volume 68, 1975, pp. 426-439
•  M. Tashiro, P. Ciborowski, H.-D. Klenk, G. Pulverer, R. Rott: Role of staphylococcal protease in the development of influenza pneumonia, Nature, Volume 325, 1987, pp. 536-537
•  Rott, Y. Nagai, H.-D. Klenk: Proteolytic cleavage of the viral glycoproteins and its significance for the virulence of Newcastle disease virus, Virology, Volume 72, 1976, pp. 494-508
•  Rott, O. Narayan, S. Herzog, K. Frese, H. Scheefers: Behavioral disease in rats caused by immunopathological responses to persistent Borna virus in the brain, Science, Volume 220, 1983, pp. 1401-1403, Rott, S. Herzog, B. Fleischer, A. Winokur, J. Amsterdam, W. Dyson, H. Koprowski Detection of serum antibodies to Borna disease virus in patients with Psychiatric disorders, Science, Volume 228, 1985, p. 755

With this sentence Rudolf Rott wrote on October 6th 2000 at the beginning of his commemorative speech placed on his teacher [Dr. Heinrich Werner Schäfer (born 1912)], wants i start. He brings it in a few words all that expresses us - just once two and a half years later - at the news moved by Rudi's death. Dear Renate, Dear Sabine, you know that many of us back then and during the previous weeks and months when the end with inexorability often in my mind You guys were. The academic celebration to which we got together here today will the grief cannot suppress, but alleviate it in kind and grateful remembrance to a great scientist, one model academic teacher and one good friend.

I met Rudolf Rott in September 1970 learned when I came from New York an assistant position in the virological institute at the medical faculty with Hans Eggers. It turned out very quickly that Rudi and me the same scientific Interests connected. From the collaboration, which actually started immediately and lasted for more than 15 years a personal friendship that soon also included families. I have Rudi almost everyone during my time in Giessen Day seen, and also later is the regular one Contact never torn off. In the rain He used to come to see me after 6 o'clock in the evening come, and then maybe stayed a quarter, but often an hour or two. Such He not only made visits to me, they were for most employees. Yoshiyuki Nagai, from 1974–1976 visiting scholar in Giessen and later professor at the University of Tokyo, describes this in a letter he sent me on the occasion sent today as follows:

Rudi “used to stroll into each lab, almost every day and to take at least a few minutes and sometimes an hour to discuss the data just coming out. Hey what casual and light-hearted in manner, sometimes cracking a joke, but was essentially very eager to share his rich experience and knowledge on animal viruses with us of the younger generation. "

These conversations weren't all about Science, but often about God and the world. By telling what moved him and drove what he experienced in the present and Past, he allowed me over and over again Insights into his life that go far beyond the scientific went out. Its openness and spontaneity, its intellectual agility made access to his person light.

Youth, academic education

Rudolf Rott was born on May 23, 1926 in Stuttgart born. The father, a government building officer, came from a German resident in Ukraine Family and had his home during abandoned during the First World War. The family of Mother was rooted in Swabian. In different Share Württemberg - in Ellwangen, Oberndorf and Rottweil - Rudi has them Attended school. Has Swabian origin he can never deny it. His youth fell in a time by one by the national governor socialism has so far sparked a spirit of optimism was shaped to an unknown extent. who Rudi's enthusiasm knows the one Was part of his being and which he was about to be has preserved throughout life, can Easily imagine the fascination that this awakening in a supposedly better future evoked the adolescent. 1943, still Before leaving school, he volunteered as a war volunteer and stood as an officer at the age of 18 at the frontline. 2 years later - he was just once 19 - it was all over: captivity, Internment camp. The ideals had each other proved to be illusions. The enthusiasm was given way to knowledge, to the wrong thing to have served. Reiner Thomssen has this everything in his poignant funeral speech on 5. May be described with empathy and fairness. Rudi himself has this past never suppressed. She left a traumatic impact on him. How could it have been otherwise?

But the collapse also offered an opportunity for a new beginning. In 1947 Rudi was still in the Graduated from high school. Then he worked for 2 years long as a servant for a farmer in Hohenlohe. He liked to think back to that time. May also be one of the motifs for the study of veterinary medicine lie that he started in Giessen in 1950. 1955 PhD he on the topic “A Contribution to Etiology the pig flu ”with Prof. Roots, whose Assistant he then still in the 3 following Years ago.

During this time he met Renate Kröll who later became his wife. In almost 50 Years of marriage she stood him in love and care and, anytime his temperament of needed to balance wisely aside. The Daughter Sabine and the 3 grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was ingrained in this Family, it gave him strength and confidence. Rudolf Rott also met [Dr. Heinrich Werner Schäfer (born 1912)] in Giessen Schäfer, who was a private lecturer here at the time Held lectures. The two quickly took hold Trust each other, and Rudi has this meeting later again and again as one of the fortunes of his life. When Shepherd who is the extraordinary scientific Talent of the young veterinarian quickly realized an assistant in his department at the Max Planck Institute for Virus Research in Tübingen, Rudi immediately accepted. In the In the 50s and 60s it belonged to Tübingen Institute one of the leading international institutions in the field of virus research. When Rudi arrived, it was in full bloom. Greed, Schramm and Wecker had the RNA genomes discovered by plant and animal viruses. Another had the amino acid sequence of the tobacco mosaic virus cleared up and the virus from RNA and Protein reconstituted in vitro. Schäfer had found that the virus is the classic avian influenza was an influenza virus, and with it the Created the basis for the paradigmatic role, who then research this virus this virus group should play. He could also show that the avian influenza virus in an excellent way to study Structure and reproduction of enveloped viruses completely generally suitable. Hemagglutinin and nucleocapsid protein were in the beginning as building blocks the virus particle has been identified, and Rudi now dealt intensively with her biochemical and immunological characterization. The successes were not lacking. Soon it was valid as one of the most hopeful young virologists.

So it was only logical that the 36-Year olds running the at his alma mater Giessen newly founded Institute for Virology was offered. Of course it wasn't a coincidence that this chair, next to Würzburg the first of its kind in Germany, just working on one Faculty of Veterinary Medicine established virology has always been crucial Receive impulses from veterinary medicine. So I would like to briefly get to the roots of our subject here in Giessen. After this Wilhelm Zwick, from internal medicine coming, in 1924 the newly created ordinariate for veterinary hygiene and animal diseases took over, was increasing in this faculty researched about viral diseases. Already Zwick's research on the Borna's disease and its causative agent Laid the foundations for a research area, which developed to full bloom under Rudolf Rott has been. The end of the 30s by [Dr. Erich Traub (born 1906)] results obtained on the lymphocytic cells Mouse choriomeningitis not only set current paradigm for a virus-induced, immunopathological Reaction represented, but formed also an essential basis for discovery of the phenomenon of immunological Tolerance. In the 50s was busy Elmar Roots, later Rott's doctoral supervisor, successful with the causative agent of psittacosis, which then was still counted among the major viruses, and with the rabies virus.

It was also Elmar Roots who initiated the game in 1962 the institute for To divide up veterinary hygiene and animal disease. The rapid development of the microbiological Taking into account subjects were after his sudden death next to that Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of the animals the Institute for Poultry Diseases as well as bacteriology and virology as independent chairs set up. After The conception of the faculty at that time should be the Primarily doing basic research in virology and such an addition and expansion of the other's scientific spectrum microbiologically oriented facilities of the faculty.

On April 15, 1964 the time had come. Rudolf Rott moved into a newly furnished, almost finished one put stable building that in a short time so That had been rebuilt the requirement were fulfilled for experimental work. For the necessary renovation work stood for a total of 30,000 DM and for them Initial equipment 120,000 DM available. Employees from the very beginning were next Ms. Seitz, who high her boss as everyone's esteemed institute secretary accompanied to the end hat, Rudolf Dernick and [Christoph Scholtissek (born 1929)] from the Max Planck Institute for Virus Research in Tübingen and Hermann Becht, who from Zurich joined them. Your commitment, yours scientific qualification and the common Willing to do good research in pouring the institute has an essential role in running owe its successful start to the then also led to it some years was able to move into a larger building later, in which it is still now.

Scientific work

Thus conditions were created under which focus on the scientific and organizational Rudolf Rott's talent in full bloom could unfold. It is impossible to do this in more than 300 publications laid down life's work, on which more than a hundred employees were involved and trained in a short memorial speech even approximately fully describe. I must therefore limit myself to a few focal points and wants the selection - without chronological Ranking - from two points of view to meet:

1) Where are Rudolf Rott's outspoken Pioneering achievements? "What did he discover?" was that of Otto Warburg again and again asked question when he was about importance and to judge the genius of a scholar would have.

2) Which structures did he create, which ones He set synergisms in motion, that of the virological research on his own Work area benefited?

As mentioned earlier, the new Giessen institute looked its most important task in the extraction newer and not so much in mediation known findings. So it was his Self-image according to primarily one Research institute. The research was after one that is clearly recognizable from the start scientific and organizational concept carried out. On the organizational I will come back to the concept later. The scientific concept was one Virus system from as many different ones as possible To illuminate angles. These Multidisciplinarity was with Rott as virologist, [Christoph Scholtissek (born 1929)] as a molecular biologist - a term which didn't even exist back then - and Becht as an immunologist in principle already in the first Hour. The object to which she their concentrated efforts were like the influenza viruses already in Tübingen. they should the central one for the entire 30 years Remain topic even if the range of Virus systems was later expanded considerably.

Early studies of influenza viruses

One of the themes of the early Gießen work had the structure and replication of the influenza virus RNA to content. From investigations for the so-called multiplicity reactivation there are already first indications of the segmented Genome structure (1). With the help of the virus-specific Polymerase made it possible to make complementary To produce RNA. This allowed again first studies on genetic Relationship between different Influenza viruses (2). Other work of the early phase dealt with the Surface proteins of influenza viruses. So could the neuraminidase by protease treatment cleaved from the virus and enzymatically active form (3). This approach has been used by other laboratories pursued further and ultimately led to X-ray structural analysis of neuraminidase and for the development of neuraminidase inhibitors, which in recent years as drugs to fight influenza on the market arrived.

Overall, these works reflect a period of careful scanning and searching according to the main thrusts. In the beginning but it was already becoming apparent that influenza virus research is moving in two directions should move, one of which the Elucidation of the genome structure and the replication Mechanisms, but the other is research of biosynthesis and function the content of the virus envelope components. These are strongly molecular and cell biological specific subject areas will later be overlaid by two now completely virologically oriented research areas, namely the molecular Epidemiology and Phylogenesis, as well as the Influenza virus pathogenicity.

The influenza virus genome

One of the most important discoveries in the field influenza virus research was the center observation made in the 1970s that the Virus genome from 8 different RNA Segmenklenk ten, each of which for at least encodes one of the viral proteins (4). That was the explanation for the exceptionally high Influenza virus plasticity and variability found. The segmented genome structure enables namely the free exchange of Genes if a cell is affected by different influenza viruses is infected. Under these conditions Then new viruses can arise, the genes both parents included.

Structure, function and biosynthesis the glycoproteins of influenza viruses

The second focus of the research was the glycoproteins of the influenza viruses that carry the Initiators of the infection process and that Main goal of the immune defense of the infected organism are. Especially investigations on Hemagglutinin have been shown to have these viral components on the endoplasmic reticulum formed and transported from there to the cell surface become (5). In these investigations hemagglutinin appeared for the first time in his Significance as a biological probe, which later became broad Application in the education of the constitutional Exocytosis path found.

Of particular interest were the ko- and post-translational modifications that occur during The maturation process of the glycoproteins takes place. Studies with specific inhibitors contributed significantly to elucidate the glycosylation processes and the function of the carbohydrates at (6, 7). In the acylation was another previously unknown form of protein modification discovered (8). One of many viral glycoproteins observed modification is the proteolytic cleavage. In pouring could be shown that the cleavage of hemagglutinin due to cellular proteases for the infectivity of influenza viruses (9). It is important that the cleavage occurs exactly the place provided for this purpose (10). These findings then led to the discovery that hemagglutinin not just a receptor binding protein, but also a fusion protein. Plays a central role in the merger process a fusion peptide that - through the proteolytic cleavage released - to amalgamation of the virus envelope and cell membrane and so the introduction of the virus genome into the cytoplasm (11).

Studies on the influenza C virus showed that this virus has only one glycoprotein, that has the functions of a hemagglutinin, a Fusion factor and a receptor-destroying one Enzyme combined in itself (12). It differs the influenza C virus is very distinct from the influenza A and B viruses in their receptor specificity. These investigations resulted then also to the discovery of a new receptor-destroying one Influenza virus enzyme, thereby the high receptor specificity of the various influenza viruses underlined becomes.

Pathogenicity Mechanisms for influenza viruses

There was an instrument in the influenza assortment available with which a variety of biologically interesting problems approached on a genetically well-defined basis could be. So they were of great importance in finding the factors that responsible for the pathogenicity of influenza viruses are (13). These investigations have z. B. shown that non-pathogenic reassortants by mutation to pathogenic viruses can reverse (14). In the different Reassortants depended on the pathogenic properties of different gene constellations from. It turned out to be difficult to establish general rules according to which certain genes aim at Pathogenicity change are exchanged can. Overall went from this work suggests that pathogenicity is not due to a single one Gene can be defined, rather that they are more likely the result of an optimal Gene constellation is.

New impulses for pathogenicity research came from the investigations to the proteolytic Activation of hemagglutinin, the then a large one as a specific protein Assigned importance as a pathogenicity determinant could be. Examinations, which was initially carried out on avian influenza viruses were showed that the cleavage of hemagglutinin the spread of infection and thus the pathogenicity (15), but also the Adaptation to a new host (16) is essential influenced. Of the numerous works in which has been shown to be structural Changes at the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin lead to changes in pathogenicity, I just want to mention one here, in the heterologous Recombination with cellular RNA for blamed such an event could be (17). Finally, it should be remembered be that proteolytic activation of hemagglutinin is an important mechanism is also used by bacteria to increase pathogenicity an influenza virus infection lead (18).

Pathogenicity Mechanisms in paramyxoviruses

The proteolytic activation of surface glycoprotein also has with many others Viruses are of great biological importance. In In fact, the role that activation played the pathogenicity plays, for the first time at Newcastle Chicken Disease Virus (NDV) observed (19). Investigations later on Sendai virus, another paramyxovirus, have carried out this concept confirmed in principle (20). Yoshiyuki Nagai brings the importance of these investigations and the catalytic function that Rudi Rott played to the point when he writes:

"What was believed at that time was that paramyxovirus fusion glycoprotein synthesized in tissue culture cells would generally be inactive and become activated by treatment with a low dose of trypsin in vitro. What I was actually seeing in Gießen was, however,  that the fusion protein of NDV was always proteolytically cleaved and activated in tissue culture cells. One day, looking at these data, Rudi said, just casually as usual, ‘the strain Italy (you are using) is highly pathogenic (for chickens) ‘. Then it flashed across my mind that NDV would represent a useful or perhaps the best model to study the molecular basis of viral pathogenesis. Upon my request, Rudi immediately collected a panel of virulent and avirulent NDV strains. Using this panel, I was soon able to show a perfect correlation between the cleavability of fusion glycoprotein and virulence. "

And he concludes:

"With this, we were able to open a new field, the molecular basis of viral pathogenesis. "

Influenza Virus Evolution

The elucidation of the segmented genome structure was fundamental to understanding phylogeny and molecular Influenza virus epidemiology. Reassortants are not only created in the laboratory, but also in nature and then lead to the major influenza pandemics. It is general now known that the subtype H1N1 1957 of the subtype H2N2 and this again in 1968 was replaced by the subtype H3N2. Entered in 1977 then again the subtype H1N1, which is genetic largely identical to the previous one H1N1 virus was. In a genetic study, which can certainly be called classic, Scholtissek and Rott were able to show that this The H2N2 subtype arises on the exchange several genes were based while at Subtype H3N2 essentially only the hemagglutinin Gene was exchanged and obvious originated from an animal virus (21).

Borna disease virus

Finally I would like to have a virus with - like already mentioned - very long tradition in Giessen talk, the causative agent of Borna's disease. It is a relative one rare, naturally found in horses and sheep endemic infection that presents itself as slowly progressive encephalomyelitis with regularly manifested fatal outcome. As with all slow virus infections and theirs Here, too, the experimental pathogen proved itself Access to be extremely difficult. Rudi It is Rott's great merit, along with Hermann Becht and later with Lothar Stitz and Jürgen Richt has not been here over the years Have relaxed until gradually and finally at an ever faster pace set spectacular successes. I want to try, this development here in a nutshell to trace.

The virus had long been known to be infected by its natural hosts to other animal species transmitted by intracerebral inoculation can become neurological Failure phenomena leads. On newer and especially more interesting in retrospect Aspect emerged as with Tupaias Behavioral disorders have been observed (22). The virus, which is exclusively in neuronal tissue increased by itself no signs of illness. The pathological ones Changes and clinical symptoms rather, they are the result of an immune process (23). This could clearly be seen in immune incompetent Rats are shown. Even though the virus is found in the central nervous system Animals multiplied, symptoms of disease appear only after adoptive lymphocyte transfer on. The behavioral disorders already mentioned in animals appeared in a whole new light, as Bornavirus-specific antibodies also contribute observed mentally ill people were (24, 25). In the last mentioned work first came Bornavirus-specific cDNA used. That was also for this virus the molecular age opens up, so that its gene structure then very quickly and thus its location in the system of Viruses could be cleared up.

Giessen, center of virus research

Such a large research program that I do could only sketch here in rudiments of course very clear concepts. On the scientific Concept of the multidisciplinary I have already pointed out the approach. Him faced an organizational concept Rudi caught the eye from the start and then consistently put it into practice. It consisted of all at Giessen University groups active in virology to form a research network merge, and this long before biocenters and gene centers entered the general awareness had entered. In Shape of the legendary Collaborative Research Center 47, Pathogenicity Mechanisms of Viruses, and its successor organizations then very soon suitable funding opportunities instruments found for this network. So a free space was created in which next to the already mentioned again and again new groups could unfold.

First of all, Hans Eggers should be mentioned here as the first director of the sister institute at the Medical Faculty the Verbund in its Actively supported and helped shape the beginnings.

Heinz Sänger researched viroids, self-reproducing, infectious and pathogenic RNA molecules without any envelope proteins. When in 1978 the Nucleotide sequence of the tuber spindle viroid Disease of the potato to be elucidated could, it was the first full description of the molecular Structure of a pathogen.

Gerd Wengler's group led basic Work on the structure and reproduction of Alpha and flaviviruses. These include also investigations on the West Nile virus, a Pathogen that has been found in recent times because of its rapid pace Spread to North America, where it used to be was not known, great public sensation aroused and still does.

Heinz Bauer and Bob Friis, originally also at the Schäfer’s Institute in Tübingen, brought the tumor virology department to Giessen. The Group dealt with structure and multiplication of the Rous sarcoma virus and others Retroviruses, as well as in particular with the mechanisms of those indicated by these pathogens Tumorigenesis. With Wolfram Gerlich, the Heinz Bauer's successor then became scientific spectrum through hepatitis research again expanded.

When Heinz Sänger received a call to the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Munich followed, Gerd Hobom was his successor the Chair of Molecular Biology. When Hobom came to Giessen, the enthusiasm jumped for the influenza viruses on him too. He became one of the fathers of the so-called here reverse genetics of influenza viruses and developed Methods used by these viruses for the first time genetically modified in an efficient way could become. You have the area revolutionized and are now relevant in all Laboratories applied.

Giessen was a center for virus research become whose charisma far beyond that Boundaries of our country. The Institute became the scientific home of many German virologists and attracted researchers from all over World for guest visits. Many became Rudis Friends for life. Personal contact was cultivated through countless evenings in the domestic circle.

Finale

Rudolf Rott has a high scientific level as a researcher Reputation acquired. His discoveries in the field of structure and Multiplication of animal viruses, especially the Influenza viruses, their evolution and pathogenesis the diseases caused by them have won numerous awards and Awards recognized by those here only the Society's Otto Warburg Medal for Biological Chemistry and the Robert Koch Prize should be mentioned. The veterinary Faculty of the Free University Berlin has given him an honorary doctorate awarded. He was an honorary member of the society for virology, which he has been doing since its inception was closely connected.

So it was inevitable that he would the scientific community in many Consulted bodies for advice. Be mentioned here only the Robert Koch Foundation, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Fritz Thyssen Foundation of which he is a member or board member served by committees. Particularly connected he felt at home with the German Research Foundation. Here he was a member of the Senate, Board of Trustees and Main Committee. Since that time the division of our country particularly linked him emotional ties to the Leopoldina. We have heard this before. The close relationships to the Max Planck Society never canceled even after leaving Tübingen. She named him hers in 1991 Member.

All these offices couldn't stop him from what he saw as his main task: for the good of his institute and for the prosperity his specialty, virology, to work. He loved the experimental work. Until the end his professional career he could in the laboratory be encountered. There he sat in the white smock buttoned on the back next to Michaela Orlich, unfortunately his too already deceased technical assistant, in order to give her, as he used to say, instructions to get how to go on should.

In 1994 Rudolf Rott retired. Jurgen Thiel, his successor, he was able to do well Institute handed over. One year old Stay at the Wissenschaftskolleg in Berlin has secured him the departure from office made easier. Our company stayed he is closely related. The evolution of virology, especially those in recent years increasingly public discussion virological He has problems with great interest tracked. His advice was asked and gladly given.

Some of the people in this room probably have Rudi with them a small symposium held on the occasion of his 75th birthday in the summer 2 years ago took place, last seen. It was admirable and moving to see like him, already badly marked by the disease, it didn’t take away that listen to most of our lectures. I would like to finish with Yoshi Nagai again Have a say on this day wrote:

"Rudi had many students, coworkers, and collaborators, including us from Japan. I am sure that all of them also admired Rudi as I do for his strong scientific capability and fine personality and appreciated his paternalism. They met him at a reunion to celebrate his 75th birthday in 2001, but I could not be there for a personal reason. While apologizing to Rudi for my rudeness on the phone, I learned that he had already been fighting against the disease. ‘Yoshi, don’t forget Gießen! ‘These were his last words to me. My reply what ‘Never.‘ ”

We all who knew him will become Rudolf Don't forget Rott. He was a great scientist a respected colleague and a good one Friend. So he becomes in our memories and stay in our hearts.