The mission of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Institute for Molecular Virology (IMV) is to reveal, through state of the art research, novel ways in which viruses replicate, evolve and cause disease, how viral infections can be prevented or treated, and to use viruses to understand fundamental concepts in biology and medicine. In conducting this mission, we simultaneously train the next generation of research virologists. Our mission extends to communicating our results not only to other scientists, but also to government agencies, legislative bodies, and the general public. In this way, we seek to embody the Wisconsin Idea, so that our work influences and improves people’s lives throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond.