Adolfo García-Sastre
Encyclopedia
Adolfo García-Sastre, Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine and Microbiology
and co-director of the Global Health & Emerging Pathogens Institute at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine
in New York City
. His research into the biology of influenza viruses
has been at the forefront of medical advances in epidemiology
.
García-Sastre is the author of more than 200 publications.
. His research interest has been focused on the molecular biology of influenza viruses and several other negative-strand
RNA virus
es. His contributions to his field have included the generation and evaluation of influenza virus vectors as potential vaccine
candidates against infectious diseases, including malaria
and AIDS
, as well as the development (with Dr. Peter Palese
) of the first reverse-genetic approaches for the production of infectious recombinant influenza viruses
from plasmid
DNA
– research which has resulted in techniques which are now routinely used with many negative strand RNA viruses. He was the first to identify the biological role of the non-structural NS1 Influenza Protein
during infection, the first to describe and provide a molecular analysis of a viral-encoded IFN
antagonist among negative strand RNA viruses, and the first to demonstrate that the M1 protein
of the influenza virus determines its morphology
.
In 2005, as principal investigator of an NIAID
program project grant, García-Sastre and his team made headlines when they reconstructed the extinct 1918 pandemic influenza virus.
García-Sastre is an editor for the Journal of Experimental Medicine
and PLoS Pathogens
, and he sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of Virology
, Virology
, Virus Research and the Journal of General Virology
. In 2001, he co-organized the International Course on Viral Vectors in Heidelberg
, Germany
, which was sponsored by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies
(FEBS), as well as the first Research Conference on Orthomyxoviruses, also in 2001, which was held in the Netherlands
and sponsored by the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza. He is a co-founder of Vivaldi Biosciences and a member of the company’s Scientific Advisory board and is the leader of the basic research component on the NIAID
-funded Viral Therapeutics and Pathogenesis of the North East Biodefense Center proposal. He was among the first members of the Vaccine Study Section of the National Institutes of Health
. He is also principal investigator for the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis, one of five NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS).
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
and co-director of the Global Health & Emerging Pathogens Institute at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His research into the biology of influenza viruses
Orthomyxoviridae
The Orthomyxoviridae are a family of RNA viruses that includes five genera: Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B, Influenzavirus C, Isavirus and Thogotovirus. A sixth has recently been described...
has been at the forefront of medical advances in epidemiology
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
.
García-Sastre is the author of more than 200 publications.
Biography
García-Sastre earned his Ph.D at the University of SalamancaUniversity of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
. His research interest has been focused on the molecular biology of influenza viruses and several other negative-strand
Sense (molecular biology)
In molecular biology and genetics, sense is a concept used to compare the polarity of nucleic acid molecules, such as DNA or RNA, to other nucleic acid molecules...
RNA virus
RNA virus
An RNA virus is a virus that has RNA as its genetic material. This nucleic acid is usually single-stranded RNA but may be double-stranded RNA...
es. His contributions to his field have included the generation and evaluation of influenza virus vectors as potential vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
candidates against infectious diseases, including malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, as well as the development (with Dr. Peter Palese
Peter Palese
Peter Palese, Ph.D, is an American microbiologist and Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, and an expert in the field of RNA viruses....
) of the first reverse-genetic approaches for the production of infectious recombinant influenza viruses
Recombinant virus
A recombinant virus is a virus produced by recombining pieces of DNA using recombinant DNA technology. This may be used to produce viral vaccines or gene therapy vectors....
from plasmid
Plasmid
In microbiology and genetics, a plasmid is a DNA molecule that is separate from, and can replicate independently of, the chromosomal DNA. They are double-stranded and, in many cases, circular...
DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
– research which has resulted in techniques which are now routinely used with many negative strand RNA viruses. He was the first to identify the biological role of the non-structural NS1 Influenza Protein
NS1 Influenza Protein
The NS1 Influenza Protein is created by the internal protein encoding, linear negative-sense, single stranded RNA, NS gene segment; which found in Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B and Influenzavirus C; and which also codes for the nuclear export protein or NEP, formerly referred to as the NS2...
during infection, the first to describe and provide a molecular analysis of a viral-encoded IFN
Interferon
Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...
antagonist among negative strand RNA viruses, and the first to demonstrate that the M1 protein
M1 protein
The M1 protein is a matrix protein of the influenza virus. It forms a coat inside the viral envelope.The M1 protein binds to the viral RNA. The binding is not specific to any RNA sequence, and is performed via a peptide sequence rich in basic amino acids....
of the influenza virus determines its morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
.
In 2005, as principal investigator of an NIAID
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is one of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health , an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services...
program project grant, García-Sastre and his team made headlines when they reconstructed the extinct 1918 pandemic influenza virus.
García-Sastre is an editor for the Journal of Experimental Medicine
Journal of Experimental Medicine
The Journal of Experimental Medicine is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Rockefeller University Press that publishes research papers and commentaries on the physiological, pathological, and molecular mechanisms that encompass the host response to disease...
and PLoS Pathogens
PLoS Pathogens
PLoS Pathogens is an open-access scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science. It publishes research and reviews on the biology of pathogens and host-pathogen interactions. The 2010 impact factor is 9.079....
, and he sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of Virology
Journal of Virology
The Journal of Virology is an academic journal that covers research concerning viruses, using cross-disciplinary approaches including biochemistry, biophysics, cell and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, morphology, physiology and pathogenesis...
, Virology
Virology (journal)
Virology is a peer-reviewed academic journal that covers basic research into viruses affecting animals, plants, bacteria and fungi, including their molecular biology, structure, assembly, pathogenesis, immunity and interactions with the host cell...
, Virus Research and the Journal of General Virology
Journal of General Virology
The Journal of General Virology is a peer-reviewed academic journal that covers research into viruses affecting animals, plants, insects, bacteria and fungi, including their molecular biology, immunology and interactions with the host. Antiviral compounds are also covered. Established in 1967, it...
. In 2001, he co-organized the International Course on Viral Vectors in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, which was sponsored by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies
Federation of European Biochemical Societies
The Federation of the European Biochemical Societies, frequently abbreviated FEBS is an international scientific society promoting activities in biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular biophysics in Europe...
(FEBS), as well as the first Research Conference on Orthomyxoviruses, also in 2001, which was held in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and sponsored by the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza. He is a co-founder of Vivaldi Biosciences and a member of the company’s Scientific Advisory board and is the leader of the basic research component on the NIAID
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is one of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health , an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services...
-funded Viral Therapeutics and Pathogenesis of the North East Biodefense Center proposal. He was among the first members of the Vaccine Study Section of the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
. He is also principal investigator for the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis, one of five NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS).
Patents
García-Sastre holds 7 patents:| Number | Title |
|---|---|
| 20090280144 | Recombinant newcastle disease virus RNA expression systems and vaccines |
| 20090203114 | Novel methods and Interferon deficient substrates for the propagation of virues |
| 20090061521 | Recombinant negative strand RNA virus expression systems and vaccines |
| 20090053264 | Attenuated negative strand viruses with altered interferon antagonist activity for use as vaccines and pharmaceuticals |
| 20090028901 | Screening methods for identifying viral proteins with interferon antagonizing functions and potential antiviral agents |
| 20090010962 | Genetically Engineered Swine Influenza Virus and Uses Thereof |
| 20080254060 | Genetically Engineered Equine Influenza Virus and Uses Thereof |
Publications
Partial List:- Immunization with live-attenuated influenza viruses expressing altered NS1 proteins results in potent and protective memory CD8+ T cells responses. Mueller SN, Langley WA, Carnero E, García-Sastre A, Ahmed R. J Virol. 25 November 2009. PMID 19939929
- Hemagglutinin-pseudotyped GFP-expressing influenza viruses for the detection of influenza virus neutralizing antibodies. Martínez-Sobrido L, Cadagan R, Steel J, Basler CF, Palese P, Moran TM, García-Sastre A. J Virol. 25 November 2009. PMID 19939917
- New prospects for the rational design of antivirals. Nistal-Villán E, García-Sastre A. Nat Med. 2009 Nov;15(11):1253-4. PMID 19893557
- 1918 and 2009 H1N1 influenza are not pathogenic in birds. Babiuk S, Albrecht R, Berhane Y, Marszal P, Richt JA, García-Sastre A, Pasick J, Weingartl H. J Gen Virol. 4 November 2009. PMID 19889930
- Induction of type I interferon by RNA viruses: cellular receptors and their substrates. Baum A, García-Sastre A. Amino Acids. 1 November 2009. PMID 19882216
- An enzymatic virus-like particle assay for sensitive detection of virus entry. Tscherne DM, Manicassamy B, García-Sastre A. J Virol Methods. 29 October 2009. PMID 19879300
- Matrix protein 2 of influenza A virus blocks autophagosome fusion with lysosomes. Gannagé M, Dormann D, Albrecht R, Dengjel J, Torossi T, Rämer PC, Lee M, Strowig T, Arrey F, Conenello G, Pypaert M, Andersen J, García-Sastre A, Münz C. Cell Host Microbe. 22 October 2009;6(4):367-80. PMID 19837376
- Transmission of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus and impact of prior exposure to seasonal strains or interferon treatment. Steel J, Staeheli P, Mubareka S, García-Sastre A, Palese P, Lowen AC. J Virol. 14 October 2009. PMID 19828604
- Attenuated influenza virus vaccines with modified NS1 proteins. Richt JA, García-Sastre A. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2009;333:177-95. Review. PMID 19768406
- Strong interferon-inducing capacity of a highly virulent variant of influenza A virus strain PR8 with deletions in the NS1 gene. Kochs G, Martínez-Sobrido L, Lienenklaus S, Weiss S, García-Sastre A, Staeheli P. J Gen Virol. 2009 Dec;90(Pt 12):2990-4. Epub 2 September 2009. PMID 19726611
- The functional impairment of natural killer cells during influenza virus infection. Guo H, Kumar P, Moran TM, García-Sastre A, Zhou Y, Malarkannan S. Immunol Cell Biol. 2009 Nov-Dec;87(8):579-89. Epub 1 September 2009. PMID 19721456
- Identification of amino acid residues critical for the anti-interferon activity of the nucleoprotein of the prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Martínez-Sobrido L, Emonet S, Giannakas P, Cubitt B, García-Sastre A, de la Torre JC. J Virol. 2009 Nov;83(21):11330-40. Epub 26 August 2009. PMID 19710144
- The NS1 protein of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus blocks host interferon and lipid metabolism pathways. Billharz R, Zeng H, Proll SC, Korth MJ, Lederer S, Albrecht R, Goodman AG, Rosenzweig E, Tumpey TM, García-Sastre A, Katze MG. J Virol. 2009 Oct;83(20):10557-70. Epub 12 August 2009. PMID 19706713
- Vicious circle: systemic autoreactivity in Ro52/TRIM21-deficient mice. Bolland S, García-Sastre A. J Exp Med. 3 August 2009;206(8):1647-51. Epub 27 July 2009. Review. PMID 19635865
- Interferon priming enables cells to partially overturn the SARS coronavirus-induced block in innate immune activation. Kuri T, Zhang X, Habjan M, Martínez-Sobrido L, García-Sastre A, Yuan Z, Weber F. J Gen Virol. 2009 Nov;90(Pt 11):2686-94. Epub 22 July 2009. PMID 19625461
- Frias-Stahelin, Giannakopoulos NV, Kikkert M, Taylors, Brigdgena A, ParagasJJ, Richt JA, Rowland RR, Schmaljohn CS, Lenschow DJ, Snijder EJ, García-Sastre A, Virgin HW. Ovarian tumor (OTU)-domain containing viral proteases evade ubiquitin- and ISG15-dependent innate immune responses. Cell, Host and Microbe 2007; 2: 404-416. PMCID PMC2184509
- Vigila A, Park MS, Martinezo O, Chua MA, Xioa S, Cros JF, Martinez-Sobrido L, Woo SC, García-Sastre A. Use of reverse genetics to enhance the oncolytic properties of Newcastle disease virus. Cancer Research 2007; 67: 8285-8292. PMID 17804743
- Mibayashim M, Martinez-Sobrido L, Loo YM, Cardenas WB, Gale JR M, García-Sastre A. Inhibition of retinoic acid-inducible gene I-mediated induction of beta interferon by the NS1 protein of influenza A virus. Journal of Virology 2007; 81: 514-524. PMID 17079289
- Tumpey TM, Maines TR, Van Hoevenn N, Glaser L, Solorzano A, Pappas C, Cox NJ, Swayne DE, Palese P, García-Sastre A. A two-amino acid change in the hemagglutinin of the 1918 influenza virus abolishes transmission. Science 2007; 315: 655-659. PMID 17272724
- Richt JA, Lekcharoensuk P, Lager KM, Vincent AL, Loiacono CM, Janke BH, Wu WH, Yoon KJ, Webby RJ, Solorzano A, García-Sastre A. Vaccination of pigs against swine influenza viruses using an NS1-truncated modified live virus vaccine. Journal of Virology 2006; 80: 11009-11018. PMID 16943300
- Tumpey TM, Basler CF, Aguilar PV, Zeng H, Solorzano A, Swayne DE, Cox NJ, Katz JM, Taubenberger JK, Palese P, García-Sastre A, . Characterization of the reconstructed 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic virus. Science 2005; 310: 77-80. PMID 16210530
- Munoz-Jordan J, Sanchez-Burgos GG, Laurant-Rolle M, García-Sastre A. Inhibition of interferon signaling by dengue virus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.A.) 2003; 100: 14333-14338. PMID 14612562
- Basler CF, Ried AH, Dybing JK, Janczewski TA, Fanning TG, Zheng H, Salvatore M, Perdue ML, Swayne DE, García-Sastre A, Palese P, Taubenberger JK. Sequence of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus non-structural gene (NS) segment and characterization of recombinant viruses bearing the 1918 NS genes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.A.) 2001; 98: 2746-2751. PMID 11226311
- García-Sastre A. Inhibition of interferon-mediated antiviral responses by influenza A viruses and other negative strand RNA viruses. Virology 2001; 279: 375-384. PMID 11162793
- Fodor E, Devenish L, Engelhardt OG, Palese P, Brownlee GG, García-Sastre A. Rescue of influenza A virus from recombinant DNA. Journal of Virology 1999; 73: 9679-9682. PMID 10516084
External links
- The Mount Sinai Hospital homepage
- The Mount Sinai School of Medicine homepage
- The Global Health & Emerging Pathogens Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center
- The Adolfo García-Sastre Lab at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine