Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor
- Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Phone: (212) 241-7769
Fax: (212) 534-1684
Email: adolfo.garcia-sastre@mssm.edu
- Mailing Address:
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
1 Gustave L Levy Place
Box 1124
New York, NY 10029-6500
Lab Web site: http://www.mssm.edu/labs/garcia-sastre/index.html
Dr. Garcia-Sastre is analyzing the molecular functions of the NS1 and M1 proteins of the 1918 virus. There is evidence that the NS1 protein of the 1918 virus is an efficient interferon antagonist in human cells but not in mouse cells, and Dr. Garcia-Sastre is characterizing the molecular determinants responsible for this specificity. In addition, the antiviral properties and the regulation of previously uncharacterized cellular proteins whose expression is inhibited by the NS1 protein of 1918 virus are being investigated. These studies also serve to validate microarray experiments (conducted by Dr. Katze) aimed at investigating the role of the NS1 protein in regulating host gene expression. Finally, Dr. Garcia-Sastre's lab has demonstrated that the M1 protein of influenza virus determines the morphology (spherical or filamentous) of influenza viruses. Since virus particle shape may influence the ability of the virus to spread, the role of the M1 protein of 1918 virus in viral morphology is being investigated.