Michael A Schotsaert, PhD
img_Michael A Schotsaert
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Microbiology
Research Topics
Aging, Antivirals, B Cells, Dendritic Cells, Diabetes, Immunology, Influenza Virus, Interferon, Knockout Mice, Macrophage, Microbiology, Mucosal Immunology, Obesity, SARS Virus, Staphylococcus Aureus, T Cells, Vaccine Development, Viruses and Virology
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Microbiology [MIC]
Schotsaert Lab Website
https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/schotsaertlab/
Adjuvant, antivirals and vaccine research
The Schotsaert laboratory uses its expertise in immunology and preclinical animal models to compare, characterize, validate and optimize new and existing adjuvants, antivirals and vaccines to which it has access through strategic collaborations with other research labs and industry.
Skewing of host immune responses to infection by pre-existing immunity
The Schotsaert laboratory focuses on how host-immune responses to infection are affected by pre-existing immunity provided by previous infection and/or vaccination. We have previously shown that the host immune response to influenza infection and Staphylococcus superinfection is different in vaccinated versus unvaccinated mice, and can affect protection during reinfection (Choi et al., 2019, 2020). We are currently investigating the immunological mechanisms that underlie this immune skewing by vaccination with a strong focus on myeloid cell biology.
SARS-CoV-2 research
We have established preclinical infection models for SARS-CoV-2 (Syrian Golden hamster and mice) to evaluate vaccines and adjuvants and to immunologically characterize host immune responses to vaccination and infection with the aim to find immune-correlates of protection (Rathnasinghe et al., 2020, Rathnasinghe, Jangra et al., 2021). We have established pipelines to study immune escape by SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern using microneutralization assays and animal vaccination/challenge models (Jangra et al., 2021).
Viral infections in the context of comorbidities
More recently we also started studying the impact of comorbidities like advanced age, obesity and diabetes on the host immune response to infection and vaccination in the context of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (Rathnasinghe, Jangra et al., 2021).

PhD in molecular biotechnology, Ghent University

master's in bio-engineering sciences, Ghent University

master's in molecular medical biotechnology, Ghent University

Publications

Selected Publications

Multicomponent intranasal adjuvant for mucosal and durable systemic SARS-CoV-2 immunity in young and aged mice. Sonia Jangra, Jeffrey J. Landers, Gabriel Laghlali, Raveen Rathnasinghe, Prajakta Warang, Seok Chan Park, Jessica J. O’Konek, Gagandeep Singh, Katarzyna W. Janczak, Adolfo García-Sastre, Nandini Arya, Dilara Karadag, James R. Baker, Michael Schotsaert, Pamela T. Wong. npj Vaccines

Spatiotemporally organized immunomodulatory response to SARS-CoV-2 virus in primary human broncho-alveolar epithelia. Diana Cadena Castaneda, Sonia Jangra, Marina Yurieva, Jan Martinek, Megan Callender, Matthew Coxe, Angela Choi, Juan García-Bernalt Diego, Jianan Lin, Te Chia Wu, Florentina Marches, Damien Chaussabel, Peter Yu, Andrew Salner, Gabrielle Aucello, Jonathan Koff, Briana Hudson, Sarah E. Church, Kara Gorman, Esperanza Anguiano, Adolfo García-Sastre, Adam Williams, Michael Schotsaert, Karolina Palucka. iScience

Progress in vaccine development for infectious diseases-a Keystone Symposia report. Jennifer Cable, Barney S. Graham, Richard A. Koup, Robert A. Seder, Katalin Karikó, Norbert Pardi, Dan H. Barouch, Bhawna Sharma, Susanne Rauch, Raffael Nachbagauer, Mattias N.E. Forsell, Michael Schotsaert, Ali H. Ellebedy, Karin Loré, Darrell J. Irvine, Emily Pilkington, Siri Tahtinen, Elizabeth A. Thompson, Yanis Feraoun, Neil P. King, Kevin Saunders, Galit Alter, Syed M. Moin, Kwinten Sliepen, Gunilla B. Karlsson Hedestam, Hedda Wardemann, Bali Pulendran, Nicole A. Doria-Rose, Wan Ting He, Jennifer A. Juno, Sila Ataca, Adam K. Wheatley, Jason S. McLellan, Laura M. Walker, Julia Lederhofer, Lisa C. Lindesmith, Holger Wille, Peter J. Hotez, Linda Gail Bekker. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Schotsaert during 2022 and/or 2023. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Consulting:

  • Guidepoint Global, LLC.

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.