Find Faculty
Michael A Schotsaert, PhD
img_Michael A Schotsaert
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Immunology & Immunotherapy
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Microbiology
email
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]
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).
Schotsaert Lab Website
https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/schotsaertlab/
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).
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.

PhD in molecular biotechnology, Ghent University

master's in bio-engineering sciences, Ghent University

master's in molecular medical biotechnology, Ghent University

100
Publications

Selected Publications

A single immunization with intranasal Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-based XBB.1.5 variant vaccine reduces disease and transmission in animals against matched-variant challenge. Stefan Slamanig, Nicholas Lemus, Tsoi Ying Lai, Gagandeep Singh, Mitali Mishra, Adam Abdeljawad, Marta Boza, Victoria Dolange, Gagandeep Singh, Benhur Lee, Irene González-Domínguez, Michael Schotsaert, Florian Krammer, Peter Palese, Weina Sun. Vaccine

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 growth in the lungs of mice by a peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomer targeting viral RNA. Alexandra Sakai, Gagandeep Singh, Mahsa Khoshbakht, Scott Bittner, Christiane V. Löhr, Randy Diaz-Tapia, Prajakta Warang, Kris White, Luke Le Luo, Blanton Tolbert, Mario Blanco, Amy Chow, Mitchell Guttman, Cuiping Li, Yiming Bao, Joses Ho, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Arnab Chatterjee, Sumit Chanda, Adolfo García-Sastre, Michael Schotsaert, John R. Teijaro, Hong M. Moulton, David A. Stein. Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids

Enhanced mucosal SARS-CoV-2 immunity after heterologous intramuscular mRNA prime/intranasal protein boost vaccination with a combination adjuvant. Gabriel Laghlali, Matthew J. Wiest, Dilara Karadag, Prajakta Warang, Jessica J. O'Konek, Lauren A. Chang, Seok Chan Park, Vivian Yan, Mohammad Farazuddin, Katarzyna W. Janczak, Adolfo García-Sastre, James R. Baker, Pamela T. Wong, Michael Schotsaert. Molecular Therapy

View All Publications

Annenberg Building Floor 15th Floor Room 15-14C

1468 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

Annenberg Building Floor 15th floor Room 15-14C

1468 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities 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 outside financial relationships.

Dr. Schotsaert has not yet completed reporting of Industry relationships.

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.