Peter Palese, PhD
img_Peter Palese
PROFESSOR & CHAIR | Microbiology
PROFESSOR | Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Research Topics
Antivirals, Apoptosis/Cell Death, Biodefense, Coronavirus, Influenza Virus, Interferon, Interferon Antagonists, Nipah Virus, Paramyxovirus, RNA, SARS Virus, Vaccine Development, Virulence Genes, Viruses and Virology
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT), Microbiology [MIC]
The Palese Laboratory focuses on fundamental questions concerning the genetic make-up and biology of viruses, as well as virus-host interactions.  They use molecular biological techniques to understand how viruses replicate and how they interact with cells to cause disease in their hosts.  Emphasis is on the study of RNA viruses, including influenza, paramyxo, and corona viruses.  These are four major research directions in the laboratory at the present time:  (1) by genetically changing influenza viruses via recombinant DNA techniques, they are studying viral genes and gene products to develop a universal influenza virus vaccine; (2) intracellular proteins are identified that interact with viral proteins, and the biological functions of these cellular proteins are studies; (3) attempts are made to develop broad spectrum antivirals and to identify their mechanisms of actions.  

The Palese Laboratory is interested in training students and postdoctoral fellows who will become independent investigators in "molecular" studies of infectious viral diseases.

PhD, University of Vienna

2015

Beijerinck Virology Prize

Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences

2014

Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

2014

Honorary Doctorate

Baylor College of Medicine

2012

Sanofi–Institut Pasteur Award

2012

Election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences

2010

European Virology Award (EVA)

European Society for Virology

2006

Elected Member

The German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina

2006

Robert Koch Prize

Berlin

2002

Corresponding Member

Austrian Academy of Sciences

2000

Member

National Academy of Sciences

Peter Palese, PhD

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.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Palese during 2023 and/or 2024. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Consulting or Other Professional Services Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

  • Avimex
  • CastleVax

Equity (Stock or stock options valued at greater than 5% ownership of a publicly traded company or equity of any value in a privately held company)

  • CastleVax

Founder/Co-Founder/Partner

  • Accurius

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.