Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Microbiology
New York, New York
Overview
The School of Medicine and the Graduate School were established in 1968, and an informal collegial atmosphere prevails. Faculty members are easily accessible, and students enjoy interactions with them and with students in other subspecialties. A large number of journal clubs and research seminars are available through the department, the Medical Center, and the other scientific institutions in New York City. Students attend and are encouraged to report on their research at local and national scientific meetings.
Graduate students take the microbiology course with medical students, and the department includes several postdoctoral research fellows. Graduates have been accepted for highly competitive postdoctoral positions, and many are employed as faculty members in universities and investigators in both research institutes and industry.
The Location and Community
The School of Medicine is located on the Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, a site that offers extraordinary access to the entertainment and cultural opportunities of New York City. Tickets to concerts, plays, and operas are made available, and major museums are located in the neighborhood. Outdoor athletic facilities for tennis, jogging, soccer, baseball, and the like are available in Central Park, which adjoins the Medical Center. Indoor athletic facilities are located in the Medical Center and in a YM-YWHA, for which student passes are provided.
Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The Department of Microbiology offers graduate training leading to a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences with a subspecialty in microbiology. The core curriculum includes courses in cell and molecular biology and microbiology. A basic laboratory rotation is designed to acquaint the student with the department. In addition, two 1-semester apprenticeships in laboratories within the department offer an opportunity for the student to engage in diverse research projects and serve to encourage close student-faculty interaction. The department also offers advanced courses in virology, molecular genetics, immunology, and physical methods of analysis.
During the first 2½ years, students must pass a written first-level examination, which presumes a broad acquaintance with biomedical sciences, and a second-level examination in microbiology. Students engage in research in their first year and usually choose a thesis adviser early in their second year. Most students complete their program within five years. A committee of the faculty is assembled for each student in order to provide guidance in course work and choice of project, to examine the student at the second-level examination, and to judge the written dissertation.
Facilities & Resources
The faculty members of the department are engaged in diverse research in the areas of molecular virology, molecular and cellular immunology, eukaryotic gene expression, viral replication, RNA transcription and processing, molecular mechanism of viral-host interaction, and vaccine development (for details, see individual faculty members' research interests). The department is fully equipped for research and is situated on the sixteenth floor of the Annenberg Building, which is devoted to basic and clinical research in the biomedical sciences. The department maintains a substantial library, which is complemented by the medical school's library on the eleventh floor. Centralized animal facilities are situated on the twenty-sixth floor. Computer resources are provided through remote-job-entry terminals connected with the University Computer Center.
Expenses and Aid
The cost of study is usually met by financial aid awards.
Financial Aid:
All students are supported by a common stipend level ($25,500 for 2004-05). The fellowship also includes the cost of tuition and a comprehensive health insurance package. Students with special needs can take advantage of loan and emergency funds.
Housing/Living Expenses:
Housing is available for all students at a wide range of costs.
How to Apply
Students may obtain application forms from the Graduate School Office at Mount Sinai. The deadline for the receipt of completed applications is April 15. Applicants should indicate that their application is to the Department of Microbiology of the Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program. In addition to the application form and required fee, the applicant must supply official undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (the General Test and one or more appropriate Subject Tests). International applicants must provide scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants who have taken graduate courses must supply transcripts of their graduate records. Applicants should have a background in biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, and mathematics. In addition, it is desirable for applicants to have taken advanced courses in science and to have had some research experience.
Who to Contact
Dr. Peter Palese
Department of Microbiology
Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University
1 Gustave L. Levy Place
New York, New York 10029
212-241-7318
Faculty and Research
• Christopher F. Basler, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Yeshiva (Einstein), 1995. Molecular determinants of influenza virus virulence; mechanisms by which hemorrhagic fever viruses evade the host innate immune response; identification of virus-encoded interferon-antagonists. The Ebola virus VP35 protein inhibits activation of interferon regulatory factor 3. J. Virol. 77:7945-56, 2003 (with Mikulasova et al.). Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-based assay demonstrates interferon-antagonist activity for the NDV V protein and the Nipah virus V, W, and C proteins. J. Virol. 77:1501-11, 2003 (with Park et al.). Existing antivirals are effective against influenza viruses with genes from the 1918 pandemic virus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99:13849-54, 2001 (with Tumpey and Palese et al.).
• John A. Blaho, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Alabama at Birmingham, 1988. Molecular virology; regulation of herpes simplex virus replication; structure and function of HSV proteins. Mutation of the protein tyrosine kinase consensus site in the herpes simplex virus 1 α22 gene alters ICP22 posttranslational modification. Virology 305:153-67, 2003 (with O'Toole et al.). Viral oncoapoptosis of human tumor cells. Gene Ther. 10:1437-45, 2003 (with Aubert). NF-kB is required for apoptosis prevention during HSV-1 infection. J. Virol. 77:7261-80, 2003 (with Goodkin et al.). The facts of death. Int. Rev. Immunol. 22:327-40, 2003 (with Sanfilippo).
• Constantin A. Bona, Professor; M.D., Bucharest, 1958; Dc.Sci. (Ph.D.), Paris, 1972. Cellular basis of immune response elicited by genetic immunization; characterization of antigen presentation by cells transfected in vivo and the protective response induced in newborn and aged animals. CpG motifs of DNA vaccines induce the expression of chemokines and MHC class II molecules on myocytes. Eur. J. Immunol. 31:301-10, 2001 (with Stan et al.). Lack of skin fibrosis in tight skin (TSK) mice with targeted mutation in the interleukin-4Rα and transforming growth factor-β genes. J. Invest. Dermatol. 116:136-43, 2001 (with McGaha et al.). A targeted mutation in the IL-4Rα gene protects mice against autoimmune diabetes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97:12700-4, 2000 (with Radu et al.).
• Sofia Casares, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Madrid (Spain), 1991. Pathogenesis of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes; immunotherapy of type 1 diabetes by soluble, dimeric MHC class-II/peptide chimeras. Antigen-specific down-regulation of T cells by doxorubicin delivered through a recombinant MHC II-peptide chimera. Nature Biotechnol. 19:142-7, 2001 (with Brumeanu et al.). Enzymatically-mediated engineering of multivalent MHC II-peptide chimeras. Protein Eng. 14:32-7, 2001 (with Brumeanu and Bona). Antigen-specific signaling by a soluble, dimeric peptide/MHC class II/Fc chimera leading to Th2 differentiation. J. Exp. Med. 190:543-53, 1999 (with Brumeanu et al.).
• Adolfo García-Sastre, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Salamanca (Spain), 1990. Genetic manipulation of influenza viruses; molecular mechanisms of influenza virus replication; use of influenza viruses as vaccine vectors; subversion of innate immunity by viruses. Inhibition of interferon-mediated antiviral responses by influenza A viruses and other negative strand RNA viruses. Virology 279:375-84, 2001. Antitumor properties of influenza virus vectors. Cancer Res. 60:6972-6, 2000 (with Zheng et al.). Rescue of influenza A virus from recombinant DNA. J. Virol. 73:9679-82, 1999 (with Fodor et al.).
• Betsy C. Herold, Associate Professor; M.D., Pennsylvania, 1982. Molecular pathogenesis and prevention of herpes simplex virus infections and other sexually transmitted disease pathogens; analysis of pathway of HSV entry, focusing on cellular receptors, calcium signaling, and tyrosine phosphorylation pathways required for viral entry; development of topical microbicides to prevent viral attachment and invasion. Sulfonated polymers bind HSV glycoprotein B and prevent viral entry and cell-cell spread. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., in press (with Cheshenko et al.). Calcium signaling pathways are required for herpes simplex virus entry. J. Cell Biol. 163:283-93, 2003 (with Cheshenko et al.). Mandelic acid condensation polymer: Novel candidate microbicide for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus entry. J. Virol. 76:11236-44, 2002 (with Scordi-Bello et al.).
• Mary E. Klotman, Professor; M.D., Duke, 1980. Molecular pathogenesis and molecular therapy of human retroviruses, particularly HIV; isolation and characterization of HIV-inhibitory protein(s) from CD8+ cells with elucidation of the inhibitory mechanism; molecular pathogenesis of HIV-associate nephropathy and development of topical microbicides with anti-HIV activity. CAF-mediated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 transcriptional inhibition is distinct from alpha-defensin-1 HIV inhibition. J. Virol. 77:6777-84, 2003 (with Chang et al.). HIV-associated nephropathy during primary infection, establishment of a renal reservoir. N. Engl. J. Med. 26:1979-84, 2001 (with Winston et al.).
• R. Michael Linden, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Zurich, 1990. Molecular virology; mechanisms underlying the regulation of the human adeno-associated virus (AAV 2) life cycle: site-specific DNA integration; helper-dependent versus autonomous replication. Amino-terminal domain exchange redirects origin-specific interactions of AAV Rep 78 in vitro. J. Virol., in press. A role for single-stranded templates in cell-free adeno-associated virus DNA replication. J. Virol. 74:744-54, 2000 (with Ward et al.). Adeno-associated virus site specifically integrates into a muscle specific DNA region. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97:4862-6, 2000 (with Dutheil et al.).
• Lloyd Mayer, Professor; M.D., CUNY, Mount Sinai, 1976. Lymphokine regulation of human B-cell differentiation; isolation and characterization of a novel B-cell differentiation factor; mucosal immunoregulation; role of epithelial cells as antigen-presenting cells in the gut. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules B7h and B7-H1 on colonic epithelial cells and their functional role in T-cell activation. Gastroenterology, in press (with Nakazawa et al.). Failure to induce oral tolerance to a soluble protein in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterology, in press (with Kraus et al.). Complex formation of the IFN consensus binding protein (ICSBP) with IRF-1 is essential for murine macrophage IFN-γ-induced iNOS gene expression. J. Biol Chem. 278:2271-7, 2003 (with Xiong et al.).
• Thomas M. Moran, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Boston University, 1981. Immunology; immune response to viral infection. The type 1 IFN induction pathway, but not released IFN, participates in the maturation of dendritic cells induced by negative strand RNA viruses. J. Infect. Diseases, in press (with Lopez et al.). In vivo targeting of antigens to maturing dendritic cells via the DEC-205 receptor improves T-cell vaccination. J. Exp. Med. 199:815-24, 2004 (with Bonifaz et al.). Influenza virus-induced dendritic cell maturation is associated with the induction of strong T-cell immunity to a coadministered, normally nonimmunogenic protein. J. Exp. Med. 198:133-44, 2003 (with Brimnes et al.).
• Peter Palese, Professor and Chairman; Ph.D., Vienna, 1969. Genetics of animal viruses; mechanism of replication of influenza viruses; molecular epidemiology of viruses; development of antivirals and of novel vaccine approaches; molecular pathogenesis of RNA-containing viruses; analysis of interaction between cellular and viral proteins; analysis of the virulence of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus. Pathogenicity and immunogenicity of influenza viruses with genes from the 1918 pandemic viruses with genes from the 1918 pandemic virus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 101:3166-71, 2004 (with Tumpey et al.). Interferon antagonist proteins of influenza and vaccinia virus are suppressors of RNA silencing. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 101:1350-5, 2004 (with Li et al.).
• Beatriz G.-T. Pogo, Professor; M.D., 1956, Dr.Med.Sci., 1961, Buenos Aires. Mechanisms of replication and expression of cytocidal and oncogenic viruses; search for retroviral sequences in human breast cancer. High prevalence of MMTV-like env gene sequences in gestational breast cancer. Med. Oncol. 20:233-6, 2003. Effect of pyrethroid insecticides and estrogen in Wnt 10b protooncogene expression. Environ. Int. 28:429-33, 2002 (with Kasat). MMTV-like env gene sequences in human breast cancer. Arch. Virol. 146:171-80, 2001 (with Wang et al.).
• Domenico Tortorella, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., SUNY at Stony Brook, 1995. Molecular immunology and host-pathogen interactions; identification and study of pathogenic proteins that interfere with MHC antigen presentation; protein transport across the ER membrane. Dissection of the dislocation pathway for type I membrane proteins with a new small molecule inhibitor, eeyarestatin. Mol. Biol. Cell 15:1635-46, 2004 (with Fiebiger et al.). Ubiquitinylation of the cytosolic domain of a type I membrane protein is not required to initiate its dislocation from the endoplasmic reticulum. J. Biol. Chem. 278:34804-11, 2003 (with Furman et al.). US2, an HCMV encoded type I membrane glycoprotein, contains a noncleavable amino-terminal signal peptide. J. Biol. Chem. 277:11306-13, 2002 (with Gewurz et al.).
• Lu-Hai Wang, Professor; Ph.D., Berkeley, 1976. Functions of viral and cellular oncogenes; normal and oncogenic signal transduction of ros, human insulin, and insulinlike growth factor I receptors; mechanism of cell transformation, cell motility, invasion and metastasis, and inhibition of these functions by dominant negative mutants of signaling molecules; mechanism of signaling function of Vav3 and RACK1. Differential requirement for Rho family GTPases in oncogenic IGF-1 receptor-induced cell transformation. J. Biol. Chem. 276:26461-71, 2001 (with Sachdev et al.). ErbB2 overexpressing human mammary cancer cells display an increased requirement for the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway in anchorage independent growth. Oncogene 20:7551-62, 2001 (with Hermanto et al.). Vav3 mediates signaling of receptor tyrosine kinases, modulates cell morphology and has cell transforming potential. Mol. Cell. Biol. 20:9212-24, 2000 (with Zeng et al.).
• James G. Wetmur, Professor; Ph.D., Caltech, 1967. Physical biochemistry; nucleic acid hybridization, thermostable proteins; molecular epidemiology. Increased influence of genetic variation on PON1 enzymatic activity in neonates. Environ. Health Perspect. 111:1403-9, 2003 (with Chen et al.). Kinetic PCR on pooled DNA: A high-efficiency alternative in genetic epidemiologic studies. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 11:131-6, 2002 (with Chen et al.). The Ruv proteins of Thermotoga maritima: Branch migration and resolution of Holliday junctions. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1494:217-25, 2000 (with Gonzalez et al.).
• Karen S. Zier, Professor; Ph.D., SUNY at Buffalo, 1975. T-cell activation; immunotherapy of cancer; monitoring of antitumor immunity in patients. Surrogate markers of anti-tumor responses: In vitro activation of T cells by autologous tumor peptide. Clin. Cancer Res. 7:818s-21s, 2001 (with Zier et al.). Antigen specific secretion of IFNγ against tumor peptides prepared from fresh tumor tissue in colon cancer patients. J. Immunol. Methods 241:61, 2000 (with Johnson et al.). Resection of solid tumors reverses T-cell defects and restores protective immunity. J. Immunol. 164:2214, 2000 (with Salvadori et al.).