Gender	Male
E-mail	peter.palese@mssm.edu
Education and Training	Ph.D., University of Vienna
Awards	2006 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

Palese Laboratory

Education and Training	Ph.D., University of Vienna

The Palese Laboratory is interested in fundamental questions concerning the genetic make-up and the biology of viruses. The group uses 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 (SARS) viruses.

There are four major research directions in our laboratory at the present time. (1) By genetically changing influenza viruses via recombinant DNA techniques, we are studying viral genes and gene products. Using these reverse genetics techniques, we are trying to develop novel influenza virus vaccines and vaccine vectors. (2) We are identifying intracellular proteins that interact with viral proteins, and we are studying the biological function(s) of these cellular proteins in the context of viral infections.  (3) Another interest is the identification of novel targets for antivirals. (4) Finally, we are studying the pathogenicity of viruses in animal models including transmission of influenza viruses in guinea pigs.

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

Wang TT, Palese P. Universal epitopes of influenza virus hemagglutinins?. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2009; 16: 233-234.

Mubareka S, Lowen AC, Steel J, Coates AL, Garcia-Sastre A, Palese P. Transmission of Influenza Virus via Aerosols and Fomites in the Guinea Pig Model [Epub ahead of print]. J Infect Dis 2009;.

Pappas C, Aguilar PV, Basler CF, Solorzano ZH, Perrone LA, Palese P, Garcia-Sastre A, Katz JM, Tumpey TM. Single gene reassortants identify a critical role for PB1, HA and NA in the high virulence of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus. PNAS 2008; 105: 3064-3069.

Steel J, Burmakina SV, Thomas C, Spackman E, Garcia-Sastre A, Katz JM, Tumpey TM. A combination in-ovo vaccine for avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus. Vaccine 2008; 26: 522-531.

Lowen AC, Mubareka SF, Steel J, Palese P. Influenza virus transmission is dependent on relative humidity and temperature. PLoS Pathog 2007; 3: 1470-1476.

Ahmed R, Oldstone MB, Palese P. Protective immunity and susceptibility to infectious diseases: lessons from the 1918 influenza pandemic. Nature Immunol 2007; 8: 1188-1193.

Frieman M, Yount B, Heise M, Kopecky-Bromberg SA, Palese P, Baric RS. SARS-CoV ORF6 antagonizes STAT1 function by sequestering nuclear import factors on the rER/Golgi membrane. J. Virol 2007; 81: 9812-9824.

Tumpey TM, Maines TR, Van Hoeven N, Glaser L, Solorzano A, Pappas C, Cox NJ, Swayne DE, Palese P, Katz JM, GarcIa-Sastre A. A two amino acid substitution in the 1918 influenza virus hemagglutinin abolishes transmission of the pandemic virus. Science 2007; 315: 655-659.