Einstein Experts

Kartik Chandran, Ph.D.

Professor, Microbiology & Immunology

Harold and Muriel Block Faculty Scholar in Virology

COVID-19, Ebola, and emerging virusesAntibody-based therapiesAnti-viral therapeuticsVirus-host interactions

A recognized expert on emerging viruses, Dr. Chandran studies how viruses infect cells, and his research seeks to translate this knowledge into new antibody-based therapies. In 2020, Dr. Chandran helped lead Einstein’s research on COVID-19: Within weeks of the global outbreak, his laboratory created a “surrogate” coronavirus that allows scientists at Einstein and elsewhere to more safely study the virus. He also helped develop an antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 that is used clinically at Montefiore Health System and by researchers leading a convalescent plasma clinical trial.

Dr. Chandran also leads Prometheus, an international consortium established to develop antibody-based therapies for emerging viruses. Prometheus pivoted to the new coronavirus in early 2020 and developed monoclonal antibodies to threat those with COVID-19. Prometheus primarily focuses on treatments against four highly lethal filoviruses (Crimean-Congo hemorraghic fever virus, Andes virus, Sin Nombre virus, and Puumala virus)—none of which have approved vaccines or therapies.

For his research on Ebola, Dr. Chandran has traveled to countries involved in the 2013-2015 outbreak to collect samples from survivors and help isolate and study their antibodies. He and collaborators have developed a novel antibody strategy that can block infection for all strains of Ebola. His research has been published in Nature, Science, and Cell.