Kartik Chandran
<p><strong>Basic and Translational Research on Emerging RNA Viruses</strong></p>
<p>As our world grows more interconnected and humans impinge on the few remaining wild habitats, infections caused by the accidental transmission of viruses from their natural animal hosts to humans are increasingly of concern. The unprecedented 2013–2015 Ebola virus disease epidemic in western Africa provides a particularly apt example. Few specific antiviral treatments are available for Ebola and other emerging agents, and our ability to develop them is challenged by a poor understanding of exactly how viruses co-opt our own cells at the molecular level.</p>
<p>The Chandran Lab at Einstein strives to understand this molecular warfare between virus and cell, and to apply what we learn to the development of antiviral treatments. Filoviruses, such as Ebola virus and Marburg virus, and hantaviruses, such as Sin Nombre virus and Hantaan virus, are major topics of study in our group. Working collaboratively with our partners on three continents, we have helped uncover critical host factors required for cell invasion by Ebola virus, including the long-sought viral receptor, Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). One of our recent interests is to decipher how genetic variation in host-encoded factors—in NPC1, for example—can influence the susceptibility of humans and animals to viral infection and the likelihood of animal-to-human 'host-jumping' events. Our ongoing efforts also include translational studies to develop anti-Ebola drugs, including small molecule and antibody therapeutics, targeting viral and host factors critical for infection.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <em>Nature</em>, <em>Science</em>, and <em>Cell</em>.</p>
<p>Please go <a href="http://www.chandranlab.org/publications" target="_blank">here for complete bibliography.</a></p>