Dr. Sabine Ehrt, an internationally acclaimed expert in tuberculosis research, has been appointed as the new chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine, effective July 1. This department, known for its comprehensive work on microbes such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, delves deeply into the intricate interactions between these microorganisms and the human immune system, also addressing autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Under Dr. Ehrt’s leadership, the department aims to reinforce its formidable presence in tuberculosis research while expanding its investigative reach into antimicrobial resistance, malaria, and other critical domains in infectious disease.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine has long been distinguished for its interdisciplinary approach to infectious diseases, bridging gaps between fundamental microbial biology and clinical applications. Dr. Ehrt envisions a future where collaboration across disciplines—not only within microbiology but also encompassing adjacent fields such as veterinary medicine and chemical biology—will accelerate breakthrough discoveries. She stresses the crucial role of mentorship in sustaining scientific innovation, focusing on nurturing junior investigators who will drive future advances.
Joining Weill Cornell Medicine in 1999, Dr. Ehrt is a seasoned faculty member who currently holds a professorship in microbiology and immunology and serves as co-chair of the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis graduate program. She succeeds Dr. Carl Nathan, who helmed the department since 1998 and whose eminent contributions have shaped its direction. Dr. Nathan will remain a vital presence within the institution, continuing his research and supporting the department’s evolving mission. Dr. Robert A. Harrington, Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, lauded Dr. Ehrt as a "distinguished scientist and dedicated mentor" whose appointment will elevate the department’s global research reputation.
Dr. Ehrt’s research portfolio is marked by pioneering work in understanding the metabolic and genetic adaptations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within host environments. Her studies revealed that M. tuberculosis effectively reprograms host macrophages, manipulating immune functions to establish chronic infection. This insight into host-pathogen dynamics clarifies why tuberculosis remains a formidable global health challenge, evading immune clearance and persisting despite aggressive immune responses. Dr. Ehrt’s lab employs sophisticated molecular genetics and immunological techniques to dissect these interactions, offering potential new therapeutic targets.
Amidst evolving challenges in microbiology—such as reduced funding and public skepticism toward vaccines—Dr. Ehrt emphasizes the urgent need for innovative approaches to combat infectious diseases. She highlights an impending crisis where the decline in industry engagement and constrained National Institutes of Health budgets threaten the progress of therapies and vaccines. Nonetheless, she remains optimistic about the potential resurgence of infectious disease research, advocating for strategic collaboration and resource allocation that can preempt future epidemics and antimicrobial resistance crises.
Dr. Ehrt’s research has been facilitated by her collaborations with colleagues such as Dr. Dirk Schnappinger, with whom she developed genetically engineered Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) strains featuring innovative “kill switches” controlled by tetracycline derivatives. This genetic engineering feat enables researchers to precisely control bacterial gene expression and replication, providing a powerful experimental tool to study tuberculosis pathogenesis and accelerate vaccine development efforts. These tetracycline-regulated systems ensure enhanced biosafety and facilitate more detailed mechanistic studies of bacterial survival strategies.
The dual and triple kill-switch strains engineered by Drs. Ehrt and Schnappinger represent a groundbreaking platform with potential applications in human vaccine development. By introducing genetic controls that allow in vivo regulation of bacterial proliferation, these engineered microbes can be rapidly attenuated or activated, offering safer and more flexible candidates for vaccination studies. The ability to switch bacterial genes off and on brings unprecedented control and specificity to tuberculosis vaccine research, potentially expediting the development of next-generation immunizations that elicit robust and lasting protection.
Dr. Ehrt’s scientific achievements are underscored by her extensive funding portfolio, which includes nine active grants from the National Institutes of Health and significant support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her prolific publication record spans over one hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Nature Medicine and Nature Microbiology, accumulating more than 17,000 citations. These metrics reflect her substantial influence on the field and recognition among her peers. Her research trajectory, shifting from microbial genetics toward comprehensive host-pathogen interaction studies, reflects an adaptive and multifaceted approach to one of medicine’s most enduring infectious threats.
Her academic background is equally distinguished. Dr. Ehrt earned both her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen before postdoctoral fellowships at Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of California, Berkeley. Since joining Weill Cornell Medicine’s faculty, she has advanced through the ranks, earning tenure in 2008 and contributing significantly to graduate training programs in immunology and microbial pathogenesis. Her leadership extends beyond the laboratory, evidenced by editorial roles in prominent journals such as mBio and PLoS Pathogens, and chairing major scientific conferences, which shape the direction of infectious disease research globally.
Dr. Ehrt acknowledges the inherent challenges in leading a department navigating shifting landscapes in scientific funding and public health priorities. She highlights the critical importance of investing in people—particularly early-career scientists—to maintain a vibrant and innovative research environment. She advocates for expanding faculty recruitment to include experts in disciplines complementary to microbiology, encouraging interdisciplinary teams that harness novel technologies and methodologies. Her vision embraces both continuity and transformation, building on a foundation of excellence while steering the department into emerging frontiers of research.
The legacy of her predecessor, Dr. Carl Nathan, provides a strong foundation for these ambitions. Dr. Nathan’s longstanding leadership underscored tuberculosis research and educational excellence and he remains an active faculty member and advisor. Together, Drs. Ehrt and Nathan exemplify a collaborative spirit aimed at enhancing Weill Cornell Medicine’s contributions to foundational science and translational research. Their combined expertise and sustained commitment to mentorship promise continued innovation and academic rigor within the department.
At a time when infectious diseases threaten to resurge amid global challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and antimicrobial resistance, Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology stands poised for renewed momentum. Under Dr. Ehrt’s stewardship, the department is set to enhance its impact on critical public health issues through cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art training, and strategic collaborations across institutions and disciplines. This leadership transition marks a significant milestone, heralding a new era of scientific discovery and translational innovation in the fight against tuberculosis and beyond.
By leveraging advanced genetic tools, rigorous immunological studies, and a collaborative framework that crosses traditional boundaries, Dr. Ehrt is ushering in a period of transformative growth. Her commitment to mentoring and innovation fosters an environment where the next generation of scientists can thrive and propel the discipline forward. As the global community grapples with evolving infectious threats, the research spearheaded at Weill Cornell Medicine under her guidance will be essential to developing next-generation therapies and vaccines that address unmet medical needs worldwide.
Weill Cornell Medicine itself remains a beacon of academic excellence and clinical innovation, dedicated to integrating patient care, scientific discovery, and education. With global collaborations extending from New York to locations as diverse as Qatar, Tanzania, and Brazil, the institution is uniquely positioned to influence global health outcomes. Dr. Ehrt’s appointment not only reinforces the department’s leadership in microbiology and immunology but also reflects Weill Cornell’s broader mission to combat infectious diseases through pioneering research and education that transcends geographic and disciplinary boundaries.
Subject of Research: Tuberculosis, Microbiology and Immunology, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Antimicrobial Resistance, Vaccine Development
Article Title: Dr. Sabine Ehrt Named Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine
Web References:
- Dr. Sabine Ehrt Profile
- Weill Cornell Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Ehrt Lab Research
- Development of Kill Switch TB Vaccine
Image Credits: Weill Cornell Medicine
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Microbiology, Immunology, Vaccine Development, Host-Pathogen Interaction, Antimicrobial Resistance, Gene Targeting, Drug Targets, Clinical Research, Discovery Research
