Peter S Heeger, MD
- ADJUNCT PROFESSOR | Medicine, Nephrology
Research Topics:
Immunology, T Cells, TransplantationPeter S. Heeger, MD, is Professor of Medicine, Director of Transplant Research and a member of the Immunology Institute and the Recanati Miller Transplant Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. He leads the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation consortium, conducting trials to assess the utility of noninvasive biomarkers to predict outcomes in transplant recipients. His basic research interests are mechanisms of allograft injury and tolerance, with a focus on complement and T lymphocytes. He serves as current chair of the TTT NIH study section, is an active member of the American Society of Transplantation, and has authored >130 publications in the field.
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Immunology [IMM]Education
MD, University of Pennsylvania
Specific Clinical/Research Interest: Transplant immunology, complement, T cells
Postdoctoral Fellows: Paolo Cravedi, Pragya Yadav, Divya Verghese, Carolina Purroy
Junior Faculty: Jessica Reid-Adam
Student Researchers: Francis Sheen, Ed Kwon, Douglas Mathern
Lab Manager: Denise Peace
Reasearch Assistants: Tina Yao, Riddhika Pandya, Linda Zhang, Abhishek Parmar
Overview:
I lead a basic science lab in transplant immunology and complement/T cell interactions. I am also the Director of Transplant Research at Mount Sinai and oversee all clinical and translational transplant trials at the institution. Our group leads a multicenter international NIH trial on biomarkers as predictors of transplant outcome
Summary of Research Studies:
The research performed in my laboratory focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular immunologic events involved in rejection and tolerance of allogeneic organ grafts in mouse models and in humans. Using mouse models we assess a) how and where alloreactive T cell recognize antigens found in transplanted donor tissues and b) which induced effector mechanisms are essential for inducing graft pathology. Recently published work from our group has also delineated a new link between innate and adaptive immunity by demonstrating that alternative pathway complement components influence the strength of all T cell immune responses, including those directed at allogeneic tissues. Lessons derived from the animal studies are being ''translated'' into humans. I direct an NIH U01 multicenter trial to assess the utility of noninvasive markers to predict outcome in organ transplant recipients. The study is designed to provide a rational scientific foundation for therapeutic decision-making aimed at maximizing graft survival and minimizing toxicity in organ graft recipients.
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Heeger during 2022 and/or 2023. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Consulting:
- Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.