William R. Schutt

B.S., 2016, Biology, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY
Advisor: Erich Mackow
Email: William.Schutt@stonybrook.edu

Research Interests

My lab studies Zika virus infection of endothelial cells. Unlike closely related Flaviviruses, Zika virus can be detected in bodily fluids for up to 6 months. Our lab has shown that Zika virus can persistently infect endothelial cells, potentially facilitating access to protected compartments such as the brain. My research focuses on the interaction between Zika and the host’s innate immune system, with an emphasis on elucidating the mechanisms by which the interferon response is evaded. This will allow us to better understand how the virus establishes a lasting infection.
 

Honors and Awards

Phi Beta Kappa inductee, SUNY Geneseo, 2016
 

Conde, J.N., Sanchez-Vicente, S., Saladino, N., Gorbunova, E.E., Schutt, W.R., Mladinich, M.C., Himmler, G.E., Benach, J., Kim, H.K., and Mackow, E.R. (2022). Powassan viruses spread cell to cell during direct isolation from Ixodes ticks and persistently infect human brain endothelial cells and pericytes. Journal of Virology 96(1): e02168221.

Conde, J.N., Schutt, W., Gorbunova, E., and Mackow, E.R. (2020). Recombinant ACE2 expression is required for SARS-CoV-2 to infect primary human endothelial cells and induce inflammatory and procoagulative responses. mBio 11(6):e03185-20.

Conde, J.N., Schutt, W.R., Mladinich, M., Sohn, S.Y., Hearing, P., and Mackow, E.R. (2020). NS5 sumoylation directs nuclear responses that permit Zika virus to persistently infect human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Journal of Virology 94(19): e01086-20.

Presentations

Conde, J.N., Gorbunova, E., Sanchez-Vincente, S., Mladinich, M.C., Schutt, W.R., Benach, J., and Mackow, E.R. (2021). Powassan virus isolate from Long Island (POWV-LI) persistently infects human brain endothelial cells and is preferentially released basolaterally. American Society for Virology 40th Annual Meeting.

Mladinich, M.C., Conde, J.N., Schutt, W.R., and Mackow, E.R. (2021). Zika virus persistence in primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells is directed by autocrine CCL5-CCR3/5 activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. American Society for Virology 40th Annual Meeting.

Schutt, W.R., Conde, J.N., Mladinich, M.C., and Mackow, E.R. (2021). Zika virus post-transcriptionally regulates IFN expression and alters RNA binding protein activity in primary hBMECs. American Society for Virology 40th Annual Meeting.

Schutt, W.R., Mladinich, M.C., and Mackow, E.R. (2019). Zika Virus Post-transcriptionally Inhibits IFN Secretion in Order to Persistently Infect Primary Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. 2019 Symposium on Harnessing Immunity to Combat Infection and Disease, April 29, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.