The MacNeill Lab studies poxvirus pathogenesis and genetically engineers poxviruses to use as vaccines and oncolytic viruses. The lab is particularly interested in understanding molecular interactions between poxviruses and immune responses. In collaboration with the Flint Animal Cancer Center, recombinant poxviruses created in the lab are used in clinical trials to treat canine cancer patients.
research project
Oncolytic Poxviruses
The MacNeill Lab develops recombinant poxviruses for use as oncolytic agents. Clinical trials using oncolytic virotherapy in dogs and cats advance treatment options for dogs with cancer and may better predict human response to virotherapy than murine cancer models do.
research project
Poxviruses Vaccines
We genetically modify poxviruses in hopes of creating safe, effective vaccines that prevent poxvirus infections and protect against other diseases (including COVID-19). These projects help us understand poxvirus immunopathology and how the route of vaccination affects the host response to infection.
research project
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Emerging infectious diseases are a concern in both human and veterinary medicine. Our work produces thorough pathologic descriptions of disease caused by pathogens identified in species they have not previously been detected in.
research project
Veterinary Clinical Pathology
The MacNeill Lab strives to develop immunocytochemical panels that detect specific cellular proteins and combine them with knowledge of cell morphology to enhance our ability to properly diagnose and treat disease in veterinary patients.
research project
Diagnostic Test Validation
It is extremely important to critically evaluate diagnostic tests in each species that they are used in. These projects aim to provide diagnostic validation of tests for immunomodulators and other clinical pathology parameters in veterinary species.
Publications
Comparative Pathology of Zoonotic Orthopoxviruses
MacNeill AL.
Pathogens. 2022; 11(8):892. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080892
Treatment of an Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Allograft with Recombinant Myxoma Virus and Oclacitinib.
Ashton LV, Graham B, Afzali MF, Gustafson D, MacNeill AL.
Oncolytic Virother. 2020 May 26;9:17-29. doi: 10.2147/OV.S252727. eCollection 2020. PMID: 32548076
Recombinant Myxoma Virus Expressing Walleye Dermal Sarcoma Virus orfC Is Attenuated in Rabbits.
Ashton LV, Quackenbush SL, Castle J, Wilson G, McCoy J, Jordan M, MacNeill AL.
Viruses. 2020 May 8;12(5):517. doi: 10.3390/v12050517. PMID: 32397134
The potential of the combined use of targeted type I interferon pathway inhibitors and oncolytic viruses to treat sarcomas.
MacNeill AL.
Vet Comp Oncol. 2020 Mar;18(1):36-42. doi: 10.1111/vco.12547. Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31618515
Safety of an Oncolytic Myxoma Virus in Dogs with Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
MacNeill AL, Weishaar KM, Séguin B, Powers BE.
Viruses. 2018 Jul 28;10(8):398. doi: 10.3390/v10080398. PMID: 30060548
more publications
news and updates
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July 29, 2022
9News: Veterinary pathologist shares her perspective on monkeypox outbreak
Dr. MacNeill sat down with 9News reporter Jennifer Meckles to explain what she knows about monkeypox from studying past outbreaks, and its effect on animal species.
July 28, 2022
Colorado Matters: CSU scientist adds to our understanding of monkeypox
Amy MacNeill, of Colorado State University, studies pox viruses from a veterinary perspective, given that rodents so often spread the disease to people.
July 25, 2022
Q&A: What should we know about monkeypox, and what makes this outbreak different from COVID
Amy MacNeill weighed in on how worried we should be about monkeypox, the threat of zoonotic spillover, and what differentiates this outbreak from the COVID-19 pandemic.
contact information
Office: Diagnostic Medicine Center room 110
Lab: Diagnostic Medicine Center room 140
(970) 297-5112
[email protected]
