VandeWoude Lab

The VandeWoude Laboratory studies a variety of agents that infect domestic and nondomestic cats, most predominantly Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

The mission of the VandeWoude Lab is to:

  • Train undergraduate, graduate, pre- and post-DVM students, and post-doctoral fellows in modern techniques in molecular virology, with emphasis on experimental design, data interpretation, and accurate and fluent reporting of results.
  • Strive to continuously develop new methodologies to apply to the research process.
  • Facilitate productive and collaborative interactions between SVRG lab members and collaborators both internal and external to CSU.
  • Extrapolate findings to whole animal and population health, in vivo relevance, and community/ecological impacts.
  • Challenge existing dogma with an open mind and thoughtful approach.
  • Generate enthusiasm and appreciation for the impact of well-considered scientific approaches on human and animal health and well-being.
  • Provide a supportive, lively, challenging, cooperative and fun environment for scientific investigations in complementary disciplines.

VandeWoude Lab Research Aims

research project

Feline Ecology: Landscapes, Infectious Disease, And Epidemics

There are many questions about the spread of disease in felines. The FELIDAE (Feline Ecology: Landscapes, Infectious Disease, And Epidemics) research project seeks to answer questions about disease spread in wild felids, with the aim of promoting conservation, and ultimately minimizing disease outbreaks in wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.

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research project

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Cats infected with FIV, much like humans with HIV, suffer from oral disease. We are assessing how a novel combination antiretroviral therapy impacts infection, periodontal disease, and the cat's oral microbiome. This study is possible with the collaboration of microbiome experts, disease ecologists, veterinary dentists, veterinary immunologists and pathologists, and lab animal veterinarians.

research project

Microsporum Canis

M. canis is the primary pathogen in approximately 90% of Dermatophytosis cases in cats. Because the infection impacts the most adoptable (i.e. kittens), it can be a devastation in shelters. The infection can also be zoonotic and infects people worldwide. Our lab is currently investigating potential virulence genes in M. canis and developing a rapid point-of-care diagnostic for this agent.

research project

Diagnostics

The VandeWoude lab focuses on an array of pathogen testing through a variety of assays including conventional PCR, qPCR, ELISA, and multiplex bead based immunoassay. Current pathogens in our screening portfolio is feline foamy virus, feline gammaherpesvirus, feline immunodeficiency virus, puma and bobcat lentivirus, feline panleukopenia virus, and feline leukemia virus.

Publications

Seasonal changes in network connectivity and consequences for pathogen transmission in a solitary carnivore.
Gilbertson MLJ, Hart SN, VanderWaal K, Onorato D, Cunningham M, VandeWoude S, Craft ME. Sci Rep. 2023 Oct 18;13(1):17802. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-44815-y.PMID: 37853051

Innovation, teamwork, and global awareness characterize Colorado State University DVM training.
Tucker C, VandeWoude S, Frye M.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2023 Sep 1;261(9):1400. doi: 10.2460/javma.23.07.0378. PMID: 37607673

Subtilisin 3 production from Microsporum canis is independent of keratin substrate availability.
Moskaluk AE, Darlington L, VandeWoude S. J Basic Microbiol. 2023 Aug 8. doi: 10.1002/jobm.202300125. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37551993

Translational research at Colorado State University: capitalizing on collaboration.
Webb TL, VandeWoude S. Am J Vet Res. 2023 Aug 5;84(9):ajvr.23.07.0157. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.23.07.0157. PMID: 37527833

Role of Spillover and Spillback in SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and the Importance of One Health in Understanding the Dynamics of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Sparrer MN, Hodges NF, Sherman T, VandeWoude S, Bosco-Lauth AM, Mayo CE.J Clin Microbiol. 2023 Apr 26:e0161022. doi: 10.1128/jcm.01610-22. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37098970

more publications
67 undergraduate and graduate students mentored
141+ manuscripts published in scientific journals since 2000
77 grants and awards totaling over $24 million in funding

People

Sue VandeWoude, D.V.M.

Lab Principal Investigator [PI]
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
University Distinguished Professor

Mary Nehring, M.P.A., C.V.T.

Research Associate IV
Lab Manager

Treana Mayer, D.V.M.

Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD Student

Alex Moskaluk, D.V.M.

Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD Student

Laura Bashor

Graduate Research Assistant

Megan Conry

Veterinarian Summer Student

Michelle Galvan

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Marissa Gay

Student Researcher

Brittany Martin

Student Researcher

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