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Dobos Lab

The Dobos laboratory is focused on descriptive, comparative studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that are relevant to the development of second-generation vaccines and diagnostic assays. Specifically, the laboratory utilizes mass spectrometry, animal models of tuberculosis, and collaborations with clinical research groups to define macromolecules engaged in host-parasite interactions. This is accomplished through highly collaborative studies within CSU and outside of the University.

The Dobos lab has been certified as a Green Level Certified Lab as of February 9, 2023. Learn more about My Green Lab certification or visit the CSU Green Labs website.

research project

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Biological Research Repository (MID-BRR)

The Dobos laboratory provides crude and purified reagents from M. tuberculosis, M. leprae, and other specialized Mycobacterium species and transfers these reagents to the MID-BRR repository managed by American Type Culture Collection. Products include irradiated cells, subcellular fractions, genomic DNA, crude lipids, purified lipids, lipoglycans, native proteins, and antibodies/antisera.

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research project

Collaborations with Oregon Health and Sciences University

The Lewinsohn lab focuses on understanding how human CD8+ T cells recognize cell infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Areas of interest include defining the repertoire of immunodominant antigens in Mtb, defining the mechanisms by which Mtb-antigens can enter the HLA-I antigen processing pathway, and defining the mechanisms by which innate T cells can recognize cells infected with Mtb.

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research project

Collaborations with Saint Louis University

Dr. Daniel Hoft treats patients for infectious diseases. His areas of expertise include tuberculosis, parasitology, and vaccination. He is particularly interested in research into vaccine development, especially for Chagas disease, pandemic influenza, and tuberculosis.

research project

CDC PHEPRAR contract

The Dobos lab will establish conditions for kill curves for requested genus. After surrogate kill curves are established, ATCC will provide “select agent” genus/species to be tested. These will be irradiated at one dose higher than the minimum dose required to kill the surrogate. The Dobos laboratory provides scientific expertise on the irradiation of select agents and surrogates/near neighbors.

Publications

Systematic review of innate immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection in animal models.
Nieto Ramirez LM, Mehaffy C, Dobos KM. Front Immunol. 2025 Jan 30;15:1467016. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1467016. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39949719

Modulation of riboflavin biosynthesis and utilization in mycobacteria.
Chengalroyen MD, Mehaffy C, Lucas M, Bauer N, Raphela ML, Oketade N, Warner DF, Lewinsohn DA, Lewinsohn DM, Dobos KM, Mizrahi V.bioRxiv. 2023 Sep 10:2023.08.30.555301. doi: 10.1101/2023.08.30.555301. Preprint. PMID: 37693561

Deaza-modification of MR1 ligands modulates recognition by MR1-restricted T cells.
Jin H, Ladd NA, Peev AM, Swarbrick GM, Cansler M, Null M, Boughter CT, McMurtrey C, Nilsen A, Dobos KM, Hildebrand WH, Lewinsohn DA, Adams EJ, Lewinsohn DM, Harriff MJ.Sci Rep. 2022 Dec 29;12(1):22539. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26259-y.PMID: 36581641

Performance of novel antibodies for lipoarabinomannan to develop diagnostic tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Cantera JL, Lillis LM, Peck RB, Moreau E, Schouten JA, Davis P, Drain PK, Andama A, Pinter A, Kawasaki M, Källenius G, Sundling C, Dobos KM, Flores D, Chatterjee D, Murphy E, Halas OR, Boyle DS.PLoS One. 2022 Sep 30;17(9):e0274415. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274415. eCollection 2022.PMID: 36178936

Extracellular Vesicles in Mycobacteria and Tuberculosis.
Mehaffy C, Ryan JM, Kruh-Garcia NA, Dobos KM.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 May 27;12:912831. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.912831. eCollection 2022.PMID: 35719351

more publications

People

Karen Dobos, Ph.D.

Lab Principal Investigator [PI]
Professor
Scientific Director, CSU Regional Biocontainment Laboratory

Luisa Nieto Ramirez, Ph.D.

Research Scientist I

Eric Osei

UC7 Program Manager

Megan Lucas

Research Associate IV
PhD Student

Anne Simpson

Research Associate III

Kieran Broder

Research Associate I

Megan Stookey

Research Associate I

Peyton Slack

Lab Assistant

Nurudeen Oketade

Graduate Research Assistant

Purva Sanghvi

Graduate Research Assistant

Kimberly Shelton

Graduate Research Assistant

Holland Eddy

Student Researcher

Kendall Goldmann

Student Researcher

Mali Gomez

Student Researcher

Jaiden Graham

Student Researcher

Lauren Hughes

Student Researcher

Pareese Jalal

Student Researcher

Dobos Lab members work together to plant 25 trees as a recent community service and teambuilding activity.

news and updates view all

April 14, 2025 The Next 150 Podcast: Drs. Karen Dobos & Marcela Henao-Tamayo

Karen Dobos and Marcela Henao-Tamayo talk with President Amy Parsons on her podcast about How CSU is Tackling Tuberculosis.

March 6, 2025 KCBS Radio: Worldwide cases of tuberculosis on the rise, experts puzzled

KCBS Radio news anchor Holly Quan spoke with Colorado State University microbiology professor Karen Dobos about the puzzling worldwide rise in tuberculosis cases.

March 6, 2025 The Conversation: As tuberculosis cases rise in the US and worldwide, health officials puzzle over the resurgence of a disease once in decline

The Conversation asked microbiologists Karen Dobos and Marcela Henao-Tamayo, both from Colorado State University, to explain why this ancient disease seems to be making a comeback.

contact information

Laboratory: Research Innovation Center (RIC) D139

(970) 491-2229

[email protected]