Henao Tamayo Lab

Our laboratory, as part of the CSU Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, is dedicated to investigating the pathogenesis and immune response to mycobacterial species, specifically M. tuberculosis, M. avium, and M. abscessus, with a primary focus on the immune responses triggered by the infection and with a particular interest in developing and testing vaccines.

Through a team science approach, we aim to improve vaccine regimens and approaches, incorporating environmental parameters, age, and sex differences known to alter the immune response. To investigate the host-pathogen interactions, we use multiparametric and transcriptional (single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics) unbiased analysis of the cells induced after vaccination and infection. We also utilize metabolomics, proteomics and multiple technologies to evaluate mycobacterial replication compounded with data science and modeling to search for biomarkers of protection against disease.

research project

Immune Mechanisms of Protection Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Center (IMPAC-TB)

Multidisciplinary IMPAc-TB teams are studying human and animal samples through computational modeling to identify the key immune responses needed for protection against Mtb, determine immunologic targets that can be used to improve TB vaccine strategies, and assess the impact on nontuberculous mycobacteria on humans relevant immune responses to Mtb infection or TB vaccines.

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research project

Guinea Pigs as an animal model for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria disease

Recent reports indicate a rise in lung infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria, with limited treatment options due to the severe side effects of antibiotics and the lack of effective vaccines. With a pressing need for a reliable model for treatment research, we are evaluating the natural susceptibility of guinea pigs to develop disease in response to oral ingestion of NTMs.

research project

SolaVAX-TB/MucosImmune: A Mucosal Vaccine Against Tuberculosis

We developed an inactivated whole-cell Mtb vaccine booster (SolaVAX-Mtb) that can be administered intranasally. Coupling the SolaVAX inactivation technology (CSU collaborator Ray Goodrich) with Mucosimmune (CSU collaborator Steve Dow), our studies have demonstrated the capacity to protect at chronic states of Mtb infection in animal models.

Publications

Postnatal epigenetic differences in calves following transient fetal infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus.
Kincade JN, Engle TE, Henao-Tamayo M, Eder JM, McDonald EM, Deines DM, Wright BM, Murtazina D, Bishop JV, Hansen TR, Van Campen H. BMC Genomics. 2025 May 2;26(1):441. doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11562-5. PMID: 40316897

C3HeB/FeJ mice with chronic Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary infection exhibit impaired respiratory function but not necrotising granulomatous disease.
Shaw TD, Pearce CM, Lam H, Alshiraihi IM, Dutt T, Obregon-Henao A, Henao-Tamayo M, Jackson M, Gonzalez-Juarrero M. Mycobacteria. 2025;1(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s44350-025-00004-7. Epub 2025 May 15. PMID: 40386578

Postnatal Epigenetic Alterations in Calves Persistently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus.
Kincade JN, Murtazina DA, Georges HM, Gonzalez-Berrios CL, Bishop JV, Engle TE, Henao-Tamayo M, Eder JM, McDonald EM, Deines DM, Wright BM, Van Campen H, Hansen TR. Viruses. 2025 May 15;17(5):708. doi: 10.3390/v17050708. PMID: 40431719

Enhancing student understanding of genetic cloning through a 3D-printed active learning activity and flipped classroom curriculum.
Popichak KA, Krupinsky K, Worthington D, Fredricks S, Takahashi-Ruiz L, Howerton M, Henao-Tamayo M, Suchman EL, McLean JL. J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2025 Mar 26:e0018824. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00188-24. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40135860

A single-cell atlas of the Culex tarsalis midgut during West Nile virus infection.
Fitzmeyer EA, Dutt TS, Pinaud S, Graham B, Gallichotte EN, Hill JL, Campbell CL, Ogg H, Howick V, Lawniczak MKN, Nishimura EO, Merkling SH, Henao-Tamayo M, Ebel GD. PLoS Pathog. 2025 Jan 27;21(1):e1012855. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012855. eCollection 2025 Jan. PMID: 39869679

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People

Marcela Henao Tamayo
Marcela Henao Tamayo, M.D., Ph.D.

Lab Principal Investigator [PI]
Associate Professor
Director, CSU Flow Cytometry Facility

Lamya'a Dawud, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Logan Dean, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Pablo Maldonaldo Jr
Pablo Maldonado Jr, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Trisha Roy
Trisha Roy, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Amanda Hiptas Headshot
Amanda Hitpas, M.S.

Research Associate II
Lab Manager

Brennen Troyer
Brennen Troyer

Research Associate II

Heidi Kloser
Heidi Kloser

Graduate Research Assistant

A woman with red hair stands in front of a tree with white flowers
Melea Barahona

Graduate Researcher

Abigail Godelfer
Abigail Godelfer

Laboratory Assistant

Dorst Headshot
Dorst

Research Coordinator

Madeleine D'Arcy Headshot
Madeleine D'Arcy

Student Researcher

Lucas Garcia

Student Researcher

Hailey Ojeda
Hailey Ojeda

Student Researcher

Lab Outing, Spring 2025

Lab Outing, Summer 2024

Lab Outing, Spring 2021

Marcela Henao-Tamayo & Taru Dutt at a 2017 workshop in Chanakyapuri, India

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contact information

Lab: Microbiology room C210

Office: Microbiology room C221

(970) 491-5357