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.
view project
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
Impacts of Antiretroviral Therapy on the Oral Microbiome and Periodontal Health of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Cats.
Bashor L, Rawlinson JE, Kozakiewicz CP, Behzadi E, Miller C, Kim J, Cierzan M, Nehring M, Carver S, Abdo Z, VandeWoude S.Viruses. 2025 Feb 13;17(2):257. doi: 10.3390/v17020257. PMID: 40007012
SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in lions, tigers, and hyenas at Denver Zoo.
Gallichotte EN, Bashor L, Erbeck K, Croft L, Stache K, Long J, VandeWoude S, Johnson JC 3rd, Pabilonia KL, Ebel GD.mSphere. 2025 Feb 25;10(2):e0098924. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00989-24. Epub 2025 Feb 6. PMID: 39912638
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
more publications
People
Sue VandeWoude, D.V.M.
Lab Principal Investigator [PI]
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
University Distinguished Professor
contact information
Offices: Pathology room 211A & 228
Laboratory: Pathology room 207
(970) 491-7696
[email protected]
