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
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
Combination Antiretroviral Therapy and Immunophenotype of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
Kim J, Behzadi ES, Nehring M, Carver S, Cowan SR, Conry MK, Rawlinson JE, VandeWoude S, Miller CA.Viruses. 2023 Mar 24;15(4):822. doi: 10.3390/v15040822.PMID: 37112803
Habitat connectivity and host relatedness influence virus spread across an urbanising landscape in a fragmentation-sensitive carnivore.
Kozakiewicz CP, Burridge CP, Lee JS, Kraberger SJ, Fountain-Jones NM, Fisher RN, Lyren LM, Jennings MK, Riley SPD, Serieys LEK, Craft ME, Funk WC, Crooks KR, VandeWoude S, Carver S.Virus Evol. 2022 Dec 21;9(1):veac122. doi: 10.1093/ve/veac122. eCollection 2023.PMID: 36694819
Laboratory-Based SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain Serologic Assays Perform with Equivalent Sensitivity and Specificity to Commercial FDA-EUA Approved Tests.
Nehring M, Pugh S, Dihle T, Gallichotte E, Nett T, Weber E, Mayo C, Lynn L, Ebel G, Fosdick BK, VandeWoude S. Viruses. 2022 Dec 30;15(1):106. doi: 10.3390/v15010106.PMID: 36680146
Paradoxes and synergies: optimizing management of a deadly virus in an endangered carnivore.
Gilbertson MLJ, Onorato D, Cunningham M, VandeWoude S, Craft ME.J Appl Ecol. 2022 Jun;59(6):1548-1558. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.14165. Epub 2022 Apr 25.PMID: 36467865
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
news and updates
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February 17, 2022
The Conversation: Deer, mink and hyenas have caught COVID-19 – animal virologists explain how to find the coronavirus in animals and why humans need to worry
How are so many animals catching the coronavirus? And what does this mean for human and animal health?
February 1, 2022
Hunting can change virus evolution, transmission in pumas
A new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution offers rare insight into the pathway of a common virus in two geographic areas with different wildlife management strategies.
December 16, 2021
‘A promiscuous virus’: CSU experts discuss SARS-CoV-2, what comes next
Dr. Sue VandeWoude, a veterinary scientist and director of the One Health Institute at Colorado State University, described SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, as a “pretty promiscuous virus.”
