Zabel Lab

The Zabel Laboratory, as part of the CSU Prion Research Center, employs molecular biological, immunological, and biochemical techniques to explore peripheral pathogenesis and vaccines for prion diseases. Studying basic mechanisms of prion infection and dissemination provides translational information leading to vaccine targets and early disease detection. Dr. Zabel’s research program focuses on the interaction of prions with cells and receptors of the immune system and lymphoid tissues in the early entry, trafficking, and pathogenesis phases of prion infections. He utilizes novel mouse models of chronic wasting disease that have led to numerous publications detailing translational knowledge about the role of the complement system in prion replication, disease progression, and transmission. 

research project

Mapping Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Strains Across the U.S.

The study will use a suite of in vivo and in vitro techniques to characterize chronic wasting disease PrP strains from multiple cervid species and noncontiguous epizootics in free-ranging cervids and map their distribution. The null hypothesis is that no substantial differences will be detected in prion strains from noncontiguous CWD epizootics in the United States and northern Europe. 

research project

COVID-19 Saliva Screening

In a matter of weeks, we developed, optimized, and deployed a high-throughput, saliva-based MultiPlex Paired-Pool ddPCR (MP4) test for SARS-CoV-2 to the students, staff, and faculty of Colorado State University beginning in October of 2020. Through the end of the spring semester (2021), we performed over 150,000 MP4 screening tests.

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Publications

Microglia-specific NF-κB signaling is a critical regulator of prion-induced glial inflammation and neuronal loss.
Hay AJD, Popichak KA, Mumford G, Bian J, Shirley P, Wolfrath L, Eggers M, Nicholson EM, Tjalkens RB, Zabel MD, Moreno JA. PLoS Pathog. 2025 Jun 18;21(6):e1012582. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012582. eCollection 2025 Jun. PMID: 40532025 Free PMC article.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Co-Cultured with Primary Mixed Glia to Reduce Prion-Induced Inflammation.
Hay AJD, Popichak KA, Zabel MD, Moreno JA.J Vis Exp. 2023 Aug 11;(198). doi: 10.3791/65565.PMID: 37677035

Intranasally delivered mesenchymal stromal cells decrease glial inflammation early in prion disease.
Hay AJD, Latham AS, Mumford G, Hines AD, Risen S, Gordon E, Siebenaler C, Gilberto VS, Zabel MD, Moreno JA.Front Neurosci. 2023 May 12;17:1158408. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1158408. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37250395

A multiplexed, paired-pooled droplet digital PCR assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva.
Wagner K, Fox P, Gordon E, Hahn W, Olsen K, Markham A, Buglewicz D, Selemenakis P, Lessard A, Goldstein D, Threatt A, Davis L, Miller-Dawson J, Stockett H, Rugh K, Turner H, Remias M, Williams M, Chavez J, Galindo G, Cialek C, Koch A, Fout A, Fosdick B, Broeckling B, Zabel MD. Sci Rep. 2023 Feb 22;13(1):3075. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29858-5. PMID: 36813822

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells decrease prion-induced glial inflammation in vitro.
Hay AJD, Murphy TJ, Popichak KA, Zabel MD, Moreno JA. Sci Rep. 2022 Dec 29;12(1):22567. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26628-7. PMID: 36581683

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People

Mark Zabel headshot.
Mark Zabel, Ph.D.

Lab Principal Investigator [PI]
Director, Online Microbiology-Immunology Masters Program
Professor

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Analeis Cofield

Research Associate I

Nick Heyer
Nick Heyer

Research Coordinator

Avery Lessard Headshot
Avery Lessard

Graduate Research Assistant

Leo Tyer

Graduate Research Assistant

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Kamalani Larson

Student Researcher

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Naomi Duran

Student Researcher

news and updates view all

February 10, 2026 Research Day 2026 saw record attendance, new awards, and plenty of innovative spirit

Leo Tyer of the Zabel lab won second place for their oral presentation in the Foundational Research, advanced stage category.
November 20, 2025 Graduate students awarded $24K in awards at 10th annual GradShow

Leo Tyer of the Zabel lab won a Top Scholar Award from CVMBS
April 25, 2025 Celebrate! Colorado State Provost Awards

Mark Zabel wins the Kevin Ann Oltjenbruns Award for Outstanding Leadership at the CSU Provost Awards to celebrate the significant and outstanding impact of his leadership and his work to ensure the success of others with a commitment to equity and fairness.