Dr. Mark Zabel is a tenured Professor of Prion Biology and Immunology, Associate Director of the
Prion Research Center, and Director of the Online Master’s in Microbiology Program in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (MIP) at Colorado State University. He is also a faculty member of the
CSU Medical Branch of the CU School of Medicine.
His leadership experience includes Associate Dean for Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS), Associate Department Head for Graduate Education in MIP, chair of the CSU Animal Care and Use Committee, chair-elect of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Research Committee, and chair of organizing committees for various national and international symposia.
Drawing on his background in both immunology and prion biology, 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. Little is known regarding the cell surface molecules and molecular co-factors that control these events.
Using mice engineered to transgenically express both the cervid or ovine normal prion protein gene and selected receptors of the innate immune system, the Zabel lab examines the early lymphoid system distribution of prions and employs vector systems expressing prion-targeted interfering RNA molecules as therapeutic strategies for prion infections.
The Zabel laboratory also investigates environmental prion contamination and how it promotes indirect transmission of chronic wasting disease, a prion disease of cervids. This work estimates prion loads in the environment and assesses the impact of wildfire and controlled burns on prion contamination and indirect CWD transmission.