Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Sean P McDonough

Biography

Dr. McDonough is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. He obtained his DVM from Colorado State University in 1981 and engaged in small animal medicine in central Wyoming. Dr. McDonough entered the veterinary pathology residency program at the University of California, Davis in 1989 and achieved diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Pathology in 1992. The PhD in Comparative Pathology was awarded by the University of California, Davis in 1996.

Research Interest

 In addition to a strong interest in general diagnostic pathology and resident instruction, I have a particular interest in the immunophenotyping canine leukemias and lymphomas. Immunophenotypic analysis is a powerful diagnostic aid that can define the lineages of these neoplastic disorders with greater precision than is possible based just on morphologic criteria. This information is also providing new insights into the biology of this complex group of diseases. Other research interests lie in exploring the interface between adaptive and innate immunity and the role the microenvironment plays in regulating these interactions. As part of my graduate studies, I found a large population of gamma/delta T-cells resides in the red pulp of the canine spleen. Although the functions of gamma/delta T-cells are not well defined, I believe they interact with red pulp macrophages in defense against blood-borne infectious agents. Exploring the cellular and molecular basis of these potential interactions may provide new insights into the function of this important immune compartment during bacteremia and in control of hemoparasites. Other studies have focused on the ontogeny of the immune system in fetal and neonatal calves. The aims of these studies were to quantify leukocyte subsets in various compartments of the immune system during responses to spontaneous infection, experimental infection, and vaccination. The increasing pace and sophistication of biomedical research requires the collaboration of scientists with complimentary resources and expertise.