Andres Londono DVM, PhD

Education

DVM - 2004 University of Antioquia, Medellin, COL
MS - 2010 University of Antioquia, Medellin, COL
PhD - 2017 University of Antioquia, Medellin, COL

POST GRADUATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2017-2018 University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2018-2021 Uniformed Services University of Health Science, Bethesda

Biography

Dr. Londono is a veterinarian and infectious disease scientist specializing in the biology and ecology of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infections. With extensive expertise in translational and preclinical animal models, his research focuses on the complex dynamics between tick-borne pathogens, their vectors, and their animal and human hosts. Currently, Dr. Londono serves as an Assistant Professor and scientist in the laboratory of Dr. J. Stephen Dumler at USUHS. His research investigates the molecular interactions between rickettsial agents and their hosts, specifically targeting vascular permeability—a major pathogenetic feature of rickettsial diseases. Dr. Londono recently made the remarkable discovery that specific calcium channel antagonists and chelators prevent vascular permeability in vitro. Subsequent in vivo studies revealed the critical role that calcium ion flux plays in regulating the innate immune responses required for host resistance to Rickettsia spp.

Dr. Londono’s overarching goal is to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tick-borne pathogens. A prime example of this translational focus is his recent publication detailing a novel strategy for developing radiation-inactivated vaccines for Lyme disease. By demonstrating that a synthetic antioxidant complex (MDP) protects Borrelia burgdorferi epitopes during sterilizing gamma-irradiation, he has identified a highly promising approach for creating effective whole-cell vaccines.

Representative Bibliography

Londoño AF, Sharma A, Kathiresan V, Sealy J, Volpe RP, Gostincǎr C, Pal U, Dumler JS, Hoffman BM, Daly MJ. 2025. EPR spectroscopy reveals antioxidant manganese defenses in the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi. mBio. Dec 10;16(12):e0282425.

Blair PW, Alharthi S, Londoño AF, Wailagala A, Manabe YC, Dumler JS, the Acute Febrile Illness and Sepsis in Uganda Study Teams. 2025. Rickettsioses as Underrecognized Cause of Hospitalization for Febrile Illness, Uganda. Emerg Infect Dis. Sep;31(9):1708-1717. doi: 10.3201/eid3109.250479.

Londoño AF, Sharma A, Sealy J, Rana VS, Foor SD, Matrosova VY, Gaidamakova EK, Volpe RP, Daly MJ, Hoffman BM, Pal U, Dumler JS. 2025. Borrelia burgdorferi radiosensitivity and Mn antioxidant content: antigenic preservation and pathobiology. mBio. Feb 5;16(2):e0313124

Londoño AF, Farner JM, Dillon M, Grab DJ, Kim Y, Scorpio DG, Dumler JD. 2024. Benidipine impairs innate immunity converting sublethal to lethal infections in a murine model of spotted fever rickettsiosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 18(2):e0011993. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011993

Londoño AF, Scorpio DG, Dumler JS. 2023. Innate immunity in rickettsial Infections. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 13:1187267, 1-13. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1187267