About

Profile of Coppe Laboratories

Scientists shaking hands in lab with test tubes in foreground

Coppe Laboratories is a contract research organization and a CLIA-certified reference laboratory in Waukesha, Wisconsin (USA) specializing in research and diagnostics for emerging viral diseases.

Since its founding in 2012, Coppe has delivered unparalleled clinical lab service to academic and children’s hospitals, integrative medicine specialists, and clinical research centers nationwide. Our scientists provide custom contract research services, designing essential experiments and providing preliminary data in support of biotech and pharmaceutical industries worldwide.

HHV-6 Immunohistochemical staining-Bone Marrow

Prior to our incorporation, Founder Dr. Konstance Knox and her scientific collaborator Dr. Donald Carrigan were the first to describe human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) reactivation and disease in transplant recipients. With this foundation, Coppe Laboratories uniquely provides HHV-6 immunohistochemical staining of tissue for determination of HHV-6 reactivation and DNA testing on hair follicles/nail clippings for determination of HHV-6 chromosomal integration (ciHHV-6).

Confirmed Powassan Virus by Immunofluorescent Assay

In 2017, we published collaborative tick-borne research confirming that deer ticks (I. scapularis) can carry and simultaneously transmit Powassan/Deer Tick virus along with the Lyme bacteria and other pathogens. From this research we developed the first and only commercial serological test available for Powassan Virus (Deer Tick Virus) infection.

SARS CoV-2 Virus Particle

In support of finding answers to the COVID-19 pandemic, our research advancement team is conducting controlled studies in our facility’s safe and highly contained BSL-3 Laboratory for preliminary COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) drug development.

Konstance-K-Knox-PhDKonstance K. Knox, PhD
Founder and CEO
Coppe Laboratories was founded by Dr. Knox out of her infinite drive to find answers to difficult or little-studied virological questions. With the emergence of new viruses and mutations, her expertise in infectious diseases and immunology continues to support advancements in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Dr. Knox received her PhD in experimental pathology from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). During her time as a doctoral student at MCW, Knox studied under Donald Carrigan, PhD, with whom she collaborated on various publications during that period. Knox and Carrigan were founders of Viracor and Wisconsin Viral Research Group (WVRG).

 

Contributions and Publications

Microscope Lens Focused On Stained Slide

Recent Work

Autoimmune gene expression profiling of fingerstick whole blood in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
October 2022, J Transl Med (Coppe Laboratories, Research Support)

Inhibition of Human Coronaviruses by Piperidine-4-Carboxamides
March 2022, SSRN

Inhibition of Human Coronaviruses by Antimalarial Peroxides
July 2021, ACS Infect Dis

ACE2: At the crossroad of COVID-19 and lung cancer
June 2021, Science Direct

Notable Contributions

First to identify that the tickborne flavivirus Powassan/Deer Tick (POWV/DTV) Virus can commonly be found as a co-pathogen in ticks infected with Lyme disease borrelia with evidence that both the Lyme borrelia and POWV/DTV can be concurrently transmitted to humans from the bite of the deer tick I. scapularis

Publications

Development and Validation of a Serologic Test Panel for Detection of Powassan Virus Infection in U.S. Patients Residing in Regions Where Lyme Disease is Endemic
January 2018, mSphere

Serologic Evidence of Powassan Virus Infection in Patients with Suspected Lyme Disease
August 2017, Emerg Infect Dis

Powassan/Deer Tick Virus and Borrelia burgdorferi Infection in Wisconsin Tick Populations
July 2017, Vector-Borne Zoonotic Dis.

First to challenge and scientifically refute the hypothesis that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was caused by a murine retrovirus.

Publications

No evidence of murine-like gammaretroviruses in CFS patients previously identified as XMRV infected
July 2011, Science

First to identify human herpesvirus-six (HHV-6) as a cause of acute and subacute encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals.

Publications

Subacute leukoencephalitis caused by CNS infection with human herpesvirus six manifesting as acute multiple sclerosis
July 1996, Neurology

Active human herpesvirus six (HHV‑6) infection of the central nervous system in patients with AIDS. J Immune Defic Syndr and Hum Retrovir
May 1995, J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol

Fatal encephalitis due to variant B human herpesvirus 6 infection in a bone marrow transplant recipient
May 1994, N Engl J Med

Fulminant human herpesvirus six (HHV‑6) encephalitis in an HIV infected infant
March 1995, J Med Virol

First to identify human herpesvirus-six (HHV-6) as a cause of pneumonitis in immunocompromised individuals.

Publications

Progressive immunodeficiency and fatal pneumonitis associated with HHV‑6 infection in an infant
February 1995, Clin Infect Dis

HHV‑6 and CMV pneumonitis in immunocompromised patients
June 1994, Lancet

First to identify human herpesvirus-six (HHV-6) as a serious pathogen in immunocompromised individuals causing or contributing to immune suppression and immune dysregulation.

Publications

Chronic marrow suppression in a bone marrow transplant patient associated with persistent HHV‑6 marrow infection
January 1996, Clin Infect Dis

Disseminated active HHV-6 infections in patients with AIDS
March 1994, Lancet

Human herpesvirus six (HHV‑6) isolation from bone marrow: HHV‑6 associated bone marrow suppression in bone marrow transplant patients
November 1994, Clinical Trial

In vitro suppression of marrow progenitor cell differentiation by human herpesvirus six infection
May 1992, J Infect Dis

Ready to connect with Coppe Labs?

Order a test and find submission instructions
Tell us about your research project
Request other information