9. PrPSc Specific Antibodies: Generation, Structural Analysis, Use as Tools and Diagnostic Assay Development
Principal Investigator: Emil Pai, University of Toronto
Co-Investigators:
Avijit Chakrabartty, University of Toronto
Neil Cashman, University of British Columbia
Collaborator:
Aru Balachandran, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Project Description:
Using immunochemistry and X-ray crystallography, the goal of this project is to gather useful information about diagnosis and treatment of prion disease by exploring the still unknown mechanism that converts the normal prion protein (PrPC) to its toxic, infectious, and aggregated misfolded state (PrPSc). With antibodies developed in the team’s labs that specifically detect PrPSc and misfolded PrP, but do not bind with the normal prion protein, the researchers hope to elucidate both the 3-D structure of PrPSc immediately after the conversion process ensues, as well as the 3-D structure of rabbit PrP, an animal that is resistant to prion infection. Finally, this project will investigate the feasibility of active immunization for the treatment of prion disease.
(Open Call II)
Last Updated: 5/3/2010 5:13:14 PM
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