Production and characterisation of disease-specific antibodies against infectious prions

Dr Peter-Christian Kloehn (primary)
MRC Prion Unit at UCL
UCL
Cleo Bishop (secondary)
Blizard Institute, Barts and The London
QMUL

Abstract

This translational project aims to produce disease-specific antibodies against prions, the infectious agents of prion diseases. Monoclonal antibodies that distinguish between the cellular and misfolded forms of the prion protein are critically important to characterise prion pathogenesis and to diagnose prion diseases at early stages, but to date no such antibodies have been identified. In this project we apply advanced immunisation protocols that help to overcome limitations in producing antibodies against poorly immunogenic antigens. Success in producing disease-specific antibodies against an infectious misfolded protein will have broad applications beyond the scope of prion diseases.


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BBSRC Area
Molecules, cells and industrial biotechnology
Area of Biology
BiotechnologyImmunologyNeurobiology
Techniques & Approaches
Image ProcessingMathematics / StatisticsMicroscopy / Electrophysiology