A Deadly, Contagious Human Brain Protein Was Just Made in The Lab For The First Time

[Judi Lynn]

This is how horror movies start.

MICHELLE STARR 7 JUN 2018

Prions are terrifying proteins responsible for a number of devastating, infectious brain diseases - and for the first time, scientists have synthesised an artificial human prion in a lab.

But instead of starting some kind of zombie pandemic, the product of this research could actually help develop treatments for prion diseases.

"This accomplishment represents a watershed," says neurologist Jiri G. Safar of Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.

"Until now our understanding of prions in the brain has been limited. Being able to generate synthetic human prions in a test tube as we have done will enable us to achieve a much richer understanding of prion structure and replication."

And once researchers understand these aspects of prions, they are better equipped to develop the sorts of drugs that can slow these proteins down in the brain, potentially stopping their devastating spread.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/artificial-human-prion-created-in-a-lab-neurodegenerative-disease

[lapfog_1]

1. possible start to answer Mad Cow or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Often thought to be related.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Thanks for the info. Never had heard it before reading your post. n/t

[lapfog_1]

3. And I can't thank YOU enough for all of your science news posts here!

Seriously... you are the source of much of my "science diet"!