Co-Inventors
Groveman, Christina
Groveman, Bradley
Nonno, Romolo
Raymond, Lynne
Therapeutic Areas
Rare/Neglected Diseases
Neurology
Infectious Disease
The technology is centered around the Real Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, which aims to enhance the detection and discrimination of prion diseases in humans and animals. This assay utilizes recombinant prion protein (rPrPSen) to detect prion-seeded fibrillization, offering a highly specific and ultra-sensitive method for detecting multiple prion diseases across various species. A key innovation of the technology is the use of recombinant bank vole prion protein as a broadly reactive substrate. This substrate, when expressed in E. coli and purified, has demonstrated effectiveness in detecting prions from multiple species, including those for which no effective substrate was previously available. Additionally, the technology explores the analysis of the products of bank vole-based RT-QuIC reactions to improve the discrimination between different prion strains within a given host species. This approach has the potential to revolutionize prion disease detection and management, offering a practical and sensitive assay for routine use in clinical medicine, agriculture, and wildlife management, ultimately improving outcomes for affected individuals and populations.
Commercial Applications
The technology has a wide range of potential applications in clinical medicine, agriculture, and wildlife management. In clinical settings, it can be used for early and accurate detection of prion diseases in humans, enabling timely intervention and management. In agriculture, the technology can improve surveillance and control measures for prion diseases in livestock, such as scrapie in sheep and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk. Additionally, in wildlife management, it can aid in the monitoring and conservation efforts of affected animal populations. Overall, the technology's versatility and sensitivity make it a valuable tool for addressing the challenges posed by prion diseases across different sectors.
Competitive Advantages
The technology offers competitive advantages in prion disease detection. The Real Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay provides highly specific and ultra-sensitive detection of a wide range of prion diseases in humans and animals. The use of recombinant bank vole prion protein as a broadly reactive substrate enables detection of prions from multiple species and strains previously challenging to detect. Its practicality and ease of use make it a more feasible option for routine diagnostic use compared to other assays, which are often more complex and time-consuming. These advantages position the technology as a leading solution for improving the detection and discrimination of prion diseases, offering significant benefits to clinical, agricultural, and wildlife management settings.
