Innovation Anthology #189:

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Misfolded prions are the agents behind mad cow, chronic wasting disease in wildlife, and Kreutzfeld Jacob disease in humans. Spongy brains and death are the ultimate result.

But scientists are still trying to figure out the most basic facts about the prion protein, things like its molecular structure and function.

With funding from Alberta Ingenuity, Dr. Nikolai Blinov and a team of researchers are developing a computer model of the prion protein.

Dr. Blinov is with National Institute for Nanotechnology. He says the prion protein is a very tiny and very complex biological molecule that assembles at the nanoscale.

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DR. NIKOLAI BLINOV: We’re trying to understand the stability of prion aggregates, If you will understand the molecular mechanism behind stability, we’ll be able to understand how to inhibit aggregation And aggregated prion proteins are the infectious agents. So if you understand the mechanism of aggregation, you will probably understand how to fight the prion diseases.

Armed with that knowledge, scientists can design drugs to treat or prevent prion diseases.

Thanks today Alberta Ingenuity.

I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Ingenuity

Established in 2000, the Alberta Ingenuity Fund supports science and engineering research of the highest calibre, to create a prosperous future for the province of Alberta. It draws funding from a $1 billion endowment established in 2000 and managed by the Government of Alberta to build the capacity for innovation, especially in areas with long lasting social and economic impact.

Among its many programs, Alberta Ingenuity supports graduate students and university researchers, industrial research and commercialization partnerships, and has established several Centres and Institutes.

In January 2010, under the new Alberta Innovation Framework, Alberta Ingenuity was restructured and absorbed in the new agency Alberta Innovates Technology Solutions.

Program Date: 2008-12-02