highfastflyer
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Looks like the Canucks have helped with the CWD research as they discovered a gene variant of the prion protein may reduce the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) among white-tailed deer, according to a new study by University of Alberta scientists.
“This is an exciting finding, providing a biochemical mechanism for what has been suspected from surveys of deer populations: that the prion protein gene variant, the 96 allele, confers a significant level of protection from CWD infection. This will be an important tool to slow or stop the spread of this inevitably fatal brain disease,” said study co-author Judd Aiken, professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.
One potential application of this research is in game farming. Farmers and managers may be able to breed deer with the S96 protein to reduce susceptibility to the most common CWD strains.”
Researchers may still have to find a way to get this gene variant into wild populations but the researchers are still trying to figure that one out but at least a possible blocking mechanism if it can be propagated into the wild.
www.ualberta.ca
“This is an exciting finding, providing a biochemical mechanism for what has been suspected from surveys of deer populations: that the prion protein gene variant, the 96 allele, confers a significant level of protection from CWD infection. This will be an important tool to slow or stop the spread of this inevitably fatal brain disease,” said study co-author Judd Aiken, professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.
One potential application of this research is in game farming. Farmers and managers may be able to breed deer with the S96 protein to reduce susceptibility to the most common CWD strains.”
Researchers may still have to find a way to get this gene variant into wild populations but the researchers are still trying to figure that one out but at least a possible blocking mechanism if it can be propagated into the wild.
Protein variant prevents transmission of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer
A variant of the prion protein may reduce the spread of chronic wasting disease among white-tailed deer, according to a new study by University of Alberta scientists—an important discovery in the fight against the highly contagious and fatal neurological disease.
www.ualberta.ca
