Call to action for CWD testing

VBS Assistant Professor Peter Larsen recently wrote the article, "RT-QuIC: The Future of CWD Diagnostic Testing," in North American Elk magazine, May 2021 issue. Larsen discusses the new RT-QuIC testing implemented by the Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MNPRO) research team to detect Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in cervids. This testing allows the team to observe in real time the misfolding of prion proteins sampled from a wide variety of cervid samples, including brain, obex, lymph nodes, tonsils, rectal biopsies, eye tissues, skin, blood, saliva, urine, and feces--allowing for screening of both live and deceased cervids. However, there are still limitations for RT-QuIC testing, including the validation process and the requirement of a recombinant "normal" prion protein that is cultured using bacteria within the lab. Funding is needed for further testing and to expand the capabilities of this technology in hopes that it can one day be deployed in the field and be more cost-effective.

Larsen is also featured in the CVM write up, "State looks to U researchers to investigate how CWD is transported in soils, waterways." The Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MNPRO) will embark on a multidisciplinary initiative to understand how chronic wasting disease is transported in Minnesota soils and waterways. The team of researchers and scientists will employ novel detection tools it has developed in an effort to characterize, forecast, and remediate prion contamination of Minnesota’s waterways, soils, and plants.

To make a gift to the Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MNPRO) fund to support CWD advancements, please click here.