METHOD FOR TESTING THE PRESENCE OF PRION PROTEINS IN TISSUE AND CULTURE SAMPLES

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for testing for the presence of prion proteins. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for identifying and testing compounds useful in the prevention or reduction of sporadic, hereditary or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The invention further relates to methods of refining or modifying compounds identified in accordance with the method of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such compounds for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of sporadic, hereditary or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods for identifying agents specifically interacting with prion proteins and the use of the identified agents for the preparation of a diagnostic kit for the diagnosis of sporadic, hereditary or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.