This project aims to use cutting-edge electron microscopy techniques to get a clearer
look at how prions interact with their surroundings inside cells and on extracellular
vesicles (EVs) which are released from cells. These interactions could play a major role
in how prion diseases cause damage. While previous studies showed that prions can
distort cell membranes, they lacked the fine detail needed to see exactly how this
happens. Using advanced tools like cryo-electron microscopy and 3D imaging, this
study will visualize prions in their natural environment in infected mouse neurons and
derived EVs at a much higher resolution. This work is important because understanding
how prions affect cells and spread via EVs can provide new insights into prion disease
mechanism.
Jakub earned his M.Sc. in Virology before pursuing a Ph.D. in prion research at Charles
University in Prague, Czechia. Following his Ph.D., he joined Byron Caughey’s lab at
Rocky Mountain Laboratories as an early-career researcher. His work focuses on prion-
containing extracellular vesicles and the pathophysiology of prion-infected cells. Jakub's
expertise lies in advanced electron and light microscopy, as well as flow cytometry.