Dr. Chiesa has identified a porphyrin that has two potentially synergic anti-prion properties: it down-regulates PrPC, thus depleting the substrate for prion formation, and inhibits PrPSc replication in in vitro and ex vivo models. The aims of the project are: 1) to use nanoparticles engineered to cross the blood-brain barrier to efficiently deliver this compound to the brain; and 2) to carry out efficacy tests in prion-infected mice.