Human prion diseases exhibit a spectrum of clinical symptoms and pathology. This variability is linked to variation in the 3-dimensional shapes of prions, however, the molecular diversity of human prions across the whole spectrum of human prion diseases is not fully known. In this study, we aim to enhance surveillance of human prion diseases and establish assays for the identification of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) infection. CWD is a fatal brain disease caused by prions that affects deer, elk, reindeer and moose. It is reaching epidemic proportions in parts of North America, resulting in increasing human exposure. Currently the risk of the spread of CWD to humans and the characteristics of any resulting disease remain unknown.
Stephanie Booth, PhD
Public Health Agency of Canada and University of Manitoba
Dr. Booth completed her D.Phil. degree and postdoctoral training in Virology and Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, prior to relocation to Canada in 1997. She joined the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1999, and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba shortly after. In addition to providing laboratory support for CJD diagnosis and surveillance in Canada, the NML houses Canada’s only level 4 lab, and is a key player in response to outbreaks of infectious diseases around the world. Dr. Booth’s research focuses on prion diseases of humans including the development of innovative molecular techniques for CJD surveillance and diagnosis. These studies include identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis, the development of animal and novel cell culture models of human prion diseases, and the use genomics to determine the molecular mechanisms by which prions kill
Contributed by: The Families of the CJD Foundation
Funds donated by supporters of the CJD Foundation have been applied to research grants awarded since 2009.
Contributed by: The Families of the CJD Foundation
Funds raised by the annual Strides for CJD run/walk have been applied to research grants awarded since 2016.
Contributed by: Kathy Baxley and Family
Established in 2018.
Contributed by: Tom Fabian
Established in 2021.
Contributed by: Thomas Lord Charitable Trust.
Established in 2021.
This website was made possible by a generous donation from Cookie Stivison, in memory of her husband Tom Stivison, and a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
