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Research Project:
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR DETECTION OF PRIONS IN ANIMAL FEED AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES
Location:
Foodborne Contaminants Research
Project Number: 5325-32000-003-00
Project Type:
Appropriated
Start Date: Feb 06, 2002
End Date: Jan 31, 2007
Objective:
Identify and develop new methods and collaborative arrangements with other institutions for detecting animal proteins, especially prion proteins (PrP) in fields, barns, abattoirs, animal feed, feed additives or other animal products. Additional objectives include development of novel techniques for destruction of prion molecules.
Approach:
The animal industry has identified the detection of ruminant protein, including prion protein (PrP) in animal products such as feed as a priority biosecurity research issue. Feed contamination is believed to have played a major role in the transmission of BSE in cattle in the United Kingdom and poses a continued threat to U.S. agriculture despite bans placed on importation of ruminant protein from infected countries. Methods for the detection and identification of PrP, both the normal and abnormal forms, in animal products such as feed is essential for prevention of disease by contaminated animal products. Our understanding of the transmission of prions is limited in part because of the lack of adequate methods to detect these molecules in environmental samples such as in barns, in fields and in abattoirs as well as limited methods for identifying different strains. Methods to extract animal proteins and prions from animal feed and environmental samples will be developed. Extraction and concentration is essential for analysis. Thus, different extraction strategies will be studied. Detection will utilize sensitive optical and immunochemical methods such as time-resolved fluorescence. The environmental stability of prions is of major concern especially related to decontamination of instruments and machinery used in the veterinary and food industries. Therefore, different approaches to inactivate prions will be investigated including chemical and physical methods. Monoclonal antibodies, receptors, and molecular imprints will be generated as needed to facilitate separation and detection schemes. FY03 Program Increase $357,660. 1 SY's.
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