Sabine Gilch

We use cell culture and animal models to study the molecular and cellular biology of prion infections. Prions are unique pathogens that consist solely of a misfolded isoform of the cellular prion protein PrPc, denominated PrPSc. Prominent examples for prion diseases are Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cows and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids. Our research program addresses the question how prion infection interferes with neuronal metabolism, and how this may lead to neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we use peptide aptamers for interference with prion propagation and for characterization of the PrPc-PrPSc binding interface. Another focus of research is CWD and aims to understand the molecular basis of the unusual peripheral distribution and shedding of CWD prions, e.g. in saliva, urine or feces. The long-term goal of our research is to translate basic research into novel diagnostic or therapeutic targets to combat prion diseases.