Prion diseases are fatal, transmissible, and untreatable diseases of humans and animals associated with a sponge-like degeneration of brain tissue caused by rogue proteins called prions. They include chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or mad cow disease), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and others.

In May 2003, one case of BSE was confirmed in Alberta. Overnight, the world's borders closed to Canadian cattle. Still, four years later, only limited exports are permitted. Canada's economic loss stemming from this first BSE case is estimated at over $6 billion. The crisis left a heightened awareness about food safety and health issues in its wake.

PrioNet's goals are to develop strategies to mitigate, and ultimately eradicate, prion diseases. The Network deliver sound scientific advice to help the Canadian government plan policies and regulations to manage the impact of prion diseases.

The Network's research program is based on five themes: BSE, Chronic Wasting Disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Prion Protein Structure and Function, and Prion Disease Risk Management. PrioNet has a strategic research partnership with the Alberta Prion Research Institute, a provincially-based sister organization. This partnership capitalizes on research synergies between the organizations, pooling resources for activities such as research projects, events and funding programs.

The Network is expanding its programs to develop tools to support product development. One of these tools in an intellectual property handbook for Network researchers. From Discovery to Dollars explains the commercialization process, covering the ins-and-outs of patenting and licensing. PrioNet expects to formally launch From Discovery to Dollars in the fall of 2007.

To encourage entrepreneurship, PrioNet's newly developed Bootstrap program provides up to $350,000 over two years to help launch start-up companies for technology developed by investigators in Canada who are involved in prion research. The Business Opportunity Support and Technology Assessment Program also promotes collaboration amongst Canadian universities, research organizations and industry.

PrioNet was recently awarded $800,000 to build international collaborations with peer organizations around the world, specifically in Europe and the United States. These collaborations will capitalize on the expertise built by the Europeans following the outbreak of BSE in the United Kingdom in the 1990s. The alliances, which PrioNet is spearheading, will enable countries to better target their research based on their respective strengths and avoid duplicating research efforts. The Network has already sent a graduate student to the lab at the Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, to gain valuable skills in a new, cutting-edge facility that she can bring back and use on her project in Canada.

As part of its outreach activities, PrioNet is developing programs to keep citizens aware of the developments in prion diseases, especially in terms of how they relate to food and health safety. For example, in partnership with the Alberta Prion Research Institute, PrioNet launched "Mad Cow Mysteries" in the spring of 2007. This seven-city public lecture tour was developed and hosted by Jay Ingram, science journalist and producer of Discovery Channel's Daily Planet.

PrioNet is working on all three advantages of the federal government's new Science & Technology strategy (knowledge, people, and entrepreneurship). Already, PrioNet researchers have discovered a new genetic "locus" that is linked to BSE susceptibility; collated initial results from a project measuring prion degradation in the environment through composting; identified a third recognized prion protein that may aid and abet the formation of rogue prions; and developed a molecular dynamics simulation of prion proteins that may signify a first step in prion protein conversion in disease.

PrioNet Canada (2005 - 2012)
Focus:	To lead the generation, application and commercialization of mathematical tools and methodologies within a world-class research program.
Funding:	$35.8 million for entire funding period
Strength:	71 researchers and 114 Highly Qualified Personnel
Partnership Power:	74 industry, public service and academic partners
Scientific Director:	Dr. Neil Cashman
Web site:	www.prionetcanada.ca