How prion strains might jump species and change over time
Official title: Contributions of prion strains and substrains to prion zoonotic potential and evolution
Funded at Creighton University · NIH-11372021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research will explore how different prion strains and substrains could influence the spread of prion diseases to new animal hosts and possibly humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Creighton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $546,705 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133050-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk or living in areas affected by prion diseases, or researchers and clinicians studying prion biology and risks of cross-species transmission.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefit to patients is not guaranteed, as this is a basic science study, but insights could guide future therapeutic or diagnostic development.
What this research studies
Prions are infectious proteins that can evolve when they encounter a new host. This project tests whether substrains within a dominant prion strain affect the ability of prions to move between species. By studying hamster-adapted prion strains and mechanisms that select for altered traits, the study aims to map how substrains contribute to interspecies transmission. The findings could help predict and prevent prion transmission to new hosts and guide future therapies. Overall, the work seeks to understand the evolution of prions to improve disease prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could inform safer practices and interventions to protect animals and potentially humans from prion disease cross-species transmission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that prion strains can evolve under selective pressures, suggesting substrains may influence transmission.
Where this research is happening
-
Creighton University
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartz, Jason C — Creighton University
- Study coordinator: Bartz, Jason C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.