Identification of Prion Proteins in Milk

• Main Authors: EL GEDAILY AHMED, FRANSCINI NICOLA, ZAHN RALPH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.03.2009
• Subjects: DAIRY PRODUCTS, e.g. MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MAKING THEREOF; MEASURING; MILK OR CHEESE SUBSTITUTES; PHYSICS; TESTING; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES

The present invention relates to the use of milk or a derivative thereof for identifying prion proteins, preferably PrPSc prion proteins, in a mammal. The present invention is also directed to a method for identifying prion proteins, preferably PrPSc prion proteins, in mammals, comprising the step of contacting milk or a derivative thereof with an agent having high affinity and selectivity for prion proteins, preferably for PrPSc prion proteins. In addition, a further aspect the present invention concerns a method for removing PrPC and/or PrPSc prion proteins, preferably PrPSc prion proteins, from milk or a milk derivative wherein milk or a derivative thereof is contacted with sepharose, preferably sepharose comprising divalent immobilized metal ions.