METHODS FOR DETECTION OF PATHOGENIC PRION PROTEINS ASSOCIATED WITH PRION DISEASES, USING CONJUGATED POLYELECTROLYTES

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of a pathogenic prion species in a sample comprising the steps - bringing the sample in contact with at least one conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) - irradiating the CPE with electromagnetic radiation - measuring the radiation emitted or absorbed by the CPE at at least one wavelength, and - comparing the measured emitted or absorbed radiation to at least one reference value corresponding to the CPE interacting with a known prion species. Optionally, the emitted or absorbed radiation is measured at at least two wavelengths and a ratio is formed of the values of the measured radiation. The method facilitates differentiation between different strains of pathogenic prion species. The invention also relates to devices for performing the method.