Much of our work has focused on the characterization of TSE strains. These studies have implicated the prion protein as being responsible for strain differences and are providing unique tools for the characterization of the disease agent. Denaturation results in a decrease in infectivity while renaturation results in a restoration of infectivity. These studies highlight the importance of developing and identifying treatments in which the TSE agent is irreversibly inactivated. Age-associated alterations of the mitochondrial genome.
Caloric restriction reduces fiber loss and mitochondrial abnormalities in aged rat muscle.
McKenzie, D., J. Bartz and J.M. Aiken. The molecular basis of strains in the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.