Patent ID: 6887676

Claim:
A method for typing Prp Sc comprising the steps of: (i) providing a first and second sample containing a Prp Sc protein; (ii) treating the first sample to remove Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ from Prp Sc wherein treatment involves treating the sample with a metal chelator or combination of chelators capable of chelating both Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ ; (iii) subsequently digesting both the first and second samples with proteinase K; and (iv) comparing, using side-by-side electrophoresis, the products of the digestion of the first and second samples to determine whether or not the products are the same or different; a difference being indicative of the presence of type 1 or type 2 Prp Sc , and no difference being indicative of type 3 or type 4 Prp Sc .