Structure‐Based Chronic Wasting Disease Vaccines: Analyzing Their Mode of Action

This project will use our knowledge about the specific shape and surface properties of the CWD pathogen to develop structure‐based vaccine candidates as potential disease prevention therapies. The team will analyze the molecular details of the immune responses in immunized rodent models with the aim to understand the immune system parameters that influence the effectiveness of the team’s vaccine candidates. Improved vaccines candidates can then be tested in mouse models and white‐tailed deer. The project aims to develop and validate an improved prion vaccine that can protect deer, elk, and moose from CWD infection.