Abstract
Although the nature of the infectious agent causing prion diseases is still debated, several of its molecular characteristics have been clarified in remarkable detail. The transmissibility of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to humans dramatically highlights the need for research focused at interference with prion replication and spread, and at prevention of brain damage. Precondition to achieving these goals is a thorough understanding of prion biology, and in particular of its protein chemistry.
Aguzzi, A