The TSE Unit, through the National Anonymous Tissue Archive, is involved with projects investigating the prevalence of vCJD in the British population. This work is supported by translational research aimed at developing more sensitive and specific tests for the detection of the abnormal prion protein responsible for vCJD.

The Unit is also interested in the discovery and characterisation of unrecognised and novel viruses, especially those that may be responsible for encephalitis of unknown aetiology.

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are a class of diseases characterised by the appearance of a misshapen form of a normal cellular protein, known as the prion protein or PrP^C. The misshapen form of this prion protein is called PrP^Sc or PrP^TSE or PrP^CJD.

TSE diseases include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) of humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy of cattle and scrapie of sheep. The TSE Unit manages the laboratory aspects of the National Anonymous Tissue Archive.

• Laboratory Tests for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
  Added/updated: 16 December 2009