While the Telling Laboratory is particularly recognized for their work on transgenic mouse modeling of prion diseases, it is one of only a handful of research groups with the resources and expertise for studying prion diseases using whole animal, transgenic, cell biological, biochemical, and molecular genetic approaches. Over the years, we have been recognized for our studies of human prions, the molecular basis of the species barrier, prion strains and their zoonotic potential, and, more recently, chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids.
Our ability to liaise and collaborate with the prion community is also significant. In combination with skills and perspectives provided by our talented collaborators, the Telling Laboratory is in a unique position to investigate the molecular events underlying prion propagation, species barriers and strains, which remain the overarching goals of Dr. Telling’s research program, a part of the CSU Prion Research Center.
research project
NIH Program Project Pathogenesis, Transmission and Detection of Zoonotic Prion Diseases: Modeling the Mechanisms of Prion Transmission, Strain Selection, Mutation and Species Barrier in Transgenic Mice
In this PO1 we investigate the mechanism of infectious prion propagation. Emphasis is placed on studying the factors controlling interspecies transmission. The central hypothesis of this work is that prion species barriers and agent strain properties are governed by primary and tertiary structural interactions between PrPSc constituting the infectious agent and PrPC expressed in the infected host.
research project
NIH Program Project Pathogenesis, Transmission and Detection of Zoonotic Prion Diseases (P01): ‘Science Core’
The Telling lab operates the Science Core for this multicenter, multi-investigator Program. It provides experimental models, expertise, standardized and consistent methodologies, and high quality reagents to allow investigators to study the molecular mechanisms of prion replication, the factors controlling the species barrier and the role of the environment on CWD transmission.
research project
NIH R01 grant: Characterizing the strain and host range properties of prions causing emergent forms of chronic wasting disease
In this R01 project, the Telling lab is characterizing the transmission and conformational properties of CWD prions that have emerged in recent years in Norway and South Korea. A major goal is to compare the host-range properties and zoonotic potential of newly emergent CWD prion strains.
research project
NIH R01 grant: Mechanisms of prion strain dynamics
In this R01 project, the Telling lab employs cell culture and transgenic models of prion diseases to assess the mechanism of prion strain variation and selection.
research project
NIH R01 grant: Addressing the mechanisms of prion strain evolution and its effect on interspecies transmission
Our broad, long-term objectives are to assess and manage the risk posed to humans from continually evolving prions, specifically those causing chronic wasting disease (CWD), an uncontrollable contagious epidemic of cervids of uncertain zoonotic potential. Understanding the properties of emergent CWD strains, their origins, how they adapt and evolve, and their zoonotic threats are important goals.
Publications
The Evolution of Experimental Rodent Models for Prion Diseases.
DeFranco JP, Telling GC. J Neurochem. 2025 Mar;169(3):e70039. doi: 10.1111/jnc.70039. PMID: 40108932
Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions in Raw, Processed, and Cooked Elk Meat, Texas, USA.
Benavente R, Brydon F, Bravo-Risi F, Soto P, Reed JH, Lockwood M, Telling G, Barria MA, Morales R. Emerg Infect Dis. 2025 Feb;31(2):363-367. doi: 10.3201/eid3102.240906. PMID: 39983676
Lack of prion transmission barrier in human PrP transgenic Drosophila.
Thackray AM, McNulty EE, Nalls AV, Smith A, Comoy E, Telling G, Benestad SL, Andréoletti O, Mathiason CK, Bujdoso R.J Biol Chem. 2024 Sep;300(9):107617. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107617. Epub 2024 Jul 30. PMID: 39089583
Propagation of distinct CWD prion strains during peripheral and intracerebral challenges of gene-targeted mice.
DeFranco JP, Bian J, Kim S, Crowell J, Barrio T, Webster BK, Atkinson ZN, Telling GC. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Aug 6;121(32):e2402726121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2402726121. Epub 2024 Jul 31. PMID: 39083420
Transmission of Norwegian reindeer CWD to sheep by intracerebral inoculation results in an unusual phenotype and prion distribution.
Harpaz E, Cazzaniga FA, Tran L, Vuong TT, Bufano G, Salvesen Ø, Gravdal M, Aldaz D, Sun J, Kim S, Celauro L, Legname G, Telling GC, Tranulis MA, Benestad SL, Espenes A, Moda F, Ersdal C.Vet Res. 2024 Jul 29;55(1):94. doi: 10.1186/s13567-024-01350-6. PMID: 39075607
more publications
contact information
Laboratory: Pathology room 321
Office: Pathology room 324
(970) 491-2968
[email protected]
