Update: So far, only the audio for the hearing is available; listen here.
Some big news:
Just announced this morning: @UMN_MNPRO has new developed 24-hour field test for #CWD 🦌 Groundbreaking research and developments thanks to supporting the U of M and ENTRF funds. This is why we need to pass the LCCMR bill and put those tax dollars to work.
— Jamie Becker-Finn (@jbeckerfinn) April 19, 2021
[end update]
On Monday morning, 8:30 a.m. the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy will hold an informational hearing:
"Update from Dr. Peter Larsen at the University of Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach on chronic wasting disease research."
We'll be watching. This is the sort of legislative hearing Bluestem loves--a chance to learn the latest mfrom the best. As Larsen's page at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine notes:
Since 2018, Dr. Larsen has led a public outreach campaign focused on the biology and ecology of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), an emerging prion disease of cervids (elk, deer, moose, etc.). CWD has great potential to negatively impact multiple economic sectors in Minnesota and throughout the United States. Outreach events to members of the public and state and federal legislators include public webinars, lectures, seminars, testimonies, and one-on-one discussions organized by MNPRO and the University of Minnesota Government and Community Relations Office. Funding for these outreach activities has been generously provided by: Minnesota Extension Rapid Ag Response Fund, Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Minnesota LCCMR.
We'll supply links to the livestreams and possibly embed one here.
A series of tweets to pique your interest:
Looking forward to this! Excited to share what our @UMN_MNPRO team has accomplished and how we can help fight #CWD https://t.co/BGMbezVyrO
— Peter Larsen (@peter_a_larsen) April 15, 2021
Another great step forward in fight against #CWD. More options for testing 🦌 🦌 🦌. Our @UMN_MNPRO team is ready to help #Minnesota and beyond to fight this disease using RT-QuIC and new tools in R&D. https://t.co/MJWBUXBTw4
— Peter Larsen (@peter_a_larsen) April 12, 2021
Want the latest on the U's CWD research? @MNPRO and @UMNCVM's @peter_a_larsen filled us in for this #MNImpact! We're #UMNProud to support this collaborative and productive work. https://t.co/UPR1oYRWxA #NIFAImpacts #RARF #CWD #UMNResearch pic.twitter.com/21n07hmGDx
— UMN MAES (@UMN_MAES) March 31, 2021
A team of scientists led by @peter_a_larsen & @spookyfaust75 won funding from the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station to study #ChronicWastingDisease prion burden & infectivity in #venison & on processing equipment. https://t.co/rnh06FupOP #Deer #Wildlife #DeerHunting
— UMN College of Veterinary Medicine Research (@umnCVMresearch) March 27, 2021
Latest @UMN_MNPRO preprint. Our team is working on high-throughput methods to prevent #CWD 🦌 prions from entering human and animal food-chains. @UMN_MAES #RARF will allow us to expand this research. Many thanks to #mnleg @UMNresearch @mnenrtf @umnCVM https://t.co/VC34kBx3Un pic.twitter.com/nOvvrIJ4Mh
— Peter Larsen (@peter_a_larsen) March 23, 2021
Minnesota is blessed to have Larsen on board as a publicly engaged scientist working on this high-proile threat to the state's wild herd.
From 2019's Meet the Scientist: Peter Larsen, a profile by the College of Veterinary Medicine's Center for Animal Health and Food Safety:
Why is it so important for Minnesotans to learn about and recognize the symptoms of CWD in cervids? CWD is one of the most challenging diseases we’ve ever faced. In large part, it’s because the CWD prions are nearly indestructible and can exist in the environment for years. Early detection and removal of a CWD positive animal from the environment will help to reduce the spread of CWD in our state. Anyone who spends time outdoors — bird watchers, dog walkers, cross-country skiers, hikers, hunters, etc. — can help curb CWD by recognizing symptoms and reporting sick animals to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
What would you like people to know about CWD? CWD is not a “zombie disease”, it is a neurodegenerative condition that is threatening multiple deer species. Labeling CWD as a zombie disease causes unnecessary fear. We must all work together to protect deer heritage and to implement the CWD control measures as specified by the Minnesota DNR and Board of Animal Health.
What does the research say about the possibility of chronic wasting disease transmitting to humans? It is important to understand that there is currently no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. Nevertheless, the CDC recommends that we do not eat CWD positive meat because we do not know whether or not the CWD prions will ultimately infect humans in the future. One of the primary reasons our team is working to develop new CWD diagnostic tools is to prevent CWD meat from entering our food supply.
What is the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine doing to study and stop CWD? The only way we can stop the spread of this disease is by understanding where and how these CWD prions are spread and which animals are carrying the disease. The first step is by creating real-time diagnostic tests like the ones we are developing at MNPRO. MNPRO faculty will ultimately work on a wide variety of CWD related projects, with research focused on the removal of CWD prions from the environment and CWD therapeutics.
What drew you to study chronic wasting disease? CWD is part of a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases that originate from protein-misfolding events, and my postdoctoral research focused largely on the origin of protein-misfolding events observed in Alzhiemer’s disease.
How are CWD and Alzheimer's disease related? There are fascinating connections between Alzheimer’s disease and CWD that remain to be explored, and a component of my research program at UMN will focus on those connections. One of the most exciting aspects that our diagnostic development team is exploring on CWD is that diagnostic tools that are being developed for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease can be repurposed for CWD diagnostics.
Tune in on Monday morning!
Related posts:
- Some of the science at the center of Update on Chronic Wasting Disease Efforts hearing
- VIDEO: MNHouse passes bill for process to extend funding for ENRTF projects for one year
- Session Daily: Experts want to study how CWD flows in state's waterways
- Sen. Andrew Lang seems behind the curve on current funding & progress of CWD test research
- VIDEO: University of Minnesota scientists share CWD research, search for test with lawmakers
- Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund plan from U of M for CWD diagnostic test
- Peter Larsen slideshow: Development of Advanced Diagnostic Tests for CWD by U of M
Photo: Dr. Peter Larsen, via Meet the Scientist: Peter Larsen.
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