Interdisciplinary sciences in the 21st century.

With the advance of genome projects the search for the order of cellular processes has become a realistic goal. Yet this order is hidden behind a screen of data, which obscures the actual connectivity of genes and proteins. In order to expose the true nature of these networks it becomes necessary to apply in silico analysis based on certain parallels between biological and complex technical systems.

Prion-protein-specific aptamer reduces PrPSc formation.

The critical initial event in the pathophysiology of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) appears to be the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into the abnormal isoform PrP(Sc). This isoform forms high-molecular-weight protease K (PK) resistant aggregates that accumulate in the central nervous system of affected individuals. We have selected nuclease-resistant 2'-amino-2'-deoxypyrimidine-modified RNA aptamers which recognize a peptide comprising amino acid residues 90-129 of the human prion protein with high specificity.