Centre for Prions + Protein Folding Diseases
News & Events
CPPFD research leads to advancements in the battle against Parkinson's Disease
April 2026
In honor of Parkinson’s Disease awareness, we invite you to view a recent CTV feature highlighting the impactful work coming out of the Wille Lab. You can watch the segment here: New advancements in the battle against Parkinson's Disease→
Additionally, Dr. Holger Wille joined CBC’s Radio Active on May 6, 2026, to discuss how this new vaccine could serve as a prophylactic for those showing early "precursor" signs of Parkinson's.
Folio Spotlight: Vaccine Shows Promise in Fighting Neurodegenerative Diseases
March 2026
A University of Alberta research team, led by Dr. Holger Wille, has developed a vaccine candidate that significantly extended survival in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. By engineering fungal fibers to mimic misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins, the team successfully trained the immune system to target the aggregates responsible for Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. Explore the research and next steps in the full Folio article by Gillian Rutherford →
Dementia 101 Podcast featuring Dr. Valerie Sim
February 2026
Defy Dementia - The podcast for anyone with a brain, by Baycrest. Join caregiver Alexandra Aguzzi and neuroscientist Dr. Valerie Sim for a comprehensive look at the realities of living with and treating dementia. This session bridges the gap between personal experience and medical expertise.
The Synaptic Post: Parkison's Seed Award
December 2025
Congratulations to the following members who have been awarded an NMHI Parkinson's Disease Research Seed Grant.
Holger Wille, "Developing Structure-Based Vaccines for Therapeutic and Prophylactic Uses in Parkinson's Disease"
Maria Ioannou & Julie Jacquemyn, "Ectosomes as Mediators of Tau Propagation in Parkinson's Disease"
2025 Innovation Awards Recipients
November 2025
It requires tremendous effort to turn a discovery into a product or service that enriches lives. The Innovation Awards, hosted by University of Alberta’s Technology Transfer Services (TTS) team, celebrates members of the CPPFD and the university community who have risen to that challenge.
State of Knowledge Regarding Transmission, Spread, and Management of Chronic Wasting Disease
September 2025
Dr. Debbie McKenzie contributes to National Academies report on Chronic Wasting Disease in U.S. captive and free-ranging cervid populations.
Chronic Wasting Disease Spillover Preparedness
April 2025
Dr. Debbie McKenzie and Dr. Alsu Kuznetsova contributed their expertise to the new CIDRAP report, "Charting an Uncertain Future."
ALS Canada and Brain Canada invest more than $1.4 million in ALS research grants
September 2023
Dr. Maria Stepanova, a physicist at the University of Alberta, is one of nine 2022 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grant recipients. She works closely with Dr. Holger Wille, a structural biologist also at U of A. Though both have decades of experience researching other neurodegenerative diseases, the grant represents their first time being funded for ALS research.
Symposium for Dr. David Westaway
May 2023
We invite you to attend a symposium celebrating the research career of Dr. David Westaway. This full day event will highlight current research in the ever-expanding field of protein folding diseases as presented by Dr. Westaway’s University of Alberta colleagues and visiting speakers Sabine Gilch, Amanda Woerman, Allison Kraus, and Joel Watts.
Hope for Tomorrow: Research Insights into Alzheimer's Disease at the U of A
February 2023
For Alzheimer's Awareness Month, watch the video below to learn about some of the latest research on dementia at the University of Alberta. Featuring Dr. Holger Wille and Dr. Valerie Sim. Hosted by Dr. Doug Zochodne, Director, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute.
Congratulations to Dr. Woodside for CIHR Project Funding
Feb. 2023
Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
December 2022
Congratulations to Dr. Satyabrata Kar for being nominated and awarded fellow of CAHS.
RDAR invests $521,000 in research projects to combat the growing risk of chronic wasting disease
February 2022
Photo supplied by RDAR Member: Alberta Elk Commission
RDAR supports two advanced research projects that explore potential CWD impacts on agriculture crops and wildlife.
Two researchers named Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research
October 2021
U of A researchers Dr. Sue-Ann Mok and Dr. Trevor Steve received Brain Canada funding to support innovative projects targeting Alzheimer’s disease. Sue-Ann Mok, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, and Trevor Steve, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, have been awarded $100-thousand in grant funding for their novel research into the detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Both researchers are members of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, a multi-faculty, interdisciplinary teaching and research institute at the University of Alberta.
Chronic Wasting Disease and the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-food Sectors: Current Knowledge, Risks and Policy Options
June 2021
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) presents real risks to trade in agricultural products, for food security among Northern, remote, and First Nations communities and the future of all cervids including already threatened species such as the Boreal Caribou, not to mention the potential risks of human transmission.
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Infrastructure funding for Brain Diseases
March 2021
More than half a billion dollars in infrastructure funding has been awarded to fund Canada's leading researchers. On March 3rd, 2021 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $518 million in research infrastructure funding through the CFI. The University of Alberta was successful in securing five CFI projects. Amongst these, a team led by David Westaway and Michael Woodside secured Federal and Provincial funds of $7.7M towards a total of $9.6M to support instrumentation relating to neurodegenerative disease research. This new CFI funding will support the activity of researchers both in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) and in the laboratories affiliated with the Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases.
Passionately fundraising for a one-in-a-million illness
October 2020
After their loved one passed away from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, this group banded together to raise money for the rare disease.
Concern over chronic wasting disease in deer has some worried about food supply
August 2019
Experts are asking the federal government to implement stricter guidelines to keep deer meat infected with chronic wasting disease out of Canada's food supply.
Check out the Video on CBC national as well as an on demand radio active Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease in deer.
Prion 2019
May 2019
Edmonton Journal Prion 2019 Article
The conference took place from May 21-24, 2019 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. With over 350 registered attendees the conference included 32 oral abstract presenters and 21 workshops. We would like to thank everyone that attended and supported Prion 2019!
