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Allen Herbst

Allen Herbst is a Prion Biologist at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.

Professional Experience

  • 2022 - Present Prion Biologist, USGS National Wildlife Health Center

  • 2014-2021 Research Associate, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta

  • 2009-2013 Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta

  • 2013 Lecturer, University of Wisconsin

  • 2009-2010 Honorary Fellow, University of Wisconsin

  • 2008-2009 Research Associate, University of Wisconsin

  • 2001-2008 Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin

  • 1999-2001 Research Specialist, University of Wisconsin

Education and Certifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin, Veterinary Science

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin, Molecular Biology

  • Associate of Science, William Rainey Harper College, Chemistry

Science and Products

brown and white deer with dark eyes and small antlers

Understanding and Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids (deer, elk, caribou, and moose) that is threatening the health and sustainability of cervid populations across North America. CWD is caused by misfolded proteins known as prions, which can be transmitted by direct contact or environmental exposure. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center conducts...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Understanding and Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Understanding and Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids (deer, elk, caribou, and moose) that is threatening the health and sustainability of cervid populations across North America. CWD is caused by misfolded proteins known as prions, which can be transmitted by direct contact or environmental exposure. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center conducts...
Learn More
white tailed deer with black eyes, black nose, white ears and tail, and brown fur, standing in snow near the woods

Tracking Chronic Wasting Disease Strains to Understand Transmission and Detect Emerging Threats

At least ten distinct chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion strains with unique biochemical properties affect disease transmission and host range, prompting development and validation of biochemical assays to surveil and track these strains in endemic regions like Wisconsin, with ongoing efforts to standardize these methods for epidemiological tracking and management of CWD variants .
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Tracking Chronic Wasting Disease Strains to Understand Transmission and Detect Emerging Threats

Tracking Chronic Wasting Disease Strains to Understand Transmission and Detect Emerging Threats

At least ten distinct chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion strains with unique biochemical properties affect disease transmission and host range, prompting development and validation of biochemical assays to surveil and track these strains in endemic regions like Wisconsin, with ongoing efforts to standardize these methods for epidemiological tracking and management of CWD variants .
Learn More
Mule deer munching on a shrub in the midst of a winter snow

Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses

Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues...
Learn More
A white-tailed deer fawn taking refuge in vegetation.

Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. The development of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay has the potential to transform laboratory research of prions and provide new opportunities for improved surveillance and management.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management

Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. The development of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay has the potential to transform laboratory research of prions and provide new opportunities for improved surveillance and management.
Learn More
White-tailed deer in snow with forest in background and dried grass in foreground.

Examining PRNP gene frequencies and ‘resistance’ to chronic wasting disease

Multiple studies have demonstrated that various alleles of the cervid prion protein (PRNP) gene affect chronic wasting disease (CWD) progression.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Examining PRNP gene frequencies and ‘resistance’ to chronic wasting disease

Examining PRNP gene frequencies and ‘resistance’ to chronic wasting disease

Multiple studies have demonstrated that various alleles of the cervid prion protein (PRNP) gene affect chronic wasting disease (CWD) progression.
Learn More
Mule deer in Wyoming with snow covered mountains in the distance

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. CWD is one member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), and is thought to be caused by prions. CWD is the only TSE known to affect free-ranging wildlife.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. CWD is one member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), and is thought to be caused by prions. CWD is the only TSE known to affect free-ranging wildlife.
Learn More

RT-QuIC Florescence Data from Experimental Soils Varying in Soil Texture RT-QuIC Florescence Data from Experimental Soils Varying in Soil Texture

We assessed the performance of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay under different soil textures. We combined sand, silt and clay in different proportions to create experimental soils representative of southwest Wisconsin, USA. Experimental soils were spiked with a brain homogenate from a chronic wasting disease positive white-tailed deer (to test assay sensitivity)...
By
Cooperative Research Units

Southwest Wisconsin white-tailed deer prion protein gene sequences Southwest Wisconsin white-tailed deer prion protein gene sequences

We sequenced the prion protein gene from white-tailed deer from Southwest Wisconsin. The samples were provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The dataset includes sequencing chromatogram files and a summary table with the interpretation of the sequencing data.
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Digging into soil: Effects of soil texture on RT-QuIC performance for environmental prion surveillance. Digging into soil: Effects of soil texture on RT-QuIC performance for environmental prion surveillance.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by infectious prions affecting wild and captive cervids. Transmission occurs directly between hosts or indirectly through contact with prion-contaminated environments. Soils, particularly those rich in clay, are hypothesized to enhance prion stability, retention, and bioavailability. Accurate detection of prions is...
Authors
Stephanie J. Katircioglu, Heather N.  Inzalaco, Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Daniel J. Storm, Stuart S.  Lichtenberg, Rodrigo   Morales,  Reece McGinn, Daniel P. Walsh, Wendy Christine Turner
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, National Wildlife Health Center

Overview of North American isolates of chronic wasting disease used for strain research Overview of North American isolates of chronic wasting disease used for strain research

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects Cervidae species, and is the only known prion disease transmitted among wildlife species. The key pathological feature is the conversion of the normal prion protein (PrPC) misfolding into abnormal forms (PrPSc), triggering the onset of CWD infections. The misfolding can generate distinct PrPSc conformations (strains) giving...
Authors
W. David Walter, Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Chia-Hua Lue, Jason C. Bartz, M. Camille Hopkins
By
Cooperative Research Units

Chronic wasting disease: State of the science Chronic wasting disease: State of the science

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease affecting cervid species, both free-ranging and captive populations. As the geographic range continues to expand and disease prevalence continues to increase, CWD will have an impact on cervid populations, local economies, and ecosystem health. Mitigation of this “wicked” disease will require input from many different stakeholders...
Authors
Jason Bartz, Rebeca Benavente, Byron Caughey, Sonja Christensen, Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Ed Hoover, Candace K Mathiason, Debbie I. McKenzie, Rodrigo Morales, Marc D. Schwabenlander, Daniel P. Walsh, NC1209: North American interdisciplinary chronic wasting disease research consortium members
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Susceptibility of beavers to chronic wasting disease Susceptibility of beavers to chronic wasting disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious, fatal, neurodegenerative prion disease of cervids. The expanding geographical range and rising prevalence of CWD are increasing the risk of pathogen transfer and spillover of CWD to non-cervid sympatric species. As beavers have close contact with environmental and food sources of CWD infectivity, we hypothesized that they may be susceptible...
Authors
Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Serene Wohlgemuth, Jing Yang, Andrew Castle, Diana Martinez Moreno, Alicia Otero, Judd M. Aiken, David Westaway, Debbie I. McKenzie
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Non-USGS Publications**

A. Herbst, A. Hoang, C. Kim, J. Aiken, D. McKenzie, D. Goldwater, and J. Wanagat, Metformin treatment in old rats and effects on mitochondrial integrity. Rejuvenation Res, 2021.
A. Herbst, S.J. Prior, C.C. Lee, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, A. Hoang, N. Liu, X. Chen, P. Xun, D.B. Allison, and J. Wanagat, Skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitochondrial DNA deletion mutation frequency as predictors of physical performance in older men and women. Geroscience, 2021.
A. Herbst, C.C. Lee, A.R. Vandiver, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, A. Hoang, D. Allison, N. Liu, and J. Wanagat, Mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations increase exponentially with age in human skeletal muscle. Aging Clin Exp Res, 2020.
A. Herbst, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, and J. Wanagat, Comment on: "Mitochondrial Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration with Aging. Cells 2020, 9, 197". Cells, 2020. 9(8).
C.C. Lee, A. Hoang, D. Segovia, A. Herbst, F. Barthelemy, E. Gibbs, R. Crosbie, S.F. Nelson, C. Miceli, and J. Wanagat, Enhanced Methods for Needle Biopsy and Cryopreservation of Skeletal Muscle in Older Adults. J Cytol Histol, 2020. 11(2).
C. Duque Velasquez, C. Kim, T. Haldiman, A. Herbst, J. Aiken, J.G. Safar, and D. McKenzie, Chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion strains evolve via adaptive diversification of conformers in hosts expressing prion protein polymorphisms. J Biol Chem, 2020. 295(15): p. 4985-5001.
A. Herbst, A.N. Hoang, W. Woo, D. McKenzie, J.M. Aiken, R.A. Miller, D.B. Allison, N. Liu, and J. Wanagat, Mitochondrial DNA alterations in aged macrophage migration inhibitory factor-knockout mice. Mech Ageing Dev, 2019. 182: p. 111126.
A. Otero, C. Duque Velasquez, C. Johnson, A. Herbst, R. Bolea, J.J. Badiola, J. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Prion protein polymorphisms associated with reduced CWD susceptibility limit peripheral PrP(CWD) deposition in orally infected white-tailed deer. BMC Vet Res, 2019. 15(1): p. 50.
T. Russell, C. Cullingham, A. Kommadath, P. Stothard, A. Herbst, and D. Coltman, Development of a Novel Mule Deer Genomic Assembly and Species-Diagnostic SNP Panel for Assessing Introgression in Mule Deer, White-Tailed Deer, and Their Interspecific Hybrids. G3 (Bethesda), 2019. 9(3): p. 911-919.
D. Gushue, A. Herbst, V. Sim, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, 14-3-3 and enolase abundances in the CSF of Prion diseased rats. Prion, 2018. 12(3-4): p. 253-260.
J. Bielas, A. Herbst, K. Widjaja, J. Hui, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, R.A. Miller, S.V. Brooks, and J. Wanagat, Long term rapamycin treatment improves mitochondrial DNA quality in aging mice. Exp Gerontol, 2018. 106: p. 125-131.
A. Herbst, C.D. Velasquez, E. Triscott, J.M. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Strain Emergence and Host Range Expansion. Emerg Infect Dis, 2017. 23(9): p. 1598-1600.
A. Herbst, K. Widjaja, B. Nguy, E.B. Lushaj, T.M. Moore, A.L. Hevener, D. McKenzie, J.M. Aiken, and J. Wanagat, Digital PCR Quantitation of Muscle Mitochondrial DNA: Age, Fiber Type, and Mutation-Induced Changes. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2017. 72(10): p. 1327-1333.
A. Herbst, J. Wanagat, N. Cheema, K. Widjaja, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Latent mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations drive muscle fiber loss at old age. Aging Cell, 2016. 15(6): p. 1132-1139.
C. Duque Velásquez, C. Kim, A. Herbst, N. Daude, M.C. Garza, H. Wille, J. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Deer Prion Proteins Modulate the Emergence and Adaptation of Chronic Wasting Disease Strains. J Virol, 2015. 89(24): p. 12362-73.
N. Cheema, A. Herbst, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Apoptosis and necrosis mediate skeletal muscle fiber loss in age-induced mitochondrial enzymatic abnormalities. Aging Cell, 2015. 14(6): p. 1085-93.
A. Herbst, A. Ness, C.J. Johnson, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Transcriptomic responses to prion disease in rats. BMC Genomics, 2015. 16: p. 682.
A. Herbst, J.M. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Replication of prions in differentiated muscle cells. Prion, 2014. 8(2).
A. Herbst, P. Banser, C.D. Velásquez, C.E. Mays, V.L. Sim, D. Westaway, J.M. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Infectious prions accumulate to high levels in non proliferative C2C12 myotubes. PLoS Pathog, 2013. 9(11): p. e1003755.
A. Herbst, C.J. Johnson, K. Hynes, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Mitochondrial biogenesis drives a vicious cycle of metabolic insufficiency and mitochondrial DNA deletion mutation accumulation in aged rat skeletal muscle fibers. PLoS One, 2013. 8(3): p. e59006.
D. Westaway, S. Genovesi, N. Daude, R. Brown, A. Lau, I. Lee, C.E. Mays, J. Coomaraswamy, B. Canine, R. Pitstick, A. Herbst, J. Yang, K.W. Ko, G. Schmitt-Ulms, S.J. Dearmond, D. McKenzie, L. Hood, and G.A. Carlson, Down-regulation of Shadoo in prion infections traces a pre-clinical event inversely related to PrP(Sc) accumulation. PLoS Pathog, 2011. 7(11): p. e1002391.
C.J. Johnson, A. Herbst, C. Duque-Velásquez, J.P. Vanderloo, P. Bochsler, R. Chappell, and D. McKenzie, Prion protein polymorphisms affect chronic wasting disease progression. PLoS One, 2011. 6(3): p. e17450.
X. Wei, A. Herbst, D. Ma, J. Aiken, and L. Li, A quantitative proteomic approach to prion disease biomarker research: delving into the glycoproteome. J Proteome Res, 2011. 10(6): p. 2687-702.
L.R. Moody, A. Herbst, and J.M. Aiken, Upregulation of interferon-gamma-induced genes during prion infection. J Toxicol Environ Health A, 2011. 74(2-4): p. 146-53.
L.R. Moody, A. Herbst, H.S. Yoo, J.P. Vanderloo, and J.M. Aiken, Comparative prion disease gene expression profiling using the prion disease mimetic, cuprizone. Prion, 2009. 3(2): p. 99-109.
A. Herbst, S. McIlwain, J.J. Schmidt, J.M. Aiken, C.D. Page, and L. Li, Prion disease diagnosis by proteomic profiling. J Proteome Res, 2009. 8(2): p. 1030-6.
X. Wei, A. Herbst, J.J. Schmidt, J. Aiken, and L. Li, Facilitating Discovery of Prion Disease Biomarkers by Quantitative Glycoproteomics. LCGC North America, 2009.
A. Herbst, J.W. Pak, D. McKenzie, E. Bua, M. Bassiouni, and J.M. Aiken, Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations in aged muscle fibers: evidence for a causal role in muscle fiber loss. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2007. 62(3): p. 235-45.
E. Bua, J. Johnson, A. Herbst, B. Delong, D. McKenzie, S. Salamat, and J.M. Aiken, Mitochondrial DNA-deletion mutations accumulate intracellularly to detrimental levels in aged human skeletal muscle fibers. Am J Hum Genet, 2006. 79(3): p. 469-80.
J.W. Pak, A. Herbst, E. Bua, N. Gokey, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Rebuttal to Jacobs: the mitochondrial theory of aging: alive and well. Aging Cell, 2003. 2(1): p. 9-10.
J.W. Pak, A. Herbst, E. Bua, N. Gokey, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Mitochondrial DNA mutations as a fundamental mechanism in physiological declines associated with aging. Aging Cell, 2003. 2(1): p. 1-7.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Rear view of a green industrial trailer or tank body, mounted on a flatbed truck chassis. The tank has two arched access doors with round latch handles and gauge/valve fittings, flanked by turnbuckle tensioners along the top edge. Cables run between the two door latches. Below, the flatbed frame shows tie-down hooks and chain slots.
Deer_Incinerator.jpg
Deer_Incinerator.jpg
Rear view of a green industrial trailer or tank body, mounted on a flatbed truck chassis. The tank has two arched access doors with round latch handles and gauge/valve fittings, flanked by turnbuckle tensioners along the top edge. Cables run between the two door latches. Below, the flatbed frame shows tie-down hooks and chain slots.

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

In summer 2026, USDA APHIS provided mobile incinerators from the National Veterinary Stockpile to our Madison, Wisconsin campus, where we incinerated 1,000 lbs of CWD-positive and 1,000 lbs of CWD-negative samples. We're now testing residues for prions to assess incineration efficacy.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Rear view of a green industrial trailer or tank body, mounted on a flatbed truck chassis. The tank has two arched access doors with round latch handles and gauge/valve fittings, flanked by turnbuckle tensioners along the top edge. Cables run between the two door latches. Below, the flatbed frame shows tie-down hooks and chain slots.

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

In summer 2026, USDA APHIS provided mobile incinerators from the National Veterinary Stockpile to our Madison, Wisconsin campus, where we incinerated 1,000 lbs of CWD-positive and 1,000 lbs of CWD-negative samples. We're now testing residues for prions to assess incineration efficacy.

By
National Wildlife Health Center

Science and Products

brown and white deer with dark eyes and small antlers

Understanding and Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids (deer, elk, caribou, and moose) that is threatening the health and sustainability of cervid populations across North America. CWD is caused by misfolded proteins known as prions, which can be transmitted by direct contact or environmental exposure. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center conducts...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Understanding and Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Understanding and Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids (deer, elk, caribou, and moose) that is threatening the health and sustainability of cervid populations across North America. CWD is caused by misfolded proteins known as prions, which can be transmitted by direct contact or environmental exposure. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center conducts...
Learn More
white tailed deer with black eyes, black nose, white ears and tail, and brown fur, standing in snow near the woods

Tracking Chronic Wasting Disease Strains to Understand Transmission and Detect Emerging Threats

At least ten distinct chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion strains with unique biochemical properties affect disease transmission and host range, prompting development and validation of biochemical assays to surveil and track these strains in endemic regions like Wisconsin, with ongoing efforts to standardize these methods for epidemiological tracking and management of CWD variants .
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Tracking Chronic Wasting Disease Strains to Understand Transmission and Detect Emerging Threats

Tracking Chronic Wasting Disease Strains to Understand Transmission and Detect Emerging Threats

At least ten distinct chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion strains with unique biochemical properties affect disease transmission and host range, prompting development and validation of biochemical assays to surveil and track these strains in endemic regions like Wisconsin, with ongoing efforts to standardize these methods for epidemiological tracking and management of CWD variants .
Learn More
Mule deer munching on a shrub in the midst of a winter snow

Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses

Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues...
Learn More
A white-tailed deer fawn taking refuge in vegetation.

Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. The development of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay has the potential to transform laboratory research of prions and provide new opportunities for improved surveillance and management.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management

Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. The development of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay has the potential to transform laboratory research of prions and provide new opportunities for improved surveillance and management.
Learn More
White-tailed deer in snow with forest in background and dried grass in foreground.

Examining PRNP gene frequencies and ‘resistance’ to chronic wasting disease

Multiple studies have demonstrated that various alleles of the cervid prion protein (PRNP) gene affect chronic wasting disease (CWD) progression.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Examining PRNP gene frequencies and ‘resistance’ to chronic wasting disease

Examining PRNP gene frequencies and ‘resistance’ to chronic wasting disease

Multiple studies have demonstrated that various alleles of the cervid prion protein (PRNP) gene affect chronic wasting disease (CWD) progression.
Learn More
Mule deer in Wyoming with snow covered mountains in the distance

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. CWD is one member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), and is thought to be caused by prions. CWD is the only TSE known to affect free-ranging wildlife.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. CWD is one member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), and is thought to be caused by prions. CWD is the only TSE known to affect free-ranging wildlife.
Learn More

RT-QuIC Florescence Data from Experimental Soils Varying in Soil Texture RT-QuIC Florescence Data from Experimental Soils Varying in Soil Texture

We assessed the performance of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay under different soil textures. We combined sand, silt and clay in different proportions to create experimental soils representative of southwest Wisconsin, USA. Experimental soils were spiked with a brain homogenate from a chronic wasting disease positive white-tailed deer (to test assay sensitivity)...
By
Cooperative Research Units

Southwest Wisconsin white-tailed deer prion protein gene sequences Southwest Wisconsin white-tailed deer prion protein gene sequences

We sequenced the prion protein gene from white-tailed deer from Southwest Wisconsin. The samples were provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The dataset includes sequencing chromatogram files and a summary table with the interpretation of the sequencing data.
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Digging into soil: Effects of soil texture on RT-QuIC performance for environmental prion surveillance. Digging into soil: Effects of soil texture on RT-QuIC performance for environmental prion surveillance.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by infectious prions affecting wild and captive cervids. Transmission occurs directly between hosts or indirectly through contact with prion-contaminated environments. Soils, particularly those rich in clay, are hypothesized to enhance prion stability, retention, and bioavailability. Accurate detection of prions is...
Authors
Stephanie J. Katircioglu, Heather N.  Inzalaco, Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Daniel J. Storm, Stuart S.  Lichtenberg, Rodrigo   Morales,  Reece McGinn, Daniel P. Walsh, Wendy Christine Turner
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, National Wildlife Health Center

Overview of North American isolates of chronic wasting disease used for strain research Overview of North American isolates of chronic wasting disease used for strain research

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects Cervidae species, and is the only known prion disease transmitted among wildlife species. The key pathological feature is the conversion of the normal prion protein (PrPC) misfolding into abnormal forms (PrPSc), triggering the onset of CWD infections. The misfolding can generate distinct PrPSc conformations (strains) giving...
Authors
W. David Walter, Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Chia-Hua Lue, Jason C. Bartz, M. Camille Hopkins
By
Cooperative Research Units

Chronic wasting disease: State of the science Chronic wasting disease: State of the science

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease affecting cervid species, both free-ranging and captive populations. As the geographic range continues to expand and disease prevalence continues to increase, CWD will have an impact on cervid populations, local economies, and ecosystem health. Mitigation of this “wicked” disease will require input from many different stakeholders...
Authors
Jason Bartz, Rebeca Benavente, Byron Caughey, Sonja Christensen, Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Ed Hoover, Candace K Mathiason, Debbie I. McKenzie, Rodrigo Morales, Marc D. Schwabenlander, Daniel P. Walsh, NC1209: North American interdisciplinary chronic wasting disease research consortium members
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Susceptibility of beavers to chronic wasting disease Susceptibility of beavers to chronic wasting disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious, fatal, neurodegenerative prion disease of cervids. The expanding geographical range and rising prevalence of CWD are increasing the risk of pathogen transfer and spillover of CWD to non-cervid sympatric species. As beavers have close contact with environmental and food sources of CWD infectivity, we hypothesized that they may be susceptible...
Authors
Allen Jeffrey Herbst, Serene Wohlgemuth, Jing Yang, Andrew Castle, Diana Martinez Moreno, Alicia Otero, Judd M. Aiken, David Westaway, Debbie I. McKenzie
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Non-USGS Publications**

A. Herbst, A. Hoang, C. Kim, J. Aiken, D. McKenzie, D. Goldwater, and J. Wanagat, Metformin treatment in old rats and effects on mitochondrial integrity. Rejuvenation Res, 2021.
A. Herbst, S.J. Prior, C.C. Lee, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, A. Hoang, N. Liu, X. Chen, P. Xun, D.B. Allison, and J. Wanagat, Skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitochondrial DNA deletion mutation frequency as predictors of physical performance in older men and women. Geroscience, 2021.
A. Herbst, C.C. Lee, A.R. Vandiver, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, A. Hoang, D. Allison, N. Liu, and J. Wanagat, Mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations increase exponentially with age in human skeletal muscle. Aging Clin Exp Res, 2020.
A. Herbst, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, and J. Wanagat, Comment on: "Mitochondrial Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration with Aging. Cells 2020, 9, 197". Cells, 2020. 9(8).
C.C. Lee, A. Hoang, D. Segovia, A. Herbst, F. Barthelemy, E. Gibbs, R. Crosbie, S.F. Nelson, C. Miceli, and J. Wanagat, Enhanced Methods for Needle Biopsy and Cryopreservation of Skeletal Muscle in Older Adults. J Cytol Histol, 2020. 11(2).
C. Duque Velasquez, C. Kim, T. Haldiman, A. Herbst, J. Aiken, J.G. Safar, and D. McKenzie, Chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion strains evolve via adaptive diversification of conformers in hosts expressing prion protein polymorphisms. J Biol Chem, 2020. 295(15): p. 4985-5001.
A. Herbst, A.N. Hoang, W. Woo, D. McKenzie, J.M. Aiken, R.A. Miller, D.B. Allison, N. Liu, and J. Wanagat, Mitochondrial DNA alterations in aged macrophage migration inhibitory factor-knockout mice. Mech Ageing Dev, 2019. 182: p. 111126.
A. Otero, C. Duque Velasquez, C. Johnson, A. Herbst, R. Bolea, J.J. Badiola, J. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Prion protein polymorphisms associated with reduced CWD susceptibility limit peripheral PrP(CWD) deposition in orally infected white-tailed deer. BMC Vet Res, 2019. 15(1): p. 50.
T. Russell, C. Cullingham, A. Kommadath, P. Stothard, A. Herbst, and D. Coltman, Development of a Novel Mule Deer Genomic Assembly and Species-Diagnostic SNP Panel for Assessing Introgression in Mule Deer, White-Tailed Deer, and Their Interspecific Hybrids. G3 (Bethesda), 2019. 9(3): p. 911-919.
D. Gushue, A. Herbst, V. Sim, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, 14-3-3 and enolase abundances in the CSF of Prion diseased rats. Prion, 2018. 12(3-4): p. 253-260.
J. Bielas, A. Herbst, K. Widjaja, J. Hui, J.M. Aiken, D. McKenzie, R.A. Miller, S.V. Brooks, and J. Wanagat, Long term rapamycin treatment improves mitochondrial DNA quality in aging mice. Exp Gerontol, 2018. 106: p. 125-131.
A. Herbst, C.D. Velasquez, E. Triscott, J.M. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Strain Emergence and Host Range Expansion. Emerg Infect Dis, 2017. 23(9): p. 1598-1600.
A. Herbst, K. Widjaja, B. Nguy, E.B. Lushaj, T.M. Moore, A.L. Hevener, D. McKenzie, J.M. Aiken, and J. Wanagat, Digital PCR Quantitation of Muscle Mitochondrial DNA: Age, Fiber Type, and Mutation-Induced Changes. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2017. 72(10): p. 1327-1333.
A. Herbst, J. Wanagat, N. Cheema, K. Widjaja, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Latent mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations drive muscle fiber loss at old age. Aging Cell, 2016. 15(6): p. 1132-1139.
C. Duque Velásquez, C. Kim, A. Herbst, N. Daude, M.C. Garza, H. Wille, J. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Deer Prion Proteins Modulate the Emergence and Adaptation of Chronic Wasting Disease Strains. J Virol, 2015. 89(24): p. 12362-73.
N. Cheema, A. Herbst, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Apoptosis and necrosis mediate skeletal muscle fiber loss in age-induced mitochondrial enzymatic abnormalities. Aging Cell, 2015. 14(6): p. 1085-93.
A. Herbst, A. Ness, C.J. Johnson, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Transcriptomic responses to prion disease in rats. BMC Genomics, 2015. 16: p. 682.
A. Herbst, J.M. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Replication of prions in differentiated muscle cells. Prion, 2014. 8(2).
A. Herbst, P. Banser, C.D. Velásquez, C.E. Mays, V.L. Sim, D. Westaway, J.M. Aiken, and D. McKenzie, Infectious prions accumulate to high levels in non proliferative C2C12 myotubes. PLoS Pathog, 2013. 9(11): p. e1003755.
A. Herbst, C.J. Johnson, K. Hynes, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Mitochondrial biogenesis drives a vicious cycle of metabolic insufficiency and mitochondrial DNA deletion mutation accumulation in aged rat skeletal muscle fibers. PLoS One, 2013. 8(3): p. e59006.
D. Westaway, S. Genovesi, N. Daude, R. Brown, A. Lau, I. Lee, C.E. Mays, J. Coomaraswamy, B. Canine, R. Pitstick, A. Herbst, J. Yang, K.W. Ko, G. Schmitt-Ulms, S.J. Dearmond, D. McKenzie, L. Hood, and G.A. Carlson, Down-regulation of Shadoo in prion infections traces a pre-clinical event inversely related to PrP(Sc) accumulation. PLoS Pathog, 2011. 7(11): p. e1002391.
C.J. Johnson, A. Herbst, C. Duque-Velásquez, J.P. Vanderloo, P. Bochsler, R. Chappell, and D. McKenzie, Prion protein polymorphisms affect chronic wasting disease progression. PLoS One, 2011. 6(3): p. e17450.
X. Wei, A. Herbst, D. Ma, J. Aiken, and L. Li, A quantitative proteomic approach to prion disease biomarker research: delving into the glycoproteome. J Proteome Res, 2011. 10(6): p. 2687-702.
L.R. Moody, A. Herbst, and J.M. Aiken, Upregulation of interferon-gamma-induced genes during prion infection. J Toxicol Environ Health A, 2011. 74(2-4): p. 146-53.
L.R. Moody, A. Herbst, H.S. Yoo, J.P. Vanderloo, and J.M. Aiken, Comparative prion disease gene expression profiling using the prion disease mimetic, cuprizone. Prion, 2009. 3(2): p. 99-109.
A. Herbst, S. McIlwain, J.J. Schmidt, J.M. Aiken, C.D. Page, and L. Li, Prion disease diagnosis by proteomic profiling. J Proteome Res, 2009. 8(2): p. 1030-6.
X. Wei, A. Herbst, J.J. Schmidt, J. Aiken, and L. Li, Facilitating Discovery of Prion Disease Biomarkers by Quantitative Glycoproteomics. LCGC North America, 2009.
A. Herbst, J.W. Pak, D. McKenzie, E. Bua, M. Bassiouni, and J.M. Aiken, Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations in aged muscle fibers: evidence for a causal role in muscle fiber loss. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2007. 62(3): p. 235-45.
E. Bua, J. Johnson, A. Herbst, B. Delong, D. McKenzie, S. Salamat, and J.M. Aiken, Mitochondrial DNA-deletion mutations accumulate intracellularly to detrimental levels in aged human skeletal muscle fibers. Am J Hum Genet, 2006. 79(3): p. 469-80.
J.W. Pak, A. Herbst, E. Bua, N. Gokey, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Rebuttal to Jacobs: the mitochondrial theory of aging: alive and well. Aging Cell, 2003. 2(1): p. 9-10.
J.W. Pak, A. Herbst, E. Bua, N. Gokey, D. McKenzie, and J.M. Aiken, Mitochondrial DNA mutations as a fundamental mechanism in physiological declines associated with aging. Aging Cell, 2003. 2(1): p. 1-7.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Rear view of a green industrial trailer or tank body, mounted on a flatbed truck chassis. The tank has two arched access doors with round latch handles and gauge/valve fittings, flanked by turnbuckle tensioners along the top edge. Cables run between the two door latches. Below, the flatbed frame shows tie-down hooks and chain slots.
Deer_Incinerator.jpg
Deer_Incinerator.jpg
Rear view of a green industrial trailer or tank body, mounted on a flatbed truck chassis. The tank has two arched access doors with round latch handles and gauge/valve fittings, flanked by turnbuckle tensioners along the top edge. Cables run between the two door latches. Below, the flatbed frame shows tie-down hooks and chain slots.

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

In summer 2026, USDA APHIS provided mobile incinerators from the National Veterinary Stockpile to our Madison, Wisconsin campus, where we incinerated 1,000 lbs of CWD-positive and 1,000 lbs of CWD-negative samples. We're now testing residues for prions to assess incineration efficacy.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Rear view of a green industrial trailer or tank body, mounted on a flatbed truck chassis. The tank has two arched access doors with round latch handles and gauge/valve fittings, flanked by turnbuckle tensioners along the top edge. Cables run between the two door latches. Below, the flatbed frame shows tie-down hooks and chain slots.

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

Deer_Incinerator.jpg

In summer 2026, USDA APHIS provided mobile incinerators from the National Veterinary Stockpile to our Madison, Wisconsin campus, where we incinerated 1,000 lbs of CWD-positive and 1,000 lbs of CWD-negative samples. We're now testing residues for prions to assess incineration efficacy.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
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