Prions – novel infectious agents differing from all other known pathogenic agents

Prions are simple proteins that are much smaller than viruses. They are unique since they lack a genome. All other known infectious agents contain genetic material.

Bacteria are often surrounded by a strong protective cell wall and replicate through simple cell division. Fungi may cause infections of the mouth, throat, lungs, and skin. Parasites thrive on their host, often causing longlasting chronic infections. Viruses are small packages of genetic material that can only replicate inside a cell.

To cite this section
MLA style: Prions – novel infectious agents differing from all other known pathogenic agents. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2024. Sun. 17 Nov 2024. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1997/7827-prions-novel-infectious-agents-differing-from-all-other-known-pathogenic-agents/>

Back to top Back To Top Takes users back to the top of the page

Nobel Prizes and laureates

Nobel Prizes 2024

Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 12 laureates' work and discoveries range from proteins' structures and machine learning to fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.

See them all presented here.

Illustration

Explore prizes and laureates

Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.