This class of disease-causing agents was discovered by Stanley Prusiner and consists of abnormal proteins that spontaneously fold normal proteins into their configuration.  
The 1997 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for research into these. The disorders they cause are known as slow infections. This class of disease-causing agents was discovered by Stanley Prusiner and consists of abnormal proteins that spontaneously fold normal proteins into their configuration.  FTP, name these pathogenic abnormal proteins best known for causing fatal familial insomnia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mad cow disease, and other spongiform encephalopathies.
The 1997 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for research into these.
{prions} (or {protinaceous infectious particles})