RNA-seq of brain transcriptome from white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus)

The increasing intensity and geographical distribution of the chronic wasting disease (CWD) panzootic in cervids is threatening human, animal, environmental and economic health. Despite this, the pathogenesis of CWD in cervids remains poorly understood. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to study the brain transcriptome from white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) clinically affected with CWD and compared that to the brain transcriptome from WTD that tested negative for CWD.