Abstract: The claims relate to methods and assays for capturing or detecting prions in a sample using prion-binding materials as well as methods of separating prions from a sample. A method selects a prion-binding material in the form of fibrin(ogen), fibrin(ogen)-related material, fibrin(ogen)-derived material, or mixtures thereof, and contacts a sample with the prion-binding material, such that prions contained in the sample are bound to or associated with the prion-binding material. In another aspect, an assay for detecting the presence of prions obtains prion-binding material in the form of fibrin(ogen), a fibrin(ogen)-related material, a fibrin(ogen)-derived material, or mixtures thereof, contacts the prion-binding material with the sample which may contain prions such that prions contained in the sample are bount to or associated with the prion-binding material, and tests for the presence of prions associated with or bound to the prion-binding material.