[analog31]

Ask HN: Are there readily available chemicals that will break down proteins, that would work on prions? How do our digestive systems do it?

[awakeasleep → analog31]

Anything that you think of as 'corrosive' will generally break down proteins. Strong bases or acids.

[DaiPlusPlus → awakeasleep]

Unfortunately they also tend to break down living tissue too.

Relevant XKCD: https://xkcd.com/1217/

[pbhjpbhj → DaiPlusPlus]

Does a [bullet from a] handgun [effectively] kill cancer cells in a petri dish? I'd expect it to smash the dish and move the cells but except for areas with localised heating not to really do anything else?