In regenerative medicine, human bone marrow-derived stem cells (hBMDSCs) have long been recognized for their remarkable ability to facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. However, recent research suggests that their therapeutic effects are primarily mediated through paracrine signaling rather than direct cell differentiation. A key player in this process appears to be microRNAs (miRNAs) packaged within extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by hBMDSCs. To explore this phenomenon, scientists at Yale School of Medicine isolated EVs from hBMDSCs and conducted comprehensive analyses to characte ..read more

Finding could also offer a more precise form of therapy using light-activated drugs. A team of researchers led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has created tiny droplets that, when activated by laser light, can detect viral protein biomarkers indicating the presence of certain diseases. These microdroplets, about one-third the diameter of a strand of human hair, could potentially travel in the bloodstream to reach all parts of the human body and detect particles shed by cells, known as exosomes, which function as disease biomarkers. Nanyang Assistant Pr ..read more

The University of Latvia, Baltic Society of Extracellular Vesicles (BSEV) and the Polish Society for Extracellular Vesicles (PSEV) proudly present their joint conference, “The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown – The Roles of EVs in Health and Disease” 6th and 7th of September, 2024 University of Latvia House of Nature, Riga, Latvia. This pivotal event invites researchers worldwide to delve into the complex roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) across health and disease spectrums. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to showcase their latest findings, engage in enriching discussions, and f ..read more

New research has found that tiny particles present in cows’ milk could offer, for the first time, an effective method for the oral delivery of RNA drugs. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapies are a powerful new class of drugs that offer a way to target previously untreatable diseases on a molecular level. They are based on nucleic acids, which is a component of our DNA. While they can be effectively delivered by injection, such as with the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine, so far there has been no successful way to deliver them orally as the drugs are destroyed by the harsh conditions of the gut. In a new s ..read more

The quest for safe, efficient, and biocompatible drug delivery carriers has long been a challenge. Synthetic nanoparticles, while widely used, come with their drawbacks, including low biocompatibility and triggering immune responses. However, a natural alternative has emerged: extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny vesicles secreted by cells that offer native, safe, and multifunctional delivery vessels. Despite their promise, loading EVs with large biomolecules like messenger RNA (mRNA) has remained a formidable hurdle—until now. A groundbreaking study has unveiled a controlled loading methodolog ..read more

Infertility is a prevalent problem. Would-be parents struggling to conceive usually try in vitro fertilization, or IVF treatments, in which medical personnel remove an egg from an ovary, fertilize it with sperm in a laboratory and then place the fertilized egg, or blastocyst, in the uterus to grow and develop. IVF has a low success rate, which physicians and researchers don’t completely understand. In many ways, the lab environment where the egg grows is often not optimal, leading to fewer viable blastocysts that can result in successful pregnancies. Patients often have to repeat the procedur ..read more

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become a focal point of research in recent years, captivating scientists with their role in communication between cells and organisms. While their importance in disease processes and therapeutic applications is widely acknowledged, questions persist about their primary function. A new perspective by researchers at Harvard University challenges conventional thinking about EVs, suggesting that they serve as essential elements providing membrane area for long-distance, contact-dependent cellular communication based on protein-protein interaction. Traditionally ..read more

Estonian University of Life Sciences together with University of Tartu, Baltic Society of Extracellular Vesicles, University of Helsinki and University of Milan would like to invite you to the following events organized by the COMBIVET ERA Chair of Comparative Medicine and OH-BOOST projects in the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences: Registration for this workshop is free of charge! Save the dates and do not forget to register. The events are happening in the 2024 European Capital of Culture; Tartu, Estonia. Registration deadlines ..read more

Two cancers make themselves harder to treat by suppressing the immune system Prostate cancer cells. (Wikimedia | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license) An international study co-led by OICR researchers has demonstrated how two forms of cancer work to suppress the immune system and could inform new ways to diagnose and treat the diseases. In their study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers from Ontario, British Colombia and Europe looked at prostate cancer and Ewing sarcoma – a rare cancer of the bones and soft tissue that affects c ..read more

Job no: 503019 Work type: Full-Time Location: Center City – Philadelphia, PA Categories: College of Medicine  Job Summary Investigate the role of exosome biology and epigenetic regulation in pain using an integrated approach combining molecular and in vivo techniques. Studies pursued are aimed at advancing both basic research and novel therapeutic strategies to better understand and treat pain. Qualified candidates must have a Ph.D. in molecular/cellular biology, biochemistry or a related field. Candidates must have experience working with extracellular vesicles and ..read more