Probing Life in Bubbles – Nanoplasmonic Quantification of Pathogen-derived Extracellular Vesicles in Blood
Tony Hu,
Professor and Presidential Chair,
Tulane University School of Medicine
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound vesicles secreted by all cells, circulate at high levels, and convey nucleic acids, peptide/proteins, lipids. EVs secreted by microbial pathogens or infected or malignant cells represent an excellent source of biomarkers, but technical challenges have prevented development of EV-based assays. With the advanced technologies, we have identified and validated new biomarkers for rapid pathogen differentiation (e.g. SARS-CoV-2 and mycobacterial), early disease diagnosis (including cancer), and/or real-time evaluation of disease response. Our multidisciplinary expertise enables us to employ the characteristic properties of engineered nanodevices to improve the capture and detection of circulating biomarkers.
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