Abstract

Welcome and Introduction by Conference Co-Chair -- Extracellular Vesicles and Cellular Communication

Lucia R. Languino, Professor of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University

This conference is focused on current Technologies and Biological Investigations on Extracellular Vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are nano-sized membranous structures released by cells into the extracellular space, and easily detectable in body fluids.  Extracellular vesicles are highly heterogenous; large extracellular vesicles are plasma membrane-derived extracellular vesicles, while small extracellular vesicles are of endosomal or non-endosomal origin and are secreted upon fusion with the plasma membrane. Extracellular vesicle biological functions contribute to cell-cell communications in physiological and pathological conditions by carrying unique cargo (proteins, lipids, mRNAs and miRNAs) that modifies the functional state of the recipient cells. Recent investigations have clearly demonstrated the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of extracellular vesicles.  The therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles is of great interest especially because these vesicles can be engineered to achieve specific targeting.  Currently, more than 200 trials that utilize extracellular vesicles are already registered in clinicaltrials.gov in the US. In this conference, emerging biological topics and novel technologies will be presented to stimulate discussion between areas of research of microfluidics, organoids and extracellular vesicles.