Abstract

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.