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When polymers meet primitive membranes: how molecular cooperation may have helped life begin

Researchers found that fatty acids and hydroxy acids can combine to create stronger and more stable structures than either molecule can form alone. This cooperative effect suggests that simple molecules may have been helping each other create more organized chemical systems, which could eventually lead to the emergence of life.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2026

Wild flatworms heal wounds

Researchers from Lund University successfully harnessed the regenerative capacity of Scandinavian flatworms to accelerate wound healing in human skin models. The study found that signalling molecules from flatworm exosomes increased skin thickness and improved wound healing rates, including accelerated blood vessel regeneration.

SourceLund University·JournalACS Omega·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

Surface charge and membrane lipid composition define extracellular vesicle (EV) function: Lipid asymmetry enables new quality metrics for EV-based therapeutics

A comprehensive review reveals how phospholipid asymmetry governs EV surface charge, providing a unified framework for classification, functional understanding, and standardization in nanomedicine. The study highlights the importance of membrane lipid composition and surface charge in determining EV function.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalACS Nano Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 14, 2026

Tears could open a new avenue for diagnosing and monitoring eye and neurodegenerative diseases

Tear-derived extracellular vesicles show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for ocular and neurodegenerative diseases. The study highlights their potential to provide valuable information about the eye's health, including processes related to neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalExtracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 22, 2025

A hierarchical short microneedle‑cupping dual‑amplified patch enables accelerated, uniform, pain‑free transdermal delivery of extracellular vesicles

Researchers developed a bio-inspired dual-amplified patch that accelerates and enhances the uniform delivery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) through the skin. The innovative patch uses short microneedles to overcome the stratum corneum barrier, enabling pain-free transdermal delivery of EVs.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2025

AI detects the stiffness of cancer cell exosomes: DGIST develops deep learning-based lung cancer diagnostic technology

Researchers at DGIST have developed a deep learning-based technology to distinguish lung cancer gene mutations by measuring the stiffness of exosomes. The study enables rapid and precise analysis of individual exosomes, showing promise for a next-generation liquid biopsy platform.

Vesicle cycle model reveals inner workings of brain synapse

Researchers have successfully modeled the synaptic vesicle cycle with unprecedented detail, shedding new light on how our brains function. The model predicts parameters of synaptic function that could not be tested experimentally, opening new avenues for neuroscience investigations.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2025

Oscillating microbubble array-based metamaterials developed for rapid isolation of high-purity exosomes

Researchers developed oscillating microbubble array-based metamaterials for efficient isolation of high-purity exosomes from undiluted whole blood. The technology, tested on whole blood samples, isolated exosomes with 93% purity in about three minutes without labeling or pretreatment procedures.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2025

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles improve survival in mice exposed to high-dose irradiation

A new study found that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles significantly enhance survival and facilitate substantial peripheral blood recovery in mice exposed to high-dose irradiation. The treatment promoted hematopoietic recovery, with increases in red blood cell, platelet, white blood cell, and hemoglobin levels.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2025

Labeling cell particles with barcodes

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new CRISPR-based system to label small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) with RNA barcodes, enabling comprehensive analysis of their biogenesis and release regulators. This system allows for the simultaneous study of thousands of genes and estimation of sEV release from host cells.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2024

Tiny brain bubbles carry complete codes

Scientists discovered that tiny brain bubbles called small extracellular vesicles carry more complete instructions for altering cellular function than previously thought. Researchers found nearly 80% of identified mRNAs were full-length, allowing them to be transcribed by recipient cells into viable proteins.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2024

Agarose-based method shows potential in understanding extracellular vesicles' role in cancer metastasis

A collaborative study has developed an agarose spot migration assay to examine the ability of extracellular vesicles to attract other cells in a controlled environment. The assay revealed differences in EVs' recruitment capability for endothelial cells, particularly in highly metastatic cancer cells.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2023

A lung injury therapy derived from adult skin cells

Researchers have developed a therapy using nanocarriers engineered from adult skin cells that curb inflammation and tissue injury in damaged mouse lungs. The treatment has shown promise for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition that leads to respiratory failure and puts patients on ventilators.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

New strategy enables targeted treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A new strategy for treating rheumatoid arthritis has been proposed, integrating small interfering RNAs and Prussian blue nanoparticles to silence proinflammatory cytokines and scavenge reactive oxygen species. The approach was tested in a mouse model, showing improved therapeutic efficacy and real-time monitoring capabilities.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 21, 2022

Fluorescence microscopy shows how living cells form vesicles to transport cargo like growth factors

Researchers used fluorescence microscopy to study clathrin-mediated endocytosis in living cells. They found evidence of three models of curvature initiation and discovered that short-lived events favored the constant-curvature model, while longer events preferred the flat-to-curved transition pathway.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

New type of pneumococcal vaccine developed by KI scientists

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new vaccine candidate based on nano-sized membrane vesicles that provide protection against multiple pneumococcal strains. The vaccine target two conserved lipoproteins MalX and PrsA, showing serotype-independent cross-protection.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2022

Nano-sized vesicles with ACE2 receptor could prevent, treat infection from current and future strains of SARS-CoV-2

Scientists at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Northwestern Medicine identified naturally occurring vesicles containing ACE2 protein in patients' blood that can prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. These evACE2 act as decoys to lure the virus away from cells, preventing infection.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2022