6D: Extracellular Vesicles for Biomedical Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural nanoparticles that carry RNA, DNA, proteins, and lipids, and have been given much attention in recent years due to the growing knowledge of their role in driving disease and maintaining health. The objective of this session is to bring together investigators focusing on the characterization and biology of EVs, engineering of EVs, and their utility as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics. Example topics include EV nanomaterials science, the interaction of EVs with biological systems, EV biodistribution in vivo and pharmacology, and the utility of EVs for molecular targeting, imaging, diagnostics, immunoengineering, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. EVs from different sources including both mammalian and bacteria-derived EVs will be included.