Extracellular Vesicle Research: Best Practices & Studying Bacterial Vesicles

On May 17th, 2024, a webinar on "Extracellular Vesicle Research: Best Practices & Studying Bacterial Vesicles" was hosted on the Zoom platform from Tartu, Estonia. This event was part of the O-Boost project, funded by the Horizon Europe program, aimed at enhancing research and innovation at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and Tartu University through partnerships with the University of Milan and the University of Helsinki.

Key Speakers and Topics:

Maija Puhka from the University of Helsinki discussed the development and maintenance of a life science and biomedical research service unit with a focus on extracellular vesicle (EV) technologies. Puhka, a senior scientist and co-founder of the first academic EV core facility, highlighted the evolution and significance of EV research infrastructure.

Karina Barreiro, also from the University of Helsinki, examined the effect of pre-analytical variables on extracellular vesicle research, particularly storage conditions. Barreiro's research, focused on urinary EVs, emphasized the importance of handling and storage protocols to maintain the quality of EV samples, especially for RNA biomarker studies.

Dulmini N. Sapugahawatte presented findings on the antimicrobial efficacy of pasteurized cattle milk-derived extracellular vesicles against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, showcasing the potential of EVs in natural defense mechanisms.

Mikael Niku discussed the extracellular vesicles of intestinal bacteria, providing insights into their role and potential applications in health and disease.

Justus Reunanen focused on the secreted vesicles of the human intestinal microbiota, exploring their significance in maintaining health and contributing to disease mechanisms.

The webinar underscored the critical role of EVs in various biological processes and highlighted best practices in EV research. Emphasis was placed on the importance of meticulous handling, storage, and analytical methods to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of EV studies. The event facilitated knowledge sharing among researchers and aimed to advance the field through collaborative efforts.

03/07/2024