Course

Unit 1

Unit 1:

Introduction to Extracellular Vesicles and Exosomes, Overview of extracellular vesicles (EVs): exosomes, microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, Historical background and nomenclature, Biological significance of exosomes in cellular communication, Key differences between exosomes and other vesicles.

Unit 2

Unit 2:

Exosome Biogenesis and Secretion Mechanisms, Intracellular pathways involved in exosome formation, Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT-dependent and independent mechanisms), Exosome secretion and uptake by recipient cells, Regulatory molecules involved in exosome trafficking.

Unit 3

Unit 3:

Exosome Isolation, Characterization, and Cargo Profiling, Isolation techniques: ultracentrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography, immunoaffinity, microfluidics, Characterization methods: NTA, TEM, Western blotting, flow cytometry, Profiling of exosomal cargo: proteins, RNAs (miRNA, mRNA), lipids, and DNA, Quality control and standardization of EV analysis.

Unit 4

Unit 4:

Diagnostic Applications of Exosomes, Exosomes as biomarkers in liquid biopsies, Clinical relevance in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, prenatal diagnostics, and metabolic disorders, Case studies demonstrating diagnostic utility, Challenges in translating exosome biomarkers to clinical settings.

Unit 5

Unit 5:

Therapeutic Potential of Exosomes, Exosomes as natural drug delivery vehicles, Engineering exosomes for targeted therapy, Immunomodulatory and regenerative roles of exosomes, Therapeutic applications in oncology, neurology, and regenerative medicine.

Unit 6

Unit 6:

Emerging Trends, Challenges, and Regulatory Perspectives, Technological advancements in exosome research, Current limitations in exosome-based applications, Ethical and regulatory considerations for clinical use, Future directions: synthetic exosomes, exosome mimetics, and commercial translation.

(45 classes)

Preamble

Exosome Biology and Application delves into the emerging field of extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, and their roles in intercellular communication. The course covers exosome biogenesis, isolation methods, cargo profiling, and diagnostic as well as therapeutic potentials. Special focus is placed on exosomes in cancer, prenatal disorders, metabolic disorders, and neurodegeneration.

Course outcomes

CO1: Describe types and functions of extracellular vesicles, especially exosomes.

CO2: Explain mechanisms of exosome biogenesis and secretion.

CO3: Apply techniques for exosome isolation and cargo profiling.

CO4: Evaluate exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers in disease.

CO5: Analyze exosomes in therapeutic and drug delivery applications.

CO6: Discuss emerging trends, challenges, and regulations in exosome use.

Program outcome

PO1: Bioscience Knowledge

PO2: Problem Analysis

PO3: Design/Development of Solutions

PO4: Conduct Investigations of complex problems

PO5: Modern tools usage

PO6: Bioscientist and Society

PO7: Environment and Sustainability

PO8: Ethics

PO9: Individual & Team work

PO10: Communication

PO11: Project management & Finance

PO12: Lifelong learning

0 – No affinity; 1 – low affinity; 2 – Medium affinity; 3 – High affinity

Program-specific outcome

PSO 1 – Emerging technologies in clinical diagnostics

PSO 2 – Biomolecules in Medicine

PSO 3 – Molecular dysregulation in diseases

PSO 4 – Molecular technology in diagnosis and therapy

PSO 5 – Applying lab discoveries to clinical practice

PSO 6 – Microorganisms in Medicine

PSO 7 – Statistical methods to interpret and validate diagnostic results

PSO 8 – Integrate molecular diagnostics into personalized medicine

PSO 9 – Compounds as biomarkers and its specificity

PSO 10 – Bioinformatics and biological data use

0 – No affinity; 1 – low affinity; 2 – Medium affinity; 3 – High affinity

Textbook:

Théry C, Witwer KW, Aikawa E, Alcaraz MJ, Anderson JD, Andriantsitohaina R, et al. Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018): a position statement of the ISEV and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines. J Extracell Vesicles. 2018;7(1):1535750.

Reference Book:

Yáñez-Mó M, Siljander PRM, Andreu Z, Zavec AB, Borràs FE, Buzas EI, et al. Biological properties of extracellular vesicles and their physiological functions. J Extracell Vesicles. 2015;4:27066.