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Exosomes

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles of endocytic origin secreted by most cell types in vitro. Cells continuously secrete a large number of microvesicles, exosomes and small molecules into the extracellular space. Exosomes have been shown to contain mRNA and miRNA and they are able to mediate communication between cells, by transport of RNA and proteins which can be functionalized in the recipient cell. The ability to transport bioactive cargoes, gives exosomes innate therapeutic potential as a natural drug carrier. Efficient techniques for loading drugs into exosomes to utilize the natural carrier capabilities of these vesicles remains to be elucidated.

Applications of Exosomes

The presence exosomes in blood, saliva, and urine paves the way for the possible application of exosomes as a diagnostic marker for diseases. Many diseases are difficult to detect by the methods and equipment available today and there is a growing demand for development of new non‐invasive methods to detect diseases in early stages. The use of exosomes as markers of disease is being investigated to cement their potential as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection of many diseases, in particular cancers. This, however, relies on thorough characterisation of exosomes in both healthy and diseased states

An important factor to understanding the roles of exosomes is knowledge of their biodistribution. Currently, the number of publications describing the biodistribution of exosomes is limited. The main reason being the lack of a robust fluorescent label that can be visualised in vivo. Mapping the specific cell type derived exosomes can increase our knowledge on the roles of exosomes in the organism, as well as help to identify natural targeting systems.

Isolation, Characterisation and Fluorescent Labelling

The most common isolation protocol uses a differential centrifugation to fractionate cells, microvesicles, and exosomes, which are pelleted by ultracentrifugation. After vesicles are secreted from cells into the extracellular environment, it difficult to separate the different subpopulations of vesicles to obtain a pure sample. We have developed methods to optimise isolation and thorough characterisation procedures to obtain pure and well-characterised exosomes. Furthermore, we have developed a simple method for labelling of exosomes with a robust fluorescent label that can be visualised in vivo, allowing investigation of the biodistribution of different cell derived exosomes.

Collaborators:

Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark

Dan Peer, Department of Cell Research & Immunology, Tel Aviv University, Israel

Moein Moghimi, school of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, UK

Recent Publications

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Frodsham, C, Harvey, SB, Collins, D, Krakue, K, Dalgaard, VLP, Lipscomb, R, Hotopf, M, Deady, M, Bryant, RJ & Gayed, A 2026, 'Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in healthcare workers before and during COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1735552
Dagres, N, Gale, CP, Nadarajah, R, Boveda, S, Merino, JL, Nielsen, JC, Kirchhof, P, Kutyifa, V, Táborský, M, Thiele, H, Tijssen, JGP, Verma, A, De Potter, T, Braunschweig, F, Merkely, B, Sommer, P, Vernooy, K, Suleiman, M, Pürerfellner, H, Hindricks, G & PROFID EHRA trial investigators 2026, 'PRevention Of sudden cardiac death aFter myocardial Infarction by Defibrillator im-plantation: Design and rationale of the PROFID EHRA randomized clinical trial', American Heart Journal, vol. 291, pp. 37-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2025.07.071
Hemmati, M, Fatemi Ghomi, SMT & Li, H 2026, 'Pricing and Bundling Decisions for Complementary Products in an Agency Selling Platform with Risk-averse Suppliers and Stochastic Demand', International Transactions in Operational Research, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 1323-1361. https://doi.org/10.1111/itor.13557
Behera, AR, Meyer, P, Orlandi, C, Roy, L & Scholl, P 2026, Privately Constrained PRFs from DCR: Puncturing and Bounded Waring Rank. in B Applebaum & H Lin (eds), Theory of Cryptography - 23rd International Conference, TCC 2025, Proceedings. Springer, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 16268 LNCS, pp. 301-332, 23rd International Conference on Theory of Cryptography, TCC 2025, Aarhus, Denmark, 01/12/2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12287-2_11
Katikaridis, D, Benos, L, Kateris, D, Papageorgiou, E, Karras, G, Menexes, I, Berruto, R, Sørensen, CG & Bochtis, D 2026, 'Proactive Path Planning Using Centralized UAV-UGV Coordination in Semi-Structured Agricultural Environments', Applied Sciences (Switzerland), vol. 16, no. 2, 1143. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16021143
Mendes, M, Ameixa, J, Sequeira, D, Jones, NC, Hoffmann, SV, Souza Barbosa, A & Ferreira da Silva, F 2026, 'Probing the photoabsorption features and electronic excited states of propylene oxide: an experimental and theoretical study', Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. https://doi.org/10.1039/d6cp00031b
Biskjaer, MM, Halskov, K & de Rooij, A 2026, Problem–Solution Co-evolution Research in the DRS Conference Community (2001-2025). in Proceedings of the 2026 Design Research Society Conference (DRS 2026). Design Research Society, The 2026 Design Research Socity (DRS) Conference, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 08/06/2026.
Holck, EN, Vadalá, G, Ayoub, M, Gorgulu, S, Avran, A, Werner, GS, Mashayekhi, K, Kalay, N, Goktekin, O, Wojcik, J, Zaczkiewicz, M, Garbo, R, Arenz, J, Dalibor, J, Schölzel, B, Boudou, N, Behnes, M, Agostoni, P, Mario, CD, Diletti, R, Guitiérrez-Chico, JL & Christiansen, EH 2026, 'Procedural Outcome of Modern Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Proximal Chronic Total Occlusions', Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. https://doi.org/10.1002/ccd.70565
Fibiger, MQ 2026, Processions, pilgrimage and placemaking: - Hinduism in Mauritius. in Pilgrimage, processions and cicumambulation. Routledge, pp. 1-17.
Rasmussen, NH, Kvist, AV, Bech, AA, Lykkeboe, S, Starup-Linde, J, Handberg, A, van den Bergh, JP & Vestergaard, P 2026, 'Profiling bone status indices reveals evidence of a low-turnover bone phenotype in type 2 diabetes: findings from the DiaFALL cohort', Osteoporosis International. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-026-07850-9
Knøfler, LA, Klubien, J, Larsen, PN, Hillingsø, JG, Kirkegaard, J, Pless, T, Stender, MT, Lousdal, ML, Nielsen, SD & Pommergaard, H-C 2026, 'Prognostic Preoperative Factors in Surgical Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Nationwide Multicenter Study', Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer, vol. 57, no. 1, 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-026-01424-y
Muñiz-Anquela, R, Redondo-Angulo, I, Lewis, EA, Lolo, FN, González-Cintado, L, Toledano-Donado, M, Pulgarín-Alfaro, M, del Pozo, MA & Bentzon, JF 2026, 'Progression of Established Atherosclerotic Lesions Is Not Inhibited by Endothelial Knockout of Caveolin-1: Brief Report', Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, vol. 46, no. 2, e323323. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.125.323323
Liang, R, Vishnivetskaya, TA, Avcı, B, Rivkina, EM & Lloyd, KG 2026, 'Promethearchaeota Persistence in Marine Sediments Frozen for Over 100 kyr', Environmental Microbiology, vol. 28, no. 3, e70277. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.70277
Hallerstede, S, Robby, Hatcliff, J, Belt, J & Hardin, D 2026, Proof Engineering in Logika: Synergistically Integrating Automated and Semi-automated Program Verification. in A Remke & B Steffen (eds), Formal Methods for Industrial Critical Systems - 30th International Conference, FMICS 2025, Proceedings. Springer, Cham, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 16040, pp. 39-58, 30th International Conference on Formal Methods for Industrial Critical Systems, Aarhus, Denmark, 27/08/2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-00942-5_3
Andersen, JV 2026, Proof of work. in R Beck & CB Slade (eds), Elgar Encyclopedia of Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and DLT. Edward Elgar Publishing. <https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/elgar-encyclopedia-of-cryptocurrencies-blockchain-and-dlt-9781035339952.html>
Holmstroem, RB, Teisner, AS, Sweep, MWD, Noringriis, IM, Khan, S, Aagaard, NK, Karlström, J, Jurlander, RS, Sohlin, JE, Monberg, TJ, Vestergaard, C, Stoltenborg Granhøj, J, Stenbøg, P, Toxvaerd, A, Hansen, AB, Bjerring, PN, Lorentzen, T, Thielsen, P, Bol, K, Jonsson, G, Ellebaek, E & Svane, IM 2026, 'Prospective study of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced hepatitis; characterization of liver injury, outcome of therapy, and management of steroid-unresponsive and steroid-dependent hepatitis', Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, vol. 14, no. 3. https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2025-013861
Thibert, JB, von Bonsdorff, L, Plançon, JP, de Angelis, V, So-Osman, C, Erikstrup, C, Tiberghien, P & van den Hurk, K 2026, 'Protection of fundamental human rights by improving patient access to plasma-derived therapies and donor health protection', Vox Sanguinis. https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.70245
Cooper, NP, Pearson, DG, Auer, A, Bongartz, T, Bussweiler, Y, Fischer-Gödde, M, Hellers, M, Howarth, G, Locock, AJ, Luguet, A, Münker, C, Stachel, T, Wainwright, AN, Woodland, S & Scott, JM 2026, 'Proterozoic highly siderophile element enrichment of the Kaapvaal cratonic Archean mantle', Chemical Geology, vol. 702, 123201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2025.123201
Bühler, M, Kai, P, Kamp, JN & Adamsen, APS 2026, Protocol for measuring gaseous emissions from naturally ventilated livestock houses - baseline measurements. Advisory report from DCA – National Center for Food and Agriculture, DCA - Nationalt Center for Fødevarer og Jordbrug.
Franzese, C, Hoyer, M, Langendijk, JA & Scorsetti, M 2026, 'Proton therapy and Positron Emission Tomography (PET): towards a new era of biologically-guided advanced radiotherapy', Clinical and Translational Imaging, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 165-167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40336-026-00759-7