An NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

1. Center for Emergent Materials The Ohio State University http://cem.osu.edu Small Vesicles Are Cell Signaling Devices Chris P. Hammel, Ohio State University Research Foundation, DMR 0820414 Exosomes are small membrane-encapsulated vesicles released by cells in response to specific stimuli. Until recently, exosomes were regarded as cellular debris without biological function. Recent research has shown that these vesicles act as signaling devices to transmit information between cells. One of the most intriguing properties of these vesicles is their ability to transmit information that triggers the reprogramming of recipient cells. Thus, deciphering the molecular codes and identifying the delivery mechanisms of exosomes can lead to entirely new, engineered materials capable of inducing specific cellular responses and functions. Researchers at The Ohio State University’s Center for Emergent Materials are characterizing the biomaterials properties of exosomes that define their cell-specific delivery mechanisms, as well as deciphering the molecular codes contained within these vesicles. Exciting developments of this research include identifying the distinctive microRNA signatures contained within cell-secreted exosomes, and showing that exosomes have unique structures and lipid compositions that facilitate the delivery of their information content of the selective binding and fusion to specific target cells. Co Au Co Pie chart showing microRNA profile of exosomes. These vesicles exhibit a bimodal size distribution consisting of two subpopulations of unilamellar, spherical vesicles < 200 nanometers in diameter. Michael Paulaitis, Andre Palmer, Dennis Bong. An NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) Supported under Award Number DMR-0820414