Extracellular Vesicle Imaging and Therapy
Understanding how small structures play a huge role in human health
Extracellular vesicles are small structures surrounded by membranes that are released by cells. They help both healthy and diseased cells communicate. They play significant roles in the formation of cancer, neuroscience, stem cell biology and even the body’s responses to stress.
Understanding how small structures play a huge role in human health
Extracellular vesicles are small structures surrounded by membranes that are released by cells. They help both healthy and diseased cells communicate. They play significant roles in the formation of cancer, neuroscience, stem cell biology and even the body’s responses to stress.
Biologists, engineers and clinician scientists are working together to understand how extracellular vesicles are released and why they matter. They’re working to create optical imaging technologies and diagnostics that will provide early detection and monitoring of diseases like diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers in this group are also developing EV-based cancer vaccines and stem cell-derived EV therapies to help astronauts in space (and other people who can’t easily move) protect against loss of skeletal muscle mass.
Group leader
- Marni Boppart
Labs within this group
- Beckman researcher combines machine learning with biosensor method to improve diagnostic testing
- Meet the 2025 Beckman Institute Graduate Fellows
- Beckman Institute announces 2025 fellowship, award recipients
- Beckman researchers bring cells to life in 3D with Minecraft
- How a visual learner studies science too small to see
- Beckman researchers advance cancer research with two ARPA-H grants totaling $54 million
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology