RNA topology

Cells communicate by exchanging RNA that is associated with extracellular vesicles (EV-RNA), and analysis of EV-RNA may thus provide disease biomarkers. However, so far EV-RNA biomarkers are irreproducible. Since RNA is thought to be present within EVs, current procedures focus on isolating intra-vesicular EV-RNA. Recent evidence suggests, however, that EV-RNA may also be present on the EV surface. 
Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the goal of RNA-top is to investigate the precise location of EV-RNA (RNA topology) to improve EV-RNA biomarker development. Synthetic EV-mimicks with known RNA topology will be produced to set-up workflows to detect EV-RNA by super resolution microscopy and spectral flow cytometry. Workflows will then be extrapolated to study the RNA topology of cell-derived EVs.