Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes and microvesicles into the blood. These EVs are spherical particles enclosed by a phospholipid bilayer containing various molecules such as proteins or nucleic acids. EVs act as a messenger delivery system between cells. During the development of diseases, the concentration, chemical composition, and function of EVs changes. This means EVs have great potential as biomarkers for diseases including cancer. However, the isolation and detection of EVs from body fluids has proven to be difficult.
Mission: Intercept 1000 times more EVs
Edwin van der Pol is a scientist at the department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics and the Laboratory of Experimental Clinical Chemistry. He also co-founded the company Exometry, which applies physics to understand and push the technological limits involved in EV detection. With the VIDI grant worth € 800,000 for the project ‘Count disease-related extracellular vesicles 1000-fold faster', Edwin and his team will develop new techniques to detect these valuable messengers 1000 times faster than ever before.
“The intended increase in speed is crucial, because the disease-related EVs are hidden between numerous other particles in blood, such as lipoproteins.” says Edwin van der Pol. “The proposed speed will enable us to intercept the messages that EVs contain and unlock valuable information that can lead to better diagnostics, treatment plans, and even earlier detection of cancer.”
VIDI
The VIDI grant awarded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) funds top researchers who have conducted successful research for at maximum eight years after their PhD. NWO aims to stimulate curiosity-driven and innovative research that is expected to promote knowledge utilization.
Dr. Edwin van der Pol
For more information visit Edwin van der Pol's website or send him an email.