Grant: Project Grant

Cancer cells emit small nanosized particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) that play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis. EVs are key mediators of cell-cell communication through delivery of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Molecules on EV surfaces help to direct these vesicles to specific organs and tissues. Thus, EVs have attracted great interest for their role in tumour progression and metastasis. However, there are many challenges associated with their study. Harvesting EVs from biological tissues is a time-consuming and costly process. To overcome these barriers, synthetic nanoparticles, such as liposomes, have emerged in recent years. They can be produced in high yield and can be used to encapsulate different proteins. We previously extensively characterized cancer cell-derived EVs and found that they contained specific proteins that may play an important role in metastasis. Using the physical and surface characteristics of the EVs, we also engineered synthetic nanoparticles to look like cancer-cell derived EVs. The goal of this proposal is to engineer vesicles that mimic the characteristics and cargo of cancer EVs. This approach offers several advantages because engineered nanoparticles are easily synthesized, display great stability, and can be loaded with specific biomolecules. They can be produced at 1000x higher concentrations than naturally occurring EVs, greatly increasing research productivity. Additionally, since we can control the characteristics of these nanosized vesicles, they are homogenous, enabling us to study individual aspects of cancer biology. This engineered EV-like nanoparticle project will answer fundamental questions on how cancer cells communicate and spread, as well as how they travel to and colonize distant sites during metastasis.