Investigating the role of extracellular vesicles in intercellular communication response to oxidative stress
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound bodies, which are released by a wide range of cells and are now appreciated to play some role in communication between cells. They have been suggested to play a role in communicating responses to different types of cellular stress such as radiation, chemotherapeutic drugs and heatshock, and may cause both damage and promote resistance to repeated stress conditions. This project will investigate whether EVs have a role in communicating responses to oxidative stress, a condition which is associated with various age-related diseases such as neurodegenerative disease, cancers and cardiovascular disease. EVs can carry a range of proteins, sugars and many different types of RNA, which may be specifically loaded and altered in response to stress conditions. This project will also investigate whether there are specific RNAs, carried by EVs, which are important in response to oxidative stress. It will then examine the mechanisms by which they act, looking at features such as their structure and the biochemical pathways on which they act within cells. This work will be carried out using both cell culture and the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, as this provides an excellent model system for understanding the basic biological processes underpinning cellular communication.
BBSRC Priority areas
This project is particularly relevant to the BBSRC strategic priority of "Healthy Ageing Across the Lifecourse" as oxidative stress is highly implicated in the ageing process and age-related disease. The project will also fulfil the aim for "Data driven Biology" as it makes use of bioinformatics approaches, including RNA sequencing and computational analysis of RNA structure, and novel imaging approaches.
WUB, ENWW
BBSRC Priority areas
This project is particularly relevant to the BBSRC strategic priority of "Healthy Ageing Across the Lifecourse" as oxidative stress is highly implicated in the ageing process and age-related disease. The project will also fulfil the aim for "Data driven Biology" as it makes use of bioinformatics approaches, including RNA sequencing and computational analysis of RNA structure, and novel imaging approaches.
WUB, ENWW
Organisations
Publications
Hill C
(2023)
Caspases help to spread the message via extracellular vesicles.
in The FEBS journal
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011224/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1757833 | Studentship | BB/M011224/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2021 |
Description | Science Bazaar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 1000-2000 members of the general public attended for a science fair, including our lab's stand on extracellular vesicles and cancer. Children enjoyed activities and also sparked lots of discussion with parents and grandparents. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
Description | Widening Participation presentation for A-level students |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | ~10 year 12 students from local schools attended Oxford Brookes university for a visit day, involving a tour of lab facilities, practical lab sessions and several talks from postgraduate students on their own research, with lots of positive feedback received from attendees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |