Profiling cellular messengers in MS

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles with a lipid (fat) membrane that almost all types of cells release. EVs play an important role in travelling between cells as communicators and carrying a large range of substances that influence the biological functions of the receiving cells. EVs also have an effect on various disease processes.

EVs are hugely important in advancing our understanding of MS due to their role in communication between cells, their potential as non-invasive biomarkers (biological signs) and because they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, a layer of cells that protects the brain from harmful substances. In MS, there is a great need to find reliable and non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

PhD candidate Ms Drishya Mainali is travelling to Dr Magaña Setty’s laboratory at The Ohio State University for eight weeks to learn advanced techniques in isolating, characterising and analysing EVs. She will bring these techniques back to her laboratory at The University of Sydney, NSW and pass them on to her team. The techniques will also be used in ongoing research projects.

These advanced techniques are crucial for accurately profiling EVs in fluid samples from people living with MS. By enhancing her laboratory’s capabilities to profile EVs, Ms Mainali’s work will contribute to the early detection and monitoring of MS.

*For more details about the Ian Ballard Travel Award visit this page