Open AccessTowards mechanisms and standardization in extracellular vesicle and extracellular RNA studies: results of a worldwide survey
Author(s) -
Soekmadji Carolina,
Hill Andrew F.,
Wauben Marca H.,
Buzás Edit I.,
Di Vizio Dolores,
Gardiner Chris,
Lötvall Jan,
Sahoo Susmita,
Witwer Kenneth W.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of extracellular vesicles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.94
H-Index - 68
ISSN - 2001-3078
DOI - 10.1080/20013078.2018.1535745
Subject(s) - extracellular vesicle , extracellular vesicles , standardization , context (archaeology) , microvesicles , computational biology , biology , political science , microrna , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , law , paleontology
The discovery that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transfer functional extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) between cells opened new avenues into the study of EVs in health and disease. Growing interest in EV RNAs and other forms of exRNA has given rise to research programmes including but not limited to the Extracellular RNA Communication Consortium (ERCC) of the US National Institutes of Health. In 2017, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) administered a survey focusing on EVs and exRNA to canvass‐related views and perceived needs of the EV research community. Here, we report the results of this survey. Overall, respondents emphasized opportunities for technical developments, unraveling of molecular mechanisms and standardization of methodologies to increase understanding of the important roles of exRNAs in the broader context of EV science. In conclusion, although exRNA biology is a relatively recent emphasis in the EV field, it has driven considerable interest and resource commitment. The ISEV community looks forward to continuing developments in the science of exRNA and EVs, but without excluding other important molecular constituents of EVs.