Basics of Extracellular Vesicles

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/extracellular-vesicles

Introduction

### Course Review: Basics of Extracellular Vesicles If you are looking to deepen your understanding of the rapidly evolving field of extracellular vesicles (EVs), the "Basics of Extracellular Vesicles" course available on Coursera is an excellent choice. This comprehensive course provides a solid foundation in the biology, collection, isolation, and characterization of EVs, including specific types like exosomes and microvesicles. #### Course Overview Extracellular vesicles are gaining attention in both research and clinical settings for their potential roles in intercellular communication and as biomarkers for various diseases. This course thoughtfully dissects the complexities of EVs and presents them in an accessible format suitable for both novices and those with a basic understanding of molecular biology. #### Course Structure The course is divided into five well-structured modules: 1. **Introduction to the Course and the Field of Extracellular Vesicles** - This module provides a historical background on extracellular vesicles and introduces their nomenclature. It explores different organisms producing EVs and sets the stage for further learning. 2. **Biogenesis, Cargo, and Uptake of Extracellular Vesicles** - This module delves into how EVs are formed and released by cells, the various biomolecules they carry—like RNA, proteins, and lipids—and how recipient cells take them up. It also offers insights into detection techniques and databases useful for cargo analysis. 3. **Collection and Processing of Cell Culture Media and Body Fluids Prior to Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles** - Here, the focus shifts to practical considerations in EV research. You will learn the importance of guidelines for collecting and processing fluids, such as blood and urine, and how different body fluids impact EV isolation. 4. **Methods for Isolating Extracellular Vesicles** - This module emphasizes various isolation techniques, including differential ultracentrifugation and size exclusion. The benefits and limitations of each method are discussed, offering a balanced view of the available options in EV research. 5. **Techniques for Characterization and Quantification of Extracellular Vesicles** - The final module covers advanced techniques like electron microscopy and flow cytometry, crucial for characterizing the isolated EVs. This section is particularly valuable for those planning to work in a lab setting, as it combines theory with application. #### Learning Experience The course employs a mix of instructional videos, readings, and quizzes to enhance engagement and retention. The content is delivered by professionals in the field, ensuring that the material is not only accurate but reflective of current research trends. The interactive components help solidify understanding of complex concepts. #### Recommendations I highly recommend this course for: - **Students and Early-Career Researchers**: If you're entering the field of molecular biology or biomedical science, understanding EVs is increasingly essential, making this course a worthy addition to your academic arsenal. - **Practicing Scientists**: Those already in the field will benefit from updated methodologies and insights into EV isolation and characterization techniques. - **Healthcare Professionals**: For clinicians interested in applying EV research to diagnostics or therapeutics, this course provides a fundamental overview of the subject. In conclusion, the "Basics of Extracellular Vesicles" course on Coursera is a well-organized, thorough introduction to a critical area of scientific inquiry. With significant implications for health and disease, mastering the fundamentals of extracellular vesicles is essential for anyone looking to make an impact in biomedical research or clinical practice. Enroll today and equip yourself with the knowledge to navigate this intriguing field!

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course and the Field of Extracellular Vesicles

In this module, we will introduce the course and the field of extracellular vesicles. We will discuss the nomenclature and the history of extracellular vesicles as well as the organisms and places that have been shown to release/contain extracellular vesicles.

In this module, we will focus on the biogenesis and release of extracellular vesicles as well as the uptake mechanisms of extracellular vesicles when they are encountered by a recipient cell. This module also covers the different RNA, protein and lipid types present in extracellular vesicles as well as a brief overview what the functions of these molecules are. Furthermore, the techniques that are commonly used to detect these molecules as well as databases that can be useful to use when analyzing the cargo of extracellular vesicles will be highlighted.

In this module, we will focus on the collection and processing of cell culture media and body fluids prior to isolation of extracellular vesicles. We will discuss some of the considerations and guidelines that are important during the collection of staring material and isolation of extracellular vesicles. This module will help you with the different choices, such as anticoagulants, collection time points and protein inhibitors, which are important for the outcome when working with a particular body fluid compared to conditional media or other body fluids. This module will also illustrate some example of studies on extracellular vesicles from body fluid such as blood, urine, breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid and why it is of interest to analyse extracellular vesicles from these body fluids.

This module highlights some of the different methods used to isolate extracellular vesicles. Here the basic concepts for methods such as differential ultracentrifugation, density gradient, size exclusion and kit-based precipitation will be covered and some guidelines will be presented. Furthermore, this module will cover how the techniques are used in the field of extracellular vesicles as well as their limitations and benefits.

This module highlights some of the different techniques used to characterize extracellular vesicles. Here the basic concepts for techniques such as electron microscopy (EM), cryo-TEM, flow cytometry, atomic-force microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis will be covered and some guidelines will be presented. Furthermore, this module will cover how the techniques are used in the field of extracellular vesicles as well as their limitations and benefits.