Creating new tools to track RNA in exosomes
Official title: Developing genetically encodable probes for multimodal tracking of exosomal RNA cargo
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10919782 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new tools to help us see how tiny bubbles called exosomes carry RNA messages between cells, which could help us understand how these messages affect our health and diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM150252-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919782 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve altered cellular communication, such as cancer or other diseases where exosomal RNA plays a significant role.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have conditions related to cellular communication or exosomal RNA may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative probes that can track RNA molecules within exosomes, which are tiny vesicles that facilitate communication between cells. By creating genetically encodable markers, the project aims to visualize how exosomal RNA influences cellular behavior and communication in real-time. The methodology involves enhancing the loading of RNA into exosomes and ensuring that these markers do not interfere with the RNA's biological functions. This could provide valuable insights into the role of exosomes in health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies by improving our understanding of cellular communication and the role of exosomal RNA in various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of tracking exosomal RNA is innovative, existing methods have primarily focused on exosomal proteins and lipid membranes, indicating that this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Juliane — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Juliane
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.