Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-enclosed particles secreted by cells, playing a vital role in intercellular communication by transferring biomolecules like proteins, lipids, and RNA. Found across all species, EVs influence physiological processes such as immune responses and are implicated in various diseases where their composition and function often become altered. They are increasingly recognized for their diagnostic and therapeutic potential but remain poorly understood in terms of membrane protein functionality, biophysical properties, and heterogeneity. The research of our group aims to bridge these knowledge gaps through a multi-disciplinary approach combining membrane biophysics, Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and molecular biology. We focus primarily on understanding the impact of membrane domains, particularly tetraspanins, on EVs lifecycle using a methodical workflow of identifying, dissecting, and reassembling membrane components, elucidating their role in EV biogenesis, cargo delivery, and pathological alterations. The goal is to provide a foundational atlas of protein functions within EVs, offering insights into evolutionary biology, disease progression, and the potential for engineering EV-like carriers for therapeutic purposes.

In parallel, we aim to harness the potential of EVs as a novel biophysical model system to understand lipid-protein and peptide-membrane interaction in a native scaffold. By using EVs as a “bridging model” to connect the physicochemical properties of membranes with biological phenomena, we aim to give novel insights into membrane organization and function, with potential applications in drug screening.

Finally, recognizing EVs’ susceptibility to incorporating external pollutants, our group also explore the effects of nanoplastics on EVs function, biogenesis, and membrane integrity, with implications for addressing nanopollution-related health risks and developing diagnostic tools.