The seminar was presented by Miguel Palma-Cobo, PhD student in the research group of María Yáñez-Mó. The session focused on the concept of EV uptake, referring to the process by which extracellular vesicles released by one cell are internalized by a recipient cell. Understanding this process is essential, as cargo delivery from EVs can influence signaling pathways and cellular phenotype.
The seminar discussed the multiple pathways involved in EV uptake, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolin-dependent endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and membrane fusion, emphasizing that uptake is a multifactorial and energy-dependent mechanism rather than a single defined route. Additionally, the talk highlighted how EV cargo can be released inside the cell through fusion with endosomal membranes. The seminar also reviewed experimental approaches to study uptake, such as luminescence-based assays for quantitative measurement and maleimide-based fluorescent labeling for visualization of EV internalization. Overall, the session provided a clear overview of both the biological significance of EV uptake and practical tools to study it.
Participants were encouraged to email their comments and a Google form was shared to submit questions for future sessions. The next seminar is scheduled for December and its topic will be determined by the participants’ responses. If you are interested in the bibliography or references used during the seminar, please do not hesitate to contact us.
