Adsorption and detection of extracellular vesicles through protamine-functionalized surfaces

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted increasing attention because of their biological roles in intercellular communication and transportation of various biomolecules, including proteins and ribonucleic acids. However, selective capture and detection of EV, remains challenging due to the presence of surface specific markers and their heterogeneity. In this proposal, we challenge both technical problems, i.e. detection as well as isolation of EVs. Envisioned methods are based on electrostatic interactions, by taking advantage of the presence of phosphatidylserine in the EV lipid bilayer, i.e. by the overall negative charge of the EVs, on the one hand, and immobilised protamine, a highly cationic peptide, on the other. The project aims are:

1. enrichment of EVs by adsorption on adsorbents functionalized with protamine and
2. fast colorimetric detection of EVs by polydiacetylene liposomes functionalized with protamine and/or antibodies.

This project is funded by the governement of lower austria and the European Regional Development Fund (www.efre.gv.at).

Funding: Country of Lower Austria, EFRE