ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 935 8655 7757
Passcode: 008066

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are potent mediators of intercellular communication, yet their stable integration into biomaterials has remained a persistent challenge. In this seminar, I describe a framework for designing injectable, supramolecular hydrogels crosslinked by EVs, as well as the key material design principles that make this possible. Using scalable, agriculturally sourced EVs as a model system, I show how precise polymer engineering unlocks robust, tunable gel formation across multiple EV sources, from microbial to mammalian cell-derived nanovesicles. Intriguingly, yogurt-derived EV hydrogels are intrinsically bioactive, with in vivo implantation driving spontaneous angiogenesis and recruiting a distinct immune niche without requiring any additional biological payload, and highlighting a potential application in wound healing and regeneration. I will also present new findings on the functionality of EV hydrogel-induced vasculature and a more detailed picture of the immune landscape that emerges—pointing toward a possible crosstalk between immunity and vascular remodeling that may be central to how these materials instruct tissue repair.

Hosted by Professor Katie Hixon.