greenEV · Development of a novel continuous Extracellular Vesicle production system

Development of a novel continuous Extracellular Vesicle production system

Plants have shaped human history and society since the beginning of our joint evolution. With the emerging recognition of world population feeding, global climate change and limited non-renewable energy resources, the relevance of plant biology and biotechnology is becoming increasingly important. In this context, MSCA greenEV project aimed to set the bases for the production, characterization and use of a novel type of nanocarrier that can be isolated from plant resources. A nanocarrier is nanomaterial being used as a transport system for another substance, such as a drug. Commonly used nanocarriers include liposomes, micelles, carbon-based materials, polymers and other synthetic substances. Bio-based materials with novel characteristics however are emerging. Amongst these, there are extracellular vesicles (EVs), biomembrane-enclosed tiny structures that are secreted by living cells. They are natural transporters of proteins, lipids, RNAs and other small molecules. EVs have recently been recognized as an important communication system between close and distant cells and even different organisms. Mammalian cell-derived EVs are under intense exploitation by pharmaceutical industries as high versatility nano-based delivery system. Upscaling of mammalian cell cultures for the EV production is however economically and technologically challenging. Moreover, green resources would better fit to the ethical and sustainable production of EVs with interesting market opportunities. Here comes the main idea of greenEV project to use plant cell suspension cultures (CSCs) for the production of EVs. We have built our project on the following important pillars: 1. Establishment of CSCs of two selected plant species in the beneficiary laboratory for the production of CSC-derived EVs; 2. Setup methods and protocols for the isolation of CSC-derived EVs and perform an in-depth biophysical and biocargo characterization; 3. Load the plant EVs with a selected high-end value natural biomolecule to demonstrate their applicability in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical sectors. GreenEV has selected two plant species for its research activities: Ginkgo biloba L. (ginkgo) tree and Solanium lycopersicum (tomato) plant. Ginkgo was chosen because of its importance in our human history and culture as well as in plant evolution. Ginkgo tree is living fossil often used in streets and parks for its attractive golden leaves in autumns, but it is also rich in substances with elevated healing properties. Tomato, on the other hand, is one of the most important vegetables for human nutrition and the most accessible natural source of lycopene. GreenEV project has successfully achieved the above main and specific objectives through its 11 deliverables. The results achieved in greenEV have expanded the current knowhow in the plant-derived EV research field. The results obtained in greenEV show translational challenges and opportunities as well as encouraging perspectives towards biotechnological applications.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз