Microvesicles and Prostate Cancer: Biomarkers and Release Mechanisms

Group information, relevant EV research and instrumentation

Group name

Microvesicles and Prostate Cancer: Biomarkers and Release Mechanisms

Affiliation

Institute for Cancer Research, Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology,

Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital

Link to homepage: http://www.ous-research.no/llorente/

Name

E-mail

Phone

Steering group member

Alicia Llorente

Senior scientist

Alicia.Martinez.Llorente@rr-research.no

90892782

Deputy representative

Tore Skotland

Senior scientist

tore.skotland@rr-research.no

22781933

Group members

Kirsten Sandvig

Professor

ksandvig@ibv.uio.no

22781828

Nina P. Hessvik

Postdoc

Nina.Pettersen.Hessvik@rr-research.no

22781824

Ivana Malovic

Postdoc

Ivana.Malovic@rr-research.no

22781802

Dhaksshaginy Rajalingam

Master Student

Dhaksshaginy.Rajalingam@rr-research.no

22781803

Cristina Bajo

Guest  PhD student

cristina.bajo@biomed.lu.lv

22781825

Scientific background/relevant EV research

The principal objective of the project is to obtain new knowledge about EVs that can help us to better understand and diagnose pathological conditions.

To reach this objective the following subprojects are being developed:

1. Biogenesis and release of exosomes.

We aim at identifying the molecules that regulate the biogenesis and release of exosomes. In particular, we are studying the role of lipids and of lipid-associated proteins in this process. Lipids are known to be involved in vesicular transport and could affect the secretion of exosomes by inducing curvature stress or by altering signaling pathways. We approach the problem by using pharmacological compounds and siRNA to inhibit enzymes involved in lipid synthesis.

 2. Identification of prostate cancer biomarkers in exosomes.

Extracellular vesicles contain a variety of molecules and have recently emerged as a novel source of biomarkers. We have previously identified the proteomic, lipidomic and microRNA profile of exosomes released by the prostate cancer line PC-3. We are now investigating the use of some interesting candidates in biological samples.

External collaborators:

Kim Ekroos, Zora Biosciences, Finland, contributes to the project with his experience in lipid biology and lipidomics.

Viktor Berge, Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital-Aker, Norway, contributes to the project with his experience in prostate cancer clinical research.

Andreas Brech, Institute for Cancer Research-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Norway, contributes to the project with his experience in electron microscopy.

Bernd Thiede, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway, contributes to the project with his experience in proteomics.

Aija Line, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Latvia, contributes to the project with his experience in EVs and cancer.

Instrumentation (relevant for EV research):

• Ultracentrifuges
  • Optima Max ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter) – isolation of exosomes from small volumes
  • Optima L-90K ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter) – isolation of exosomes from large volumes
• EM core facility – electron microscopy
• Imaging core facility - confocal and superresolution microscopy
• Microarray core facility – mRNA/ miRNA expression studies, microarray/ deep sequencing
• Nanosight NS500 – measuring size and concentration of vesicles
• Zetasizer – measuring size of vesicles
• LightCycler 480 – qPCR (mRNA/ miRNA expression)
• NanoDrop 2000 – quantification of DNA/RNA/protein
• Qiacube – isolation of RNA
• Odyssey (Li-cor Biosciences) – quantification of western blots using fluorescence
• Synergy 2 (BioTek) – microplate reader, quantification of total protein (BCA assay) / ELISA

Date 

August 25^th, 2015