Extracellular Vesicles  

Increasing evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication. These membrane-enclosed particles, including exosomes and microvesicles, are released into the extracellular space both in vitro and in vivo. Yet, the mechanisms by which EVs transfer signals between cells remain only partially understood.
Our research systematically investigates the secretion and signaling of EVs in the context of cell migration in tumor cells and in vivo in Drosophila melanogaster. We focus on the cell biological mechanisms controlling EV biogenesis, trafficking, and release, aiming to uncover how vesicle-mediated communication contributes to development, disease, and metastasis. 
In parallel, our group explores the clinical relevance of EVs as biomarkers in metabolic and tumor diseases, including lipedema and breast cancer. By integrating proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic analyses, we seek to identify disease-specific vesicle signatures and to understand how altered vesicle transport mechanisms reflect pathological cell states. Our long-term goal is to connect mechanistic cell biology with translational biomarker discovery, bridging fundamental membrane trafficking research to clinical application.