Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Goals and Learning Objectives

This course aims to provide current understanding about extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their role in health and diseases. The EVs are known to be involved in cell to cell communication. Apart from maintaining normal cell physiology, EVs deliver messages that can drive or influence the progression of a disease. This course discusses recent advances made in the field to give an introduction on their function in health as well as in disease. This course includes four modules. Module 1 is an introduction to the course, and provides an overview of the previous MOOC on EVs “Basics of Extracellular Vesicles”. Module 2 focuses on the role of EVs in physiological conditions and gives various examples on their role in metabolism, inflammation, immunity and pregnancy and coagulation. This module also briefly covers the topic of microorganism-derived EVs such as vesicles from bacteria and discusses EVs from apoptotic and senescent cells. In Module 3, we focus on the role of EVs in cancer: how EVs can mediate communication between the tumour and its microenvironment, the functional role of immune cell-derived EVs in development of cancer, as well as the role of EVs in cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis and drug resistance. In Module 4, the role of EVs in diseases of the cardiovascular, haematopoietic, nervous, respiratory and urinary systems, and infectious diseases will be presented. This course is recommended for intermediate learners or anyone who is interested in the field of extracellular vesicles and their role in a particular disease including scientists, clinicians, or cell and molecular biologists who look to broaden their understanding of the field.

Physiological Function of EVs

In this module, we will discuss the role of extracellular vesicles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, why they are important for this process. How microorganism such as in gram positive and negative bacteria can secrete EVs, will be discussed. Altered EV secretion as a response to inflammation, stress and apoptosis or senescence will be highlighted. Furthermore, some examples will be provided on how EV cargo can influence cellular metabolism and the function of EVs in maintaining physiology of cells in pregnancy and coagulation.

Pathophysiology of EVs in Cancer

This module will highlight the role of EVs in the progression of cancer and how the cargo delivered via EVs can directly influence cancer cell proliferation or metastatic properties. The communication between tumour and immune cells, stromal, and endothelial cells will be discussed. We will cover some of the considerations and guidelines that are important in utilising EVs as cancer biomarkers. Techniques that are commonly used to detect EVs, selection of biofluid for tumour EV biomarker analysis, model used in studying EVs, selection of specific EV cargo as biomarker and examples for studies on EVs as cancer biomarkers will be highlighted.

Pathophysiology of EVs in Various Diseases

We will discuss the reported role of EVs in mediating the development of various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hematological disorders, neurological diseases, urological, respiratory diseases and infectious diseases. This module will also highlight some of the proposed EV associated biomarkers and some therapeutic strategies by utilizing EVs to deliver inhibitory molecule.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Recommended for cell and molecular biologists, clinicians, and scientists interested in extracellular vesicles and their functions in various diseases

Covers the role of extracellular vesicles in physiological conditions such as metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and pregnancy

Provides insights into the role of extracellular vesicles in diseases of the cardiovascular, hematopoietic, nervous, respiratory, urinary systems, and infectious diseases

Examines the pathophysiology of extracellular vesicles in cancer, including their communication within the tumor microenvironment and their impact on cancer cell proliferation and metastasis

Prerequisite knowledge in the field of extracellular vesicles is recommended for intermediate learners

Reviews summary

Well-curated overview of extracellular vesicles

Learners say this course provides an engaging and informative comprehensive overview of extracellular vesicles and their part within internal biological milieu. Highly recommended for individuals with a background in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, or biophysics who want to work in the field. Lectures are lengthy so set aside undivided time to complete them.

Up-to-date, informative material

"Engaging, complete, and up-to-date"

"Very much informative and beneficial for me :)"

"This course was really very helpful and it has covered lots of information and has also managed to include the current research articles which was really helpful."

Can be challenging, requires attention

"This is one of the challenging courses I have done from Coursera."

"The content was very scattered and many things were vague and not explained, and this caused confusion and confusion for the learner's mind."

Lengthy, could benefit from more visuals

"The videos are considerably long, so future takers with the necessary background should devote bouts of undivided attention to finish the lectures."

"PowerPoint presentations need to be clearer, simpler, and filled with pictures instead of just words."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease with these activities:

Review key biology concepts

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This course is rooted in biology. Understanding biology principles and terminology will assist with understanding EVs.

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Review biology notes and textbooks.
Take practice quizzes and exercises.

Follow tutorials on EV isolation and analysis techniques

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This course will benefit from additional knowledge on how to isolate and analyze EVs. This knowledge is not covered in detail in this course.

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Identify relevant tutorials on platforms like YouTube, Coursera, or edX.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.

Solve EV visualization coding challenges

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Solidify the understanding of bioinformatics concepts and techniques commonly used in EV research.

Browse courses on Bioinformatics

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Find a collection of coding challenges related to EV research
Attempt to solve the challenges using the skills and knowledge gained in the course
Review solutions and discuss findings with peers or instructors

Two other activities

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Design an experiment to isolate EVs from a specific biological source

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Reinforce the principles of EV isolation and experimental design in the context of EV research.

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Research different methods of EV isolation
Select an appropriate method based on the specific biological source
Design an experimental protocol for EV isolation
Optimize the protocol to maximize EV yield and purity

Practice using the EV cargo database

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Practice will help you become more comfortable using the EV cargo database.

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Go to the EV cargo database website
Create an account
Search for a specific EV cargo

Career center

Learners who complete Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Oncologist

Oncologists diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Oncologists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in cancer. This understanding may help them to develop new and more effective treatments for cancer.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Research Scientists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to develop new therapies for treating diseases.

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Molecular Biologist

Molecular Biologists study the structure and function of molecules. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Molecular Biologists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to develop new therapies for treating diseases.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers create written materials about medical topics. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Medical Writers, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to write more accurate and informative materials about these topics.

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Virologist

Virologists study viruses. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Virologists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in viral infections. This understanding may help them to develop new therapies for treating viral infections.

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Science Writer

Science Writers write about scientific topics for a general audience. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Science Writers, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to write more accurate and informative articles about these topics.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Healthcare Consultants, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to develop new strategies for improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that drugs and medical devices are safe and effective before they are marketed. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Regulatory Affairs Specialists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to make better decisions about the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices.

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Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of disease. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Epidemiologists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in disease. This understanding may help them to develop new strategies for preventing and controlling disease.

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Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) manage clinical trials, which are research studies that test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and treatments. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for CRAs, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in disease. This understanding may help them to design and conduct clinical trials more effectively.

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Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on human health. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Toxicologists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in toxicity. This understanding may help them to develop new strategies for protecting human health from toxic substances.

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Cardiologist

Cardiologists diagnose, treat, and prevent heart and blood vessel diseases. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for cardiologists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in cardiovascular diseases. This understanding may help them to develop new and more effective treatments for these diseases.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Physician Assistants, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to provide better care to their patients.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Statisticians, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to develop new statistical methods for analyzing data on EVs.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. The course on Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease may be helpful for Data Scientists, as it will provide them with a better understanding of the role of EVs in health and disease. This understanding may help them to develop new data-driven solutions to healthcare problems.

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