Extracellular Vesicle Service Facility
Welcome to the Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine (EXVN) at The University of Queensland.
We support researchers with reliable extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation, characterisation, specialised consultation, and EV related reagent preparation. We are pioneering EV research to uncover disease mechanisms, develop new treatment strategies, and improve the quality of life.
Our services
EV consultation and support:
Have you ever felt lost when entering the EV field or expanding your EV research? We are here to help. We offer professional guidance on EV studies.
EV isolation:
Small volume EV isolation:
- Our EV isolation for small volume samples (usually biofluids) is based on size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). We have established robust workflows for the isolation of highly purified EV preparations that retain their native structural morphology, biological function, and molecular composition, critical attributes for both mechanistic research and translational applications.
Large volume EV isolation:
- Our EV isolation for large volume samples (recommended for cell culture media) is based on tangential flow filtration (TFF). Our TFF system can process samples up to 800 mL per run. The platform incorporates real-time process monitoring and an optimised workflow designed to maximise yield while preserving the biological activity of isolated EVs.
Cell line-specific EVs:
- We also offer ready-to-use EVs from mesenchymal stem cells (adipose-derived MSCs), breast cancer, and HEK293 cells.
EV characterisation:
Concentration and size determination:
- Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) provides particle size distribution profiles and concentration measurements, essential parameters for both quality control and downstream functional studies.
EV surface charge determination:
- EV surface charge determination through zeta potential measurements.
EV protein concentration and purity assessment:
- Micro bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein quantification offers high sensitivity detection of total protein concentration in EV preparations, providing a critical quality control measure for sample purity and ensuring accurate, normalised protein loading for downstream Western blot analysis.
EV marker determination:
- EV-optimised Western blot analysis of EV preparations for authentication and purity assessment. Detection of established EV-positive markers, including tetraspanins (CD81, CD9, CD63) and the endosomal-associated protein Alix, alongside negative contaminant markers, including calnexin (intracellular vesicle contamination) and apoA1/apoB (lipoprotein contamination).
EV preparation reagents:
Cryoprotectant:
- Worried about freeze–thaw cycles affecting EV integrity? We provide a biocompatible cryoprotectant (containing sucrose, Tris, and MgCl2) to help preserve EV stability.
EV-depleted serum/fetal bovine serum (FBS):
- FBS-derived EVs are common contaminants in cell culture samples. We provide EV-depleted FBS to support cell growth while reducing EV contamination.
Service workflow
1. Email reaching out: We highly recommend contacting our service team first (link to Contact). We will respond within 24–48 hours.
- RIMS order placement or staff-assisted order placement: Our services are supported by the Research Infrastructure Management System (RIMS). You can get access to the service here: https://rims.uq.edu.au/?EXVN. Clients are welcome to create projects and place orders directly through the system. Alternatively, our team can manage this process on your behalf. Please let us know your preference so we can proceed accordingly.
- RIMS system instructions: https://systems-training.its.uq.edu.au/rims.
- Self-order placing: You and your budget holder will need to create a RIMS account with an active financial account (chartstring).
- Staff-assisted order placing: We will require a valid chartstring and approval from the budget holder. (attach form: chartstring usage request)
2. Order completion and invoicing: Once the order is confirmed, we will begin processing the service. The data will be sent by email upon completion, and the invoice will be issued afterwards.
3. Follow-up: If you have any questions about the data, please feel free to contact us by email for further details. We also welcome any feedback on our services.
Contact
Email:
Associate Professor Joy Wolfram (Group leader): j.wolfram@uq.edu.au
Lingjun Ye (Senior research assistant): lingjun.ye@uq.edu.au
Research laboratory:
Level 8 South, Andrew N. Liveris (Building 46)
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD 4072
Protocols / Guidelines:
1. TFF culture media sample preparation guidelines:
As cell culture media typically contains serum, which includes serum-derived particles that affect EV purity, it is necessary to use serum-free, chemically defined, or EV-depleted medium for collection.
Once cells in the recommended number of culture flasks (20 flasks containing 35 mL of medium each) reach approximately 90% confluency (corresponding to a total culture volume of ~700 mL), wash the cells twice with phosphate‑buffered saline (PBS). The cells are then cultured under serum‑free conditions for 48 hours to allow EV accumulation.
After collecting the conditioned medium, immediately centrifuge it at 800 × g for 30 minutes at 4 °C to remove cells and cell debris.
We recommend shipping the supernatant on the same day as media collection, with morning delivery before 10:30 am preferred.
2. SEC biofluid sample requirements:
For plasma samples and other biofluids, a volume of at least 500 µL is recommended to ensure optimal sample processing. Biofluid samples can be stored at low temperatures. Please store samples at −80 °C after collection and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Delivery with dry ice is recommended.
If the biofluid samples contain cells or cellular debris, please ensure they are centrifuged immediately after collection at 2,000 × g for 30 minutes. A supernatant volume of at least 500 µL is recommended. In some cases, samples may need to be concentrated or diluted before SEC, so please ensure that the final input volume for SEC is ≥500 µL. Fresh samples that arrive before 1:30 pm are preferred.
3. Sample volumes required for characterisation:
| EV Characterization | Recommended volune for EV samples (μL) |
| NTA | ≥40 |
| Zeta potential | ≥20 |
| BCA | ≥20 |
| Western blot | Dependent on the protein concentration (≥1 μg) |
FAQ
1. Concentration of ready-to-use EVs: (FAQ)
Ready-to-use cell-line specific EVs have concentrations of 1010 particles/mL.
2. EV sample delivery condition:
EVs should be delivered with dry ice and stored in -80℃ once arrived.
3. How long can the EV be stored:
EVs can be stored in cryoprotectant at -80℃ for years.
4. How long will it take to receive the results?
Turnaround time depends on the type of service requested. Please contact us for details. Our service team will respond within 24–48 hours.
About us
Laboratory introduction
Our EV research laboratories are located at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the School of Chemical Engineering, Andrew N. Liveris Building, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia. We are developing next-generation extracellular vesicle therapeutics.
Group introduction
Joy Wolfram:
Associate Professor, School of Chemical Engineering
Group leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
Research Director, Herston Biofabrication Institute – Metro North Health
Deputy Director, Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine
Lingjun Ye:
Senior research assistant & Facility scientist
Publications
1. Platelet-derived purified exosome product (PEP): A clinical-grade lyophilized extracellular vesicle product with broad therapeutic potential, including kidney repair. (DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908496)
2. Therapeutic effects of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on viral myocarditis correlate with biomolecular content. (DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1468969)
3. Donor-dependent heterogeneity in therapeutic effects of adipose tissue extracellular vesicles. (DOI: 10.1186/s12964-025-02563-8)
4. Extracellular Vesicles and B Cell Interactions: B-Side Track or Greatest Hit? (DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c07444)
5. Lipoprotein Association Fluorometry (LAF) as a Semi‐Quantitative Characterization Tool to Assess Extracellular Vesicle‐Lipoprotein Binding. (DOI: 10.1002/jev2.70172)
6. Adipose stem cell-derived nanovesicles for cardioprotection: production and identification of therapeutic components. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113989)
7. Cancer-derived extracellular vesicles in natural killer cell immune evasion: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic insights. (DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2025.05.038)
8. Increasing the biomolecular relevance of cell culture practice. (DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01095-6)
9. Immunogenicity of Extracellular Vesicles. (DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403199)
10. Chemically-Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification. (DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307240)
11. Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches. (DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12404)
12. High-throughput analysis of glycan sorting into extracellular vesicles. (DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119641)
13. Entry and exit of extracellular vesicles to and from the blood circulation. (DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01522-z)
14. Extracellular Vesicle and Lipoprotein Interactions. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03579)
15. Reconstituted Extracellular Vesicles from Human Platelets Decrease Viral Myocarditis in Mice. (DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303317)
16. Extracellular vesicle lipids in cancer immunoevasion. (DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.08.006)
17. Clinical Translation of Extracellular Vesicles. (DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301010)
18. Vasculature organotropism in drug delivery. (DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115054)
19. Hyaluronic acid: An overlooked extracellular vesicle contaminant. (DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12362)
20. Extracellular vesicles as personalized medicine. (DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101155)
21. Glycan Node Analysis Detects Varying Glycosaminoglycan Levels in Melanoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. (DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108506)
22. RAB27B Drives a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype in NSCLC Cells Through Enhanced Extracellular Vesicle Secretion. (DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764)
23. Unraveling multilayered extracellular vesicles: Speculation on cause. (DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12309)
24. Sucrose-based cryoprotective storage of extracellular vesicles. (DOI: 10.1016/j.vesic.2022.100016)
25. The cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicle glycocode in immunoevasion. (DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.09.004)
26. Extracellular vesicle glucose transporter-1 and glycan features in monocyte-endothelial inflammatory interactions. (DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102515)
27. Considerations for extracellular vesicle and lipoprotein interactions in cell culture assays. (DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12202)
28. Effects of Adipose-Derived Biogenic Nanoparticle-Associated microRNA-451a on Toll-like Receptor 4-Induced Cytokines. (DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010016)
29. Extracellular vesicle therapeutics from plasma and adipose tissue. (DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101159)
30. A Simple and Quick Method for Loading Proteins in Extracellular Vesicles. (DOI: 10.3390/ph14040356)
31. Extracellular vesicles versus synthetic nanoparticles for drug delivery. (DOI: 10.1038/s41578-020-00277-6)
32. Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Detection: Hopes and Hypes. (DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.09.003)
33. Extracellular vesicles for treatment of solid organ ischemia–reperfusion injury. (DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16164)
34. Brain metastases-derived extracellular vesicles induce binding and aggregation of low-density lipoprotein. (DOI: 10.1186/s12951-020-00722-2)
35. Glycan Node Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. (DOI: 10.3390/cells9091946)
36. Adipose-Derived Biogenic Nanoparticles for Suppression of Inflammation. (DOI: 10.1002/smll.201904064)
37. Extracellular vesicle-based drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. (DOI: 10.7150/thno.37097)
38. Adipose-derived cellular and cell-derived regenerative therapies in dermatology and aesthetic rejuvenation. (DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100933)
39. Organotropic drug delivery: Synthetic nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles. (DOI: 10.1007/s10544-019-0396-7)
40. Clinical cancer nanomedicine. (DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2019.02.005)
41. Tangential Flow Filtration for Highly Efficient Concentration of Extracellular Vesicles from Large Volumes of Fluid. (DOI: 10.3390/cells7120273)
42. Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018): a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines. (DOI: 10.1080/20013078.2018.1535750)
43. Extracellular vesicle therapeutics for liver disease. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.022)
44. Extracellular vesicles for treatment of solid organ ischemia-reperfusion injury. (DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16164)