Research in the Zani Lab

Our mission is to use extracellular vesicles as therapeutic and diagnostic tools for fetal, neonatal, and paediatric conditions.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are highly stable membrane-bound nanoparticles that are released by all cells and mediate intercellular communication. They are powerful tools, as they carry bioactive cargo in the form of genetic material (RNA and DNA), proteins, and lipids.

Extracellular vesicles for therapy

The Zani Lab is investigating EVs as therapeutic agents for a birth defect, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers

We are also interested in testing cargos that EVs carry from their cells of origin as a diagnostic tool for clinical conditions.