Institute for Infection Prevention and Control

Description

The Facility for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis and Liquid Biopsy (EV-Core) is a cross-faculty platform at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg dedicated to the analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and the development of innovative biomarker strategies derived from liquid biopsy. It provides infrastructure and methodological support for scientific and clinical research projects.

The aim of the facility is to support translational research projects focused on the identification and validation of EV-based biomarkers in clinical contexts such as infectiology, oncology, immuno-oncology, neurology, psychiatry and others. In addition, it contributes to basic research on the biological roles and functions of EVs in both physiological and pathological processes.

The focus lies on standardized EV isolation, single-vesicle analytics, and multi-analyte profiling of protein-, RNA-, and DNA-based components for the identification of disease-specific signatures – particularly in situations where tissue biopsies are challenging.

The EV-Core combines long-standing expertise in EV research, molecular methodology, and technological innovation – positioned at the interface between experimental science and clinical application.

Our services entail the support of experiment design and that of measurements of nanoparticles using the facility's range of specialized scientific instruments.

Instruments

• NANO-flex 180° DLS Size (Colloid Metrix GmbH, Meerbusch, Germany)

  It utilizes the principle of dynamic light scattering (DLS). It measures size distribution and concentration. It is suitable for nanoparticle samples with a wide size distribution.

• ZetaView x20 Series, TWIN NTA, PMX220 (Particle Metrix GmbH, Inning am Ammersee, Germany)

  It utilizes the principle of nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). It measures concentration, size distribution and zeta potential (particle charge). It characterizes a wide range of nanoparticles, such as vesicles, liposomes, micelles, protein agglomerates and viruses. It can measure scattered light and fluorescent light.

• ZetaView x20 Series, QUATT NTA (Particle Metrix GmbH, Inning am Ammersee, Germany)

  In addition to the features of the TWIN NTA, it has two more lasers for a total of four.

• Flow NanoAnalyzer (NanoFCM Inc., Xiamen, China and Nottingham, UK)

  It uses the principle of flow cytometry (FCM) for the size range of nanoparticles, such as extracellular vesicles. It measures concentration and size distribution. It can measure scattered light and fluorescent light. It is capable of colocalization measurements.

Regulations and application forms

• Operational Strategy
• User Instructions
  which users of the facility are required to read and follow.
• User Access Form
  Application form to request access to the facility.
• Biosafety Form