Funding: 5,287,500.00 lei RON 

Coordinator: "Nicolae Simionescu" Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology 

• the identification of circulating extracellular vesicles, as biomarkers for experimental coronary atherosclerotic disease;
• validation of circulating extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for early diagnosis and establishing the prognosis of stable coronary disease in humans;
• establishing an optimal cellular source for the "in vitro" generation of extracellular vesicles, with therapeutic potential in coronary atherosclerotic disease;
• exploring the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles in experimental models of cardiac hypertrophy and coronary atherosclerosis.

The introduction of these new investigation models (in vitro and in vivo), transferable methods and technologies in clinical practice, used for diagnosis and treatment, will have direct implications on the health status of the population.

Obtaining mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow and adipose tissue to define the optimal source of exosomes and microparticles.

Characterization of VECs obtained in culture and definition of the optimal source of exosomes and microparticles for applications in atherosclerotic disease.

New or significantly improved technologies made and transferred to the economy:
1. Procedure for obtaining genetically modified (encapsulated) extracellular vesicles;
2. "In vivo" procedure for tracking VEC biodistribution;
3. "In vivo" methods for validating VEC as therapeutic strategies.