Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Isolation and Profiling of MicroRNA-containing Exosomes from Human Bile
Published on: June 13, 2016
Rapid Detection of Exosomal MicroRNAs Using Virus-Mimicking Fusogenic Vesicles
Xihui Gao1,2, Sha Li2,3, Fei Ding1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Abstract:
Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are important biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and disease treatment monitoring. However, most approaches for exosomal miRNA detection are time-consuming, laborious, and expensive. Herein, we report a virus-mimicking fusogenic vesicle (Vir-FV) that enables rapid, efficient, and high-throughput detection of exosomal miRNAs within 2 h. Fusogenic proteins on Vir-FVs can specifically target the sialic-acid-containing receptors on exosomes, inducing efficient fusion of Vir-FVs and exosomes. Upon vesicle content mixing, the molecular beacons encapsulated in Vir-FVs specifically hybridize with the target miRNAs in the exosomes, generating fluorescence. Combined with flow cytometry, the Vir-FVs can not only detect exosomal miRNAs but also distinguish tumor exosomes from normal exosomes by sensing the tumor-related miRNAs, paving the way towards the rapid and efficient detection of exosomal miRNAs for diagnosis and prognosis prediction of diseases.
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs
What are Viruses?
Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Overview of Secretory Vesicles
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

