# Supplement to Elucidating biogenesis and cargo sorting mechanisms for discrete extracellular vesicle subpopulations in C. elegans

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2022 · $57,737

## Abstract

Project summary
This diversity supplement to R01 GM135433 proposes to train graduate student Malek Elsayyid as she uses
the strengths of the C. elegans system to define factors that regulate extracellular vesicle (EV) biogenesis as
well as the physiological significance of EV shedding. Secreted EVs, are membrane wrapped structures that
share protein, RNA, lipid, and metabolite cargo with recipient cells. Released from most if not all cell types,
EVs play a critical role during physiological processes and in pathological conditions. In C. elegans, EVs bud
from sensory neuron cilia, then are taken up by surrounding glia or discharged into the environment. We
developed transgenic worms that express different fluorescently tagged EV cargoes at single copy and
optimized imaging parameters to visualize secreted EVs. The scientific goals of this supplement are to define
the role of small G-protein RAB-28 in EV biogenesis and determine the impact of phagocytosed EVs on glia.
This supplement proposal includes a mentoring plan to maximize Ms. Elsayyid’s training and future success.
Performing research as an undergrad at a small liberal arts school limited her access to specialized equipment
and technical expertise. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Ms. Elsayyid’s graduate
experiences. In her training, Ms. Elsayyid will focus on four key areas. First, she will learn advanced super
resolution and TIRF microscopy skills as she brings her project from start to completion. Second, she will use
these data for scientific writing, honing communication skills by writing abstracts, research manuscripts, grant
proposals, and a thesis dissertation. Third, she will present her research at C. elegans community, Chemistry
Biology Interface program, DE Neuroscience, and national/international meetings. Finally, she will gain
leadership skills mentoring students in the lab, a course-based research experience, and the community.
Ms. Elsayyid will be advised by a mentoring team at the University of Delaware (UD). Dr. Jessica Tanis, Ms.
Elsayyid’s primary mentor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences with > 16 years
C. elegans experience and 5 years studying EVs. Dr. Jeffrey Caplan, the Director of BioImaging at UD who
studies transfer of EVs between plants and fungi has technical expertise in the imaging platforms and image
analysis software programs required to train Ms. Elsayyid for this project. Dr. Grimes, a Professor in the
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and co-director of the NIH-funded Chemistry Biology Interface
(CBI) Program at UD will focus on Ms. Elsayyid’s career development, meeting with her bi-annually to review
her IDP and informally on a weekly basis at CBI meetings. In conclusion, development of research expertise,
communication skills, and mentoring experience as well as participation in the UD CBI program and
professional networking opportunities will help Ms. Elsayyid achieve her career goal of...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10643364
- **Project number:** 3R01GM135433-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica E Tanis
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $57,737
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10643364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10643364, Supplement to Elucidating biogenesis and cargo sorting mechanisms for discrete extracellular vesicle subpopulations in C. elegans (3R01GM135433-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10643364. Licensed CC0.

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