Exosomes are small vesicles that that facilitate communication between eukaryotic cells. They resemble mini-cells, and act like carrier pigeons, trafficking various “payloads” among cells.

Dr. Ramin Hakami is a Professor of Microbiology at George Mason University. Dr. Hakami studies how infectious diseases are modulated by exosome signaling. Dr. Hakami talks about how exosomes can deliver messages to cells, how Rift Valley Fever and Plague affect exosome signaling within infected hosts, how exosomes provide specificity and a “reply all” function to signaling, how being in a Nobel lab affected his approach to science, and his alternate career as a salsa dancer. 

This episode was supported by IV Rehydration Therapy, the treatment that prevents explosive diarrhea from inhibiting your social life.

Participants:

• Karl Klose, Ph.D. (UTSA)
• Ramin Hakami, Ph.D. (George Mason University)
• Janakiram Seshu, Ph.D. (UTSA)
• Mylea Echazarreta (UTSA)