Dr Thabiso Motaung, an academic at the University of Pretoria, is set to co-author a ground-breaking paper on the latest guiding principles in Extracellular Vesicle (EV) research. This initiative, known as MISEV (Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles), spearheads the establishment of key guidelines in this rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Motaung's involvement in MISEV is significant as only a few South Africans are part of this big international effort. The prior editions, MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, were very influential in EV research, having collectively garnered over 10,000 citations. The third instalment, MISEV2023, is expected to be just as important.

The new guidelines are set to be published soon in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (JoEV), and will mark a watershed moment as they will contain updated principles and insights to effectively guide practices in EV research across the globe. MISEV2023 also introduces pioneering sections on EV release and uptake and delves into in vivo approaches to study these vesicles.

 MISEV2023 is the culmination of a rigorous three-year process, drawing from the expertise of 1045 co-authors spanning 52 countries globally. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) has thus acknowledged the vital role played by these contributors in building a global and comprehensive resource aimed at accelerating scientific discoveries in the area of EV research worldwide.

Dr. Motaung is currently collaborating with the University of California, Merced, as a Fulbright Scholar, hoping to further highlight the profound impact of EVs in plant biology and their potential in mitigating the threats presented by devastating pests to pine trees. His efforts will not only contribute to the academic space in terms of understanding EV impacts but also resonate with the collective goal of ISEV - to highlight the transformative potential of EV studies within academic circles and beyond. The University of Pretoria, the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM), and FABI, therefore, welcome and support this collaboration, and recognize the important role it plays in reinforcing the crucial role of EV research in shaping the scientific landscape.

The academic community eagerly anticipates this milestone contribution!