Following plant-derived extracellular vesicles from nanoscale structure to in vivo dynamics 

A multimodal imaging approach employed within NUTRIEV is providing new insights into the structural, functional and dynamic properties of plant-derived extracellular vesicles. 

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognised as promising natural nanocarriers capable of transporting bioactive compounds with potential applications in nutrition, diagnostics and therapeutics. As interest in these nanoscale structures continues to grow, understanding how they are organised, how they interact with cells and how they behave inside living organisms has become one of the key challenges in extracellular vesicle research. 

Addressing these questions requires more than a single imaging technique. Because extracellular vesicles operate across different biological scales, from nanometre-sized particles to dynamic interactions within tissues, a combination of complementary imaging methods is needed to characterise their structural, functional and dynamic properties. 

Within the NUTRIEV project, researchers are employing advanced multimodal imaging approaches to investigate how plant-derived extracellular vesicles behave across biological systems. One example of this work is a study presented by Feby Pratiwi, researcher at the Disease Networks Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Kvantum Institute, University of Oulu, which explores how integrating complementary imaging technologies can provide a more comprehensive understanding of plant-derived EVs.  

This work supports NUTRIEV’s broader ambition to advance knowledge on nutritional extracellular vesicles and their potential applications in precision diagnostics and therapeutics for metabolic diseases.  

A multimodal perspective on extracellular vesicles 

The study employs an integrated imaging framework combining Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), multiphoton microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), Single Particle Tracking (SPT) and In Vivo Intravital Imaging Systems (IVIS). 

Rather than relying on a single analytical method, this multimodal approach combines complementary technologies to investigate extracellular vesicles across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Together, these techniques provide detailed information on EV structure, biological interactions and dynamic behaviour, offering a more complete understanding of their role within complex biological environments. 

Following EVs from nanoscale structure to in vivo dynamics 

Each imaging modality contributes unique information to the characterisation of plant-derived extracellular vesicles. 

Transmission Electron Microscopy provides high-resolution visualisation of EV morphology and size distribution, confirming their nanoscale architecture. 

Multiphoton microscopy enables label-free imaging by detecting intrinsic autofluorescence and third harmonic generation from plant-derived EVs. This allows researchers to visualise metabolite distribution and lipid-rich structures without the need for exogenous fluorescent labels. 

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy facilitates the localisation of extracellular vesicles within host cells and their co-localisation with intracellular organelles, providing valuable insights into cellular uptake pathways and biological interactions. 

To investigate EV dynamics at the individual vesicle level, Single Particle Tracking provides quantitative measurements of diffusion behaviour and intracellular trafficking, helping researchers understand how vesicles move within complex cellular environments. 

Finally, IVIS-based intravital imaging enables real-time monitoring of extracellular vesicle biodistribution in living organisms, demonstrating their systemic circulation and accumulation in specific organs. 

Supporting the future of plant-derived EV research

Understanding the behaviour of plant-derived extracellular vesicles across different biological scales is fundamental to unlocking their future applications. By integrating multiple complementary imaging techniques into a single analytical framework, researchers can investigate not only the structural integrity of extracellular vesicles but also their interactions with cells and their behaviour in living systems. 

This comprehensive approach provides valuable knowledge for the wider extracellular vesicle research community while supporting NUTRIEV’s objective of improving our understanding of nutritional extracellular vesicles and their biological functions. As imaging technologies continue to evolve, multimodal imaging is expected to play an increasingly important role in advancing research into EV-based diagnostics, therapeutic delivery and precision nutrition.  

This research was recently presented by Feby Pratiwi at SCANDEM 2026, the Annual Meeting of the Nordic Microscopy Society, held in Oulu, Finland, where it highlighted how multimodal imaging is expanding our understanding of plant-derived extracellular vesicles and their behaviour across biological systems.