Collection Overview

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous nanosized vesicles that are spontaneously secreted by cells.The outer membrane has lipids and membrane proteins, while internal soluble components include nucleic acids and proteins. Numerous efforts have been made on the functional roles that EVs have undertaken in the intracellular regulation and communication during physiopathological processes. On the basis of the inherent functionality and excellent biocompatibility, increasingly studies are focusing on the repurposing of EVs into diagnostic tools, delivery vehicles, and therapeutic agents.

This will be a Collection of original research papers and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 15th February 2026.

Why is this Collection important? 

"Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are now recognized as universal messengers found across nearly all forms of life, from bacteria and plants to humans, highlighting their fundamental role in biology. This Collection welcomes diverse research that explores the multifaceted functions of EVs across disciplines, including environmental science, agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine. I’m excited to showcase studies that push the boundaries of our understanding and reveal novel applications of EVs. Submitting to this Collection offers researchers a platform to reach an interdisciplinary audience and contribute to shaping the future of EV research across the life sciences." - Wai-Leng Lee

"Extracellular vesicles are small cell-derived nanoparticles which are involved in cell-cell communication. They are increasingly studied to understand pathophysiological disease development, but also as promising biomarkers and delivery vehicles. They show inherent targeting ability which makes them an exciting alternative for different treatment options. This Collection will substantially enhance our comprehension of these vesicles and pave the way for their therapeutic applications. We hope that this Collection will bring together original research on fundamental and applied aspects in this area and foster new collaboration." - Gregor Fuhrmann

"Intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs) is generating worldwide interest as a mechanism for transferring biomaterials between cells over short or long distances, which can have a positive impact on various physiological processes or adverse effects on certain diseases. It is essential to gain new insights into their biogenesis in donor cells, their molecular composition, their internalization by cellular targets, as well as their functions in a given system. The articles published in this special collection will contribute to enriching our knowledge of EVs, which could be used in various areas of medicine, from tissue engineering to potential therapies." - Denis Corbeil

Why submit to a Collection? 

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest. 

Who is involved? 

Guest Editors:

• Denis Corbeil, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
• Gregor Fuhrmann, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
• Wai-Leng Lee, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
• Shijing Yue, Nankai University, China

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Junxia Wang, Scientific Reports, China
• Commissioning Editor: Charlotte Ben Romdhane, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Anthony Heron, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper? 

Visit the Collection page to find out more about this collection and submit your article.