I am a final-year veterinary medicine student studying at the Royal Veterinary College. As part of the course at the RVC, all final years must complete a research project into a topic of their choosing. I have a keen interest in medicine and understanding the pathogenesis of disease on a molecular level, which led me to my project titled ‘Understanding how extracellular vesicles contribute to the progression of canine mitral valve disease’.

For this project, a candidate-based approach was used to isolate EV-miRNA from canine plasma and compare the expression of 4 target genes, linked to the pathogenesis of MVD, across samples from patients at varying stages of disease. Results demonstrated that significant amounts of EV-miRNA were isolated from all samples with no difference according to disease stage. There were no significant differences in their expression according to stage of disease however, there was a differential expression of each target.  

These results demonstrate that EV-miRNA is a good candidate for a novel biomarker. A greater understanding of their role in cell signalling pathways associated with valvular interstitial cell activation can help design novel therapies to antagonise those progressing diseases and mimic those with a protective function. This project has provided the framework for future studies by perfecting experimental methods in working with such small quantities of RNA and would not be possible without the generous funding awarded by the AVTRW.

The Diamond Jubilee Award (now called the AVTRW Acorn Award) provides a fantastic opportunity for all undergraduates with an interest in research. Attending the 77^th Annual Conference in Edinburgh has been thoroughly enjoyable and facilitated networking with scientists spanning a range of disciplines and professional backgrounds. Being able to present my work to such an engaged, supportive audience has been an unforgettable experience and has shown me what I am capable of.