
Overview
Background
Associate Professor Joy Wolfram leads an extracellular vesicle research program with the goal of developing innovative approaches that bring the next generation of medicines directly to the clinic to alter the trajectory of life-threatening diseases, improve patient outcomes, and prolong healthy lifespans. Wolfram has joint appointments in the School of Chemical Engineering and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland, Australia (#41 in Best Global Universities, U.S. News & World Report).
MISSION
1) Develop a new paradigm of therapeutics (using nanotechnology and cell products) to treat life-threatening diseases that are major causes of death globally, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and breast cancer
2) Save lives by manufacturing at scale, by delivering national manufacturing innovation and a skilled workforce
3) Work with a multidisciplinary team and industry partners to position Australia as a global leader in extracellular vesicle medicine
Extracellular vesicles are small biomolecular packages that are crucial for intercellular communication (locally and systemically). Extracellular vesicles have promising potential to be leveraged and engineered to provide a new paradigm of therapeutics that outperform conventional pharmaceuticals due to versatile bioactive cargo. The Wolfram Laboratory is leveraging innovations in manufacturing, biological mechanisms, and drug loading of extracellular vesicles to develop therapeutics.
FOCUS AREAS
1) Developing improved methods for extracellular vesicle isolation from human biofluids
2) Designing hybrid drug delivery systems with extracellular vesicle and synthetic components for a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ approach to treat cardiovascular disease and aging kidney disease
3) Understanding the role of extracellular vesicles in cancer immunoevasion and metastasis
The research program has resulted in more than 100 publications in journals, such as, Nature Nanotechnology, Materials Today, and Nature Reviews Materials. These publications have been cited 16,800 times (Google Scholar). The Wolfram Laboratory has collaborated with 160 universities and industry partners across 45 countries (Scopus). The research program has also been featured in more than 100 presentations at scientific meetings, including 80+ invited talks and nine international keynote talks.
Wolfram is actively involved in community outreach and education, including in her previous roles as the Chair of an education and outreach working group of the National Institutes of Health in the United States and the Associate Program Director of the PhD Program in Regenerative Sciences at Mayo Clinic (Best Hospital in the World, Newsweek). As a TED speaker, she strives to bring science to a wide audience.
She has received 40+ awards from nine countries, including the 2016 Amgen Scholars Ten to Watch List (best and brightest up-and-comers in science and medicine across 42 countries), the 2019 Forbes 30 under 30 list in Health Care in the United States/Canada, the 2019 shortlist for the Nature Research Award for Inspiring Science (one of ten worldwide), and the 2021 Finnish Expatriate of the Year (past recipients include Nobel Memorial Prize winners, Millennium Technology Prize winners, and Formula 1 drivers). She is in the top 1% of researchers worldwide in the categories of ‘Biology & Biochemistry’ and ‘Pharmacology & Toxicology' (Essential Science Indicators, 2023) and in the top 0.5% in 'Extracellular Vesicles' (ScholarGPS 5/2024).
Availability
- Associate Professor Joy Wolfram is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor, University of Helsinki*
- Masters (Coursework), University of Helsinki*
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Chinese Academy of Science
- Member, Global Young Academy, Global Young Academy
- Honorary Academic, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital
- Member, The Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland, The Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland
Works
Search Professor Joy Wolfram’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Conference Publication
Extracellular vesicles as a new paradigm of therapeutics.
Wolfram, Joy (2025). Extracellular vesicles as a new paradigm of therapeutics.. Student Network on Extracellular Vesicles, Virtual, 18 February 2025.
2025
Other Outputs
Rear Cover Image: Extracellular vesicles: potential to be leveraged and engineered to provide a new paradigm of therapeutics that outperform conventional pharmaceuticals.
Wolfram, Joy (2025). Rear Cover Image: Extracellular vesicles: potential to be leveraged and engineered to provide a new paradigm of therapeutics that outperform conventional pharmaceuticals.. Dutton Park, QLD, Australia: Inspiring Australia Queensland.
2025
Journal Article
Therapeutic effects of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on viral myocarditis correlate with biomolecular content
Beetler, Danielle J., Giresi, Presley, Di Florio, Damian N., Fliess, Jessica J., McCabe, Elizabeth J., Watkins, Molly M., Xu, Vivian, Auda, Matthew E., Bruno, Katelyn A., Whelan, Emily R., Kocsis, Stephen P. C., Edenfield, Brandy H., Walker, Sierra A., Macomb, Logan P., Keegan, Kevin C., Jain, Angita, Morales-Lara, Andrea C., Chekuri, Isha, Hill, Anneliese R., Farres, Houssam, Wolfram, Joy, Behfar, Atta, Stalboerger, Paul G., Terzic, Andre, Cooper, Leslie T. and Fairweather, DeLisa (2025). Therapeutic effects of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on viral myocarditis correlate with biomolecular content. Frontiers in Immunology, 15 1468969. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1468969
2025
Journal Article
Increasing the biomolecular relevance of cell culture practice
Ghebosu, Raluca E., Hui, Lawrence and Wolfram, Joy (2025). Increasing the biomolecular relevance of cell culture practice. Journal of Biomedical Science, 32 (1) 3, 3. doi: 10.1186/s12929-024-01095-6
2025
Other Outputs
Investing in research is an investment in us all
Wolfram, Joy (2025, 01 03). Investing in research is an investment in us all Australian Quarterly
2025
Journal Article
A call to action to address escalating global threats to academic research
Piret, Gaelle, Fung, Fun Man, Fullerton, Josie, Fico, Giuseppe, Ponkratov, Dmitriy, Chen, Wenxin, Latorre, Daniela, Wan, Kirsty Y., Aghaeepour, Nima, Welgryn, Jules, Razi, Adeel, Silveyra, Patricia, Altun, Ahmet, Jurkowska, Renata Z., Hughes, Alice C. and Wolfram, Joy (2025). A call to action to address escalating global threats to academic research. The Innovation 100758, 100758. doi: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100758
2025
Journal Article
Electrospun meshes for abdominal wall hernia repair: Potential and challenges
Liu, Zhengni, Liu, Lei, Liu, Jiajie, Wu, Jinglei, Tang, Rui and Wolfram, Joy (2025). Electrospun meshes for abdominal wall hernia repair: Potential and challenges. Acta Biomaterialia, 195, 52-72. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.01.028
2025
Journal Article
Industry-relevant undergraduate education in hands-on bioprocess engineering
Ghebosu, Raluca, Iannotta, Dalila, Storeshaw, Peter, Heffernan, James, Masud, Mostafa Kamal, Li, Li, Cooper-White, Justin, Oehmen, Adrian, Carvalho, Gilda and Wolfram, Joy (2025). Industry-relevant undergraduate education in hands-on bioprocess engineering. Chemical Engineering Journal, 503 158332, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158332
2024
Other Outputs
A polymer for improved purification of extracellular vesicles
Iannotta, Dalila and Wolfram, Joy (2024). A polymer for improved purification of extracellular vesicles. PCT-AU2024/051304.
2024
Conference Publication
Exploring the extracellular vesicle world through cryogenic transmission electron microscopy
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Exploring the extracellular vesicle world through cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The University of Queensland Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis Forum, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26 November 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Sulphated glycosaminoglycans on osteosarcoma-derived extracellular vesicles modulate natural killer cell function.
Liu, Zhengni, Dhar, Trayee and Wolfram, Joy (2024). Sulphated glycosaminoglycans on osteosarcoma-derived extracellular vesicles modulate natural killer cell function.. School of Chemical Engineering Early and Mid-Career Researcher Annual Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Extracellular vesicle gatekeepers for tumours
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Extracellular vesicle gatekeepers for tumours. Nature Materials, 23 (12), 1618-1619. doi: 10.1038/s41563-024-02049-x
2024
Conference Publication
Extracellular vesicles as a new paradigm of therapeutics
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Extracellular vesicles as a new paradigm of therapeutics. BioProcessing Network Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 8-10 October 2024.
2024
Other Outputs
Student caps will hit research
Wolfram, Joy (2024, 09 24). Student caps will hit research Australian Financial Review
2024
Conference Publication
Engineering medicines with nature’s blueprint
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Engineering medicines with nature’s blueprint. The University of Queensland School of Chemical Engineering Seminar Series, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Next-generation extracellular vesicles in medicine
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Next-generation extracellular vesicles in medicine. Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Seminar Series, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 16 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Examining the therapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles in aging diabetic kidney disease.
Wang, Jiaxuan, Zinn, Caroline, Wolfram, Joy, Snow, Z. Kayne, Asmann, Yan W. and Hickson, Latonya J. (2024). Examining the therapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles in aging diabetic kidney disease.. Examining the therapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles in aging diabetic kidney disease., Rochester, NY, United States, 8 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Partnerships in next-generation extracellular vesicle therapeutics
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Partnerships in next-generation extracellular vesicle therapeutics. Herston Health Precinct Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2-4 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Extracellular vesicles as a new paradigm of therapeutics
Wolfram, Joy (2024). Extracellular vesicles as a new paradigm of therapeutics. Monash University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Platinum Seminar Series, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 21 August 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Extracellular vesicles and senolytics for diabetic kidney disease
Vazquez Pedrosa, Sofia, Zinn, Carline, Snow, Z. Kayne, Wang, Jiaxuan, Wolfram, Joy and Hickson, LaTonya J. (2024). Extracellular vesicles and senolytics for diabetic kidney disease. nuSURF Mayo Clinic Symposium, Jacksonville, FL, United States, 26 July 2024.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Joy Wolfram is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Developing extracellular vesicle therapeutics for cardiovascular inflammation
Every 12 minutes, one Australian dies of cardiovascular disease, accounting for 40,000+ annual deaths at a cost of $11.8B/year. Want to help us develop treatments for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide?
Now is your chance. I have an exciting PhD project in my lab for domestic scholars (Australian citizens/permanent residents) looking to make their mark in the ground-breaking field of extracellular vesicle therapeutics for inflammatory cardiovascular disease.
Extracellular vesicles are small biomolecular packages that are crucial for intercellular communication (locally and systemically). Extracellular vesicles have promising potential to be leveraged and engineered to provide a new paradigm of therapeutics that outperform conventional medicines due to versatile bioactive cargo. The Wolfram Laboratory is leveraging innovations in manufacturing, biological mechanisms, and drug loading (including RNA) of extracellular vesicles to alter the trajectory of cardiovascular disease, improve patient outcomes, and prolong healthy lifespan.
This project involves designing hybrid drug delivery systems with extracellular vesicles and synthetic components for a 'best-of-both-worlds' approach to treat cardiovascular disease.
LONG-TERM GOALS
1) Develop a new paradigm of therapeutics (using nanotechnology and cell products) to treat cardiovascular inflammation.
2) Save lives by manufacturing at scale - Deliver national manufacturing innovation and a skilled workforce.
3) Work with a multidisciplinary team and industry partners to position Australia as a global leader in extracellular vesicle medicine.
-
Developing extracellular vesicle therapeutics for aging kidney disease
In the upcoming decades, health care systems are predicted to collapse due to aging-associated diseases. Chronickidney disease is on the rise in the aging population and currently affects an estimated 1.7M Australians at a cost of $1.9B annually.
Want to help us develop treatments for aging kidney disease? Now is your chance. I have an exciting PhD project in my lab for domestic scholars (Australian citizens/permanent residents) looking to make their mark in the ground-breaking field of extracellular vesicle therapeutics for aging kidney disease.
Extracellular vesicles are small biomolecular packages that are crucial for intercellular communication (locally and systemically). Extracellular vesicles have promising potential to be leveraged and engineered to provide a new paradigm of therapeutics that outperform conventional medicines due to versatile bioactive cargo. The Wolfram Laboratory is leveraging innovations in manufacturing, biological mechanisms, and drug loading (including RNA) of extracellular vesicles to alter the trajectory of aging diabetic kidney disease, improve patient outcomes, and prolong healthy lifespan.
This project involves designing hybrid drug delivery systems with extracellular vesicles and synthetic components for a 'best-of-both-worlds' approach to treat aging kidney disease.
LONG-TERM GOALS
1) Develop a new paradigm of therapeutics (using nanotechnology and cell products) to treat aging kidney disease.
2) Save lives by manufacturing at scale - Deliver national manufacturing innovation and a skilled workforce.
3) Work with a multidisciplinary team and industry partners to position Australia as a global leader in extracellular vesicle medicine.
-
Understanding the contribution of extracellular vesicles in breast cancer immunoevasion
The deadliest breast cancer is the triple-negative subtype, which has few treatment options. New treatments are urgently needed to prevent deaths and improve the quality of life for the 3,000 Australians who are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer every year.
Want to help us develop treatments for deadly breast cancer? Now is your chance. I have an exciting PhD project in my lab for domestic scholars (Australian citizens/permanent residents) looking to make their mark in the ground-breaking field of extracellular vesicle-informed understanding and therapeutics for breast cancer.
The immune system is known to play a critical role in detecting and eliminating breast cancer cells and the Wolfram Laboratory has shown that triple-negative breast cancer cells release extracellular vesicles with harmful biomolecules that help the cancer cells avoid detection and destruction by the immune system. The project involves assessing how these extracellular vesicles affect the ability of immune cells to destroy breast cancer cells. The project also involves the development of new treatment options for breast cancer, including engineering natural killer cells to be resistant to extracellular vesicle-mediated suppression.
The Wolfram Laboratory is leveraging innovations in manufacturing, biological mechanisms, and targeting of extracellular vesicles to alter the trajectory of breast cancer, improve patient outcomes, and prolong healthy lifespan.
LONG-TERM GOALS
1) Uncover the mechanisms by which breast cancer extracellular vesicles suppress the immune system.
2) Develop a new paradigm of therapeutics (using engineered immune cells) to treat triple negative breast cancer.
3) Work with a multidisciplinary team and industry partners to position Australia as a global leader in extracellular vesicle medicine.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
The extracellular vesicle bio-nano interactome in cancer metastasis.
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Extracellular vesicle-based senotherapeutics for aging diabetic kidney disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zhengni Liu
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mutation Targeting Therapy for Cancer with dCas9
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Engineered Extracellular Vesicles for Synergistic Myocardial Infarction Therapy
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Maximising the success of cancer immunotherapy by preventing extracellular vesicle hijacking of the immune system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Allie Lam, Dr Zhengni Liu
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Joy Wolfram directly for media enquiries about:
- Biomanufacturing
- Bioseparation
- Biotherapeutics
- Breast cancer
- Exosomes
- Extracellular vesicles
- Nanomedicine
- Nanoparticles
- Regenerative medicine
- Scientific outreach
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