About

Dr. Marley Dewey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on engineering biomaterials with extracellular vesicles towards skeletal repair. Specifically, her lab investigates a new class of extracellular vesicle residing in the extracellular matrix, termed matrix-bound nanovesicles. Her work aims to answer basic science questions and create translational therapies related to bone cancer, improving bone repair, preventing bone infection, and repairing coral reefs. Dr. Dewey completed her B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine in 2012 and earned her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Brendan Harley. During her graduate studies, she modified the mechanical, immunological, osteogenic, and antimicrobial properties of mineralized collagen scaffolds for enhanced repair of large-scale craniomaxillofacial bone defects. She was recognized with various awards, including the Annual Innovation Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis and was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Following her PhD, she completed postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Badylak at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. As a postdoc, she was awarded an NIH TL1 Clinical and Translational Science Fellowship for her research on a new class of extracellular vesicle, matrix-bound nanovesicles, for optic nerve repair.

Research topics

• Biomedical engineering
• Computer Science
• Cell biology
• Medicine
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry
• Materials science
• Anatomy
• Engineering

Selected publications

• Defining characteristics of mesenchymal stem cell-derived matrix-bound nanovesicles compared to conditioned culture medium extracellular vesicles

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-05-08

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  cultured cell sheets, demonstrating remarkable attributes in regenerative medicine. However, differences between MBVs and conditioned culture medium-derived EVs (liquid-EVs) have yet to be characterized, and the field currently lacks specific protein markers that can identify MBVs from other EV subtypes. Here, we isolate MBVs and liquid-EVs from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sheets and define differences in size, protein, and zeta potential between these EVs. We show that there is a correlation between cell-driven ECM deposition and MBV and liquid-EV production. We also find that MBVs are smaller, contain less protein per particle, and possess lower zeta potential than liquid-EVs. Interestingly, MBVs also comprise a distinct tetraspanin profile compared to liquid-EVs, with MBVs containing more CD63 and little to no CD81. Finally, we define that CD63, LAMP1, Alix, ITGβ1, and GRP94 and their abundance, may be markers specifically used to identify MBVs from liquid-EVs. Our study paves the way for the characteristic differentiation between MBVs from liquid-EVs, elucidates their differences in biogenesis, and reveals a potential connection between EV and ECM production.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Migrasomes, Matrix‐Bound Nanovesicles, and More: Messengers in the Matrix

  PROTEOMICS · 2025-10-14 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and particles (EPs) are diverse micro- and nanoparticles that circulate in bodily fluids and can attach to, or be deposited onto, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and other surfaces. To date, the nomenclature and classification of matrix-bound or matrix-associated EVs and EPs (MEVPs) have been unclear, largely due to a lack of consensus guidelines and a relatively miniscule amount of received attention in comparison to EVs found in fluids. Recently, there has been a growing appreciation for several subtypes of MEVPs and their roles in applications ranging from wound healing to metastasis. However, progress in these fields has largely been achieved in silos, with minimal consideration for overlap or complementary function between different MEVPs. In this article, we briefly describe this growing field with a focus on several MEVP subtypes and the lack of consensus, then discuss challenges and opportunities in improving MEVP isolation and characterization. Importantly, proteomic analyses of these unique MEVPs will be crucial in promoting rigor, reproducibility, and understanding in this exciting new field.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Migrasomes, Matrix-bound Nanovesicles, and More: Messengers in the Matrix

  2025-03-28 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and particles (EPs) are diverse micro- and nanoparticles that circulate in bodily fluids and can attach to, or be deposited onto, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and other surfaces. To date, the nomenclature and classification of matrix-bound or matrix-associated EVs and EPs (MEVPs) has been unclear, largely due to an apparent bias in the field towards EVs found in fluids and a lack of consensus guidelines. Recently, there has been a growing appreciation for several subtypes of MEVPs and their roles in applications ranging from wound healing to metastasis. However, progress in these fields has largely been achieved in silos, with minimal consideration for overlap or complementary function between different MEVPs. In this article, we briefly describe this growing field with a focus on heterogeneity and the lack of consensus, then discuss challenges and opportunities in improving MEVP isolation and characterization. Importantly, proteomic analyses of these unique MEVPs will be crucial in promoting rigor, reproducibility, and understanding in this exciting new field.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Rapid Assessment of Biomarkers on Single Extracellular Vesicles Using “Catch and Display” on Ultrathin Nanoporous Silicon Nitride Membranes (Small 4/2025)

  Small · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Extracellular Vesicles The ‘catch and display for liquid biopsy (CAD-LB)’ platform leverages ultrathin nanoporous membrane technology to isolate individual extracellular vesicles (EVs) labeled with fluorescent dyes. CAD-LB is a simple, rapid, and high throughput assay that provides surface protein measurements from single EVs filling a gap in the current EV technology landscape undermined by complicated protocols and expensive instrumentation. More in article number 2405505, James L. McGrath and co-workers.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Extracellular Matrix Bioscaffolds: Structure-Function

  2024-01-01

  book-chapterSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Cardiac matrix-bound Nanovesicles provide insight into mechanisms of clinical heart disease progression to failure

  International Journal of Cardiology · 2024-12-09 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Rapid Assessment of Biomarkers on Single Extracellular Vesicles Using ‘Catch and Display’ on Ultrathin Nanoporous Silicon Nitride Membranes

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2024-05-02 · 2 citations

  preprintOpen access

  ABSTRACT Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles secreted by all cells that carry bioactive cargo and facilitate intercellular communication with roles in normal physiology and disease pathogenesis. EVs have tremendous diagnostic and therapeutic potential and accordingly, the EV field has grown exponentially in recent years. Bulk assays lack the sensitivity to detect rare EV subsets relevant to disease, and while single EV analysis techniques remedy this, they are undermined by complicated detection schemes often coupled with prohibitive instrumentation. To address these issues, we propose a microfluidic technique for EV characterization called ‘ ca tch and d isplay for l iquid b iopsy (CAD-LB)’. CAD-LB rapidly captures fluorescently labeled EVs in the similarly-sized pores of an ultrathin silicon nitride membrane. Minimally processed sample is introduced via pipette injection into a simple microfluidic device which is directly imaged using fluorescence microscopy for a rapid assessment of EV number and biomarker colocalization. In this work, nanoparticles were first used to define the accuracy and dynamic range for counting and colocalization by CAD-LB. Following this, the same assessments were made for purified EVs and for unpurified EVs in plasma. Biomarker detection was validated using CD9 in which Western blot analysis confirmed that CAD-LB faithfully recapitulated differing expression levels among samples. We further verified that CAD-LB captured the known increase in EV-associated ICAM-1 following the cytokine stimulation of endothelial cells. Finally, to demonstrate CAD-LB’s clinical potential, we show that EV biomarkers indicative of immunotherapy responsiveness are successfully detected in the plasma of bladder cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Matrix-bound nanovesicles alleviate particulate-induced periprosthetic osteolysis

  Science Advances · 2024-10-18 · 14 citations

  articleOpen access

  Aseptic loosening of orthopedic implants is an inflammatory disease characterized by immune cell activation, chronic inflammation, and destruction of periprosthetic bone, and is one of the leading reasons for prosthetic failure, affecting 12% of total joint arthroplasty patients. Matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBVs) are a subclass of extracellular vesicle recently shown to mitigate inflammation in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis and influenza-mediated "cytokine storm." The molecular mechanism of these anti-inflammatory properties is only partially understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of MBV on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in vitro and particulate-induced osteolysis in vivo. Results showed that MBV attenuated osteoclast differentiation and activity by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway and downstream NFATc1, DC-STAMP, c-Src, and cathepsin K expression. In vivo, local administration of MBV attenuated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis, bone reconstruction, and periosteal inflammation. The results suggest that MBV may be a therapeutic option for preventing periprosthetic loosening.

  PublisherDOI

• Rapid Assessment of Biomarkers on Single Extracellular Vesicles Using “Catch and Display” on Ultrathin Nanoporous Silicon Nitride Membranes

  Small · 2024-10-02 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles released from cells that facilitate intercellular communication and have tremendous diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Bulk assays lack the sensitivity to detect rare EV subsets relevant to disease, and while single EV analysis techniques remedy this, they are often undermined by complicated detection schemes and prohibitive instrumentation. To address these issues, a microfluidic technique for EV characterization called "catch and display for liquid biopsy (CAD-LB)" is proposed. In this method, minimally processed samples are pipette-injected and fluorescently labeled EVs are captured in the nanopores of an ultrathin membrane. This enables the rapid assessment of EV number and biomarker colocalization by light microscopy. Here, nanoparticles are used to define the accuracy and dynamic range for counting and colocalization. The same assessments are then made for purified EVs and for unpurified EVs in plasma. Biomarker detection is validated using CD9 and Western blot analysis to confirm that CAD-LB accurately reports relative protein expression levels. Using unprocessed conditioned media, CAD-LB captures the known increase in EV-associated ICAM-1 following endothelial cell cytokine stimulation. Finally, to demonstrate CAD-LB's clinical potential, EV biomarkers indicative of immunotherapy responsiveness are successfully detected in the plasma of bladder cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Generative design approach to combine architected Voronoi foams with porous collagen scaffolds to create a tunable composite biomaterial

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2023-09-07 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access1st author

  ABSTRACT Regenerative biomaterials for musculoskeletal defects must address multi-scale mechanical challenges. We are developing biomaterials for craniomaxillofacial bone defects that are often large and irregularly shaped. These require close conformal contact between implant and defect margins to aid healing. While we have identified a mineralized collagen scaffold that promotes mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation in vitro and bone formation in vivo, its mechanical performance is insufficient for surgical translation. We report a generative design approach to create scaffold-mesh composites by embedding a macro-scale polymeric Voronoi mesh into the mineralized collagen scaffold. The mechanics of architected foam reinforced composites are defined by a rigorous predictive moduli equation. We show biphasic composites localize strain during loading. Further, planar and 3D mesh-scaffold composites can be rapidly shaped to aid conformal fitting. Voronoi-based composites overcome traditional porosity-mechanics relationship limits while enabling rapid shaping of regenerative implants to conformally fit complex defects unique for individual patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Brendan A.C. Harley

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  42 shared

• Stephen F. Badylak

  University of Pittsburgh

  25 shared

• George S. Hussey

  University of Pittsburgh

  19 shared

• Xiaoyan Ren

  Chengdu Medical College

  15 shared

• Justine C. Lee

  University of California, Los Angeles

  15 shared

• Qi Zhou

  14 shared

• Aleczandria S. Tiffany

  12 shared

• Madeline C. Cramer

  Pennsylvania State University

  10 shared

Labs

• Dewey LabPI

  Not provided

Education

• B.S.

  University of Maine

  2012

• Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Awards & honors

• Annual Innovation Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (NSF-GR…
• NIH TL1 Clinical and Translational Science Fellowship