Pioneering next-generation extracellular vesicle therapeutics for healthcare
Owen has generated some of the very first publications on skeletal extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their application in regenerative medicine. His research group is now pioneering EV-based solutions to combat real world healthcare problems such as tissue repair / regeneration and targeted drug delivery.
Owen graduated with an MRes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine from the University of Manchester. He subsequently completed a PhD at the University of Birmingham that sought to compare the efficacy of stem cells isolated from adipose, bone marrow and dental pulp for the regeneration of mineralised tissues.
In 2016 Owen was awarded a competitive EPSRC E-TERM fellowship in collaboration with the University of Birmingham where he worked as an honorary visiting fellow in the School of Chemical Engineering with Professor Liam Grover. During his fellowship he pioneered the application of cell-derived nanoparticles, termed extracellular vesicles (EVs), for musculoskeletal therapies.
In April 2018 Owen was appointed as a lecturer in Molecular and Regenerative Biomedicine under the Loughborough Excellence 100 scheme. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2021, and Reader in 2025.
Owen’s research focuses on defining the cellular and molecular events underlying musculoskeletal development and regeneration. He is particularly interested in stem cell biology and the contribution of nano-sized particles termed extracellular vesicles (EVs). By delineating these complex physiological processes, he aims to devise innovative new approaches to enhance and monitor tissue regeneration for the treatment of a range of musculoskeletal (e.g. fractures, spinal fusions) and soft tissue (e.g. aesthetic medicine, scarring) applications. Owen is the recipient of over £2.5 million in funding from funding bodies including EPSRC, Academy of Medical Sciences, NC3Rs/BBSRC, British Council and industry.
Current research
- Defining the role of extracellular vesicles in tissue formation, regeneration and homeostasis.
- The development of novel extracellular vesicle therapeutics for tissue regeneration and targeted drug delivery.
- The application of cellular and acellular approaches for musculoskeletal tissue engineering.
- Stem cell biology and differentiation.
- Deputy editor for the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (JEV).
- Associate editor for the Journal of Tissue Engineering.
- International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) Task Force on Regulatory Affairs and Clinical use of EV-Based Therapeutics.
- Committee member for the UK Society of Extracellular Vesicles (UKEV).
- Visiting Fellow at the School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham.
- University Lead for the Mercia Stem Cell Alliance.
- Member of the UKRI Early Career Forum.
- Postgraduate Certification in Education (University of Nottingham, 2008).
- Member of the Tissue and Cell Engineering Society (TCES) and the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS).