The 2016 Gordon Research Conference titled "Extracellular Vesicles" will present cutting edge research on the molecular, cellular and clinical translational aspects of the structure and function of extracellular vesicles and RNA. The conference will feature a wide range of topics such as vesicle isolation and characterization with an emphasis on protein content, extracellular RNA, extracellular vesicle biogenesis, vesicle cargo loading and targeting RNA, extracellular vesicles in tissue injury and repair, the role of extracellular vesicles in inflammation, extracellular vesicles in cancer, extracellular vesicles and thrombosis, extracellular vesicles in neurobiology and non-mammalian and plant extracellular vesicles. Invited speakers represent a variety of scientific and clinical disciplines including biochemistry, molecular genetics, cell biology, cardiovascular biology, hematology, oncology, pulmonary medicine, and neurobiology. The conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Some poster presenters will be selected for short talks. The collegial atmosphere of this conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promote cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas.