2026 Xandra O. Breakefield: Medicine Researcher – H-Index, Publications & Awards

Discipline name	D-Index	World Ranking	Current World Ranking	National Ranking	Current National Ranking	Publications	Citations
Best Female Scientists	146	176	163	107	99	622	89401
Medicine	146	1321	1220	762	692	607	96016

Research.com Recognitions

2025 - Research.com Best Female Scientists Award
2023 - Research.com Molecular Biology in United States Leader Award
2013 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Overview

Xandra O. Breakefield is affiliated with Harvard University in the United States. Their research primarily falls under the broad field of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, with a focus on specific subfields including Molecular Biology, Cancer Research, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Immunology, and Genetics.

The scientist's work extensively covers topics related to extracellular vesicles in disease, RNA interference and gene delivery, and microRNA in disease regulation. Other notable research interests include ferroptosis and cancer prognosis, glycosylation and glycoproteins research, immunotherapy and immune responses, as well as immune cells in cancer.

Key recent publications by Xandra O. Breakefield include the following:

Glioblastomas exploit truncated O - linked glycans for local and distant immune modulation via the macrophage galactose-type lectin, 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Bilateral Communication between Glioblastoma and Astrocytes, 2020, Trends in Neurosciences
Engineered EVs designed to target diseases of the CNS, 2023, Journal of Controlled Release
TAF1 Transcripts and Neurofilament Light Chain as Biomarkers for X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, 2020, Movement Disorders
Versatile Role of Rab27a in Glioma: Effects on Release of Extracellular Vesicles, Cell Viability, and Tumor Progression, 2020, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Frequent publication venues where their work appears include Neuro-Oncology Advances and Neurology, each featuring two publications, as well as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Trends in Neurosciences, and Journal of Controlled Release.

Collaborations have been a significant aspect of their research, with frequent co-authors including Marike L. D. Broekman, Erik R. Abels, Lisa Nieland, Koen Breyne, and Thomas S. van Solinge.

Xandra O. Breakefield has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2013.

Best Publications

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018) : a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines

Clotilde Théry;Kenneth W. Witwer;Elena Aikawa;Maria Jose Alcaraz

12011
Citations
Glioblastoma microvesicles transport RNA and proteins that promote tumour growth and provide diagnostic biomarkers

Skog J;Würdinger T;van Rijn S;Meijer Dh

5431
Citations
Extracellular vesicles: biology and emerging therapeutic opportunities

Samir El Andaloussi;Imre Mäger;Imre Mäger;Xandra O. Breakefield;Matthew J. A. Wood

3112
Citations
Abnormal behavior associated with a point mutation in the structural gene for monoamine oxidase A

H. G. Brunner;M. Nelen;X. O. Breakefield;H. H. Ropers

2135
Citations
Neural stem cells display extensive tropism for pathology in adult brain: evidence from intracranial gliomas.

Karen S. Aboody;Alice Brown;Nikolai G. Rainov;Kate A. Bower

1677
Citations
New Technologies for Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles

Huilin Shao;Hyungsoon Im;Cesar M. Castro;Xandra Breakefield

1615
Citations
Introduction to Extracellular Vesicles: Biogenesis, RNA Cargo Selection, Content, Release, and Uptake

Erik R. Abels;Erik R. Abels;Xandra O. Breakefield

1399
Citations
Vesiclepedia: a compendium for extracellular vesicles with continuous community annotation

Hina Kalra;Richard J. Simpson;Hong Ji;Elena Aikawa

1396
Citations
RNA delivery by extracellular vesicles in mammalian cells and its applications.

Killian P. O’Brien;Koen Breyne;Stefano Ughetto;Stefano Ughetto;Louise C. Laurent

1304
Citations
Extracellular Vesicles: Unique Intercellular Delivery Vehicles.

Sybren L.N. Maas;Xandra O. Breakefield;Alissa M. Weaver

1297
Citations
Tumour microvesicles contain retrotransposon elements and amplified oncogene sequences

Leonora Balaj;Ryan Lessard;Lixin Dai;Yoon Jae Cho

1241
Citations
The early-onset torsion dystonia gene (DYT1) encodes an ATP-binding protein

Laurie J. Ozelius;Jeffrey W. Hewett;Curtis E. Page;Susan B. Bressman

1202
Citations
Extracellular Vesicles: Composition, Biological Relevance, and Methods of Study

MikoŁaj P. Zaborowski;Leonora Balaj;Xandra O. Breakefield;Charles P. Lai

996
Citations
Advances in therapeutic applications of extracellular vesicles

Oscar P. B. Wiklander;Meadhbh Á. Brennan;Meadhbh Á. Brennan;Jan Lötvall;Xandra O. Breakefield

964
Citations
Prostate cancer-derived urine exosomes: a novel approach to biomarkers for prostate cancer

Jonas Nilsson;Johan Skog;Annika Nordstrand;Vladimir Baranov

910
Citations
Codon-optimized Gaussia luciferase cDNA for mammalian gene expression in culture and in vivo.

Bakhos A. Tannous;Dong-Eog Kim;Juliet L. Fernandez;Ralph Weissleder

818
Citations
Dynamic biodistribution of extracellular vesicles in vivo using a multimodal imaging reporter.

Charles P. Lai;Osama Mardini;Maria Ericsson;Shilpa Prabhakar

793
Citations
Protein typing of circulating microvesicles allows real-time monitoring of glioblastoma therapy

Huilin Shao;Jaehoon Chung;Leonora Balaj;Alain Charest

782
Citations
Immunocytochemical demonstration of monoamine oxidase B in brain astrocytes and serotonergic neurons

Pat Levitt;John E. Pintar;Xandra O. Breakefield

702
Citations
Microfluidic isolation and transcriptome analysis of serum microvesicles

Chihchen Chen;Johan Skog;Chia-Hsien Hsu;Ryan T. Lessard

621
Citations

Frequent Co-Authors

Laurie J. Ozelius Harvard University

Miguel Sena-Esteves University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Ralph Weissleder Harvard University

James F. Gusella Harvard University

Patricia L. Kramer Oregon Health & Science University

Bakhos A. Tannous Harvard University

E. Antonio Chiocca Brigham and Women's Hospital

Christine Klein University of Lübeck

Mitchell F. Brin Allergan (Ireland)

Bob S. Carter Harvard University

External Links

Personal website of Xandra O. Breakefield

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring careers in medicine doesn’t just mean becoming a doctor. There are a range of online degree options for those interested in healthcare, particularly in nursing, that offer flexible, affordable routes into this rewarding field.

If you’re just starting your healthcare journey, the cheapest online bsn programs provide a cost-effective way to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from home, making this vital qualification more accessible. For registered nurses looking to advance their education, many professionals choose rn to bsn online programs that recognize prior learning and focus on building advanced skills quickly and affordably.

For those aiming for top leadership or academic roles in nursing, pursuing an online phd in nursing can open doors to research and advanced practice, all with the flexibility of online coursework. Non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field may also consider direct entry np programs for non nurses online, which are designed to help career changers rapidly enter the nursing profession as nurse practitioners.

Each of these pathways offers unique advantages for those passionate about healthcare, enabling you to find the educational route that matches your career goals and life situation.