SPEAKERS
An Hendrix
An Hendrix
Title: EV analysis in liquid biopsies
Title: EV analysis in liquid biopsies
Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
An Hendrix, a full professor at Ghent University and group leader at Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium. She holds a Master of Science in Bioscience Engineering (2005) and a PhD in Health Sciences (2010). Organizer of EMBO/EMBL practical course on EVs and president of Belgian Society of Extracellular Vesicles (BESEV). Awarded the Early/Mid-Career Investigator award at ISEV2021 for seminal work on EVs, supporting their clinical application, including EV-TRACK knowledgebase, SOP for EV analysis, and reference materials.
An Hendrix, a full professor at Ghent University and group leader at Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium. She holds a Master of Science in Bioscience Engineering (2005) and a PhD in Health Sciences (2010). Organizer of EMBO/EMBL practical course on EVs and president of Belgian Society of Extracellular Vesicles (BESEV). Awarded the Early/Mid-Career Investigator award at ISEV2021 for seminal work on EVs, supporting their clinical application, including EV-TRACK knowledgebase, SOP for EV analysis, and reference materials.
Guido Jenster
Guido Jenster
Title: Manipulation of EV uptake to disrupt EV-communication and treat cancer
Title: Manipulation of EV uptake to disrupt EV-communication and treat cancer
Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Guido Jenster earned his PhD in 1994 at Erasmus University Rotterdam, focusing on the human androgen receptor. As a postdoc at Baylor College of Medicine, he studied steroid receptor coactivators. Currently, as an Assistant Professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Erasmus MC, his research has been focused on prostate cancer biomarkers, EVs, fusion genes, noncoding RNAs, circRNAs, and cancer nanobodies.
Guido Jenster earned his PhD in 1994 at Erasmus University Rotterdam, focusing on the human androgen receptor. As a postdoc at Baylor College of Medicine, he studied steroid receptor coactivators. Currently, as an Assistant Professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Erasmus MC, his research has been focused on prostate cancer biomarkers, EVs, fusion genes, noncoding RNAs, circRNAs, and cancer nanobodies.
Bernd Giebel
Bernd Giebel
Title: Clinical Potential of MSC-EVs and Translational Challenges
Title: Clinical Potential of MSC-EVs and Translational Challenges
Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Bernd Giebel transitioned from biology studies in Cologne to researching human hematopoietic stem cells at Heinrich-Heine-University, then shifted to University Hospital Essen, focusing on somatic stem cells and EVs. His work on MSC-EVs showed therapeutic promise in GvHD patients. Appointed full professor for Translational Extracellular Vesicle Research in 2023, he aims to advance MSC-EVs for clinical use and foster global EV research.
Bernd Giebel transitioned from biology studies in Cologne to researching human hematopoietic stem cells at Heinrich-Heine-University, then shifted to University Hospital Essen, focusing on somatic stem cells and EVs. His work on MSC-EVs showed therapeutic promise in GvHD patients. Appointed full professor for Translational Extracellular Vesicle Research in 2023, he aims to advance MSC-EVs for clinical use and foster global EV research.
Martin Whitham
Martin Whitham
Title: Understanding the health benefits of exercise via small EVs.
Title: Understanding the health benefits of exercise via small EVs.
Tissue Cross-Talk Laboratory, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Tissue Cross-Talk Laboratory, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Martin Whitham is an Associate Professor in Integrative Physiology, primarily interested in endocrinology and tissue cross-talk in the context of exercise. Since physical activity represents a broad and effective preventative treatment for a host of non-communicable diseases, his group aims to understand this relationship by integrating systems and molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology in the assessment of extracellular vesicles.
Martin Whitham is an Associate Professor in Integrative Physiology, primarily interested in endocrinology and tissue cross-talk in the context of exercise. Since physical activity represents a broad and effective preventative treatment for a host of non-communicable diseases, his group aims to understand this relationship by integrating systems and molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology in the assessment of extracellular vesicles.
Irma Schabussova
Irma Schabussova
Title: From Bacteria with Love: EVs in Communication Between Microbiota and Host
Title: From Bacteria with Love: EVs in Communication Between Microbiota and Host
Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Dr. Irma Schabussova was born in the Czech Republic. She is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. She holds a PhD in Parasitology from Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. Dr. Schabussova's research focuses on understanding the intricate interactions between parasites, microbiota and the host immune system, particularly on the development of innovative treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Recently, her lab has been involved in studying the immunomodulatory properties of EVs of probiotic bacteria. Dr. Schabussova combines her passion for research with a strong commitment to education by actively teaching and guiding the next generation of scientists in her field.
Dr. Irma Schabussova was born in the Czech Republic. She is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. She holds a PhD in Parasitology from Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. Dr. Schabussova's research focuses on understanding the intricate interactions between parasites, microbiota and the host immune system, particularly on the development of innovative treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Recently, her lab has been involved in studying the immunomodulatory properties of EVs of probiotic bacteria. Dr. Schabussova combines her passion for research with a strong commitment to education by actively teaching and guiding the next generation of scientists in her field.
Hai-Long Wang
Hai-Long Wang
Title: It is the Frequency that Matters - Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on the Release and Content of EVs
Title: It is the Frequency that Matters - Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on the Release and Content of EVs
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Hai-Long Wang of the Mayo Clinic explores the relationship between brain waves and functions, concentrating on epilepsy and brain modulation. His NIH-supported efforts, in collaboration with fellow clinicians, are paving the way for advancements in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals for neuromuscular diseases and other health conditions with emphasis on the EVs.
Hai-Long Wang of the Mayo Clinic explores the relationship between brain waves and functions, concentrating on epilepsy and brain modulation. His NIH-supported efforts, in collaboration with fellow clinicians, are paving the way for advancements in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals for neuromuscular diseases and other health conditions with emphasis on the EVs.
Aija Linē
Aija Linē
Title: Effects and roles of exercise-induced EVs in prevention and treatment of cancer
Title: Effects and roles of exercise-induced EVs in prevention and treatment of cancer
Cancer Biomarker group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
Cancer Biomarker group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
Aija Linē, the head of Cancer Biomarker group, is studying various faces of EVs in cancer: EVs as a source of cancer biomarkers, EVs as carriers of RNA-based therapeutics and the effects they cause in cancer cells and tumour microenvironment. Recently, she also developed interest in the origin and role of exercise-induced EVs in cancer prevention and treatment.
Aija Linē, the head of Cancer Biomarker group, is studying various faces of EVs in cancer: EVs as a source of cancer biomarkers, EVs as carriers of RNA-based therapeutics and the effects they cause in cancer cells and tumour microenvironment. Recently, she also developed interest in the origin and role of exercise-induced EVs in cancer prevention and treatment.
Aiste Jekabsone
Aiste Jekabsone
Title: Plant-derived nanovesicles: application opportunities, perspectives and challenges
Title: Plant-derived nanovesicles: application opportunities, perspectives and challenges
Preclinical Research Laboratory for Medicinal Products, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Preclinical Research Laboratory for Medicinal Products, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Aiste Jekabsone is a co-founder and CEO of an SME Exolitus and a PI in the Laboratory of Preclinical Drug Investigation at the Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on extracellular biology and energetic metabolism, exploring the impact of extracellular matrix and EV signalling via mitochondrial pathways. At Exolitus, her team develops EV-based therapeutics, with cancer and skin conditions being the current focus.
Aiste Jekabsone is a co-founder and CEO of an SME Exolitus and a PI in the Laboratory of Preclinical Drug Investigation at the Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on extracellular biology and energetic metabolism, exploring the impact of extracellular matrix and EV signalling via mitochondrial pathways. At Exolitus, her team develops EV-based therapeutics, with cancer and skin conditions being the current focus.
Artūrs Ābols
Artūrs Ābols
Title: Microbiome derived EV research by gut on a chip
Title: Microbiome derived EV research by gut on a chip
Lab-On-Chip in the EV research group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
Lab-On-Chip in the EV research group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
Artūrs Ābols, an Early Career Investigator, leads the Lab-on-a-chip in the EV research group at Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. His team explores EV applications in cancer treatment utilizing Lab-on-a-Chip and Organs on Chip (OOC) technology. Stemming from his postdoc work on EV cancer biomarkers, he collaborates with experts in microfluidics and biosensors, leading to the establishment of CellboxLabs, a company developing PDMS-free OOC technology.
Artūrs Ābols, an Early Career Investigator, leads the Lab-on-a-chip in the EV research group at Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. His team explores EV applications in cancer treatment utilizing Lab-on-a-Chip and Organs on Chip (OOC) technology. Stemming from his postdoc work on EV cancer biomarkers, he collaborates with experts in microfluidics and biosensors, leading to the establishment of CellboxLabs, a company developing PDMS-free OOC technology.
Augustas Pivoriūnas
Augustas Pivoriūnas
Title: Scaling up production of EVs – next step towards clinical therapies against Parkinson‘s disease
Title: Scaling up production of EVs – next step towards clinical therapies against Parkinson‘s disease
Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
Dr. Augustas Pivoriūnas leads an active group of scientists and PhD students and his research interests focus primarily on EVs derived from different types of adult stem cells and their applications in basic research and cell-based therapies. In recent years, he studies neuroprotective effects of EVs derived from human dental pulp stem cells using in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Augustas Pivoriūnas leads an active group of scientists and PhD students and his research interests focus primarily on EVs derived from different types of adult stem cells and their applications in basic research and cell-based therapies. In recent years, he studies neuroprotective effects of EVs derived from human dental pulp stem cells using in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases.
Ewa Zuba-Surma
Ewa Zuba-Surma
Title: Pluripotent stem cell-derived EVs as powerful tool for ischemic tissue repair
Title: Pluripotent stem cell-derived EVs as powerful tool for ischemic tissue repair
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
Prof. Ewa Zuba-Surma, the head of Stem Cell Group, focuses her research on developing applications of EVs derived from various types of stem cells in regenerative medicine, with a special focus on use of iPSC- and MSC-EVs in heart and other ischemic tissues repair. Her research aims for understanding and enhancing mechanisms underlying EV therapeutic effects in injured tissues, including modifications of EV cargo via generic modification.
Prof. Ewa Zuba-Surma, the head of Stem Cell Group, focuses her research on developing applications of EVs derived from various types of stem cells in regenerative medicine, with a special focus on use of iPSC- and MSC-EVs in heart and other ischemic tissues repair. Her research aims for understanding and enhancing mechanisms underlying EV therapeutic effects in injured tissues, including modifications of EV cargo via generic modification.
Jānis Ancāns
Jānis Ancāns
Title: EV-based therapeutics: regulatory perspective
Title: EV-based therapeutics: regulatory perspective
Latvian Council of Science, Riga, Latvia
Latvian Council of Science, Riga, Latvia
Jānis Ancāns has experience with cell and gene therapy and tissue engineered product (Advanced therapy medicinal product, ATMP) regulatory framework and authorization in the EU. He is also a consultant for private and public sector organizations. Jānis has previously been a member of the Committee for Advanced Therapies at European Medicines Agency (EMA), and external consultant for the National Medicines Agency.
Jānis Ancāns has experience with cell and gene therapy and tissue engineered product (Advanced therapy medicinal product, ATMP) regulatory framework and authorization in the EU. He is also a consultant for private and public sector organizations. Jānis has previously been a member of the Committee for Advanced Therapies at European Medicines Agency (EMA), and external consultant for the National Medicines Agency.
Reet Kurg
Reet Kurg
Title: Unraveling the origin of EVs carrying the MAGEA proteins
Title: Unraveling the origin of EVs carrying the MAGEA proteins
Professor of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Professor of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Reet Kurg research is focused on cancer-testis antigens, specifically on the biological and molecular functions and underlying regulatory mechanisms of MAGEA proteins expression in cancer cells. She is also active in the field of EVs with the aim of finding biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and generating EVs with desired properties. From 2018 she is a Director of the Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
Reet Kurg research is focused on cancer-testis antigens, specifically on the biological and molecular functions and underlying regulatory mechanisms of MAGEA proteins expression in cancer cells. She is also active in the field of EVs with the aim of finding biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and generating EVs with desired properties. From 2018 she is a Director of the Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
Dulmini N. Sapugahawatte
Dulmini N. Sapugahawatte
Title: Extracellular Vesicles as Natural Solutions to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Title: Extracellular Vesicles as Natural Solutions to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Science, Tartu, Estonia
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Science, Tartu, Estonia
Dulmini N. Sapugahawatte earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Mangalore University, India in 2013, and her master’s in Medical Microbiology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2016. She completed her PhD in Microbiology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2022, focusing on Streptococcus agalactiae. Her research involved antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic traits, and novel typing methods. She is now a research fellow at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, researching the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles from natural resources.
Dulmini N. Sapugahawatte earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Mangalore University, India in 2013, and her master’s in Medical Microbiology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2016. She completed her PhD in Microbiology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2022, focusing on Streptococcus agalactiae. Her research involved antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic traits, and novel typing methods. She is now a research fellow at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, researching the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles from natural resources.
Agata Mlynska
Agata Mlynska
Title: Exercise-induced extracellular vesicles as immune modulators in triple-negative breast cancer mouse models
Title: Exercise-induced extracellular vesicles as immune modulators in triple-negative breast cancer mouse models
Senior Researcher at Nacionalinis vėžio institutas / National Cancer Institute
Senior Researcher at Nacionalinis vėžio institutas / National Cancer Institute
Agata Mlynska obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from Vilnius University in 2018. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Lausanne University Hospital, she developed tools for immune subtyping of melanoma and ovarian tumors. Currently, she is a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Immunology at the National Cancer Institute in Lithuania. Her research focuses on the bidirectional interactions between immune cells and cancer cells, which collectively shape the unique architecture of the tumor microenvironment.
Agata Mlynska obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from Vilnius University in 2018. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Lausanne University Hospital, she developed tools for immune subtyping of melanoma and ovarian tumors. Currently, she is a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Immunology at the National Cancer Institute in Lithuania. Her research focuses on the bidirectional interactions between immune cells and cancer cells, which collectively shape the unique architecture of the tumor microenvironment.