From organoids to vesicles: A young researcher’s journey into the heart of NutriEV
Dr Iasmim Orge represents a new wave of early-career scientists shaping the future of biomedical and nutritional research in Europe. As a young postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen, she is already pushing the boundaries of how we understand the human body—using organoids, microfluidic chips, and now, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from plants.
“I’m Iasmim Orge, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen, specialising in the development of human organotypic gastrointestinal and skin models for precision nutrition and therapeutic applications,” she says.
With a PhD in Biotechnology, her academic journey has focused on engineering vascularised organoid-on-chip systems for disease modelling and regenerative medicine.
Entering the world of vesicles
Now, as one of the early-career contributors to the Horizon Europe-funded NutriEV project, Iasmim is applying her skills to a new and ambitious challenge: exploring the health potential of nutrient-enriched EVs from plants and fermented foods.
“Yes, this is my first project working directly with extracellular vesicles (EVs), and I find the field incredibly exciting and full of potential,” she shares.
“From a biomedical perspective, the possibility of using plant-derived EVs as therapeutic agents, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases and tissue inflammation, is fascinating. It offers a promising, non-invasive strategy for modulating cellular behaviour and restoring tissue homeostasis.”
A perfect match of skills and curiosity
With her background in organoid and organ-on-chip technology, Iasmim brings a unique perspective to the project. “I’m particularly interested in how EVs influence tissue microenvironments, including their roles in epithelial barrier integrity, immune modulation, and cell signalling pathways,” she adds.
It was Professor Hans Wandall who first introduced her to NutriEV, and Iasmim immediately recognised the opportunity it represented—not just for her career development, but for the broader scientific field. “The interdisciplinary nature of the project, bridging plant biology, glycomics, organoid models, and metabolic disease research, stood out to me as a unique opportunity to explore how natural dietary components can influence human health,” she explains.
“It aligned perfectly with my interest in advanced in vitro models and their application in precision nutrition and regenerative medicine.”
Building better models for health research
Within the NutriEV consortium, which includes partners from Finland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Spain, Iasmim’s role is focused and vital. “Within the NutriEV project, my role involves developing and optimising human 3D tissue models, specifically gastrointestinal organoids and organotypic skin models, to investigate how plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) influence tissue health and inflammatory responses.”
Her daily work is far from routine. “My day-to-day tasks include culturing and maintaining organoid and skin cell systems, engineering advanced model conditions, and conducting inflammation and oxidative stress assays, followed by EV treatment experiments to assess their therapeutic potential.”
Changing the research landscape
This hands-on, interdisciplinary approach is what makes NutriEV such fertile ground for young scientists like Iasmim. “Through my work in NutriEV, I’m contributing to the advancement of next-generation human in vitro models that can more accurately mimic tissue physiology and disease conditions,” she explains.
“These models allow us to study the biological effects of plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in a controlled, human-relevant setting, something that traditional 2D cell cultures or animal models often cannot achieve.”
Like many researchers at the beginning of their independent careers, Iasmim’s expectations have evolved as the project has progressed. “Initially, I was primarily focused on establishing robust 3D tissue models,” she says.
“But as the project progressed, I became increasingly intrigued by how natural compounds and EVs from plants can trigger measurable responses in human organoid systems, which was very exciting.”
Learning through challenge
She’s also faced her fair share of challenges—particularly in learning to navigate an entirely new scientific field. “One of the biggest challenges for me has been diving deeper into the field of glycobiology and glycomics analysis, which was relatively new to my research background,” she admits.
“While I’ve worked extensively with 3D models and inflammation, understanding the complex roles of glycans and how to analyse glycan-related changes at both molecular and functional levels has required a steep but rewarding learning curve.”
Looking ahead: Hope for impact and innovation
Still, her energy and sense of purpose remain undiminished. “I look forward to uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which these EVs modulate inflammation and oxidative stress, with a special focus on the role of glycans in these processes.”
Asked about her hopes for the broader impact of NutriEV, Iasmim sees both scientific innovation and collaborative transformation on the horizon. “I hope the NutriEV project opens new doors for the development of innovative precision nutrition products,” she says.
“I also look forward to seeing the project’s multidisciplinary approach inspire fresh collaborations and drive advances in glycobiology, nutrition science, and 3D tissue modelling.”
For this young scientist, NutriEV is more than a research project—it’s a platform to explore uncharted scientific territory, forge international partnerships, and help reshape how Europe approaches health, food, and chronic disease. Her story exemplifies the spirit of discovery and collaboration that lies at the core of Nutriev Project.