NutriEV at the GeneCellNano 5th Annual Meeting: Advancing skin-based biosensing
How can we translate cutting-edge molecular research into real-world health solutions, especially in something as accessible as the skin?
The GeneCellNano Annual Meeting 2026 focused on advances in gene therapy, cell therapy, nanotechnology, and related translational innovations in diagnostics and therapeutic development.
The NutriEV project was highly relevant at the GeneCellNano Flagship 2026 Annual Meeting, given its focus on food-derived extracellular vesicles as non-invasive biosensing tools.
A shared scientific direction: From vesicles to skin
At the GCN meeting, extracellular vesicle research connected biology, nanotechnology, nutrition, and diagnostics. EVs are being explored not only as natural carriers for therapeutic cargo, but also as biomarker-rich particles that may enable non-invasive sensing through body fluids such as sweat.
For NutriEV, this aligns directly with its ambition to develop nutritional extracellular vesicles (nutriEVs) as biosensors, capable of tracking how diet influences metabolic health through accessible body fluids such as sweat.
The event created a natural bridge between:
- Extracellular vesicle (EV) research
- Advanced therapeutic technologies
- Emerging biosensing approaches
Showcasing NutriEV research
NutriEV’s presence at the meeting was led by Professor Seppo Vainio, who presented key project results and ongoing developments through his presentation titled “Evidence for Routing of Orally Applied Biological Nanocarrier via the Gut to Skin for Molecular Diagnostic”.
His talk highlighted how nutriEVs derived from plant-based and fermented foods can:
- Survive the gastrointestinal environment
- Enter the systemic circulation
- Deliver biologically meaningful cargo to distant tissues such as the skin.
This work is central to NutriEV’s goal of enabling non-invasive, precision nutrition monitoring.
Supporting this effort, members of Seppo’s team contributed to the scientific dialogue through research presentations and discussions. Poster presentations were given on the work by Sattar Akbari Nakhjavani, Hassan Nasrollahpour, and Samar Ahmad, giving more in-depth insight into the projects.
Latest results connecting nutrition, nanovesicles and skin sensing
A key highlight strengthening NutriEV’s presence at the GeneCellNano meeting is the first scientific publication emerging from the project, led by researchers at the University of Oulu.
The study reveals that nanovesicles naturally present in cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) can survive the digestive system, enter the bloodstream safely, and act as promising carriers for delivering therapeutic molecules.
Why is this important in the context of the GeneCellNano event?
Because it directly supports the meeting’s central theme: how biological nanosystems can be harnessed for sensing and therapeutic applications through accessible routes such as the skin.
From Nordic berries to next-generation technologies
Cloudberries are already known for their richness in vitamin C and antioxidants. But this research uncovers a deeper layer: plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs), tiny lipid-bound particles that carry biological signals.
Using advanced in vitro digestion models, intestinal cell systems, and animal studies, researchers demonstrated that these vesicles:
- Remain stable in the gut, resisting enzymes and pH changes
- Cross the intestinal barrier safely, without damaging cells
- Circulate in the body without harmful immune reactions
- Work across age groups, showing effectiveness in both young and older models
These findings position cloudberry-derived nanovesicles as biocompatible and non-toxic carriers, with strong potential for future therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
A step closer to non-invasive biosensing
Crucially, this breakthrough reinforces NutriEV’s long-term vision presented at the event: if these vesicles can travel through the body safely, they may also be detected in peripheral biofluids such as sweat, opening the door to skin-based biosensing technologies.
This connection between diet, circulating vesicles, and skin detection was a key discussion point during the meeting.
This milestone not only advances NutriEV scientifically, it also strengthens its relevance within the GeneCellNano ecosystem, where nanotechnology, therapeutics, and sensing converge.
Rising voices in NutriEV
The event also provided an opportunity to highlight key researchers actively contributing to NutriEV, such as Pradnya Patil, and Keerthanaa Balasubramanian Shanthi. Their work reflects the project’s interdisciplinary strength, combining molecular biology, extracellular vesicle research, and translational applications.
By engaging with the wider GeneCellNano community, they contributed to discussions that connect fundamental science with real-world impact.
Collaboration in action
Beyond individual presentations, the meeting itself was a testament to collaboration.
The event was co-organised by Susanna Kaisto (University of Oulu) and Erika Gurzeler (University of Eastern Finland), bringing together researchers from diverse fields under a shared vision.
Reflecting on the event, Susanna Kaisto noted:
“ The GeneCellNano Flagship brings together all Finnish frontline researchers to develop new Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and this year meeting provided an excellent platform for the NutriEV project to engage with researchers across disciplines. The poster session and Professor Seppo Vainio’s presentation stimulated discussions that strengthened connections between extracellular vesicle research and advanced therapeutic technologies.”
Looking ahead
As NutriEV continues to investigate how food-derived extracellular vesicles can act as superfoods, therapeutic tools, and biosensors, collaboration remains essential.
Events like the GeneCellNano Annual Meeting demonstrate how interdisciplinary dialogue can accelerate innovation—bringing us closer to a future where nutrition, diagnostics, and technology are seamlessly connected.