NutriEV highlights novel plant-derived EV research at GeneCellNano Flagship Annual Meeting 2025
The NutriEV Project proudly participated in the GeneCellNano Flagship Annual Meeting 2025, held in Helsinki on 24–25 April. Gathering approximately 130 researchers and professionals, the event provided an invaluable platform to showcase NutriEV’s pioneering work on plant- and food-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their potential biomedical applications.
Opening new perspectives on nutrition and medicine
Susanna Kosamo, Research Manager at the University of Oulu’s Developmental Biology Laboratory, presented “The NutriEV Consortium – Exploring the Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Nutrition.”
She highlighted how NutriEV introduces a new extension to GeneCellNano’s research focus by bringing plant-based innovations into the field of human disease detection and advanced therapeutic medicinal products.
“Our presence enabled us to demonstrate the potential of technologies stemming from plant and nutrition-focused research to scientists who otherwise may not have noted the project or its impact on human biomedical research,” Kosamo shared.
Expert discussions and scientific exchange
During the meeting, the NutriEV team engaged in expert discussions on the role of EVs in disease detection and monitoring. These interactions not only provided insight into cutting-edge EV technologies but also allowed NutriEV to raise awareness about how plant-derived vesicles could contribute to future medical breakthroughs.
The novelty of the research topic and the diverse, multidisciplinary consortium behind NutriEV attracted significant attention. By connecting experts from a range of fields and countries, the project is offering young researchers exceptional opportunities to broaden their scientific outlook, strengthen their networks, and open doors for future collaborations.
Team reflections on the event
Reflecting on the meeting’s impact, Susanna Kaisto, a member of the Seppo Vainio research team at the University of Oulu, as well as one of the coordinators of the GeneCellNano Flagship and organizer of the 4th Annual Meeting, highlighted the importance of deepening the scientific understanding of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and enhancing the translation of academic discoveries into real-world applications.
“Extracellular vesicles have emerged as a promising tool for drug delivery in the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) field. A key takeaway from the GeneCellNano 4th Annual Meeting is the need to deepen our understanding of how the origin of extracellular vesicles influences critical things, like their composition and targeting capabilities. Additionally, the meeting featured enlightening discussions on bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application – an area where we, as researchers, should strive for improvement.”
Kaisto’s reflections emphasized the critical role that interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation will play in fully realising the therapeutic potential of EVs—an ambition that aligns closely with NutriEV’s mission to connect nutrition science, nanotechnology, and biomedical research for a healthier future.
Strengthening collaborations and building new connections
NutriEV’s presence at the event also reinforced existing partnerships, particularly with the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service. Discussions focused on aligning research goals, sharing technical expertise, and planning new joint initiatives aimed at generating innovative EV research results.
Moreover, the meeting is expected to facilitate new collaborations between different research groups beyond the NutriEV consortium itself, further extending the project’s impact across Finland and internationally.
A step forward for NutriEV and GeneCellNano
Through its active participation, NutriEV strengthened its position at the crossroads of nutrition science, nanotechnology, and molecular medicine. The project’s unique contribution underscores the Flagship’s mission to foster scientific innovation and real-world applications, reinforcing Finland’s leadership in biomedical research and advanced therapies.
As NutriEV continues to grow, its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research promises to deliver exciting developments in the months ahead.
About the NutriEV consortium
The NutriEV Project unites researchers from five European countries to explore nutrient-enriched extracellular vesicles (nutriEVs) from plants and foods as potential superfoods, biosensors, and therapeutic tools. Coordinated by the University of Oulu (Finland), the consortium includes the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy), the Technical University of Braunschweig (Germany), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and Zabala Innovation (Spain).
Supported by €3.9 million from the Horizon Europe program, the 48-month project focuses on decoding the composition of nutriEVs—especially glycans—to better understand their role in gut health, immune function, and metabolic diseases.
At the helm of the NutriEV Project is Professor Seppo Vainio from the University of Oulu (Finland), a leading figure in biomedical research and innovation in Finland. As Scientific Director of the Kvantum Institute and Co-Director of the GeneCellNano Flagship, Vainio’s multidisciplinary expertise ensures that NutriEV not only advances nutritional research but also contributes to Finland’s broader vision for biomedical innovation.
