ISEV2025 round table showcases NutriEV and the expanding role of plant EVs in health research

In a milestone for plant extracellular vesicle (EV) research, the 1st Symposium on Plant Extracellular Vesicles was held during the prestigious ISEV2025 Annual Meeting, drawing an audience of more than 75 researchers, scientists, and thought leaders. Chaired by Gabriella Pocsfalvi, Research Director at the National Research Council of Italy and a partner in the NutriEV Project consortium, the symposium offered a dynamic platform to explore the expanding role of plant EVs in health, agriculture, and biotechnology.

A key highlight of the event was the round table discussion, which addressed three central topics: The role of plant EVs in agriculture and plant health, their potential applications in biomedicine and the growing ecosystem of international research initiatives centred on plant EVs.

Among the standout moments was a presentation of three pioneering research projects that are helping shape this emerging field.

The Extracellular RNA Produced by Plants project, based in the United States and supported by the National Science Foundation, is focused on understanding the origin, function, and molecular mechanisms of plant-derived extracellular RNAs. Meanwhile, Europe’s FarmEVs initiative, funded by the HORIZON-MSCA programme, is exploring how plant EVs can be cultivated and applied to enhance plant health and support more sustainable agricultural systems.

It was within this context that Feby Wijaya Pratiwi, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu (Finland), introduced the NutriEV Project to the audience. Her presentation outlined the project’s mission: to explore how nutrient-enriched extracellular vesicles derived from plants and fermented foods can be leveraged as superfoods, biosensors, and therapeutic agents to support metabolic health.

Backed by the Horizon Europe Pathfinder Challenges, NutriEV brings together cutting-edge expertise in glycomics, gut microbiota research, and non-invasive biosensing to rethink how nutrition can help prevent obesity and support metabolic balance at the cellular level.

Reflecting on her experience, Pratiwi noted:

“Reflecting on the round table and broader symposiums, I was inspired by the growing momentum in fundamental studies of plant-derived EV research and their application in nutrition, agriculture, and health. The interest and feedback I received during my poster presentation in ISEV were also truly encouraging—many attendees were particularly intrigued by our approach to nutrient-enriched vesicles and expressed enthusiasm about exploring the implications of these findings further. The EV plant symposium and ISEV 2025 conference not only showcased cutting-edge science but also fostered a strong sense of community and shared purpose within the EV research field.”

The NutriEV consortium is coordinated by the University of Oulu, with participating institutions from Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Spain. Among them is the Institute of Bioscience and BioResources (CNR), where Gabriella Pocsfalvi leads the Laboratory of Extracellular Vesicles and Mass Spectrometry.

Reflecting on the symposium, Pocsfalvi described it as a “fantastic opportunity to witness the progress of the plant EVs community.” The exchange of ideas and visibility of projects like NutriEV signal a new chapter in the field—where plant biology, nutrition science, and innovation intersect to address some of the most pressing health challenges of our time.