NutriEV showcased at the NetSkinModels COST Action Meeting in Istanbul
The city of Istanbul hosted the NetSkinModels COST Action meeting, bringing together nearly 80 researchers from across Europe to discuss the latest innovations in skin disease modelling, 3D scaffold construction, and skin engineering. Among the distinguished participants was Hamza Siddiqui, a biomedical researcher from the University of Oulu, who introduced the pioneering work of his laboratory, including the NutriEV and FarmEVs projects.
A meeting of minds on skin science
The event served as a dynamic forum for scientists working at the intersection of biology, materials science, and biotechnology. Discussions explored advanced in vitro skin models and alternative methods to reduce reliance on animal testing, aligning with Europe’s commitment to ethical and sustainable biomedical research.
A researcher driven by curiosity
Representing the Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Oulu, Hamza Siddiqui brought both expertise and enthusiasm to the meeting. With a background in Biomedical Engineering and experience spanning collaborations with the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Aalto University, and the University of Helsinki, Hamza embodies the new generation of European researchers combining curiosity with technological innovation. As an Innovation Grant recipient from the University of Oulu Innovation Center, his work focuses on developing alternative disease models, notably using the chicken embryo model to advance skin research.
Introducing NutriEV and FarmEVs
During his presentation, Hamza introduced the NutriEV project, an EU-funded Horizon Europe initiative exploring nutrient-enriched extracellular vesicles (nutriEVs) derived from plants and fermented foods. These nano-sized biological messengers are being studied for their potential to transform nutrition, health monitoring, and personalised medicine.
“My main highlight was showing how we can use extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the skin or sweat as diagnostic biomarkers, and how the chicken embryo model can serve as an ethical alternative for animal testing in skin modelling,” Hamza shared after the meeting. “I introduced the main goals of NutriEV and how it can revolutionise personalised medicine.”
NutriEV investigates how nutriEVs interact with the human body, especially the gut and skin; and how they might serve as non-invasive biosensors or therapeutic agents for metabolic disorders such as obesity. The project’s innovative approach reflects a broader scientific shift toward understanding nutrition not just as energy intake, but as a complex molecular dialogue between food and the body.
Scientific exchange and key questions
The Istanbul meeting sparked lively exchanges among participants. One of the most frequent questions raised concerned the tracking of EVs in biological systems, specifically, how to differentiate true vesicles from other molecular contaminants during detection. This technical challenge is central not only to skin biology but also to projects like NutriEV, which rely on accurately identifying and characterising EVs to understand their biological impact.
Connecting skin models and nutritional vesicles
The meeting’s focus on advanced skin models offered an ideal platform to connect with NutriEV’s broader mission. As part of the project’s objectives, researchers are developing hybrid organoid models, including gut-on-chip and skin-on-chip systems, to study how nutriEVs cross biological barriers and communicate between tissues. These systems could one day reveal how plant-derived vesicles influence skin health or metabolism, paving the way for next-generation dietary diagnostics and therapies.
Looking ahead
Hamza’s presentation not only raised awareness of NutriEV and FarmEVs among the skin research community but also sparked conversations about how nutritional extracellular vesicles might intersect with regenerative medicine and bioengineering.
His participation in Istanbul reflects NutriEV’s spirit of collaboration, building bridges across disciplines to unlock the potential of nature’s smallest communicators for health and well-being.
