NutriEV shines at the 3rd MOVE Symposium in Estonia: Showcasing Europe’s leadership in EVs research
The 3rd MOVE Symposium, held from 7 – 10 October 2025 in Tartu, Estonia, brought together leading experts from over 20 European societies to explore the fast-evolving world of extracellular vesicle (EV) research. From technological breakthroughs to translational applications, the meeting celebrated Europe’s collective progress in understanding EVs as mediators of intercellular communication, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Amid this dynamic scientific environment, the NutriEV project stood out with a strong presence, demonstrating its growing impact in the field of nutritional extracellular vesicles (nutriEVs).
“MOVE 2025 showcased EVs as key biological messengers and translational tools across organisms, marking Europe’s leadership in uniting basic science with technological and clinical innovation,” said Professor Seppo Vainio, NutriEV Coordinator. “NutriEV contributes to this transition by bridging plant and human biology through nutritional vesicles that could transform diagnostics, therapy, and future food innovation.”
NutriEV and FISEV: A strong team effort
NutriEV researchers, together with colleagues from the Finnish Society for Extracellular Vesicles (FISEV), participated actively in presentations, discussions, and poster sessions.
PhD student Anna Kaisanlahti was recognised with the Best Poster Award, voted by conference attendees, highlighting the innovative spirit within the NutriEV consortium. Meanwhile, PhD student Anna Novokreshchenova delivered an engaging talk on the genetic engineering of extracellular vesicles, research that reflects NutriEV’s cutting-edge work on tailoring vesicles for diagnostic and therapeutic use.
The University of Oulu delegation, including Dr Veronika Skocková, PhD student Sonja Karikka, and MD student Nea Hakkarainen, also showcased the team’s expertise in EV research and biotechnology, reinforcing Finland’s strong position within the European EV research landscape.
NutriEV research in the spotlight
Scientific sessions at MOVE 2025 delved into EV heterogeneity, cross-kingdom communication, and emerging clinical applications. Keynotes covered diverse topics such as vascular and plant-derived EVs, molecular fingerprinting, and large oncosomes in cancer.
Professor Seppo Vainio presented new data on excreted EVs as organ-specific diagnostic tools, underscoring their value for non-invasive health monitoring, one of NutriEV’s central ambitions.
“Understanding how food-derived vesicles communicate with our cells opens entirely new paths for sustainable health,” noted Vainio. “Our work within NutriEV pushes this frontier by studying how nutriEVs from plants and fermented foods can act as messengers influencing metabolism and wellbeing.”
Among the conference highlights were presentations by NutriEV partner Dr Gabriella Pocsfalvi (CNR, Italy), who discussed plant-derived nanovesicles as eco-sustainable carriers bridging biotechnology and the One Health paradigm. This perspective aligns perfectly with NutriEV’s vision to develop nutritional EVs that support both human and planetary health.
Technical sessions featured the latest developments in EV isolation, labelling, CRISPR-based uptake studies, and mRNA delivery, while translational panels examined the road to clinical, cosmetic, and nutritional applications, areas where NutriEV’s multidisciplinary approach offers unique insights.
A closing roundtable, featuring Prof. Vainio among other European leaders, explored which EV-based products might first reach the market. The discussion underscored the importance of standardisation, collaboration, and innovation across national networks.
“The MOVE symposium embodies the collaborative strength of Europe’s EV community,” concluded Vainio. “NutriEV is proud to be part of this ecosystem, contributing to a shared vision where extracellular vesicles become tools for a healthier, more sustainable future in Europe.”
