Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and tissue regeneration go hand in hand! At the Joint Annual Meeting of the Austrian and Czech Societies for Extracellular Vesicles (ASEV-CzeSEV 2024), some of the brightest minds in EV research were brought together at the Vienna University Clinic of Dentistry, a vital cluster institution. The event, opened by Wolfgang Holnthoner (President of ASEV and head of Vascular Biology at LBI Trauma), Reinhard Gruber (MedUni Vienna), and CzeSEV President Vendula Pospíchalová offered a platform for scientists from Austria, the Czech Republic, and beyond to exchange ideas and foster new collaborations in this growing field.
Often described as “cellular messages in a bottle,” EVs are tiny, cell-derived particles that carry proteins, lipids, and genetic material, allowing cells to communicate with one another. Their ability to influence a wide range of cellular functions makes them invaluable in medical research, especially in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The ASEV-CzeSEV 2024 conference showcased groundbreaking research on the diverse applications of EVs—from enhancing nerve regeneration to designing vesicles for targeted drug delivery.
A key theme of the conference was the role of EVs in peripheral nerve regeneration, a field undergoing rapid scientific advancements. Maximilian Härtinger from Christine Radtke’s group at MedUni Vienna was awarded first place in the Presentation Awards for his talk, “Small extracellular vesicles derived from multipotent adipose stromal cells in peripheral nerve regeneration: jack of all trades, master of none?”
In addition to the presentations, the hands-on workshop led by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences was a major highlight of ASEV-CzeSEV 2024. Participants had the opportunity to learn cutting-edge techniques for isolating, analysing, and characterising EVs.
Beyond scientific discovery, ASEV-CzeSEV 2024 was a true testament to the sense of community and collaborative spirit that defines EV research in our countries. With the promising results presented at ASEV-CzeSEV 2024, the future of EVs in clinical applications has never looked brighter.
