Aleksandar Radovanović from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Chemistry performed his two-month secondment at partner GENOS, as part of the EXPAND-EV project. The work centered on establishing a protocol for preparing N-glycan samples from plasma-derived EVs and optimizing the analytical workflow for EV glycome analysis using modern chromatography techniques. In addition to the main activities, Aleksandar took part in further glycomic analyses of immunoglobulins, includin

Ana Djuric from IORS completed a research stay at the Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) in Barcelona, Spain. During her time at VHIR, Ana collaborated with an outstanding team to explore how EVs can serve as transformative biomarkers and targeted therapeutic carriers. This experience gave her an incredible opportunity to advance pioneering methodologies for EV isolation and purification socialand to strengthen our cross-border scientific network.

Building collaboration and expertise in Barcelona During his secondment at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) in Barcelona, Filip Kliček gained valuable hands-on experience working with cancer cell models and extracellular vesicles (EVs). The main aim was to prepare high-quality cell and EV samples for further N-glycomics analysis at Genos. Together with the CB-DDT group, Filip took part in cell culture work, EV preparation, sample characterisation and quantification. Se

From August 17 to September 2, Teodora Ćato from the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia (IORS) visited the Genos lab in Zagreb as part of the EXPAND-EV project. During her stay, Teodora completed practical training in mass spectrometry-based methods and conducted experiments aimed at developing an MS protocol for the glycomic analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from plasma and cell-culture supernatants.

From 15 July to 15 August 2026, Lidija Filipović completed a research secondment at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute in Athens within the EXPAND-EV project, under the supervision of Dr Niki Vassilaki. The work focused on evaluating magnetic particles as a solid phase for protein immobilization and affinity-based isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Their protein-binding capacity and performance in EV isolation were assessed, while the isolated vesicles were characterized

As part of the EXPAND-EV project, Joaquin Seras Franzoso from the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) completed a research secondment at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), focused on the proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) models, including cancer stem cell and bulk tumor populations. This training provided hands-on expertise across the complete proteomics workflow, from data curation

On 20–21 August 2026, UBFC hosted the EXPAND-EV workshop “Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles Using Biochemical and Instrumental Methods.” The two-day workshop combined theoretical sessions with practical laboratory training, introducing participants to complementary biochemical and instrumental approaches for the isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs). During the practical sessions, participants performed EV isolation followed by the quantifica

Building on the work carried out during the first two months of her secondment, Iwona Borošak from partner GENOS dedicated the third month to proteomic data analysis of extracellular vesicle (EV) samples at NKUA. This phase focused on processing and interpreting proteomic data to evaluate the performance of the optimized sample preparation workflow and further improve the overall analysis workflow. Throughout this phase, Iwona strengthened her expertise in proteomic data anal

Dr. Milena Čavić, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, presented a lecture on profiling of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in solid tumors at the Institute for Medical Research - University of Belgrade Scientific Seminar on July 9, 2026. The lecture explored how modern omics technologies, integrated with clinical data, can inform more precise treatment decisions and more individualized care, with a focus on locally advanced rec

As part of the Science Day at the Botanical Garden, Belgrade, we welcomed children, families, students, and many curious visitors to explore the fascinating world of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Through interactive activities, younger participants created EV models and learned how cells communicate by exchanging molecular messages, while older visitors discovered how EVs can be isolated and analyzed for future applications in liquid biopsy and precision medicine. The worksho

During a one-month secondment at GENOS, dr Jelena Milovanović received hands-on training in high-throughput glycomics, including glycan extraction and sample preparation for UHPLC, capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), and mass spectrometry analyses. The knowledge and skills acquired will support the glycomic profiling of extracellular vesicles from liquid biopsy samples of patients with lung, breast, and liver cancer in the upcoming project work packages. In addition, the sec

Welcome to the third issue of the EXPAND-EV Newsletter! In this edition, readers can explore: Recent secondments and knowledge exchange activities across partner institutions; Dissemination and outreach activities promoting the objectives of EXPAND-EV; Interviews with Marija Tursunović and Vanja Stevanović, who share their experiences, research activities, and perspectives on participating in the project. All editions of the EXPAND-EV newsletter are available in the Media sec

Miodrag Vuković from IORS gave a PhD progress lecture as a part of IORS scientific seminar series held on June 18, 2026. Miodrag presented the topic: "The use of pleural effusion as a source of extracellular vesicles in patients with lung cancer - first results of the EXPAND-EV project" followed by a constructive discussion with IORS researchers and clinicians. Miodrag's PhD thesis forms a crucial project part dedicated to exploring the significance of liquid-biopsy derived

Dr. Ana Damjanović and Dr. Snezana Bjelogrlić performed their secondments at GENOS in Zagreb, Croatia, in May/June 2026, hosted by Dr. Maja Pučić Baković. During their stay, Ana and Snezana were trained on laboratory methods for glycomic studies, with particular focus on glycan extraction from biological samples and their preparation for mass spectrometry analysis. Special attention was given to development of glycome analysis SOPs for extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from

Project members Dr. Ana Đurić and Dr. Milena Čavić from IORS participated at the "ctDNA International Symposium 2026 Circulating Tumor DNA in Cancer: From Biology to Clinical Practice and Beyond" held on May 21 – 22, 2026 in Aarhus, Denmark, organized by Lars Dyrskjøt and Claus Lindbjerg Andersen from the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University. During these 2 days, latest advances in the field of liquid biopsy — from technological innovations and biological insigh

Dr. Milena Čavić performed the first part of her split-secondment at GENOS, Zagreb, Croatia in the period May 30-June 6, 2026. During her stay, Dr. Čavić was hosted by Helena Deris, MSc, and Dr. Maja Pucic Bakovic. Dr Čavić was involved in study design, analytics, and data interpretation of high-throughput glycomics, with an emphasis on application on the EV glycome content derived from pleural effusion of patients with lung cancer. Exchange of know-how was performed within W

Marija Tursunović from the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Chemistry (UBFC) spent two months at the University of Nova Gorica (UNG). Her secondment was focused on the selection of nanobodies targeting cancer-associated extracellular vesicles (EVs) using phage display technology. During her stay, she gained hands-on experience in phage display panning using liver cancer cell models, followed by screening and characterization of candidate binders through ELISA and flow cyto

Prof. Dr. Milica Popović, Coordinator of the EXPAND-EV project, was featured as a guest on the RTS Science Portal programme, broadcast by Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), the national public broadcasting service of the Republic of Serbia. During the interview, Prof. Popović discussed current advances in extracellular vesicle research and their potential applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment. She highlighted the importance of developing innovative, clinically applica

Niki Vassilaki from HPI revisited RWTH University as part of the EXPAND-EV Staff Exchanges project, where she isolated EVs from carrot and marigold (Calendula officinalis) root suspension cultures, using optimized EV purification and pellet resuspension protocols. The isolated EVs will be analyzed using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis at HPI and will be used as target substrates in panning experiments at UNG University.

As part of the EXPAND-EV project, Evangelia Christou from the Hellenic Pasteur Institute completed a research secondment at the University of Nova Gorica from April 17 to May 22, 2026. Her stay focused on cell-based panning and screening of phage-displayed nanobody libraries against liver cancer-associated targets, alongside recombinant H1 protein production and purification. During this period, she performed cell-based panning experiments using IHH cells as negative controls