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

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

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

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

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

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

As part of the EXPAND-EV project, Andrej Milivojac from the University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry (UBFC) spent a month at the GENOS lab in Zagreb, Croatia. During the first period of his split secondment at the Genos laboratory in Zagreb, Andrej worked on the glycomic characterization of nano-antibodies specific for cancer-related human extracellular vesicles (EVs). The training will continue during the Fall of 2026, the second period of Andrej’s split secondment.

Teodora Cato from the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia (IORS) spent the month of April 2026 at Vall d‘Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), in Bercelona, Spain. During her secondment, Teodora focused on the functional characterization of various HCC1806 breast cancer cell line variants, including those transduced with AlfaTag-mClover lentiviral constructs, utilizing colony formation (CFA), spheroid formation (SFA), and invasion assays monitored via confocal microscop

Nikol Mraz from partner GENOS spent a month at UNG , as part of the EXPAND-EV project. During the secondment, Nikol participated in laboratory activities focused on acquiring both fundamental and more advanced techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry, with a particular emphasis on methods relevant to extracellular vesicle (EV) research. Nikol became familiar with cell culture procedures and took part in the preparation and maintenance of experimental systems that for

Miodrag Vukovic from IORS performed his secondment at partner GENOS , as part of the EXPAND-EV project. During his visit to Genos laboratory in Zagreb, Miodrag gained hands-on insight into experimental workflows for glycan preparation and analysis using mass spectrometry. He participated in the optimization of protocol for glycomic profiling of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines. This experience strengthened his understanding of

Luka from partner IORS performed his secondment at GENOS , in the context of the EXPAND-EV project. During his stay at the Genos laboratory in Zagreb, Luka had the opportunity to engage in glycan analysis workflow. He obtained experience in preparation of biological samples for subsequent glycomic analysis, as well as in the glycomic analysis itself, done on mass spectrometry. This experience expanded his understanding on the workflow of glycan analysis, which can be used fo

During her research secondment under the EXPAND-EV project, Evangelia Christou from the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI) joined the Innovative Centre of the Faculty of Chemistry (ICFC) from January 30 to March 25, 2026. Her work focused on isolating and characterizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) and preparing nanobody-based tools for EV targeting. During this period, she performed mammalian cell culture and processed conditioned media from several human cell lines for EV iso

Niki Vassilaki from HPI revisited RWTH University as part of the EXPAND-EV Staff Exchanges project, where she isolated extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the supernatants of Nicotiana tabacum cv. BY-2 suspension cultures, following optimized purification protocols to ensure purity and integrity. These EVs will be then used as target substrates in panning experiments at UNG University, where a phage display nanobody library will be screened. This will enable the identificatio