Project Acronym: EXPAND-EV
Project title: EXPANDing the value of Extracellular Vesicles as carriers of biomarker and therapy in precision healthcare
Project ID/Number: 101182851
Project PI and Coordinating Institution: Prof. Dr Milica Popović, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
Funding Institution: Research Executive Agency, European Commission
Call Information: HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01
Fields of Science: Medical and health sciences, Natural sciences

Consortium/Participating Institutions: University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia; RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHEN, Germany; HELLENIC PASTEUR INSTITUTE, Greece; GENOS DOO, Croatia; ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON, Greece; INSTITUT ZA ONKOLOGIJU I RADIOLOGIJU SRBIJE, Serbia; FUNDACIO HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARI VALL D’HEBRON – INSTITUT DE RECERCA, Spain; UNIVERZA V NOVI GORICI, Slovenia; THERACELL LABORATORIES IKE, Greece; INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND METALLURGY, Serbia; EXELIXIS DIACHEIRISI EREVNAS KAI EPIKOINONIA EE, Greece; SITOOLS BIOTECH GMBH, Germany

Grant Duration: 1. January 2025 – 31. December 2028

Budget: 1.357.000.00 €

Project Abstract:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key players in cell communication, involved in both normal and disease processes. Despite their potential in healthcare (particularly in drug delivery and diagnostics), progress is hindered by limited technological readiness and the absence of standardised guidelines. Current methods for EVs purification are inefficient, which restricts their application in personalised medicine. A breakthrough is needed to fully harness their capabilities in non-invasive diagnostics and targeted therapies. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EXPAND-EV project aims to solve this by developing scalable, cost-effective EV purification systems. These systems will enhance cancer diagnostics for lung, breast and liver malignancies, while at the same time exploring edible plant-based EVs as carriers of therapeutic molecules.

Contact for Collaborations:

la_bioquimica@chem.bg.ac.rs