The Slovak Society for Extracellular Vesicles (SlovSEV) was established at the Biomedical Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, vvi (BMC SAS) – the first professional society in Slovakia focused on the research of extracellular vesicles and their use in biomedical research and clinical practice.
The initiator of the foundation and the chairperson of the society is BMC SAS researcher Dr. Zuzana Vince Kážmérová. The positions of vice-chairpersons are held by Dr. Martin Čente from the Institute of Neuroimmunology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, vvi and Dr. Kristína Lichá from the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University in Bratislava.
“The composition of the society’s management reflects one of its main goals – to connect researchers, clinicians, students and workplaces dedicated to extracellular vesicle research across Slovakia. The society also plans to create a joint professional platform that will support inter-institutional cooperation, exchange of knowledge and methodological experience, education and involvement of Slovak workplaces in domestic and international initiatives,” describes Zuzana Vince Kážmérová.
Extracellular vesicles are nano- to micrometer-sized membrane particles released by cells into the extracellular space. They play a fundamental role in intercellular communication by transferring diverse biological content – including proteins, lipids, RNA and DNA.
They participate in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes, such as immune responses, inflammation, tissue regeneration and the development of cancer. Due to these properties, they represent a promising tool for modern diagnostics, for example as biomarkers in liquid biopsies, as well as for innovative therapeutic approaches.
SlovSEV has been accepted into the European consortium MObility for VEsicles Research in Europe (MOVE), which brings together more than 20 European national societies for extracellular vesicle research. Membership in the MOVE consortium opens up new opportunities for the Slovak community for international cooperation, professional mobility and the involvement of young scientists in the MOVE European Mobility Fellowship program.
SlovSEV, together with partner companies from Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, is also participating in the organization of the first international conference EV4 – Extracellular Vesicles in Visegrád Collaboration.
The conference will take place on October 21-22, 2026 at Semmelweis University in Budapest and will create a space for presenting the latest results, exchanging professional experience, establishing cross-border collaborations and strengthening the position of Central European extracellular vesicle research.
Registration and abstract submissions are open.
