NOVA Medical School has partnered with leading European institutions in an innovative consortium aimed to revolutionizing biomedical research through extracellular vesicles (EVs). These are potential biomarkers and therapeutic vectors for several health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and severe ocular disorders.
EVs are tiny particles that act as messengers between cells. Studying them provides valuable insights into disease mechanisms and opens the door to groundbreaking advancements in diagnostics and therapies across a wide range of health domains.
This ambitious initiative, named EVEREST: Elevating Extracellular Vesicles Research for Advanced Biomarkers and Therapeutics, brings together 22 institutions from 11 countries. It aims to significantly enhance the research capabilities of its members while fostering career development for participating researchers. The project aspires to make substantial contributions to personalized medicine and improved health outcomes, turning cutting-edge research into clinical applications.
According to Rune Matthiesen, principal investigator of the Computational and Experimental Biology group and the project coordinator at NOVA Medical School: “This funding provides more than an opportunity to advance our research financially. It enables us to establish new collaborations with some of the top institutions in this scientific field.” Paulo Pereira, principal investigator of the Proteostasis and Intercellular Communication group at NOVA Medical School, adds, “We will be able to exchange experiences and expertise in cutting-edge technologies, acquire essential know-how, and further enhance the quality of our own research in the future.”.
Coordinated by University College of Dublin, the EVEREST project is funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program under Horizon Europe, with a budget of €1,311,000. The project is set to run for 48 months, beginning in January 2025.
Picture: Paulo Pereira (left) and Rune Matthiesen (right).
Official Press Release can be checked here.