MOVE awardees

Mobility for Vesicles Research in Europe Grant awardees

In the spotlight

Experience of the 2025 MOVE awardee:
Bobbie-Louise van Emst

1. What was the goal of the MOVE exchange visit?

The goal of my MOVE exchange visit was to acquire specialized, hands-on experience in in vivo extracellular vesicle (EV) labelling and subsequent tissue analysis. Through this fellowship, I was able to spend a month in the laboratory of Prof. Nicole Meisner-Kober in Salzburg, which has longstanding expertise in nanoparticles and EVs for drug delivery and has made significant advances in in vivo EV labelling and tracing. My visit focused on gaining the combined skills of covalent EV labelling, EV characterization techniques, and biodistribution analysis using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Acquiring these skills is crucial for refining tracing and imaging strategies I will apply in my preclinical studies of intranasal milk-EV delivery for preterm brain injury, ultimately strengthening the methodological foundation of my PhD research.

2. How did the MOVE initiative help you enlarging your professional network?

The move initiative placed me directly within a highly specialized research group with experience in, amongst many other things, EV biodistribution. This allowed me to establish long-term connections with researchers who are tackling similar methodological challenges in EV research, and to learn from their expertise. I was also invited to join both formal and informal meetings, providing the opportunity to get to know a larger group of researchers at different career levels, further broadening my EV network. Besides meetings within the scientific department, I also attended an industry talk, which gave me insight into how research operates outside the academic setting. In addition, my invitation to a Medical-Science Liaison meeting provided a helpful bridge to the clinical perspective on EV research.

3. How did MOVE help you improve your knowledge and develop your technical skills?

This visit offered a lot of structured, hands-on training in new techniques that are all essential for my research. I learned covalent fluorescent labelling, avoiding potential pitfalls of lipophilic dyes and gained practical experience distinguishing authentic EV signals from background noise. Additionally, I deepened my understanding of EV characterization, performing Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography on our samples, a technique we had not previously applied. These new skills enable me to implement advanced methodologies in my future PhD work and provide clear guidance on optimizing future protocols and studies.

4. Did your MOVE grant lead to additional collaborations with the hosting or other research group on EVs?

Yes, the MOVE grant facilitated ongoing collaborations through knowledge and expertise exchange, stimulating novel discussions on co-isolates in milk-EV preparations, different isolation procedures and optimization of EV detection methodology. These interactions are helping to optimise protocols and expand potential applications.
In addition, the visit has laid the foundation for potential future partnerships. For example one of the researchers from Salzburg aims to visit our lab in the coming year to further exchange expertise and explore joint projects.

Below the list of previous awardees

[click + to read about their experience]

Magnolia Martínez Aguilar – 2024

1. What was the goal of the MOVE exchange visit?
Dr. Eduardo Garcia Fuentes’ laboratory is focused on elucidating the physiopathological events and discovering novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat intestinal bowel disease as well as some hepatic diseases like drug-induced liver damage and non-alcoholic steatosis liver disease. The primary goal of my MOVE exchange visit was to introduce me into in vitro studies utilizing extracellular vesicles within liver disease context utilizing hepatic cell lines and liver-organoids within a steatosis model.
2. How did the MOVE initiative help you enlarging your professional network?
During my stay at the Dr. Eduardo’s laboratory I was in contact with researchers not only of my field but also others at the Hospital Civil such as allergology, neurology and metabolism. Additionally, I met scientists and clinicians from the hepatology department at the University of Malaga. These interactions were not limited to formal meetings; they extended to seminars and informal discussions, all of which played a crucial role in establishing meaningful connections.
3. How did MOVE help you improve your knowledge and develop your technical skills?
I had the opportunity to enhance my understanding of the physiopathology of liver disease. I gained expertise in handling EVs for in vitro studies like gene and protein expression utilizing models such as liver derived organoids and cell lines. I also increased my skills in characterization of proteomic data through differential expression analysis. Moreover, the MOVE program included a series of meetings that covered a wide range of topics related to EVs. These sessions helped me to increase my knowledge in the use and characterization of EVs. The knowledge I gained from these sessions has greatly enriched my technical skill set and has been directly applicable to my ongoing research.
4. Did your MOVE grant lead to additional collaborations with the hosting or other research group on EVs?
The MOVE grant has indeed led to additional collaborations with Dr. Garcia-Fuentes group. During my exchange visit, we identified several common research interests and complementary strengths that paved the way for joint projects. These collaborations have been mutually beneficial, allowing us to pool resources, share expertise, and tackle complex challenges more effectively. Furthermore, the MOVE initiative facilitated connections with other research groups within the University. These new relationships have opened up additional avenues for collaboration.

Simon van de Wakker – 2022

1. What was the goal of the MOVE exchange visit?
I visited the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm to enhance my scientific knowledge and develop my technical skills by working in a laboratory abroad. The goal of my visit was to gain expertise in single EV analysis using the imaging flow cytometry technique and apply this knowledge to advance my research.
2. How did the MOVE initiative help you enlarging your professional network?
Thanks to the MOVE grant, I had the opportunity to cover a portion of my personal expenses and visit Professor Samir El Andaloussi’s research group to collaborate with Doctor André Görgens. Samir has a large research group with a lot of experience in the study of EVs, which allowed me to expand my professional network in the field and engage in discussions about various projects.
3. How did MOVE help you improve your knowledge and develop your technical skills?
The main goal of the visit to the Karolinska Institute was to gain expertise in imaging flow cytometry to conduct single EV measurements. Specifically, I chose this lab because of André Görgens’ extensive expertise in this technique. During my stay, I received training in using imaging flow cytometry. By utilizing this technique, I was able to investigate the distribution of specific EV protein markers, advancing our understanding of EV heterogeneity. The financial support of the MOVE grant gave me the chance to travel to a country with a high cost of living. Without financial support this visit would have been difficult to arrange.
4. Did your MOVE grant lead to additional collaborations with the hosting or other research group on EVs?
My time at the Karolinska Institute exposed me to diverse EV research projects and introduced me to multiple knowledgeable researchers. I am still working together with André and Samir on multiple collaborative projects and additionally I still maintain contact with various other researchers in their group. My time abroad broadened my perspective of the EV field and opened up new opportunities for future research collaborations.