The Slovak Society for Extracellular Vesicles (SlovSEV) was established at the Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (BMC SAS) – the first professional society in Slovakia focused on research into extracellular vesicles and their application in biomedical research and clinical practice. The initiator and president of the society is Dr. Zuzana Vince Kážmérová, a researcher at BMC SAS. The vice-presidents are Dr. Martin Čente from the Institute of Neuroimmunology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) and Dr. Kristína Lichá from the Faculty of Medicine at Comenius University in Bratislava.
“The composition of the society’s leadership reflects one of its main goals—to connect researchers, clinicians, students, and institutions engaged in research on extracellular vesicles across Slovakia. We also plan to create a joint professional platform that will support inter-institutional collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and methodological expertise, education, and the involvement of Slovak institutions in both domestic and international initiatives,” explains Zuzana Vince Kážmérová.
Extracellular vesicles are nano- to micrometer-sized membrane-bound particles released by cells into the extracellular space. They play a crucial role in intercellular communication by transporting diverse biological contents—including proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. They contribute to the regulation of both physiological and pathological processes, such as immune responses, inflammation, tissue regeneration, and the development of cancer.
Thanks 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 in terms of international collaboration, professional mobility, and the involvement of young scientists in the MOVE European Mobility Fellowship program.
SlovSEV is also collaborating with partner societies from Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland to organize the first international EV4 conference—Extracellular Vesicles in Visegrád Collaboration. The conference will take place on October 21–22, 2026, at Semmelweis University in Budapest and will provide a platform for presenting the latest findings, exchanging professional expertise, establishing cross-border collaborations, and strengthening the position of Central European research on extracellular vesicles.
Registration and abstract submission are now open. The deadline for abstract submission is September 5, 2026, and regular registration is open until September 20, 2026.
More information about SlovSEV
https://www.linkedin.com/company/slovak-society-for-extracellular-vesicles-slovse
https://instagram.com/slov.sev
SlovSEV Bylaws
If you are interested in becoming a member of SlovSEV, please fill out the following documents:
SlovSEV Membership Application
Contact email: slovsev.info@gmail.com
Text and photo: Z. Vince Kážmérová, BMC SAS; E. Rybárová, BMC SAS