Topic: GEIVEX 2026: Advances in Extracellular Vesicle Research

Extracellular vesicle (EV) research is rapidly advancing our understanding of intercellular communication and driving the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. As the field continues to expand, communication, collaboration and the integration of multidisciplinary expertise are essential to accelerate the translation of fundamental discoveries into clinical and technical applications.

The 8th International GEIVEX Symposium, to be held in Bilbao, Spain, from 6–9 October 2026, will bring together researchers, clinicians, early-career scientists, and industry partners to discuss the latest developments in EV research. Since its establishment in 2012, the Spanish Group for Extracellular Vesicles (GEIVEX) has become an international reference for promoting scientific excellence, collaboration, and knowledge exchange within the EV community.

The symposium will feature a comprehensive scientific programme spanning key areas of contemporary EV research, including therapeutic applications; innovations in EV methodologies; emerging insights into EV biology in neural biology and neurodegeneration; the impact of EVs on cancer evolution; and the role of EVs in cross-kingdom communication and infectious diseases. An Educational Day preceding the meeting will provide practical sessions on state-of-the-art technologies for EV isolation, characterization, and functional analysis, fostering training and interaction among participants.

This Special Issue is launched in conjunction with the symposium to showcase cutting-edge advances presented during the meeting and to provide a platform for disseminating high-quality research emerging from the Spanish EV community. We warmly invite symposium participants and contributors to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that reflect the breadth, innovation, and translational potential of extracellular vesicle research. Together, the symposium and this Special Issue aim to strengthen scientific collaboration and advance the development of EV-based technologies for precision medicine and global health.

Extracellular vesicles, therapeutic applications, innovation, neurodegeneration, cancer, infectious diseases