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The picturesque city of Tartu, Estonia, was the backdrop for the seventh annual hands-on training school titled "Basics to Work with Extracellular Vesicles," hosted from May 21-23, 2024. This event was organized by the COMBIVET ERA Chair of Comparative Medicine at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, in collaboration with OH-Boost, University of Tartu, Baltic Society of Extracellular Vesicles, University of Helsinki, and the University of Milan.

The training program was designed to equip beginners and newcomers in the field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with foundational knowledge and essential skills.

“As the COMBIVET project is coming to an end, this might be the final EV research school in this format that we hold, Over the past years, the research school has hosted participants from all corners of the world, some of whom have become our collaborators and colleagues or have grown independently to contribute to the EV society.” stated Alireza Fazeli, the ERA chair holder.

The research school is crafted to offer a comprehensive exploration of EVs, from their isolation and characterization to their practical applications in bioinformatics. The speakers and instructors included Subhashini Muhandiram, Qurat Ul Ain Reshi,

Getnet Midekessa, Chanaka Premathilaka, Gayandi Ekanayake, Signe Parts, Madhusha Prasadani, Dulmini Nanayakkara, Sasha Raschke (Particle Metrix GmbH), Sergei Kopanchuk (University of Tartu), Omid Mousavi, Aneta Andronowska (IAR&FR PAS, Olsztyn, Poland), Harinda Rajapaksha (La Trobe University, Australia), and Kasun Godakumara. Their insights enriched participants' understanding of EV handling and analysis techniques, offering hands-on experience in specialized workshops.

The program's workshops were tailored to offer insights into modern techniques in EV research, including:

§ Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) - This workshop, led by Getnet Midekessa and Gayandi Ekanayake, provided participants with practical skills in EV isolation and purification.

§ Advanced Microscopy Techniques - Sergei Kopanchuk's sessions included hands-on training in fluorescent microscopy, crucial for visualizing and characterizing EVs.

§ RNA Extraction from EVs - Kasun Godakumara guided attendees through the process of extracting and analyzing RNA from EVs, a skill crucial for further research in EV functionalities.

The COMBIVET and OH-Boost joint annual Conference 2024 was made possible through the support of various sponsors such as Nova Natura, Particle Metrix, BGI Genomics, Cyberarch and Lanlab Ltd.

We also extend our gratitude to the dedicated members of our organizing committee, the speakers, lecturers, and all attendees whose enthusiasm and engagement have made this event a cornerstone of academic and professional development in the field of extracellular vesicles. Your contributions are deeply valued, and we look forward to continuing these fruitful collaborations in future endeavors.

The research school’s lab hand book can be downloaded on Combivet or OH-Boost website at oh-boost.eu