VU Researchers Launch an International Project on Cardiovascular Disease Biomarker Research

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Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine has launched the project “Standardized EV and HDL Protocols for Translational Research” (SEV-HDL), implemented in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (Fraunhofer-Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie, IZI) in Germany.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the major health challenges in Lithuania and across Europe. Although clinical risk assessment tools are widely used, they do not always capture early disease processes or residual cardiovascular risk. The SEV-HDL project addresses this gap by focusing on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) as emerging biomarker platforms with potential relevance for translational cardiovascular research.

The project aims to develop and validate standardized density gradient centrifugation-based workflows for the isolation and separation of EVs and HDL from clinical samples. Harmonized standard operating procedures will support reproducible biomarker research and create a methodological foundation for future collaborative studies.

The Lithuanian and German partners will work together through joint protocol development, pilot validation experiments, online coordination meetings, hands-on training workshops, and dissemination activities. The project will also strengthen German-Lithuanian scientific cooperation by combining Vilnius University’s clinical and translational research environment with Fraunhofer IZI expertise in advanced diagnostic and analytical technologies.

 A public scientific seminar “Lipoproteins and extracellular vesicles in translational and cardiovascular research” is planned for 3 September 2026, 09:00-12:00, at the Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, Medical Science Centre (Žaliųjų Ežerų str. 2, Vilnius). The seminar will bring together researchers, clinicians, doctoral students, and other stakeholders to discuss recent advances in EV and lipoprotein research and their relevance for cardiovascular diagnostics and translational medicine.

The project runs from 1 June to 15 November 2026. Expected outcomes include standardized EV and HDL isolation workflows, strengthened methodological capacity at Vilnius University, and a basis for future joint publications, research proposals, and international cooperation.

Project information

This project of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic Germany.