Young Researcher and Innovator Conference Grant - Report from Adrian Klepe

Conference title: FENS Forum 2026
Conference webpage: FENS Forum 2026 | International Neuroscience Conference
Conference venue: Barcelona, Spain (Fira Gran Via Barcelona)
Conference start and end date: 2026-07-06 to 2026-07-10

Title of the presentation: SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma-derived small extracellular vesicles at the blood-brain barrier in vitro: uptake patterns and pipeline for interaction assessment.

During FENS Forum 2026 - with over 8000 participants the biggest Neuroscience conference in Europe - in Barcelona, I presented my poster on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and their interactions with human in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) models in Poster Session 6 (PS06‑09PM‑064). The poster and related discussions allowed me to obtain targeted feedback on my experimental design, labelling strategies and readouts (e.g. using the Exoview system for EV detection), and to clarify how biphasic BBB disruption due to ischaemia (initial matrix metalloproteinase activation followed by secondary inflammatory damage) can inform, for instance, my thesis defence.

I attended scientific sessions on nutrients and stroke, food and neuroscience, brain-body interactions and neuro‑glial‑vascular environments, which deepened my general understanding of how diet, exercise and ultra‑processed foods affect brain health across the lifespan. For instance, I learned more about the clinical and mechanistic rationale for GLP‑1 receptor agonists in Parkinson’s disease, and about concepts such as immunometabolic depression, HPA axis dysregulation and cortisol measurements, which connect mood disorders to systemic physiology. Brain-body sessions emphasised the role of the insula, gut-brain synchrony and vagus‑mediated visceral communication, reinforcing my interest in integrating neuroscientific research with mindfulness, breathing and embodied approaches.
The Brain Debate on animals versus New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) was especially relevant for COST Action CA21139 (IMPROVE). Speakers highlighted that NAMs and animal models each have strengths and limitations, arguing for transparent, complementary use rather than simple replacement. This perspective will help me frame my human BBB in vitro work as part of complimentary tools.

Networking and special interest events had a strong impact on my career and communication skills. The session “A world full of opportunities: neuroscientist careers outside academia” and other career events showed how to use PhD and early postdoctoral time to build management and people skills, and illustrated pathways in science communication, open science policy, outreach, freelance science journalism and CRO‑based research and development. Workshops on scientific figures and image design emphasised transparency, reduced cognitive load and thoughtful redundancy to make results easier to understand and remember, which I will apply to future talks, posters and publications. Creative events on art and neuroscience encouraged using dance, comics and re‑used visual motifs as tools for science communication, aligning with my interest in mind-body‑breath practices and becoming a science communicator as well.

I made new contacts across several areas: early‑life microbiota and brain barriers; barrier‑centred neuroinflammation and EVs; stress‑related psychiatric disorders; adult neural stem‑cell neuroplasticity and drug innovation; in vitro pharmacology of inflammatory diseases; science communication and social‑media outreach; clinical coordination in university hospitals; and international education governance. Practical advice during structured networking (“speed‑neurodating” and similar events) included recommended readings, guidance on honest and well‑informed emails to potential PIs, and tips on time management, prioritisation and individual fellowships or CRO positions. Together, these experiences increased the visibility of my BBB-sEV work and of COST Action CA21139, broadened my European network at the intersection of neurovascular science, EVs and 3Rs topics, and provided concrete scientific and career tools for the next phase of my trajectory.