INMA seminar: Héctor Peinado from the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC)
Seminar: Extracellular vesicles, the hype, the reality, perspectives
- Speaker: Dr Héctor Peinado, Head of the Microenvironment and Metastasis Group at the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC).
- Date: 22 April 2026.
- Time: 11:30.
- Venue: Conference Room, Edificio I+D+i, Río Ebro Campus.
- Organised by: The Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute (INMA), CSIC-UNIZAR, and the University of Zaragoza.
Seminar abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are central players in cancer biology and have attracted significant attention as mediators of intercellular communication, biomarkers, and potential therapeutic tools. In this session, Dr Peinado will discuss the evolution of the EV field, from early conceptual advances to current translational opportunities, with a particular focus on cancer progression and metastasis.
Experimental evidence will be presented to show how tumour-derived EVs ‘educate’ local and systemic microenvironments, contributing to critical processes such as:
- The formation of the metastatic niche.
- Immune modulation.
- Organotropic dissemination.
Furthermore, the opportunities and limitations of using EVs in liquid biopsy approaches and as inspiration for the development of novel therapies will be discussed.
About the speaker
Héctor Peinado is an international authority on the study of the tumour microenvironment. With a career including prestigious institutions such as Weill Cornell Medical College and CNIO, he has published more than 100 scientific papers. He was a pioneer in researching the role of exosomes in metastatic progression and has received numerous accolades, including the 1st ASEICA Young Investigator Award and the ‘Doctor Diz Pintado’ Award.
