Mechanistic Insights into Extracellular Vesicles in Skin Aging and Disease – Best Short Oral 2024

Dr. Maria Cavinato from Universität Innsbruck has been awarded the Best Short Oral Presentation Award at the First Conference on Targeting Extracellular Vesicles in Malta.

Her presentation, titled “Extracellular Vesicles as Alternative Modulators of Mitochondria Quality Control in Skin Aging and Disease,” explores how NIX-dependent mitophagy impacts skin homeostasis.

Dr. Cavinato’s findings underscore the potential of extracellular vesicles containing mitochondria as compensatory mechanisms for maintaining skin health.

Dr. Cavinato stated: “My research vision focuses on understanding and targeting cellular senescence as a key driver of skin aging and disease. Cellular senescence is a heterogeneous process, where different types of senescent cells can induce distinct responses within the tissue microenvironment. This heterogeneity plays a crucial role in determining whether the surrounding tissue undergoes repair, dysfunction, or tumorigenesis. The overarching goal of my research program is to better understand the molecular mechanisms that govern how senescent cells, particularly through their secretome—including soluble factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs)—contribute to skin pathologies, such as age-related conditions like dermatoporosis, as well as skin cancers like melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), aiming to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can be translated into innovative strategies for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.”

The International Society of Microbiota and the World Mitochondria Society thank Dr. Cavinato for her valuable contributions to the field.