Friday, July 17, 2026

11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

---

Details

Unconventional protein secretion, exosomes, and tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are emerging areas of cellular trafficking with significant implications for drug development. Each of these mechanisms bypasses traditional cellular trafficking routes, offering unique opportunities to target and manipulate disease processes. Unconventional protein secretion and exosomes involve the release of proteins and other molecules from cells through pathways that bypass the classical ER-to-Golgi secretory route. TNTs are thin, actin-based structures that form between cells, enabling the direct transfer of organelles, proteins, nucleic acids, and even viruses. Recent studies suggest that these novel trafficking pathways are crucial for the transport of diverse cargos involved in inflammation, immune response, and stress signaling. They have also been studied as potential vehicles for drug delivery. Therefore, the symposium on this topic will provide new insights into targeting disease mechanisms and delivering therapeutics more effectively, particularly for complex conditions such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory disorders.

---

Session chair