Program
Our 2026 Meeting Keynote Speaker: Dr. Thomas B. Kornberg
_edited.jpg)
Dr. Thomas B. Kornberg is a Professor in the Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Kornberg's lab discovered and characterized cytonemes, or specialized signalizing filopodia that mediate direct cell-to-cell transport of morphogens during tissue development. This work has reshaped concepts of long-range signaling and has had a profound impact on research into tunneling nanotubes and other membrane-based communication systems.
Our 2026 Meeting Keynote Speaker: Dr. Chiara Zurzolo
Dr. Chiara Zurzolo is Director of Research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, where she leads the Membrane Traffic and Pathogenesis Unit. Her laboratory has been instrumental in revealing how TNTs form, mediate organelle and protein transfer, and contribute to intercellular communication in development, infection, neurodegeneration, and cancer. By combining cell biology, advanced imaging, and structural approaches, her work has helped shape the current understanding of TNT biology, from molecular mechanisms to organismal function.
Scientific Themes
1. Fundamental Mechanisms of Tunneling Nanotube Formation and Function
1. Fundamental Mechanisms of Tunneling Nanotube Formation and Function
Molecular mechanisms regulating TNT biogenesis, structure, cytoskeletal dynamics, membrane remodeling, signaling pathways, and long-distance intercellular communication.
2. Cytonemes and Specialized Cellular Protrusions in Development and Tissue Organization
Cytonemes and related membrane protrusions that mediate long-range signaling during embryonic development, morphogenesis, regeneration, and cell fate specification.
3. Intercellular Transfer of Organelles, RNAs, and Molecular Cargo
Mechanisms and functional consequences of transferring mitochondria, lysosomes, endosomes, RNAs, proteins, extracellular vesicles, and other cargo through nanotubular connections.
4. Nanotubular Communication in Development, Regeneration, and Tissue Homeostasis
Roles of nanotubular communication in embryonic development, cardiovascular biology, stem cell biology, tissue repair, regeneration, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis.
5. Nanotubular Communication in the Nervous System
Functions of TNTs in neurodevelopment, neuron–glia communication, neurodegeneration, protein propagation, and neural repair.
6. Nanotubular Communication in Infection, Immunity, Cancer, and Human Disease
Roles of TNTs in host–pathogen interactions, immune regulation, viral spread, cancer progression, metastasis, and emerging therapeutic applications.
More Program Details Coming Soon!