Conference Summary

The study of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) has evolved from a curious microscopic observation into a transformative paradigm in cell–cell communication. Much like other fields that have matured through conceptual disruption, TNT research has undergone two defining phases. The first was the identification of TNTs as actin-based membranous conduits that enable direct intercellular transfer of proteins, organelles, RNA, pathogens, and signaling molecules, which fundamentally reshaped how we understand communication between cells. What began as isolated reports has now expanded across neuroscience, immunology, cancer biology, virology, and developmental biology. TNTs are no longer viewed as structural anomalies but are recognized as dynamic regulators of physiology and disease.

The second stage features fundamental questions: How are TNTs molecularly defined and distinguished from other protrusions? What are the core regulatory pathways governing their formation, cargo selectivity, and directionality? And critically, can TNTs be therapeutically targeted to block pathogenic spread or enhance beneficial intercellular rescue? The rapid expansion of publications and models has generated excitement—but also fragmentation. Diverse nomenclature, varying imaging criteria, and field-specific approaches now call for integration, consensus, and coordinated advancement, which the conference seeks collectively to address.