HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Four second-year medical students at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine are among the authors of a newly published review examining how exosomes—tiny particles released by cells—help cells and organs communicate and how changes in that communication may contribute to chronic disease. 

Published in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, the review summarizes current research on how exosomes are formed, what they carry between cells and how their signaling changes in disease. The authors also examine the potential use of exosomes as biomarkers for disease and as tools for delivering future therapies. 

Exosomes transport proteins, lipids, metabolites, messenger RNAs and microRNAs between cells, influencing biological processes such as inflammation, metabolism and fibrosis. The review explores evidence that changes in the composition and function of exosomes may contribute to diseases including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders by altering communication between cells and organs. 

The authors also examine recent advances in using exosomes as minimally invasive biomarkers and therapeutic delivery systems, as well as technical challenges that currently limit their clinical application. By bringing together findings from molecular biology, disease research and translational science, the review provides an updated look at the role exosomes may play in both understanding and treating disease. 

Marshall medical students Adam Madore, Nigel Walsh, Kush Desai and Gideon Udoh contributed to the review under the mentorship of Komal Sodhi, M.D., associate professor, and Bruno Goncalves, Ph.D., research assistant professor, at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. 

“Providing medical students with opportunities to participate in research early in their training is an important part of their professional development and helps prepare them to become future physician-scientists,” said Krista Denning, M.D., assistant dean for student research at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. 

The students’ involvement reflects the School of Medicine’s emphasis on providing meaningful research and scholarly opportunities throughout medical education. 

The full article, “Exosome-Mediated Systemic Signaling: Mechanisms, Disease Integration, and Translational Potential,” is available in Current Issues in Molecular Biology.

Photo Caption: From left to right: Sneha S. Pillai, PhD; Kush Desai; Adam Madore; Bruno de Souza Goncalves, PhD; Gideon Udoh; Nigel Walsh 

Date Posted: Monday, August 31, 2026