Role of Exosomes in Biological Communication Systems

This book reviews the role of exosomes and extracellular vesicles in both normal and pathological conditions. It first explains isolation methods for exosomes, and analyzes their fine structure and biological functions. Further, it highlights exosomes’ role as the key regulator in embryonic-maternal communication, and in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer and urogenital, infectious, and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it reviews the latest advances in using stem-cell-derived exosomes as a cell-free strategy in regenerative medicine, as well as the potential of exosomal microRNA as a promising non-invasive biomarker and targetable factor in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Lastly, it explores the use of natural and synthetic exosomes as nano-vehicles for efficient drug delivery.

About the Author

Dr. Faisal A. Alzahrani is an Associate Professor of Molecular Biology at King Abdulaziz University. He received his Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from North West Cancer Research Centre at Bangor University, where he studied the mechanisms of genome maintenance in cancer stem cells and stem cells. After that, he joined the university as a faculty member, set up his team and laboratory, and was appointed as deputy head of the stem cell unit. Dr. Alzahrani subsequently focused his research on stem cell-derived exosomes and their therapeutic applications. While working as a visiting lecturer at Aston Medical School in the UK, he became more interested in translating research and joined MirZyme Therapeutics as Vice President for the MENA region.