The Biophysics of Mesoscale, Reversible, Biomolecular Liquid Assemblies
Biomolecular liquid droplets are ubiquitous in crucial cell processes, but the physical rules underpinning their formation are different from conventional 鈥渁biotic鈥 phase separation and remain to be determined. In this talk, I will discuss some of my team鈥檚 findings about the biophysics of mesoscale bio-liquid droplets using a model bacterial system [1], through an integrated interdisciplinary programme of research involving innovative bottom-up and top-down biophysical experimentation and theoretical modelling. We discover remarkable interplay between the physical principles of structural integrity and the biological functions of these fascinating membraneless organelles, manifest in a crucial capability to project encapsulated RNA from degradation [2].
1. Jin et al. Membraneless organelles formed by liquid-liquid phase separation increase bacterial fitness. 2021, doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abh2929.
2. Pei et al. Bacterial stress granule protects mRNA through ribonucleases exclusion. 2024, doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.27.591437. 2024