MBI Seminar

Abstract

The diverse functions and homeostasis maintenance of cells and tissues are supported by dynamic communications between internal single molecules and organelles. Organelles have been thought to be separated by lipid membranes, as represented by cell nuclei and mitochondria. However, in recent years, many organelles and molecular assemblies that do not have lipid membranes, often called as biomolecular condensates, have been discovered and reconsidered. They are formed through phase separation principles and are likely involved in important biological functions, including gene expression and signaling; however, we are still largely in the dark about the molecular and biophysical factors that govern where and when these condensates form in living cells. Using optogenetics to light-control the nucleation process, we quantitatively analyzed it and revealed that the process can be described by the framework of classical nucleation theories. Moreover, we found that locally concentrated biomolecular features (e.g. amino acid sequence) can tune the nucleation landscape. In this seminar, in addition to the nucleation mechanism, I will share the recent ongoing work on the interface fluctuation of biomolecular condensates.

Reference [1] S. F. Shimobayashi, Pierre Ronceray, David W. Sanders, Mikko P. Haataja, and C. P. Brangwynne, Nucleation landscape of biomolecular condensates, Nature, 599 (7885), 503-506, (2021)