Fundamental Aspects of Phase-Separated Biomolecular Condensates

16 February 2024, Version 1
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

Biomolecular condensates, formed through phase separation, are upending our understanding in much of molecular, cell, and developmental biology. There is an urgent need to elucidate the physicochemical foundations of the behaviors and properties of biomolecular condensates. Here we aim to fill this need by writing a comprehensive, critical, and accessible review on the fundamental aspects of phase-separated biomolecular condensates. We introduce the relevant theoretical background, present the theoretical basis for the computation and experimental measurement of condensate properties, and give mechanistic interpretations of condensate behaviors and properties in terms of interactions at the molecular and residue levels.

Keywords

biomolecular condensates
phase separation
binodal
critical temperature
material properties

Supplementary materials

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Supporting Information
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Additional mathematical equations that provide background and derivation
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