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We have recently discovered that there are biological proteins that phase separation out of solution to form liquid like protein condensates much the way oil will de-mix from water (see movie 1). So far, this appears to be a very important and general strategy utilized by cells to form compartments with material properties tuned to their specific function. To first approximation, we can understand this process using physical principles developed to understand synthetic polymers. However, unlike synthetic polymers, biological proteins have specific and intricate amino acid sequences.
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(Movies and figures from Jawerth et al Science 2020).
Protein condensates exhibit time dependent properties. In this movie we see protein condensates (in green) shortly after formation. Initially their coalescence is fast suggesting quick internal dynamics. Over time, however, the coalescence slows. This indicates that the material has age dependent properties. By following the thermal diffusion of small markers (in magenta) we are also able to estimate the material properties of the droplets as they age.