Lectures and seminars What is life? Phase separation and organisation of cellular biochemistry
Speaker: Tony Hyman, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden
Hosts: Ingemar Ernberg, Eric Scarfone
Zoom link & details
https://ki-se.zoom.us/j/63504996264
Meeting ID: 635 0499 6264
Or dial +46 8 5052 0017 Sweden +46 850 539 728 Sweden
Abstract
Cells organize many of their biochemical reactions by formation and dissolution of non-membrane-bound compartments. Recent experiments show that a common mechanism for such biochemical organization is phase separation of unstructured proteins to form liquid-like compartments, which can subsequently harden to form compartments with new material properties such as gels and glasses. These compartments can be described by principles elucidated from condensed-matter physics and are therefore termed biomolecular condensates. I will discuss potential roles of phase separation in organization of cellular biochemistry and the role of aberrant phase separation in disease.