Revealing the Molecular Language of Protein Phase Separation Using Physics-Based Computational Approaches

The molecular language of protein phase separation refers to the specific rules and interactions governing the formation of biomolecular condensates within cells. This process has been deemed crucial for the proper functioning of cells, as it allows for the organization of membraneless compartments of different proteins and other biomolecules. In the first part of the talk, I'll discuss the relative merits of currently utilized mechanistic approaches to describe protein phase separation, from a general description based on physical principles to system-specific tools based on experimental input. The latter part of the talk will focus on applying physics-based approaches my group and others developed to several important biological systems of interest. In closing, I'll present results that highlight the limitations of currently accepted biophysical rules or the lack of general principles to describe important aspects of protein self-assembly.