The course will provide an overview of biomolecular condensates in biology. Discussion topics will include biophysical/biochemical principles that drive phase separation of various molecules (protein, nucleic acid, sugar, lipid), predictive methods for phase separation, theoretical perspectives, experimental approaches, biological function, regulation, use in biomaterials, and disease implications. The format will be a combination of lecture and discussion, with primary literature and review articles assigned as background reading. In addition to discussion and presentation, the students will be evaluated on a mini-review writing assignment on topics that are approved by the coordinators in advance.

Drop date: Students are not permitted to drop a 0.25 credit course if more than one class has been completed without approval of the course coordinator.

Lesson 1: Biological Condensates overview – Feb 22

• Biophysical/biochemical principles of phase separation and other modes of condensate assembly
• Molecular features of protein, nucleic acid, sugar, lipid phase separation
• Predictive methods for IDR phase separation
• Theoretical modeling

Lesson 2: Condensates in biology I – diverse properties and functions – Feb 29

• Location and compositional diversity
• Biophysical properties
• Condensates in bacteria,induced by viruses, eukaryotic condensates
• Many functions endowed by unique condensate properties

Lesson 3: Condensates in biology II – interaction with membranes – Mar 7

• Condensate regulation by membrane-associated processes: TIS granules, stress granules, Membrane protein clustering, Vesicles/Golgi-associated condensates, Post-synaptic densities
• Condensate regulation of membrane: Synaptic vesicles

Lesson 4: Condensates in biology III – on the way to fibers and biomaterials – Mar 14

• Pattern formation and force generation: Clathrin-mediated endocytosis, Cytoskeleton and synaptonemal complexes
• Biomaterials: Extracellular matrix, spider silk, muscle foot protein, squid beak protein, exoskeleton
• Their structural and dynamic properties, phase transitions, maturation

Lesson 5: Regulation of biological condensates – Mar 21

• Post-translational modifications
• Post-transcriptional modifications
• RNA splicing and protein cleavage
• Local environmental conditions and small molecules
• Protein expression levels and more

Lesson 6: Dysregulation of condensates in disease – Mar 28