Abstract: 

The interior of cells contains numerous components that must be carefully organized in space to fulfill a wide range of biological functions. Unlike the more familiar membrane-enclosed compartments, biomolecular condensates exist predominantly as spherical, liquid-like droplets composed of proteins and nucleic acids. These condensates do not rely on membranes; instead, phase separation has emerged as one of the leading mechanisms to explain their spatial segregation within the cell.

Understanding biomolecular condensates is crucial due to their significant roles in both health and disease, as well as their potential for bioengineering and materials design. In addition to experimental approaches, molecular modeling and simulations have become powerful tools, providing detailed insights into the physicochemical principles governing these condensates. In this talk, I will discuss our current efforts to develop quantitatively accurate computational models for understanding and engineering biomolecular condensates, with a focus on intracellular phase separation.