Abstract - Spruijt

Biomolecular condensates, or coacervates, are condensed liquid-like droplets formed by liquid-liquid phase separation in cells. In health, they function as storage centres and organizational hubs for biomolecules, while their dysfunction has been associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. However, emerging evidence from cell biology shows that condensates also have functional interactions with membranes, leading to intracellular transport, membrane remodelling and repair and signalling. In this talk, we will explore  the interactions between coacervates as condensate models and membranes, and how to exploit them for the controlled delivery of micrometer-sized liquid droplets and their cargo across lipid membranes.