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Biophysical underpinnings regarding the formation and the regulation of biomolecular condensates

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Abstract

For effective of orchestration of biochemical reactions that are optimized in different physicochemical environments, cells are evolved to carry various non-membranous biomolecular condensates in addition to conventional membrane-bound organelles. Recent studies have revealed that these biomolecular condensates are made up of proteins and RNAs of a specific character and are formed via liquid–liquid phase separation. Here, we review recent theoretical attempts trying to understand the biophysical principles underlying the formation and regulation of these intriguing structures. Comprehension of the biophysical underpinnings regarding the occurrence and the behavior of biomolecular condensates will make deeper insights into their biological functions possible.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (2018R1C1B5045902 and 2019R1F1A1057948), the DGIST R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea (20-CoE-BT-04) and in part by the start-up funds from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) to J.-C.L.

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  1. Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea

    Jinkwang Kim, Eunha Gwak & Jong-Chan Lee

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Kim, J., Gwak, E. & Lee, JC. Biophysical underpinnings regarding the formation and the regulation of biomolecular condensates. J. Korean Phys. Soc. 78, 393–400 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40042-021-00073-7

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