Cellular droplets in and out of equilibrium – DropInOut

Membraneless organelles are dynamical cellular structures formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins and nucleic acids. These ‘droplets’ are currently recognized to play a major role in organizing the cellular environment and LLPS has become a paradigm in cellular biology. Despite the ever-growing attention, we are still far from deciphering the details of these complex biomolecular assemblies, which are regulated by active processes and thus escape the boundaries of thermodynamic equilibrium. Here we will take inspiration from soft matter physics and combine a wide array of X-ray/neutron scattering experiments with advanced molecular modeling for unveiling the structural and dynamical properties of protein/RNA condensates and their assembly in equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. Our strategy will provide an unprecedented molecular picture of these elusive entities and elucidate the interplay between phase behavior and energy-consuming processes.