Liquid-liquid Phase Separation in Biology

Overview

Journal Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol

Publisher Annual Reviews

Specialty Cell Biology

Date 2014 Oct 8

PMID 25288112

Citations 1244

Authors

Anthony A Hyman

Christoph A Weber

Frank Julicher

Affiliations

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Abstract

Cells organize many of their biochemical reactions in non-membrane compartments. Recent evidence has shown that many of these compartments are liquids that form by phase separation from the cytoplasm. Here we discuss the basic physical concepts necessary to understand the consequences of liquid-like states for biological functions.

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