Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
06:48
Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Protein-Condensate Dynamics in Live Human Cells
Published on: January 5, 2024
5.9K
Topography-driven movement of biomolecular condensates
Matthias Pöllmann1,2, Katja Zieske1,2
1Molecular Biophysics and Living Matter, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany.
Plos One
|April 15, 2026
Summary
Membrane topography influences how biomolecular condensates move. These cellular structures can move against gravity on patterned surfaces, with movement affected by how strongly they attach to the membrane.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Materials science
Background:
- Biomolecular condensates organize cellular reactions.
- Their movement on membranes is crucial but not fully understood.
- Membrane topography's role in condensate displacement requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how membrane topography affects biomolecular condensate movement.
- To explore the influence of membrane attachment on condensate displacement.
- To understand the physical principles governing condensate dynamics on structured surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cell-free assay to reconstitute biomolecular condensates on lipid membrane-clad microstructures.
- Studied condensate movement on surfaces with varying topographies (grooves, cylinders).
- Employed PEG-coating to assess the role of surface passivation.
Main Results:
- Observed untethered condensates moving perpendicular to microstructured surfaces, against gravity.
- Increased membrane attachment decreased the frequency of perpendicular movements.
- Both liquid-like and viscous condensates exhibited movement; PEG-coating also enabled perpendicular motion.
- Increased wetting on microgrooves led to elongated condensates with coordinated fusion-driven movement.
Conclusions:
- Membrane topography significantly regulates the passive movement of biomolecular condensates.
- The interplay between surface topography and membrane attachment patterns dictates condensate dynamics.
- Findings provide insights into the physical mechanisms controlling intracellular organization and transport.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Protein Diffusion in the Membrane
6.4K
Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...
6.4K
01:43The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles
7.4K
In eukaryotic cells, cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
7.4K
01:34The Fluid Mosaic Model
186.0K
The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.
186.0K
01:12Diffusion
232.2K
Diffusion is the passive movement of substances down their concentration gradients—requiring no expenditure of cellular energy. Substances, such as molecules or ions, diffuse from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration in the cytosol or across membranes. Eventually, the concentration will even out, with the substance moving randomly but causing no net change in concentration. Such a state is called dynamic equilibrium, which is essential for maintaining overall...
232.2K
01:26Membrane Fluidity
18.3K
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
18.3K
01:23Membrane Fluidity
180.1K
Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
180.1K