The Polymers of Life: Exploring Cellular Function Through Polymer Concepts

Biological organization has traditionally been viewed through the lens of distinct organelles and lock-and-key molecular interactions. The recent explosion of interest in phase separation has reshaped this view, revealing that cells also organize through membraneless organelles, also called biomolecular condensates, for spatial, temporal, and functional organization of its constituents. A key outcome of this shift has been the integration of polymer physics into cell biology, opening new avenues for understanding macromolecular behavior in living systems. This review traces the evolution of the field from foundational polymer physics, connects polymer properties to biological processes, and proposes a framework for interrogating cellular function through the lens of polymer science. While polymers are ubiquitous in daily life, their relevance to natural macromolecules and biological organization in cells is less apparent outside the discipline. Notably, current explorations at the biology-polymer interface echo much of the early pioneering work in polymer science. Accordingly, this review serves both as a primer on polymer concepts central to cellular processes and as a synthesis of recent advances and emerging tools for studying condensates in living cells.