Electrostatics of biomolecular condensates: Methodological advances, limitations, and implications for membrane...

Biomolecular condensates are vital organizers of cellular space. These membraneless organelles wet and remodel membranes to orchestrate many critical physiological processes. While the molecular interactions driving condensate formation and their material properties are increasingly well understood, their emergent electrochemical environment has only recently come into focus. In contrast to membrane electrostatics, which has been extensively characterized for decades, the surface charge, interphase potentials and dielectric properties of condensates are only now beginning to be investigated. In this mini-review we examine how electrostatics drive and shape condensate-membrane interactions and critically assess the advantages and limitations of the currently used methods to characterize condensate electrical properties. Finally, we identify the challenges and open questions in the field.