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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Using Solution NMR to Characterize Biomolecular Condensates Under Biphasic Conditions
Published on: April 17, 2026
Biomolecular condensates containing RNA: Nuclear magnetic resonance to the rescue
Johannes Schmoll1, Nina C Kathe1, Mihajlo Novakovic1
1Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) drives the formation of membraneless organelles that are crucial for the spatial organization of eukaryotic cells. Given the critical role of biomolecular condensates in health and disease, it is important to gain a quantitative understanding of this phenomenon. Here, we summarize recent progress on elucidating the biophysical properties of RNA-containing condensates with a focus on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which allows label-free characterization of these complex biomolecular condensates. We further review how our understanding of condensate formation, properties and function has advanced in recent years based on NMR and complementary methods, which are likely to provide a lot more in the future.
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