07.05.2025
Cells are remarkably organized, and while we often picture membrane-bound organelles like the nucleus or mitochondria, there’s another class of compartments that’s been hiding in plain sight: biomolecular condensates. These are dynamic, liquid-like droplets that form via phase separation—a process where certain proteins and RNAs spontaneously demix from their surroundings.
Unlike traditional organelles, condensates have no membranes. They assemble and disassemble in response to signals, forming hubs for key processes like RNA metabolism, stress response, and signalling. Think of them as flexible, transient "pop-up labs" inside the cell.
The first time I saw P-Bodies move: A moment of awe
In the dark dungeon, speckles illuminated with life! I had one of those unforgettable moments at the microscope: watching P-bodies—tiny, RNA-rich droplets—moving in real time. Some raced across cells, others drifted slowly. Each tissue layer revealed a different pattern—different numbers, sizes, and movement dynamics. This was my first encounter with phase-separated compartments, and now, after more than six years of working with P-bodies, I still find myself captivated every time I see them. These structures form without membranes and yet organize key processes like RNA decay and storage. I literally see, how alive and responsive these structures are. Watching them, I could feel the cell alive beneath the lens. This experience sparks a deep curiosity in me. Why are some moving fast and others slow? What controls their behaviour? What are they doing? That simple observation opens a floodgate of questions, pulling me deeper into the world of condensates.
P-bodies are one example of a broader class of biomolecular condensates that organize cellular functions using physical principles like phase separation. Today, condensates are recognized across all domains of life, from bacteria to humans to plants. Their widespread presence suggests they’re not just useful—they’re ancient. Over evolutionary time, what may have begun as simple, emergent structures have been refined into finely tuned regulators of cellular function.
For me, watching condensates moving in a living plant root wasn’t just an experiment—it was a glimpse into the organizational genius of life itself. These droplets may hold clues not only to how cells work, but also to how life may have started in the first place.
Sometimes, science doesn’t begin with a hypothesis - it begins with wonder.
Author: Neha Shukla
