An international research collaboration led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists that examined microscopic blobs of protein found in human cells has discovered that some morph from an almost honey-like substance to a hard candy-like solid.
These mysterious droplets, known as biomolecular condensates, solidify when they carry a high proportion of the protein alpha-synuclein, the scientists reported in Science Advances. Clumps of alpha-synuclein are commonly found in the brain cells of people with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative brain disorder.
The scientists said their discovery marks the first successful effort known to quantify condensate dynamics in live cells and highlights the importance of studying the mechanical properties of biomolecular condensates, which are linked to a wide range of biological functions and diseases. To read the full story.