Sprecher
Beschreibung
Coacervates, are condensed liquid-like droplets that are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation of peptides, nucleic acids and small molecules. They have been proposed as promising protocell candidates, because of their spontaneous formation and membrane-free nature, which allows for the uptake and concentration of a wide range of nutrients and building blocks required for life. However, the absence of a membrane also renders them unstable and prone to fusion, wetting and disintegration. Recent findings show that coacervate droplets can interact with membranes in different and unexpected ways. Here, we discuss how the interaction between coacervates and membrane can be tailored and utilized to create hybrid protocells, reshape membranes, deliver vital building blocks across membranes, and achieve intracellular organization in protocells.
