Examining the role of non-equilibrium phase separation within nucleoli function

核仁是一种无膜细胞器，存在于真核细胞的细胞核(以及原核生物的细胞质)中。它主要是因为它在核糖体生物发生中的作用而被认识到。作为一种无膜细胞器，它的动力学由相分离决定；这是一种物理现象，导致均质液体转变为多个不同的液体相。虽然平衡相分离已为人所熟知，但目前还不存在全面的非平衡相分离理论。这是因为最近人们认识到化学驱动(ATP驱动)相分离在决定细胞内这些无膜细胞器的动力学时所起的作用。这项研究旨在开发和分析核仁的模拟，描述相分离如何控制其核糖体生物发生功能。该模型可以与实验数据结合使用，更好地理解核仁作用背后的机制，同时也提高了我们对非平衡相分离的理解。

The nucleolus is a membrane-less organelle that exists within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells (and the cytoplasm of prokaryotes). It its recognised predominantly for its role in ribosomal biogenesis. As a membrane-less organelle, its dynamics are dictated by phase separations; a physical phenomenon that causes the transition of a homogenous liquid into multiple distinct liquid phases. While phase separation in equilibrium is well understood, no comprehensive theory of non- equilibrium phase separation currently exists. There is a demand for this due to the recent recognition of the role that chemically driven (ATP driven) phase separation has when dictating the dynamics of these membrane-less organelles within cells. This research aims at developing and analysing a simulation of nucleoli that describes how phase separation governs their function of ribosomal biogenesis. This model can be used in conjuncture with experimental data to understand the mechanisms behind nucleoli function better, while also improving our understanding of non-equilibrium phase separation.