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

核仁是一种无膜的细胞器，存在于真核细胞的细胞核中（以及原核生物的细胞质中）。它主要被认为在核糖体生物发生中的作用。作为一种无膜细胞器，其动力学是由相分离决定的；使一种均质液体转变为多个不同液相的一种物理现象。平衡相分离已被很好地理解，但目前还没有全面的非平衡相分离理论。由于最近认识到化学驱动（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，因此对这一点有需求。本研究旨在开发和分析核仁的模拟，描述相分离如何控制核糖体生物发生的功能。该模型可以与实验数据结合使用，更好地理解核仁功能背后的机制，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.