Engineering self-assembled intracellular biological condensates

细胞依靠蛋白质连接在一起来构建细胞结构，但弱相互作用如何构建稳定的结构是一个谜。新的证据表明，蛋白质聚集在一起，然后改变状态，采用类似液体的行为，建立重要的纳米结构，如称为paraspeckles的核体。这个项目将解开蛋白质这种神秘行为的秘密，使用paraspeckles作为模型。我们将利用这些信息的纳米技术应用，建立一个合成paraspeckle启发结构与定制功能。受益将包括重要细胞结构如何组装和拆卸的新概念，以及操纵细胞过程的纳米技术和合成生物学工具。

Cells depend on proteins linking together to build cellular structure, but how weak interactions build stable structure is a mystery. New evidence suggests proteins come together and then change state, employing liquid-like behaviour that builds vital nanoscale structure, such as nuclear bodies called paraspeckles. This project will unlock the secrets of this mysterious behavior of proteins, using paraspeckles as a model. We will use this information for nanotechnology application to build a synthetic paraspeckle inspired structure with bespoke function. Benefits will include new concepts in how vital cell structure is assembled and disassembled, and nanotechnology and synthetic biology tools to manipulate cellular processes.