Abstract

Cellular bodies called ‘membraneless organelles’ are commonly encountered in Eukaryotic cells. Their nature has only recently been identified as regions of phase separated liquid droplets suspended inside cells. Typically we understand biochemistry as processes occurring principally in aqueous solvent, in water. These bodies challenge this assertion, as the interior is no longer bulk phase water. I will discuss in this talk results that characterise the unique and particular solvent properties of certain types of liquid droplets and show how these properties can alter both the chemistry and biochemistry of reactions that occur in their vicinity. Notably we will show how Eukaryotic cells can use the properties of these bodies to traffic mRNA.