Polymer conformational distributions within condensates

Characterize the range of polymer conformations within single-component biomolecular condensates and ascertain how conformational distributions differ between condensate surface and bulk regions in vivo and in vitro.

Background

The methodological challenges section highlights that, even for single-component condensates, detailed molecular states are difficult to establish. In particular, polymer conformations are not well characterized and may differ between surface and interior regions.

Quantifying these conformational distributions would improve mechanistic models of condensate structure, dynamics, and function, and help reconcile in vitro and in vivo observations.

References

For in vitro studies, it is still challenging to know the exact densities and ratios of condensate components, or which molecules interact with which others and how; even for single-component condensates, the range of polymer conformations is generally unknown and may vary, e.g., between the surface and bulk, both in vivo and in vitro.

— Roadmap for Condensates in Cell Biology  (2601.03677 - Aierken et al., 7 Jan 2026) in Section 5.2: Methodological challenges — Composition and molecular states in condensates