Liquid-liquid phase separation

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a process where a uniform mixture of molecules in a liquid splits into two distinct liquid phases, much like oil separating from water. In biological systems, this often involves proteins and other molecules forming concentrated, droplet-like regions inside cells. These droplets are dynamic, allowing molecules to move in and out, which helps organize cellular functions without membranes. LLPS is crucial for processes like forming stress granules or signaling hubs, and it can play roles in health and disease by influencing how proteins behave in the cell.