Cellular Griffiths-like phase

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel cellular Griffiths-like phase model based on liquid-liquid phase separation, offering insights into biological compartmentalization, evolution, and disease treatment through an innovative biophysical approach.

Contribution

It proposes the first cellular Griffiths-like phase model using Flory-Huggins theory and the Grüneisen parameter, linking phase separation to cellular function and organization.

Findings

Introduces the cellular Griffiths-like phase (CGLP) concept.

Highlights CGLP's role in biological compartmentalization and disease.

Suggests new biophysical methods for studying coacervation processes.

Abstract

Protein compartmentalization in the frame of a liquid-liquid phase separation is a key mechanism to optimize spatiotemporal control of biological systems. Such a compartmentalization process reduces the intrinsic noise in protein concentration due to stochasticity in gene expression. Employing Flory-Huggins solution theory, Avramov/Casalini's model, and the Gr\"uneisen parameter, we unprecedentedly propose a cellular Griffiths-like phase (CGLP), which can impact its functionality and self-organization. The here-proposed CGLP is key ranging from the understanding of primary organisms' evolution to the treatment of diseases. Our findings pave the way for an alternative Biophysics approach to investigate coacervation processes.