Towards a better understanding of the puzzling 'droplets' in the cell cytoplasm
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 - 09:31
in Physics & Chemistry
Liquid-like droplets are highly dynamic cytoplasmic aggregates of proteins with no apparent structure. Over the last two years they have attracted considerable attention due to their key functions in the cell and their relation to several diseases. Although first observed many years ago—Ramón y Cajal detected them—the attention they are receiving is as recent as the name given to describe them. Scientists are intrigued because these protein aggregates, which resemble drops of oil in the aqueous medium of the cell cytoplasm, are relevant for cell activity and regulation—so much so that they are described as being membraneless organelles.
