Capillary forces generated by biomolecular condensates. Author Bernardo Gouveia, Yoonji Kim, Joshua Shaevitz, Sabine Petry, Howard Stone, Clifford Brangwynne Publication Year 2022 Type Journal Article Abstract Liquid-liquid phase separation and related phase transitions have emerged as generic mechanisms in living cells for the formation of membraneless compartments or biomolecular condensates. The surface between two immiscible phases has an interfacial tension, generating capillary forces that can perform work on the surrounding environment. Here we present the physical principles of capillarity, including examples of how capillary forces structure multiphase condensates and remodel biological substrates. As with other mechanisms of intracellular force generation, for example, molecular motors, capillary forces can influence biological processes. Identifying the biomolecular determinants of condensate capillarity represents an exciting frontier, bridging soft matter physics and cell biology. Keywords Cell Biology, Phase Transition, Biomolecular Condensates Journal Nature Volume 609 Issue 7926 Pages 255-264 Date Published 2022 Sep ISSN Number 1476-4687 DOI 10.1038/s41586-022-05138-6 Alternate Journal Nature PMCID 7434221 PMID 36071192 PubMedPubMed CentralGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML