Dynamics of Molecular Ensembles (DOME)

Head PI: Katharine White, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Co-PIs: Gabriel Burks, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Holly Goodson, professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry; and Jonathan Whitmer, associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

This project will study the structure and function of biomolecular condensates (BMCs), dynamic cellular structures that coalesce in cells like oil droplets forming in water. BMCs contain complex mixtures of proteins and other biomolecules that regulate key biological processes like cell movement, metabolism, and immune response. However, BMC formation, regulation, and dynamic behaviors remain poorly understood. The team will investigate how pH of the cell (acidity or basicity) influences BMC assembly and function, focusing on metabolic and cytoskeletal systems.

This project brings together experts in biology, chemistry, and engineering to study BMCs using advanced cellular time lapse imaging, AI-driven analysis, and computational modeling. The multidisciplinary team will reveal the rules governing BMC formation across scales, from molecules to tissues. By exploring how changes in factors like pH affect BMC behavior, they aim to uncover the fundamental rules of self-assembly that govern biological systems.

This research has broad implications for improving health by identifying new treatment strategies for diseases linked to dysregulated BMC formation such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders. Progress on this goal could reveal new molecular targets for designing better and safer diagnostics and therapies.