Biological condensates are cellular structures that form without membranes. Previous research has shown that these tiny blobs can trap or separate proteins and molecules. However, their global impact on cell biochemistry remained a question until researchers from Duke University and Washington University in St. Louis discovered these condensates' critical role.

Published in the journal Cell, the study reveals that biological condensates alter the electrical potential of cellular membranes. They influence how cells interact with the environment and respond to stress, including antibiotic resistance.

Lingchong You, the James L. Meriam Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Duke, said:

"Our research shows that condensates influence cells well beyond direct physical contact, almost like they have a wireless connection to how cells interact with the environment. Beyond demonstrating the electrical mechanisms behind this connection, we've proven that condensate formation can make cells more tolerant to certain types of antibiotics and more susceptible to others."

Ashutosh Chilkoti, the Alan L. Kaganov Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Duke, added:

"We expect that these electric potential effects express themselves in a wide variety of ways through cellular behaviors."

Since condensates function like sponges, their compartment can be filled with trapped ions, creating electrostatic imbalances. These imbalances can trigger changes in the cell's electrochemical environment. 

Yifan Dai, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, illustrated the effects of forming these condensates. He said once the blobs form, they are guaranteed to influence various cellular activities, including gene regulation.

The team concluded this by stressing E. coli bacteria or manipulating their gene expression to force them to form internal condensates. They examined the electrical charge in the bacteria's cellular membranes and exposed them to antibiotics.

The outcome showed that some cellular membranes became more negatively charged due to condensate formation, affecting how cells react to antibiotics. 

Read the full article here to learn more about the effects of biological condensates on cell biochemistry.

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