Active Processes in Cells and Tissues - Phase Separation in Active Systems - Lecture 2

Explore a comprehensive lecture on active processes in cells and tissues, focusing on phase separation in active systems. Delve into the physics of cellular compartments, droplet formation, and granule dynamics. Examine the thermodynamics of phase coexistence, protein gradients driving granule segregation, and the behavior of chemically active droplets. Investigate centrosome dynamics, RNA-protein assemblies, and the potential of active droplets as models for photocells. Gain insights into growth-division cycles and the organization of chemistry in space within living systems. This lecture, part of the ICTP-ICTS Winter School on Quantitative Systems Biology, offers a deep dive into the complex and dynamic nature of living matter, exploring how spatial patterns and morphologies emerge at cellular and multicellular scales.

DATE: 09 December 2019, 16:00 to
Lecture 1: 9 December 2019, PM
Lecture 2: 10 December 2019, PM
Lecture 3: 11 December 2019, PM
Lecture 4: 12 December 2019, PM
Active processes in cells and tissues Lecture 2
Lecture 2 Phase Separation in Active Systems
Acknowledgements
Cellular compartments
Many cell compartments
Asymmetric cell division
granule segregation
granule dynamics
granule assembly gradient
Droplet Physics
Liquid-liquid coexistence
granules are liquid drops
Droplet fusion: hydrodynamics
In vitro droplet formation
Thermodynamics of phase coexistence
Droplet coexistence
Temperature dependence
Protein gradient drives granule segregation
Position dependent phase separation
Droplet growth and shrinkage
Ostwald ripening
Cellular matter is active
Droplet with chemical reactions
Detailed balance
Passive chemical droplets
Chemically active droplets
Steady state of active droplets
Dynamics of active droplets
Physics of centrosomes
Centrosome dynamics
Centrosome assembly
Chemical transition
Centrosome: active droplet
Two growth scenarios
Nucleation by active centrioles
Theory- Experiment
Suppression of Ostwald ripening by active core
Dynamics of two coexisting autocatalytic droplets
Symmetric and asymmetric centrosome growth
Centriole positioning
RNA-protein assemblies organize chemistry in space
Coacervates
Active droplets as simple models for photocells
Division of active droplets
Growth-division cycles
Simple model for photocells
Conclusions
Q&A