Two extremes of liquid-liquid phase separation in membranes: minimal, artificial membranes with two lipids versus living, biological membranes with hundreds of components

Amidst longstanding excitement about liquid–liquid phase separation in cells, fundamental questions have persisted about exactly which molecules are required when this transition occurs in 2D lipid membranes. Using artificial membranes, we applied a physical perspective by searching for truly minimal systems that undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. We found one in a membrane containing sterol-lipids. Using natural membranes, we applied a biological perspective by investigating micron-scale liquid-liquid phase separation in membranes of yeast vacuoles (an organelle). The phases have an important function: they play a role in enabling the yeast to survive periods of stress. We found that yeast actively regulate this phase transition.  

Chair: Jorine Eefkens