Phase separation: Bridging polymer physics and biology

Significant parallels exist between the phase separation behavior of polymers in solution and the types of biomolecular condensates, or ‘membraneless organelles,’ that are of increasing interest in living systems. Liquid–liquid phase separation allows for compartmentalization and the sequestration of materials and can be harnessed as a sensitive strategy for responding to small changes in the environment. Here, I review many of the parallels and...