Introduction to condensates
In a series of opinion pieces, Elie Dolgin follows the evolution of the condensate field from basic science discoveries towards applications towards drug discovery, including basic rules that govern formation of condensates, early connections with disease, new and adapted technologies, as well as opportunities and challenges – from the entry point of condensate science in biotech in 2018, until now.
Foundational concepts in condensate science
Michael Rosen and colleagues address key concepts such as the scaffold-client model of condensate formation, regulation of physicochemical properties of condensates, and consequences of the local milieu on condensate-compartmentalized biochemical reactions.
Anthony Hyman, Christoph Weber and Frank Jülicher provide a comprehensive overview of the basic physical principles that underlie formation and regulation of condensates in biology.
Simon Alberti and Anthony Hyman discuss the mechanistic understanding on how biomolecular condensates are regulated in biology and how acquired or inherited condensate aberrations drive aging and disease.
Condensates as therapeutic targets
Elie Dolgin follows the progression of efforts by the academic and biotech communities to apply condensate science towards developing therapeutics.
- How cells’ ‘lava lamp’ effect could make cancer drugs more powerful
- Drug startups coalesce around condensates
Dewpoint scientists review the principles of condensate formation and regulation, discuss experimental support for condensate-mediated diseases, and modulation of condensates to reverse disease. They also propose new approaches for discovery and optimization of a new class of drugs – condensate-modifying drugs (c-mods) that intentionally target the molecular community within the condensate as opposed to a unique biomolecule.
- Modulating biomolecular condensates: a novel approach to drug discovery
- Principles and functions of condensate modifying drugs
- Biomolecular condensates as novel antiviral targets
Pfizer scientists “provide readers with forward-looking insights into a drug discovery era that integrates the evolving fields of biomolecular condensates and RNA therapeutics to deliver novel opportunities for patients.” – Mariano Oppikofer.
Ann Boija, Isaac Klein and Richard Young review the growing evidence of condensate involvement in oncogenesis and treatment efficacy and set the stage for yet unanswered questions that are critical for the successful development of condensate-targeted antineoplastic drugs.