Bacteria need to spatially organize their biochemical reactions, yet lack membrane-bound compartments. Recent studies have found that in addition to cytoskeletal filaments, a highly structured genome, and scaffolding proteins, bacteria also utilize biomolecular condensates for such spatiotemporal control. In this talk, I will discuss how condensates formed by the conserved intrinsically disordered protein PopZ are critical in the regulation of asymmetric cell division in the bacterium Caulobacter cresentus. I will then show that the PopZ condensate is formed by liquid-liquid phase separation, explore its molecular grammar, and demonstrate our ability to rationally manipulate its material properties. Finally, I will discuss the use of the PopZ condensate for designer condensates in mammalian cells.

Talk by:
Keren Lasker
The Scripps Research Institute

Start time in various timezones:
7:00 am PDT
9:00 am CDT
10:00 am EDT
2:00 pm UTC
3:00 pm BST
4:00 pm CEST

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