Phase Separation in Biological Regulation and Disease
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 33
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biomacromolecule phase separation; epigenetic regulation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biomolecular phase separation is a fundamental organizational principle within cells, creating dynamic, non-membranous compartments known as biomolecular condensates. These structures are integral to a vast array of biological processes, including chromatin organization, gene transcription, RNA metabolism, and signal transduction. Understanding the rules that govern the formation, composition, and material properties of these condensates is a central goal in modern biology, offering a new framework for deciphering life's complexity.
This Special Issue, titled “Phase Separation in Biological Regulation and Disease”, aims to capture the full breadth of this exciting field. We welcome original research and review articles that illuminate the diverse roles of phase separation in biological regulation, from the underlying biophysical principles to its functional impact on cellular physiology.
Crucially, as the breakdown of this precise regulation is increasingly implicated in human pathology, we hold a particular interest in studies focused on the role of phase separation in disease. We especially welcome manuscripts that investigate how disease-associated genetic variants or pathological stress lead to condensate dysregulation, resulting in either a loss of normal function or a gain of toxic properties. Furthermore, we invite contributions that explore the downstream consequences of aberrant phase separation on cellular and organismal health, as well as studies presenting novel technologies or therapeutic strategies aimed at precisely modulating these condensates.
This collection will provide a comprehensive portrait of the current landscape of phase separation research, highlighting its significance from basic biological mechanisms to translational medicine.
Prof. Dr. Liang Wang
Prof. Dr. Ke Liu
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- biomolecular condensates
- liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS)
- gene regulation
- disease pathogenesis
- aberrant phase separation
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