Town Talk: Condense to Organize

Rohit Pappu, Washington University in St. Louis

What are the unifying themes in neurodegeneration in the context of ALS and other dementias, success of heart transplantation, the onset and progression of an assortment of cancers, and stress responses of plants? In all these cases, the biochemical reactions within the cells of interest that go awry in pathology or the reactions that contribute to healthy cells occur within specialized communities known as biomolecular condensates. These are molecular communities that form via condensation, just like raindrops on a windshield. Condensates are dynamic molecular communities and reactions occur within and at the interface of condensates. These molecular communities form when they are needed, and dissolve when they are no longer needed. While reversible formation of condensates at the right place and time enables control over cellular reactions, aberrations in condensation appear to be at the root of some of the most debilitating and complex diseases of our time. The talk will highlight key insights that have emerged over the past decade-and-a-half that have opened our eyes to the marvels of condensation within cells. Strikingly,  how real-time developments in basic science are making an impact in the way we diagnose and treat disease, while also enabling enormous progress toward a better understanding of plant and microbial systems. 

Town Talks will be held on Tuesdays at the Telluride Conference Center in Mountain Village June 3 to August 12 (with the exception of July 1). Doors open at 6 pm and the program starts at 6:30 pm. Free and open to the public.

Thanks to our title sponsor Alpine Bank and Telluride Mountain Village Owner’s Association.