Simulating Chromosome Compaction and Protein Droplets: Liquid phase separation? Liquid-liquid phase separation has been much studied as a mechanism for protein droplet formation in the context of many different cellular functions. This includes proteins that interact with the genome and that are involved in processes such as transcription, replication, DNA repair, or gene regulation. Despite much interest, there has been relatively little study of how interaction with a chromatin fibre affects the structure and dynamics of the arising droplets. Here I will present results from simulations of very simple course grained model proteins interacting with a polymer representing the genome which were inspired by the often conflicting experimental observations of heterochomatin protein 1 droplets. In particular I will show work which uncovers a new droplet regime which displays strikingly different behaviour to standard phase separation. This article was published on 2025-04-22
