Regulation of biomolecular condensates by interfacial protein clusters

Pickering emulsions, droplet suspensions stabilized by solid particles, were discovered more than 100 years ago and are well studied in foods, oils, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The particles adsorb to the droplet interface and prevent the emulsion from coarsening. Folkmann et al . report that P granules, biomolecular condensates in Caenorhabditis elegans , are an example of an intracellular Pickering emulsion (see the Perspective by Snead and Gladfelter). Biomolecular condensates are cellular compartments that form without traditional lipid membranes. This work raises the possibility that Pickering agents fulfill the role of membranes in biomolecular condensates. —DJ