Here’s another condensate paper from the lab. We revisit biomolecular condensation—phase separation in protein suspensions—through the lens of critical phenomena. Kaarthik did excellent work characterizing mechanical properties and comparing their scaling behavior to the 3D Ising universality class.

Here’s my recent work on biomolecular condensates. In this paper, we address how small molecules shift the phase equilibria of condensates. We describe how underlying protein–solute interactions determine the observed shifts and develop a theoretical framework using standard thermodynamic theory.

In this issue: A parasite drives movement in infected red blood cells, electric charges can accelerate without emitting radiation, and stratospheric methane loss. In PNAS: https://ow.ly/c6bK50Yi61j

📣 New preprint: Mechanochemical feedback, tissue geometry & rigid-body dynamics initiate rotational migration in Drosophila via spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. A mechanism generalizable to closed epithelia. @sreejithsanthosh.bsky.social biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Ever had to wait at the airport even though your plane is already at the gate? That’s because the turbulence from earlier traffic needs to die down before the next takeoff. Our latest work in PNAS (on cover!) tackles this question of how turbulence decays and spreads. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

The word is out! The blob is back on the cover! I'm grateful to my mentors, William and Nigel @nigelgoldenfeld.bsky.social, and to Minhui @minhui-zhu.bsky.social, who performed the essential calculations. This work wouldn't have been possible without any one of us. Congratulations to the team!

Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) are still feeding on the obedient plant blossoms (Physostegia virginiana), though not quite in the numbers they were a few days ago. Here’s an experienced aviator drinking deeply. #InverteFest

Two weeks ago the Softliv crew was at the 2025 Soft Condensed Matter GRC! 🍃 We shared our ongoing research, learned a ton from the community, and enjoyed many energizing discussions. A highlight was reconnecting with our amazing lab alumni — nothing beats mixing science with good company! 💡👥

“When we set our sights on doing the impossible, that is when we are at our best". An inspiring message from former JPL director Laurie Leshin sets the tone for our Showcase Day at the Interdisciplinary Science Summit! In association with @caltech.edu Thank you!

If you are attending #APSSummit25 next week, check out the talks from my postdoc lab! Kaarthik will present critical fluctuations of liquid-liquid phase separation. More details in the original post. #LLPS #APS #condensates

Activity can drive flows: self-driven spinners reveal states from chiral active fluids to twisters. 🌪️ Amazing work led by Panyu, Scott, and Severine. It was a joy to watch the experiments unfold and analyze the flows together. Check out the cover to see how the spinners dance!

Important point to spread science

How do molecules diffuse across phase boundaries in liquid droplets? Find out in Lars' epic work in the preprint on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social @larshubatsch.bsky.social !!! @hymanlab.bsky.social @mpipks.bsky.social collaboration of Hymanlab, Frank Juelicher group and Chris Weber in Augsburg

After a remarkable 300 columns, David Goodsell has retired from the Molecule of the Month. We are very grateful for his service. @jiwasa.bsky.social will continue the series, beginning with January's article on Assembly Line Polyketide Synthases Details: cdn.rcsb.org/rcsb-pd...