2) Programmable Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS) and Controlled Supramolecular Polymerization of Synthetic Small Molecules:

Chemists have always been inspired by nature’s incredible ability to control processes at a variety of temporal and spatial scales, which is crucial for the emergence and upkeep of life. For example, depending on their folding state and the environment, proteins can self-assemble into highly structured structures or liquid-like condensates. Membraneless organelles (MLOs), which serve as dynamic centers for RNA transport and processing, molecular storage, and metabolic processes, are created by liquid-like condensates. In our group, we are working on synthetic coacervates extending beyond their established role in synthetic biology as dynamic, membraneless phases to enable structural control in synthetic supramolecular polymers via a bioinspired approach. We are also working on reaction-coupled, programmable coacervate droplets by exploiting dynamic covalent chemistry to construct a sticker–spacer architecture that drives coacervation.