Systematic investigation of protein liquid-liquid phase separation condensates formation and characterizing their functional roles in aging

Aging is known to cause cellular environment changes and stresses.

In response to such changes and stresses, protein condensates can be formed through a process called liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS).

Emerging evidence has shown that protein condensates are linked with aging and the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases.

However, the largest gap in knowledge is the absence of a systemic profile of proteins that form LLPS condensates during aging, as well as the unknown mechanisms underlying how LLPS condensates exert their influence on the aging process.

The proposed project aims to develop a yeast imaging-based phenomic LLPS screening approach and perform the first genome-wide LLPS condensate formation screen in aged yeast cells.

We aim to identify almost all proteins that form detectable LLPS condensates during the aging process and characterize their functional roles in aging.

The results generated from this project will provide answers to fundamental questions regarding the relationship between protein LLPS condensates and aging.

Furthermore, the translation of these insights into human models can lead to valuable new markers and therapeutic targets for early diagnosis and effective treatment of aging-related diseases, which could eventually pave the way for achieving healthy aging.