Sound-based traps reveal how fragile biomolecular droplets move, merge and change stiffness
Being able to measure something plays a vital role in our ability to understand many phenomena. But measuring can often affect what we are trying to measure. This is particularly the case when measuring substances that are very small, soft or fragile. In a recent study published in PRX Life, a research team led by the University of Osaka successfully used acoustic tweezers as a contactless method…
Researchers from the University of Osaka have developed a novel technique using acoustic tweezers to study fragile biomolecular droplets called biopolymer condensates. These droplets, composed of proteins and/or nucleic acids, play crucial roles in regulating various physiological functions within cells and are involved in maintaining cellular health.
However, due to their small size and fragility, conventional techniques have struggled to accurately measure their mechanical properties, such as fluidity and stiffness, which are essential for understanding their biological activity and role in both healthy and diseased cells.
To overcome these challenges, the research team fabricated a device that utilizes ultrasound to create an acoustic force capable of trapping these delicate condensates at a specific point without physically touching them. This contactless method allowed the team to efficiently trap and align biopolymer condensates made of polyadenylic acid, a type of condensate known to be sensitive to salt concentration.
By observing the natural movement of a droplet in solution under the influence of acoustic trapping, the researchers were able to gain valuable insights into the droplet's stiffness and the state of the molecules inside it. They then developed a framework to estimate the stiffness of a droplet based on its behavior in the acoustic trapping system.
This innovative approach of using acoustic tweezers to study biopolymer condensates has significant implications for understanding the mechanical properties of these fragile droplets. By providing a non-invasive method to analyze their stiffness and molecular state, researchers can now better comprehend how these droplets contribute to the healthy functioning of cells and the progression of diseases.
The findings from this study, published in PRX Life, highlight the potential of acoustic tweezers as a powerful tool for investigating soft materials like biopolymer condensates. This knowledge could pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic methods to treat diseases associated with the dysfunction of these critical biomolecular structures.
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