Molecular determinants of protein-based coacervates

Protein–polyelectrolyte coacervates have gained interest for their potential to stabilize proteins or function as adhesives and biological implications in the formation of membraneless organelles. To effectively design these materials predict formation, knowledge macromolecular properties that dictate phase separation is required. This review highlights recent advances understanding molecular determinants protein–polyelectrolyte behavior. Properties promote pairs are covered from perspective synthetic systems simplified condensates. Prominent factors determine coacervate material include nonspecific intermolecular interactions, well specific interactions structures. Here, we summarize essential roles electrostatics, including charge magnitude distribution, (bio)polymer chemistry structure, post-translational modifications protein both a cellular context.