@article {ranganathan2020dynamic,
	title = {Dynamic metastable long-living droplets formed by sticker-spacer proteins},
	journal = {Elife},
	volume = {9},
	year = {2020},
	pages = {e56159},
	publisher = {eLife Sciences Publications Limited},
	abstract = {Multivalent biopolymers phase separate into membrane-less organelles (MLOs) which exhibit liquid-like behavior. Here, we explore formation of prototypical MOs from multivalent proteins on various time and length scales and show that the kinetically arrested metastable multi-droplet state is a dynamic outcome of the interplay between two competing processes: a diffusion-limited encounter between proteins, and the exhaustion of available valencies within smaller clusters. Clusters with satisfied valencies cannot coalesce readily, resulting in metastable, long-living droplets. In the regime of dense clusters akin to phase-separation, we observe co-existing assemblies, in contrast to the single, large equilibrium-like cluster. A system-spanning network encompassing all multivalent proteins was only observed at high concentrations and large interaction valencies. In the regime favoring large clusters, we observe a slow-down in the dynamics of the condensed phase, potentially resulting in loss of function. Therefore, metastability could be a hallmark of dynamic functional droplets formed by sticker-spacer proteins.},
	url = {https://elifesciences.org/articles/56159},
	author = {Ranganathan, Srivastav and Shakhnovich, EugeneI.}
}
