Toward Phase Diagrams in Multidomain Protein Solutions In Vitro

Explore the assembly phase behavior of multidomain protein solutions through this 21-minute conference lecture examining engineered silk-like proteins containing both folded and intrinsically disordered regions. Investigate how NT-2Rep-CT protein solutions can exist in multiple material states including homogeneous dilute solutions, metastable liquid-liquid coexistence, and irreversible aggregates using light microscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation measurements. Discover the critical role of solution metastability and aging on final material properties, while learning about the challenges in identifying equilibrium states in protein phase transitions. Examine a proposed minimalist phase diagram for understanding assembly phase responses and gain insights into the thermodynamics governing multidomain protein behavior. Build foundational knowledge for understanding non-equilibrium behavior of multicomponent solutions in living organisms, bridging the gap between well-studied globular and intrinsically disordered protein solutions toward a generalized framework for in vitro protein solution behavior.