Overview
Condensates have emerged as essential organizing hubs of biochemical pathways in cells. Dysregulated condensates are associated with a variety of human diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. Although work in recent years has revealed key mechanisms by which condensates assemble and acquire their emergent physicochemical properties, it remains largely mysterious how condensates regulate biological functions in cells and contribute to disease. In this workshop, we will discuss pressing topics related to our emerging understanding condensates in physiological and pathological contexts. We will focus on how synergy between experiments, theory, and modeling will help accelerate our understanding of condensates in health and disease.
Speakers
Jarrett Smith (Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago)
Eleus Bhuiya (Graduate Student, Biological Sciences, University of Illinois – Chicago)
Mason Rouches (Postdoc, Center for Living Systems, University of Chicago)
Andrew Belmont (Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Open Problem Pitches
TBA
Schedule
November 19 2026 Thursday
9:00am - 9:15am
Welcome
9:15am - 10:00am
Talk 1 + Discussion: Jarrett Smith (University of Chicago)
10:00am - 10:20am
Trainee Talk 1 + Discussion: Eleus Bhuiya (University of Chicago - Illinois)
10:20am - 10:50am
Coffee Break
10:55am - 11:15am
Trainee Talk 2 + Discussion: Mason Rouches (University of Chicago)
11:15am - 12:00m
Talk 2 + Discussion: Andrew Belmont (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign)
12:00m - 1:15pm
Lunch
1:15pm - 2:00pm
Open Problem Studio Pitches
5 pitches to introduce open problems. About 10 minutes (discussion + questions) per pitch.
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Breakout groups to discuss and brainstorm solutions to the presented open problems.
3:30pm - 4:15pm
Group Pitches + Discussion
5-10 minute share-out per group