Ieva Baronaitė

Abstract Electrochemical gradients are essential to the functioning of cells and form across membranes using active transporters. Here we show in contrast that condensed biomolecular systems—often termed condensates—sustain pH gradients without any external energy input. By studying individual condensates on the micrometre scale using a microdroplet platform, we reveal dense-phase pH shifts towards conditions of minimal electrostatic repulsion.

1. Introduction The classical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s Diseases (PD) are the formation of amyloid deposits within the brain; however, patients also exhibit chronic inflammation, and there is growing evidence that this plays a role in the onset and progression of these diseases [1,2].