Liquid-liquid phase separation in metabolic engineering: Mechanistic insights, emerging applications, and future challenges.

Liquid-liquid phase separation enables precise regulation of metabolic processes, with artificial condensates improving biosynthesis and cellular control in engineered systems.

• Why it matters: Understanding LLPS mechanisms addresses the challenge of achieving dynamic, multiscale regulation in metabolic engineering, surpassing traditional static methods.
• What they did: The review summarizes design principles, molecular factors, and regulatory strategies for LLPS-based artificial condensates, incorporating AI and deep learning to guide rational design.
• The result: This work advances the development of stable, compatible, and programmable condensates, paving the way for next-generation microbial cell factories with enhanced efficiency and control.