LMP Special Seminar: 3D pattern formation of a protein-membrane suspension

Pattern formation is fundamental to many biological functions, such as cell division and embryogenesis. Yet, how it emerges in heterogeneous and complex environments remains poorly understood. In particular, membrane-binding proteins, known to form 2D patterns on continuous substrates, evolve in the cytosol, where intracellular membranes are discontinous and motile. It raises the question of how reaction sites dispersion influences protein self-organization.

Here, we show that MinDE proteins, a prototypical pattern-forming system from E. coli, can form robust 3D patterns (traveling waves, spirals, etc.) when interacting with a suspension of nanoscale liposomes. Combining in vitro experiments, simulations, and linear stability analysis of a coarse-grained reaction-diffusion model, we identify key physical parameters governing 3D pattern formation, revealing how membrane fragmentation effectively rescales biochemical and transport rates. Our findings provide a framework for understanding intracellular self-organization and designing tunable, out-of-equilibrium biomimetic systems.