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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.06.24.734243

Critical Scaling Laws and Universality Classes in Biomolecular Condensates

Song, H.·Hu, G.·Wu, X.·Zhang, X.·Li, J.
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Abstract

Biomolecular condensates are widespread cellular self-assembled structures with essential functions. There are suggestions of condensates formed by different proteins being near criticality. However, systematic investigation of the criticality of condensates is absent, and critical exponents defining their universality class have not been found. Here, using long-time simulations, we show that condensates exhibit typical critical phenomena, including scale-free spatiotemporal correlations, critical slowing down, divergence of correlation length and dynamic scaling. From these scaling behaviors, a set of critical exponents is determined. Based on dynamic critical exponent, diverse condensates can be divided into two distinct universality classes, arising from differences in their molecular components and interaction types.

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Song, H., Hu, G., Wu, X., Zhang, X., Li, J.. 2026-06-29. Critical Scaling Laws and Universality Classes in Biomolecular Condensates. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.24.734243

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