Phase-Separated Nuclear Bodies: Unraveling RNA Processing and Chromatin Dynamics

Phase separation in nuclear cell biology represents a conceptual framework for understanding how cells spatially and temporally regulate gene expression. Membraneless nuclear bodies - such as nucleoli, Cajal bodies, and nuclear speckles - are now recognized as sites of dynamic molecular congregation, forming through biomolecular condensation. While foundational studies have uncovered key principles underlying condensate formation and function, significant questions remain regarding their molecular impact on chromatin architecture, transcriptional activity, and the orchestration of RNA biogenesis. Recent technological breakthroughs, including MINFLUX nanoscopy, single-molecule imaging, and high-resolution transcriptomics, have enabled researchers to probe these nuclear structures at an unprecedented level of detail. However, much about how these nuclear bodies influence genome organization and gene regulatory networks is unknown, and their dysfunction is increasingly associated with a spectrum of human diseases.

This Research Topic aims to clarify the mechanisms by which phase-separated nuclear bodies govern RNA processing and chromatin dynamics. A central objective is to address the ongoing debate over whether these condensates function primarily as resource hubs, supplying essential factors to local genomic regions, or as sequestration domains, restricting access and thereby modulating transcription and RNA-processing outputs. By interrogating the balance between these roles, this topic seeks to uncover fundamental rules that underpin the spatial and temporal logic of gene-expression control within the nucleus. Insights derived from this work hold the promise of revealing not only basic biological principles but also potential targets for therapeutic intervention where aberrant condensate behavior contributes to pathology.

To gather further insights in the regulation of nuclear organization by phase separation, this Research Topic welcomes studies that emphasize mechanistic investigations and technological advances, with a focus on animal, plant, and disease models. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Molecular composition and biophysical properties of nuclear condensates
o Advanced imaging and sequencing techniques for condensate research
o Chromatin architecture remodeling by phase-separated bodies
o Interplay between nuclear bodies, RNA biogenesis, and transcriptional regulation
o Pathological consequences of aberrant nuclear condensate formation
o Therapeutic targeting of condensation mechanisms in disease

We invite original research, reviews, methods, and perspectives that advance this dynamic area of nuclear cell biology.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: rna processing, chromatin, chromatin regulation, nuclear bodies, Super-resolution microscopy, Phase separation, Biomolecular condensates, Nuclear speckles, Nucleolus, Chromatin organization, Transcription regulation, Alternative splicing

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.