New insight into biomolecular condensates from the labs of Yifan Dai and Rohit Pappu could set off a new wave of research with a new archetype of catalysts to consider when thinking about biochemical reactions in cells. (AI-generated image)Biomolecular condensates are ubiquitous in live cells, including bacteria, viruses, plants and mammalian systems. Phase separation, where molecules separate from the cellular milieu in ways similar to the separation of oil and water, is the driving force behind forming distinct biomolecular condensates. Now WashU researchers have found that certain components can act as catalysts as well. Bringing molecules together via phase separation gives rise to the emergent property of functioning as catalysts.