On May 2nd, Sina Wittmann, group leader at the IMB, delivered a Methods Talk aimed at the network’s postgraduates, entitled “Protein Condensation in the Presence of Nucleic Acids.” Sina Wittmann’s research focuses on the role of protein condensation in gene activation. Biomolecular condensate formation can involve DNA, RNA, proteins, and larger assemblies of these macromolecules. In this talk, Sina introduced the role of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in condensate formation via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS). Sina provided several examples of biomolecular condensates, including stress granules, the nucleolus, and transcriptional condensates, highlighting their important role in cell function. Throughout the lecture, Sina focused on some of the methods used in her research to visualize and characterize biomolecular condensates, including the reconstitution of condensates on DNA and DNA binding assays. To better understand the relationship between droplet formation and condensation on surfaces, Sina has been applying concepts from soft matter physics, such as wetting and prewetting. Through a combination of optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy, Sina can simultaneously visualize and manipulate molecular interactions in real-time. Looking ahead, Sina aims to apply the insights gained from these biophysical experiments to the complex cellular context, with the goal of better understanding the impact of condensation on gene expression.