From Maxwell Fluid to Kelvin Voigt Solid: A Transient Network Model of Condensate Aging and Morphology Transition in Phase Separation

[2608.23076] A Transient-Network Model of Condensate Aging and Morphology Transition in Phase Separation Skip to main content Search Submit Donate Log in Physics > Biological Physics arXiv:2608.23076 (physics) [Submitted on 24 Aug 2026 ( v1 ), last revised 4 Nov 2026 (this version, v3)] Title: A Transient-Network Model of Condensate Aging and Morphology Transition in Phase Separation Authors: Bhanjan Debnath View PDF HTML (experimental) Abstract: Biomolecular condensates can undergo striking changes, such as transitioning from a liquid-like to a gel- or a solid-like aggregate due to changes in molecular interactions in response to changes in the biochemical environment. The question of how modified molecular interactions lead to such a transition in the material properties and spatial organization of condensates has not yet been elucidated. To address this question, we represent the biochemical environment as a triphasic mixture comprising a liquid-like protein-rich phase, a network-like protein-rich phase, and solvent. Owing to a change in the biochemical environment, protein molecules can reversibly switch between two conformational states. In a switched conformational state, the cross-linking domains of molecules are exposed which promote transient network formation in phase separated states. We develop a transient-network model and a continuum framework that couples phase separation, molecular switching, and dynamic cross-linking to predict condensate morphology and mechanics. The transient-network model predicts that a non-aging network behaves like a Maxwell fluid. When a network slowly ages via stabilization of cross-links, it shows Maxwell-like behavior and waiting time-dependent relaxation. However, a strongly aged network shows elastic recoil like characteristic of a Kelvin-Voigt solid. Our coupled continuum model demonstrates that the interplay of molecular switching and dynamic cross-linking in network formation shapes the spatial organization of condensate phases. In summary, this work demonstrates a mechanistic route explaining how conformational switching and molecular cross-linking regulate material properties and morphology of condensates. Subjects: Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph) ; Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) Cite as: arXiv:2608.23076 [physics.bio-ph] (or arXiv:2608.23076v3 [physics.bio-ph] for this version) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.23076 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite Submission history From: Bhanjan Debnath [ view email ] [v1] Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:32:10 UTC (8,145 KB) [v2] Thu, 27 Aug 2026 06:12:19 UTC (8,145 KB) [v3] Wed, 4 Nov 2026 16:11:58 UTC (8,132 KB) Full-text links: Access Paper: View PDF HTML (experimental) TeX Source view license Current browse context: physics.bio-ph < prev | next > new | recent | 2026-08 Change to browse by: cond-mat cond-mat.soft physics References & Citations SciX Google Scholar Semantic Scholar export BibTeX citation Bookmark Bibliographic Tools Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer Toggle Bibliographic Explorer ( What is the Explorer? ) Connected Papers Toggle Connected Papers ( What is Connected Papers? ) Litmaps Toggle Litmaps ( What is Litmaps? ) scite.ai Toggle scite Smart Citations ( What are Smart Citations? ) Code, Data, Media Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv Toggle alphaXiv ( What is alphaXiv? ) Links to Code Toggle CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers ( What is CatalyzeX? ) DagsHub Toggle DagsHub ( What is DagsHub? ) GotitPub Toggle Gotit.pub ( What is GotitPub? ) Huggingface Toggle Hugging Face ( What is Huggingface? ) ScienceCast Toggle ScienceCast ( What is ScienceCast? ) Demos Demos Replicate Toggle Replicate ( What is Replicate? ) Spaces Toggle Hugging Face Spaces ( What is Spaces? ) Spaces Toggle TXYZ.AI ( What is TXYZ.AI? ) Related Papers Recommenders and Search Tools Link to Influence Flower Influence Flower ( What are Influence Flowers? ) Core recommender toggle CORE Recommender ( What is CORE? ) Author Venue Institution Topic About arXivLabs arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs . Which authors of this paper are endorsers? | Disable MathJax ( What is MathJax? ) We gratefully acknowledge support from our major funders , member institutions , and all contributors. About · Help · Contact · Subscribe · Copyright · Privacy · Accessibility · Operational Status (opens in new tab)

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