I am Ying Xie, a postdoctoral researcher at New York University specializing in biomolecular condensate biology. My research focuses on the physiological functions of condensates in regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics and the role of ribonucleoprotein condensates in cytoplasmic diffusion and stress adaptation. I have authored several high-impact publications, including my recent postdoctoral work in Molecular Cell, which was highlighted by Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology.

As a junior woman researcher with research experience across diverse geographic and cultural settings, I deeply value interdisciplinary scientific communication. The Hong Kong Laureate Forum presents a unique opportunity for me to engage with young scientists from various disciplines, to share my research and exchange ideas, and explore collaborative possibilities. This interdisciplinary dialogue is essential for advancing scientific discovery and fostering innovation.

Aspiring to establish my independent research group, I am eager to connect with distinguished scientists at the HKLF, learn from their experiences, and gain insights into career development. I look forward to meaningful discussions, new perspectives, and opportunities to contribute to the global scientific community. By participating in Hong Kong Laureate Forum, I hope to expand my research horizons, build lasting collaborations, and inspire the next generation of scientists.

The cell interior is packed with macromolecules of mesoscale size, and this crowded milieu significantly influences cellular physiology. Cellular stress responses almost universally lead to inhibition of translation, resulting in polysome collapse and release of mRNA. The released mRNA molecules condense with RNA-binding proteins to form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates known as processing bodies and stress granules. In my postdoctoral research, I discovered that polysome collapse and condensation of RNA transiently fluidize the cytoplasm, and coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations support this as a minimal mechanism for the observed biophysical changes. Increased mesoscale diffusivity correlates with the efficient formation of quality control bodies (Q-bodies), membraneless organelles that compartmentalize misfolded peptides during stress. Synthetic, light-induced RNA condensation also fluidizes the cytoplasm. Together, our study reveals a functional role for stress-induced translation inhibition and formation of RNP condensates in modulating the physical properties of the cytoplasm to enable efficient response of cells to stress conditions.