Biomolecular condensates allow cells to overcome various physical challenges in a relatively straightforward manner. Here we propose that cells use specialized condensates to reconstruct epigenetic information that is lost during replication. Chromatin itself plays an important role in the formation of these condensates through a mechanism called polymer-assisted condensation [1]. Missing epigenetic tags are then placed back on the nucleosomes via special enzymes located inside the condensates. I present some unpublished computer simulations that show that this mechanism can work near optimally.
[1] J.-U. Sommer, H. Merlitz and H. Schiessel, Polymer-assisted condensation: a mechanism for heterochromatin formation and epigenetic memory, Macromolecules 55, 4841 (2022).