(746e) [Invited Talk] Colloidal Systems with Both a Short-Range Attraction and Long-Range Repulsion

The interaction between proteins in solution typically consists of both a short-range attraction and long-range repulsion (SALR). Thus, understanding colloidal systems with the SALR interaction is the key step for us to eventually predict and control the structure and dynamics of concentrated protein solutions. In this talk, I will discuss the recent progress on this special type of colloidal systems. The short-range attraction favors the cluster formation while the long-range repulsion prevents clusters from growing too big. The competition of these two potential features results in the frustrated phase separation, and in some cases, the microphase separation. Both the equilibrium and non-equilibrium phase diagrams of different types of SALR systems will be discussed based on the results from computer simulation and experimental model protein systems. One hallmark feature of many SALR systems is the formation of intermediate range order (IRO). We will show the relationship between the IRO and the particle microstructure, including the formation of clusters with optimal sizes. And further, the impact of the IRO on the dynamics of a SALR system will be discussed.