SMRTR Science & EngineeringFeb 18, 2026Quanta Magazine

The Biophysical World Inside a Jam-Packed Cell

SMRTR summary

Traditional biology textbook illustrations show cells with spacious interiors and floating organelles, but new research reveals cells are actually jam-packed environments where up to 40% of space is occupied by proteins, DNA, and other molecules. This crowded reality fundamentally changes how cellular processes work, as molecules must navigate through dense networks rather than freely floating in empty space, forcing scientists to reconsider basic cellular biology.

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