Q&A: UW scientists decode the logic behind cells’ mysterious protein stockpiles

April 22, 2026

Q&A: UW scientists decode the logic behind cells’ mysterious protein stockpiles

small black blobs outlined in red grow and divide and then begin to disappear

UW News spoke with Paul Wiggins, a University of Washington associate professor of both physics and bioengineering, to learn about a surprisingly relatable behavior prompting bacteria to stockpile huge reserves of essential proteins.