Biofilms and droplet sizes (VIDEO) Princeton University This video is under embargo. Please login to access this video. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Caption : Researchers in the laboratories of Princeton University scientists Joshua Shaevitz, Howard Stone, and Sabine Petry have discovered that surface tension drives the liquid-like protein TPX2 to form globules that nucleate the formation of branching microtubules during cell division. The paper detailing these discoveries appeared in the Jan 28 issue of the journal Nature Physics. Here, a tabletop experiment shows how a uniform coating of glycerol on a wire transitions into beads. Withdrawing the wire quickly from the vial of glycerol (left) results in a thicker coating and bigger, more widely spaced beads, while withdrawing slowly (right) leads to a thinner coating and smaller, closer beads. Credit Video by the authors: Sagar U. Setru, Bernardo Gouveia, Raymundo Alfaro-Aco, Joshua W. Shaevitz, Howard A. Stone and Sabine Petry Usage Restrictions Editorial use only License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.