Life arises from the organization of disordered matter into ordered, functional structures. In cells, this order emerges through dynamic molecular processes, including the self-assembly of proteins into complex molecular machinery that enables adaptation and survival. Our research group examines how protein conformational changes and self-assembly — including protein phase separation, aggregation, and amyloid formation — regulate cellular behavior in health and disease. Drawing on concepts and methodologies from the life and physical sciences, we uncover how protein self-assembly is regulated, how it shapes cellular function, and how it can be harnessed for therapeutic intervention and biomolecular engineering. We study these processes in the context of immune responses and aging, positioning our work at the interface of fundamental and biomedical research.