Fig. 1.

Lipid droplet biogenesis at the endoplasmic reticulum. Neutral lipids (NLs) are synthesized within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bilayer. Upon reaching a critical concentration, the NLs demix and coalesce to form a lens‐like structure. As NLs continue to be synthesized, the lens grows into a premature lipid droplet (LD). Upon continued growth, the LD buds toward the cytosolic face of the ER as a result of unidirectional growth. LDs can remain associated with the ER membrane or detach completely.