Janin Lautenschlager

Project/study information 

Alpha-synuclein is a presynaptic protein involved in the formation of protein aggregates. These are known as Lewy bodies and are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. Recent research suggests that protein phase separation and the subsequent formation of condensates could play a critical role for the function of alpha-synuclein as well as its aggregation. Combining in-vitro biochemical studies, cellular phase separation assays and super-resolution imaging in the lamprey reticulospinal giant synapse model we delve into the principles of synapse compartmentalization, studying alpha-synuclein function and dysfunction in disease.