About us

At our team, we are passionate about neuroscience and protein phase separation. We are motivated by the potential for these fields to unlock a deeper understanding of the brain and the mechanisms that govern its function. Our curiosity drives us to explore the molecular processes that underlie the formation and regulation of membrane-less organelles.

Our Team Members

Our team brings together a wealth of expertise and experience to drive our mission. Explore the profiles below to learn more about the individuals who collaborate passionately to achieve our goals in unravelling the biological regulation of synaptic membrane-less organelles.

  • Group Leader

    Dr Janin Lautenschläger is a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow and Principal Investigator at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR). With a strong foundation in neuroscience, she is driven by the passion to understand the intricate mechanisms that govern protein function in health and disease. Her work explores how membrane-less organelles form and how phase separation affects synapse function.

    A key discovery from her lab is the indentificastion of VAMP2 as a crucial regulator of alpha-synuclein phase separation. Her research aims to unlock new disease modifying strategies to combat diseases such as Parkinson's.

  • Postdoctoral Scientist

    Dr Aswathy Chandran obtained her PhD from the University of Purdue working on alpha-synuclein. She joined the lab in 2023 establishing iPSC derived model to study the role of alpha-synuclein condensates at the synapse.

  • MD PhD

    MD PhD candidate since 2025, Researching synapse condensation mechanisms and working on the Lamprey Reticulospinal Giant Synapse model.

  • MPhil student

    Shiyue Chen joined the lab as a MPhil student working on the role of alpha-synuclein phosphorylation during VAMP2-mediated phase separation.

  • If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch.

  • Cambridge Biosciences DTP PhD

    PhD candidate since 2025, Researching alpha-synuclein phase separation – From Computational Modelling to in Vivo Exploration. 

Group Alumni

  • Silvano Bond

    Visiting Student, 2023

  • Irina-Maria Ungureanu

    MPhil Student 2022/23, moved to Gabriel Balmus Lab, UK-DRI Cambridge

  • Jade Vallin

    Internship from University Paris-Cité 2024, started PhD at ESPCI Paris

  • Thabiso Shaun Ncube

    MPhil Student 2024/25, started PhD in University of Oxford

  • Célia Antico

    Internship from University Paris-Cité 2025

Testimonials

  • "My 5-month research internship at Lautenschlager Lab was incredibly rewarding. Initially uncertain about pursuing further studies after my master’s, I now feel confident about continuing with a PhD, thanks to Dr. Lautenschlager and her team. Dr. Lautenschlager significantly helped me enhance my presentation and scientific writing skills, always offering guidance. The lab's welcoming and supportive environment, combined with its engaging projects, made the experience both intense and fulfilling."

    Jade Vallin

  • "As an undergraduate summer student, my two months in this lab have provided valuable hands-on research experience, from doing in vitro protein experiments to analysing data and discussing the results in group seminars. I am grateful for the detailed guidance and support from Dr Lautenschlager and her team throughout my time here, and how lucky I was to study in such a friendly environment where my ideas and thoughts are considered, and questions are encouraged to be asked."

    Tianhao Wang