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Staff Scientists

Asher, Gad

Our main research interest is to explore the interplay between the cellular metabolic state and circadian clocks and further identify the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Prof. Gad Asher

Phone: +972-8-934-6949

Fax: +972-8-934-6010

Email: gad.asher@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 277

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Ast, Tslil

We study the mitochondria, with a focus on one of the most ancient and conserved pathways in this organelle, iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biosynthesis. We aim to shed light on how Fe-S cluster synthesis is integrated into human cell biology in health and disease. To this end, we couple cutting edge genetic and high content tools with cell biology and biochemistry approaches to investigate this vital pathway.

Dr. Tslil Ast

Phone: +972-8-934-6226

Email: tslil.ast@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 473

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Avinoam, Ori

We are interested in understanding how cellular membranes gain their exquisite architecture and how subdomains of the membrane can be reshaped into functional structures that allow the trafficking of material and information in and between cells (e.g. endocytosis, exocytosis, exosomes). We are also fascinated by the process of cell-to-cell fusion, which is necessary for innumerable developmental processes such as fertilization, and myogenesis. To gain previously inaccessible insight into the molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of membrane remodeling, we take a multimodal imaging approach combining several advanced imaging techniques including total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF-M), confocal microscopy and correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM), which we apply to a variety of cell culture and in vivo model systems.

Dr. Ori Avinoam

Phone: +972-8-934-3557

Email: ori.avinoam@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 374

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The architecture of cell membranes

We are interested in the universal process of membrane remodeling that occurs during endocytosis, when subdomains of the membrane are reshaped into cargo transport vesicles, which allow cells to take up material and communicate with the environment. Our studies focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of endocytosis and their contribution to cell physiology. We use a combination of advanced imaging techniques that include correlated light and electron microscopy to visualize these processes with high spatial and temporal resolution. We are particularly interested in understanding how endocytic processes contribute to muscle differentiation and homeostasis.

Dikstein, Rivka

We are studying regulation of transcription and translation in health and disease. Specifically we elucidate how the transcription and translation processes control the cellular response to enviromental stimuli, we investigate the connections between the transcription and translation processes and we develop pharmacological tools to manipulate these processes.

Prof. Rivka Dikstein

Phone: +972-8-934-2117

Email: rivka.dikstein@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 329

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We are studying regulation of transcription and translation in health and disease. Specifically we elucidate how the transcription and translation processes control the cellular response to enviromental stimuli, we investigate the connections between the transcription and translation processes and we develop pharmacological tools to manipulate these processes.

Elazar, Zvulun

We study the molecular mechanism and regulation of autophagy, a process responsible for the degradation of cytoplasmic proteins and organelles. A particular emphasis is given to the relationship of this catabolic pathway to disease such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

Prof. Zvulun Elazar

Phone: +972-8-934-3682

Email: zvulun.elazar@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 429

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We study the molecular mechanism and regulation of autophagy, a process responsible for the degradation of cytoplasmic proteins and organelles. A particular emphasis is given to the relationship of this catabolic pathway to disease such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

Fainzilber, Michael

We are investigating long distance signaling mechanisms in neurons and other large eukaryotic cells, primarily an importins/molecular motor-based mechanism that integrates cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling. Currently our main focus is on the roles of this and related mechanisms in neuronal responses to injury and in cellular length sensing.

Prof. Michael Fainzilber

Phone: +972-8-934-4266

Fax: +972-8-934-4112

Email: mike.fainzilber@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 405

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We are investigating long distance signaling mechanisms in neurons and other large eukaryotic cells, primarily an importins/molecular motor-based mechanism that integrates cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling. Currently our main focus is on the roles of this and related mechanisms in neuronal responses to injury and in cellular length sensing.

Fleishman Sarel-Jacob

Fleishman, Sarel-Jacob

We are interested in how protein function is encoded in the structures of protein binders, enzymes, and antibodies. To test our understanding we computationally design new protein functions not seen in Nature and experimentally characterize these designs. Iterations of design and experimental characterization enable us to understand new features of how protein function is specified in Nature.

Fleishman Sarel-Jacob

Prof. Sarel-Jacob Fleishman

Phone: +972-8-934-6361

Email: sarel.fleishman@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 177

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Fluman, Nir

Membrane proteins make up a quarter of all proteomes and participate in a huge diversity of biological processes. We are studying how these proteins fold and function in the membranes of living cells. We focus on elucidating how the dynamic conformations of membrane proteins help them fold and function, and how the cell recognizes and clears membrane proteins that failed to fold properly.

Dr. Nir Fluman

Phone: +972-8-934-6456

Email: nir.fluman@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 305

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Futerman, Anthony H.

Our laboratory works on sphingolipids, critical membrane components involved in membrane structure and in signaling. We focus on two main areas, namely (i) sphingolipid complexity, attempting to understand why there are so many individual lipid species in biological membranes and how their levels are regulated, and (ii) what happens when sphingolipid metabolism is altered in human diseases, specifically in sphingolipid storage diseases such as Gaucher disease, and the relationship of Gaucher disease to Parkinson’s disease.

Prof. Anthony H. Futerman

Phone: +972-8-934-2704

Fax: +972-8-934-4112

Email: tony.futerman@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 456

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Regev-Rudzki, Neta

With malaria continuing to be a major global disease, advances toward understanding the basic biology of P. falciparum remain essential. Our studies focus on different aspects of the cellular biology of the malaria parasite. In particular, we aim to explore cell-cell communication pathways between the parasites themselves and their human host.

Prof. Neta Regev-Rudzki

Phone: +972-8-934-3160

Email: neta.regev-rudzki@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 205

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Reich Ziv

Reich, Ziv

We are interested in transport processes and in photosynthesis. Within the realm of photosynthesis we are mainly concerned with dynamic processes that accompany the life cycle of the thylakoid network, including its response to different stresses and its formation and dismantling. Regarding nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, we are particularly interested in its selectivity, the behavior of the ensemble of transporting molecules as it relates to the transport of a single molecule and in applications to gene therapy. In both fields of study, we combine different approaches and methodologies including ensemble and single-molecule biophysical methods, biochemical and molecular biology techniques, statistical mechanical modeling and state-of-the-art electron microscopy.

Reich Ziv

Prof. Ziv Reich

Phone: +972-8-934-2982

Email: ziv.reich@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 259

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We are interested in transport processes and in photosynthesis. Within the realm of photosynthesis we are mainly concerned with dynamic processes that accompany the life cycle of the thylakoid network, including its response to different stresses and its formation and dismantling. Regarding nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, we are particularly interested in its selectivity, the behavior of the ensemble of transporting molecules as it relates to the transport of a single molecule and in applications to gene therapy. In both fields of study, we combine different approaches and methodologies including ensemble and single-molecule biophysical methods, biochemical and molecular biology techniques, statistical mechanical modeling and state-of-the-art electron microscopy.

Reuveny, Eitan

We are interested in deciphering the mechanisms by which extracellular and intracellular signaling queues affect ion channel function, both in excitable and non-excitable tissues. We focus on three main areas: 1) GPCRs-mediated ion channel regulation and modulation, 2) cellular mechanisms that control calcium homeostasis, 3) how physiological functions are affected by ions channels activity.

Prof. Eitan Reuveny

Phone: +972-8-934-3243

Fax: +972-8-934-2135

Email: e.reuveny@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 356

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We are interested in deciphering the mechanisms by which extracellular and intracellular signaling queues affect ion channel function, both in excitable and non-excitable tissues. We focus on three main areas: 1) GPCRs-mediated ion channel regulation and modulation, 2) cellular mechanisms that control calcium homeostasis, 3) how physiological functions are affected by ions channels activity.

Scherz-Shouval, Ruth

Our lab investigates the role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and metastasis. We are interested in the mechanisms by which normal cells are transcriptionally reprogrammed by cancer cells to become pro-tumorigenic, and specifically in the role of stress responses stromal reprogramming and tumor evolution.

Prof. Ruth Scherz-Shouval

Phone: +972-8-934-2299

Email: ruth.shouval@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 275

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Schreiber Gideon

Schreiber, Gideon

We study the basic physico-chemical principles governing the kinetics, thermodynamics and specificity of protein-protein interactions. The gained knowledge is translated into the development and implementation of protein engineering methodologies. Between other, these are used to study how the interaction of interferon with its receptors results in complex differential responses in cells.

Schreiber Gideon

Prof. Gideon Schreiber

Phone: +972-8-934-3249

Email: gideon.schreiber@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 475

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We study the basic physico-chemical principles governing the kinetics, thermodynamics and specificity of protein-protein interactions. The gained knowledge is translated into the development and implementation of protein engineering methodologies. Between other, these are used to study how the interaction of interferon with its receptors results in complex differential responses in cells.

Sharon, Michal

Our group is interested in understanding the relationship between structure and function of large protein complexes. We mainly focus on the investigation of molecular machines involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We study the structural arrangements and the mechanisms that control and regulate these cellular machines by applying an emerging structural mass spectrometry approach.

Prof. Michal Sharon

Phone: +972-8-934-3947

Email: michal.sharon@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 157

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For Structural Mass Spectrometry

We aim to discover the mechanisms that control and coordinate the activity of molecular machines involved in the protein degradation pathway. To do so we apply novel native mass spectrometry approaches, in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy, biochemical and cell biology methods - generating an integrative mode of analysis combining in vitro and in vivo findings.

Shoshani, Ofer

Recent studies highlight that in many ways cancer is a disease of chromosomes. Our lab is interested in understanding how catastrophic genomic events occur in cancer. We aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms utilized by cancer cells that lead to chromosome changes with functional outcomes, thereby driving cancer genome evolution.

Dr. Ofer Shoshani

Phone: +972-8-934-2443

Email: ofer.shoshani@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 207, 217-219

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We focus on studying the mechanisms that promote chromosome instability, a major driver of cancer initiation, metastasis, and drug resistance. Our group aims to understand the plasticity of the cancer genome and how it contributes to disease progression. To do so, we apply chromosome manipulation approaches in cells, to study how single genomic perturbations affect population trajectories. Our goal is to identify vulnerabilities in mechanisms driving chromosome evolution, in order to design next-generation therapies with reduced resistance in patients.

Soen, Yoav

We study epigenetic mechanisms by which developmental plasticity allows the environment to bring about heritable modifications in the developmental program. We approach this with a combination of in vitro (mammalian cells) and in vivo models (the fly, D. melanogaster), in which we confront developmental processes with unforeseen environmental challenges that promote deviations from the selected patterns of development.

Prof. Yoav Soen

Phone: +972-8-934-6011

Email: yoavs@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 229

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Prof. Yoav Soen

We study epigenetic mechanisms by which developmental plasticity allows the environment to bring about heritable modifications in the developmental program. We approach this with a combination of in vitro (mammalian cells) and in vivo models (the fly, D. melanogaster), in which we confront developmental processes with unforeseen environmental challenges that promote deviations from the selected patterns of development.

Yaron, Avraham

We are investigating the mechanisms that govern the wiring of the nervous system during development, which includes axonal guidance, pruning and the role of local protein synthesis.

Prof. Avraham Yaron

Phone: +972-8-934-6240

Email: avraham.yaron@weizmann.ac.il

Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences, Room 417

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We are investigating the mechanisms that govern the wiring of the nervous system during development, which includes axonal guidance, pruning and the role of local protein synthesis.