Department of Biological Regulation 

Nava Dekel, Head


The research in the department of Biological Regulation is concentrated on molecular, cellular and physiological studies of processes that collectively control the action of cells, tissues, organs and the entire body. Extensive efforts are directed to the elucidation of the regulators and pathways of the transmission and translation of signals evoked by hormones, as well as growth and death signaling factors. These studies include: (i) characterization of interactions between growth factors, hormones and extra cellular matrix components with specific receptors; (ii) induction and mechanisms of action of programmed cell death, necrosis and cell survival; (iii) mediation of intracellular signaling via second messengers protein kinase cascades or through lipid mediators and (iv) mechanisms of angiogenesis and oncogenesis. The results of these investigations advance our basic understanding of phenomena related to reproduction as well as tumor and vascular biology. In addition, it enables us to develop useful applications that intend to improve patient management.

A diversity of experimental methodologies is used in these projects. In particular unique non invasive methodologies of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Spectroscopy (MRS) are being developed in this department. The research groups include students from life sciences and chemistry, residents, physicians, and guest researchers from Israel and abroad. Several projects have already incorporated clinical assessment of experimental drugs and new diagnostic methods.


H. Degani 

Hormonal regulation of angiogenesis and perfusion of breast cancer; Molecular and MRI studies including clinical testing of a new method for breast cancer diagnosis.

Glucose and choline metabolism in breast cancer; The regulation and role of the corresponding transporters and transport kinetics measured by MRS.

Renal function through sodium grandients; Non-invasive, high resolution sodium MRI.


N. Dekel 

Regulation of the meiotic cell cycle: use of rat oocytes as a model system.

Cell-to-cell communication: regulation of expression,posttranslational modification, degradation and function of the gap junction protein, Cx43.

Endothelin1-mediated regulation of vascularization: role in implantation.

Molecular characterization of the ovulatory cascade


L. Gilboa

Soma - germ line interactions and germ line stem cell establishment in Drosophila melanogaster

  1.  Formation of the somatic niche for germ line stem cells.

  2.  Establishment of germ line stem cells from primordial germ cells.

  3.  Understanding how somatic cells determine the number of germ line stem cells.

  4.  Uncovering new genes that affect germ line stem cell maintenance and differentiation.


A. Gross 

Mitochondria in apoptosis: Mechanisms of action of the BCL-2 family members

Mitochondria Carrier Homolog 2: role and function in embryogenesis, apoptosis and cancer

The response of cells to DNA damage: The role of ATM-mediated BID phosphorylation


M. Liscovitch 

Role of caveolin-1 in regulating growth and survival of human cancer cells

Role of phospholipase D and phosphatidic acid in cell signaling and membrane transport

Engineering ligand-modulated recombinant proteins


M. Neeman 

Targeted imaging of angiogenesis
M. Neeman, Helena Sheikhet Migalovich, Sefi Addadi

Multimodality imaging
M. Neeman, Alon Harmelin, Ronen Basri, Fabian Kiessling, Jorge Ripoll

Angiogenesis in ovarian cancer
M. Neeman, Gila Meir, Sefi Addadi, Yael Tzuman, Helena Sheikhet Migalovich

  1.  The role of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in tumor growth, angiogenesis, vascular permeability and vascular maturation

  2.  MR labeling and tracking of cell migration during angiogenesis

  3.  Development of a contrast material for MR mapping hyaluronidase activity

Regulation of lymphangiogenesis.
M. Neeman, Batya Cohen, Gila Meir, Keren Ziv, Stav Sapoznik

  1.  The role of VEGF-A and Akt/PKB in interstitial convection and lymphatic drain

  2.  In vivo imaging of lymphatic drain and lymph node metastasis

  3.  The role of VEGF family members and microenvironmental stress in tumor lymphangiogenesis

Development of a reporter gene for MRI
M. Neeman, Batya Cohen, Keren Ziv, Vicki Plaks

  1.  Ferritin expression in endothelial cells

  2.  Ferritin expression in liver hepatocytes


Y. Salomon 

Anti-cancer treatments :

  1.  Development of novel bacteriochlorophyll-based drugs for photochemotherapy.

  2.  Boron neutron capture therapy.

Reactive oxygen species, their generation by bacteriochlorophyll and light, their role in signal transduction and mechanisms of cell and tumor destruction.

Vascular biology and vascular destruction.


R. Seger 

MAPK signaling in proliferation and oncogenic transformation

  1.  The nuclear translocation of MAPKs - characterization and molecular mechanisms.

  2.  Alternative splicing in determining signaling specificity of ERKs.

  3.  Structure-function relationships of ERK and MEK.

  4.  The effect of calcium on the ERK1/2 and ERK5 signaling cascades.

  5.  Protein-protein interaction in the MAPK cascades.

  6.  Mechanisms of ERK activation by cellular phone irradiation.

Apoptotic MAPK and PKB signaling

  1.  Mechanism of PKB inactivation upon stimulation.

  2.  Inter-relationship between the PKB, JNK and ERK cascades.

  3.  Scaffold proteins in the PKB cascade.

  4.  Mechanism of GPCR signaling to MAPKs and PKB.

PEDF phosphorylation: role in angiogenesis and cancer.
R. Seger, Teva

  1.  Development of the phospho-mimetic mutants of PEDF as anti angiogenic drugs.

  2.  Signaling by PEDF and its phospho-mimetic mutants.

  3.  Study the phosphorylation of PEDF as a model for extracellular phosphorylation.


Y. Yarden 

Targeted therapy of cancer tailored to intecept grwoth factor receptor signaling

Signal transduction networks in development and disease.

The role growth factor in human cancer