A New Generation of Scientific & Intellectual Excellence

Even the simplest living cell is built from many millions of molecules, organized into a machinery of remarkable complexity. Key to understanding cell functions in time and space is knowledge of these molecules’ 3-dimensional structures and of their interactions and adaptations to the dynamic environment of the cell. To achieve this understanding demands a multidisciplinary and integrative approach, which examines structures and mechanisms not only in vitro but also within the intact cell. To this end, this I-CORE have assembled a multidisciplinary team of leading scientists to work closely together in developing the required material and methodological infrastructure and to steward the recruitment of the next generation of Israeli structural cell biologists. The I-CORE team is composed of specialists in X-ray crystallography, NMR, Mass Spectrometry, biophysics of complex systems as well as bioinformatics and protein design.
This I-CORE is built on three pillars:

  1. Technology development
  2. shared infrastructures
  3. multi-dimensional investigation of key biological questions.

New infrastructure will include NMR, Mass Spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, electron and light microscopy, sample preparation, and high-performance computing. This I-CORE will work in close collaboration with the Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure initiative in Europe (Instruct), which provides pan-European access to the most advanced research facilities in integrated structural biology, thus complementing the facilities to be established within the framework of I-CORE itself. The exchange of scientists, students, techniques and expertise within Instruct will provide a unique and fertile environment for the young generation of scientists that this I-CORE will cultivate. To strengthen the field of cellular structural biology within the Israeli academia, as well public awareness of its importance, we plan to hold international meetings on the topic of structural cell biology, and develop and utilize educational tools that will be used for outreach to undergraduates and high-school students.