Microbial Genomics

Dr. Rotem Sorek Incumbent of the Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer career development chair Office: Meyer Building, Room 210A Department of Molecular Genetics Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot 76100, Israel Tel: +972-8-934-6342 Fax: +972-8-934-4108 E-mail: rotem.sorek@weizmann.ac.il CV

Research in our lab aims at the discovery and characterization of novel biological systems in microbial genomes. We combine computational genomics techniques, metagenomics, high-throughput sequencing technologies and experimental approaches to uncover new biological functions in prokaryotes. We are specifically interested in microbial warfare: how bacteria fight each other as part of their struggle for survival, and how they defend themselves against bacterial viruses (phages). Understanding this microbial "arms race" can lead to discovery of novel antibiotics.

Current research directions in the lab include:

• Computational discovery of novel natural antibiotics
• CRISPR, an antiviral microbial defense system
• The arms-race between bacteria and phage
• Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing with Illumina technology

*** Check out PanDaTox, our pan genomic database of genes that are toxic to bacteria ***