Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Mechanisms of signal transduction by growth factors and their relevance to cancer therapy.
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The rotation will deal with the biochemical pathways underlying cell activation by growth factors. This relates to both cell proliferation and cell migration. We use RNA-sequencing, yeast 2-hybrid and immunological methods to resolve specific pathways. Currently we concentrate on mechanisms that inactivate cellular signals as part of negative feedback loops. These pathways are relevant to pharmacological attempts to block growth factor and tyrosine kinase signaling in human cancer. In this context, the work involves several novel drugs aimed at inhibiting lung, breast and colon cancer.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Exploring the physiological function of signaling proteins that are activated by receptors of the TNF/NGF family.
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Transgenic and conditional-knockout mouse models are applied to gain better knowledge of the physiological and pathophysiological function of the following signaling proteins that were discovered in our laboratory: (a) Caspase-8, a cysteine protease that we have initially found to serve as the main proximal signaling protein in the initiation of death induction by the receptors (the extrinsic cell-death pathway), yet has more recently found also to serve various non-apoptotic roles. We are mainly interested in further exploring its function in the cross-talk between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, in the liver, and in the insulin-producing beta Langerhans cells. (b) NIK, a protein kinase (a MAP3K) that signals for activation of transcription factors of the NF kappa B family, specifically by receptors that, through activation of NF kappa B, control adaptive immunity and lymph-node generation. (c) CYLD, a deubiquitination enzyme that acts specifically to reverse K63-linked ubiquitination and thus serves to arrest initiation of several signaling cascades. (d) IREN, a member of the sorting-nexins family that mediates trafficking of signaling proteins activated by the receptors of the TNF/NGF family.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Exploring the tumor-suppressor role of caspase-8, particularly in lung cancer.
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Caspase-8, a cysteine protease discovered in our laboratory, is the main proximal signaling enzyme in the activation of the extrinsic cell-death pathway by receptors of the TNF/NGF family. In certain cells it also participates in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and survival. A number of different human tumors, including small cell lung carcinoma, neuroblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and others, are frequently deficient of caspase-8. This deficiency occurs by several different mechanisms, indicating that it is not a consequence of the oncogenic transformation but is rather causal to it. Applying molecular approaches, cell-culture and animal models we explore the mechanisms accounting for the tumor suppressor role of caspase-8 and the functional consequences of its deletion in cancer cells.
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Theoretical/numerical modelling, and laboratory experiments, to investigate a wide range of physical and biogeochemical transport processes in geological materials and other porous materials.
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A variety of tools from physics, mathematics and chemistry are integrated in our theoretical/numerical and experimental studies. Our projects range from analysis of fluid flow and chemical transport in geological formations, to development of physico-chemical methods to remediate water polluted by organic and metal compounds, to theoretical analyses of transport processes using methods of statistical physics. Methods to analyze transport and diffusion can be applied also to tissues and cells.
Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
MRI and optical imaging of placenta function and fetal development.
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Analysis of placenta function, understanding placenta transport mechanisms and analysis of placenta pathologies in human pregnancy complications and in transgenic mouse models.
Department of Molecular Cell Biology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Identifying metabolic changes during carcinogenesis at the tumor, environment and host levels for imporoving cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Functional Pre-Clinical Models for Normal and Leukemic Human Stem Cells: Molecular and cellular communication between stem cells and their bone marrow microenvironment. Circadian regulation of innate host immunity responses to bacterial infections by light and darkness cues as well as daily light and darkness onset regulation of blood and bone forming forming stem cells.
Department of Chemical and Biological Physics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 2nd,3rd
Single-molecule fluorescence experiments to study protein folding and dynamics.
Department of Chemical and Biological Physics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 2nd,3rd
Nanoplasmonics- interaction of light with small metallic particles and molecules
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 3rd
We study the mitochondria in human health and disease, and are especially passionate about their most ancient and conserved pathway- iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis.
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Mitochondria are essential for the function of the eukaryotic cell- why?
Over the past two decades it has become apparent that a core and ubiquitous function of mitochondria is iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biosynthesis. These ancient co-factors, which are produced in the mitochondria, are vital for proteins that take part in DNA replication, translation, metabolism and cellular respiration. In light of these essential tasks, it's not surprising that problems in Fe-S cluster synthesis are linked to human diseases, including the most common mitochondrial disease- Friedreich's ataxia. Yet surprisingly little is known about this pathway, and how it is regulated by the cell is even more mysterious.
Our lab couples cutting edge genetic and high content tools with cell biology and biochemistry approaches to shed new light on this essential pathway and how it's wired into the human cell.
To learn more, visit: https://www.astlabweizmann.com/
To hear Tslil talking about our science, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4u6p8WmzvE&t=17s
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Investigating protein-protein interactions and interferon actions
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Our research group is interested in investigating all aspects of protein-protein interactions, from their biophysical nature to their role in signaling within the cell. As our cellular model system we are investigating the multiple activities of type I interferons.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Understanding the evolution of variants of SARS-CoV-2, and drug development that will be effective against future variants.
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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are actively investigating the evolution of the different variants, and how to make drugs that will combat them. We have published multiple papers in high impact journals on the subject
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Studying large protein complexes involved in the protein degradation pathway using a novel mass spectrometry approach.
Department of Molecular Genetics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Formation and function of osteoclasts (bone resorbing cells) in vitro and in vivo, in health and in disease.
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Bone degradation by specialized cells (osteoclasts) is a normal process and helps maintain normal bone structure and function; it's absence, as in the genetic disease osteopetrosis, is lethal. Our group searches for proteins that participate in forming these critical cells and direct their activity, using advanced molecular, cellular, and whole-organism approaches.
Department of Molecular Genetics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
How do fusing cells known when to stop fusing?
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Cell-cell fusion is an uncommon but essential process in our bodies. While a lot is known about how cell fusion initiates, very little is known about how the process is regulated and eventually terminated when "enough" fusion has occurred. We study these issues in osteoclasts, multi-nucleated cells that degrade bone and which are formed by fusion of monocyte precursor cells. Our studies focus on fusion of osteoclasts from wild-type mice and also from mice carrying mutated forms of sorting nexin 10 (SNX10), which fuse continuously and uncontrollably. Join us to characterize the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate osteoclast fusion!
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Understanding how the transcription and translation processes control the cellular response to extra-cellular stimuli
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Regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels is fundamental to all biological activities and is frequently altered in disease states. Our broad research interests are (i) to elucidate how the transcription and translation processes control the cellular response to enviromental stimuli; (ii) to reveal the connections between the transcription and translation processes and (iii) to develop tools to manipulate these processes for potential treatment of cancer, chronic inflammation and neurodegenrative diseases.
Department of Brain Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Imaging the human brain: ultra-high field MRI and new biomarkers for brain function
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The study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and of functional MRI (fMRI) is a prime example of contemporary multidisciplinary science; where Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Engineering are combined. The study combines on one hand - physics background for development of new MRI techniques, on another - Neurobiology background to perform actual human volunteer studies. Our lab research focuses on ultra-high field MRI aiming to better understand the human brain function. To do so, we design basic functional MRI experiments to explore high temporal and spatial resolution capabilities and develop new MRI pulse sequences for functional and structural MRI.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
The interplay between circadian clocks and exercise performance
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
The relationship between hypoxia and the core circadian clock
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Computational analyses of rhythmic outputs (e.g. metabolites, gases)
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Biochemical identification of metabolic sensors
Department of Chemical and Structural Biology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Elucidating the role of molecular chaperones in cancer
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The Hsp70 chaperone is of prime importance to cancer biology; supporting proliferative growth and stress survival, blocking apoptosis, and fighting protein aggregation caused by aneuploidy or mutation. One central cancer-related substrate of the Hsp70 system is the p53 tumor suppressor protein, in both wild-type and mutant forms, which interacts with the Hsp70 system for (re)folding, stabilization, and degradation. The molecular basis of these interactions and pathway triaging, however, are unknown. This project therefore aims to characterize the roles these molecular chaperones play in cancer pathology.
Department of Systems Immunology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 3rd
a brand-new lab at the Systems Immunology department looking to recruit the first generation of lab members!
Our focus is on understanding the cellular networks that control both inflammatory and peaceful immune responses. We develop cutting-edge technologies and combine them with classical immunology techniques, along with mouse genetics, to investigate communication between T cells and various types of antigen-presenting cells.
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As living creatures, we are continually interacting with our surroundings and our immune system is required to distinguish non-harmful entities from dangerous intruders and react accordingly. CD4 T cells are activated by different antigen presenting cell (APC) and acquire alternative cell fates to mediate distinct immune responses. Antigen presentation also allows activated T cells to act and instruct specific antigen presenters. Thus, antigen presentation is the beating heart of adaptive immunity, allowing ongoing cross-talk between multiple cell types to achieve immunity and tissue adaptation.
?Which APCs instruct T cells? Which APCs are instructed by T cells?
?While tools to allow monitoring of specific T cell responses were invented 20 years ago and revolutionized our understanding of adaptive immunity, identifying which APC presents specific peptides, at the single cell level is still out of reach.
We will combine an engineering approach and biochemistry with single-cell RNA sequencing technologies, to develop a method for detecting specific antigen presenters. We believe that this technology along with classical immunology, will enable us to address fundamental questions in the field of antigen presentation.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 3rd
Membrane protein folding and quality control
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Membrane proteins make up a quarter of the proteome of every living organism and participate in nearly every biological process. We are interested in the fascinating process of how these proteins get produced, fold, and assemble in cells. The questions we address are: How do proteins fold in the membranes of living cells? How do the dynamic features of unfolded proteins assist in this process? How do cellular factors recognize membrane proteins that failed to fold and need to be cleared? The lab combines biochemical, cell biology, genetic and computational tools. For more details, visit http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biomolecular_Sciences/Fluman
Department of Brain Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
We study the genetic and cellular mechanisms through which sensory and emotional experiences alter information processing in neural circuits. Our research is highly interdisciplinary and combines genomic, molecular, histological, electrophysiological, in vivo imaging and behavioral techniques into an integrative Molecular Systems Neuroscience approach.
We seek to recruit M.Sc. students for the following projects:
- Molecular properties of functionally defined neurons in the cortex - the project combines in vivo GCaMP imaging & photo-labelling, advanced sequences methods and spatial transcriptomics.
- Genetic and cellular mechanisms through which schizophrenia-associated interneurons regulate the plasticity of cortical circuits.
- The genetic basis of representational stability in the cortex.
- Genes & transcriptional mechanisms in GABAergic interneurons that restrict plasticity in cortical circuits.
- Subcellular genetic mechanisms that integrate sensory and contextual/emotional information in neurons.
Department of Chemical and Biological Physics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 3rd
Students are being sought for developing new experiments in the area of electron-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance. This so-called dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR experiment subjects electrons in the sample to microwave irradiation, and then uses the ensuing nuclear polarization enhancement to open new analytical and metabolic frontiers in NMR. Students are being sought that will participate in these experiments, and assist in programming the spin physics involved in them
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Our lab utilises techniques such as: microfluidics, CRISPR, genetic barcoding, fluorescence and automated microscopy to study basic questions in the evolution of communities, using yeast as a model.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Mechanisms of neuronal growth and regeneration
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Size matters, especially in neurons. Differentiated cells in higher eukaryotes exhibit a wide variety of shapes and sizes, while maintaining defined size ranges within cell subtypes. How do they do that? Genome expression must be matched to different cell sizes, with rapidly growing cells likely requiring higher transcriptional and translational output than cells in slow growth or maintenance phase. Neurons exhibit the greatest size differences of any class of cells, with process lengths ranging from a few microns in central interneurons to a meter in human peripheral neurons, and even longer in larger mammals. We are working on mechanisms of cell length and size sensing in neurons and other large cells, and how these mechanisms control growth and regeneration. People can integrate to a range of projects within this theme. For general information on our research please see the group home page at http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biomolecular_Sciences/Fainzilber/ . Please note that research in our group requires work in animal models (mice, rats).
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
The goal of our research is to understand how pancreatic beta cells perform their unique functions. Beta cells are the only cell in the body capable of significant production of insulin. They store insulin intracellularly, releasing it to the bloodstream in response to a variety of physiological stimuli including nutrients such as glucose and fatty acids, hormones and neurotransmitters.
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In our research, we focus on the following aspects of beta cell function:
- The transcriptional mechanisms underlying the normal embryonic development of beta cells and the functioning of mature beta cells
- Manipulating pancreatic cellular identity: molecular mechanisms controlling exocrine to endocrine cell reprogramming
- Dissecting the signaling mechanism that permit beta cells to respond to modulators of insulin secretion, in particular long chain and short chain fatty acids
See:
https://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biomolecular_Sciences/Walker/
Department of Physics of Complex Systems
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Physics and Biology of natural microbial communities from an ancient site
Department of Molecular Genetics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
The Laufman lab studies the ways human RNA viruses interact with their host cells and transform them into viral manufactories using state-of-the-art microscopy, molecular and cell biology, genetic and biochemistry approaches. We tackle questions at the forefront of the exciting field of virology, and offer an exceptional scientific environment to develop your skills and career as a researcher. We are looking for talented and highly motivated rotation students to join our team.
Department of Molecular Genetics
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Human brain organoids for health and disease.
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Using interdisciplinary approaches, Our lab uses brain organoid models to study neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. We use stem cell-derived models, genome editing, live imaging, and different omics analyses.
Department of Biomolecular Sciences
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
We invite rotation students to join our research on malaria, immunology, host-pathogen interactions and extracellular vesicles.
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Our research combines molecular biology, microbiology, genetics (including CRISPR/Cas9), biochemistry, advanced imaging platforms, omics and biophysics.
Anyone interested or having questions, please email Professor Neta Regev-Rudzki:
neta.regev-rudzki@weizmann.ac.il
Department of Molecular Cell Biology
MSc rotation
Available Rotations: 1st,2nd,3rd
Immunotherapy has sparked new hope for oncology in recent years, due to its remarkable ability to induce durable response in patients with metastatic cancer. It is therefore essential to accurately delineate the interactions of cancer cells with the immune system. The project will use multiomic tools including whole exome sequencing , RNAseq, ribosome profiling, proteomic, HLA-peptidomics and systems biology to decipher the genetic, neo-antigenic and immune landscape in melanoma. Followup functional and immunological analysis of relevant genes and neoantigens will be conducted using novel mouse models
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Within the past decade, major advances have been made in the treatment of melanoma through the use of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, however responses are not universal and are not always durable. The project aims to further delineate the interactions of melanoma cells with the immune system to better understand molecular and immune mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance. Our lab combines genomic tools, systems biology tools, advanced somatic cell knockout and knock-in techniques and various comprehensive mouse model approaches to study melanoma immune-genetics. Our studies link basic biology, computational biology and clinical studies. Trainees will learn sophisticated technologies such as whole exome sequencing, Riboseq, HLA-peptidomics, somatic cell knockouts and expression and proteomic analyses. Candidates who wish to join the group may contact me at: Yardena.samuels@weizmann.ac.il
