Head Prof. Rivka Dikstein

Prof. Rivka Dikstein

Head

Prof. Rivka Dikstein

Office +972-8-934-2117

Email rivka.dikstein@weizmann.ac.il

Overview

The scientific activities in the department of Biomolecular Sciences span several areas in the Life Sciences. The common thread is the study of the biochemistry of life and disease. Emphasis is given to the examination of proteins, whether soluble or membrane-bound, and their key biological functions and we seek a molecular understanding of their evolution, cellular interactions, structures and functions. A variety of biochemical, biophysical, structural, molecular-biological, and state of the art imaging methodologies are employed in our department. Overlapping interests and inter-group cooperations signify the spirit of our research. The department has more than 20 research groups whose activities are centered around the following foci of interest:

1. Protein science and macromolecular machines. Several groups investigate the basic principles governing protein-protein interactions; composition, assembly, and architecture of multi-enzyme and other large complexes; catalytic mechanisms and the evolution of proteins and enzymes. A major aim is to understand how the findings relate to intricate biological processes.
    
2. DNA and regulation of gene expression. Various aspects of nucleic acids research are addressed in our department including: DNA repair and mutagenesis in mammals; basal and activated transcription; mRNA translation; specific gene expression in the pancreas; phylogenetic analysis of accumulated somatic mutations.
    
3. Structure, function, and biogenesis of membrane proteins. We investigate important integral membrane proteins on the biochemical, biophysical, structural, and physiological levels. This includes Na+ and K+ channels, Na+/K+ ATPase and its FXYD protein regulators, multidrug transporters, intra-membrane proteases, and peptides that integrate into membranes in various systems.
    
4. Membranes, lipids, and organelle structure, function, and biogenesis. Studies in our department include the biosynthetic pathway of membrane proteins; intracellular protein traffic, especially during the process of autophagy; lysosome biogenesis and lipid homeostasis; Calcium homeostasis; and, assembly and function of membrane proteins involved in the immune response, infectious diseases, and viral envelopes.
    
5. Signaling within and between cells. Several researchers in the department are interested in problems related to signal transduction. Cell guidance and navigation; axon guidance; cell death and tissue damage; long distance intracellular signaling; regulation of expression of virulence factors; regulation of the circadian rhythm; epigenetic gene silencing; epigenetics and developmental regulation.
    
6. Molecular basis of disease. Many research programs in our department involve human disorders, diseases, and syndromes. This includes inflammation, infections by various pathogens and antibiotic resistance, organophosphate detoxification, obesity and diabetes, cancer, and lysosomal storage diseases. Many of these disorders are investigated at the molecular level.

A variety of methodologies are being utilized, with an emphasis on biochemistry, biophysics, molecular genetics, advanced light microscopy, computation methods, and structural tools (such as crystallography, atomic force microscope, mass spectrometry). Additional information can be obtained in the department's Home Page.

Head Prof. Nava Dekel

Prof. Nava Dekel

Head

Prof. Nava Dekel

Office +972-8-934-3716

Email nava.dekel@weizmann.ac.il

Overview

The Department of Biological Regulation is comprised of approximately 170 people organized in 14 research groups. We are located in the Candiotty and Britannia buildings, which are equipped with all the cutting-edge facilities required for running excellent research endeavors. Our research is concentrated on the regulation of processes responsible for the concerted action of cells, tissues, and organs. A diversity of methodologies and experimental approaches are being used in order to tackle these pivotal issues in biology. These include biochemical, molecular and physiological methods, organ and tissue cultures, and whole animal studies utilizing mice and fish. In addition, some researchers of the Department are using methodologies and concepts of systems biology, host-pathogen interactions and a variety of imaging methods, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since de-regulation of biological control circuits often underlies human diseases (e.g., malignant transformation, stroke, infertility, and defective tissue regeneration after injury), we make many efforts to implement the results of our studies in research projects leading to the development of new tools for early diagnosis, along with novel compounds suitable for pharmacological interventions.

The main projects that are currently performed in the department are:

Host-pathogen interactions - Dr. Roi Avraham

Cell metabolism in health and disease - Dr. Ayelet Erez

Gut tissue dynamics -Dr. Moshe Biton

Mitochondria Biology- Prof. Atan Gross

Protein degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome system - Prof. Ami Navon

Vascularization during pregnancy and cancer development - Prof. Michal Neeman

ECM remodeling: from biophysical principles to drug design - Prof. Irit Sagi

Intracellular signaling cascades in health and disease - Prof. Rony Seger

Epigenetics in stem cells and cancer: developing and applying single-molecule imaging technologies to study the epigenetic code - Dr. Efrat Shema

Epigenetics in development and disease - Prof. Amos Tanay

Cellular functions of long noncoding RNAs - Dr. Igor Ulitsky

The development of the vascular system - Dr. Karina Yaniv

Growth factors and their receptors in cancer - Prof. Yossi Yarden

Cellular structural biology of human amyloid proteins - Prof. Philipp Selenko

Investigating functional, metabolic and architectural features of normal and malignant tissues with magnetic resonance techniques - Prof. Hadassa Degani

The meiotic cell cycle, angiogenic events associated with follicle development and embryo plantation - Prof. Nava Dekel

Investigating ovarian follicle physiology, regulation and demise in mammals with emphasis on the ovulatory response, including the control of oocyte maturation, transformation of the follicle into corpus luteum and culminating with the release of the fertilizable ovum - Prof. Alex Tsafriri

Head Prof. Lucio Frydman

Prof. Lucio Frydman

Head

Prof. Lucio Frydman

Office +972-8-934-4903

Email lucio.frydman@weizmann.ac.il

Overview

The Chemical and Biological Physics Department provides an interdisciplinary home to a broad range of topics spanning Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The Department is composed by over 20 tenured and tenure-track physicists and chemists, evenly split between theorists and experimentalists, and working on the following broad areas

Fundamental quantum frontiers are explored with advanced theoretical tools, including topics in the quantum control of atomic and molecular dynamics (Ilya Averbukh, Eli Pollak, David Tannor); light-matter interactions (Ilya Averbukh, Gershon Kurizki, David Tannor, Efi Shahmoon); fundamental issues in quantum information, control and thermodynamics (Gershon Kurizki, David Tannor, Efi Shahmoon); ab-initio quantum chemistry and surface scattering (Eli Pollak); and real time quantum dynamics methods (Eli Pollak, David Tannor).

The department has a strong program at the interface between classical physics, chemistry and biology. Eran Bouchbinder studies the plasticity of disordered systems, glassy phenomena, dynamic fracture, frictional interfaces and biophysics. Itamar Procaccia studies turbulence, as well as the physics of fractals, glass formation and mechanical properties of amorphous systems. Theoretical biological physics is the main thrust of research of Nir Gov, who models with predictive power emerging phenomena ranging from cellular shapes to the collective behavior of insects. Samuel Safran employs statistical thermodynamics to study the structure, phase behavior and dynamics of soft matter in biology. 

The chemistry/biology interface is also studied and evaluated experimentally by Roy Bar-Ziv, who develops and explores living-like systems in cell-free environments, and by Michael Elbaum, who employs advanced microscopic tools to elucidate the complex behavior of cells and biomolecules.

Experimental atomic and molecular spectroscopies are also mainstays of the Department. Quantum optics is the focus of Barak Dayan’s experiments on atom mediated photon-photon interactions. Light matter interaction, nonlinear laser spectroscopy and plasmonics are the focus of the experimental research of Yehiam Prior. Edvardas Narevicius is a leader in using magnetic field control and the slowing down of molecular beams to study quantum effects in sympathetically cooled systems. Oren Tal has developed unique methods for the study of single molecule conductors, including electronic, spintronic and thermal conductivity effects. Molecular electronics and spin-chemistry are also main themes of research for Ron Naaman, who investigates these using organic-inorganic interfaces via self-assembled monolayers. Single molecule spectroscopy and its application to a broad range of topics, from protein dynamics to nanoplasmonics, are at the center of the experimental program of Gilad Haran.  Baran Eren exploits new forms of microscopy and spectroscopy, to understand the chemistry and electronic behavior of solid surfaces under relevant conditions with unprecedented accuracy.

A centerpiece of the combined experimental/theoretical program in the Department rests on Magnetic Resonance research. Amit Finkler bridges this topic with optics, in a program relying on optically-detected magnetic resonance as an emerging form of quantum sensing.Lucio Frydman and his group focus on developing and utilizing new concepts and techniques in NMR and MRI, with applications ranging from Physics to Biology and Medicine. Assaf Tal's group focuses on developing new spectroscopy and imaging tools for understanding the brain's physiology in-vivo. Shimon Vega and Daniella Goldfarb are developing and utilizing dynamic nuclear polarization methods for NMR and EPR research, with the Vega group also deeply involved in solid state NMR, and the Goldfarb research also focused on multiple-resonance high-field EPR techniques applied to biophysics and materials science.

The diverse interests as represented above have created an atmosphere of outstanding scientific creativity. Members of the Department have overlapping interests and collaborations among themselves, with other scientists throughout the Weizmann Institute, and with scientists throughout the world.  New training opportunities for students and postdocs are always emerging, at whose conclusion participating scientists will have been exposed to a broad spectrum of challenges and acquired state-of-the-art knowledge. If you are interested in joining this elite group of researchers as a M.Sc., Ph.D or postdoctoral trainee, do not hesitate to contact the expert(s) of your choice.