2021 research activities
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Molecular basis of disease. Many research programs in our department involve human disorders, diseases, and syndromes. This includes inflammation, infections 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.
ScientistsShow details
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Dr. Ori Avinoam
The mechanisms of protein mediated membrane sculpting in health and diseaseSpatial and temporal organization of the molecular machines driving vesicle formation.Endocytosis and membrane trafficking in eukaryotes.Caveolae in muscle biogenesis, homeostasis and atrophy.Cell-to-cell fusionImaging Across ScalesCorrelative light and 3D electron microscopy at room temperature and in cryo.Advanced light microscopy techniques.
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Prof. Ed Bayer
Structural and functional aspects of the multi-enzyme cellulosome complex from cellulose-degrading bacteria.The cohesin-dockerin couple - Protein-protein interactions that mediate recognition and specificity in cellulosome assembly.Cellulose-binding domains as models for protein-sugar interactions.Bioinformatics of cellulases and cellulosome componentsComparative genomics of cellulosome components.Structure determination of cellulosome components.Enzymology of cellulosomes for conversion of biomass to biofuelsDesigner cellulosomes - Selective engineering of chimaeric cellulosome constructs for nanotechnology.Avidin-biotin system - Mutated avidins and streptavidins
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Prof. Eitan Bibi
Membrane protein biogenesis in E. coliCollaboration with: Gert Bange, Marburg University, Marburg, Germany. Moran Shalev-Benami, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, IsraelFtsY, the essential prokaryotic SRP-receptor: biogenesis and functionMembrane targeting and association of ribosomes in E. coli.Multidrug transport by the E. coli secondary transporter MdfACollaboration with: Daniella Goldfarb, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. Moran Shalev-Benami, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, IsraelConformational behavior of MdfAStructural studies on membrane embedded MdfA
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Prof. Rivka Dikstein
Transcription and translation control in health and diseaseCollaboration with: Yuki Yamaguchi, Idit Shachar, Nahum Sonenberg, Yuri Svitkin, Franck Martin, Katsura Asano, Igor Ulitsky, Michael Walker, Neta Regev-RudskyMechanism of rapid transcriptional induction of inflammatory genesLinks between mammalian transcription and mRNA translationDeveloping pharmacological tools to address fundamental questions in mRNA translation and for therapeutic purposesMechanism of start site selection in transcription and translation and its role in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
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Prof. Michael Eisenbach
Chemotaxis of bacteriaMolecular mechanisms and function of acetylation of the response regulatorMolecular mechanism of function of the switch of the bacterial flagellar motorSperm guidance in mammalsMolecular mechanism of sperm thermotaxis
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Prof. Zvulun Elazar
Molecular mechanisms of autophagyMechanism of autophagosomes biogenesisAutophagy and neurodegenerationRegulation of autophagy in yeast and mammalsMechanism of intracellular protein traffickingRegulation of intra-Golgi protein transport
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Prof. Michael Fainzilber
Molecular mechanisms underlying spatial signaling within neurons and other large cellsRetrograde signaling mechanisms in healthy, diseased or injured neurons.Molecular mechanisms of axonal communication and neuronal regeneration.Size sensing mechanisms in neurons and other large cells.
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Dr. Sarel-Jacob Fleishman
Computational design of protein functionCollaboration with: Dan Tawfik Deborah Fass Gilad Haran Eitan BibiComputational enzyme designComputational antibody designDesign of optimised proteins, including stability, affinity, catalytic efficiency, and selectivityDesign of smart librariesMembrane protein design
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Prof. Anthony H. Futerman
The regulation of ceramide synthesisThe molecular mechanisms of sphingolipid storage diseases (Gaucher disease).
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Prof. Steven J.d Karlish
Development of isoform-selective drugsMolecular mechanisms involved in generation of essential hypertension.Regulation of Na/K-ATPase by FXYD proteins.Crystalization and function of Na/K-ATPase.
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Prof. David Mirelman
Molecular pathogenesis of the human intestinal parasite <I>Entamoeba histolytica</I>.Collaboration with: Rivka BrachaMolecular biology and genome organization in the lower eukaryot <I>Entamoeba histolytica</I>.Selective inhibition of expression of virulence genes by Antisense RNA.Transcriptional epigenetic gene silencing mechanismsPathogenesis of AmoebiasisDevelopment of vaccine against <I>Entamoeba histolytica</I>.Mode of action and therapeutical potential of Allicin from GarlicCollaboration with: Aharon Rabinkov, Elena AppelUses of derivatives of Allicin against hypertension and obesityAntifungal delivery system which produces in situ toxic allicin moleculesA delivery system for the in-vivo killing of cancer cells by Allicin
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Dr. Ruth Scherz-Shouval
Tumor microenvironmentTranscriptional profiling of stromal cells within tumors, Characterization of stromal stress responses
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Prof. Yechiel Shai
Membrane-protein interaction and molecular recognition within the membrane milieu. Implication to the function and structure of membrane proteins.Assembly and organization of pore forming toxins and ion channels in membranes: Studies with isolated fragments and intact proteins.Molecular mechanism of membrane fusion and its inhibition: Studies with HIV and Sendai Virus.Molecular basis for cell selectivity by cytolytic antimicrobial peptides.
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Prof. Michal Sharon
Studying large protein complexes involved in the protein degradation pathway using a novel mass spectrometry approach.Developing novel methodological approaches for structural mass spectrometryStructure-function relationship of the signalosome complexInvestigation of the 20S ubiquitin-independent degradation pathway
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Prof. Yoram Shechter
Mechanism of insulin action: Post-binding events in insulin actionPost-receptor agents mimicking insulin.Effect of vanadium <I>in vivo</I> and <I>in vitro</I>.Role of protein tyrosine kinases and protein phosphotyrosine phosphatases in insulin effects.Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases.Chemical modifications of peptides and protein drugs.Novel technologies to prolong life time of peptide and protein drugs.
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Prof. Dan Tawfik
Evolution and mechanism of enzymesMolecular evolution in man-made cell-like compartments.Directed evolution of tailor-made hydrolases (esterases, phosphoesterases, organophosphate hydrolases, and amidases) and DNA-modifying enzymes.Structure, mechanism and evolution of serum paraoxonases (PONs)The role of promiscuity and conformational plasticity in protein evolution.Directed evolution of DNA-methyltransferases and DNase inhibitorsThe stability effects of mutationsProtein evolvabilityChaperones and protein evolution
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Prof. Michael Walker
Selective gene expression in pancreatic beta cells:Role of specific transcription factors in expression of the insulin gene in pancreatic beta cells and in control of pancreatic development.Novel beta cell specific genes: isolation, characterization and use as potential tools in diagnosis and therapy of diabetes.
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Prof. David Wallach
Regulation of cell death and tissue damage:Proteins involved in the signaling for the cell-killing (apoptotic and necrotic), immunoregulatory, and inflammatory functions of cytokines of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, and in the regulation of these functions.In vivo models for the functions of the signaling mechanisms activated by ligands of the TNF family and for their pathological aberrations.Natural antagonists to ligands of the TNF family, for protection against the deleterious effects of these cytokines in autoimmune and infectious diseases.Regulation of the activity of the NF kappa B transcription factors.The caspases, their functions and mechanisms of activation.Molecular mechanisms for chronic inflammatory skin diseases.Contributions of aberrations in the function of signaling proteins activated by ligands of the TNF family to cancercancer-cells' survival factors
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Prof. Meir Wilchek
Study and application of molecular biorecognitionCollaboration with: retired, Dr. Talia Miron.Avidin-biotin system: Studies of the strong binding using chemical, physical and biological methods; new applications of the system.Affinity chromatography: Studies to improve purification of protein by developing new carriers, new activation methods and new principles.Affinity therapy: Development of methods to couple drugs and toxins to biological carriers, such as antibodies, and their delivery to target cells.Fluorescence, FRET.
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