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Department of Biological Chemistry
Zvi Livneh, Head
The research activities of the Department of Biological Chemistry span several topics in the life sciences with overlapping interests. The common thread connecting these activities is the study of proteins in key biological processes ranging from transport across membranes and signal transduction, to gene expression and DNA repair. The department has more than 30 research groups whose activities are centered around the following five foci of interest:
- Protein science, including protein-protein interactions, protein-ligand interactions, and evolution of enzymes.
- Proteins involved in controlling DNA stability, repair and expression of genetic information.
- Structure and function of ion channels, pumps and other proteins that transport solutes across the cell membrane.
- Mechanisms by which proteins and lipids are transported from their point of synthesis, sorted, and inserted into various organelles.
- Signal transduction processes in bacteria, vertebrate, and invertebrate organisms, as well as molecular pathogenesis.
A variety of methodologies are being utilized, with an emphasis on biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular genetics. Additional information can be obtained in the department's Home Page.
E. Bayer
ed.bayer@weizmann.ac.ilStructural 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.
- Structure determination and comparative genomics of cellulosome components.
- Nanosome technology - Selective engineering of chimaeric cellulosome constructs for nanotechnology.
- Avidin-biotin system - Mutated avidins and streptavidins
E. Bibi
eitan.bibi@weizmann.ac.ilThe signal recognition particle (SRP) system in Escherichia coli:
E. Bibi, Elena Bochkareva; Iris Yedidia; Anat A. Herskovits; Asa Eitan; Eyal Barak;
- FtsY, the essential prokaryotic SRP-receptor: its role in biogenesis of membrane proteins.
- Identification of cellular factors involved in targeting insertion and assembly of membrane proteins.
- Membrane targeting of ribosomes in E. coli.
- Regulation of expression of E. coli membrane proteins.
Structure/function studies of the E. coli multidrug transporter, MdfA.
E. Bibi, Julia Adler; Oded Lewinson; Shahar Molshanski-Mor
- Studying the multidrug recognition pocket of MdfA by genetic and biochemical tools
- 2D and 3D crystallization of MdfA
- Studying the driving force of MdfA-mediated multidrug transport
- Studying possible physiological activities of MdfA
R. Dikstein
rivka.dikstein@weizmann.ac.ilTranscription regulation in high eukaryotes: functional analysis of the basal transcription factor TFIID subunits (TAFs).
- Functional analysis of tissue specific TFIID subunit.
- Molecular mechanism of TAF activity.
- The role of specific TAFs in cell fate determination (i.e., cell cycle progression, cell survival and cell death).
- Biochemical properties of TAFs.
M. Eisenbach
michael.eisenbach@weizmann.ac.ilChemotaxis of bacteria
- Molecular mechanisms of sensing, signaling and response
- Molecular mechanism of function of the switch of the bacterial flagellar motor
Chemotaxis of mammalian sperm cells
- Kinematics of sperm chemotaxis
- Molecular mechanism of sperm chemotaxis
Thermotaxis of mammalian sperm cells: molecular mechanism
Z. Elazar
zvulun.elazar@weizmann.ac.ilMolecular mechanisms of intracellular protein traffic
- Isolation and characterization of novel proteins regulating targeting and fusion between transport vesicles and their target membranes.
- Involvement of small GTP binding proteins of the Rab-family in vesicular transport.
- Regulation of autophagocytosis in yeast and mammalian cells.
M. Fainzilber
mike.fainzilber@weizmann.ac.ilOur research interests are in the field of molecular mechanisms underlying functional selectivity and development of complexity in the nervous system, with focus on plasticity and regeneration of excitable tissues. Specific projects include:
- Comparative genomics and evolution of secreted cysteine-rich neuroactive factors.
- Molecular mechanisms of axonal communication and neuronal regeneration.
- Signaling and trafficking of neurotrophin-receptor complexes.
A. Futerman
tony.futerman@weizmann.ac.ilSphingolipid signaling during neuronal development.
The role of lipids in the regulation of neuronal growth.
The molecular mechanisms of sphingolipid storage diseases (Gaucher, Niemann-Pick, and Tay-Sachs disease).
H. Garty
haim.garty@weizmann.ac.ilRegulation of epithelial ion transport:
- Structure-function relationships of epithelial Na+ channels.
- Kinases mediating hormonal regulation of epithelial ion-transport.
- FXYD proteins as tissue specific regulators of the Na+/K+ ATPase.
S. Karlish
steven.karlish@weizmann.ac.ilMolecular mechanisms involved in generation of essential hypertension.
Regulation of Na/K-ATPase by FXYD proteins.
Molecular structure and function of Na/K-ATPase.
Z. Livneh
zvi.livneh@weizmann.ac.ilMechanisms and biomedical applications of DNA repair.
Analysis of novel DNA polymerases specialized in lesion bypass and mutagenesis.
Molecular mechanisms involved in generation of essential hypertension.
D. Mirelman
david.mirelman@weizmann.ac.ilMolecular pathogenesis of the human intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
- Molecular biology and genome organization in the lower eukaryot Entamoeba histolytica.
- Selective inhibition of expression of virulence genes by Antisense RNA.
- Mechanism of action of Allicin from Garlic and its potential applications for therapy.
- Transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms
U. Pick
bcpick@weizmann.ac.ilRegulation of massive β-carotene synthesis in Dunaliella bardawil and its industrial utilization.
Cold acclimation and cold-induced proteins in Dunaliella.
Iron uptake by an algal transferrin.
Structure and function of salt-resistant proteins.
H+ and Na+ transporters in the halotolerant alga Dunaliella.
Z. Reich
ziv.reich@weizmann.ac.ilNuclear pore complex (NPC)-mediated macromolecular transport
- Transport mechanics, dynamics and energetics.
- Nuclear pore proteins: molecular and biophysical characterization.
- Nuclear import of exogenous DNA: implications for human gene therapy.
E. Reuveny
e.reuveny@weizmann.ac.ilStructural and functional studies of ion channels:
- Biophysical analysis of the gating and permeation using electrophysiological approaches (patch clamp).
- Regulation of cellular distribution and signaling specificity by ion channels-associated proteins using biochemical approaches.
- Conformational dynamics of ion channels associated with activation using novel fluorescence-based measuring techniques.
- The role of the G protein coupled potassium channel in insulin secretion.
G. Schreiber
gideon.schreiber@weizmann.ac.ilProtein-protein interactions, from basic biophysical understanding to protein design and structure-function relation.
- Rational design of faster associating and tighter binding protein complexes.
- Evaluation of direct and cooperative contributions towards the strength of non-covalent interactions using multiple-mutant cycles for the interaction of β-lactamase and its inhibitor BLIP.
- Structure-function studies of the interaction of interferon and its receptors, towards understanding the biophysical basis of heterogeneous receptor activation by a family of hormones.
Y. Shai
yechiel.shai@weizmann.ac.ilMembrane-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.
Y. Shechter
y.shechter@weizmann.ac.ilMechanism of insulin action: Post-binding events in insulin action
- Post-receptor agents mimicking insulin.
- Effect of vanadium in vivo and in vitro.
- Role of protein tyrosine kinases and protein phosphotyrosine phosphatases in insulin effects.
- Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases.
M. Shinitzky
meir.shinitzky@weizmann.ac.ilTumor vaccines prepared by application of hydrostatic pressure.
Characterization of antigens implicated in mental disorders.
Physiological signaling by cyclic glycerophosphates and their analogues.
D. Tawfik
dan.tawfik@weizmann.ac.ilEvolution and mechanism of enzymes:
- Molecular evolution in man-made cell-like compartments.
- Directed evolution of tailor-made hydrolases (esterases, phosphoesterases and amidases) and DNA-modifying enzymes.
- The role of promiscuity and conformational plasticity in protein evolution.
M. Walker
m.walker@weizmann.ac.ilSelective 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.
D. Wallach
david.wallach@weizmann.ac.ilRegulation of cell death and tissue damage:
- Proteins involved in the signaling for the cell-killing (apoptotic), growth-stimulatory, 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.
This file was last modified on 03/06/2012 13:16:40
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