Faculty of Biochemistry

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:

1. Protein science, including protein-protein interactions, protein-ligand interactions, and evolution of enzymes.

2. Proteins involved in controlling DNA stability, repair and expression of genetic information.

3. Structure and function of ion channels, pumps and other proteins that transport solutes across the cell membrane.

4. Mechanisms by which proteins and lipids are transported from their point of synthesis, sorted, and inserted into various organelles.

5. 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.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biological_Chemistry

E.A. Bayer

Structural and functional aspects of the multi-enzyme cellulosome complex from cellulose-degrading bacteria.

1. The cohesin-dockerin couple - Protein-protein interactions that mediate recognition and specificity in cellulosome assembly.

2. Cellulose-binding domains as models for protein-sugar interactions.

3. Structure determination and comparative genomics of cellulosome components.

4. Nanosome technology - Selective engineering of chimaeric cellulosome constructs for nanotechnology.

E. Bibi

The signal recognition particle (SRP) system in Escherichia coli:

1. FtsY, the essential prokaryotic SRP-receptor: its role in biogenesis of membrane proteins.

2. Identification and molecular cloning of cellular factors involved in targeting insertion and assembly of membrane proteins.

Multidrug transporters (Mdr) in Escherichia coli:

The multidrug transporter MdfA: what makes it an Mdr?

Bioenergetics and substrate recognition properties of the purified MdfA.

R. Dikstein

Transcription regulation in high eukaryotes: functional analysis of the basal transcription factor TFIID subunits (TAFs).

1. Functional and genetic analysis of B cell specific TFIID subunit.

2. Molecular mechanism of TAF activity.

3. The role of specific TAFs in cell fate determination (i.e., cell cycle progression, cell survival and cell death).

4. Biochemical properties of TAFs.

M. Eisenbach

Chemotaxis of bacteria and human spermatozoa

1. Signal transduction in bacterial chemotaxis: Molecular mechanisms of behavior, sensing, and response.

2. Pre-contact sperm-egg communication in humans and role in fertilization.

3. Molecular mechanism of function of the bacterial flagellar motor.

Z. Elazar

Molecular mechanisms of intracellular protein traffic

1. Isolation and characterization of novel proteins regulating targeting and fusion between transport vesicles and their target membranes.

2. Involvement of small GTP binding proteins of the Rab-family in vesicular transport.

3. Regulation of autophagocytosis in yeast and mammalian cells.

M. Fainzilber

Our 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:

1. Comparative genomics and evolution of secreted cysteine-rich neuroactive factors.

2. Molecular mechanisms of axonal communication and neuronal regeneration.

3. Signaling and trafficking of neurotrophin-receptor complexes.

A.H. Futerman

The molecular mechanisms of sphingolipid storage diseases (Gaucher, Niemann-Pick, and Tay-Sachs disease).

Sphingolipid signaling during neuronal development.

The role of lipids in the regulation of neuronal growth.

H. Garty

Regulation of epithelial ion transport:

1. Structure-function relationships of epithelial Na+ channels.

2. Kinases mediating hormonal regulation of epithelial ion-transport.

3. FXYD proteins as tissue specific regulators of the Na+/K+ ATPase.

C. Gitler

The role of protein-vicinal dithiol to intra-protein disulfide conversion in redox regulation and oxidative stress

The role of multimedia in science teaching. Analysis of motivation to learn and play.

S.J. Karlish

Molecular structure and function of Na/K-ATPase.

Regulation of Na/K-ATPase by FXYD proteins.

Molecular mechanisms involved in generation of essential hypertension.

Z. Livneh

1. Molecular analysis of the formation of mutations in bacteria and in mammals.

2. Analysis of novel DNA polymerases specialized in lesion bypass and mutagenesis.

3. Mechanisms and biomedical applications of DNA repair.

S. Malkin

1. Photoacoustics, photothermal radiometry and fluorimetric methods in photosynthesis - Biophysical, physiological and agrotechnical aspects.

2. Photophysical and electron transfer events in photosynthesis: Laser photoacoustic study.

3. Dynamic fluorescence imaging of leaves, protoplasts and chloroplasts, using high resolution light microscopy.

4. Model systems for the interaction of chlorophylls and carotenoids, particularly in mimicking the "non-photochemical quenching" process.

D. Mirelman

Molecular pathogenesis of the human intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica

1. Molecular biology and genome organization in the lower eukaryot Entamoeba histolytica.

2. Selective inhibition of expression of virulence genes by Antisense RNA.

3. of action of Allicin from Garlic and its potential applications for therapy.

R. Miskin

The plasminogen activator/plasmin system in the brain.

Gene activation by DNA damage.

Reduced eating and increased longevity: a transgenic model.

U. Pick

Structure and function of salt-resistant proteins.

Iron uptake by an algal transferrin.

Cold acclimation and cold-induced proteins in Dunaliella.

H⁺ and Na⁺ transporters in the halotolerant alga Dunaliella.

Regulation of massive b-carotene synthesis in Dunaliella bardawil and its industrial utilization.

Z. Reich

Nuclear pore complex (NPC)-mediated macromolecular transport

1. Transport mechanics, dynamics and energetics.

2. Nuclear pore proteins: molecular and biophysical characterization.

3. Nuclear import of exogenous DNA: implications for human gene therapy.

E. Reuveny

Structural and functional studies of ion channels:

1. Biophysical analysis of the gating and permeation using electrophysiological approaches (patch clamp).

2. Regulation of cellular distribution and signaling specificity by ion channels-associated proteins using biochemical approaches.

3. Conformational dynamics of ion channels associated with activation using novel fluorescence-based measuring techniques.

4. The role of the G protein coupled potassium channel in insulin secretion.

G. Schreiber

Protein-protein interactions, from basic biophysical understanding to protein design and structure-function relation.

1. Rational design of faster associating and tighter binding protein complexes.

2. Evaluation of direct and cooperative contributions towards the strength of non-covalent interactions using multiple-mutant cycles for the interaction of ?-lactamase and its inhibitor BLIP.

3. 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

Membrane-protein interaction and molecular recognition within the membrane milieu. Implication to the function and structure of membrane proteins.

1. Assembly and organization of pore forming toxins and ion channels in membranes: Studies with isolated fragments and intact proteins.

2. Molecular mechanism of membrane fusion and its inhibition: Studies with HIV and Sendai Virus.

3. Molecular basis for cell selectivity by cytolytic antimicrobial peptides.

Y. Shechter

Mechanism of insulin action: Post-binding events in insulin action

1. Post-receptor agents mimicking insulin.

2. Effect of vanadium in vivo and in vitro.

3. Role of protein tyrosine kinases and protein phosphotyrosine phosphatases in insulin effects.

4. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases.

M. Shinitzky

1. Tumor vaccines prepared by application of hydrostatic pressure.

2. Characterization of antigens implicated in mental disorders.

3. Physiological signaling by cyclic glycerophosphates and their analogues.

D. Tawfik

Evolution and mechanism of enzymes:

1. Molecular evolution in man-made cell-like compartments.

2. Directed evolution of tailor-made hydrolases (esterases, phosphoesterases and amidases) and DNA-modifying enzymes.

3. The role of promiscuity and conformational plasticity in protein evolution.

M. Walker

Selective gene expression in pancreatic beta cells:

1. Role of specific transcription factors in expression of the insulin gene in pancreatic beta cells and in control of pancreatic development.

2. Novel beta cell specific genes: isolation, characterization and use as potential tools in diagnosis and therapy of diabetes.

D. Wallach

Regulation of cell death and tissue damage

1. 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.

2. In vivo models for the functions of the signaling mechanisms activated by ligands of the TNF family and for their pathological aberrations.

3. Natural antagonists to ligands of the TNF family, for protection against the deleterious effects of these cytokines in autoimmune and infectious diseases.

M. Wilchek

Study and application of molecular biorecognition

1. Avidin-biotin system: Studies of the strong binding using chemical, physical and biological methods; new applications of the system.

2. Affinity chromatography: Studies to improve purification of protein by developing new carriers, new activation methods and new principles.

3. Affinity therapy: Development of methods to couple drugs and toxins to biological carriers, such as antibodies, and their delivery to target cells.

U. Zor

A role for Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cellular activation

1. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tyrosine phosphorylation and MAPK activation in differentiation and growth following skin inflammation.

2. The role of NADPH oxidase and ROS formation in activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (PLA2).

3. The role of Mg2+ and ROS in acute myocardial infarct (AMI) in human.

 This file was last modified on 08/15/2004 15:13:49

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