Brief Summary of research:
The relationship between the 3D structure of proteins and their biological function and biochemical activity.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
We use intense femtosecond laser pulses to excite and probe ultrafast molecular dynamics. By combining ultrafast laser techniques with advanced fast beam imaging techniques we develop time resolved photo-fragment imaging that allows detection of molecular dissociation events on the relevant ultrafast time scales.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Size Resolved Atomic and Molecular Cluster Ions.
Brief Summary of research:
Functional Nanostructures for Nanobiotechnology and Materials Science.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Our research is focused on materials chemistry, nanomaterials and surface chemistry. We are located at the institute of chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Yerushalmi group research is primarily focused on development and utilization of surface chemistry to modify the chemical and physical properties of materials at the nanoscale.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Materials, Surface Chemistry, Catalysis, Devices.
Brief Summary of research:
We have set an multifaceted platform for the study of molecular layers-solid substrate interactions, covering Organic Chemistry, Surface Science, Molecular and Biomolecular Electronics and Photonics.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Nanolayers.
Brief Summary of research:
Electronic transport and tunneling in van-der-Waals devices.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Two-dimensional materials, graphene, superconductivity.
Brief Summary of research:
Our group focuses on nanoscale thermal and magnetic imaging using scanning SQUID-on-tip microscopy. We are interested in molecular magnetism and superconductivity.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Scanning SQUID microscopy at the nanoscale.
Brief Summary of research:
Physical mechanism controlling material behavior, specifically in driven system. I work on phase transitions, response to external load (stress and irradiaiton) and other strong drive conditions. My work includes theoretical and computaitonal modeling of response to external load as well as kinetics and thermodynamics modeling.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Nano-plasticity, mechanisms controlling response of metallic nano-structures to external drive.
Brief Summary of research:
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Gene regulatory networks, Mathematical models of microbial evolution.
Brief Summary of research:
Brief Summary of research:
Quantum devices in the nanoscale for quantum information processing:
We are developing nanophotonic quantum materials that can process quantum information by scattering of light from quantum emitters:
Brief Summary of research:
Brief Summary of research:
Quantum optics with multi-photon states and the precision of optical measurements.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
The research interests of my laboratory are centred on the area of soft condensed matter physics for investigation of the structure, dynamics, and macroscopic behaviour of complex systems. (CS). CS is a very broad and general class of materials, which include associated liquids, polymers, biomolecules, colloids, porous materials and liquid crystals.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Water in Nano confinement.
Brief Summary of research:
Superconductivity and magnetism of amorphous carbon; Fe-As superconductors.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Search for superconductivity in the YFe2Si2 doped systems
Brief Summary of research:
The purpose of the Quantum Coherence Lab (QCL) at HUJI is to explore the phenomena of macroscopic quantum coherence and decoherence. We study superconducting Josephson circuits, in which macroscopic physical quantities such as magnetic flux behave quantum mechanically. We also study implementations of macroscopic quantum coherence in slow and stored light in atomic ensembles, manipulating and storing non-trivial patterns of light and subsequently retrieving them.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Superconducting qubits.
Brief Summary of research:
Experimental physicist in Quantum Information Processing specializing in trapped ions, superconducting qubits, hybrid-quantum devices and mechanical objects in the quantum regime.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Experimental research of quantum information processing platforms:
Brief Summary of research:
My group focuses on local probe measurements of the electronic properties of nanoparticles and systems that exhibit inhomogeneous electrical properties on the nano-scale level. In particular, we employ cryogenic Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy (STM and STS) and Conductance Atomic Force Microscopy (C-AFM), along with other AFM techniques.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Our laboratory is engaged in the study of basic physical phenomena brought about by the presence of static disorder in electronic systems. These phenomena are usually associated with quantum-mechanical effects that are observable in small systems measured at low temperatures. Current research subjects include: Quantum phenomena in systems driven out of equilibrium, electronic-glasses, mesoscopics, superconductivity and Josephson effects, resonant tunneling, metal/insulator and superconductor/insulator transitions.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Structure analysis of thin films for characterization and disorder dependence. This is accomplished by a variety of tools at the nanocenter using TEM (for morphology and crystallography), STEM (for chemical composition byEDAX), XRD and XRR for lattice spacing and uniformity of surfaces, Raman spectroscopy for studying the boson peak dependence on composition of amorphous structures.
Brief Summary of research:
The goal of Biological Physics is to reach an understanding of biological processes that is based on a mathematical description that is quantitative and predictive. In Einstein’s words, we would like to describe biological systems with equations that are “as simple as possible, but not simpler”.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfluidics, single cell fluorescence microscopy.
Brief Summary of research:
Our general research interest is of physics on the nanoscale. We are actively exploring the physics of semiconductor nanostructure, and in particular are studying collective quantum phenomena in low dimensional nano-structures as well as light matter interaction in nano-photonic and nano-plasmonic hybrid devices. Our interests range from the fundamental understanding of new physical systems and effects, to new concepts of photonic devices for possible future real-life applications.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Light-matter interactions in nanostructures, electronic excitations in nanostructures, quantum dots, single photon sources, Excitons, Exciton-polaritons, Quantum fluids of excitatations in semiconductor nanostructures.
Brief Summary of research:
Brief Summary of research:
Study of two of the fundamental forces of nature, the ElectroWeak force, and the Strong Nuclear Force by conducting experiments on systems which are affected by these forces.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Positron annihilation spectroscopy.
Brief Summary of research:
Research is aimed at developing semiconductor-based nanostructures, investigating their fundamental properties and developing a variety of electronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices that are based on these nanostructures.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Semiconductor nanostructures.
Brief Summary of research:
Experimental study of pattern formation in complex systems, equilibrium configurations of thin sheets with nontrivial intrinsic geometry.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Self assembly.
Brief Summary of research:
We develop and apply combinations of single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), including photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and direct stochastic optical reconstruction (dSTORM) in multiple colors.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Super-resolution microscopy, single molecule spectroscopy, biophysics at the nanoscale.
Brief Summary of research:
We aim to explore quantum science in the novel regime of macroscopic objects, using laser light to measure and control the motion of nanostructures. We expand on the microscopic realm of atoms and molecules to investigate the foundations of quantum mechanics and to develop new technologies.
Brief Summary of research:
Recent and on-going development of fluorescence microscopy techniques made it possible to detect directly and quantitatively the action of various components within living cells. Interactions between molecules, physical deformation of molecules, production rate, and other molecular functions can be measured in real time, reviling new aspects of live-cells functioning.
Brief Summary of research:
Research is mainly focused on quantum nano-structures.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Nano sensors, nano memories, molecules separation.
Brief Summary of research:
Microbial species are everywhere, and they are not alone - they reside in communities, interacting with other species, hosts and the environment. These communities are important to our health, the health of animals and plants, to the food we eat and to the environment.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Our goal is to better understand the principles underlying microbial species assembly, function and evolution, especially under stress and perturbations. To do so, we integrate classical microbiology, high-throughput sequencing, microfluidics, microscopy and computational methods.
Brief Summary of research:
My main research `goal is to advance the understanding and control of noise and coherence in open quantum systems, both for the study of fundamental science and for advancing quantum technology.
I am fascinated with theoretical open questions in the field of quantum optics, including exploring the limits to noise reduction and enhancement, utilizing symmetry-protected states and modal degeneracies, and developing novel noise-resilient control protocols for quantum computation.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Our lab studies plant specialized metabolism, with a focus on elucidation of biosynthetic pathways of plant metabolites involved in defense against biotic stresses.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
We are also interested in metabolic engineering of plants and microorganisms for production of molecules-of-interest.
Brief Summary of research:
Development of molecular nanoelectronics based on DNA. Addressing by physical approaches, central biological and medical challenges for humanity, such as DNA sequencing, early, sensitive and rapid detection of cancer and other targets like the corona virus.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
The goal of Biological Physics is to reach an understanding of biological processes that is based on a mathematical description that is quantitative and predictive. In Einstein’s words, we would like to describe biological systems with equations that are “as simple as possible, but not simpler”.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfluidics, single cell fluorescence microscopy.
Brief Summary of research:
Our lab focuses on establishing and utilizing cutting edge single cell technologies to probe chromatin and transcriptional output at the single cell level. Our lab integrates optimization of microfluidic devices, molecular and cellular biology and computational biology, to reveal how regulation at the epigenetic level is established, maintained and altered during development. Our mission is to characterize chromatin mechanisms to better understand cellular processes in helath and disease.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfluidics, single cell technology development.
Brief Summary of research:
Our general research interest is of physics on the nanoscale. We are actively exploring the physics of semiconductor nanostructure, and in particular are studying collective quantum phenomena in low dimensional nano-structures as well as light matter interaction in nano-photonic and nano-plasmonic hybrid devices. Our interests range from the fundamental understanding of new physical systems and effects, to new concepts of photonic devices for possible future real-life applications.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Light-matter interactions in nanostructures, electronic excitations in nanostructures, quantum dots, single photon sources, Excitons, Exciton-polaritons, Quantum fluids of excitatations in semiconductor nanostructures.
Brief Summary of research:
Our research group focuses and experts at studying macromolecular assemblies in realistic solution conditions. The structures were are investigating are often too dynamic, too soft, or too large in molecular weight to be crystalized and in some cases too thick or dense for electron microscopy. The molecular subunits of the large assemblies are often too small for optical microscopy. Hence, in many cases, the challenges of structural biophysics were inaccessible. Our lab is developing pioneering solution X-ray scattering-based technology to address and resolve these challenges.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS), self-assembly of virus nanoparticles, protein nanotubes (microtubule, flagellar).
Brief Summary of research:
Formation of amyloid fibrils and the self-assembly of peptides into ordered nanometric structures.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Single-molecule force spectroscopy, peptide-based materials, self-assembly, antifouling materials
Brief Summary of research:
One of the major focuses in the lab is understanding how cells maintain their “healthy” and complex protein structures during increased oxidation, which is one of the main hallmarks of aging and age-related diseases (e.g., Alzheimer, Parkinson and others). Our overarching goal is to develop a novel technology that will enable us to unravel the mystery of the cellular “redox code” and the way it defines cells and their aging process. To achieve this goal, we utilize and develop an extensive toolbox of technologies which able to quantify changes on cellular and molecular levels. For example, we have developed fluorescence-based sensors, expressed inside cells at different organelles to monitor and quantify precise changes in intracellular oxidation. This allows us to study redox-dependent heterogeneity on a single cell level as well as isolate a subset of cells with pre-defined cellular oxidation for investigation of its proteome and redox-dependent regulation. On a protein level, we have established a toolbox of cutting-edge mass spectrometry technology to map conformational changes in proteins upon interactions and/or oxidation, specifically focusing on structurally challenging proteins, such as large and dynamic protein complexes. These technologies include an automatized, high-resolution platform for conducting Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange coupled with mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), as well as in-vivo and in-vitro crosslinking (XL-MS). Currently, we are the only lab in Israel that the HDX-MS system
Brief Summary of research:
Novel Materials for Solar Energy, Lasers and Sensors Applying Nanotechnology - Professor Reisfeld research group interest is concentrated on theoretical and practical development of luminescent solar concentrators which will allow decrease of price of photovoltaic electricity. The work is based on long time research in spectroscopy of lanthanides and organic dyes in glasses; basic studies of energy transfer between ions and molecules in amorphous media.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Brief Summary of research:
The lab studies the basic processes that control the development of the human and mammalian brain and how genetic mutations may affect these processes to lead to neurodevelopmental disorders
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and early onset epilepsy have been difficult to develop due to a lack of access to human brain tissues. Stem-cell based In vitro organoids offer hope in this area, but they have limited spatial organization and cannot systematically reproduce the generation of histologically complex brain regions. By contrast, microfluidic devices allow us to generate histologically contingent, whole 3D brain organoids that developmentally and histologically mimic the formation of the human frontal neural tube. These systems hold promise for identifying specific pathophysiological pathways of brain disorders and for understanding the development of the human brain as a whole.
Brief Summary of research:
Study of two of the fundamental forces of nature, the ElectroWeak force, and the Strong Nuclear Force by conducting experiments on systems which are affected by these forces.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Positron annihilation spectroscopy.
Brief Summary of research:
Research interests are focused on site-specific therapy and real-time diagnostics of inflammation and malignant processes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Brief Summary of research:
Research is aimed at developing semiconductor-based nanostructures, investigating their fundamental properties and developing a variety of electronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices that are based on these nanostructures.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Semiconductor nanostructures.
Brief Summary of research:
Phase transfer catalysis, theory and applications. Catalytic process development. Liquid phase autoxidations. Formate salts as hydrogen and energy carriers. Gas and liquid phase halogenations. Selective bromination processes.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
I am marine biogeochemist and I am studying the bioavailability of iron to marine phytoplankton & the interactions between phytoplankton in the ocean and their chemical environment. In the last years we have been investigating an important colony forming marine cyanobacterium, which we discovered employ many unique pathways to capture particles and aerosols and utilize them as a nutrient source. Our studies focus on microbe-mineral interactions, trying to untangle the molecules and pathways involved in particle attachment and translocation along the colony filaments, communication and dissolution of minerals.
With regards to the nano-center, we frequently analyze minerals and cell-mineral interactions with SEM, SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF as well as Nano-SIMS, MALDI and Synchrotron (aboard).
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Desert dust is an important source of the nutrients iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) to remote ocean regions, supporting phytoplankton growth and carbon cycling. Desertification induced by global climate change is expected to increase dust fluxes to the ocean. Elucidating the ability of phytoplankton to utilize nutrients from dust, an integrative line of research we have been advancing over the last 12 years, will assist in predicting the function of the ocean as a life-supporting system in the global change era.
Studying natural Trichodesmium colonies from the Gulf of Aqaba, we discovered unique adaptive mechanisms for capturing and storing dust particles within the colony core, enabling efficient utilization of Fe (and P) from dust. We documented a variety of biochemical pathways and physical mechanisms that assist Trichodesmium to obtain Fe from mineral sources. We showed that dust packaging in the colony core is beneficial for uptake, since cell-particle proximity minimize Fe loss by diffusion, and that natural colonies enhance dissolution rates of dust-Fe and Fe-minerals. Lately we found that Trichodesmium and its associated bacteria act together to increase availability of dust-bound iron, where bacteria secrete Fe-binding molecules that promote dust dissolution and Trichodesmium provides dust and optimal physical settings for dissolution and uptake. In addition, we revealed that Trichodesmium can sense Fe and selectively choose Fe-rich dust particles, thus optimizing Fe supply.
Over the last years we expanded our research to the nutrient P and added new disciplines and techniques such as molecular biology (identify microbial interactions and biochemical response to dust), organic chemistry (siderophore characterization), high resolution imaging (Synchrotron, MALDI, NanoSIMS) and micro-electrodes (identify chemical gradients). Trichodesmium is predicted to flourish in the warmer, acidified and “dusty” future ocean. The mechanistic understanding gained by our research on its ability to utilize dust as a nutrient source will enhance our ability to predict the ocean’s operation modes in face of global change, and hence its impact on the atmosphere and climate.
Brief Summary of research:
Solid-State Ionics, Polymer Science, Electrochemistry, Thin films, Nanofabrication, and Energy storage
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Our group investigate ionic transport behavior within multiphase organic (polymers), inorganic (ceramics) and hybrid solid-state nanostructured electrolytes, as well as applying them in electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems. We use advance thin film self-assembly and nanofabrication methods to design structured electrolytes with deterministically defined ionic pathways and interfaces, that can be later visualize and quantify at the nanoscale level.
Brief Summary of research:
Experimental study of pattern formation in complex systems, equilibrium configurations of thin sheets with nontrivial intrinsic geometry.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Self assembly.
Brief Summary of research:
we investigate the processes and sources that contribute to the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species that lead to oxidative stress, and its relation with pathophysiological functions in CNS disorders, mainly in epileptogenesis (the process by which brain injury leads to chronic epilepsy) and established epilepsy. We aim to develop antioxidant therapies centered around the multiple neuroprotective effects of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), described as the "master regulator" of the anti-oxidant response. In addition, we study novel gene therapy approaches that will be implemented in different rodent models, target genes and genetic approaches, to develop antioxidant gene therapy for targeting oxidative stress in CNS diseases.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Within the recent years, I have acquired a great interest in implementing polymeric nanosystems and lipid nanoparticulate as delivery strategies for existing and newly developed potential CNS therapies.
The use of traditional drugs loaded in innovative nano-carriers for prolonged and controlled release systems could reduce the number of drug administrations, increase the protection from seizures, decrease side effects associated with conventional drugs, and thus improve the treatment of epilepsy and other CNS diseases.
In addition, we are looking at delivery of viral and non-viral vectors capable of transducing target cells while avoiding impact on non-target cells. Non-viral vectors, which are essentially DNA-containing nanoparticles, can be retargeted by incorporating ligands into their lipid or protein shells, but to date there are no convincing studies to demonstrate the in vivo utility of retargeted non-viral vectors.
We aim to develop a non-viral gene delivery encoding antioxidant genes and/or peptides that inhibit production of ROS, to drive the expression in the main cell type responsible for the generation of ROS.
Brief Summary of research:
Genetically Encoded Nanoparticles
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
The multifunctional nature of nanoparticles offers groundbreaking opportunities in healthcare and biological research, spanning applications such as tumor imaging, radiotherapy, hyperthermia, and radiation resistance. However, their potential is impeded within living organisms due to the intricate challenge of precise delivery to target tissues or cells, often leading to off-target effects. Our innovative approach capitalizes on the genetic machinery of cells to engineer genetically-encoded nanoparticles (GENPs). Through the expression of metal-producing genes, we synthesize intracellular metal nanoparticles, including gold and silver, ensuring GENPs exhibit targeting capabilities at the cell and tissue of interest and at the desired time. This technology has the potential to revolutionize biomedical therapy and imaging, offering transformative solutions across diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. In doing so, we bridge the gap between the promise of nanoparticles and their practical utility in healthcare and biological research.
Brief Summary of research:
We love structure and order. Nature does too sometimes (when enthalpy prevails), but sometimes not (when entropy wins).
We study the principles of self-assembly in order to learn how to control it and obtain structured materials.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Nanoparticles, block copolymers, self-assembly.
Brief Summary of research:
We develop and apply combinations of single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), including photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and direct stochastic optical reconstruction (dSTORM) in multiple colors.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Super-resolution microscopy, single molecule spectroscopy, biophysics at the nanoscale.
Brief Summary of research:
My research deals with the interaction of free electrons (as in an electron microscope) and lasers. One notable application is the acceleration of electrons with nanostructures and lasers - a miniature, on-chip, electron accelerator. In terms of nanotechnology, I use nanofabrication and microfabrication to create chips with different structures, most frequently silicon pillars, which are used as the mediator between photons and electrons. This is required in order to satisfy energy and momentum conservation. While most often I would choose silicon because of its long history with nanofabrication, diamond, silicon carbide, silicon nitride and silicon oxide are also candidates. Other than that, metasurfaces are also on my list, where complex configurations can affect the electron's wavefunction itself in a predesigned, engineered quantum-mechanically described fashion. In conclusion, most of my goals rely on the nano center's capabilities.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
My research deals with the interaction of free electrons (as in an electron microscope) and lasers. One notable application is the acceleration of electrons with nanostructures and lasers - a miniature, on-chip, electron accelerator. In terms of nanotechnology, I use nanofabrication and microfabrication to create chips with different structures, most frequently silicon pillars, which are used as the mediator between photons and electrons. This is required in order to satisfy energy and momentum conservation. While most often I would choose silicon because of its long history with nanofabrication, diamond, silicon carbide, silicon nitride and silicon oxide are also candidates. Other than that, metasurfaces are also on my list, where complex configurations can affect the electron's wavefunction itself in a predesigned, engineered quantum-mechanically described fashion. In conclusion, most of my goals rely on the nano center's capabilities.
Brief Summary of research:
The relationship between the 3D structure of proteins and their biological function and biochemical activity.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
We aim to explore quantum science in the novel regime of macroscopic objects, using laser light to measure and control the motion of nanostructures. We expand on the microscopic realm of atoms and molecules to investigate the foundations of quantum mechanics and to develop new technologies.
Brief Summary of research:
Combining plant molecular biology, protein engineering and nano-biotechnology to develop super-performing materials for affordable and sustainable applications.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Structure and function of the nuclear pre-mRNA processing machine. Pre-mRNA splicing. Pre-mRNA processing. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Assembly and structural studies of biological systems. Autoantibodies against nuclear RNPs-probes for inflammatory myopathies and RNA processing. Physical biochemistry. Electron microscopy.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Cryo-EM of the endogenous spliceosome.
Brief Summary of research:
Development of neuron-electronic hybrid systems.Neural plasticity, a multidisciplinary approach to study the mechanisms underlying short- and long-term neuronal and synaptic remodeling.The cellular, molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying growth cone formation, navigation of neurites, target recognition, synapse formation and neuronal network construction in development, regeneration and simple forms of learning and memory processes.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
The Lab explores the foundation building blocks of chip-scale metrology with a strong focus on Quantum Sensors and Time and Frequency applications and disciplines.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Interactions among diverse ‘flavors’ of photons and atoms in order to:
Brief Summary of research:
We use intense femtosecond laser pulses to excite and probe ultrafast molecular dynamics. By combining ultrafast laser techniques with advanced fast beam imaging techniques we develop time resolved photo-fragment imaging that allows detection of molecular dissociation events on the relevant ultrafast time scales.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Size Resolved Atomic and Molecular Cluster Ions.
Brief Summary of research:
Our lab is focused on uncovering the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of obesity and its metabolic complications, with therapeutic prospects for the development of an effective drug therapy.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Our group is interested in the structural and synaptic changes induced by depression and antidepressants. We focus on Neurensin-2, a recently identified depression-mediating protein that is also regulated by antidepressants.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
The expression of Neurensin-2 remarkedly regulates the neuronal function and emotional behavior, possibly by synapse morphology alterations.
By applying electron microscopy imaging approaches, we aim to elucidate dynamic changes in the neuronal nanostructure after stress, treatment with antidepressants, and altered Neurensin-2 expression.
Brief Summary of research:
Recent and on-going development of fluorescence microscopy techniques made it possible to detect directly and quantitatively the action of various components within living cells. Interactions between molecules, physical deformation of molecules, production rate, and other molecular functions can be measured in real time, reviling new aspects of live-cells functioning.
Brief Summary of research:
The research focuses on the measurement of heat flow, or thermal transport, in low-dimensional materials. Low-dimensional materials, like 2D atomic layers such as graphene, or 1D channels such as carbon nanotubes, have a wide variety of physical behaviors of fundamental interest and with promise for future applications in efficient nanoelectronics, flexible electronics, high-performance thermoelectrics, quantum sensing, and more. Thermal transport can reveal many exotic phenomena since it is sensitive to any emergent degree of freedom regardless of electrical charge. Heat is also one of the key bottlenecks for modern processor performance, leading to frequency throttling and safety issues, but measuring the electronic heat generated in nanoscale devices is a long-standing challenge.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
I developed a new kind of thermal transport measurement called nonlocal noise thermometry with graphene thermometers. Using high-bandwidth microwave-frequency measurements of electronic noise, the electronic temperature of graphene can be measured. By placing multiple contacts along a specific geometry, and measuring the nonlocal noise at different pairs of terminals with a novel differential noise measurement circuit, we can measure the temperature at different locations in a multiterminal device. Using the ability of graphene to easily interface easily with many low-dimensional materials, I used this to measure electronic thermal transport properties of 2D hydrodynamic electrons, 1D electrons in carbon nanotubes, and even 0D, localized electron heat transport. Furthermore, I showed that this approach is sensitive to the heat carried in insulating materials, like spin waves in a 2D magnetic insulator, and neutral modes of a 3D spin liquid candidate material. My research depends on high-quality nanofabrication, which is crucial to the creation of these low-dimensional material-based devices. Typical processes include reactive ion etching, electron beam lithography, and thermal evaporation, as well as photolithography and sputtering.
Brief Summary of research:
The overarching aim of my research is to better understand the global material cycles in our planet, especially how the recycling of volatiles such as carbon and hydrogen from the surface to the deep Earth are related to the fluxes of oceanic and continental crust through time.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
I combine petrographic, geochemical and spectroscopic work utilizing various analytical capabilities (including TEM, EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, TIMS, gas mass spectrometry and Raman and infra-red spectroscopy), to study the trapped minerals and fluids in diamonds and the compositions of basaltic magmas that cover the spectrum of mantle compositional “flavors”, as monitors of deep Earth processes.
Brief Summary of research:
Ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) are involved in a wide range of cellular processes including protein degradation, cell signaling, transcriptional regulation and the DNA damage response. The regulation of numerous cellular processes by these proteins is ascribed to their ability to perform a wide spectrum of modifications. To date, besides ubiquitin, which can modify a target protein with mono or poly-ubiquitin chains with various linkages of varying length, more than a dozen different UBLs are encoded in the human genome, thereby significantly increasing the repertoire of ubiquitin modifications. Not surprisingly, improper regulation of these modifications has been observed in many human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and viral infections. My lab is interested in the molecular mechanisms governing Ub and UBL conjugation to cellular proteins.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
More than 900 enzymes are involved in the deposition or removal of Ub/UBL from target proteins, and only little is known about their specificity, activity and interaction network. We use a variety of biophysical methods including X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM and SEM, to provide the structural and functional data required for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of these enzymes. The Nano Center, and specifically the Nano Characterization Unit, serves as a vital hub for tools and knowledge critical to my research.
Brief Summary of research:
Functional Nanostructures for Nanobiotechnology and Materials Science.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Research interests include ice-binding proteins investigation with fluorescence microscopy and microfluidic devices, cryobiology, freeze casting for porous materials, and food structure.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Ice binding proteins and their interaction with ice crystals, 3D printing of food materials, Cryopreservation.
Brief Summary of research:
Physico-chemical processes of organic pollutants occurring in water, reclaimed wastewater, soils and sediments. An overarching goal is to elucidate physical, chemical and biological processes that influence the fate of organic molecules in the environment with special emphasize on the agricultural environment.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Environmental Chemistry.
Brief Summary of research:
We study the nano and micro structure, and the chemical composition of plant tissues. We work mainly in two directions:
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
The BioGeoChem lab studies the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, contaminants and organic matter in soil and water systems.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
We aim to decipher the mechanisms controlling the composition, structure, mobility and bioavailability of elements in natural systems, while paying special attention to nutrient and contaminant dynamics, redox status, and organic matter composition. For this purpose we use a combination of micro- and nano-scale analyses at the Nano Centre including XPS, Raman, SEM/TEM and more.
Brief Summary of research:
Research in the Fichman lab is at the intersection of chemical biology, bionanotechnology, and materials science, focusing on functional bioinspired materials for food and healthcare applications. We exploit self-assembling systems to develop advanced biomaterials and characterize them at the nano-, micro-, and macro-scale.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Self-assembly | Peptides | Food-gels | Bacteria-material interactions | Antibacterial materials | Drug delivery
Brief Summary of research:
Our lab investigates the response of the body to fasting. The liver is responsible for supplying the body with fuel (glucose and ketone bodies). During fasting, a set of responses are triggered within the liver in order to maintain the supply of energy to the body. This chain of reactions is made possible by thousands of genes being turned “on” and “off”. If these reactions are not regulated, we are unable to survive fasting for more than a few hours. Conversely, if the liver produces too much fuel, this can lead to the development of diseases such as diabetes, at the root of which lies the excess unregulated production of glucose. Using genomic, metabolic and molecular biology approaches, we study the gene regulatory networks that mediate the liver’s response to fasting. We aim to better understand these networks and how their dysregulation can contribute to obesity and diabetes.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
In my lab we will develop chemical tools to inhibit microbial or fungal growth in food. The interdisciplinary research program will combine food science, peptide chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology toward the design of novel antimicrobial agents for applications in food science.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Design and synthesis of copper nano-crystal for crop protection.
Brief Summary of research:
The Toporik lab is focused on understating the assembly process of the photosynthetic machinery and its structural manifestation through cryo-EM.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
My scientific interests within the fields of soil chemistry and mineralogy center on colloid and interface phenomena. My approach has been to conduct basic science studies which serve as a basis for environmental application-oriented research.My expertise is modifying clay surfaces to design optimized sorbents which in turn efficiently bind pollutants. The modification is achieved by adsorbing organic molecules as monomers, micelles or polymers on the clay surface. I focus on characterizing these clay composites and studying the interactions within the composite (clay surface and modifiers) and the interactions of pollutants with these composites.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Colloid assembly, polymer-clay composites.
Brief Summary of research:
We are intrigued by the sense of taste, and are aiming to understand how bitterness and sweetness are elicited and modified by molecules.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Peptides, biosensors for taste(via collaboration).
Brief Summary of research:
Microbial species are everywhere, and they are not alone - they reside in communities, interacting with other species, hosts and the environment. These communities are important to our health, the health of animals and plants, to the food we eat and to the environment.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Our goal is to better understand the principles underlying microbial species assembly, function and evolution, especially under stress and perturbations. To do so, we integrate classical microbiology, high-throughput sequencing, microfluidics, microscopy and computational methods.
Brief Summary of research:
Our lab studies plant specialized metabolism, with a focus on elucidation of biosynthetic pathways of plant metabolites involved in defense against biotic stresses.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
We are also interested in metabolic engineering of plants and microorganisms for production of molecules-of-interest.
Brief Summary of research:
Combining plant molecular biology, protein engineering and nano-biotechnology to develop super-performing materials for affordable and sustainable applications.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
Our group focuses on marine microbiology and biogeochemistry. Our mission is centered around unraveling the microscopic mechanisms microbes use to orchestrate the flux of elements within the vast oceanic expanse. We are captivated by the enigmatic ways in which microbes, the tiniest of life forms, architect and influence their microenvironments through growth and interactions while shaping our oceanic ecosystems. Employing microfluidics, microscopy, biochemistry, and computer simulations, we reveal the secrets of their adaptations and interactions and determine their impact on the environment.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfabrication, microfluidics, advanced microscopy and biosensors
Brief Summary of research:
Flying insects can perform a wide range or aerial maneuvers better than any man-made flying device. Some insects can land upside down, change direction in a split of a second and engage prey or mates in mid-air. To achieve such impressive capabilities, insects have evolved unique flight mechanisms, including a control system that exhibits the fastest reflexes in the animal kingdom. Our goal is to understand these flight control mechanisms experimentally and eventually implement them in robotic systems. This challenge involves cutting-edge topics in control theory, fluid dynamics, physiology, neuroscience and robotics.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
3d printing.
Brief Summary of research:
Microbial ecology of extreme environments, with a focus on the microbial populations of salt-excreting plants; Microbial water quality; Genetically engineered microbial sensors for environmental monitoring, with an emphasis on toxicity and genotoxicity assessment and on the detection of specific classes of compounds, including trace pharmaceuticals and explosives.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Whole-cell biosensors.
Brief Summary of research:
We study the gut-brain axis in aging and neurological disorders. Our major research question is how processes that occur in the gut, affect brain functions and the aging process in health and disease. To answer this question, we look at the whole-organism level to identify novel targets to treat brain pathologies. Our ultimate goal is to achieve in-depth understanding of the intestinal processes affecting brain dysfunction (mediated by immune cells, microbiomes, and metabolites) that will support the development of better treatments, prolonged lifespan and healthier aging. We carry out longitudinal pre-clinical studies in young and aged mice to elucidate systemic, long-term processes that predispose the aging organism to develop neurological damage.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
At the Nano-scale – we study age-related cell-cell interactions and tissue architectural changes in brain and intestinal cells by multiplexed imaging. Using our Phenocycler Fusion system, we are able to simultaneously image 70+ markers at protein level in gut and brain sections, to discover cellular localizations, interactions and dynamics at the tissue context.
Brief Summary of research:
Our group is studying how mechanobiological inputs direct cell-fate decision-making by integrating state-of-the-art single-cell genomics, microrheology, and deep learning AI. We focus on the mechanobiology of preimplantation embryo development, stem cell differentiation, inflammation, and nucleus mechanotransduction.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Mechanobiology of oocytes and embryos.
Brief Summary of research:
Structural biology of large protein complexes. Mass-spectrometry. Computational structural modeling based on multiple information sources. Protein structure prediction.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Structural characterization of macro-molecular nano-machines.
Brief Summary of research:
This laboratory is dedicated to the direct measurement of these characteristics of protein systems one molecule at a time, protein-after-protein. Using these techniques we study the molecular mechanisms leading to bacterial resistance to antibiotic molecules, through structural changes in the bacterial transcription complex. Additionally, we study the mechanisms allowing the transduction of chemical signals through proteins mechanically, and how they assist in transcriptional regulation in bacteria and in signal transduction in the eukaryotic cell.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Fabrication of micro & nano fluidic chips.
Brief Summary of research:
Our lab focuses on establishing and utilizing cutting edge single cell technologies to probe chromatin and transcriptional output at the single cell level. Our lab integrates optimization of microfluidic devices, molecular and cellular biology and computational biology, to reveal how regulation at the epigenetic level is established, maintained and altered during development. Our mission is to characterize chromatin mechanisms to better understand cellular processes in helath and disease.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfluidics, single cell technology development.
Brief Summary of research:
One of the major focuses in the lab is understanding how cells maintain their “healthy” and complex protein structures during increased oxidation, which is one of the main hallmarks of aging and age-related diseases (e.g., Alzheimer, Parkinson and others). Our overarching goal is to develop a novel technology that will enable us to unravel the mystery of the cellular “redox code” and the way it defines cells and their aging process. To achieve this goal, we utilize and develop an extensive toolbox of technologies which able to quantify changes on cellular and molecular levels. For example, we have developed fluorescence-based sensors, expressed inside cells at different organelles to monitor and quantify precise changes in intracellular oxidation. This allows us to study redox-dependent heterogeneity on a single cell level as well as isolate a subset of cells with pre-defined cellular oxidation for investigation of its proteome and redox-dependent regulation. On a protein level, we have established a toolbox of cutting-edge mass spectrometry technology to map conformational changes in proteins upon interactions and/or oxidation, specifically focusing on structurally challenging proteins, such as large and dynamic protein complexes. These technologies include an automatized, high-resolution platform for conducting Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange coupled with mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), as well as in-vivo and in-vitro crosslinking (XL-MS). Currently, we are the only lab in Israel that the HDX-MS system
Brief Summary of research:
Structure and function of the nuclear pre-mRNA processing machine. Pre-mRNA splicing. Pre-mRNA processing. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Assembly and structural studies of biological systems. Autoantibodies against nuclear RNPs-probes for inflammatory myopathies and RNA processing. Physical biochemistry. Electron microscopy.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Cryo-EM of the endogenous spliceosome.
Brief Summary of research:
Development of neuron-electronic hybrid systems.Neural plasticity, a multidisciplinary approach to study the mechanisms underlying short- and long-term neuronal and synaptic remodeling.The cellular, molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying growth cone formation, navigation of neurites, target recognition, synapse formation and neuronal network construction in development, regeneration and simple forms of learning and memory processes.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Brief Summary of research:
As a Systems Biology lab we combine experiments and theory to understand the design principles of biological networks.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfabrication of microfluidic devices.
Brief Summary of research:
Flying insects can perform a wide range or aerial maneuvers better than any man-made flying device. Some insects can land upside down, change direction in a split of a second and engage prey or mates in mid-air. To achieve such impressive capabilities, insects have evolved unique flight mechanisms, including a control system that exhibits the fastest reflexes in the animal kingdom. Our goal is to understand these flight control mechanisms experimentally and eventually implement them in robotic systems. This challenge involves cutting-edge topics in control theory, fluid dynamics, physiology, neuroscience and robotics.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
3d printing.
Brief Summary of research:
Our work is focused on the application of tissue engineering and microfluidics to study how cells process information under dynamic physiological conditions to make metabolic decisions. Our work elucidated the metabolic regulation of viral infection, early human development, tissue morphogenesis and regeneration. Applications range from faster drug development and personalized medicine, to animal-free toxicity studies, and the development of cultured meat.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Microfluidics, Micropatterning, Human on Chip.
Brief Summary of research:
Our group studies nano-scale geological processes central to hydrology and the oil and gas industry. We use a diverse array of methods, combining cutting edge lab technology, state-of-the-art modeling, and field work.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Water-rock interaction, Environmental geochemistry.
Brief Summary of research:
I am fascinated by volcanoes, diamonds and pink granites*. Perhaps this is why I am interested in the role of water and other volatiles in magmatic processes. Volatiles are involved in most igneous processes. They are central in formation of melts, play a major role in transporting trace elements and radio-isotopes between mantle reservoirs or between mantle and crust, and are the driving force of explosive volcanic eruptions.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Nano-inclusions in minerals.
Brief Summary of research:
I am marine biogeochemist and I am studying the bioavailability of iron to marine phytoplankton & the interactions between phytoplankton in the ocean and their chemical environment. In the last years we have been investigating an important colony forming marine cyanobacterium, which we discovered employ many unique pathways to capture particles and aerosols and utilize them as a nutrient source. Our studies focus on microbe-mineral interactions, trying to untangle the molecules and pathways involved in particle attachment and translocation along the colony filaments, communication and dissolution of minerals.
With regards to the nano-center, we frequently analyze minerals and cell-mineral interactions with SEM, SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF as well as Nano-SIMS, MALDI and Synchrotron (aboard).
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Desert dust is an important source of the nutrients iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) to remote ocean regions, supporting phytoplankton growth and carbon cycling. Desertification induced by global climate change is expected to increase dust fluxes to the ocean. Elucidating the ability of phytoplankton to utilize nutrients from dust, an integrative line of research we have been advancing over the last 12 years, will assist in predicting the function of the ocean as a life-supporting system in the global change era.
Studying natural Trichodesmium colonies from the Gulf of Aqaba, we discovered unique adaptive mechanisms for capturing and storing dust particles within the colony core, enabling efficient utilization of Fe (and P) from dust. We documented a variety of biochemical pathways and physical mechanisms that assist Trichodesmium to obtain Fe from mineral sources. We showed that dust packaging in the colony core is beneficial for uptake, since cell-particle proximity minimize Fe loss by diffusion, and that natural colonies enhance dissolution rates of dust-Fe and Fe-minerals. Lately we found that Trichodesmium and its associated bacteria act together to increase availability of dust-bound iron, where bacteria secrete Fe-binding molecules that promote dust dissolution and Trichodesmium provides dust and optimal physical settings for dissolution and uptake. In addition, we revealed that Trichodesmium can sense Fe and selectively choose Fe-rich dust particles, thus optimizing Fe supply.
Over the last years we expanded our research to the nutrient P and added new disciplines and techniques such as molecular biology (identify microbial interactions and biochemical response to dust), organic chemistry (siderophore characterization), high resolution imaging (Synchrotron, MALDI, NanoSIMS) and micro-electrodes (identify chemical gradients). Trichodesmium is predicted to flourish in the warmer, acidified and “dusty” future ocean. The mechanistic understanding gained by our research on its ability to utilize dust as a nutrient source will enhance our ability to predict the ocean’s operation modes in face of global change, and hence its impact on the atmosphere and climate.
Brief Summary of research:
The overarching aim of my research is to better understand the global material cycles in our planet, especially how the recycling of volatiles such as carbon and hydrogen from the surface to the deep Earth are related to the fluxes of oceanic and continental crust through time.
Specific research topics related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
I combine petrographic, geochemical and spectroscopic work utilizing various analytical capabilities (including TEM, EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, TIMS, gas mass spectrometry and Raman and infra-red spectroscopy), to study the trapped minerals and fluids in diamonds and the compositions of basaltic magmas that cover the spectrum of mantle compositional “flavors”, as monitors of deep Earth processes.
