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Systematic Discovery of Protein Function

One of the hallmarks of eukaryotic cells is the presence of membrane-enclosed organelles that create optimized environments best suited for promoting the various chemical reactions required to sustain life. Although nearly 30 years have passed since the publication of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome sequence, over 25% of the proteins still do not have a known biochemical function.

 

Most of these proteins are conserved all the way to humans and some have been implicated in diseases. One of the great challenges of the post-genomic era is, therefore, to use novel methodologies to fill in these gaps in our knowledge, to uncover the functions of these unstudied proteins.

 

Our lab is dedicated to uncovering novel functions for yeast organellar proteins. We do this by employing a wide variety of high throughput screening techniques complemented by dedicated cell biological, genetic and biochemical follow ups.

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Our Laboratory Setup

Our lab features an advanced, high-throughput screening setup featuring a high-resolution microscope and fully automated system for extensive yeast analysis. This is the key to our unique approach to research.

Emma's Research

Emma's Research

Understanding how the ER is organized into subdomains

Emma is interested in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and how this extensive organelle, built from one continuous membrane, is compartmentalized into specialized regions required for its diverse functions. To do this, she is using different technologies to map distinct regions and the proteins that reside in them.

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Ofir's Research
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Ofir's Research

Development of a fast diagnostic test for peroxisomal diseases

Ofir is screening a library of fluorescent compounds to identify a synthetic dye which specifically labels peroxisomes. The dye will be tested for its universality and ease of use. Identifying a peroxisomal dye will simplify staining and imaging procedures of peroxisomes for research and significantly expand the diagnostic toolkit for peroxisomal diseases.

Sarah's Research

Development of Multi-CLEM in
mammalian cells

Sarah is developing a high-throughput screening approach (multi-CLEM) for electron microscopy in mammalian cells. The combination of fluorescence microscopy for barcoding of tens or hundreds of differently manipulated cells and electron microscopy will allow quantitative imaging at the ultrastructure level.

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Naama's Research

Characterizing new mitochondrial contact sites

Naama is interested in finding and characterising new contact sites for mitochondria. Using high throughput screens and microscopy Naama aims to discover new tethering molecules, regulators and functions for such contacts. 

Sarah's Research
Naama's Research
Sivan's Research

Sivan's Research

Uncovering new targeting factors of proteins to the ER

Sivan is interested in how proteins with unique targeting signals are targeted to the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) in yeast. Sivan hopes to discover new factors involved in the process. To do this, she uses high throughput screens of mutant libraries combined with image analysis.

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Lior's Research

Discovering New Peroxisomal Proteins Via a Novel Fluorescent Genomic Library

Lior is interested in using new fluorescently tagged genomic libraries for the identification of new peroxisomal proteins. Lior wishes to uncover the targeting pathways that they take to reach peroxisomes and elucidate their biological features and function.

Lior's Research
Rosario's Research

Rosario's Research

Identifying new enzymes in yeast

Rosario is interested in uncovering enzymes previously unidentified. By transiently depleting the proteins on demand, Rosario aims to use the metabolic changes that follow to trace back the function of new enzymes.

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Noga's Research

Uncovering new membrane shaping proteins in mitochondria

Noga is interested in the unique structure of mitochondria, forming a continuous branched network in the cell. Using high throughput screens and microscopy, Noga aims to discover new membrane shaping proteins that enable the formation of this intricate structure.

Noga's Research
Mor's research

Olga Beresh

Uncovering new proteins involved in pexophagy - selective peroxisomal degradation


Olga is intrigued by the selective degradation of peroxisomes in yeast.
Employing high-throughput methods and microscopy, Olga seeks to uncover new proteins involved in this fascinating process.

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Mor's Research

Exploring peroxisomal stress responses

Mor is interested in investigating how peroxisomes function under various stress conditions.

Using RNA-seq and microscopy-based high throughput methods, Mor aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms of how peroxisomes handle stress.

Din's Research

Advancing Protein Localization in Yeast:
A Unique Tagging Strategy.

Din is focused on advancing the understanding of protein localization within yeast cells. By developing a novel yeast library, a collection of yeast strains in which each yeast proteins is tagged with a unique approach that overcomes some of the disadvantages of big bulky tags, he is offering a more refined approach to tracking protein dynamics.

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Dunya's Research

Unraveling Functions of Uncharacterized Enzymes 

Dunya is interested in elucidating the functions of uncharacterized enzymes that are only expressed under extreme growth conditions.  She is screening for specific conditions that trigger the expression of these proteins, coupled with conducting metabolomics and essentiality assays under these conditions.

Olga's research
Din's research
Dunya's research

Shani's Research

Identifying unknown targeting factors of ER resident proteins with special signal peptides

Shani is interested in the targeting of a specific subset of lumenal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins. These proteins contain targeting signals not catered for by known targeting pathways. By utilizing high throughput imaging techniques and proximity labeling she hopes to uncover new ER targeting factors. 

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Shani's research

Learn more

Discover a unique aspect of cellular biology we've been researching for years. This short film we produced offers an insightful look into an often-overlooked organelle.

Funded by

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