גנטיקה מולקולרית, התפתחות ופיזיולוגיה

המחקר בגנטיקה מולקולרית, התפתחות ופיזיולוגיה של צמחים מוכוון להבנת המנגנונים בצמח המבקרים את גדילתו, התפתחותו, ותגובתו לסביבה.התהליך עשוי להתרחש ברמת אורגנלת התא, רקמת תאים ייחודיים, או הצמח בכללותו.

המחקר בתחומים אלו מתמקד בצמחי המודל ארבידופסיס, טבק ועגבנייה, אבל לעיתים קרובות כולל צמחים חשובים כמו חיטה, אורז ועוד.

המחקר כולל שימוש בגישות שונות כמו ביוכימיה, ביולוגיה מולקולרית, הדמיה תאית, עריכה גנומית, ביואינפורמטיקה, מודלים מתמטיים, פנומיקס ואפיונים פיזיולוגים מתקדמים, אשר יחד מאפשרים לכמת את תגובת הצמח ברזולוציה מולקולרית ופיזיולוגית לסביבה המשתנה.

Molecular Genetics, Development and Physiology

Research in the field of plant molecular genetics, development, and physiology aims to understand fundamental mechanisms in plant growth and its response to the environment. The process may occur at the organelle, cell-type-specific tissue, or the whole plant level.

Research in the fields focuses on plant model systems such as Arabidopsis, tobacco and tomato, but often includes additional important crops such as wheat, rice and more.

The research consists of approaches such as plant biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular imaging, genome engineering, bioinformatics, mathematical modeling, phenomics, and advanced physiological equipment to quantify the plant's response to the changing environment.
 

Researchers in this field:

Prof. Eilon Shani

The Shani lab develops next-generation genetics tools that enhance basic plant research and crop resilience. To uncover “hidden” traits that are important for plant resilience and food security, we developed the Multi-Knock technology - the first genome-scale multi-targeted CRISPR libraries in plants. Multi-Knock can be applied to most crops and all breeding traits. Therefore, we expect the new toolbox we develop here to transform how scientists and breeders perform genetics. We utilize the next-generation genetics CRISPR libraries to reveal and characterize transport mechanisms of the main plant hormones - abscisic acid, auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin. We study how subcellular, cell-to-cell, long-distance hormone movement, and local hormone sinks trigger or prevent hormone-mediated responses. In these studies, we utilize a range of approaches and methods, including plant genetics, plant biotechnology, genome editing, genome-scale CRISPR libraries, plant physiology, response to drought and salt, and fluorescent microscopy.

Lab Website: https://www.shanilab.sites.tau.ac.il/

Prof. Shaul Yalovsky

Research in my laboratory focusses on the interfaces of development and cell biology with abiotic stress responses in plants. We study signaling mechanisms that increase plant tolerance to drought and salt stress and increase water use efficiency. We are also interested in signaling mechanisms that regulate secondary cell wall formation in plants and the regulation of lignin content with the aim of developing crops with reduced cell wall recalcitrance toward biofuel formation. In our research, we use cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology methods such as CRISPR-mediated genome editing, confocal and light microscopy, RNA-seq, DNA-seq, protein-protein interaction, and gas exchange.

Lab Website: https://www.yalovskylab.sites.tau.ac.il/

Prof. Nir Ohad

The Ohad group is studying the role of plant epigenetics during reproduction, embryogenesis, and development from the seedling stage to adulthood. To understand these epigenetic mechanisms, we have been using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model for flowering plants and the moss Pyscomitrium patens, serving as a model for early terrestrial plants. To study the effects of environmental conditions on reproduction and dispersal strategies we use the mixed mating plant Lamium amplexicaule. In our studies we employ genetic, physiological, morphological, and theoretical tools along with molecular genetics, and biochemical tools including gene knockout, genome-wide methylation analysis, and transcriptomics.    

Lab Website: https://en-lifesci.tau.ac.il/profile/niro

Dr. Lior Tal

My lab aims to reveal how plants utilize protein breakdown to adjust molecular signaling cascades and facilitate growth responses to abiotic changes. We specialize in protein-protein interactions, employ CRISPR/Cas9 for genome editing, and baculovirus-based systems for expressing and purifying plant proteins.    

Lab Website: https://tallior.wixsite.com/tal-lab

Dr. Nir Sade

My lab research is focused on important agricultural traits which are highly effected by abiotic stress such as water movement (hydraulics), water use efficiency, root morphology and carbon/nitrogen allocation. In my lab, efforts are underway, to both discover the genes that regulate those traits as well as to generate crops with better tolerance to harsh conditions. In addition to common molecular and biochemical tools, we use advanced systems for phenotypic characterization of crop plants, including pressure cells, lysimeter systems, systems for measuring gas exchange, and hyperspectral cameras.

Lab Website: https://nirsade1978.wixsite.com/nirsadelab

Dr. Yosef Fichman
 

Plants respond to changes in their environment to survive and grow. When one part of a plant is stressed, the whole plant responds within minutes. This is called systemic acclimation, a process by which plants adjust their metabolism, physiology, and biochemistry to adapt to changes in their growth conditions or environment. 

Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms on of systemic acclimation to light and other abiotic stresses. We study how signals such as reactive oxygen species, calcium, and membrane depolarization spread rapidly within cells and from cell to cell. We also investigate how these signals affect amino acid metabolism, which plays a role in acclimation. 

To answer these questions, we use a variety of methods, including molecular biology, genetic screens, imaging, physiological assays, and omics.