Faculty of Biotechnology & Food Engineering
Prof. Ester Segal
Research field: The Segal Lab explores the exciting intersection of nanomaterials science and biotechnology, driving
innovation in nano-biotechnology. Our research focuses on the structure-property relationships of advanced nanomaterials and their interactions with living systems. We harness this knowledge to develop innovative biosensors for medical diagnostics, efficient drug delivery systems, and functional nanomaterials that can improve human health and address environmental challenges.
The Segal Lab is offering exciting research opportunities focused on the development of antimicrobial surfaces and biosensors designed to target harmful microbes. Students will work on projects aimed at creating advanced nanomaterials that can effectively detect and neutralize bacterial and fungal pathogens, with applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and public safety.
Required background: Students should have a strong foundation in fields such as materials science, biotechnology or biomedical engineering, and chemistry. Familiarity with laboratory techniques in microbiology, analytical chemistry, or microscopy would be beneficial.
https://segallab.technion.ac.il/
Assist. Prof. Tzachi Reizel
Research field:
Our primary goal is to develop epigenetic editing approaches to affect cell identity in the context of cellular differentiation, cancer, and aging. Much like genetic editing, epigenetic editing aims to modify epigenetic patterns to
activate or repress gene expression. The advantage of epigenetic editing over genetic editing is that it does not change the actual DNA sequence, thus circumventing the risk of creating new genetic aberrations.
Our primary epigenetic model is DNA methylation, a covalent modification of the DNA itself associated with gene repression. We utilize DNA methylation editing to improve the quality of produced cells for cell therapy and better understand the role of epigenetics in tumor development and aggressiveness. We also examine if epigenetic editing could be utilized to reverse aging.
Required background: Biology for wet lab work or computer science for data analysis
Assoc. Prof. Avi Shpigelman
Research field: Our laboratory presents multidisciplinary research that integrates engineering, chemistry, and links to
biology and microbiology. Our research emphasis is on the effects of formulation and processing, both innovative and traditional, on food products and biological materials. The goal is to gain an in-depth fundamental understanding of the effects of the process on food ingredients and the effect of these changes on nutritional values and health-promoting activity.
Required background: Chemistry or Engineering
https://shpigelmanlab.net.technion.ac.il/
Prof. Uri Lesmes
Research field: The Lesmes Lab invites you to join one of our ongoing studies on the interplay between food formulations and their digestive fate in the body of different consumers. Our research uses in vitro human digestion models to underpin the digestibility of alternative proteins, structured emulsions, and novel foods/ingredients in different individuals (for example https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268005X22003708?via%3Dihub)
Required background: Chemistry and biochemistry as well as basic experience in lab work. Relevant background in food science, food technology, and/or nutrition would be advantageous.
https://lesmesu.net.technion.ac.il/research/
Prof. Esthi Meyron-Holtz
Research field: In the Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, we study molecular mechanisms of mammalian
iron homeostasis in health and disease. We are interested in the different transport and storage systems within and between cells and how they adapt to stress situations. This takes us to different organs in the body and to
different cell types of the immune system such as macrophages and neutrophils.
Required background: Students must have some background in cellular and molecular biology and preferably also in immunology. Basic experience with bench work in molecular biology is a plus as well.
https://biotech.technion.ac.il/en/member/meyron-holtz/
Assoc. Prof. Amit Zeisel
Research field: At the Zeisel molecular neurobiology lab we aim to understand patterns of neuronal connectivity. Neurons communicate via synapses, wired to complex networks. Very little is understood about the connectivity rules both for distant and locally projecting neurons. The relationship between cellular identity (as reflected by gene expression) and network properties are even less described. We apply molecular tools and measurements to shed more light on these topics.
The suggested project is in the general topic of analysis of single-cell RNAseq datasets. Most of our interest is in the region of the mouse amygdala. The suggested project is to build a tool for automatic annotation of cells into a known cell type taxonomy reference dataset. The project involves biological knowledge about the brain together with ability to apply data analysis skills.
Required background: Students should have a good background in biology/neurobiology and some basic programming skills.
