Dr. Zohar Arnon
Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sciences
My life before BGU:
I was born and raised in Tel Aviv, where I also finished high school. I completed all my degrees at Tel Aviv University: a bachelor’s degree in physics and biology, followed by a master’s degree and a PhD in biotechnology under the supervision of Prof. Ehud Gazit. I then moved to Columbia University in New York, where I did postdoctoral research with Prof. Oleg Gang.
Why BGU?
As soon as I arrived for my interview in the department, I felt at ease. My research is interdisciplinary, and in other departments I felt it didn’t quite fit: not quite chemistry, not quite biology, and not quite materials science. Biotechnology Engineering felt right immediately. The Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology is simply amazing, with world-class people who help, support, and teach. You couldn’t ask for more.
My research:
In my lab, we use DNA nanotechnology. This means using DNA as a scaffold to arrange materials with nanoscale precision and a high degree of control. I can arrange proteins and nanoparticles this way to build smart materials. If you’re unfamiliar with the field, I recommend Googling “DNA origami” and taking a look at the images. That’s the tool I use.
An insight from my research:
Sometimes, a tool with a particular purpose, such as DNA (which usually carries genetic information) can be used for an entirely different purpose, one that might not immediately occur to us, such as DNA origami.
Something you won’t find on my CV:
I love dogs, anime, and computer games, and I practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
A source of inspiration:
I love Brandon Sanderson’s books. What I find particularly inspiring is his ability to develop complex characters who are so different from one another. I think this demonstrates an impressive ability to see things from different perspectives.
When I grow up...
I don’t think I ever had an answer to that question as a child. A large part of what I enjoy about my profession is how flexible and open-ended it is. So I still don’t really have an answer.
If I weren’t a researcher, I would...
Do something involving food. A professional eater, perhaps.
In brief:
- Summer or winter? Summer
- Steak or tofu? Steak
- Meticulous planning or spontaneity? Meticulous spontaneity
- Hiking or lounging around? Lounging around
- Car or train? Train
- Market or mall? Market
- Sea or pool? Pool
- Dog or cat? Dog
- Cinema or streaming? Streaming
- Three things I would take to a desert island? A hammock, a book, and a chef’s knife
