Prof. Amir Sagi: Research Interests

Comparative and applied endocrinology. Crustacean biology. Regulation of sex-differentiation, sexual plasticity, reproduction and growth. Desert Aquaculture. Molt and related Calcium mobilization and biomineralization

Summary of Current Research:

• Gonad maturation, vitellogenesis, and lipoprotein synthesis.

• Regulation of growth, molt and related Calcium mobiliztion and biomineralization.

• Sex-determination, a search for sex-specific proteins as markers.  

• Sexual plasticity - the regulatory role of the androgenic gland in sex-differentiation and intersexuality of crustaceans. 

• Adaptation of crustaceans into intensive, brackish water, desert aquaculture systems.

The main target organisms are 

• The freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

• The Red-Claw Australian crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, 

• The White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei recently introduced into the Israeli aquafarm.