Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Associate Professor

Chair, Graduate and research students committee

Room: 41/316 Phone: 972-8-6428739 Email:arbely@bgu.ac.il

Research Interests

Genetic code expansion allows the site-specific incorporation of tailor-made amino acids into recombinant proteins. Equipped with a unique biophysical or chemical property, such amino acids may aid in studying the structure and cellular function of proteins. For example, the incorporation of modified amino acids carrying a naturally occurring post-translational modification or a photo-protecting group. Using genetic code engineering and directed evolution, we aim to develop and apply novel methods for in vivo and in vitro studies of post-translationally modified proteins. Specifically, we are interested in studying the effect of acetylation on the structure, subcellular localization and DNA binding affinity of transcription factors such as NF-kB and p53. In recent years a direct link was found between acetylation and cellular metabolism. In light of the high frequency of metabolic disorders associated with diseases ranging from cancer to obesity, we aim at understanding how cellular metabolism and acetylation level are correlated with acetylation and transcription activity of key transcription factors.

Room: 313/43 Phone: 074-7795478 Email:gonenash@bgu.ac.il

Research Interests

The main research effort in our lab is devoted to the design and synthesis of multi-component chemical systems, termed as Molecular Networks, and for analysis of their dynamic self-organization. This study within the new field of Systems Chemistry is inspired by the complexity in structure and function observed within natural cells. We use peptides and proteins as the active components in these studies, and thus the observed structure-function relationships are further interpreted for understanding fundamental processes, such as protein folding as well as protein interactions with small molecules and bio-macromolecules.

Room: 415/43 Phone: 074-7795495 Email:meijler@bgu.ac.il

Research Interests

An important focus of my research will be the study of bacterial intra- and interspecies signaling molecules. Cell-to-cell communication is used by single-cell organisms to coordinate their behavior and function in such a way that they can adapt to changing environments and possibly compete with multicellular organisms. Chemical communication amongst bacteria has been termed “quorum sensing” (QS). Examples of QS-controlled behaviors are biofilm formation, virulence factor expression, antibiotic production and bioluminescence. These processes are beneficial to a bacterial population only when they are carried out in a coordinated fashion. Quorum sensing systems exist in both gram-positive and -negative bacteria and a variety of oligopeptides and N-acyl-homoserine lactones have been identified as QS molecules. Many QS molecules have not been characterized fully, and we will attempt to clarify the role of various QS molecules in bacterial signaling (in species such as Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium, Helicobacter pylori) through synthesis and evaluation of QS molecules and potential antagonists and we will develop methodologies to study a wide variety of newly discovered and undiscovered QS molecules.

Room: 121/43 Phone: 074-7795444 Email:ymiller@bgu.ac.il

Research Interests

Our research is highly interdisciplinary, but mainly focuses on the self-assembly of peptides. Our group uniquely integrate computational models, molecular simulations and experimental data to conduct fundamental and applied research at the interface of computational structural biology, biomaterial and bionanotechnology, with the goal to better understanding of biophysicochemical interactions in the self-assembly peptides for practical applications in biomaterials and medicine.

Room: 001/43 Email: eyalnir@bgu.ac.il

Research Interests

Autonomous motor: We constructed a bipedal autonomous DNA-motor with a coordinate activity between the two motor legs and monitored its activity using SMF techniques. The measurements are done in-situ which enables monitoring the motor’s progress and structural dynamics without disturbing its activity. Our kinetic measurements of the motor’s assembly and activity indicate that it takes dozens of seconds to complete reactions, rather than hours, if components are properly designed. However, we monitor side reactions that significantly reduce the yield of the reaction and resulting in defected motors. We are now working on implementing new strategies for motors’ preparation which will prevent side reactions, altogether, resulting in much higher yield. On the methodological side, we have measured the motor’s dynamics and its interaction with its energy source, a DNA-fuel, in equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. Our work demonstrates that by using SMF, one can construct a DNA-machine and monitor its activity in ways not possible with conventional methods. We demonstrate that our methods enable simultaneous in-situ monitoring of the motors efficiency, integrity and activity

Senior Lecturer

Room: 205/43 Phone: 08-6461184 Email:bpalmer@bgu.ac.il

More information:

Ben Palmer studied chemistry as an undergraduate in Cardiff University in the UK and continued there for a PhD with Prof. Kenneth Harris. His PhD work on polarized X-rays led to the development of the X-ray Birefringence Imaging technique. Ben moved to the Weizmann Institute as a postdoc in 2014 to work in the group of Profs. Lia Addadi and Steve Weiner. In June 2019 he started his current position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry in Ben-Gurion University. Ben explores the field of 'Organic Biomineralization' and is interested in how organisms make and use organic crystals to manipulate light for different optical functions, particularly in visual systems.