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Science Researcher

Dr. Lihi Adler-Abramovich

Department of Oral Biology

Office: Goldschleger Building, Room 044

Tel: +972-3-640-7252

Email: lihiA@tauex.tau.ac.il

Research in my Laboratory of Bioinspired Materials is focused on mimicking self-assembly processes that occur in nature, including biomineralization and the organization of short peptides and amino acids into ordered nanostructures. We are a material science laboratory with emphasize on organic chemistry and medical-biological applications. The group is developing new organic materials that are used for various applications, such as 3D hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration, which exhibit extraordinary mechanical properties and durability, along with biocompatibility and controlled drugs release. A central technique is the formation of hybrid hydrogels, using two or more different building blocks, resulting in a 3D hydrogel with novel and diverse properties that can be easily fine-tuned. In addition, the laboratory is interested in antimicrobial activity of nanostructures for coatings and incorporation into composite materials for dental medicine application.

Science Researcher

Prof. Roey Amir

School of Chemistry

Office: Shenkar Chemistry 305

Tel: +972-3-640-8435

Email: amirroey@tau.ac.il

Our group focuses on the design, synthesis and characterization of functional polymers for applications ranging from biomedicine to material science. We are specifically interested in the design and synthesis of complex macromolecular building blocks that can self-assemble into functional nano-scale particles and arrays with controllable shapes, sizes and internal architectures. 

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Prof. David Andelman

School of Physics and Astronomy

Office: Shenkar Physics 420

Tel: +972-3-640-7239

Email: andelman@tauex.tau.ac.il

We specialize in studying soft matter and biological systems in collaboration with several experimental teams worldwide. In particular, we explore the properties of self-assembling polymers, and the ways to manipulate them at patterned surfaces and in thin film geometries in relation with nano-lithography. In another line of research we explore bio- and soft matter systems where charges play an important role. We investigate ionic liquids at charge interfaces and membranes, and the response of ionic solutions and charged macromolecules to external electric field.

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Dr. Yohai Bar Sinai

School of Physics and Astronomy

Email: ybarsinai@gmail.com

Studying physics of complex mechanical non linear systems, and applying Data-Driven techniques to study these systems.

Male Researcher

Prof. Roy Beck

School of Physics and Astronomy

Office: Shenkar Physics 418

Tel: +972-3-640-8477

Email: roy@tauex.tau.ac.il

Our research focus is nanoscopic self-assembled structures within the nervous system, membrane physics, and intrinsically disordered proteins. A common denominator between our scientific efforts is non-specific interactions and forces that drive order and disorder. We couple theoretical and experimental techniques inspired by soft-condensed matter and polymer physics in order to gain physical insights into biological systems.

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Dr. Gili Bisker

Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

Office: Interdisciplinary 411

Tel: +972-73-380-4160

Email: bisker@tauex.tau.ac.il

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We develop optical nanosensors using fluorescent nanoparticles to probe living systems at the nano-scale. In particular, we utilized functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes to selectively and specifically detect bio-analytes of interest, aiming to monitor active processes within live cells.

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Prof. Haim Diamant

School of Chemistry

Office: Ornstein 404A

Tel: +972-3-640-6967

Email: hdiamant@tau.ac.il

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Our group attempts to understand the structure and dynamic response of soft materials and complex fluids using analytical models. Recent projects include instabilities in fluid-supported thin sheets, response of actin networks, dynamics of membrane inclusions, correlations in confined colloid suspensions, and osmotic swelling of vesicles.

Science Researcher

Prof. Yuval Ebenstien

School of Chemistry

Office: Ornstein 312

Tel: +972-3-640-8901

Email: uv@post.tau.ac.il

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We are trying to characterize sources of variation between genomes.
We use chemistry, biology, physics and computation to tag, detect and analyze genetic and epigenetic patterns along individual genomic DNA molecules

Science Researcher

Prof. Eli Eisenberg

School of Physics and Astronomy

Office: Shenkar Physics 407

Tel: +972-3-640-7723

Email: elieis@tauex.tau.ac.il

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Dr. Maayan Gal

Dept. of Oral Biology

Office: Goldschleger Building

Tel: +972-50-7987058

Email: mayyanga@tauex.tau.ac.il

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Our lab is studying protein interactions based on the integration of biophysical and computational tools. We are focusing on the challenging biological space considered as protein-protein interactions (PPIs). We aim to understand the structure-function relation of PPIs and to develop new inhibitors as the basis for promising therapeutics.

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Prof. Amir Goldbourt

School of Chemistry

Office: Shenkar Chemistry 111

Tel: +972-3-640-8437

Email: amirgo@tauex.tau.ac.il

In our group we develop and apply magic-angle spinning NMR techniques to study structure and dynamics in molecules including biological complexes, proteins, viruses, and inorganic materials.

Science Researcher

Prof. Yacov Kantor

School of Physics and Astronomy

Office: Shenkar Physics 422

Tel: +972-3-640-9121

Email: kantor@post.tau.ac.il

I am interested in statics and dynamics of entropy-dominated strongly fluctuating systems, such as polymers and membranes.
I study the the influence of geometric restrictions on the behavior of such systems. In particular, I study interaction between polymers and surfaces, behavior of polyampholytes, knots in polymers, translocation of polymers through membranes.

Science Researcher

Prof. Michael Kozlov

Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology

Office: Sackler (Medicine) 624

Tel: +972-3-640-7863

Email: michk@post.tau.ac.il

We work in the field of Cell Mechano-biology which encompasses mechanics and dynamics of cell membranes and cytoskeleton. To describe and analyze the intracellular mechanical processes we use the tools of soft-matter physics and thermodynamics.

Science Researcher

Dr. Yoav Lahini

School of Physics and Astronomy

Office: Shenkar Physics 414

Tel: +972-3-640-8428

Email: lahini@tauex.tau.ac.il

We study experimentally the dynamics, mechanics and statistical mechanics of complex systems and disordered materials in far from equilibrium conditions.

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Dr. Ayala Lampel

School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology

Office: Green 139

Email: ayalalampel@tauex.tau.ac.il

We design molecular nanomaterials that are inspired by biology, using peptide and protein building blocks. While biological systems use spatial and temporal control to form functional materials, fabrication of synthetic materials in the laboratory is mostly focused on formation of bulk structures, thus synthetic materials typically lack the dynamic and adaptive properties of the natural counterparts. Our main objective is to fill this gap by studying the manufacturing process of biological materials used in nature and applying these insights into design tools for biomaterials. We are specifically interested in (1) Molecular self-assembly of ordered/disordered peptide and protein structures and their biophysical characterization; (2) Developing artificial membraneless organelles from peptide building blocks; (3) Compartmentalization of enzymatic reactions in synthetic organelles; (4) Developing dynamic bioreactors by multicomponent peptide-based building blocks. 

Science Researcher

Dr. Ayelet Lesman

School of Mechanical Engineering

Office: Wolfson Mech. Eng. 331

Tel: +972-3-640-8233

Email: ayeletlesman@tauex.tau.ac.il

Our research is at the interface between the world of mechanics and the world of biology. In particular, we investigate how mechanical forces influence biological functions such as cell division and motion, organization to form tissues, differentiation of stem cells and communication between cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of the interaction of cells with nonlinear elastic environments that mimics conditions of tissues in the body.

Science Researcher

Dr. Yasmine Meroz

Dept. of Molecular Biology & Ecology of Plants

Office: Brittania 516

Email:  jazz@tauex.tau.ac.il

Our lab focuses on stochastic dynamics in complex systems, ranging from protein dynamics and granular media, to transport processes and plant behaviour. Particularly, we aim to provide an understanding of the role of stochasticity in behavioural responses of organisms to external stimuli, e.g. decision-making, adaptation, learning and collective behavior. We adopt plants as a model system; multicellular organisms exhibiting a variety of growth-diriven responses to multiple stimuli. Our lab combines experimental and theoretical efforts, adopting tools from statistical physics and applied math.

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Prof. Uri Nevo

Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

Office: Interdisciplinary 411

Tel: +972-3-640-7542

Email: nevouri@tau.ac.il

We search for simple biophysical and mathematical laws that define the behavior of cells, and specifically of neurons. Our primary biophysical goal is to understand and measure the relation between cellular events and water displacement. We wish to employ this knowledge for the development of MRI techniques for characterization of cellular microstructures and cellular events. Our hypothesis is that beyond diffusion, a significant component of water displacement in cells is the micro-streaming of the cytoplasmic fluid due to active cellular mechanisms.

We combine the use of MRI, fluorescent microscopy and theoretical biophysical modeling. All these allow quantification of water displacement in tissues, and specifically in the brain. We develop methods in Diffusion Weighted NMR and in microscopy to quantify water displacement and to discriminate between diffusion and the active mechanisms of micro-streaming within cells. We use reference measurements to relate these mechanisms of water displacement to cellular events. We develop another method to characterize and quantify tissue microstructure as a porous medium.In a separate study we test the use of an inhomogeneous, low-field NMR scanner for characterization of tissues in order to facilitate the future use of such devices for biomedical diagnosis and research.

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Dr. Naomi Oppenheimer 

School of Physics and Astronomy
Office: Shenkar Physics 404

Email: naomiop@gmail.com

We work on complex materials, statistical mechanics, and soft matter, mostly in the context of biology-inspired physical systems. We use theoretical analytical tools and numerical simulations, with a dash of experiments.

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Dr. Bat-El Pinchasik

School of Mechanical Engineering
Office: Wolfson Building, 226

Tel: +972-3-640-5261

Email: pinchasik@tauex.tau.ac.il

We are interested in biomimetics of insects and reptiles. We develop innovative routes for the propulsion of small objects and dynamic transport of liquids on the nano-to-micro scales. Our research focus is on functional materials for 1.) water collection, 2) directional liquid transport and 3) beetle bioinspired robotics. 

Science Researcher

Dr. Shlomi Reuveni

School of Chemistry
Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel

Email: shlomire@tauex.tau.ac.il

The group of Dr. Reuveni is broadly interested in complex systems that are governed by statistical laws and random events. It conducts research at the interface of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Probability and Statistics; and aims to cut across traditional disciplinary boundaries in attempt to mathematically describe, explain, predict, and understand natural phenomena.

Science Researcher

Prof. Yael Roichman

School of Chemistry

Office: Ornstein 310

Tel: +972-3-640-5848

Email: roichman@tau.ac.il

We are interested in studying the underlying physical processes that govern the mechanics, self-organization, dynamics, and statistics of complex fluids out of thermal equilibrium. Our belief is that by studying in detail many such driven systems we will be able to observe emergent shared characteristics, paving the way for a theoretical description. We use holographic optical tweezers to manipulate and drive microscopic objects, a variety of optical microscopy techniques to image these objects, and image analysis to study their motion and morphology.

Science Researcher

Prof. Yair Shokef

School of Mechanical Engineering

Office: Wolfson Mech. Eng. 334

Tel: +972-3-640-8393

Email: shokef@tau.ac.il

Our current research covers two main directions in the non-equilibrium statistical mechanics of soft matter systems: 1) Stuck Matter: Geometric frustration, jamming, and slow dynamics in granular matter, colloids, foam, glass-forming liquids and mechanical metamaterials, and 2) Live Matter: Nonlinear elasticity and active fluctuations in biological systems.

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Dr. Amit Sitt

School of Chemistry

Office: Ornstein 402

Tel: +972-3-640-7942

Email: amitsitt@tauex.tau.ac.il

Interactive materials are materials which can "sense" their environment, and that can alter their behavior in a response to a stimulus or a change in their environment. In our group we design, fabricate, and study the properties of interactive materials that contain chemical information for performing a specific task or function that is coded in their chemical structure. In particular, we are interested in synthesis and fabrication of polymer fibers that can hold chemical and physical information, and study how can this information be used for folding these one-dimensional fibers into three-dimensional structures, and how can a specific design lead to selective binding and to self-assembly. Using tools from thermodynamic and from Information Theory, we explore the underlying principles that determine the behavior of programmable materials. We also study the use of such materials for fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMs) and for medical applications including tissue engineering and smart drugs release mechanisms. In our lab, we employ a variety of fabrication techniques including lithography, electrohydrodynamic co-jetting, and deposition methods. In addition, we make use an array of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques for characterization and manipulation of these systems and utilize a variety of computational and theoretical tools for modeling, analysis, and understanding the characteristics of such materials.

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Dr. Raya Sorkin

School of Chemistry

Office: Ornstein 219

Email: rsorkin@tauex.tau.ac.il

We are interested in life processes that involve deformation and remodeling of membranes, such as viral infection, cell-cell fusion in fertilization, and secretion of neurotransmitters by exocytosis. In order to gain insight into membrane remodeling in such processes, we use mechanical single-molecule techniques: Optical Tweezers in combination with confocal fluorescence microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).  These tools allow us to measure membrane mechanical properties and to explore the interactions between membranes and proteins in bio-mimetic model systems and cells. By such quantitative measurements we hope to contribute to the understanding of biological processes in which membrane remodeling plays a central role.

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Prof. David Sprinzak

Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Office: Sherman 508

Tel: +972-3-640-5218

Email: davidsp@post.tau.ac.il

We are interested in elucidating the biophysics of intercellular signaling and how scuh signaling is involved in developmental patterning processes. We use a variety of imaging techniques including live confocal imaging, TIRF and super-resolution imaging to elucidate signaling dynamics at the single cell and subcellular levels. We also develop mathematical modeling to understand basic design principles of developmental patterning processes

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Prof. Tamir Tuller

Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

Office: Interdisciplinary 409

Tel: +972-3-640-5836

Email: tamirtul@post.tau.ac.il

Our group attempts to understand, model, and engineer gene expression. Among others we develop computational simulations which describe the dynamics of various steps and aspects of gene expression, and based on them we develop algorithms for designing genomes for various biotechnological objectives.

Science Researcher

Prof. Michael Urbakh

School of Chemistry

Office: Ornstein 208

Tel: +972-3-640-8324

Email: urbakh@tauex.tau.ac.il

The group of Michael Urbakh focuses on theoretical studies of single molecule mechanical unbinding and unfolding of biological molecules, and on friction and molecular transport in nano systems. A number of significant developments that have emerged from this group include novel mechanisms of unbinding of bio-molecules, direct reconstruction of energy landscape from the force measurements, understanding mechanisms of protein diffusion in membranes, and force-induced manipulation of enzymatic activity. Furthermore, new approaches to the construction of nano-scale engines that move either translationally or rotationally and can perform useful functions have been developed.

Core Members

The interdisciplinary center brings together researchers from chemistry, physics, life sciences, engineering, and medicine.

 

See also Associated Members and Center's Students 

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