Dr. Dorit Avni

Bioactive sphingolipid metabolites, including ceramide, sphingosine and their respective 1-phosphates (C1P and S1P), have gained recognition over the last two decades as key regulators of cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune responses.

Our laboratory focuses on sphingolipids, natural-based bioactive compounds and the immune system regulation. The aim of our studies is to understand the path in which sphingolipids and natural-based bioactive compounds modulate the immune system in inflammation and pro-malignancy process and its influence on tumor-stroma interactions. 

 we are interested in:

1.   Sphingolipids as mediators between inflammation and cancer- can sphingolipids shape the immune response?   sphingolipids as a link between obesity, inflammation and cancer

2. Identifying the pathways that are involved in metastasis formation- how do sphingolipids and inflammatory mediators drive metastatic niche

3.  Discovery of innovative bioactive compounds, based on natural resources such as cannabis, mushrooms and algae that modify the inflammatory process, cancer malignancy and immune response

4. The use of nutritional and natural compounds as prevention or treatment for human disease

Our research comprises of both basic and translational programs focused on chronic inflammation and cancer underlying unmet diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic diseases, and cancer. In particular, we study the role of the immune system and sphingolipids. 

Our laboratory specializes in in-vitro, ex-vivo and pre-clinical models and we take a transdisciplinary approach in our research using immunologic, genomic,  and metabolomic approaches to study our open questions.