
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.
We strive to understand the mechanisms of inflammation and cancer that underlie the involvement of sphingolipids and to translate these laboratory discoveries into new therapies
Education
Ph.D. 2010: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences. Tel-Aviv University (TAU).
M.Sc. 2000, Faculty of Life Sciences, TAU
B.Sc. 1997, Faculty of Life Sciences, TAU.
Academic and research positions
2018-present, Head of sphingolipids and immune modules in inflammation and malignancy laboratory, MIGAL
2012-2016, Postdoctoral Fellow at Massey Cancer Center, VCU-MCV, USA.
2011, Postdoctoral Fellow at TAU.
2008-2012, Scientific consultant, Allosterix-pharma Ltd., Yozmot Incubator, Israel.
2003-2004, Research assistant, ImmunoBar Ltd., Weizmann Institute (Rehuvot) Sourasky Tel-Aviv medical center (Tel-Aviv), Israel. Establishment of a new therapy for colon cancer.
2000-2002, Research assistant, Prochon Biotech Ltd., Rehovot, Israel. The research focused on identifying treatments for skeletal diseases and cancer