To study the health benefits of nutraceuticals and nutrition in the treatment of age-related illnesses as well as explore their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.
Our researchers are focused on the impact of nutrition on human health issues, and also study the health benefits of medicinal cannabis for different types of human diseases.
Collaborate
with us
Prof. Jamal Mahajna
Our main interest in the cancer drug discovery program revolves around cancer drug resistance, and in particular, in Ph+ leukemia. In general, Ph+ leukemia drug resistance to therapy might be due to mutations within BCR/ABL or associated with disease progression that is independent of BCR/ABL mutations. To overcome drug resistance caused by point mutations, specially the "gatekeeper" T315I mutation, we explored modulators of the Myristoyl Binding Pocket (MBP) within the BCR/ABL {Khamaisie et al., 2011; Najajreh et al., 2013} and combinations approaches utilizing AKIs with allosteric inhibitors {Khateb et al., 2012; Mian et al., 2012}. Currently, we are addressing residual disease, cell-adhesion mediated resistance, and disease progression of Ph+ leukemia which is independent of BCR/ABL mutations. Specifically, we are exploring the interaction between the Ph+ leukemic cells to the bone marrow microenvironment and studding the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activators in mediating homing and adhesion to the bone marrow, mediated by affecting the expression of CD44, CD184, and N-cadherin that contribute to residual disease, stimulate drug resistance, and accelerate disease progression in most hematopoietic malignancies. Our long term goal is to get a better understanding of the role of EMT activators in the biology of Ph+ leukemia, especially in the regulation of bone marrow homing and adhesion of Ph positive leukemia cells which play a significant role in disease progression and drug resistance. Achieving our goals will be utilized to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic tools for Ph+ leukemia and potentially to other hematological malignancies.
The department consists of collaboration between different laboratories within the institute including the labs of:
- Vascular Research Signaling
- Microbiome and Human Health
- Integrative Physiology
- Cancer Drug Discovery
- Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases
- Physiology and Cultivation of Mushrooms
- Oxidative Stress and Analytical Chemistry
- Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases
- Zebrafish laboratory for pre-clinic assays.
The department consists of collaboration between different laboratories within the institute including the labs of:
- Vascular Research Signaling
- Microbiome and Human Health
- Integrative Physiology
- Cancer Drug Discovery
- Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases
- Physiology and Cultivation of Mushrooms
- Oxidative Stress and Analytical Chemistry
- Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases
- Zebrafish laboratory for pre-clinic assays.
Department Research Groups
Vascular Signaling Research
Dr. Andrea Szuchman-Sapir
Our research focuses on elucidation signal transduction mechanisms in the vessel wall, in particular in the endothelium, and on the generation of specific PUFA- derived metabolites tha
The research in our laboratory focuses on the elucidation of signal transduction mechanisms in the vessel wall, in particular in the endothelium, and on the generation of specific PUFA- derived metabolites that are potential endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs). Current projects aimed to elucidate the role of cytochrome P450-derived lipid mediators in vascular homeostasis and dilation that affects blood pressure. In addition, the role of paraoxonase 1 in the endothelium signaling cascades that affect endothelium-dependent relaxation is been investigated.
Agricultural Biotechnology of Fungi
Prof. (Emeritus) Dan Levanon
The mushroom research group at MIGAL is the only unit in Israel, that deals with applied research and development of mushroom cultivation and mushroom products.
Biotechnology of Mushrooms
Prof. Segula Masaphy
Research interests:
Ecology and Biotechnology of Mushroom
Bio-active compounds from mushrooms
Environmental Mycology
Water Microbiology
The aim of my research is to increase the applied knowledge on microbial interactions with their environment, mainly filamentous fungi (including edible mushrooms), either improving their valuable
Inflammatory Animal Models
Dr. Dorit Avni
Research interests:
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
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
Insects as food and feed
Dr. Itai Opatovsky
Research interests:
The field of insect mass rearing as food and feed or as products of biological control is developing rapidly and can improve dramatically utilizing the innovative
Integrative Physiology
Dr. Roee Gutman
Research interests:
My field of interest is Integrative Physiology, i.e. the broader aspects of physiology, involving and integrating mechanisms and regulatory functions at all biological levels spanning from
Medicinal Cannabis
Dr. Paula Adriana Pitashny
Research interests:
Our research group is interested in the investigation of the potential medicinal activities of the different cannabis plant species in pre-clinical studies.
MicroRNAs and the Mechanisms of Diseases
Dr. Ari Meerson
Research interests:
We study the molecular basis of chronic diseases, focusing on the function of microRNAs, short RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and are involved in a variety of biological pathways.
We study the molecular basis of chronic diseases, focusing on the function of microRNAs.
Natural Products and Analytical Chemistry
Prof. Soliman Khatib
Research interests:
Isolation, identification and synthesis of bioactive natural compounds for the prevention and treatment of human diseases, and advanc
Plant-based Cancer Drug Discovery
Prof. Jamal Mahajna
Research interests:
Our research interste revolved around natural products who exihibit anti-cancer activity. Our main focus is in overcoming chemoresistance in cancer and in particular,
Our main interest in the cancer drug discovery program revolves around cancer drug resistance, and in particular, in Ph+ leukemia.
Zebrafish as a Model for Bioactive Discoveries
Dr. Karen Jackson
The MIGAL Pre-Clinical Unit is an autonomous laboratory, offering diverse infrastructure for pre-clinical experiments.