Regulation of Gene Expression in Fungal Resistance Mechanisms

Dr. Ofri Levi’s research addresses fungal resistance, a significant challenge with profound implications for both global agriculture and human health. The primary focus of the research is on elucidating the role of gene expression regulation in the development and persistence of antifungal resistance. In parallel, the lab is investigating the antifungal efficacy of plant-derived compounds using advanced genomic methodologies, particularly genome-wide CRISPR screens. By dissecting the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying fungal resistance, Dr. Levi's work is dedicated to developing innovative and environmentally sustainable antifungal strategies.

Research Areas:

• Antifungal Resistance Mechanisms: Uncovering the genetic factors and molecular pathways that enable fungi to develop resistance to both synthetic fungicides and natural antifungal agents.

   

• CRISPRi-Based Genomic Screening: Utilizing CRISPRi technology to perform unbiased, high-throughput screening to identify novel molecular pathways involved in antifungal resistance.

   

• Plant-Derived Compounds: Investigating the antifungal properties of Plant-Derived compounds and their potential as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides.