Institute members
The Innate Immunity Laboratory
Prof. Nussbaum Gabriel (MD PhD)
Director of the Institute
Research interest:
Our laboratory focuses on the innate immune response to oral pathogens, and on innate immune signaling in extra-oral diseases. Using mouse models and in vitro techniques we are probing how bacteria are recognized and the pathways they have developed to outmaneuver the host response in order to thrive in the highly inflamed milieu of the oral cavity. We are also probing the contribution of oral pathogens such as P. gingivalis to cancer development in the oral cavity and beyond the oral cavity.
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Lab Manager: Dr. Luba Eli-Berchoier
luba.e@hotmail.com
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Administrative manager: Ortal Guetta
Mononuclear Phagocyte Immunology Lab
Yona Simon (PhD)
Research interest:
Mononuclear phagocytes are a group of white blood cells that play an important role in the body's immune response. The Mononuclear Phagocyte System consists of three types of cell: monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells (DC), each with distinct functions. Previously, it was believed that tissue macrophages were derived from blood monocytes, made in our bone marrow. However, more recently studies including our own, have revealed that macrophages originate before birth, while monocytes are continuously produced in the adult. Currently, we have an incomplete understanding of how these cells operate in humans. In the lab we study human monocyte, DC and macrophage dynamics and function under steady state and during disease to gain insights into how these cells are regulated and regulate physiological and pathological processes. This will potentially enable the development of new treatments, based on a better understanding of how the body responds to inflammation.
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Publications: The link to publications is this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Yona+S
Prof. Palmon Aharon (DMD PhD)
Dean, The Faculty of Dental Medicine
BacteriOncology lab
Prof. Bachrach Gilad (PhD)
Research interest:
The discovery of penicillin almost a century ago, triggered a radical change in human-bacterial relationship. Suddenly, for the first time in human existence major mortality causing agents such as Streptococcus and tuberculosis were controlled. Towards the end of the 20th century this welcomed control of bacterial-associated mortality induced a shift in research priorities to other major death causing causes such as cancer, heart diseases and metabolic disorders. Recent advances in deep-DNA-sequencing have revived interest in microbial research and revealed the vast involvement of bacteria in human health ("superorganism") and in unexpected conditions such as obesity and cancer. Faculty member of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Dentistry School in Jerusalem, our group was interested in the oral anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum and are one of few laboratories capable of molecular work with this organism. The recent finding of fusobacteria in colon cancer ignited our interest in OncoBacteriology, a fascinating new field that will hopefully lead to the development of novel approaches for cancer detection and treatment.
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Lab Manager: Mrs. Ronit Naor
Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Cancer
Prof. Burstyn-Cohen Tal (PhD)
Research interest:
We are eager to understand how our body maintains homeostasis, and study the role of Protein S (PROS1) in this context. PROS1 is best known for its potent anticoagulant function in maintaining blood fluidity, but we study PROS1 as a ligand for the receptors TYRO3, AXL and MERTK – the TAMs in health and in disease.
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PROS1 in the central nervous system: We revealed PROS1 expression in adult neural stem cells, and its key role in regulating neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Current research continues to reveal PROS1 functions in the nervous system, in neurons, astrocytes and microglia. The developmental roles of PROS1 in embryogenesis will also be studied.
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PROS1 in other issues: The role of PROS1 in the life-long circadian phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments and retinal viability, as well as in angiogenesis and vascular integrity.
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PROS1 in cancers: Another branch in the lab studies the role of PROS1 and its receptors in cancer biology: oral cancer and melanoma in particular. We also investigate the role of PROS1 in the immune response to cancer and its impact on disease outcome.
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Cartilage Biology
Prof. Dvir-Ginzberg Mona (PhD)
Research interest:
Skeletal mobility is largely dependent on the function of our joints. The thin hyaline cartilage layer covering our bones form cushions that allow us to comfortably perform all types of physical activities. Aside from these functions, healthy cartilage protects bones from erosion, by functioning as a shock absorber during moderate or intense activity. Our lab is exploring the myriad roles of Sirtuins in Cartilage biology, during aging and skeletal development.
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Lab Manager: Dr Eli Reich
reich.eli@gmail.com
The Phage Therapy Lab
Prof. Hazan Ronen (PhD)
Research interest:
Our lab focuses on finding solutions for the antibiotic resistance crisis where many untreatable multidrug resistant bacteria are emerging, mainly in hospitals. Phages, viruses that target bacteria specifically are a promising approach for this problem because they are efficient exactly where antibiotics fail. Phages are effective against biofilm, persisters, do not harm the microbiome, and most importantly, if phage resistance evolves, phages can be manipulated.
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Lab Manager: Dr. Shunit Coppenhagen Glazer
Shunit.coppenhagen@mail.huji.ac.il
Development and function of the oral immune system
Prof. Hovav Avi-Hai (PhD)
Research interest:
The oral cavity is exposed to an immense amount of diverse microorganisms, and the oral mucosal immune system must prevents pathogen entry while maintaining immune homeostasis. Since the oral cavity contains distinct anatomical mucosal surfaces, it is likely that each area comprises unique immunological features enabling it to act appropriately against a specific immunological challenge. Such activity might achieved via a range of mechanisms that may resemble or differ from those utilized by the gastrointestinal immune system. The Hovav lab studies the development of the oral mucosal immune system, as well as its function at steady state, infection, disease and cancer.
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The Chromatin and Aging Research Lab (CARL)
Klutstein Michael (PhD)
Research interest:
Our lab is interested in understanding the dynamics of heterochromatin during cellular and developmental processes and how these contribute to the process of aging in different tissues. We combine genomic tools and various molecular techniques as well as live cell imaging in our studies. We take advantage of several model systems- including cell lines, mice and fission yeast in our experiments, and also study samples from the clinic to show the clinical relevance of our findings
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Lab Manager: Dr Eli Reich
reich.eli@gmail.com
Laboratory of biophysics and cancer research
Kravchenko-Balasha Nataly (PhD)
Research interest:
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Personalized cancer medicine: We develop an experimental-theoretical approach which will facilitate the rational design of patient-specific combinations of cancer therapies.
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Quantitative understanding of protein signaling networks in healthy and diseased tissues.
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Biophysics of cell-cell / cell-environment communication and cell migration. We study the influence of the cell-cell and cell-environment interactions on directed cell-cell movement, cellular signaling and cancer tissue architectures.
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Development of new analytical approaches based on principles from physics and chemistry to non-equilibrium biological systems.
Our studies encompass molecular profiling and analysis of tumor tissues, single cell measurements, live cell imaging and analytical approaches from physics and chemistry.
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Lab Manager: Dr. Ariel M. Rubinstein
Biofilm Research Laboratory
Prof. Steinberg Doron (PhD)
Research interest:
Biofilms are microbial communities attached to surfaces. Most of the natural microbiome is attached onto various surfaces.
Life in the biofilm dramatically differs them planktonic (liquid phase).
We study the properties of bacteria and fungi in the immobilized micro-environment compare to the planktonic environment, as a step toward developing new strategies to combat biofilms.
We investigate novel means to affect biofilms using anti quorum sensing agents (anti cell-cell communication) and anti biofilm agents as derivatives of cannabis and cannabinoids, and sophisticated means to deliver those agents using sustained released delivery applications.
Among the areas we investigate: dental, skin, catheters, UTI, ears, food packaging, water systems and ship hull.
The laboratory is funded by grants from: Israeli government, Israeli companies, international foundations (USA and EU) including international companies as GSK, Colgate and others.
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Lab Manager: Dr. Ariel M. Rubinstein
dorons@ekmd.huji,ac.il
Theoretical Biophysics Lab
Zemel Assaf (PhD)
Research interest:
Mechanical and geometrical properties such as the cell shape and rigidity of the surroundings play a central role in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell division and differentiation; they also play an important role in the development of tissues and in the onset of cancer and other pathological states and diseases. We study the physical principles that govern the response of cells to mechanical cues in their surroundings using tools of elasticity theory and condensed matter physics. This includes phenomena such as cell adhesion, establishment of cell shape and cytoskeleton structure, elastic interactions of cells, patterning, aggregation and alignment of cells. Using computer simulations we also study the interaction of motor proteins and cytoskeleton filaments that produce forces and movements of cells including, stress-fiber assembly, axonal growth and blood platelet formation.
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Regeneration of Tissues in the Dental-Craniofacial Complex
Sharir Amnon (PhD)
Our lab aims to understand how the integration of signaling pathways and mechanical cues regulates various aspects of bone and tooth development, homeostasis and regeneration. We use several different model organisms as well as a variety of genetic, molecular, imaging and biomechanical techniques to study the fundamental biology of stem cells in bones and teeth with an ultimate goal of applying this knowledge towards developing stem cell-based regenerative therapies.
Emeritus members
Prof. Dan Gazit
Research interest:
The Skeletal Biotech Lab conducts research on skeletal tissues, with the aim of developing therapeutic solutions which will induce tissue regeneration and repair. Towards this goal, stem cells and gene therapies are being explored and evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Specific clinical targets include: nonunion fractures, ligament and tendon tears, intervertebral disc degeneration, arthritis and osteoarthritis. In addition, the lab is developing novel enabling tools such as noninvasive imaging technologies, organ on microfluidic chips and physical gene delivery methods.
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Lab Manager: Eran Yalon
Prof. Dan Deutsch
The Dental Research Laboratory, in collaboration with the Orthopedic Laboratory at Hadassah Medical Center, studies mainly various aspects of the Amelogenin protein, which is the major protein in the developing enamel matrix. In recent years we have shown that in-vivo application of Amelogenin induced regeneration of injured mesenchymal tissues, meaning that instead of scar tissue formation the healed tissue almost regained its pre-injury structure and function. The injured tissues studied include; the tooth supporting tissues (alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and cementum) in a dog model, skeletal ligaments and knee osteochondral fracture in a rat model, and bone segmental (large) defect in a mouse model. Currently we study the ability of Amelogenin to regenerate peripheral nerve: the sciatic nerve (the major nerve of the leg) and the inferior alveolar nerve - a branch of the trigeminal nerve. We also study the mechanisms by which Amelogenin induces regeneration, and search for the active peptides.
Prof. Patricia Smith
Research Interests:
Human evolution
skeletal biology
craniofacial development and pathology.
Publications last five years.
Smith P., Nshimirimana R. de Beer F.C Jacobson L. Chazan M Horwitz L.K (2011) Canteen Kopje: A new look at an old skull. South African Journal of Science 108:1-9
Smith P, Stager L.E,. Greene J.A.&Avishai G. (2013). Age estimations attest to infant sacrifice at the Carthage Tophet. Antiquity 87:1191-1198.
Infants Sacrificed? The Tale Teeth Tell. ( 2014) Biblical Archaeological Review July-August pp. 56-58, 70.
Smith P., Brink J. S,. Hoffman J. W,. Bam L.C,. Nshimirimana R. de Beer F.C.(2015). The late Middle Pleistocene upper third molar from Florisbad: metrics and morphology. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 70:233-245
Faerman, M., Maeir, A., Dagan, A and Smith P. (2018). Women in Distress: Victims of the Iron Age Destruction at Tell es-Sâfi/Gath. Near East Archaeology 81:37-40.
Smith P and Kahila Bar-Gal G. (2018) Age Biases in Phoenician Funerary Practices: Example of Achziv in: Eretz-Israel Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies 33.
The Israel Exploration Society Eds. Aviram, J, Ben-Tor, A., Magness,J., Stern E. pp 163-174.
Zilberman U., Milevski I.,. Yegorov D.,(2019).Smith P.,A 3000 year old case of an unusual dental lesion:. Pre-eruptive Intracoronal Resorption. Arch.Oral Biol. 97:97-101
Prof. Andres Muhlrad
Research summary:
Effect of chemical modification on actin function and structure.
Bioactivity of the C-terminal polypeptide of the osteogenic growth peptide (OGP).
Actin–cofilin interactions.
Bundling of actin filaments by polycations.
Interaction of actin with LL-37 peptide.
Actin- histatin interactions.
Interactions between actin, histones and DNA
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Prof. Isaac Ginsburg
1- The synergism concept of cell and tissue damage induced in inflammation and infections . Collaboration between microbial
toxins and metabolites and human neutrophils pro inflammatory agents
2 - Mechanisms of bacteriolysis in infectious processes causing host cells damage : Role of cationic peptides.
3- Polyphenols from herbals and their role in controlling inflammation infections and biofilms production.
4- Role of poly cations in sepsis and in septic shock.
5- Multidrug strategies to treat multifactorial disorders triggered by neutrophils.
6- Role of neutrophils in autoimmunity
Prof. Michal Horowitz
Major topics:
1. Mechanisms associated with the dynamics of heat acclimation based on the marriage between integrative physiology and the transcriptome/proteome.
2. Heat acclimation mediated cytoprotective
memory-Origins in within-life epigenetics?
3. Heat acclimation mediated cross tolerance
to novel stressors
4. Exertional heat stroke-induction of heat intolerance. Is it epigenetics.
For experimental models# 1-3: -the heart and the brain are our guides
Experimental goal #4 involves physiology-genomic linkage in humans.
Prof. Sela Jona
Research Interests
Gene-expression of bone cells next to orthopedic and dental implants. Automated image analysis supported by computerized quantitative morphometry for the study observations obtained by electron and light microscopy in normal and pathological conditions. Development of novel computerized quantitative histomorphometric methodology to study oral and systemic pathological changes in cancer and wound healing.
Publications, Abstracts, Lectures
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Sela JJ: Editor, Chairman Committee for Biological Terminology, Dictionary of Biological Terms, English-Hebrew, Hebrew-English. On-line Publication of the Academy of the Hebrew Language, Jerusalem, 2010
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Sela JJ, Bab IA Principles of Bone Regeneration, Springer Sci. USA, 2012
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Sela JJ, Bab IA Healing of Bone Fracture: General Concepts, In Principles of Bone Regeneration,
Springer Sci. USA, 1- 8, 2012
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Bab IA, Sela JJ Cellular And Molecular Aspects of Bone Repair, In Principles of Bone Regeneration,
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Springer Sci. USA, 11- 41, 2012
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Sela JJ Primary Mineralization: In Principles of Bone Regeneration, Springer Sci. US, 43- 48, 2012
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Sela JJ, Bruckstien A, Goshen G, Dubin U, Karasikov N, Kopolovic J., The Significance of Image Analysis For Cancer Diagnosis. J. Adv. Microsc. Res. 7, 91–97, 2012
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Sela JJ, Bruckstien A, Goshen G, Dubin U, Karasikov N, Kopolovic J. Computer Assisted Histopathological Diagnosis of Neoplastic Changes From Concept To Practice. Focus On Microscopy, Singapore, P1-D01, 217, 2012
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Ludin A, Sela JJ, Schroeder A, Samuni Y, Nitzan DW, Amir G Injection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Into Knee Joints Induces Osteoarthritis In Mice. Osteoarthritis And Cartilage 21: 491-497, 2013
Prize Winner the Ana & Rachel Halperin Fund for Medical Research
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Sela JJ, Keynote Lecture: Basic Aspects Of Bone Reaction To Implants ,2018 Chair: Sessions On Implant Dentistry, Oral Cancer, Oral Submucous Fibrosis
18th Annual Meeting on Oral Care & Oral Cancer Boston, USA, 2018
Prof. Sela Michael N.
Prof. Michael Tal
Research interest:
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Mechanisms of neuropathic pain after nerve injury. Mechanisms whereby injury evokes sensory dysfunction and chronic pain. Pathophysiology of injured nerve, particularly, abnormal discharge originates at the site of nerve injury or in the DRG in experimental animal models for neuropathy in the rat.
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Relationship between sensory and motor modalities in the oro-facial area. Effects and mechanisms of different drugs and hypnosis on pain and reflexes in the oro-facial area.
