Research

The research in our lab focuses on plant molecular biology, protein engineering and nano-biotechnology. With that knowledge, we develop super-performing materials as well as affordable and sustainable applications - which could change the way we manufacture our future products.

The unifying concept behind all projects carried in our lab is that they are inspired by nature’s time-tested solutions, combined with human’s innovation:

  • SP1 as a nanopore for "nanopore sequencing"

    SP1 as a nanopore for "nanopore sequencing"
    A biological nanopore consists of a pore-forming protein which is embedded into the lipid bilayer.  An analyte is driven through the pore by applying voltage to the system, while the ionic current is monitored throughout the process. During the translocation of a DNA molecule through the pore, each nucleotide generates a unique electrical “fingerprint”. Repeating this process with numerous, consecutive, nucleotides can be used to perform DNA sequencing.
    Stable Protein 1 (SP1) is a ring-shaped, highly stable, homo-dodecamer protein which was first isolated from Aspen trees. Due to SP1 stability under extreme conditions and its symmetrical inner pore, it can be used as nanopore. Recently we have demonstrated that SP1 can be embedded into lipid bilayers and create biological nanopores.
    Students: Dr. Liron Nuttman, Maya Gofer, Shai Duchin
    Collaborators: Prof. Danny Porath and Prof. Daniel Mandler (Hebrew University), Oxford Nanopore Technologies
     
    Figure: X-ray reconstruction of SP1
    

  • Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured bioelectrodes

    Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured bioelectrodes
    The use of implantable electrodes in electrically excitable tissue in order to restore function, has gained substantial clinical interest during the past two decades. Implantable electrodes are being used today as visual prosthetic devices to treat blindness. These electrodes can induce high resolution stimulation of the remaining neurons in retina, thus improving sensing and stimulation. We are developing such nanostructured soft electrodes, based on organic materials and stable protein 1 (SP1).
     
    Students: Ieva Vebraite
    Collaborators: Prof. Yael Hanein (Tel-aviv University)
     
     
    Figure: Spontaneous activity of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) recorded with the control microelectrode array (MEA) in blue, and MEA coated with SP1 in red 
     
    

  • SP1-NP hybrids for biological applications

    SP1-NP hybrids for biological applications
    The integration of nanoparticles (NPs) with biomaterials such as proteins can yield novel hybrid nano-biomaterials with synergetic properties and functions. 
    Stable protein 1 (SP1) is a ring-like protein with an outer diameter of 11 nm and an inner pore of 3 nm. Using genetic engineering, SP1 "tailored" mutants, grafted with a variety of features, can be linked to various surfaces and materials. This research studies the fabrication and characterization of SP1-NP hybrids for biological applications.
     
    Students: Dorit Levy
     
     
     
    Figure: SEM images of silver NPs deposition (0.4V for 5s) on a SP1/MPTMS modified gold electrode
     
    

  • Cellulose Nano Crystal films and coating materials

    Cellulose Nano Crystal films and coating materials
    Cellulose Nano Crystal (CNC) is used today for production of thin films, coating and barrier materials, as well as reinforcement of crosslinked polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).          
    In our lab, we have developed both pure CNC and composite CNC/PVA films, which are 100% biodegradable, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties, low Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) and high optical transparency.
     
     
    Students: Tal Ben-Shalom
    Collaborators: Melodea Ltd.
     
     
    Figure - examples of a CNC-film properties: (upper) transparency; (buttom) flexibility
     
    

  • Functional Coatings Comprised of Cellulose Nano Crystals

    Functional Coatings Comprised of Cellulose Nano Crystals

    Bio-based multi-functional coatings based on Cellulose Nano Crystals (CNCs) combined with various nanoparticles to create stable, physically-robust, optically-transparent coatings. Some examples of the physio-chemical and thermal properties these coating possess are: photocatalytic capabilities, super hydrophilicity, heat resistant and heat storing capabilities, etc.

    Students: David Leibler
    Collaborators: Prof. Yossi Paltiel and Prof. Jaacov Katan (Hebrew University), Mellodea Ltd.
     
     
     
     
    Figure - SEM images of Polyethylene coated with 1µm CNC and 0.5mg/ml Nanoparticles: (upper) upper view; (buttom) cross-section

     

    

  • Production of therapeutic proteins in plants

    grisha project
    Plant derived therapeutic proteins is a vigorously growing field. As new generation bioreactors, plants bring several advantages versus traditional expression systems: cost effectiveness, enormous scale up and down abilities and being mammalian pathogens free, bioreactors.
    While it was successfully demonstrated that plants could produce adequate quantities of functional human proteins, the isolation and purification of recombinant proteins from plant tissue was largely neglected. Therefore, downstream processing of plant tissue in relation to therapeutic proteins production, as well as posttranslational modifications which differ between plants and animals, the immunogenicity of therapeutic glycoproteins produced in plants, remains open for scientific discovery and innovation.
    Students: Tzvi Zvirin, Ofri Launer, Zohar Katz
    Collaborators: BioBetter
     
    Figure: Production of therapeutic proteins in plants process illustration
    

  • Strong scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerated medicine

    Strong scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerated medicine
    We are developing innovative new bio-nanomaterials and structural proteins, for both medical-textile and tissue engineering applications. Few examples are: fibers produced from recombinant human collagen, recombinant resilin, nano cellulose and spider silk composite fibers.
     
    Students: Tzvika Shtein
    Collaborators: Prof David Kaplan (Tuft University), CollPlant Ltd.
     
     
     
     
    Figure: (upper) Image of rhCollagen fibers manufactured using the wet-spinning technique developed in our lab; (buttom) Stress-Strain curves of 0 and 5% Resilin in Collagen fibers
     

  • 3D printed hybrid skin implants

    3D printed hybrid skin implants
    Burns are one of the most common injuries to date, and usually require several weeks of recovery with repeated and painful bandaging. We are developing implants for the immediate treatment of soft-tissue injuries (2nd-3rd degree burns), as well as providing cosmetic coverage to any related skin deficiency. The implants being developed will have skin-like properties, color, texture, and could induce new cell growth.
    The different implant layers are made out of hydrogels combined with natural-inspired materials, all created using the latest 2D- and 3D-printing techniques.
     
    Students: Chen Nowogrodski, Miki Goldvaser
     
     
    Figure: Hydrogel nose created using traditional casting technique (front and side view)
   

  • Development of spectral markers for characterization of medical cannabis by Near-Infrared spectroscopy

    Development of spectral markers for characterization of medical cannabis by Near-Infrared spectroscopy
    Cannabis sativa, best known as the source of marijuana, is known for its medical properties for thousands of years. One of the main barriers toward the use of cannabis flowers as medicinal agents is the lack of uniformity in terms of the content of active ingredients. Therefore, in order to promote cannabis as validated medicine, it is necessary to work on two parallel areas: stabilizing the active ingredients in the cannabis plant; and second, creating a robust and reliable method to measure the active ingredients in each flower.
    We are developing spectral markers based on NIR spectroscopy for detection and quantification of active ingredients in cannabis flowers, as well as markers for prediction of genetic features in the cannabis seeds.
     
    Students: Sharon Lifshits
    Collaborators: Cannabi-Tec Ltd.
     
    Figure: (upper) A typical Cannabis Sativa flower; (buttom) A graph displaying the correlation between the NIR measurements (y-axis) and the known THC level analyzed by HPLC (x-axis) for different species (color)
    

  • “FOOD ASSEMBLER” - 3D printing of plant-based food using a cellulose derivative

    PBB
    This project aims to produce customized plant based food, which integrates cooking capabilities along with the printing process. In this technology we combine a cellulose derivative with all the fundamental building blocks of food: proteins, fat, carbohydrates, as well as color and flavor. The desired mixture is extruded layer-by-layer using a 3D printer, while simultaneously being heated in a selective manner. With this process we are able to bake/fry/grill our printed sample, all at high resolution in the XY and Z. This will enable us to create new food textures in a more healthier and sustainable way.
     
    Students: Tomer Schvartz
    Collaborators: Prof. Ido Braslevski, Savor Eat Ltd.
     
    Figure: An early prototype of a 3D printed burger (all other ingredients are not 3D printed. Yet...)