The experimental study of metal self- and hetero-diffusion along the metal-ceramic interfaces. The nanoparticles of Fe and Ni attached to the sapphire and MgO substrates will be prepared employing the solid state dewetting method. An ultrathin layer of diffusant will be deposited on the particles, and the kinetics of the diffusant penetration along the particle-substrate interface will be studies employing the analytical electron microscopy. The research relies on samples preparation with the aid of focused ion beams (FIB), and on the analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the characterization of the chemical composition of the interfaces. The research will be performed in close collaboration with the materials theory group from the University of Pennsylvania.

Conceptual modeling, knowledge management, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering

Microfabricated wearable devices for functional biosensing of chemical and biological markers.

Bacterial communication via intercellular nanotubes; -Phage spreading in multicellular communities; -The biology of dormancy and revival of bacterial spores

Mechanisms that control survivorship and mortality during early life stages in Fish; the evolution of complex functional system; mechanistic aspects of swimming and feeding in low Reynolds numbers

We are seeking a Post-Doc to join our lab and engage actively in our new project about behavior and reactivity of manufactured nanoparticles in the soil-plant system. We are interested in revealing the mechanisms in which dissolved organic matter (DOM) affect the fate of nanoparticles in soils amended with biosolids and/or irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. The project will combine analytical chemistry, spectroscopy and microscopy methods to characterize silver and cerium oxide nanoparticles in soil-water-plant environment. Therefore, expertise in chemistry is important, and knowledge in spectroscopy and microscopy would be advantageous.

A funded postdoctoral position is available to study mechanisms of specificity in mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy). The project is currently funded by a grant from the German-Israel Research Foundation and the Israel Science Fund, for the next 2 years. Clearance of malfunctioning mitochondria by mitophagy plays an important role in aging as well as in genetic diseases, and in our work we use baker's yeast as a model, to shed light on these important questions. Our current aim is to understand the mechanism by which mitochondrial matrix proteins are segregated prior to degradation by mitophagy, as published in our recent Nature Communications paper (http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2013/131118/ncomms3789/full/ncomms3789.html).

 

The project combines systems-level proteomic analysis with detailed mechanistic experiments. A variety of techniques including proteomic analysis using mass spectrometry, molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy, western blotting, protein purification and protein modification analysis will be used. We are looking for enthusiastic, talented and creative scientists who strive to understand biochemical processes at the cellular and systems level. The candidate must hold a Ph.D. or MD degree, be proficient in English and should have demonstrated a strong background in in molecular and cell biology. Experience with yeast genetics and cell biology, is advantageous.

 

To apply, please send a single PDF file including a motivation letter highlighting the significance of your previous research and your CV including a list of publications and contact details of at least 2 references to Hagai Abeliovich at hagai.abeliovich@mail.huji.ac.il

1) The molecular and neuronal basis for naturally occurring plasticity in circadian rhythms and sleep in bees. Social insects such as honeybees, bumblebees and ants naturally switch between activity with and without circadian rhythms along with their social task in the colony. We various molecular and neuroanatomical approaches to study how the clockwork of bees generates this remarkable plasticity, why this plasticity is important, and how it is regulated by the social environment.

 

2) The sociobiological and molecular regulation of size-based division of labor in bumblebees. Sister bumblebees in the same colony can show up to 9 fold variation in body size. This size polymorphism is crucial for the organization of their societies because it affects both caste differentiation (queen or worker) and division of labor. We study social influences on body size, including the roles of queen pheromones. We also study molecular processes such as micro RNA regulation of gene networks, and RNA editing that affect the development of body size.

 

3) Juvenile hormone (JH) and the evolution of insect societies. JH is a key hormone regulating many developmental, physiological, and behavioral processes in insects. Whereas in most insects, including bumblebees, JH regulated adult reproduction, in the highly social honeybee, JH regulates division of labor but not reproduction. We use various molecular biology and sociobiological approaches to understand the evolution of JH signaling in bees and its relation to social behavior.

We develop methods in statistical and population genetics, with applications to medicine, biology, and history, in particular in the context of the Jewish population. The lab is working at the forefront of genetics research, with exciting projects involving international collaborations and advanced statistical techniques. Specific projects include: (1) Computational methods for pinpointing the genetic basic of complex diseases. (2) Reconstruction of historical demographic events from genetic variation. (3) Statistical methods for elucidating the molecular mechanism of genetic information transfer. (4) Applications to Ashkenazi Jewish genetics: genetic risk factors, the evolution of pathogenic mutations, technologies for preconception, preimplantation, and prenatal genetic testing, genetic ancestry and historical population size changes.

microRNA REGULATION OF CHOLINERGIC SIGNALING, CholinomiRs-mediated AChE suppression of stress-inducible cognitive decline, CholinomiRs-associated changes in stroke, cardiac and inflammatory bowel disease, Cholinergic-mediated RNA metabolism impairments in the Alzheimer's brain, Cholinergic-mediated RNA metabolism impairments in the Parkinson's brain, Oxidative stress modulation of CholinomiRs in the cultured cells

The claustrum - understanding the basis of bidirectional communication of the claustrum with the cortex and the role of this interaction in modulating selective attention Synaptic, cellular and network properties of genetically-defined neuronal ensembles encoding reward and aversion

Development of the nervous system (neural tube and neural crest). Development of the somitic mesoderm (muscle patterning, dermis). Interactions between neural and mesodermal progenitors in coordinated spatiotemporal development of the embryo.

Postdoctoral fellow and PhD. student positions are available in the laboratory

of Prof. Itamar Willner, The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of

Jerusalem, Jerusalem.

The laboratory is active in the following research fields:

- Nanobiotechnology and DNA nanotechnology

- Development of optical and electrochemical sensors and biosensors.

- The development of “smart” stimuli-responsive materials for drug

delivery, shape-memory hydrogels, switchable hydrogels, MOFs, and

mesoporous nanoparticles.

- Catalytic supramolecular nucleic acid structures.

- Biofuel cells, photo bio-fuel cells, photoelectrochemical and

photobioelectrochemical cells.

The candidate should be skilled in one or more of the research topics.

Experience in nanoparticle research, handling biomaterials (DNA, enzymes),

electrochemistry, photochemistry, and microscopic imaging (AFF, HRTEM) is

advantageous.

Interested applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and their research

interests to: willnea@vms.huji.ac.il.