Menu

Research Fields

MSc in Marine Sciences

The ​faculty members conduct research in the following areas:

  • Prof. Gitai Yahel: Relationships between processes in a body of water and benthic animal communities, particularly biological filtering processes; metabolism and nutritional ecology of bottom-dwelling filter feeders; and biological fluidization of sediments. Great emphasis is placed on underwater work and developing equipment and methods for underwater measurements  that can serve as a reliable alternative to lab experiments. Email: yahel@ruppin.ac.il
  • Prof. Yaron Tikochinski: Differentiation, characterization, and heteroplasmy in mitochondrial DNA of algae; genetic background of sex determination of sea turtles; changes in the animal population – migrants and locals in the Mediterranean Sea (fish, crabs, and bivalves); and genetic expression, symbiosis, and settlement of coral in the Mediterranean Sea. Email: yaront@ruppin.ac.il
  • Prof. Dov Zviely​: Coastal geomorphology; and morphological, sedimentary, and morphodynamic processes along the eastern Mediterranean coast and the shallow continental shelf. Email: dovz@ruppin.ac.il 
  • Dr. Mustafa Asfur​, Lightning and climate change,Groundwater entry into the sea, Biogeochemical cycles​ Email: mustafaa@ruppin.ac.il
  • Dr. Asher Wishkerman: Biotechnology of micro-algae; impact of metals on the growth and morphology of diatoms; and image-processing techniques in marine agriculture. Email: ashwerw@ruppin.ac.il
  • Dr. Michael Kantorovitz: Characterization of telomeres in marine invertebrates and isolation of natural products from sponges that function as bacterial growth inhibitors. Email: mikik@ruppin.ac.il 
  • Dr. Yair Suari​: Biogeochemical models; biogeochemistry of micro-estuaries; geographic information systems (GIS); and physiology of sailing and surfing. Email: yairs@ruppin.ac.il 
  • Dr. Tal Shomrat & Dr. Nir Nesher
    The common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, can regenerate fully functional arms that are lost or damaged within several weeks, and severe wounds can heal within a few hours. We noticed that fallowing amputation of an arm, the octopus exhibits an interesting behavior of inserting the stump into its mouth, possibly exposing the wound to its saliva. Indeed, our preliminary research reveals significant increase in arm regeneration rate and wound healing following exposure of the stump to saliva.
    Our goal in this study is to characterize the mechanism underlying the effect of saliva on the regeneration and healing processes. 
    Our Approach and methodology: First we will characterize differences in gene expression and changes in protein content pattern, before and after amputation, in stumps that were exposed or avoided from the saliva. Then, we will try to understand the role of these genes and proteins in the regeneration process probably using relevant pharmacology.
    We will test the saliva effects using an octopus as a specific model and planarian as a more standard and acceptable model for regeneration. 
    In general, we will use in this research molecular and bioinformatics tools, HPLC and basic methods for protein characterization, microscopy and image processing tools.
    * Working with animals, under anesthesia and in accordance with accepted ethical rules are mandatory conditions for this research.
    In addition to the fundamental scientific contributions, the findings of this research hold medical and applied potential for the identification of novel lead compounds and the development of new therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the insights gained can enhance our understanding of processes that may contribute to the advancement of treatments aimed at improving wound healing.
    Email:  talsh@ruppin.ac.il | nirn@ruppin.ac.il

  • Dr. Alon Daya: Muscular dystrophy and GNE myopathy – use of transgenic zebrafish as a model to research the leading processes in the mutation of the GNE gene to the appearance of the disease in muscles. Email: alond@ruppin.ac.il