Simonm Michaeli Ph.D.
- Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences
- Postharvest Science
- Volcani Institute, HaMaccabim Road 68, Rishon LeZion, Israel
- +972-522635538
- +972-03-968-3618
Biography
Simon obtained his Ph.D. at Tel-Aviv University, where he studied the cross-membrane transport of GABA in Arabidopsis. Simon then joined the Weizmann Institute as a postdoc, where he identified selective autophagy of chloroplast proteins during leaf senescence. To further investigate how viruses evolved to subvert autophagy, Simon then moved to France (CNRS Montpellier and Strasbourg). Later, Simon returned to the Weizmann Institute, where he was involved in developing methods for advanced live microscopy imaging of plants and phytoplankton. Today, Simon is a group leader at the Postharvest Department of the Volcani Institute, trying to solve some unknowns of leaf senescence and fruit ripening together with his research team.
Education
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2012
Ph.D. - Tel Aviv University
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2012-2014
Postdoc - Weizmann Institute of Science
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2014-2018
Postdoc - The National Center for Scientific Research of France (CNRS)
Research Interests
Regulation of Leaf Senescence and Fruit Ripening by Cellular Degradation Pathways
Biosynthesis (of metabolites, macro-molecules, cellular organelles, etc.) is essential for all life forms on earth. In parallel, degradation mechanisms ensure the dismantling and recycling of these substances for proper cellular homeostasis and energetic balance. If interrupted, senescence, aging, disease, and eventually death occur. Plants (and other eukaryotes) possess several cellular degradation pathways, including autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). These pathways exhibit a major role in lifespan modulation. For instance, autophagy deficiency results in earlier plant senescence, whereas constitutive autophagy prolongs lifespan.
We will identify molecular mechanisms that govern fruit ripening and leaf senescence and harness our knowledge to increase plant produce lifespan (shelf life).
Techniques:
Molecular Biology, Leaf and Fruit Physiology analysis, Biochemistry, Genetics (including gene editing), Proteomics and Live Microscopy Imaging.
Our Experimental subjects:
Tomato, Arabidopsis, and banana fruits.
Sounds interesting? Interested in MSc or PhD?
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