Research Projects:

1. Defining regulation of pheromone biosynthesis at the receptor site by isolating and characterising the receptor of the pheromonotropic regulatory peptide, PBAN (pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide) using biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular dynamics.
2. Identifying and characterising male accessory gland factors, which inhibit pheromone production in female moths.
3. Identifying specific biological neuromodulators that could be used as effective inhibitors of pheromone production e.g. octopamine agonists.
4. Evaluating the physiological mechanisms responsible for the lethal activity of essential oils against insect pests.
5. Identification and gene regulation of the desaturase enzymes involved in sex-pheromone biosynthesis of pest moths that infest grain.
6.  Inhibition of reproductive behaviour in moths: Acetyl Coenzyme-A Carboxylase inhibitors as a basis for preventing sex pheromone biosynthesis.
7. Prevention of Sap Beetle (Carpophilus sp.) damage in organically grown date palm using pre-harvest mass-trapping and post-harvest heat-treatments.

                                             Teaching:

Faculty of Agricultural Food and Environmental Sciences, Plant Protection:   http://departments.agri.huji.ac.il/plantpath715/staff.htm

Courses:

• Insect Physiology
• Chemical Ecology in Plant Protection