M.Sc Open Positions

Open M.Sc. position – 'Utilizing RNA interference for developing insect-proof plants'.

If you are interested in combining plant molecular engineering and ecology into one experimental system – we are the place for you!!!

The work plan of this project involves three innovative goals: (1) Production of transgenic resistant plants expressing dsRNA of selected genes, affecting B. tabaci successful utilization of plant hosts.  The technology will be applicable for key agricultural crops (tomato, cotton, cabbage). (2) Development of RNAi-based pesticides. This will be done by producing large quantities of dsRNA mixtures of genes affecting B. tabaci successful utilization of plant hosts and systemically delivering the dsRNA mixtures to plants by root drenching. (3) Development of a high-throughput system to assess which genes in the B. tabaci genome are essential for survival on plant hosts.

For more details, please contact Prof. Shai Morin (shai.morin@mail.huji.ac.il)

Ph.D. Open Positions

Open Ph.D. position – 'Evolution of detoxification gene families involved in herbivorous insect resistance to plant secondary metabolites'.

If you are interested in combining genomics and ecology into one experimental system – we are the place for you!!!

The work plan utilizes a custom designed Agilent microarray chip containing ~700 Bemisia tabacidetoxification genes, a detailed matrix of planned gene expression comparisons (between different species on a similar host or within a species on different hosts) and complementing performance assays (egg laying rate, egg to adult development rate and survival), for identifying differentially expressed genes likely to be involved in the ability of one or more Bemisia tabaci species to successfully neutralize plant defensive chemistry. Research will focus on identifying micro-evolutionary patterns of adaptation and maintenance of variation in detoxification defensive traits.

This Ph.D. opening requires previous research experience in Molecular Biology/Genomics.

For more details, please contact Prof. Shai Morin (shai.morin@mail.huji.ac.il)