Director: Dr. Yehonatan Sharabi
The Klein Center for Environmental and Molecular Biology is a cutting-edge research institution at the forefront of scientific exploration and discovery. The center was established in the early 1990s by Lucile Klein, nephew of Yehoshua Margolin, the prominent pioneer of life sciences teaching in Israel. Nestled within a sprawling natural landscape bordering on Oranim campus botanical garden, the center’s picturesque location complements its dedication to understanding and preserving the delicate balance between the environment and living organisms. What sets the Klein Center apart is its emphasis on togetherness, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
The Klein Center is renowned for its multidisciplinary approaches part of the Department of Biology and Environment of the University of Haifa at Oranim. Our collective mission is to unravel the complexities of our planet’s ecosystems and unlock the secrets of life at the molecular level. By bridging the gap between environmental sciences and molecular biology, the center aims to tackle pressing global challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and emerging infectious diseases.
Laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technology provide the ideal setting for researchers to delve into their investigations. The center’s advanced facilities enable multidisciplinary from the genomic and proteomic level to the entire organism. Additionally, its well-maintained greenhouses, climate-controlled growth chambers, and research facilities enable scientists to simulate and study diverse environmental conditions.
The research conducted at the Klein Center encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, among them the impacts of human activities on ecosystems, the effects of pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change on wildlife and plant life. Molecular biologists delve into the intricate workings of cells and genes, exploring how genetic information drives cellular processes and influences the adaptation and survival of organisms in dynamic and extreme environments.
As an integral part of University of Haifa and the Department of Biology and Environment, our researchers actively engage in mentoring graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Through this mentorship, aspiring researchers gain the opportunity to develop a diverse set of skills and expertise within their respective fields of interest. Additionally, our researchers contribute to the education of undergraduate students by introducing them to laboratory work and equipment, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.
As the world grapples with ever more complex environmental challenges, the Klein Center for Environmental and Molecular Biology aims to illuminate the intricate connections between living organisms and the natural world, making it our collective quest for a better, more harmonious coexistence with nature.
Our researchers:
Prof. Elah Pick
Dr. Amir Sapir
Dr. Edwin Lebrija-Trejos
Dr. Elad Chiel
Dr. Yehonatan Sharabi