Our Department, one of the largest Plant Sciences Departments in Israel, is exceptionally diverse and interactive. The 15 Academic Staff Members, together with the Department’s research associates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, emeritus faculty and administrative staff, work together in a dynamic and collaborative community of over 100 scientists aimed at furthering our understanding of plant biology and its implications in biotechnology and the environment.  

Our Department carries out research in a broad spectrum of topics at all levels of biological hierarchy, from theoretical and mathematical biology using advanced computational tools and systems biology, through the investigation of individual molecules, genes and proteins, cells, whole plant development and physiology of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Active research programs study plant development and hormones, metabolism, plant-microbe interactions, signal transduction, ecology, evolution, ecophysiology, systematics and biotechnology. This research utilizes state-of-the-art high throughput genomics and proteomics techniques. Advanced confocal microscopy and other non-invasive technologies are employed to study in planta cellular dynamics and physiology. During recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on using model organisms such as Arabidopsis, cyanobacteria, and Physcomitrella, as well as agricultural crops such as tomato and wheat, with the aim of generating plants with improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our diversity is enhanced by groups who have adopted non-plant model systems including fungi and Drosophila, as well as venomous animals and microorganisms as sources for insecticidal toxins for plant protection, and the utilization of desert plants for the production of biofuels.

The Department utilizes the unique research facilities provided by the Manna Center for Plant Biosciences, Tel Aviv University Botanical Gardens and the Institute for Crop Improvement .

The Department Faculty members are also engaged in teaching Compulsory Undergraduate Courses for Biology Students as well as specialized Elective Courses and Graduate Level Courses . The Department offers advanced laboratory classes including molecular biology, biotechnology, phytopathology, photosynthesis and medicinal plants, as well as field-oriented courses in endemic and worldwide plant ecosystems. The research laboratories of the Department are open for postdoctoral researchers, PhD and MSc students and undergraduate student projects.