Academic and professional experience

Education

Further studies

The research in my laboratory is centered around two main areas:

1) on the taxonomic level – the phylum Porifera (sponges); and

2) on Symbiosis between marine organisms (usually with a sponge as one of the interacting organisms). Over the years we have thus studied many sponge species and their associates: from microorganisms (cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, and fungi) through algae and invertebrates (e.g., scyphozoans, barnacles, and polychaetes) to vertebrates (fish and hawksbill turtles).

Sponges – the oldest multicellular organisms, being filter-feeding sessile organisms, frequently non-cryptic, have developed a wide array of natural products (metabolites) that assist them in dealing with their world. In our laboratory we study marine-derived natural products through two different disciplines. One, in Marine Biotechnology , studies how the sponge produces such metabolites. The second, in Chemical Ecology , examines how the sponge utilizes these compounds. We subsequently evaluate the potential of exploiting these metabolites for human benefit, mostly as lead compounds for the development of pharmaceutical drugs.

Another group of studies is in the field of Biomineralization , in which we investigate how organisms deposit various minerals; what is the ecological/physiological function of these minerals, and how can we exploit this in the production of biomimetic materials?

The studies carried out in my laboratory are therefore multidisciplinary and utilize knowledge from fields such as ecology, organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and geochemistry, and relate to different levels of organization, from the population level through the physiological and cellular, to the molecular and chemical levels.

Laboratory manager:

Dr. Sigal Shefer

Ph.D. students:

M.Sc. students:

Post-Doctoral fellows

M. Haber, A.Gur, D.Blihoghe, M. Ilan (2012) Barnacle foulingin the Mediterranean sponges Axinella polypoidesand A. verrucosa. Marine Ecology. in press

A. Szitenberg, L. E. Becking, S. Vargas, J. C. C. Fernandez, M. Ilan, M. Kelly, G. Wörheide, N. Santodomingo, D. Huchon (2012) Phylogeny of Tetillidae (Porifera, Demospongiae, Spirophorida) based on three molecular markers. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionin press DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.02.018

M. Haber, S. Shefer, A. Giordano, P. Orlando, A. Gambacorta, M. Ilan (2012) Fulvitalea axinellae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flammeovirgaceae isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Axinella verrucosa. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology in press DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.044263-0

M. Haber, S. Shefer, A. Giordano, P. Orlando, A. Gambacorta, M. Ilan (2013) Aureivirga marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Axinella verrucosa. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 63: 1089–1095. DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.043257-0

M. Haber, S. Shefer, A. Giordano, P. Orlando, A. Gambacorta, M. Ilan (2013) Luteivirga sdotyamensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium of the phylum Bacteroidetes isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Axinella polypoides. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 63:939–945.DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.043398-0

F. Belinky, I. Goldfarb, A. Szitenberg, T. Feldstein, G. Wörheide, M. Ilan, D. Huchon (2012) ALG11 - a New Variable DNA Marker for Sponge Phylogeny. Comparison of Phylogenetic Performances with the 18S rDNA and the COI gene. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 63: 702–713. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.02.008

S. Schmitt, P. Tsai, J. Bell, J. Fromont, M. Ilan, N. Lindquist, T. Perez, A. Rodrigo, P. J. Schupp, J. Vacelet, N. Webster, U. Hentschel, M. W. Taylor (2012) Assessing the complex sponge microbiota: core, variable and species-specific bacterial communities in marine sponges. The ISME Journal 6: 564–576. DOI:10.1038/ismej.2011.116

E. Kapri-Pardes, A. Katz, H. Haviv, Y. Mahmoud, M. Ilan, I. Khalfin-Penigel, S. Carmeli, O. Yarden, S.J.D. Karlish (2011) Stabilization of the alfa2 isoform of Na,K-ATPase by mutations in a phospholipid binding pocket. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286: 42888–42899 DOI:10.1074/jbc.M111.293852

O. Bergman, B. Mayzel, M. A. Anderson, M. Shpigel, R. T. Hill, M. Ilan (2011) Examination of marine-based cultivation of three demosponges for acquiring bioactive marine natural products. Marine Drugs, 9: 2201-2219 DOI:10.3390/md9112201

E. Cohen, L. Koch, K. Myint Thu, Y. Rahamim, Y. Aluma, M. Ilan, O. Yarden, S. Carmeli. (2011) Novel terpenoids of the fungus Aspergillus insuetus isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Psammocinia sp. collected along the coast of Israel. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 19: 6587-6593. DOI:10.1016/j.bmc.2011.05.045

O. Bergman, M. Haber, B. Mayzel, M. A. Anderson, M. Shpigel, R. T. Hill, M. Ilan (2011) Marine Based Cultivation of Diacarnus Sponges and the Bacterial Community Composition of Wild and Maricultured Sponges and Their Larvae. Marine Biotechnology 13: 1169–1182. DOI:10.1007/s10126-011-9391-6

Y. Aluma, M. Ilan, D. Sherman (2011) Comments on a skeleton design paradigm for a demosponge.
Journal of Structural Biology 175: 415–424 DOI 10.1016/j.jsb.2011.05.006

M. Haber, M. Carbone , E. Mollo, M. Gavagnin, M. Ilan (2011) Chemical defence against predators and bacterial fouling in the Mediterranean sponges Axinella polypoides and A. verrucosa
Marine Ecology Progress Series 422: 113-122 DOI: 10.3354/meps08921

A. Szitenberg, C. Rot, M. Ilan, D. Huchon (2010) Diversity of sponge mitochondrial introns revealed by cox 1 sequences of Tetillidae BMC Evolutionary Biology 10: 288 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-10-288

H. Ehrlich, E. Steck, M. Ilan, M. et al. (2010) Three dimensional chitin-based scaffolds from Verongida sponges (Demospongiae: Porifera). Part II. Biomimetic potential and applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 47: 141-145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2010.05.009

H. Ehrlich, M. Ilan, M. Maldonado, G. et al. (2010) Three dimensional chitin-based scaffolds from Verongida sponges (Demospongiae: Porifera). Part I. Isolation and Identification of Chitin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 47: 132-140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2010.05.007

M. Haber, M. Carbone, M. Ilan, M. Gavagnin (2010) Structure of debromo-carteramine A, a novel bromopyrrole alkaloid from the Mediterranean sponge Axinella verrucosa. ARKIVOC 2010(ii): 233-239 ISSN 1551-7012

H. Ehrlich, P. Simon, W. Carrillo-Cabrera, V. Bazhenov, J. Botting, M. Ilan, et al., (2010) Insights into chemistry of biological materials: newly-discovered silica-aragonite-chitin biocomposites in demosponges. Chemistry of Materials 22: 1462-1471 DOI: 10.1021/cm9026607

Z. Paz, M. Komon-Zelazowska, I.S. Druzhinina, M.M. Aveskamp, A. Schnaiderman, Y. Aluma, S. Carmeli, M. Ilan, O. Yarden (2010) Diversity and potential antifungal properties of fungi associated with a Mediterranean sponge. Fungal Diversity, 2: 17–26 DOI: 10.1007/s13225-010-0020-x

E. Hadas, M. Shpigel, M. Ilan, (2009) Particulate organic matter as a food source for a coral reef sponge. Journal of Experimental Biology, 212: 3643-3650. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.027953

N. Ein-Gil, M. Ilan, S. Carmeli, G.W. Smith, J.R. Pawlik, O. Yarden (2009) Presence of Aspergillus sydowii, a pathogen of gorgonian sea-fans in the marine sponge Spongia obscura. ISME Journal 3: 752-755. DOI 10.1038/ismej.2009.18

E. Hadas, M. Ilan, M. Shpigel (2008) Oxygen consumption by a coral reef sponge. Journal of Experimental Biology, 211: 2185-2190. DOI 10.1242/jeb.02627

F. Belinky, C. Rot, M. Ilan, D Huchon (2008) The complete mitochondrial genome of the demosponge Negombata magnifica (Poescilosclerida). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 47: 1238-1243. 

DOI 10.1016/j.ympev.2007.12.004

N. Sokolover and M. Ilan (2007) Assessing anti-predatory chemical defences among ten East Mediterranean sponges. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , 87: 1785-1790

L. Steindler, S. Schuster, M. Ilan, A. Avni, C. Cerrano, S. Beer (2007) Differential gene expression in a marine sponge in relation to its symbiotic state. Marine Biotechnology 9: 543-549

Y. Paran, , M. Ilan, Y. Kashman, S. Goldstein, Y. Liron, B. Geiger, Z. Kam (2007) High-throughput screening of cellular features using high-resolution light-microscopy; Application for profiling drug effects on cell adhesion. Journal of Structural Biology, 158: 233-243

N. Hizi-Degany, E. Meroz-Fine, S. Shefer, M. Ilan (2007) Tale of Two Colors - Cladopsammia gracilis (Dendrophylliidae) color morphs distinguished also by their genetics and ecology Marine Biology 151 (6). p.2195

A. Zundlevich, B. Lazar, M. Ilan (2007) Chemical versus mechanical bioerosion of coral reefs by boring sponges – Lessons from Pione cf. vastifica. Journal of Experimental Biology 210: 91-96

J.R. Pawlik, L. Steindler, T.P. Henkel, S. Beer, M. Ilan (2007) Chemical warfare on coral reefs: Sponge metabolites differentially affect coral symbiosis in situ. Limnology & Oceanography, 52: 907-911

E. Hadas, D. Marie, M. Shpigel, M. Ilan (2006) Virus predation by sponges is a new nutrient-flow pathway in coral reef food webs Limnology & Oceanography, 51: 1548– 1550

C. Rot, I. Goldfarb, M. Ilan, D. Huchon (2006) Putative cross-kingdom horizontal gene transfer in sponge (Porifera) mitochondria. BMC & Evolutionary Biology, 6: 71-

E. Hadas , D. Marie, M. Shpigel, M. Ilan (2006) Virus predation by sponges is a new nutrient-flow pathway in coral reef food webs .Limnology & Oceanography – 51: 1548-1550.

S. Gesner, N. Cohen, M. Ilan, O. Yarden, S. Carmeli (2005) Pandagolide 1a, a new metabolite of the sponge associated fungus Cladosporium sp. and the absolute stereochemistry of Pandagolide 1 and iso-Cladospolide B . Journal of Natural Products 68: 1350-1353

M. Oren, L. Steindler, M. Ilan (2005) Transmission, plasticity and the molecular identification of cyanobacterial symbionts in the Red Sea sponge Diacarnus erythraenus . Maine Biology, 148: 35-41

L. Steindler, D. Huchon, A. Avni, M. Ilan (2005) 16S rRNA Phylogeny of Sponge-Associated Cyanobacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 71: 4127-4131

E. Meroz-Fine, S. Shefer, M. Ilan (2005) Changes in morphology and physiology of an East Mediterranean sponge in different habitats. Marine Biology, 147: 243-25

E. Hadas, M. Shpigel, M. Ilan (2004) Sea ranching of the marine sponge Negombata magnifica (Demospongiae, Latrunculiidae) as a first step for latrunculin-B production. Aquaculture, 244: 159-169

M. Ilan, J. Gugel, R.W.M. van Soest (2004) Taxonomy, reproduction and ecology of both new and known Red Sea sponges. Sarsia – 89: 388-410

M. Ilan, D. Janussen, J. Gugel, B. Galil (2003) Small bathyal sponge species from East Mediterranean revealed by non-regular soft bottom sampling technique. Ophelia, 57: 145-160

E. Meroz-Fine, I. Brickner, Y. Loya, M. Ilan (2003) The hydrozoan coral Millepora dichotoma – speciation or phenotypic plasticity? Marine Biology 143: 1175–1183

V.C. Sundar, A.D. Yablon, J.L. Grazul, M. Ilan, J. Aizenberg (2003) Fibre-optical features of a glass sponge Nature, 424: 899-900

E. Burns, M. Ilan (2003) Comparison of anti-predatory defenses of Red Sea versus Caribbean sponges: II. Physical defense. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 252: 115-123

E. Burns, I. Ifrach, S. Carmeli, J.R. Pawlik, M. Ilan (2003) Comparison of anti-predatory defenses of Red Sea versus Caribbean sponges: I. Chemical defense. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 252: 105-114

L. Steindler, S. Beer, M. Ilan (2002) Photosymbiosis in intertidal and subtidal tropical sponges. Symbiosis 33: 263-273

E. Meroz, I. Brickner, Y. Loya, A. Peretzman-Shemer, M. Ilan (2002) The effect of gravity on coral morphology. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London B, 269: 717-720

D. Kelman, Y. Kashman, E. Rosenberg, M. Ilan, I. Yifrach, Y. Loya (2001) Antimicrobial activity of the reef sponge Amphimedon viridis from the Red Sea: evidence for selective toxicity. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 24: 9-16

T. Evan, A. Rudi, M. Ilan, Y. Kashman (2001) Aplyzanzine A, a new dibromotyrosine derivative from a Verongida sponge. Journal of Natural Products 64: 226-227

L. Steindler, S. Beer, A. Peretzman-Shemer, C. Nyberg, M. Ilan (2001) Photoadaptation of zooxanthellae in the sponge Cliona vastifica from the Red Sea as measured in situ. Marine Biology 138: 511-515

O. Gillor, S. Carmeli, Y. Rahamim, Z. Fishelson, M. Ilan (2000) Immuno-localization of the toxin latrunculin B within the Red Sea sponge Negombata magnifica (Demospongiae; Latrunculiidae).Marine Biotechnology 2: 213-223

M. Ilan, Y. Loya, G.A. Kolbasov, I. Brickner (1999) Sponge inhabiting barnacles on coral reefs. Marine Biology 133: 709-716

M. Ilan, S. Beer (1999) A new technique for non-intrusive in situ measurements of symbiotic photosynthesis under water. Coral Reefs 18: 74

B. Rinkevich, R. Blisko, M. Ilan (1998) Further steps in the initiation of cell cultures from embryos and adult sponge colonies. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology 34: 753-756

S. Beer, M. Ilan (1998) In situ measurements of photosynthetic irradiation responses of two Red Sea sponges growing under dim light conditions. Marine Biology 131: 613-617

S. Beer, M. Ilan, A. Eshel, A. Weil, I. Brickner (1998) Use of pulse amplitude modulator (PAM) fluorometry for in situ measurements of photosynthesis in two Red Sea faviid corals. Marine Biology 131: 607-612

J. Aizenberg, M. Ilan, S. Weiner, L. Addadi (1996) Intracrystalline macromolecules are involved in the morphogenesis of calcitic sponge spicules. Connective Tissue Res. 34-5: 17-23

R. Goobes, A. Rudi, Y. Kashman, M. Ilan, Y. Loya (1996) Three new glycolipids from a Red Sea sponge of the genus Erylus. Tetrahedron, 52: 7921-7928

M. Ilan, H. Contini, S. Carmeli, B. Rinkevich (1996) Sponge cell culture techniques - primary and secondary cultures. Journal of Marine Biotechnology 4: 145-149

L. Stone, E. Eilam, A. Abelson, M. Ilan (1996) Modeling coral reef biodiversity and habitat destruction. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 134: 299-302

M. Ilan, J. Aizenberg, O. Gilor (1996) Dynamics of spicule growth in a calcareous sponge. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London B, 263: 133-139

M. Ilan, M.G. Dembo, A. Gasith (1996) Gemmules of sponges from a warm lake. Freshwater Biology, 35: 165-172

M. Ilan, A. Abelson (1995) The life of a sponge in a sandy lagoon. Biological Bulletin, 189: 363-369

E. Meroz, M. Ilan (1995) Cohabitation of a coral reef sponge and a scyphozoan. Marine Biology, 124: 453-459

E. Meroz, M. Ilan (1995) Life history characteristics of a coral reef sponge. Marine Biology, 124: 443-451

U. Frank, I. Brickner, B. Rinkevich, Y. Loya, R. P. M. Bak, Y. Achituv, M. Ilan (1995) Allogeneic and xenogeneic interactions on reef-building corals may induce tissue growth without calcification. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 124: 181-188

M. Ilan (1995) Reproductive biology, taxonomy, and aspects of chemical ecology of Latrunculiidae (Porifera). Biological Bulletin, 188: 306-312

J. Aizenberg, J. Hanson, M. Ilan, L. Leiserowitz, T.F. Koetzle, L. Addadi, S. Weiner (1995) Morphogenesis of calcitic sponge spicules: a role for specialized proteins interacting with growing crystals. The FASEB Journal 9: 262-268

M. Ilan, N. Ben-Eliyahu, B. Galil (1994) Three deep water sponges from the Eastern Mediterranean and their associated fauna. Ophelia, 39: 45-54

M. Ilan, J. Vacelet  Kebira uteoides (Porifera, Calcarea), a recent "Pharetronid" sponge from coral reefs. Ophelia, 38: 107-116

M. Ilan, R. A. Jensen D. E. Morse (1993) Calcium control of metamorphosis in polychaete larvae. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 267: 423-430

D. Green, I. Goldberg, Z. Stein, M. Ilan, Y. Kashman (1992) Cyanthiwigin A-D, novel cytotoxic diterpens from the sponge Epipolasis reiswigi. Natural Products Letters, 1: 193-199

R. Talpir, R. Rudi, M. Ilan, Y. Kashman (1992) Niphatoxin A and B., two new ichtyo- and cyto-toxic tripyridine alkaloids from a marine sponge. Tetrahedron Letters, 33: 3033-3034

M. Ilan, Y. Loya (1990) Ontogenetic variation in sponge histocompatibility responses. Biological Bulletin, 179: 279-286

M. Ilan, Y. Loya (1990) Sexual reproduction and settlement of a coral reef sponge Chalinula sp. from the Red Sea. Marine Biology, 105: 25-31

A. A. Degen, B. Pinshow, M. Ilan (1990) Seasonal water flux and urine and plasma concentrations in free-living fat sand rats feeding solely on saltbush. Journal of Arid Environments, 18,: 59-66

M. Ilan, Y. Yom Tov (1990) Diel activity pattern of a diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus. Journal of Mammalogy, 71: 66-69

S. Carmeli, M. Ilan, Y. Kashman (1989) 2-amino imidazole alkaloids from the marine sponge Leucetta chagosensis. Tetrahedron, 45: 2193-2200

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professional experience includes research expeditions and field work in the Bahamas, Zanzibar , northern and central Red Sea, Eritrea, and San Juan Island (Friday Harbor Laboratories WA).