Goldblum Lab

Research Associates

Noa stern, PhD

I live in Jerusalem and work as a senior researcher. I search for potential drug candidates for various diseases, using computational methods. Many of my projects involve finding multi-targeted agents that bind several protein targets , such as: finding dual inhibitors for β-secretase (BACE-1) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for treating Alzheimer’s disease, or finding single- or dual- agonists and antagonists, for receptors in the innate immune system, in order to treat inflammation or auto-immune diseases. I also like reading, discussions, sketching, photography, and graphic design.

Post-Doctoral Fellows

Shayma El-atawneh, PhD

I just finished my Ph.D. degree at Amiram’s lab. My work was to construct activity models for the main GPCRs in the CNS. Using the ISE algorithm, I built about 60 models for agonist and antagonist activity for six main GPCRs families. These models are applied for finding new candidates for CNS disorders, explaining known side effects, suggesting yet unknown ones, and proposing the repurposing of drugs. Moreover, these models can explain the mechanism of interacting proteins and their relation to different disorders. Now I am working mainly on finding potential therapy for COVID-19 and other continuous projects like the cannabinoid system, taste substitutes. Besides research work, I am involved in many students' activities; cultural and sport as well.

Ph.D. Candidates

Omri Wolk

My main interest is investigating Protein-Protein interaction modulators (PPIMs): Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) are involved in the great majority of biological processes, both normal and pathological. Therefore, PPIs modulation is a very appealing pharmacological strategy to combat a variety of diseases. However, so far, only a few PPIMs were developed. The goals of this project are to find common characteristics of most or all PPIMs and use them as the basis for the discovery of new PPIM drugs. First, I build an ISE model based on known PPIMs and use it to scan large datasets of molecules to find those that have similar characteristics to known PPIMs. Second, the candidates are docked to specific proteins. The best-docked molecules are then tested in-vitro and in-vivo for their biological effect.

Mazal Rahamim

My research focuses on finding new candidates for HEMs (High Energetic Materials) for various potential applications. I am doing that by constructing an activity model using the ISE algorithm. Additional calculations of HEMs performance parameters will allow picking the best candidates, and they will be tested in the lab by DSC. Besides my research, I work as a chemistry teacher and chemistry coordinator at the University Preparatory School, The Hebrew University. I am also volunteering as a chairwoman of the teacher's union at the Hebrew University.

Master Candidates

Daniel Anis

Ameer Shufani

Undergraduate Students

Ido Aldar

I am a 4th-year, undergraduate pharmacy student. I am working on several projects, mainly using molecular docking to find potential leads against different proteins such as the human TLR7 and SARS-CoV2 RdRp and 3CL protease. My main project aims to discover new small molecules for hypercholesterolemia treatment by affecting the PCSK9 pathway. I also like reading, calisthenics, baking, and cooking.