Dr. Itamar Simon
IRMIC Researcher
, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, IMRIC
I have always been interested in exploring new and unknown fields. I have always found the study of modern biology to be the most fascinating field. During my PhD I used molecular biology techniques to study gene regulation. Afterwards, upon completing my studies at the Hebrew University, I relocated to the Whitehead Institute for my post-doctorate, where I learned how to use genomic techniques for exploring transcription regulation on a system-wide level.
This new type of research captivated me, since it provided a broad picture of cellular processes, and allowed me to explore the entire cellular system rather than focusing on a single process. With the recent advances in sequencing techniques the collection of high quality genomic data became relatively simple and the challenge became the analyses of the data and its integration with our existing knowledge of biology.
My team at IMRIC combines molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics in order to study basic cellular processes such as cell cycle, DNA replication and transcription regulation in various organisms.
1992: B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
1999: Ph.D., Department of Cellular Biochemistry, under the supervision of Professor H. Cedar, the Hebrew University, Medical School; Topic of research: The control of replication timing in animal cells, summa cum laude
2002: Post doctorate in the lab of Prof. Richard Young, Whitehead Institute for biomedical research, M.I.T. Cambridge, MA
Prostate Cancer Research
In 2008, Dr. Larry Goldenberg, founder of the MHIBC and Director of the Vancouver Prostate Centre, asked if IMRIC would collaborate on developing ways to effectively treat prostate cancer. These tumors grow at different rates and surgery is only performed at a later stage, but in cases of rapid growth, surgery may be too late.
