הרצאות המכון ללימודים מתקדמים: איך חיידקים פיתחו מנגנון ייחודי לייצור שומנים?

HOW DID BACTERIA DEVELOP THEIR OWN WAY OF MAKING SPHINGOLIPIDS?

The Institute of Advanced Studies is pleased to welcome Prof. Eric Klein for a Biochemistry Seminar as part of the IAS Fulbright–TAU Senior Scholars program.

Sphingolipids are essential components of nearly all eukaryotic cells, but were long thought to be rare in bacteria. Professor Klein's research has helped reveal that the ability to produce these lipids evolved independently in bacteria and is widespread among Gram-negative organisms. In this seminar, he will discuss how genetics, bioinformatics, and biochemistry are being used to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind sphingolipid synthesis, modification, and transport.

View the full invitation here

  SEMINAR DETAILS

When:  Monday, 30 November 2026, 10:15

Coffee and refreshments: 10:00

Where: Room 03, Sherman Building of Life Sciences

Light refreshments will be served before the lecture. 

The lecture will be conducted in English and open to the public.
 

 MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Prof. Eric Klein is a microbiologist whose research focuses on bacterial sphingolipids, host–microbe interactions, and bacterial morphology. His work investigates the biosynthesis and physiological functions of bacterial membrane lipids, including their roles in host inflammatory responses. He earned his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania.

 FULL ABSTRACT

BACTERIAL SPHINGOLIPIDS: CONVERGENT AND DIVERGENT EVOLUTIONARY PATHWAYS SHAPE THEIR BIOCHEMISTRY

Sphingolipids are produced by nearly all eukaryotes, but were believed to be quite rare in bacteria. Our discovery of the bacterial sphingolipid synthesis pathway revealed that it evolved independently and is widespread among Gram-negative organisms. Other mechanisms for sphingolipid modification and transport likely arose through divergent evolution. Using a combination of genetics, bioinformatics, and biochemistry, we are characterizing the molecular mechanisms of sphingolipid biosynthesis and their delivery to the outer membrane.

The Institute of Advanced Studies
https://ias.tau.ac.il