Michal Breker

Michal Breker is an Assistant Professor and Head of Lab at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in plant cell biology and algal biotechnology. Her lab develops genetic tools and imaging approaches to study chloroplast biogenesis and protein quality control in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. She also pioneers agritech solutions for climate-resilient crops and algal-based nutrient production.

Education: MSc/PhD from Weizmann Institute of Science; Postdoc at Rockefeller University (Simons Foundation Award).

Research Interests: Focuses on chloroplast dynamics, algal genetic engineering, and translating fundamental cell biology into sustainable technologies. Explores cytokinesis mechanisms, septin evolution, and proteoform diversity.

Publications: Recent work includes studies on cytokinesis without F-actin (PNAS) and septin dynamics under stress (Developmental Cell). Her team investigates evolutionary origins of cellular processes and algal applications in food/health tech.

Awards: Simons Foundation Award during postdoctoral research.

Lab & Collaborations: Recruits PhD students and postdocs to expand interdisciplinary teams. Collaborates with global institutions on algal systems biology and industrial partnerships. Supported by grants emphasizing technological innovation and sustainability.