Orna Starkmann is an Israeli molecular biologist and biochemist, currently a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Tel Aviv University. Her research focuses on the intricate mechanisms of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, a critical cellular pathway involved in protein degradation, cell division, and various regulatory processes. She is recognized for her contributions to understanding how cells control protein stability and degradation, particularly in the context of cell cycle regulation and DNA damage response.
Biography and Career Starkmann earned her Ph.D. from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, a leading research university. Following her doctoral studies, she pursued postdoctoral research at both the Technion and Yale University in the United States, where she further specialized in molecular biology and cellular biochemistry, gaining expertise in protein quality control and cell cycle regulation. She subsequently joined the faculty of Tel Aviv University, where she established her independent research laboratory. Over her academic career, she has held various leadership and academic positions within the university and has been a significant figure in advancing research and education in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Research Professor Starkmann's laboratory investigates the complex machinery of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This system is essential for maintaining cellular proteostasis (protein homeostasis) by selectively marking specific proteins with ubiquitin tags for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Her research has elucidated key aspects of:
- E3 Ubiquitin Ligases: Identifying and characterizing specific E3 ligases, which are enzymes that confer substrate specificity to the ubiquitination process. Understanding these ligases helps determine which proteins are targeted for degradation and when.
- Cell Cycle Regulation: Her work has significantly contributed to understanding how protein degradation pathways precisely control the progression of the cell cycle, ensuring proper chromosome segregation and preventing uncontrolled cell division.
- DNA Damage Response: Investigating the critical role of ubiquitination in sensing and responding to DNA damage. This process is vital for maintaining genome integrity and preventing diseases such as cancer.
- Proteasome Assembly and Function: Exploring the regulatory mechanisms governing the assembly and activity of the proteasome itself, the multi-subunit protease responsible for degrading ubiquitinated proteins.
Her findings have provided crucial insights into fundamental cellular processes and have significant implications for understanding the pathology of various human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and developmental abnormalities, where dysregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is frequently implicated.
Affiliations
- Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University.
- Member of various national and international scientific societies and research committees.