Izhar Karbat

Background

About Izhar Karbat

Animal venom is a complex cocktail of polypeptides, lipids, and small molecules evolved to disrupt the physiology of target organisms. These toxins, refined by evolution, target ion channels and receptors with remarkable specificity. My goal is to decipher the dialogue between animal toxins and their receptors to advance our understanding of membrane protein function and guide the development of specific therapeutics and pesticides. My expertise lies at the intersection of biophysics, computational simulation, and neuroscience, with a focus on the molecular dynamics of ion channels and peptide-protein interactions. During my time at Tel Aviv University, I studied the interactions between scorpion neurotoxins and voltage-gated sodium channels, revealing insights into their mode of action and the molecular underpinnings of their specificity. This research illuminated the potential of sodium channel toxins as blueprints for designing targeted therapeutics and agrochemicals. At Weizmann Institute of Science, I have expanded my research to include the dynamic behavior of biological systems, such as ion conduction and ligand binding, with a special focus on the interplay between the various components of the system: proteins, lipids, ions, and drug molecules. I bring a unique skill set and a track record of achievements in areas that support my objectives, combining tools like AI-driven structural prediction and molecular modeling with hands-on expertise in ion channel biophysics and protein chemistry.