Yuval Ebenstein

Full Professor, Department of Chemical Physics, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is revolutionising all fields of biological research. However, it fails to extract the full range of information associated with genetic material and lacks the ability to resolve many variations between genomes. The high degree of genome variation exhibited at the population level, as well as between genetically “identical” cells (even within the same organ), makes genetic and epigenetic analysis at the single-cell and single-genome level a necessity.

Yuval Ebenstein’s main scientific interest lies in unmasking genomic variation. He aims to achieve this by developing and utilising a toolbox of physical barcoding techniques that highlight and extract information from genomic DNA. His goal is to leverage his expertise in optics, biochemistry, and single-molecule detection to explore genomic questions that NGS cannot address.

A major focus of Ebenstein’s research is the development of unique chemistries to enable the labelling of genetic and epigenetic markers. He is particularly interested in chemical DNA modifications, such as epigenetic transformations (methylation and demethylation) and DNA damage adducts. His lab's expertise in detecting these modifications is of particular importance to his research efforts.

Ebenstein leads a team of 12 enthusiastic young researchers, and together they are recognised as pioneers in the emerging field of single-molecule epigenetics.

Updated: September 2024