Dr. Livnat Afriat-Jurnou

Dr. Livnat Afriat-Jurnou

Senior lecturer, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, Gray’s Faculty of Medicine.

Microbial Communication, Enzyme Evolution and Engineering Lab

https://livnatafriat.wixsite.com/mceelab

https://cris.tau.ac.il/en/persons/livnat-afriat-afriat-jurnou

Microbial Communication and Enzyme Engineering Lab

Microbial communities are dynamic and competitive ecosystems where organisms compete for space and resources. One key strategy microbes use to coordinate their behavior is Quorum Sensing (QS)—a form of chemical communication involving signaling molecules that regulate collective activities such as biofilm formation and virulence.

At our lab, we take an interdisciplinary approach—combining molecular evolution, biochemistry, and structural analysis—to investigate how microbes communicate and how these signals can be disrupted. Our primary focus is on enzymes that target QS molecules, effectively interfering with microbial communication and biofilm development.

These enzymes are not only capable of disrupting bacterial and fungal signaling but also show potential in degrading harmful fungal mycotoxins, highlighting their versatility.

Our research explores:

• How microbial enzymes interact with signaling molecules and secondary metabolites, and their involvment in chemical-based microbial comunication.
• The evolution and environmental adaptation of these enzymes
• The use of protein engineering and synthetic biology to develop innovative solutions for challenges in health, agriculture, and the environment

This includes the development of enzymes for antimicrobial therapies, mycotoxin detoxification, and biodegradation of pollutants, such as plastic-degrading enzymes.