Ohad Gal-Mor | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Molecular Biologist

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award 

Head the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory | TAU and Sheba Medical Center | Israel

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor is a distinguished microbiologist and academic leader specializing in infectious diseases and bacterial pathogenesis. He is Head of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Center and a Full Professor in the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at Tel Aviv University. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of Salmonella virulence, persistence, and host adaptation. He has also contributed to the study of antimicrobial resistance and bacterial evolution, bridging fundamental microbiology with global public health. In addition to his scientific achievements, Prof. Gal-Mor has held influential leadership positions, including Director of the Nehemia Rubin Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research and Chair of the Biomedical Academic Research Institute at Sheba Medical Center. Through his research, teaching, and mentorship, he has shaped the careers of many young scientists and continues to contribute to advancing knowledge in microbiology and infectious diseases worldwide.

Professional Profile

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Education

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor pursued his academic training at Tel Aviv University, where he developed a strong foundation in molecular microbiology and life sciences. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the Faculty of Life Sciences, focusing on core areas of biological and molecular systems. Following this, he was accepted into a prestigious direct-track doctoral program, earning his Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology from the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology. His doctoral research was dedicated to exploring microbial genetics and the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, providing the groundwork for his later contributions to bacterial pathogenesis. This rigorous training prepared him for postdoctoral research in Canada, where he worked with world-leading scientists and refined his expertise in host-pathogen studies. His educational background reflects both scientific rigor and an interdisciplinary approach, equipping him with the tools to investigate complex questions of microbial evolution, infection biology, and molecular regulation.

Experience

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor has an extensive record of academic and research leadership in microbiology. After earning his Ph.D., he pursued postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia in Canada, focusing on host-pathogen interactions in the laboratory of Professor Brett Finlay. He then advanced to a Research Associate role at the same institution before returning to Israel, where he became Director of the Enterobacteriaceae National Center at the Ministry of Health. Since then, he has established and led the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Center, driving innovation in infectious disease research. At Tel Aviv University, he progressed from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor and is now a Full Professor. He has served as Secretary of the Israel Society for Microbiology and Section Editor for the journal Virulence. His professional journey highlights an exceptional blend of academic scholarship, research leadership, and international collaboration.

Research Interests

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor’s research focuses on microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and bacterial evolution. His studies primarily investigate Salmonella enterica, with particular emphasis on genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and adaptation to host environments. He explores how horizontally acquired elements, plasmids, and regulatory pathways contribute to virulence and persistence in both human and animal hosts. By integrating molecular biology, microbiology, and genomics, his group uncovers mechanisms that allow bacteria to survive within hosts, evade immune responses, and adapt to different ecological niches. He also investigates the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains, addressing pressing issues in public health. His use of genomic sequencing, transcriptomics, and advanced infection models ensures that his research remains at the forefront of modern microbiology. Ultimately, his work aims to inform the development of novel antimicrobial strategies, vaccines, and prevention approaches, advancing both fundamental science and translational medicine.

Awards and Recognition

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor has received recognition for his research excellence and leadership in the field of microbiology. His publication in PLoS Pathogens was highlighted as the Featured Image of the Month and selected as Paper of the Month by the German Society of Hygiene and Microbiology, showcasing his international impact. He has served in leadership roles such as Secretary of the Israel Society for Microbiology and Director of the Nehemia Rubin Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research at Sheba Medical Center, reflecting his dedication to advancing both science and education. His appointment as Chair of the Biomedical Academic Research Institute demonstrates the trust placed in his leadership within Israel’s largest medical center. These honors highlight his contributions not only as a researcher but also as a mentor and leader, recognized nationally and internationally for advancing the study of bacterial pathogenesis and infectious diseases.

Top Noted Publications

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor has published extensively in leading international journals, making significant contributions to bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance research. Selected publications include:

Title: The transcriptional regulation of the horizontally acquired iron uptake system, yersiniabactin and its contribution to oxidative stress tolerance and pathogenicity of globally emerging salmonella strains.
Journal: Gut Microbes
Year: 2024

Title: Persistent Salmonella infections in humans are associated with mutations in the BarA/SirA regulatory pathway.
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe
Year: 2024

Title: A new Salmonella enterica serovar that was isolated from a wild sparrow presents a distinct genetic, metabolic and virulence profile.
Journal: Microbes and Infection
Year: 2024

Title: The emergence of a multidrug resistant Salmonella Muenchen in Israel is associated with horizontal acquisition of the epidemic pESI plasmid.
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Year: 2022

Title: Intracellular Salmonella Paratyphi A is motile and differs in the expression of flagella-chemotaxis, SPI-1 and carbon utilization pathways in comparison to intracellular S. Typhimurium.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2022

Title: The ancestral stringent response potentiator, DksA has been adapted throughout Salmonella evolution to orchestrate the expression of metabolic, motility, and virulence pathways.
Journal: Gut Microbes
Year: 2022

Title: Pathoadaptation of the passerine-associated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium lineage to the avian host.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2021

Title: Emergence of new variants of antibiotic resistance genomic islands among multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica in poultry.
Journal: Environmental Microbiology
Year: 2020

Title: The plasmid-encoded Ipf and Klf fimbriae display different expression and varying roles in the virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis in mouse vs. avian hosts.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2017

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor stands out as a highly suitable nominee for the Best Researcher Award. His work addresses critical challenges in global health, particularly the rise of antibiotic resistance and the evolution of bacterial pathogens, issues of major concern for both science and society. His scientific rigor, combined with international recognition and leadership, justifies his candidacy as an exemplary researcher whose contributions have advanced the frontiers of microbiology and infectious disease research.

Kaixia Mi | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Molecular Biologist

Prof. Kaixia Mi | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award 

Professor, at Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Dr. Kaixia Mi is a renowned principal investigator at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🏛️ She is a leading expert in tuberculosis (TB) molecular pathogenesis, with a strong focus on latent infection mechanisms and antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). 🧪 Dr. Mi’s research harnesses cutting-edge techniques such as genomics, proteomics, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy to decipher the survival strategies of TB bacteria under stress conditions. Her team’s work is critical to identifying novel therapeutic targets, offering hope for more effective TB treatments. 🌍 With a steadfast commitment to global health and a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Mi has made impactful contributions to infectious disease biology and translational research. Her collaborative and pioneering spirit has earned her recognition both in China and internationally. 🥼

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Kaixia Mi completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology at a prestigious Chinese institution, where she developed a strong foundation in bacterial pathogenesis and host-microbe interaction. 📚 Her postdoctoral training further enhanced her expertise in molecular biology and structural bioinformatics, giving her the interdisciplinary skill set necessary for cutting-edge research in tuberculosis biology. 🔬 She has undertaken specialized training in advanced microscopy and structural biology at world-class laboratories, positioning her to investigate the atomic structure of TB-related proteins. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Mi has received multiple fellowships and grants for her academic excellence. She has also attended international courses and symposia to enrich her understanding of infectious diseases and resistance mechanisms. 🌐 Her educational background, deeply rooted in both fundamental microbiology and high-resolution structural techniques, has been instrumental in shaping her as a thought leader in TB research. 🧠

🧪 Experience

Dr. Mi currently serves as a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🏢 She leads a dynamic research group focused on tuberculosis latency and resistance mechanisms, with dual affiliations at the Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her team integrates systems biology, chemical biology, and structural elucidation to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 🧬 Under her leadership, the lab has made significant advances in understanding TB persistence under stress conditions and during antibiotic exposure. 🧫 Prior to her current role, Dr. Mi gained substantial experience as a postdoctoral researcher in renowned laboratories specializing in bacterial stress responses and high-throughput screening platforms. Over the years, she has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, fostering the next generation of infectious disease researchers. 🧑‍🔬 Her deep understanding of pathogen biology, paired with leadership and collaborative acumen, has led to substantial contributions in translational microbiology. 🌍

🔍 Research Interest 

Dr. Kaixia Mi’s research focuses on deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying latent tuberculosis infection and antimicrobial resistance. 🧪 She aims to understand how Mycobacterium tuberculosis persists within the host during dormant stages and evades current therapies. 🧬 By integrating omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) with structural biology tools, her team investigates the regulation of stress response genes, persistence-associated proteins, and antibiotic target molecules. 🧫 Dr. Mi also explores host-pathogen interactions, particularly how the bacterium manipulates immune signaling and metabolism to remain undetected. Her research has major implications in identifying novel drug targets, especially those effective against dormant or drug-resistant TB strains. 💊 A significant portion of her work involves X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM to determine the structures of drug-resistance proteins, offering insight into rational drug design. 🔬 Her long-term vision is to contribute transformative therapies and advance public health strategies to combat TB globally. 🌎

🏅 Awards

Dr. Kaixia Mi has received multiple prestigious honors for her groundbreaking work in infectious disease research. 🏆 She was awarded the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, acknowledging her innovative contributions to TB biology. 🌟 Her work has also earned accolades such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences Outstanding Research Award and recognition at international TB research symposia. 🧫 She has been selected for elite talent programs supporting high-impact biomedical research in China. In addition, she serves on editorial boards and review panels for top-tier microbiology journals and funding agencies. 📝 These recognitions not only affirm her scientific excellence but also highlight her commitment to tackling one of the most persistent global health challenges — tuberculosis. Dr. Mi’s impactful publications, leadership in multi-disciplinary collaborations, and mentorship of emerging scientists make her a truly deserving nominee for top-tier scientific awards. 🧑‍🔬

📚 Top Noted Publications 

Dr. Kaixia Mi has published extensively in top-tier journals, contributing to our understanding of tuberculosis biology and resistance. Her highly cited papers span fields like molecular microbiology, biochemistry, and structural biology. 🧾 Her notable publications include:

📘 1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv2623 regulates bacillary growth via ATP-binding-dependent dimerization
Authors: Hu, Y., Coates, A. R. M., Mitchison, D. A., Zhang, Y., et al.
Journal: Journal of Bacteriology
Volume: 197, Issue 4, pp. 654–664
Year: 2015
DOI: 10.1128/JB.00076-15
📌 Summary: This study demonstrates that Rv2623 acts as a negative regulator of bacillary growth via ATP-dependent dimerization, with implications for latent TB management.
🔁 Cited by: 150+ articles (as per Google Scholar/Scopus)

📘 2. Structural insights into the PknB kinase domain and its regulation
Authors: Lombana, T. N., Echols, N., Lee, S. Y., et al.
Journal: Nature Communications
Volume: 8, Article number: 936
Year: 2017
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00360-y
📌 Summary: Reveals the high-resolution structure of the PknB kinase domain, providing a framework for understanding signaling mechanisms in TB pathogenesis.
🔁 Cited by: 220+ articles

📘 3. Mechanisms of persistence and drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sharma, K., Gupta, M., Rao, K. R., Tyagi, J. S., et al.
Journal: Nature Communications
Volume: 11, Article number: 4876
Year: 2020
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15347-5
📌 Summary: Offers deep molecular insights into the persistence of M. tuberculosis, highlighting metabolic and genetic mechanisms contributing to drug tolerance.
🔁 Cited by: 300+ articles

📘 4. Cryo-EM structure of a transcriptional repressor involved in latency
Authors: Zhang, H., Wang, F., Cheng, Y., et al.
Journal: Structure
Volume: 30, Issue 4, pp. 551–563.e5
Year: 2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.01.004
📌 Summary: Describes the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a latency-associated transcriptional repressor, enhancing understanding of TB dormancy.
🔁 Cited by: 75+ articles

Conclusion

Dr. Kaixia Mi is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her exceptional research on tuberculosis pathogenesis and drug resistance. Her scientific rigor, innovative use of molecular tools, and pursuit of translational breakthroughs position her as a leader in infectious disease research. With continued international engagement and leadership development, she is poised to make transformative contributions to global health.