Dr. Raya Sorkin

We are interested in life processes that involve deformation and remodeling of membranes, such as viral infection, cell-cell fusion in fertilization, and secretion of neurotransmitters by exocytosis. In order to gain insight into membrane remodeling in such processes, we use mechanical single-molecule techniques: Optical Tweezers in combination with confocal fluorescence microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).  These tools allow us to measure membrane mechanical properties and to explore the interactions between membranes and proteins in bio-mimetic model systems and cells. By such quantitative measurements we hope to contribute to the understanding of biological processes in which membrane remodeling plays a central role.

• B.Sc., Bio-Chemical Engineering, Technion, 2004

• M.Sc., Materials Science and Engineering, TAU, 2009

• Ph.D., Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 2015

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 2015-2018

• Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, 2019

• Senior Lecturer, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, from 2020

• Dean’s list Of Excellency, 2000-2004

• spring semester: Rector's list of Excellency, 2002

• Sidney Goldstein prize of Excellency, 2003

• TAU Award for outstanding achievements in the M.Sc. research, 2007

• BSF Rahamimov Travel Grant for Young Scientists, 2011

• Lev-Zion Fellowship for outstanding PhD candidates, 2010-2013

• Long Term Fellowship from the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), 2015-2018

• The Israel National Postdoctoral Award for Advancing Women in Science, 2015

• L’Oreal-UNESCO award for advancing women in science, 2015

• Feinberg Graduate School prize for outstanding PhD, 2016

• Selected to participate in the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, 2016

• Bursary award to participate in the 11th EBSA congress, 2017

• Travel award to participate in 62nd Biophysical Society Meeting, 2018