Prof. Micha Ilan Porifera Lab

Research in the Ilan Porifera Laboratory focuses on two main areas:
1. The biology, diversity, and ecology of sponges (phylum Porifera)

2. Symbiotic interactions between marine organisms, particularly those involving sponges.

Over the years, we have studied a wide range of sponge species and their associates, from microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, bacteria, and fungi, to algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates, such as fish and hawksbill turtles.
Our research aims to understand sponge diversity, their ecological roles, and their interactions with other marine organisms.

An important part of our research focuses on marine natural products, particularly secondary metabolites produced by sponges. We study these compounds through two complementary approaches: Marine Biotechnology, which investigates how sponges produce these metabolites and their potential pharmaceutical applications; and Chemical Ecology, which examines their ecological functions and roles in interactions with other organisms and the environment.

Another research direction is Biomineralization, where we investigate how marine organisms deposit minerals, the ecological and physiological functions of these structures, and their potential applications in biomimetic materials.

In recent years, we have expanded our research to mesophotic sponge communities, using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore deeper marine habitats. These studies focus on sponge diversity, distribution, community composition, and the ecological importance of sponge-dominated habitats.

Our multidisciplinary research integrates ecology, microbiology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and geochemistry, examining marine organisms and their interactions from the community level to molecular and chemical processes.