Marine invertebrates biomineralization and skeletal properties
Research
Micha Ilan focuses on two main areas: phylum Porifera (sponges) and its symbiosis especially with associated microorganisms (bacteria, Archaea & fungi) and macroorganisms (algae, invertebrates, fish & turtles).
He studies sponge-derived natural products via marine biotechnology and chemical ecology, evaluating the potential of metabolites for pharmaceutical purposes, antifouling paints, etc. He also studies material sciences, especially biomineralization, their ecological/physiological function, and possible production of biomimetic materials.
His multidisciplinary studies cover ecology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, from the population, physiological and cellular, to the molecular and chemical levels.
