The Robert H. Smith Institute of

Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture 

The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture brings together more than 20 excellent Plant Scientists who study a wide range of aspects of Plant Biology, which are relevant to agriculture.

The research aim of the Institute is to meet future agricultural requirements through applied and basic fundamental research in plant sciences. This research enables us to improve yields and its quality with a focus in the areas of agricultural plant physiology, genetics and molecular breeding, cell biology, genomics, proteomics and biotechnology.

Our research starts at the molecular and cellular levels, expands to the plant as a whole, and progresses all the way to the field.

Topics studied at the Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences & Genetics in Agriculture include basic developmental processes, interactions of plants with their environment, breeding and biotechnological applications, all while using physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches.

The research activity includes agriculturally important species such as wheat, sorghum, tomato, chickpea, sesame and pepper, which are studied along with fruit (e.g., olive) and forest trees, and model species such as Arabidopsis and Brachypodium.

The diversity of scientific questions, experimental approaches and studied species, reflects the Institute's deep belief that a rich scientific environment and interaction between a variety of researchers with different backgrounds and expertise are all essential for creative and productive research. This structure also provides a stimulating environment for the students, whom the Institute strives to train as future leaders in agriculture, research, biotechnology and education.

The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture
The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
POB 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel

Administrative Manager: Anat Gazit Booton
Tel: 972-8-948-9251,
Fax: 972-8-948-9899,
E-mail: anatg@savion.huji.ac.il