Menachem Ailenberg

Menachem Ailenberg is an Adjunct Scientist at the group of Dr. Ori D. Rotstein at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science and the Department of Surgery at the St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Dr. Ailenberg graduated at the Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan where he received a Scholarship award for excellent students. (B.Sc.- Biochemistry; M.Sc.- Sheba Medical Center, Reproductive Biology-Biochemistry Prof. Bruno Lunenfeld- Advisor; Ph.D. with highest distinction- Reproductive Biology-Biochemistry Profs. Benjamin Bartoov and Avraham Mayevsly- Advisors).

Dr. Ailenberg completed his Post-Doctoral training at the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research of the University of Toronto where he received the C.H. Best Foundation Award for Postdoctoral Fellows at the lab of Dr. Irving B. Fritz. He investigated cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, control of secretion and activation of MMP2 and 9 and the role of the cytoskeleton in cell function and signal transduction. During these studies, he participated in developing a two- chambered assembly to study the vectoral secretion of proteinases. He continued these studies as Senior Research Associate at the group of Dr. Mel Silverman at the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. For his research, he utilized molecular and cellular techniques and also developed PCR-based cloning techniques. He immortalized Rat Mesangial Cells which is available to the research community via ATCC company. He subsequently joined Dr. Michael Sefton at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, as an Advisor of proteinase research.

Dr. Ailenberg joined the group of Dr. Ori D. Rotstein at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. One of the major interests in the group is understanding the basic mechanisms involved in the alterations in the immune response following traumatic injury. Dr. Ailenberg utilizes in his research molecular and cellular approaches to study the role of mitochondria in signal transduction and in mitigating cell injury. He developed scientific tools for research activities e.g. PCR- based COVID 19 screening; and saving and archiving information in DNA. He has also posted videos on YouTube channel for improving the SDS-PAGE technique.  He has participated and enjoyed the full spectrum of the scientific endeavor: concept development, grant application, bench work, seminar and conference presentations, and manuscript writing. In addition, he draws a lot of satisfaction from teaching and collaborations with colleagues. He has actively participated in training and teaching technicians, undergraduate, graduate, medical students and post- docs in the lab.