Dr. Gal Mor Khalifa
Dr. Gal Mor Khalifa
As a post-doctoral researcher I study biomineralization processes in scleractinian corals using advanced cryo-correlative microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. During my masters and PhD at the Weizmann Institute of Science I studied biomineralization processes in different marine organisms by following the pathways of ions from the seawater through the tissue and cellular environment and into the newly formed mineral constructing marine shells. I am also enthusiastic about uncovering the mysteries of deep ocean biospheres and ecosystems.
In-vivo laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy time-lapse (6min) imaging of contraction and expansion movements of the tissues near the septa in a primary polyp labeled with green fluorescent beads of 1 µm diameter. Fluorescence images are composed of three overlaid channels: Green- fluorescence 1 µm beads, red- symbionts auto-fluorescence, and greyscale- transmitted laser scanning image. A pumping movement is documented, created by contraction and extension of tissue delimiting the ECM layer along all forming septa
An overview cryo-SEM micrograph of the coral tissue-skeleton interface. Cell packing changes between tight packing far from the mineral surface to a highly dispersed cell packing close to the tissue mineral interface. Calicoblastic cell bodies are highlighted with pseudo‑burgundy, filopodia in pseudo‑pink, extracellular medium in pseudo‑blue and the mineral in pseudo‑grey.