Dana Cohen

Research Activities

DNA CODES research:

I explore DNA codes within the human genome. There is much information inherent in sequences, and in particular we do not fully understand the encoding in non-protein coding DNA. I carry out large scale analysis in order to elucidate patterns and coding with a view to gaining understanding of gene regulation.

Genes determine growth and development of each cell in the human body. Yet each individual cell contains a complete copy of the genome. So the same complement of genes code for different cells, with different functions. There is a program(s) that controls which genes are expressed in each cell, when, and at what levels. This program is contained in the regulatory regions of the genome, and is “coded for” within these non-protein coding sequences. It is this area that is not as well understood as the protein-coding DNA (for which is the genetic code is known). I utilize advanced computational methods, statistical analysis and modelling to achieve this goal.

Regulatory Elements Research & Open Database :

I also investigate regulatory elements in the human genome and their connection to genes, cellular processes and disease, with the goal of creating an open database of information that will be utilized by the global community of researchers. There are many types of element, examples include, promoters, enhancers, eRNA’s small RNA’s long ncRNA. These are not fully characterized and their functions not entirely understood. To characterize these, I carry out large scale meta-analysis, modelling, statistics, development of algorithms and pipelines. AI algorithms are also developed as part of this research. This will be an extremely important and comprehensive database resource containing data on each element, it’s internal features and structure, it’s connection to genes, other elements, and much more including disease states.

Taken together my research is both exploratory and creative. I address key issues surrounding the central dogma of biology. These have profound, and far reaching applications for our understanding of cell biology, with many practical applications, including treatment of human diseases, such as cancer.

Experience and Skills

My current research is in computational biology, and bioinformatics. I run an independent research program, which includes investigation of DNA codes and regulatory elements. I have a strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology with an BSc and MSc in these areas. I went on to do PhD in bioinformatics, during which I investigated non-coding DNA in large-scale global experiments in the human genome. I have also have past post-doctoral research experience computational biology and structural biology research, and cryo-EM with image processing.

I was a collaborator on the GeneHancer database project, and GeneCards. I initiated the research into identifying enhancer and gene connections in the human genome, and developed methods and algorithms to this end. I had much intellectual and practical input into the project, and to the resource. This resource is used globally by life science researchers to further their own research endeavors.

I am engaged in interdisciplinary areas, and am creative and like to think outside of the box. I enjoy coming up with ideas and designing projects, and my strength is deriving meaning from biological data. I have depth of understanding in this area. I enjoy the process and have the skills to see a project through from inception to publication. I am also supportive of other colleagues, and am open to and value collaboration. Please feel free to be in touch if interested in collaboration.

Purpose and Mission

To gain understanding of human biology and improve the human condition.

Working at the cutting edge of science, I seek to gain understanding of biology, as knowledge of itself is of great value. The human genome and DNA encodes the program for life, and our understanding in this area can also help to improve the human condition. Working at the cutting edge of science, I seek to gain understanding of biology, as knowledge of itself is of great value. The human genome and DNA encodes the program for life, and our understanding in this area can also help to improve the human condition. Decoding information in DNA is key to understanding the complex codes for life, and there are many practical; applications for health, prevention and treatment of disease. n condition. Decoding information in DNA is key to understanding the complex codes for life, and there are many practical; applications for health, prevention and treatment of disease.

Other interests

I am interested in meditation and how it affects our well-being. Social justice, equality, and generating environments where all are welcome is important to me. I have traveled extensively and spent time abroad. I enjoy meeting people from other cultures and am able to work well with people of all backgrounds Other than this I enjoy the great outdoors, just spending time in nature, hiking and am a traveler.

Publications

1. Cohen D. General Designs Reveal Distinct Codes in Protein-Coding and Non-Coding Human DNA. Genes (Basel). 2022 Oct 28;13(11):1970. doi: 10.3390/genes13111970. PMID: 36360206; PMCID: PMC9690640.
2. Cohen D. General Designs Reveal a Purine-Pyrimidine Structural Code in Human DNA. Mathematics. 2022; 10(15):2723. https://doi.org/10.3390/math10152723
3. Fishilevich S, Nudel R, Rappaport N, Hadar R, Plaschkes I, Iny Stein T, Rosen N, Kohn A, Twik M, Safran M, Lancet D, Cohen D. GeneHancer: genome-wide integration of enhancers and
target genes in GeneCards. Database (Oxford). 2017
4. Simon Fishilevich, Ron Nudel, Marilyn Safran, Doron Lancet and Dana Cohen: Gene-centric
enhancer to gene links in the human genome. (ASHG conference poster and
presentation)
5. Noa Rappaport, Michal Twik, Frida Belinky, Inbar Plaschkes, Gil Stelzer, Ron Nudel, Tsippi Iny
Stein, Danit Oz-Levi, Dana Cohen, Simon Fishilevich, Marilyn Safran and Doron Lancet:
Rational confederation of genes and diseases: NGS interpretation via GeneCards,
MalaCards and VarElect. BMC Genomics (2016).
6. Dana Cohen, Marin Van Heel: “Automatic CTF correction for large data sets: Vitreous-ice
embedded biological specimens” Presentation at the Gordon Research Conference on 3D
Electron Microscopy, May 2012, Les Diablerets, Switzerland.
7. Van Heel M, Gowen B, Matadeen R, Orlova EV, Finn R, Pape T, Cohen D, Stark H, Schmidt R,
Schatz M, Patwardhan A: Single-particle electron

E-mail Dana at dana.cohen@ronininstitute.org