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Israel Hanukoglu

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01In brief

Israel Hanukoglu is an Israeli molecular biologist who was serving as head of Ariel University's cell biology laboratory when profiled in 2016. Earlier in his career, he cloned and determined the structure of more than ten genes, including a gene responsible for keratin and genes for enzymes involved in producing steroid hormones. He also served as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's science adviser from 1996 to 1999.

02Career and Scientific Contributions

Hanukoglu came to Ariel University in 1994 and was serving as head of its cell biology laboratory by 2016.[1] Earlier in his career, he cloned and determined the structure of more than ten genes, among them a gene responsible for keratin — a protein that makes up hair — as well as genes for enzymes involved in producing steroid hormones.[1]

In 2016, Hanukoglu had recently been named an editor of the scientific journal Gene.[1] He was also invited to join a team of six editors managing an initiative, supported by the National Institutes of Health and Elsevier, to update Wikipedia entries for human genes using peer-reviewed research.[1] Hanukoglu and his brother, Tel Aviv University professor Aaron Hanukoglu, wrote a Wikipedia entry on sodium channels involved in regulating blood volume and blood pressure.[1] The entry's success led to Israel Hanukoglu's invitation to the broader gene-entry initiative.[1]

03Role as Science Adviser

From 1996 to 1999, Hanukoglu served as science adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[1] The appointment added a government advisory role to his career in molecular biology and university research.[1]

Sources

  1. 1The Jerusalem Post, Israeli scientists improve Wikipedia gene entry, accessed on October 7, 2026.

IsraelPedia Question & Answers

  • Who is Israel Hanukoglu?

    Israel Hanukoglu is an Israeli molecular biologist who was serving as head of Ariel University's cell biology laboratory when profiled in 2016. Earlier in his career, he cloned and determined the structure of more than ten genes, including a gene responsible for keratin and genes for enzymes involved in producing steroid hormones. He also served as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's science adviser from 1996 to 1999.

  • What genes did Israel Hanukoglu clone and study?

    Israel Hanukoglu cloned and determined the structure of more than ten genes. Among them were a gene responsible for keratin — a protein that makes up hair — as well as genes for enzymes involved in producing steroid hormones.

  • What editorial roles did Israel Hanukoglu take on in 2016?

    In 2016, Israel Hanukoglu was named an editor of the scientific journal Gene. He was also invited to join a team of six editors managing an initiative, supported by the National Institutes of Health and Elsevier, to update Wikipedia entries for human genes using peer-reviewed research.

  • What Wikipedia contribution did Israel Hanukoglu and his brother make?

    Israel Hanukoglu and his brother, Tel Aviv University professor Aaron Hanukoglu, wrote a Wikipedia entry on sodium channels involved in regulating blood volume and blood pressure. The success of that entry led to Israel Hanukoglu's invitation to join the broader gene-entry update initiative.

  • When did Israel Hanukoglu serve as science adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu?

    Israel Hanukoglu served as science adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 1996 to 1999.