The program emphasizes on research into the mechanisms of specific illnesses, and the processes of illness and recovery, but also on the biological basis for normal functioning and unique disabilities. The Department also enables students to prepare themselves for research into biological aspects of fields that are the focus of non-biological disciplines (such as social behavior, learning, language acquisition), using biological tools.
The Department’s faculty members and research groups focus on issues with common themes: Interactions between cells and tissues (as a basis for human function), understanding the basic mechanisms of illness (pathophysiology), and developing new treatment methods and medications by manipulating communication between cells and cell-tissue interaction. These research orientations relate to cancer research, communication between cells and immunology, development and longevity, as well as normal physiological function at molecular levels, and in terms of nutrition and sleep. The Department of Human Biology is at the center of the University of Haifa’s longevity research initiative – many of the Department’s research groups study the biological processes of aging, longevity, and associated illnesses.
All faculty members are leading researchers in their fields. The students take part in groundbreaking research and in scientific publications in leading journals. A high percentage of Master’s degree students continue to doctoral studies at the University of Haifa or at leading research institutions in Israel and abroad.