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Anat Barnea, Professor

Contact Info

The Open University of Israel Department of Natural Sciences One University Road P.O.B. 808 Ra’anana 43107, Israel
Office:972-9-7781753 Fax:972-9-7780661 Email:anatba@openu.ac.il

Additional Information

1983 – 1988
Ph.D., Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
1982
High-school Teacher's Diploma in Biology and Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Israel
1979 – 1982
M.Sc. (with honors), Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
1976 – 1979
B.Sc.,  Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Israel.

1991 - 1994  Rockefeller University, New York, USA. Neuroethology. Prof. Fernando Nottebohm

1989 - 1990  Oxford University, Department of Plant Sciences, UK. Dr. Caroline Pannell

2016
Full Professor, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel
2008 - 2016
Associate Professor - The Open University of Israel. Department of Natural and Life Sciences
2000 - 2008
Senior Lecturer, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel
1995 - 2000
Lecturer, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel
1994 - 1995
Guest Lecturer, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel
1995 - 1998
Alon Fellowship, Council for Higher Education, Israel.

2023 - 2027, P.I. in a grant titled: "How are brain plasticity, behavior, and melatonin in birds influenced by artificial light at night?" The Israel Science Foundation. Average of 300,000 NIS per year

2019 – 2022, P.I. in a grant entitled: "Variations in stress  responsivity in hens: matching birds to environments – ChickenStress"; Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN), European Community. 87,384 EU. 

2018-2021, P.I. The effect of artificial light at night (ALAN) on   brain plasticity in birds and the involvement of melatonin. The Israel Science Foundation. Average of 250,400 NIS per year. 

2010-2014, P.I. Effects of environmental and hormonal conditions on brain plasticity in adult birds. The Israel Science Foundation. Average of 58,000$ per year. 

2014, P.I. Breeding biology of great tits in urban and natural habitats – a comparative research. Ramat Hanadiv Fund. 6,000 NIS.

2008- 2010, P.I. Does plant species diversity affect avian species diversity and abundance in urban open areas? The Research Authority, The Open University of Israel. 10,000 NIS.

2006 - 2009, P.I. Neurobiological aspects of migratory behavior in birds: a neuroethological study, comparing migrant and resident species in Israel. The National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel. 45,000$ per year.

2004 - 2006, P.I. Does social complexity affect survival of new neurons in the forebrain of adult songbirds? The Research Authority, The Open University of Israel. 10,000$ per year.

2004 - 2007,P.I. Effect of social change on neuronal recruitment, survival, and replacement in the adult brain. The Israel Science Foundation. Average of 47,000$ per year.

2003, P.I. Honey bees colony defense: from behavior to molecules. Research Authority, The Open University of Israel. 7,670$

2000 - 2002, P.I. Experience-dependent recruitment of new neurons in the forebrain of adult songbirds. The National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel. 12,000$ per year. 

1998 - 2000,P.I. The effect of social environment on neuronal recruitment in the adult brain. Research grant from The Research Authority, The Open University of Israel. 25,000$ per year.

1998, Co-P.I. with R. Rado, Tel-Aviv University. Do learning and memory of social environment affect neurogenesis in adult avian brain? Adams Super-Center for Brain Studies, Tel-Aviv University. 6,000$.

1997, Co-P.I. with R. Rado, Tel-Aviv University. Do learning  and memory of social environment and spatial complexity affect neurogenesis in adult avian brain? The National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel. A pilot study, 6,000$.

1995 - 1998, P.I. The biological role of alerting odors in natural communication systems and their possible applied significance. Ministry of Science, The Israeli Government. 

2007
Course in Confocal Microscopy and Stereology. Chicago University, USA
1991
Sound recording workshop. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca NY, USA
1987 - 1988
Scientific writer of the zoological and botanical sections of a children's encyclopedia, Yavne Publishing House, Israel
1973 - 1979
Tourist guide in Israel and Sinai
1973
Tourist Guide Diploma, Ministry of Tourism

Ph.D. Interactions between fleshy fruited plants and vertebrates which disperse them in Israel. 1988. 140 pp. In Hebrew. Tel Aviv University, Israel. Supervisors: Prof. Y. Yom-Tov & Prof. J. Friedman. (Publications # 31, 32 & 33).

M.Sc. The biology of the Syrian woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus. 1982. 140 pp. In Hebrew. Tel Aviv University, Israel. Supervisor: Prof. Y. Yom-Tov. (Publications # 34 & 35).

Levy, K. Wegrzyn, Y. Stan Moaraf, S. Barnea, A. Ayali, A. (2024) When night becomes day: Artificial light at night alters insect behavior under semi-natural conditions. Science of The Total Environment,  Volume 926, 171905 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171905. Impact factor: 9.8

Levy, K. Barnea, A. Tauber, E. Ayali1, A. (2024) Crickets in the spotlight: exploring the impact of light on circadian behavior. Journal of Comparative Physiology A. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-023-01686-y 
An invited review, published in a Centennial issue (Edited by G. Z.) Impact factor: 2.2

Levy, K. Barnea, A. Ayali, A. (2023) Exposure to a nocturnal light pulse simultaneously and differentially affects stridulation and locomotion behaviors in crickets. Frontiers in Physiology, section Chronobiology. 14:1151570.  

Levy, K. Fishman, B. Barnea, A. Ayali, A. Tauber, E. (2022). Transcriptional response of circadian clock genes to an ‘Artificial Light at Night’ pulse in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 11358.https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911358
An invited paper in a special issue "Disturbances of Circadian Hormonal and Metabolic Rhythms in a Changing Environment" (Edited by M Zeman)

Moaraf, S. Rippin, I. Terkel, J. Eldar-Finkelman, H.* and Barnea, A.* (2022). GSK-3β inhibition in birds affects social behavior and increases motor activity. * = equal contribution. Frontiers of Physiology, 13:881174. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.881174
An invited paper in a special issue titled " Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Control and Emotion in Birds" (Edited by A Csillag and T Matsushima).

Levy, K., Wegrzyn, Y., Efronny, R., Barnea, A., Ayali, A. (2021) Lifelong exposure to artificial light at night impacts stridulation and locomotion activity patterns in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Proc. R. Soc. B 288: 20211626. http://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.1626 Impact factor: 5.349
Reviewed in "Research Highlights" in Nature (21 September 2021), https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02560-0)

Moaraf, S., Heiblum, R., Okuliarová, M., Hefetz, A., Scharf, I., Zeman, M., Barnea, A. (2021). Evidence that artificial light at night induces structure-specific changes in brain plasticity in a diurnal bird. Biomolecules, 11, 1069. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11081069 Impact factor: 4.879
An invited paper in a special issue titled " Therapeutic Aspects of Circadian Rhythms" (Edited by RJ Nelson and JC Walton).

Moaraf S., Heiblum, R., Vistoropsky, Y., Okuliarová, M., Zeman, M., Barnea. A. (2020) Artificial light at night increases recruitment of new neurons and differentially affects various brain regions in female zebra finches. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21, 6140; doi:10.3390/ijms21176140.

An invited paper in a special issue titled "Molecular Research on Light's Effects on Animals and Humans" (Edited by Michal Zeman).

Moaraf S., Vistoropsky, Y., Pozner. T., Heiblum, R., Okuliarová, M., Zeman, M., Barnea. A. (2020) Artificial light at night affects brain plasticity and melatonin in birds. Neuroscience Letters, 716 134639; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134639.

Pozner. T., Vistoropsky. Y., Moaraf. S., Heiblum, R. & Barnea. A. (2018) Questioning seasonality of neuronal plasticity in the adult avian brain. Scientific Reports. 8:11289;  DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-29532-1

Barnea A, Smulders T.V. (2017) The Hippocampus: questions of homology. Preface for a Special Issue in Brain, Behavior and Evolution. Co-edited by Barnea A. and Smulders TV.  90(1):5-6.

Barkan S, Yom-Tov Y, & Barnea A. (2017) Possible relationship between brain plasticity, migratory lifestyle, and social structure in birds. Frontiers in Neuroscience, section Neurogenesis. 11:139. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00139.

An invited paper in a special issue titled "Adult Neurogenesis: Beyond Rats and Mice” (Edited by Irmgard Amrein and Luca Bonfanti).

Fleischman S, Terkel, J, Barnea A. (2016) Visual recognition of individual conspecific males by female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Animal Behaviour, 120:21-30.

Barkan S, Roll, U, Yom-Tov Y, Wassenaar L, Barnea A. (2016) Possible linkage between neuronal recruitment and relocation distance in migratory birds. Scientific Reports. 6:21983; DOI: 10.1038/srep21983.

Vistoropsky-Katz Y, Heiblum R, Smorodinsky NI, and Barnea A. (2016) Active immunization against Vasoactive Intestianl Peptide (VIP) decreases neuronal recruitment and inhibits reproduction in zebra finches. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 524:2516-2528.

Hacohen Kleiman, G., Barnea, A., Gozes, I. (2015) ADNP: a major autism mutated gene is differentially distributed (age and gender) in the songbird brain. Peptides, 72: 75-79. 
An invited paper for a special issue in Abba Kastin's honor for his standing in the field and commitment to the journal over the past 35 years.

Aloni, E., Shapira, M., Eldar Finkelman, H., Barnea, A. (2015) GSK-3ß inhibition affects singing behavior and neurogenesis in adult songbirds. Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 85: 233-244.

Cattan, A. Ayali, A., Barnea A. (2015) The cell birth marker BrdU does not affect recruitment of subsequent cell divisions in the adult avian brain. Biomed Research International. Volume 2015, Article ID 126078, 11 pages.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/126078

Barkan, S. Yom-Tov Y. Barnea, A. (2014) A possible relation between new neuronal recruitment and migratory behavior among Acrocephalus warblers. Developmental Neurobiology, 74: 1194–1209.

Paker, Y., Yom-Tov, Y., Alon-Mozes, T., Barnea, A. (2014) The effect of plant richness and urban garden structure on bird species richness, diversity and community structure. Landscape and Urban Planning, 122: 186-195.

Mersten-Katz, C., Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y., Ar, A. (2012) The woodpecker's cavity microenvironment: Advantageous or restricting? Avian Biology Research, 5(4):227-237. 

Barnea, A., Pravosudov, V. (2011) Birds as a model to study adult neurogenesis: Bridging evolutionary, comparative and neuroethological approaches. European Journal of Neuroscience. 34:884-907. 

An invited review for a special issue: Towards a Comparative Understanding of Adult Neurogenesis.

Tsaadon Alon, L.,  Pietrokovski, S., Barkan, S.,  Avrahami, L., Kaidanovich-Beilin, O., Woodgett, J.R., Barnea, A., Eldar-Finkelman, H. (2011) Selective loss of glycogen synthase kinase-3a in birds reveals distinct roles for GSK-3 isozymes in tau phosphorylation. FEBS Letters. 585:1158–1162. 

Barnea, A. (2010) Wild neurogenesis. Brain, Behavior and Evolution. 75:86-87. 
An invited review.

Hornfeld, SH. Terkel, J. Barnea, A. (2010) Neurons recruited in the nidopallium caudale, following changes in social environment, derive from the same original population. Behavioural Brain Research. 208:643-645. 

Barnea, A. (2009) Interactions between environmental changes and brain plasticity in birds. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 163: 128-134.
An invited review.

Levin, E. Yom-Tov, Y., Barnea, A. (2009) Frequent summer nuptial flights of ants provide a primary food source for bats. Naturwissenschaften. 96(4): 421-549. 

Levin E., Yom-Tov Y., Barnea A. and Huchon D. (2008) Genetic diversity and phylogeography of the greater mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma microphyllum) in the Levant. Acta Chiropterologica, 10(2): 207–212.

Adar E., Nottebohm F., Barnea A. (2008) The relation between nature of social change, age and position of new neurons, and their survival in adult zebra finch brain. Journal of Neuroscience, 28(20):5394 –5400. Reviewed in "Editors' Choice" in Science (2008, vol. 320, P. 1134)

Adar E., Lotem A. & Barnea A. (2008) The effect of social environment on singing behavior in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and its implication for neuronal recruitment. Behavioural Brain Research, 187:178-184. 

Barkan S., Ayali A., Nottebohm F. & Barnea A. (2007) Neuronal recruitment in adult zebra finch brain during a reproductive cycle. Developmental Neurobiology (Formerly: Journal of Neurobiology), 67(6):687-701.

Levin, E., Barnea, A., Yovel, Y. & Yom-Tov, Y. (2006) Have introduced species initiated piscivory among the long-fingered bat? Mammalian Biology, 71(3):139-143.

Barnea, A., Mishal, A. & Nottebohm, F. (2006) Social and spatial changes induce multiple survival regimes for new neurons in two regions of the adult brain: an anatomical representation of time? Behavioural Brain Research, 16(1):63-74. 

Ar, A., Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y. & Mersten-Katz, C. (2004) Woodpecker cavity aeration: A predictive model. Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology. 144:237-249.

Barnea, A. & Pannell, C.M. (2004) Male Blackbird defending Holly fruits. British Birds, 97(2):100-101.

Barnea, A. & Rothschild, M. (2002) The odour of pyrazine increases the egg mass of domsetic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Journal of Zoology, 257(3):411-416. 

Lipkind, D., Nottebohm, F., Rado, R. & Barnea, A. (2002) Social change affects the survival of new neurons in the forebrain of adult songbirds. Behavioural Brain Research, 133(1):31-43.

Katz, A., Gvaryahu, G., Robinson, B., Snapir, N. & Barnea, A. (1999) The effect of pyrazine odor on body mass and various organs in embryos and chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). Poultry Science, 78:1786-1789.

Party, E., Barnea, A., Linnis, I., Gershy, E.L. (1997) Elimination of tritiated thymidine from birds. Health Physics, 72(4): 633-635.

Barnea, A., Nottebohm, F. (1996) Recruitment and replacement of hippocampal neurons in young and adult chickadees: an addition to the theory of hippocampal learning. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, USA, 93:714-718.

Barnea, A., Nottebohm, F. (1995) Patterns of food-storing by black-capped chickadees suggest a mnemonic hypothesis. Animal Behaviour, 490:1161-1176.

Barnea, A., Nottebohm, F. (1994) Seasonal recruitment of Hippocampal neurons in adult free-ranging black-capped chickadees. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A, 91(23):11217-11221.

Barnea, A., Harborne, J. B. & Pannell, C.M. (1993) What parts of fleshy-fruits contain secondary compounds toxic to birds and why? Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 214(4):421-429.

Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y. & Friedman, J. (1992) Effect of frugivorous birds on seed dispersal and germination of multi-seeded fruits. Acta OEcologia, 13(2):209-219.

Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y. & Friedman, J. (1991) Does ingestion by birds affect seed germination? Functional Ecology, 5:394-402. 

Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y. & Friedman, J. (1990) Differential germination of two closely related species of Solanum in response to bird ingestion. Oikos, 57:222-228.

Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y. (1985) Syrian woodpecker attack Israeli irrigation pipes. Water and Irrigation Review, 3:4-5.

Barnea, A., Yom-Tov, Y. (1984) A method to deter Syrian woodpecker from drilling holes in irrigation pipes. Crop Protection, 3:35-39.

Barnea, A., Gvaryahu, G., Rothschild, M. (2004) The effect of the odour of pyrazine and colours on recall of past events and learning in domestic chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). In: Insects and Birds (Editors: Van Emden, Helmut F. and Rothschild, M.). Intercept Ltd. Chapter 14, pp: 205-216.

Rothschild, M. & Barnea, A. (2004) A note on the odour of amyl acetate in the role of an alerting signal. In: Insect and Bird Interactions (Editors: Van Emden, Helmut F. and Rothschild, M.). Intercept Ltd. Chapter 15, pp: 217-222.

Lifshitz, S., Leshem, Y., Barnea, A. & Rosebboim, M. (Oct-2015). The "Counting wild birds in backyards in collaboration with the public' initiative as an educational means for the preservation of biological diversity. Animals and Society. (In Hebrew).

Barnea, A. (1989). On the biology of the Syrian woodpecker. Teva VaAretz, 31:12-18. (In Hebrew).

Barnea, A. (1985) The Syrian woodpecker. Tzufit, 3:9-41. (In Hebrew).

Barnea, A. & Yom-Tov, Y. (1984). A method to protect polyethylene irrigation pipes for the Syrian woodpecker. HaSade, Vol. 64:1590-1593. (In Hebrew).

2017  The Vertebrates. Intermediate course. With Prof. Eilam D., School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University. 6 study units.

2010 – 2014 Biology of Terrestrial Vertebrates – an Israeli approach. Intermediate course. Scientific Editor of the 5 study units (written by Prof. Y. Yom-Tov, Tel-Aviv University). 

2013 - 2014  Nerve cells – Introduction to Neurobiology. Intermediate course. Reviewing of study guides.

2012  Vegetation of Israel. Intermediate course. Reviewing of study materials. 

2009  Faunistics of Vertebrates in Israel: Intermediate course. Writing of a new study unit.  

2001  General Biology – B. Intermediate course. Reviewing of several chapters. 

1995 - 2000  Selected Topics in Animal Behavior: Intermediate course. Writing of 4 study units. Two others (written by Dr. Perry), and two field trip guides (written by Dr. Leader) were reviewed by me. A CD which accompanies the course was jointly written with Ms. Lev. 

The birds – social environment and brain condition. (Nov-2011). Galileo. (In Hebrew).  article about our research.

The bat and the fisherman. (May- 2006). National Geographic (In Hebrew).

Smelling danger: chicks and memory. Feb-2004. National Geographic. (In Hebrew).

The brainy bunch. 2002. New Scientist, 23rd February issue, p. 19.

Not good to be alone. 2002. (Aug-28) Yediot Acharonot (In Hebrew).
Bad smell, good eggs. 2000. New Scientist, 1st July issue, p. 13.

The smell that enhances larger eggs. 2000. World Poultry, Vol, 16(10):42-43.

New farmyard smell promises bigger eggs. 2000. Times, London.

Bird's brain. 2000. National Geographic. Sep. issue. (In Hebrew).

Do birds renew their brains each year? (June-1995) National Geographic. In English and in Japanese.

A new brain each season. 1994. (Dec-18) Ma'ariv (In Hebrew).

Tete de linotte sauf en hiver. 1994. (6-Dec) Liberation.

To remember seed caches, chickadee grows brain cells. 1994. (Nov-15) The New York Times.