Roee Ben Nissan, PhD

Environmental Sustainability Researcher

From Micro to Macro: Engineering microbial solutions and informing global climate action.

BCSC Postdoctoral Fellow — Roll group, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev • Milo group, Weizmann Institute of Science.

About me

I'm an environmental biology researcher tackling sustainability challenges from microbial metabolism to global ecosystems. My work spans synthetic biology, climate impact modelling, and biodiversity conservation. My projects range from engineering bacteria for nature-based solutions to global analyses of food systems and biodiversity.

Beyond research, I am committed to education, outreach, and policy, working to inspire and equip the next generation of environmental stewards.

Research

Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering

Harnessing the hidden potential of microbes can transform how we produce, recycle, and sustain resources. I apply molecular biology tools, metabolic engineering, and computational modelling to design and optimize microbial systems for sustainable applications. My work focuses on creating pathways for value-added products, enhancing microbial efficiency, and enabling the use of alternative carbon sources - advancing nature-based technological solutions with real-world environmental impact.

Food Systems & Microbial Protein

Microbial protein can be produced without fertile soil, uses fewer natural resources, and reduces pressure on land, biodiversity, and water systems. Its adaptability, high nutritional value, and potential for local production make it a promising solution for improving global food security while lowering environmental impacts. Together with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), I assess the climate mitigation potential of microbial protein as a sustainable alternative to beef and dairy production.

Biodiversity Conservation under Climate Change

Our world is rapidly changing under the weight of the human footprint. Biodiversity is in steep decline, with species losing habitats faster than they can adapt. Using high-resolution geospatial tools, I quantify these changes by investigating how climate-driven global change will reshape the ranges and survival prospects of terrestrial vertebrates worldwide - providing science-based priorities for conservation and restoration.

Selected publications

Autotrophic growth of Escherichia coli is achieved by a small number of genetic changes eLife2024

Roee Ben Nissan*; Eliya Milshtein*; Vanessa Pahl; Benoit de Pins; Ghil Jona; Dikla Levi; Hadas Yung; Noga Nir; Dolev Ezra; Shmuel Gleizer; Hannes Link; Elad Noor; Ron Milo.
Electro-microbial production: techno-economic viability and environmental implications Nature Biotechnology2025

Samuel J. Lovat; Roee Ben-Nissan; Eliya Milshtein; Asaf Tzachor; Avi Flamholz; Dorian Leger; Elad Noor; Ron Milo.
Conversion of Escherichia coli to generate all biomass carbon from CO₂ Cell2019

Shmuel Gleizer; Roee Ben-Nissan; Yinon M. Bar-On; Niv Antonovsky; Elad Noor; Yehudit Zohar; Ghil Jona; Eyal Krieger; Melina Shamshoum; Arren Bar-Even; Ron Milo.
Demonstration of bioplastic production from CO₂ and formate using the reductive Glycine pathway in E. coli PLOS ONE 2025

Fedorova, D.; Ben-Nissan, R.; Milshtein, E.; Jona, G.; Dezorella, N.; Feiguelman, G.; Fedorov, R.; Gomaa, A.; Lindner, A. B.; Noor, E.; Milo, R.
The Importance of Sharing Current Scientific Information with Biology Teachers in Weekly Newsletters American Biology Teacher2025

Merav Siani; Ohad Levkovich; Roee Ben Nissan; Awni Gabara; Moshera Alatawna; Anat Yarden.

Full list on Google Scholar.