{{Short description|Canadian microbiologist}} {{Infobox person | name = Mel Rosenberg | native_name = מל רוזנברג | native_name_lang = he | image = Prof. Mel Rosenberg.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|11|12}} | birth_place = Winnipeg, ManitobaCanada | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | known_for = | education = B.Sc., Hebrew University of Jerusalem <br/> M.Sc., Tel Aviv University<br/> Ph.D., Tel Aviv University | employer = Tel Aviv University | occupation = Microbiologist | title = Professor | spouse = Shulamit Sapir-Nevo | children = 2 | parents = | relatives = | signature = | website = {{URL|https://english.tau.ac.il/profile/melros/}} | footnotes = }} '''Mel Rosenberg''' ({{Langx|he|מל רוזנברג}}; born Melvyn Rosenberg, 12 November 1951 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian-born Israeli microbiologist, inventor, author and educator. He is known for his research on halitosis and microbial adhesion, and for co-developing a two-phase mouthwash technology later commercialized as Dentyl pH.<ref name="Bad Breath Research">[http://www.tau.ac.il/~melros/author.html Bad Breath Research – Tel-Aviv University], Mel Rosenberg's researcher site at Tel-Aviv University.</ref><ref name="25-MATH">{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00291.x | pmid=16923066 | volume=262 | issue=2 | title=Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons: twenty-five years of doing MATH | year=2006 | journal=FEMS Microbiology Letters | pages=129–134 | last1 = Rosenberg | first1 = Mel| doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-17 |title=A Rose(nberg) by any other name |url=https://www.jpost.com/health-and-sci-tech/a-rosenberg-by-any-other-name |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X}}</ref> Rosenberg has published extensively in scientific journals and holds several patents related to oral health.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mel Rosenberg |url=https://scholar.google.co.il/citations?user=HIveQqwAAAAJ&hl=en |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=scholar.google.co.il}}</ref> In addition to his scientific career, he co-founded Ourboox, a digital platform for creating and sharing picture books online.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-15 |title=The virtues of going virtual |url=https://www.jpost.com/magazine/the-virtues-of-going-virtual-408477 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X}}</ref> He is also a children's book author and podcast host.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Amann |first=Anton |last2=van Steenberghe |first2=Daniel |date=2013-05-30 |title=Outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Mel Rosenberg |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1752-7155/7/2/020201/pdf |journal=Journal of Breath Research |volume=7 |issue=2 |article-number=020201 |doi=10.1088/1752-7155/7/2/020201 |issn=1752-7155|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-16 |title=Creature discomforts |url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Books/Creature-discomforts-225302 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Mel Rosenberg |url=https://newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profile/49a97044-c418-403b-8490-650f27d9c71b |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=New Books Network |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Mel Rosenberg was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1951. He grew up in Ottawa and immigrated to Israel in 1969. He earned a B.Sc. in chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1973, and an M.Sc. in microbiology from Tel Aviv University in 1975. In 1982, he completed a Ph.D. in microbiology at Tel Aviv University. His doctoral research focused on the surface properties of bacteria and their role in microbial adhesion.<ref name=25-MATH />
== Academic and scientific career == Following the completion of his Ph.D., Rosenberg joined the Department of Human Microbiology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, where he later became a full professor.<ref name="Bad Breath Research" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Prof. Mel Rosenberg |url=https://english.tau.ac.il/profile/melros |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Tel Aviv University |language=en-US}}</ref> His research focused on microbial adhesion, bacterial surface properties, and the diagnosis and treatment of halitosis. He authored or co-authored over 100 scientific publications and book chapters in these areas.<ref name=":0" />
Rosenberg co-developed a two-phase oil–water mouthwash technology designed to reduce oral malodor by targeting volatile sulfur compounds. The formulation was later commercialized as Dentyl pH and marketed internationally.<ref name="dentyldualaction">[http://www.dentylactive.com/history Dentyl Dual Action (Dentyl pH)], The science behind Dentyl.</ref> He also co-developed the Halimeter, a device used for measuring oral malodor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hallé |first=Charlotte |date=Oct 22, 2004 |title=Bad Breath, Good Vibes |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2004-10-22/ty-article/bad-breath-good-vibes/0000017f-e0f4-d804-ad7f-f1fe1a780000?lts=1747570605657 |website=Haaretz}}</ref><ref name="halimeter_article">{{cite journal |last1=Rosenberg |first1=M. |last2=Kulkarni |first2=G.V. |last3=Bosy |first3=A. |last4=McCulloch |first4=C.A. |year=1991 |title=Reproducibility and sensitivity of oral malodor measurements with a portable sulphide monitor |journal=Journal of Dental Research |volume=70 |issue=11 |pages=1436–1440 |doi=10.1177/00220345910700110801 |pmid=1960254 |s2cid=22605576 |doi-access=}}</ref>
Together with Anton Amann, he co-founded the Journal of Breath Research and served as its first co-editor-in-chief.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="JBR">[https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1752-7163/page/Editorial%20Board Journal of Breath Research editorial board], founding editors-in-chief.</ref> He has also contributed to public science education through lectures, media appearances, and online videos. His TED-Ed lessons on bad breath, body odor, and dental caries have reached wide audiences.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/mel_rosenberg_what_causes_bad_breath |title=What causes bad breath? |date=2019-03-15 |last=Rosenberg |first=Mel |language=en |access-date=2025-05-18 |via=TEDx}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What causes body odor? - Mel Rosenberg |url=https://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-causes-body-odor-mel-rosenberg |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=TED-Ed |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/mel_rosenberg_what_causes_cavities |title=What causes cavities? |date=2019-03-22 |last=Rosenberg |first=Mel |language=en |access-date=2025-05-18 |via=TEDx}}</ref>
== Writing and Publishing == In addition to his scientific career, Rosenberg is a writer and children's book author. He has written numerous digital books, many of which are available on Ourboox, a platform he co-founded in 2014 to enable writers, illustrators, and educators to create and share picture books online.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=BARRY DAVIS |date=2015-07-15 |title=The virtues of going virtual |url=https://www.jpost.com/magazine/the-virtues-of-going-virtual-408477 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=אידן |first=חן |date=2014-08-26 |title=OurBoox הוא סטארטאפ ישראלי שרוצה את הסיפורים ששמרתם במגירה |url=https://www.geektime.co.il/ourboox-create-and-share-your-books/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=גיקטיים |language=he-IL}}</ref> The platform now hosts over 300,000 books in multiple languages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ourboox {{!}} Create a Book - It's Simple, Free and Fun |url=https://www.ourboox.com/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Ourboox |language=en-US}}</ref>
Rosenberg's debut picture book in the United States, ''Emily Saw a Door'', is scheduled for publication by Penguin Random House in February 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emily Saw a Door by Mel Rosenberg: 9798217024056 {{!}} |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774317/emily-saw-a-door-by-mel-rosenberg-illustrated-by-orit-magia/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=PenguinRandomhouse.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bird |first=Betsy |date=2025-06-11 |title=Door's Open! A Cover Reveal and Q&A with Mel Rosenberg on Emily Saw a Door |url=https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/11/doors-open-a-cover-reveal-and-qa-with-mel-rosenberg-on-emily-saw-a-door/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=A Fuse #8 Production |language=en-US}}</ref> It is the English-language version of the book (Hebrew: אמילי ראתה דלת), which was first published by Tal-May in Israel in 2023. He is also active in promoting children's literature through interviews and podcasts, including the "Children's Literature" channel on the New Books Network, where he interviews authors and illustrators from around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Mel Rosenberg |url=https://newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profile/49a97044-c418-403b-8490-650f27d9c71b |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=New Books Network |language=en}}</ref>
== Personal life == Rosenberg lives near Tel Aviv with his wife, Shuli (Shulamit Sapir-Nevo), and has two children. He is an accomplished jazz musician – saxophone and vocals – and has put out a number of mainstream jazz albums.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=בן שלו |date=December 21, 2005 |title=ג'ז לרפואת השיניים |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/2005-12-21/ty-article/0000017f-def3-d3a5-af7f-feff02450000 |website=Haaretz |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mel Rosenberg |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2849242-Mel-Rosenberg?srsltid=AfmBOopxP7BSie8ar6inzmsJXVFQWHwhuzC0EVbJhEc7i7NQ565Xex-G |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Discogs |language=en}}</ref> He appeared in a small role in the film JeruZalem in 2015.<ref name="imdb">[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7362817/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm IMDB.com], Mel Rosenberg's short biography on IMDB.com.</ref>
==Selected publications== {{refbegin|2}} * {{cite journal|pmid=21276200 |year=2011|last1=Shuster|first1=A|last2=Korem|first2=M|last3=Jacob-Hirsch|first3=J|last4=Amariglio|first4=N|last5=Rechavi|first5=G|last6=Rosenberg|first6=M|title=Microbial alcohol-conferred hemolysis is a late response to alcohol stress|volume=11|issue=4|pages=315–23|journal=FEMS Yeast Res.|doi=10.1111/j.1567-1364.2011.00722.x|doi-access=free}} * {{cite journal|pmid=19900530 |year=2010|last1=Korem|first1=M|last2=Gov|first2=Y|last3=Rosenberg|first3=M|title=Global gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus following exposure to alcohol|volume=48|issue=2|pages=74–84|journal=Microb Pathog.|doi=10.1016/j.micpath.2009.11.002}} * {{cite journal|pmid=18661181 |year=2008|last1=Shirron|first1=N|last2=Korem|first2=M|last3=Shuster|first3=A|last4=Leikin-Frankel|first4=A|last5=Rosenberg|first5=M|title=Effect of Alcohol on Bacterial Hemolysis|volume=57|issue=4|pages=318–25|journal=Curr. Microbiol.|doi=10.1007/s00284-008-9196-7|s2cid=19231034 }} * {{cite journal|pmid=11905111 |year=2002|last1=Rosenberg|first1=M|title=The science of bad breath|volume=286|pages=72–9|journal=Scientific American|bibcode=2002SciAm.286d..72R|doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0402-72|issue=4}} presenting a circumferential overview of Halitosis. * {{cite journal|pmid=2366142 |year=1990|last1=Tal|first1=H|last2=Rosenberg|first2=M|title=Estimation of dental plaque levels and gingival inflammation using a simple oral rinse technique|volume=61|issue=6|pages=339–42|journal=J. Periodontol.|doi=10.1902/jop.1990.61.6.339}} which shows the effect of mouth rinsing on the oral bacteria. * {{cite journal|pmid=16348211 |year=1990|last1=Goldberg|first1=S|last2=Konis|first2=Y|last3=Rosenberg|first3=M|title=Effect of Cetylpyridinium Chloride on Microbial Adhesion to Hexadecane and Polystyrene|volume=56|issue=6|pages=1678–82|journal=Appl Environ Microbiol|doi=10.1128/AEM.56.6.1678-1682.1990|pmc=184492|bibcode=1990ApEnM..56.1678G }} This article shows how hydrophobicity of CPC affects oral bacteria, as the research basis for the invention of a two-phase mouthwash. * {{cite journal|pmid=1920015 |year=1991|last1=Rosenberg|first1=M|last2=Septon|first2=I|last3=Eli|first3=I|last4=Bar-Ness|first4=R|last5=Gelernter|first5=I|last6=Brenner|first6=S|last7=Gabbay|first7=J|title=Halitosis measurement by an industrial sulphide monitor|volume=62|issue=8|pages=487–9|journal=J. Periodontol.|doi=10.1902/jop.1991.62.8.487}} which was the basis for the commercial use of sulphide monitors such as the Halimeter to measure halitosis. * {{cite journal|pmid=8133414 |year=1994|last1=Bosy|first1=A|last2=Kulkarni|first2=GV|last3=Rosenberg|first3=M|last4=McCulloch|first4=CAG|title=Relationship of oral malodor to periodontitis: evidence of independence in discrete subpopulations|volume=65|issue=1|pages=37–46|journal=J. Periodontol.|doi=10.1902/jop.1994.65.1.37|s2cid=6646915 }} starting an academic debate on the role of periodontitis in halitosis. * {{cite journal|pmid=8006229 |year=1994|last1=Kozlovsky|first1=A|last2=Gordon|first2=D|last3=Gelernter|first3=I|last4=Rosenberg|first4=M|title=Correlation between the BANA test and oral malodor parameters|volume=73|issue=5|pages=1036–42|journal=J Dent Res|last5=Rosenberg|first5=M|doi=10.1177/00220345940730050401|url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66772/2/10.1177_00220345940730050401.pdf|hdl=2027.42/66772|s2cid=11435697 |hdl-access=free}} another article which shows the relation between a periodontal test to malodor parameters. * {{cite journal|pmid=7560419 |year=1995|last1=Rosenberg|first1=M|last2=Kozlovsky|first2=A|last3=Gelernter|first3=I|last4=Cherniak|first4=O|last5=Gabbay|first5=J|last6=Baht|first6=R|last7=Eli|first7=I|title=Self-estimation of oral malodor|volume=74|issue=9|pages=1577–82|journal=J Dent Res|doi=10.1177/00220345950740091201|s2cid=34355485 }} laying an important grounds to research of the psychopathological aspects of halitosis. * {{cite book |last1=Sterer |first1=N. |last2=Rosenberg |first2=M. |author-link2=Mel Rosenberg |year=2020 |title=Breath Odors |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-44731-1 |publisher=Springer |pages=1–104 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-44731-1 |isbn=978-3-030-44730-4|s2cid=68647679 }} {{refend|2}}
==References== <references />
==External links== * [https://english.tau.ac.il/profile/melros Mel Rosenberg's Tel-Aviv University website] * [https://www.authormel.com/ Mel Rosenberg's personal website] * [https://www.ourboox.com Ourboox, Mel Rosenberg's platform for creating and sharing interactive e-books] * [https://www.ourboox.com/books/tips-for-avoiding-bad-breath/ Mel's Ten Tips for Avoiding Bad Breath]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rosenberg, Mel}} Category:Living people Category:Canadian microbiologists Category:Academic staff of Tel Aviv University Category:1951 births Category:Israeli microbiologists Category:Tel Aviv University alumni