Table of Contents The International Board...... 1

The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee...... 9

Institute Officers...... 13

The Weizmann Institute of Science...... 17

Faculty of Biochemistry...... 21 Faculty of Biochemistry...... 22 Biological Chemistry...... 24 Molecular Genetics...... 36 Plant Sciences...... 48 Biological Services...... 60 Structural Proteomics Unit...... 63 The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine...... 65 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases...... 67 The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research...... 68 The Crown Human Genome Center...... 70 The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition...... 73 The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics...... 74 The Kekst Family Institute for Medical Genetics...... 75 The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology...... 76 The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research...... 77 The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research...... 79 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research....80

Faculty of Biology...... 83 Faculty of Biology...... 84 Biological Regulation...... 86 Immunology...... 98 Molecular Cell Biology...... 108 Neurobiology...... 119 Veterinary Resources...... 130 The Norman and Helen Asher Center for Brain Imaging...... 132 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences...... 133 The Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Center for Brain Research...... 134 The Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions...... 135 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research...... 136 The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders...... 138 The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging...... 140 The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research...... 141 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology...... 143 Table of Contents Faculty of Biology The Women's Health Research Center...... 147 The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy...... 148

Faculty of Chemistry...... 151 Faculty of Chemistry...... 152 Chemical Physics...... 156 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research...... 164 Materials and Interfaces...... 169 Organic Chemistry...... 178 Structural Biology...... 186 Solar Research Facilities Unit...... 193 Chemical Research Support...... 196 The Center for Energy Research...... 216 The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry...... 218 The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research....220 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science...... 221 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design...... 223 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science...... 224 The Helen and Milton A.Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly...... 225 The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology...... 227 The Gerhardt M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center on Supramolecular Architecture...... 228 The Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging...... 229 The Dr. Scholl Center for Water and Climate...... 230 The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences...... 231 Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement...... 235

Faculty of Physics...... 237 Faculty of Physics...... 238 Condensed Matter Physics...... 239 Particle Physics and Astrophysics...... 246 Physics of Complex Systems...... 260 Physics Services...... 269 The Crown Photonics Center...... 271 The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics...... 272 The Center for Experimental Physics...... 273 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics...... 274 The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research...... 277 The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics...... 278 The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics...... 280 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems...... 281 Table of Contents Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science...... 289 Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science...... 290 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics...... 291 Mathematics...... 301 The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science....310 The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics...... 312 The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems...... 313

Feinberg Graduate School...... 315 Feinberg Graduate School...... 316 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center...... 374

Dean for Educational Activities...... 381 Science Teaching...... 382 Davidson Institute of Science Education...... 400

Institute-Wide Centers...... 417 The Clore Center for Biological Physics...... 418 The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research...... 420 The J & R Center for Scientific Research...... 421 The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell...... 422 The Center for New Scientists...... 424 The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research...... 425 The Center for Scientific Excellence...... 426 The Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research...... 427 The Center for the Development of Scientific Resources...... 430 The Yeda-Sela (YeS) Center for Basic Research...... 431

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs...... 433 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs...... 434 Academic Affairs Office...... 435 Research Grants and Projects Office...... 463

Division of Information Systems...... 465 Division of Information Systems...... 466

Division of Research Services...... 487

The Amos de-Shalit Foundation...... 493

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd...... 497 Table of Contents Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet...... 501 The International Board

Chair, International Board: Mandy Moross, U.K. Founding Chair: Dewey D. Stone, U.S.A Vice Chair, International Board: Lester Crown, U.S.A President, Weizmann Institute: Prof. Daniel Zajfman

Members of the International Board:

Abramov Ayala Zacks, Israel, Life Member Abramson Gary M., U.S.A Abramson Pennie, U.S.A Prof. Addadi Lia, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Appelbaum Sally L., U.S.A Prof. Arnon Ruth, Weizmann Institute Prof. Artstein Zvi, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Asher Helen S, U.S.A, Life Member Asher Robert H., U.S.A Assia David, Israel Assia Yehuda, Israel, Life Member Azrieli David, Canada/Israel Prof. Sir Ball, John M. FRS, U.K. Prof. Baltimore David, U.S.A Prof. Bar-Joseph Israel, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Prof. Bard Allen J., U.S.A Beck Cathy, Canada Beck H. Thomas, Canada, Life Member Belfer Robert A., U.S.A Ben-Naftali Abraham, Israel, Chair Emeritus (Executive Council) Dr. Benassayag Emile, France Bennett Marshall, U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Sir Berry, Michael V. FRS, U.K. Esq. Blumberg Lawrence S., U.S.A Braginsky René, Switzeland Bronicki Yehuda L., Israel Prof. Chain Benny, U.K. Chais Stanley, U.S.A, Life Member Ciechanover Joseph, Israel Cohen Doron, Israel Prof.Cohen Marvin L., U.S.A Cohn Samy, Brazil, Life Member Prof.Crutzen Paul J., Germany Prof. Dafermos Constantine M., U.S.A Dan Leslie L., Canada 2 The International Board de Picciotto Raoul, Monaco, Life Member Dembitz Alex, Switzerland Diller Helen, U.S.A, Life Member Prof.Dinarello Charles A., U.S.A Dr. Dinstein Zvi, Israel, Chair Emeritus (Executive Council), Life Member Dissentshik Ido, Israel, Chair, Executive Board Dockser Sonnie, U.S.A Dollar Edly R., Israel Prof. Eytan Domany, Ex-Officio Member Prof. Dorfan Jonathan M., U.S.A Drake Robert J. (Bob), the Netherlands, Vice Chair, Executive Board Prof. Drell Sidney D, U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Dresselhaus Mildred S., U.S.A Duffield Arabella, U.K. Dame Duffield Vivien, U.K. Dwek Julian, U.K. Dwek Maurizio M., Switzerland Equey Robert , Switzerland Prof. Estrin Gerald, U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Feigenbaum Mitchell J., U.S.A Prof. Sir Fersht, Alan R., FRS, U.K. Prof. Fink Gerald R., U.S.A Fischer Alan A., U.S.A Prof. Fischer Edmond H., U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Fisher, FRS Michael E., U.S.A, Life Member Fleck Mario, Brazil Flug Laura, U.S.A Prof. Garty Haim, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Gavish Moshe, Israel Gerson Mauricio, Mexico Gerstel Martin S., Israel Prof.Goldberg Michel E., France Goldwasser Abraham M., Israel, Life Member Gordon Carol, Canada Prof. Green Michael B., U.K. Greenberg Scott D., U.S.A Baroness Greenfield, Susan A. CBE, U.K. Prof. Groner Yoram, Weizmann Institute Prof. Gros François, France, Life Member Gruber Patricia, U.S.A Hackmey Joseph D, Israel Hamburger Gideon J., Israel Prof. Harari Haim, Weizmann Institute Harel Shimshon, Israel Hollander Yossie, Israel The International Board 3 Prof. Hunt Timothy (Tim), U.K. Imberman Arlyn, U.S.A Prof. Jäckle Herbert, Germany Jinich Armando, Mexico Dr. Kadishay Yair, Israel, Life Member Kahn Morris S., Israel Esq. Kamins Shelly B., U.S.A Prof. Karp Richard M., U.S.A Kaul Isaac, Israel Kay James F., Canada Kekst Gershon, U.S.A, Chair Emeritus (Board of Governors), Life Member Kimmel Helen L., U.S.A, Life Member Kirk Donald L., U.S.A, Life Member Kleeman Derrick ,Switzerland, Life Member Kleeman Peter J., U.K. Klepetar-Fallek Andrea, U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Sir Klug Aaron, U.K., Life Member Koffler Marvelle, Canada Koffler Murray B., Canada, Chair Emeritus (Board of Governors), Life Member Prof. Kohn Walter, U.S.A Kostenbaum Alain, Switzerland Landa Benny, Israel Prof. Lehn Jean-Marie, France Leidesdorf Tova, U.S.A Leitersdorf Jonathan D., Israel Dr. Leshner Alan I., U.S.A Prof. Levine Arnold J., U.S.A Levine Morton, U.S.A, Life Member Dr. Levy Jay, U.S.A Lewis Robert, U.K. Prof. Libchaber Albert J., U.S.A Prof. Lieber Charles M., U.S.A Machinist Robert B., U.S.A Makov Israel, Israel Mantoux Pascal Olivier, France Maor Joshua, Israel Mayer Dan, France Mayer Rina, Israel Merlo Ellen, U.S.A Prof. Mirelman David, Weizmann Institute Lord Mitchell Parry A., U.K. Mondry Ira, U.S.A Morse Andrew R., U.S.A Morton Lon, U.S.A Prof. Nir Yosef, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member 4 The International Board Nissim Joseph G., Italy, Life Member Prof. Oren Moshe, Weizmann Institute Paisner, Martin D. CBE, U.K. Prof. Pawson Tony, Canada Peres Chemi, Israel Petschek Charles I., U.S.A, Life Member Pickman Morton (Mac), U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Pincus Philip A., U.S.A Prof. Alexander Pines, USA Pollack Bruce G., U.S.A Porath Moshe, Israel, Life Member Prof. Prior Yehiam, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Propper Dan, Israel Dr. Reinharz Jehuda, U.S.A Prof. Rich Alexander, U.S.A, Life Member Sir Ritblat John H., U.K. Rose Barrie D., Canada Prof. Ross John, U.S.A, Life Member Prof. Roth Jesse, MD, FACP, U.S.A, Life Member Lord Rothschild Jacob, GBE, Life Member Prof. Sakmann Bert, Germany, Life Member Schoenheimer Pierre L., U.S.A Schupf Sara L., U.S.A Dr. Schwartz John, U.S.A Segal Modi, Israel Prof. Sela Michael, Weizmann Institute, Life Member Shapell David, U.S.A, Life Member Shapiro Daniel S., U.K. Dr. Sherman Barry C., Canada Prof. Sheves Mudi, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Prof. Shilo Ben-Zion, Weizmann Institute, Ex-Officio Member Sir Sieff David, U.K. Sieff Jonathan, U.K. Siem Karen A., U.K. Dr. Singer Maxine F., U.S.A, Life Member Dr. Smith Jay A., Canada Steinberg Gregg M., U.S.A Steindling Rudolfine, Austria Stillmann Luis E., Mexico Lord Stone of Blackheath, U.K., Life Member Tamir Doron, Israel Tanner Marvin, Canada Tenenbaum Evelyn, U.S.A Teplow David. I., U.S.A Teplow Theodore H., U.S.A, Life Member The International Board 5 Townsley, Barry S. CBE, U.K. Dr. Yossi Vardi, Israel Prof. Weidenmüller Hans A., Germany, Life Member Prof. Weissmann Charles, MD, PhD Charles, U.S.A Dr. Willner Albert, U.S.A Dr. Winter Herbert , Switzerland Wolff Peter M., U.K. Prof. Yarden Yosef, Weizmann Institute Prof. Yonath Ada, Weizmann Institute Prof. Zacher Hans F., Germany, Life Member Zimand Henri, Israel Zoller Lois, U.S.A Zucker Uzi, USA Zuckerman Sharon, Canada

The Founding Chairperson

The late Dewey D. Stone (served from 1949 to 1971)

Members Emeritus<

Almaleh Sem, Switzerland Prof. Arigoni Duilio, Switzerland Prof. Bach Fritz H., U.S.A Barness Amnon S., U.S.A Begam Robert G., U.S.A Prof. Benacerraf Baruj, U.S.A Bernstein Stuart A., U.S.A Besen Marc, Australia Bildner Albert, U.S.A Borman Paul, U.S.A Brender Joseph, Australia Bronfman Edgar M., U.S.A Cameron Hugh T., Canada Cohen, Stanley S, OBE, U.K. Sir Cowen Zelman, Australia Prof. Dausset Jean, France Dennis, David L., Canada Sir Djanogly, Harry, CBE, U.K. Dobrin Melvyn A., Canada Prof. Edelman Gerald M., U.S.A Prof. Eigen Manfred, Germany Ezralow Marshall S., U.S.A Prof. Feher George, U.S.A Sir Frost David, CBE, U.K. 6 The International Board Gelfand Herbert M., U.S.A Prof. Goldhaber Maurice, U.S.A Dr. Goldman Carlos, Venezuela- deceased Dr. Goldman Jacob E., U.S.A Goldsmith Bram , U.S.A Goodman Richard F., U.S.A- deceased Greisman Joel, Canada Grofman Shlomo, Israel Dr. Hansen Niels, Germany Harmelech Yeheskiel, Israel Dr. Haunschild Hans-Hilger , Germany Prof. Sir Kornberg Hans L., FRS., U.S.A Lautman Dov, Israel Prof. Lederman Leon M., U.S.A Marcus André, Monaco Prof. Marks Paul A., U.S.A Mason John J., U.S.A Prof. Mitchison N. Avrion, FRS, U.K. Monod Henri M., France Prof. Mostow George D., U.S.A Rosenfeld Jackie, OBE, U.K. Dr. Rosenkranz George, Mexico Dr. Rothstein Aser, U.S.A Schaefer Rowland, U.S.A Prof. Scheraga Harold A., U.S.A Schoenfeld Walter E., U.S.A Siegel Jerome A., U.S.A Singer William H., U.S.A Prof. Staab Heinz A., Germany Stulman Stephen L., U.S.A Prof. Sir Thomas John M., FRS, U.K. Waring Saul, U.S.A Lord Weidenfeld, U.K. Weissman Alan B., U.S.A Prof. Winicki Bernard, France Dr. Zaffaroni Alejandro, U.S.A The International Board 7 8 The International Board The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee

Co-Chairs

Prof. Jonathan M. Dorfan, SLAC, Menlo Park, CA, USA Prof. Herbert Jäckle, Max Planck Society, Munich, Germany

Prof. Sir John M. Ball, FRS, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Prof. David Baltimore, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA Prof. Allen J. Bard, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA Prof. Sir Michael V. Berry, FRS, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Prof. Benny Chain, UCL, London, UK Prof. Marvin L. Cohen, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Prof. Paul J. Crutzen, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Mainz, Germany Prof. Constantine M. Dafermos, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Prof. Charles A. Dinarello, MD, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA Ido Dissentshik, Tel-Aviv, Israel Prof. Sidney D. Drell, SLAC, Menlo Park, CA, USA Prof. Mildred S. Dresselhaus, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Prof. Sir Alan R. Fersht, FRS, MRC Centre for Protein Engineering, Cambridge, UK Prof. Gerald Fink, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA Prof. Edmond H. Fischer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Prof. Michael E. Fisher, FRS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA Prof. Michael B. Green, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Prof. François Gros, Académie des Sciences, Paris, France Prof. Sir Richard Timothy (Tim) Hunt, FRS, London Research Institute, London, UK Prof. Richard M. Karp, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Prof. Sir Aaron Klug, FRS, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK Prof. Walter Kohn, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France Prof. Arnold J. Levine, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, NJ, USA Prof. Albert J. Libchaber, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Prof. Charles M. Lieber, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Mandy Moross, London, UK, ex-officio member Prof. Anthony J. Pawson, University of Toronto, Canada Prof. Philip A. Pincus, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Prof. Alexander Pines, University of California Berkeley, USA Prof. Alexander Rich, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA 10 The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee Prof. Bert Sakmann, Max-Planck-Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Heidelberg, Germany Dr. Maxine F. Singer, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA Prof. Hans A. Weidenmüller, Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany Prof. Charles Weissmann, MD, PhD, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex-officio member The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee 11 12 The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee Institute Officers

President Professor Daniel Zajfman

Vice President Professor Haim Garty

Vice President for Administration and Finance Isaac Shariv

Vice President for Resource Development and Dean for Educational Activities Professor Israel Bar-Joseph

Vice President for Technology Transfer Professor Mordechai Sheves

Senior Advisor to the President for Information Systems Professor Micha Berkooz

Chair, Council of Professors Professor Daniella Goldfarb

Chair, Scientific Council Professor Ron Naaman (until September 2010) Professor Eytan Domany (from October 2010)

Vice Chair, Scientific Council Professor Eytan Domany (until September 2010) Professor Michal Irani (from October 2010)

Advisory Committee to the President

Professor Lia Addadi Professor Zvi Artstein (until February 2010) Prof. David Peleg (from March 2010) Professor Israel Bar-Joseph Professor Haim Garty Professor Michal Neeman Professor Daniella Goldfarb Professor Adi Kimchi Isaac Shariv Professor Ron Naaman (until September 2010) 14 Institute Officers Professor Eytan Domany (from October 2010 Professor Yosef Nir Professor Yehiam Prior Professor Mordechai Sheves Professor Zvi Linveh

The Feinberg Graduate School (chartered by the New York State Board of Regents)

President Robert A. Belfer Chairman Emeritus of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) and of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Robert Asher President Emeritus of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) Robert G. Begam Chairman of the American Committee - Lawrence S. Blumberg LLP Founding Chairman Abraham Feinberg (deceased) Senior Vice President Andrew Morse President Emeritus, Carnegie Institution of Washington Maxine F. Singer Consultant and former President - Theodore H. Teplow Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School Professor Lia Addadi

Deans of the Faculties

Biochemistry Professor Zvi Linveh

Biology Professor Michal Neeman

Chemistry Professor Yehiam Prior

Physics Professor Yosef Nir

Mathematics and Computer Science Professor Zvi Artstein (until February 2010) Professor David Peleg (from March 2010)

Senior Administrative Officers

Academic Secretary and Head, Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs Dr. Boaz Avron Institute Officers 15 Chief Legal Counsel Shulamit Geri

Head, Construction and Plant Maintenance Division Eliezer Elhadad

Head, Finance Division Yuval Lazarov

Head, Human Resources Division Roni Leers

Head, Logistics and Research Services Division Asher Bar-on

Head, Procurement Division Nathan Shtark

Internal Auditor and Ombudsman Doron Yonai

Secretary of the Association Kelly Avidan

Resource Development and Public Affairs - Senior Officers

Director, Resource Development Kelly Avidan Director, Strategic Development Gila Shmueli Head, Barbara and Morris Levinson Visitors Center Navit Kopelis Head, Publications and Media Relations Department Yivsam Azgad 16 Institute Officers The Weizmann Institute of Science

The Weizmann Institute of Science, one of the worlds leading multidisciplinary research centers, is located in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv on Israels coastal plain. Today, around 2500 scientists, postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. and M.Sc. students, and scientific, technical and administrative staff work at the Institute, where lush lawns and sub-tropical gardens serve as a backdrop to the cutting-edge research performed in its labs. In addition, visiting scientists and their families over 500 from 35 countries in 2010 and numerous participants in international scientific conferences and symposia are regularly hosted at the Institute, which also offers a wide range of cultural and educational activities to the public at large.

When the Institute was conceived in 1933, the embattled Jewish population of Palestine numbered 400,000 and Rehovot was a tiny agricultural community surrounded by orange groves. In this milieu, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who would later become the first President of the State of Israel, envisioned the establishment of a world-class scientific research center. Though resources were extremely scarce, Dr. Weizmann, a successful chemist and tireless statesman for the Zionist cause, believed such an institute was crucial to securing the future of a Jewish state, both economically and politically.

Fortunately, there were others who shared his dream. In 1934, his friends Israel and Rebecca Sieff established the Daniel Sieff Research Institute in memory of their son. Dr. Weizmann had his lab in the Daniel Sieff Institute, alongside those of 10 other full-time researchers in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Throughout WWII and Israels War of Independence, Institute scientists were deeply involved in the war efforts, yet under Dr. Weizmanns direction, the Institute continued to grow. The end of WWII and the founding of the new Jewish state brought an influx of new scientific talent, and with it a new determination to make Israel a center of scientific excellence. By the time it was formally dedicated in 1949, shortly after Israels declaration of independence, the Weizmann Institute housed 60 labs in nine fields of research, including organic, inorganic and bio- chemistry, optics and electronics, bacteriology and biophysics, polymer and isotope research, and applied mathematics. The Wolfson Institute of Experimental Biology was under construction and the first residential quarters were nearing completion.

The Feinberg Graduate School was established in 1958, and the first PhD was conferred there in 1964. About 1000 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students are enrolled each year in studies covering the Institutes 18 departments, which are grouped into five faculties: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and 18 The Weizmann Institute of Science Mathematics and Computer Science. To meet the challenges of modern research, a number of multidisciplinary centers have been created to allow scientists from completely different fields to work together in developing new approaches to everything from creating new diagnostic tools to revealing the mechanics of living cells to artificial intelligence. In keeping with Dr. Weizmanns vision of Israel as a scientific world leader, the Institute continues to invest resources in ensuring the future of science: through the Science Teaching Department, established in 1968 and the Davidson Institute of Science Education, founded in 2001.

In 1959, the Yeda Research and Development Co. was founded to function as the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute. The first company of its kind in Israel, Yeda initiates and promotes the transfer of innovations stemming from the research of Weizmann Institute scientists to the global marketplace. The Weizmann Institute was also a key player in the establishment of the Kiryat Weizmann Industrial Park, a 40 acre site housing over 60 hi-tech companies, many based on Institute discoveries, ranging from aircraft instruments to bioengineered drugs.

More than 70 years since the first labs were erected in the midst of bucolic orange groves, and over 60 since its official dedication, the Weizmann Institute, today more than ever, is at the forefront of global science. The Weizmann Institute of Science 19 20 The Weizmann Institute of Science Faculty of Biochemistry

Dean: Zvi Livneh The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research 22 Faculty of Biochemistry

Faculty of Biochemistry

Dean: Zvi Livneh The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research

The faculty is comprised of three scientific departments, including Biological Chemistry, Molecular Genetics and Plant Sciences, as well as the Biological Services. A number of Research Centers operate within the different departments: Plant Sciences -- The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology; The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research; The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition. Molecular Genetics -- The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics; The Crown Human Genome Center; The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research; The Kekst Family Institute for Medical Genetics and the David & Fela Shapell Family Centre for Genetic Disorders Research. In addition, the Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine is operating under the auspices of the Faculty.

Modern research in Life Sciences involves a broad range of disciplines and approaches in which a problem or system can be addressed: from the single molecule to the whole organism. Similarly, it is now possible to examine a gene or protein in the context of its immediate pathway, or as part of a broader, "systems level" analysis. These different approaches are represented in the Faculty of Biochemistry.

The department of Biological Chemistry, which is the largest scientific department at the Weizmann Institute, focuses on the structure and function of proteins. It addresses topics ranging from the structure and association between proteins, including analysis of large complexes such as the proteosome, to their trafficking and targeting to different cellular compartments. Accelerated evolution of proteins in the test tube allows the generation of new properties and novel insights into forces that shape evolution of proteins. Groups within the department also focus on DNA repair, gene expression in a variety of systems including embryonic stem cells, and mechanisms of neuronal migration and injury repair.

The department of Molecular Genetics focuses on the analysis of biological processes in whole organisms. The projects include analysis of neuronal functions and bone development in mice, examination of the roles of micro-RNAs during embryonic and post-embryonic development, and stem Faculty of Biochemistry 23 cell research including the molecular and cellular rules of reprogramming. In Drosophila, processes of spermatogenesis, muscle fusion and attachment, and signaling during development are studied. Extensive work on yeast includes localization of transcripts, as well as systems analysis and microscopy-based screens for genome wide properties. Processes of cell death and cytokine signaling are also addressed. Genomic approaches are utilized to study processes such as olfaction.

The department of Plant Sciences examines a broad range of topics, from biophysical aspects of photosynthesis, to issues of recombination, innate immunity, leaf morphogenesis and application of metabolomic approaches, in combination with plant genetics. A new direction pursued by the department is environment and ecology, including the exploration of design principles in energy and carbon metabolism, and sensing environmental stresses and cellular responses in marine algae. In order to maintain the cutting edge and vibrant scientific research in the Faculty, we are constantly searching to recruit talented young scientists (see Academic Research Positions), and continue to invest in the establishment of new facilities and the acquisition of new equipment. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dbiochem.shtml 24 Biological Chemistry

Biological Chemistry

Eitan Bibi, Head The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel and Freda and Edward M. Siegel Professorial Chair

The Department of Biological Chemistry is home to more than 24 research groups, whose scientific activities span several areas in the Life Sciences. The common thread is the study of the biochemistry of life. Emphasis is on the investigation of proteins, whether soluble or membrane-bound, and their key biological functions. We seek a molecular understanding of their structure, function, and interaction with other factors. A variety of biochemical, biophysical, structural, computational and molecular biological methods are being employed, with many overlapping interests and inter-group collaborations. Current research activities evolve around the following seven foci of interest:

1. Protein structure, function, design and evolution

Gideon Schreiber and his coworkers study the basic physico-chemical principles governing protein-protein interactions, and how these relate to complex biological processes. The gained understanding is implemented in several medically relevant systems such as the binding of interferon to its receptor, as well as in algorithm development. Meir Wilchek and his group are studying the structure of avidin and its exceptionally high affinity to biotin. The avidin-biotin complex is being utilized for a variety of new biotechnological applications. Edward A. Bayer and his colleagues are studying the structure, architecture and biotechnological applications of the multi-enzyme cellulosome complex, its interactions with cellulose and other plant cell-wall polysaccharides, and the utilization of recombinant designer cellulosomes for enhanced decomposition of cellulosic substrates in the conversion of biomass to bioenergy. The group of Dan S. Tawfik is interested in the mechanism and evolution of proteins, and enzymes in particular. They perform laboratory evolution experiments aimed at understanding how new proteins evolve, and at the creation of novel enzymes with tailor-made activities. Michal Sharon's goal is to understand the relationship between structure and function of molecular machines involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Biological Chemistry 25 Specifically her group investigates the mechanisms that control and regulate these cellular machines and identifies the network of intermolecular interactions that ensure the integration of this cellular process. A novel mass spectrometry method is utilized for analysis of these multiprotein complexes in their native state. This approach is particularly adept at providing new insights into subunit stoichiometry, composition and structural arrangement.

2. Structure and function of ion channels, pumps, other transporters, membrane protein involved in viral infection and innate immunity, viral envelope proteins, and photosynthesis proteins

Several groups are investigating proteins that form specific pores across the cell membrane. Eitan Reuveny is investigating the molecular properties and physiological function of a group of neuronal K+ channels and their interaction with G-proteins. Yechiel Shai's group uses a multidisciplinary approach to study the insertion, assembly and function of membrane proteins involved in immune response (TCR, TLR), infectious diseases (host-defense peptides; i.e. antimicrobial and anticancer peptides), and viral envelopes (HIV/SIV gp41). These studies also led to the design of novel potential antimicrobial, anticancer, immunosuppressive, and antiviral drugs. Nuclear pore complexes, multi-protein structures, that transport macromolecules in and out of the nucleus, are being studied by Ziv Reich. His work utilizes biophysical methods such as atomic force microscopy. Haim Garty focuses on two themes in the regulation of ion transport, which participate in maintaining body salt and water balance. One is the epithelial Na+ channel, which mediates the aldosterone-dependent Na+ reabsorption in the kidney and intestine, and the other is a new group of tissue specific regulators of the Na+/K+ ATPase, the FXYD proteins. Steven J. D. Karlish and his colleagues are exploring the structure and organization of Na,K-ATPase, and its regulation by FXYD proteins. This ion pump plays a central role in maintaining Na and K gradients across the cell membrane and is involved in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. Another family of transport proteins, which extrude toxins from cells and hence pose a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy and antibiotic treatment, is being studied by Eitan Bibi. The groups of Steven J. D. Karlish and Eitan Bibi are also interested in solving membrane protein structures by X-ray crystallography. Other researchers are interested in photosynthesis and its relation to ion transport. Shmuel Malkin's research in photosynthesis concentrated on interpreting photoacoustic signals from plant leaves under special conditions, which indicate gas uptake. These signals may be related to oxygen photoreduction by photosystem I and/or proton movements to the thylakoid lumen. Uri 26 Biological Chemistry Pick's group studies the mechanism by which the alga Dunaliella copes with extreme salinity and iron deprivation and also collaborates with Avihai Danon (Plant Sciences) to develop technologies to produce biodiesel from green algae. The groups of Uri Pick and Ada Zamir are collaborating to elucidate the mechanisms by which the green alga Dunaliella copes with extreme changes in external salinity and with iron deprivation.

3. Mechanisms by which proteins and lipids are transported from their point of synthesis, sorted, and inserted into various organelles

Studies related to this general problem in cell biology are being carried out in a number of laboratories. Eitan Bibi and his co-workers are studying the role of the signal recognition particle (SRP) and other cellular components in the biogenesis of prokaryotic membrane proteins. They seek to identify new components of the machinery, and to understanding how ribosomes target and associate with the membrane, and how membrane protein synthesis is regulated. Zvulun Elazar is investigating intracellular protein traffic in eukaryotic systems. His work has led to the identification of new factors that couple transport vesicles to cytoskeletal elements. Delivery of lipids to the cell membrane, and their role in neuronal growth is being studied by Tony Futerman works on two main areas, namely the lysosomal storage diseases, Gaucher, Tay-Sachs, and Niemann-Pick disease; recently, together with I. Silman and J. Sussman he solved the structure of Cerezyme, the enzyme given to Gaucher disease patients. The other area concerns mechanisms of ceramide signaling, and has characterized a gene family encoding mammalian ceramide synthases.

4. Signal transduction, and molecular pathogenesis

Several researchers in the department are interested in problems related to signal transduction, chemotaxis and pathogenesis. Michael Eisenbachs group is investigating, at the molecular level, how bacteria navigate according to chemical cues (chemotaxis), and how human sperm cells are guided to the egg. In bacteria, they focus on the mechanism by which the switch of the flagellar motor receives signals from the receptors and modulates the direction of flagellar rotation. In sperm, the Eisenbach group showed that guidance is essential for fertilization and it involves at least two mechanisms: chemotaxis and thermotaxis. The group of David Wallach is studying mechanisms that control cell death and tissue damage, and involve the caspase cysteine-protease family, and transcription factors of the NF-kB family. They have cloned and characterized several proteins that participate in the induction of cell death and inflammation by receptors Biological Chemistry 27 of the TNF/NGF family, and explore their mechanisms of action. Using transgenic mouse models, they currently focus on elucidating the contribution of genetic variations in these proteins to skin pathology, inflammatory disorders and cancer. Retrograde signaling complexes which govern neuronal growth and regeneration are being investigated by Michael Fainzilber and his co-workers. They have identified new targeting and scaffolding proteins that enable axon-cell body communication in neurons. David Mirelman and his co-workers are characterizing regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of virulence factors in the human intestinal protozoan parasite, /Entamoeba histolytica/ and in particular, epigenetic gene silencing mechanisms. Other studies, in collaboration with the group of Meir Wilchek, focus on the therapeutic properties of the biologically active garlic molecule Allicin and the development of in-situ, targeted delivery systems. Yoram Shechter's research activities focus on overcoming states of insulin-resistance, prolonging the actions of peptide/protein drugs in vivo and delivering peptides and protein drugs from the periphery to the brain via the blood brain barrier. Ruth Miskin is utilizing transgenic mice that over-express plasminogen activator in order to understand mechanisms whereby caloric restriction attenuates aging and increases life-span. Therapeutic and pathogenic signals of the cell membrane, in tumor cells that are subjected to hydrostatic pressure are being examined by Meir Shinitzky. In addition, he investigates the effect on differentiation in breast cancer cells and neuoronal cells of cyclic phosphates, signaling molecules that originate from phospholipid degradation. Ehud Shapiro' s group is using a high-level computer process description language, Stochastic Pi Calculis, to mathematically specify and simulate signal transduction pathways.

5. Genome maintenance and function: DNA repair and gene expression

Zvi Livneh and his coworkers are exploring the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and mutagenesis in mammals, and in particular translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) by specialized DNA polymerases, and the role of DNA repair in cancer susceptibility. Recently they discovered that TLS is regulated by p53 via p21 to maintain a low mutation load. They also discovered that reduced activity of the DNA repair enzyme OGG1 is a risk factor in lung and head and neck cancers. Two groups are studying mechanisms mediating regulation of gene expression. Rivka Dikstein and her associates are studying the mechanisms of basal and activated transcription. Specifically they are investigating the general transcription factor TFIID at the biochemical and molecular level, the 28 Biological Chemistry mammalian core promoter, links between transcription and post transcriptional stages of gene expression and the mechanism underlying rapid transcription activation by NF-kappaB. Michael Walker and colleagues are investigating the regulation of specific gene expression in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, and how embryonic stem cells can be induced to develop efficiently into beta cells. Recent studies have revealed that activity of GPR40, a novel beta cell receptor, helps explain the important, yet poorly understood connection between obesity and diabetes.

6. Mechanisms of developmental regulation

Avraham Yarons group is studying the molecular mechanisms that govern axon guidance during embryonic development. They focus on the mechanisms by which guidance receptors are regulated, and how these receptors transmit their signals. Yoav Soen's group is using embryonic stem cells models to study how different layers of regulation interact to specify morphogenetic decisions, how these decisions are shaped by interactions between emerging precursors and how they are coordinated across a developing embryonic tissue.

7. Biolmolecular computers and computation-based cell lineage analysis

Ehud Shapiro and his team are investigating the engineering of computers made of biological molecules. They succeeded to construct a finite automaton made of DNA and enzymes, which is capable of sensing and diagnosing molecular disease symptoms, and in response releasing a drug-like molecule in a test-tube model system. In a different direction, advanced computational techniques combined with somatic mutation analysis are used for reconstructing cell lineage trees in cultured cells and in mice. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biological_Chemistry/ Biological Chemistry 29 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ed Bayer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Professorial Chair of Bio-Organic Chemistry Eitan Bibi, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel and Freda and Edward M. Siegel Professorial Chair Michael Eisenbach, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel The Jack and Simon Djanogly Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Anthony H. Futerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joseph Meyerhoff Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Haim Garty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Steven J.D Karlish, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The William D. Smithburg Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Zvi Livneh, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research Yechiel Shai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold S. and Harriet B. Brady Professorial Chair of Cancer Rrsearch Yoram Shechter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Charles H. Hollenberg Professorial Chair of Diabetes and Metabolic Research David Wallach, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Professorial Chair

Professors Emeriti

S. Roy Caplan, Ph.D., University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa David Danon, Ph.D., University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland Carlos Gitler, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States Ora Kedem, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Shmuel Malkin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Israel R. Miller, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel David Mirelman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Nathan Sharon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Meir Wilchek, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ada Zamir, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel 30 Biological Chemistry Associate Professors

Rivka Dikstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Ruth and Leonard Simon Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Zvulun Elazar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold L. Korda Professorial Chair of Biology Michael Fainzilber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Chaya Professorial Chair in Molecular Neuroscience Uri Pick, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Charles and Louise Gartner Professorial Chair Ziv Reich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eitan Reuveny, Ph.D., Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, United States Gideon Schreiber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Dan Tawfik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Professorial Chair Michael Walker, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Marvin Myer and Jenny Cyker Professorial Chair of Diabetes Research

Senior Scientists

Michal Sharon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Elaine Blond Career Development Chair Yoav Soen, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Incumbent of the Daniel E. Koshland Sr. Career Development Chair Avraham Yaron, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Senior Staff Scientists

Rivka Adar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Carol Asher, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Daniel M. Tal, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Elena Bochkareva, Ph.D., Institute of Protein Research, Academy of the USSR, Pushchino, Russian Federation Ruti Kapon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Adriana Katz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Tamar Paz-Elizur, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Biological Chemistry 31 Assistant Staff Scientists

Gili Ben-Nissan, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yael Fridmann Sirkis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Moshe Goldsmith, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Daniel Harari, Ph.D., University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Andrew Kovalenko, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yael Pewzner-Jung, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Senior Interns

Anat Bahat, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Konstantin Bogdanov, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Yael Leitner Dagan, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Gregory Linshiz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left March 2010) Izhak Michaelevski, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Rehovot, Israel Reinat Nevo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ida Rishal, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ziv Sevilya, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Interns

Michael Anbar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Noam Diamant, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Lior Izhar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left March 2010)

Consultants

Diana Bach Rina Barak Igor Berezovsky, University of Bergen, Norway S. Roy Caplan Liat Sara Haklai-Topper (left October 2010) Na'Aman Kam (left December 2010) Alon Karpol, Desiger Energy, Science Park, Rehovot, Israel Uriel Katz, Maccabi, Tel-Hashomer, Israel Talia Miron Ruth Miskin Ely Morag, Designer Energy, Rehovot Vladimir Potapov (left July 2010) 32 Biological Chemistry Yosef Scolnik Nathan Sharon Meir Shinitzky

Visiting Scientists

Haim Aakab Liana Casquinhadasilv, University of Lisbonne, Portugal Jian Fang Du, University of Beijing, China (P.R) Mikael Elias Marc Fellous, INSERM E0021, Paris, France James Fraser, University of Berkeley, U.S.A. Wilma Friedman, Rutgers University , NJ, U.S.A. Erich Gulbins, University of Essen, Germany Tae-Bong Kang, Technion, Haifa, Israel Laurence Kedes, University of Southern California, LA, U.S.A. Acwis Kelly, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kayzad Nilgiriwala Sergio Peisajovich Akhil Rajput Nadav Sahar, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel Merijn Salverda, Wageningen University of Agriculture, Nederland Kim Soo-Hyun, KonKuk University, Korea

Postdoctoral Fellows

Michael Anbar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Christopher John Arnusch, Utrecht University Liat Bahari, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Talya Belogus, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tuval Ben Yehezkel, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kfir Ben-Harush, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Keren Ben-Yaakov, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Konstantin Bogdanov, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Silvia Chuartzman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mati Cohen, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Bareket Dassa, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noam Diamant, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jianfang Du, Ph.D., Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Rofa Elfakess, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mikael Hocine Elias, Aix-Marseille Universite Nir Etkovitz, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Milana Fraiberg, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Kfir Gazit, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Binyamin Gil, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Biological Chemistry 33 Saar Golan, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Michal Golan-Mashiach, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ronit Gutman-Pasvolsky, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liraz Harel, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Haim Haviv, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ayal Hendel, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Adrian Hugenmatter, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Ethz) Yuval Inbar, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Daniel Kaganovich, Ph.D., Stanford University Na'Aman Kam, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Einat Kapri-Pardes, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Olga Khersonsky, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jin-Chul Kim, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yakov Kipnis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Chunjin Li, Jilin University Irina Lubarski, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Neeraj Kumar Mishra, Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi Ilit Noach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Marc Nathan Offman, Ph.D., University College London Raz Palty, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Joo-Won Park, Ewha Womans University Marek Rajman, Ph.D., Institute of Animal Biochemistry And Genetics Sasc Akhil Rajput, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Viji Raveendran Nair Indi, University of Kerala Adi Raveh, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Avi Raveh, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Peter Reuven, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gabriela Ridner, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liat Shimon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Elena Shvets, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Misha Soskine, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Petro Starokadomskyy, Ph.D., Institute of Molecular Biology & Genetics Nasu Beata Toth-Cohen, University of Debrecen Tapesh Kumar Tyagi, V.P.Chest Institute, University of Delhi , Delhi-0 Shelly Tzlil, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Sameer Kumar Vidhya Bahuleyan, University of Kerala Hilla Weidberg, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Itamar Yadid, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ganit Yarden, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Adi Abada Manelis Livnat Afriat-Gorno Orly Ester Alber Muhammad Ali Amir Apelbaum Leah Armon 34 Biological Chemistry Avraham Ashkenazi Omri Avidan Tali Avnit-Sagi Muneef Ayyash Keren Bahar Halpern Hagit Bar Nadav Bar Sagi Barzilai Roy Bekerman Rotem Ben Tov Perry Tuval Ben Yehezkel Oshrit Ben-David Daniel Ben-Halevy Keren Ben-Yaakov Adi Bercovich Kinori Marina Cherniavsky-Lev Ori Cohavi Isadora Cohen Mati Cohen Tomer Cohen Ayelet Cooper Shachar Dagan Shlomi Dagan Lital Davidi Eynat Dellus Alik Demishtein Gil Diamant Elizabeta Dinitz Michael Elgart Shirley Elias Racheli Erez-Roman Eli Ezrielev Tamar Farfel Becker Avner Fink Nir Fluman Erez Shaul Garty Kfir Gazit Amir Gelman Binyamin Gil Michal Golan-Mashiach Liora Guy David Liraz Harel Michal Harel Haim Haviv Ayal Hendel Maya Kahan Haggai Kaspi Elad Lavee Laviad Doron Levin Elena Levin Carni Lipson Elinor Malul-Erez Adva Mansura Maya Maor Yonit Marcus-Perlman Adi Minis Guy Mlechkovich Natali Molotski Oren Moscovitz Shiri Moshitzky Ekaterina Petrovich Yael Phillip Tatyana Rachutin - Zalogin Adi Raveh Eliran-Moshe Reuven Peter Reuven Liat Rockah- Shmuel Erez Romi Shelly Rozen Meir Rozenbaum Zohar Schoenmann Sigal Shachar Revital Sharivkin Tomer Shpilka Tal Shprung Hadar Sinvani Michal Slutzki Shay Stern Rotem Tidhar Osnat Tirosh Agnes Toth-Petroczy Onie Tsabari Yael Vazana Anna Veprik Einat Vitner Hilla Weidberg Alon Wellner Seung-Hoon Yang Eliyahu Yosef Ido Yosef Biological Chemistry 35 Dmitry Yudin Gabriel Zarbiv Lior Zelcbuch Omer Ziv Administrator

Maanit Zibziner 36 Molecular Genetics

Molecular Genetics

Yosef Shaul, Head The Oscar and Emma Getz Professorial Chair

The Department of Molecular Genetics investigates the molecular and genetic mechanisms of basic biological processes, in the context of both complex organism,such as human, mouse and Drosophila, and at the level of single cell organism and culture. A wide range of biological questions and hypotheses are addressed in the fields of development, cell biology, and human/mouse genetics, on the structure, expression, stability and function of proteins and on gene expression. Additionally, the fields of bioinformatics and computational biology, which are active in the department, provide powerful genome-wide approaches to modeling biological processes and their evolution.

A number of groups study the Drosophila model system from different aspects. The lab of Benny Shilo continued to focus on EGF receptor signaling in Drosophila. An intricate machinery for processing the activating ligands was uncovered. Interestingly, the amount of ligand that is secreted can be regulated by altering the intracellular compartment in which processing takes place. Once the ligand is secreted, distinct threshold responses are established. In a combination of experimental and computational work, a novel mechanism for creating such response thresholds was identified. In a different research avenue, novel insights into the mechanism of cell fusion during muscle development, and the involvement of the microfilament system in the process were uncovered. Talila Volk's lab focuses on mechanisms controlling tissue formation and organogenesis in developing Drosophila. They found that a splicing-dependent mechanism, controlled by the RNA-binding protein HOW, is a critical step in the induction of terminal differentiation of tendon and glial cells. HOW is essential for mesoderm invagination and spreading and the relevant target mRNAs were identified. In addition, they found that the extra cellular matrix protein Thrombospondin is essential for the specific adhesion of muscles with their corresponding tendon cell, a process that is regulated by a secreted growth factor DEgfl7. In addition they have identified a membrane protein that binds to the guiding receptor Roundabout to counteract its interaction with its ligand Slit. Studies are also conducted to characterize mechanisms involved in the formation of the Drosophila Blood Brain Barrier. Eli Aramas laboratory is primarily concerned with the molecular, cellular, and anatomical mechanisms that underlie caspase activation in Drosophila. Previously they showed that spermatids normally eliminate the majority of Molecular Genetics 37 their cytoplasm and organelles in an apoptosis-like process that requires canonical cell death proteins, including caspases. These observations, as well as recent studies by other groups counter the dogma that cells expressing active caspases are doomed to die. Currently, a major effort in his lab is being focused on the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms that regulate caspase activation during cellular remodeling of the sperm and investigate how caspases facilitate cell terminal differentiation.

Mouse model systems are being approached for studying embryonic development and genetic diseases. Elazar Zelzer studies genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate bone development. Their previous finding that VEGF is required for angiogenesis into developing bones, initiated their interest in this gene. By analyzing the effect of loss of VEGF function in different tissues involved in bone development, they have identified several unpredicted novel roles of VEGF during bone development. First, VEGF regulates early chondrogenesis during limb bud development. It also regulates chondrocytes survival. Finally, it stimulates bone formation by increasing the activity of osteoblasts, both in intramembranous and endochondral bones. By studying the expression patterns of VEGF they have identified a dynamic expression in skeletal tissues, consistent with its roles during several steps of bone development. Thus, the VEGF study has become a portal to greater understanding of skeletal development. Developmental aspects in the mammalian brain are being studied by Orly Reiners lab. One typical feature of the mammalian brain is that neurons are born in a region which is different from their final position. Their group is researching normal and abnormal processes of neuronal migration using a combination of mouse genetics, in utero electroporation, biochemistry, and cell biology methods. In particular they are involved in dissecting the role of lissencephaly-associated gene products (LIS1 and doublecortin, DCX). Their research has indicated to their importance in mediating signaling pathways, and regulating the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton during neuronal migration. Yoram Groner research focuses on disease conditions in which genetic predisposition of individual chromosome 21 genes play role. That is, how an extra copy of otherwise normal genes produces pathophysiological conditions in humans particularly in patients with Down syndrome. Gene-Knockout mice of individual genes are used to investigate the consequences of functional inactivation of candidate genes. Currently much of the studies focused on the biology of the transcription factors Runx1 and Runx3 that are master regulators of linage specific gene expression in developmental pathways using genetically modified cells and mouse models. Eran Eornstein team studies the roles of microRNAs (miRNA) in development, focusing on miRNA function in vertebrate organogenesis. miRNAs repress the expression of protein-coding mRNAs (targets), providing a previously unappreciated regulatory mechanism for gene expression. Upon binding of an individual miRNA, or a combination of several miRNAs to the 3' untranslated region of a target mRNA, either 38 Molecular Genetics translation repression or mRNA cleavage is induced. They study the role of miRNA role in skull bone formation, in pancreas and beta-cell biology, in posttranscriptional regulation gene expression and in stochastic fate determination. These studies would reveal facets of miRNA biology and roles played by non coding RNAs in developmental biology and in evolution.

Basic cellular processes are being approached from the molecular angle, both in mammalian cells and in yeasts by several groups. The lab of Jeff Gerst focuses on how cells establish and maintain polarity in order for directed growth and cell division to occur. They are using the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model system and have three major projects. The first examines the role of signaling pathways in the control of exocytosis at the level of membrane fusion and studies the role of kinases and phosphatases in regulation of the exocytic apparatus. The second focuses on the role of SNARE-binding proteins in endosomal protein sorting and the onset of human diseases involving defects in lysosomal storage. The third examines the role of mRNA trafficking in the regulation of basic cellular processes. Maya Schuldiner lab is interested in understanding the networks of proteins functioning together to create an optimal functioning ER. Since close to 30% of ER proteins have unknown functions, an important goal of the lab is to uncover biological roles for these proteins drawing from the systematic data collected in yeast and using different genetic and biochemical tools. They also use high throughput microscopic screening platforms to ask basic questions about ER structure and function such as trying to understand the molecular mechanisms of ER inheritance or the dynamics of protein movements in and out of this large and complex organelle. Adi Kimchis group studies programmed cell death, by proceeding from single gene studies towards global network analysis. By studying DAP-kinase and its close family homologs, DRP-1 and ZIP-kinase, new mechanisms which control the less characterized modules of cell death including autophagy and programmed necrosis have been discovered. Studies on DAP5 protein highlighted the role of cap-independent translation under stress and relaxed conditions, and initial research on DAP1 revealed the existence of a new scaffold protein, which is a suppressor of autophagy. The project on the global cell death network is based on a combinatorial knock down approach, which measures the outcome of epistatic interactions between the networks proteins (around 150). By running this new methodology they proved that compensatory switches between functional modules contribute to the networks robustness, and that inter-modular connectivity occurs at multiple positions via positive or negative interactions. The lab of Ari Elson studies the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in regulating physiological processes. Their goals are to uncover detailed molecular-level mechanisms, by which specific phosphatases affect discrete physiological outcomes by dephosphorylating specific substrates. Their current studies focus on PTPs Epsilon and Alpha; they are using molecular, cellular, and whole-animal systems to uncover the role of Molecular Genetics 39 these phosphatases in regulating malignant transformation, bone metabolism, and regulation of body mass/obesity. Chaim Kahanas group investigates polyamines in regulating cellular proliferation. AzI, is a homolog of ODC, but unlike ODC has no enzymatic activity and undergoes ubiquitin dependent degradation. His group also studies the growth advantage this protein provides to cells. These two aspects are investigated in relation to the interaction ability of AzI with three types of a polyamine induced protein termed antizyme (Az) that act as negative regulators of ODC. Another aspect of investigation concernes the possible involvement of 20S proteasomes in mediating ubiquitin independent cellular degradation. Finally, the lab investigates the role polyamines exert in regulating cellular functions with emphasis on regulating cellular proliferation. The team of Yosef Shaul studies the basic cellular processes of transcription, protein stability and DNA-damage signaling. These processes are investigated also with respect to understanding the molecular basis of cancer and virus-host cell interactions, using the hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a model. They discovered the pathway of degradation by default of proteins that are segmentally or fully intrinsically unstructured (IUPs or IDPs). This pathway is executed by the 20S proteasomes both in vitro and in vivo. They found NQO1, an NADH regulated enzyme to play a role of 20S proteasome gatekeeper to block degradation by default. Also they identified a new signaling axis whereby c-Abl, p73 and Yap respond to DNA damage insults to induce apoptosis or DNA repair. This signaling axis is in a crosstalk with the Hippo signaling that determines organs size.

Cytokine signaling is an additional studied theme. The lab of Leo Sachs continues their work on the cytokine mediated control of multiplication, differentiation and apoptosis of hematopoietic stem cells. In a recent study they showed that human cancers overexpress genes that are specific to a variety of normal human tissues. Michel Revel's group investigates regenerative medicine approaches to the treatment of diseases which destroy the myelin sheaths around nerves, such as various neuropathies, Multiple Sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Efficient differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells into oligodendrocyte precursors (OPC) was achieved and used to treat the brain of shiverer mutant mice suffering from dysmyelination. The group develops large scale culturing technology of human ES cells for cell therapy in clinical settings. They have obtained pancreatic islet cells that could be applied for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes. The lab of Menachem Rubinstein studies the role of several transcription factors in growth, differentiation, cell death and immune responses. They identified a heterodimeric complex of the transcription factors C/EBP-ß and IRF-1 as a mediator of interferon-gamma immunomodulatory activities. Currently, the group studies the various functions of the C/EBP family of transcription factors. In particular, the role of C/EBP-ß in tumor cell survival and pre-adipocyte differentiation. The group also studies the role of another family member CHOP-10 in adipocyte cell 40 Molecular Genetics death. Another research topic deals with regulation of IFN-a gene expression, trying to resolve the enigma of multi-gene family whose products have a practically identical function. Also, they continue the attempts to identify receptors of bereaved cytokines (the counterparts of orphan receptors).

A bioinformatics computational approach is being taken by a number of groups. In the lab of Doron Lancet, whole-genome analyses and comparative genomics are used to decipher the evolution of olfactory receptors, the largest gene superfamily in the human genome. Genetic variation is studied as a tool for understanding multigenic diseases such as schizophrenia, as well as personal variations in the sense of smell. This is aided by advanced instrumentation for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by robotized mass spectrometry. The group also develops GeneCards, a worldwide used compendium of human genes, which allows one to better analyses human genome information. In the realm of Systems Biology, prebiotic molecular networks are studied as a means for understanding the emergence of life on earth. Such analyses are relevant both for solving the profound question of how life emerged, as well as to better understand present day life, e.g. synthetic lethality in cancer cells. Rotem Soreks lab utilizes the vast amount of genomic data available for bacteria in order to study functional and evolutionary aspects of microbial biology. Projects in the lab include computational discovery of genes that are toxic to bacteria. They discovered that these uncloneable gaps are caused by genes that are toxic to E. coli. A second field of research involves next generation (Solexa) sequencing of microbial transcriptomes, in order to study RNA-based regulation in prokaryotes. They detect a large number of functional novel non-coding RNAs and cis-antisense transcripts that play key regulatory roles in the organisms they are found at. Next generation technologies are also used for whole-genome sequencing of bacteria. They sequenced 7 strains of Buchnera, a bacterial obligate symbiont of insects, and characterized its mode of genomic evolution across time. The lab of Shmuel Pietrokovski studies the relations between protein sequence, structure and function. He pursues this goal by computational and experimental approaches. Computationally he developed methods to compare conserved protein sequence motifs, and to analyze protein structures. Intein protein-splicing domains and related domains are studied. He is examining the evolution, biochemical activity and cellular function of these ancient domains that are involved in various post-translational modifications in animals and microbes.

Two groups take more system and computational biology approach. In the lab of Naama Barkai they aim at deducing design principles of biological networks. The two main research programs include bioinformatics studies of large-scale data and modeling of relatively isolated subsystems. They analyzed genome-wide transcription data between organisms, focusing on related yeast species. They classified inter-species differences in gene expression pattern. Molecular Genetics 41 They identified a major re-wiring of the yeast transcription network, which is connected to the emergent of anaerobic growth capacity and characterized a connection between TATA-based regulation and evolvability of gene expression. The modeling studies focused on two systems: the spindle assembly checkpoint and gradient detection during yeast mating. In both systems they characterized biological constraints that the respective system need to overcome thus limiting the possible designs of the underlying biological networks. A central challenge for living organisms is to execute intricate cellular programs in the face of environmental variations, genetic changes and the inherent noise of molecular processes. Tzachi Pilpel group aims at understanding such programs by deciphering the structure, function and evolution of regulatory networks that control them. They study these networks at the level of their structure and at the level of their function in higher-level processes and phenomena. At the structure level we decipher networks controlling transcription, translation, mRNA degradation and non-coding RNAs. At the higher functional level we study how entire processes and phenomena such as genetic backup, stress response, and evolutionary divergence of species, are regulated through the various gene expression levels. In our research we combine theory, computations, and experimental work.

In summary, the department combines structural genomic approaches with functional "post-genomic" studies. Moreover, the employed multiple model organisms, namely yeast, fly, mouse and human, removes the species barrier and set the stage of viewing a single biological process from different angels, thus benefiting from the various genetic and molecular tools that each system offers. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/molgen/ 42 Molecular Genetics Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Naama Barkai, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Jeffrey Gerst, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Besen-Brender Professorial Chair of Microbiology and Parasitology Yoram Groner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Dr. Barnet Berris Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Chaim Kahana, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Jules J. Mallon Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Adi Kimchi, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel The Helena Rubinstein Professorial Chair in Cancer Research Doron Lancet, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Professorial Chair of Human Genomics Orly Reiner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Bernstein-Mason Professorial Chair of Neurochemistry Menachem Rubinstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Edna and Mickey Weiss Professorial Chair of Cytokines Research Yosef Shaul, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Oscar and Emma Getz Professorial Chair Ben-Zion Shilo, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Professorial Chair of Molecular Genetics

Professors Emeriti

Michel Revel, Ph.D., University of Strasbourg, France Leo Sachs, Ph.D., University of Cabmridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom The Otto Meyerhof Chair of Molecular Biology Ernest Winocour, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Professors

Ari Elson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Marshall and Renette Ezralow Professorial Chair Shmuel Pietrokovski, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hermann and Lilly Schilling Foundation Professorial Chair Yitzhak Pilpel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Talila Volk, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Professor Sir Ernest B. Chain Professorial Chair Molecular Genetics 43 Senior Research Fellow

Daniela Novick, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Eli Arama, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Corinne S. Koshland Career Development Chair Eran Hornstein, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Career Development Chair Maya Schuldiner, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Rotem Sorek, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Career Development Chair Elazar Zelzer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Martha S. Sagon Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientists

Judith Chebath, Ph.D., University of Marseilles, France Ditsa Levanon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eyal Schejter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Edna Ben-Asher, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tsviya Olender, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Gil Amitai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Orna Dahan, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Nina Reuven, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tamar Sapir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Interns

Nurit Avraham Tayar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Sergey Bujanover, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusaelm, Jerusalem, Israel (left January 2010) 44 Molecular Genetics Yossi Kalifa, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Dalia Rosin-Grunewald, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left November 2010) Gil Stelzer, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

Interns

Galit Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ofir Meir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineer

Joseph Lotem, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Shani Brown Avshalom Elitzur, Iyar the Israeli Institute for Advanced Research Ofer Fainero, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Technion, Haifa, Israel Rita Gelin Licht Gabriel Gerlitz Ruth Gross-Isseroff Jacob (Yaqub) Hanna, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, USA Tsippi Iny Stein Tal Julie Melkman-Zehavi (left November 2010) Shay Rotkopf Leo Sachs Gil Stelzer (left April 2010) Ernest Winocour

Visiting Scientists

Vasudheva Reddy Akepati, Free Univ., Berlin, Germany Ziv Bar-Joseph, Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A. Dana Barnea Ivo Gomperts Boneca, Pasteur Institute, France Neta Erez, UCSF, U.S.A. Shai Fuchs, Schneider Hospital, Israel Eugene Kolker, Seattle Children's Research Institute, U.S.A. Natalio Krasnogor, University of Nottingham School of Computer Science, UK Yuval Ltan Donna Martin, University of Michigan, U.S.A. Malcolm Arthur Mclean, University of Leeds, UK Molecular Genetics 45 Doron Rapaport, University of Tubingen, Germany Gerald Scwank Raphael Zidovetzki, University of California at Riverside, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Efrat Assa-Kunik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nurit Avraham, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Omri Bauer, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dorit Cohen, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Judith Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mally Dori-Bachash, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Avital Eisenberg-Lerner, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Elbaz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Idit Eshkar-Oren, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noga Gadir, Ph.D., The Graduate Center of The City University Of New Tali Garin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rita Gelin Licht, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eliezer Gilsohn, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Gruenbaum-Cohen, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Liora Haim-Vilmovsky, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Arye Harel, Ph.D. Yehudit Hasin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gil Hornung, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Aron Inger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vydehi Kanneganti, Ph.D., School of Biotech, Madurai Kamaraj University Iris Karunker-Hazan, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Sagi Levy, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Idit Livnat, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ofir Meir, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Amir Mitchell, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Inbal Mor, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yaron Mosesson, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ronit Nir, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tal Noy-Porat, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Galia Oberkovitz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Pravinkumar Purushothaman, Ph.D., School of Biotech, Madurai Kamaraj University Shay Rotkopf, Ph.D., Institute of Molecular Pathology (Imp) Vered Salomon, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yehuda Salzberg, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Schraga Schwartz, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yishay Shoval, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Boris Slobodin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Zohar Snapir, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 46 Molecular Genetics Adi Stern, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Itay Tirosh, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Keren Yacobi-Sharon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liat Yakir-Tamang, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Yoffe, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Shaul Yogev, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Daniela Zalcenstein (Nee Ama), Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Yaarit Adamovich Lior Aram Omer Barad Omri Bauer Oren Ben-Ami Dan Ben-Zvi Yaara Ber Assaf Biran Einat Blitz Zohar Bloom Karen Rae Bone Merav Branski Arieli Michal Breker Shirly Brenner Elik Chapnik Yifat Cohen Yosef Dicken Niv Dobzinski Efrat Dvash Avital Eisenberg-Lerner Anna Maria Emde Idit Eshkar-Oren Eynat Finkelshtein Danit Finkelshtein - Beker Anat Florentin Tali Garin Erez Geron Noga Gershoni-Emek Boaz Gildor Hila Gingold Roni Golan-Lavi Anna Gorelik Ben Gradus Liora Haim-Vilmovsky Nofar Harpaz Yehudit Hasin-Brumshtein Michal Haskel Ittah Anna Kaplan Yosef Kaplan Rom Keshet Ifat Keydar Itay Koren Sharon Kredo Guy Landau Asaf Levy Sagi Levy Einat Levy-Apter Noa Liberman Idit Livnat Mati Mann Omer Markovitch Victoria Meltser Karin Mittelman Ofer Moldavski Sivan Navon Ronit Nir Elly Ordan Niv Pencovich Noa Rappaport Liat Ravid Inna Ricardo-Lax Chagai Rot Tal Rousso Liat Rousso Noori Assaf D. Rubinstein Hila Sberro Livnat Michal Segal Ophir Shalem Matan Shanzer Adi Shiloah Molecular Genetics 47 Liron Shiran-Gal Yishay Shoval Yulia Shwartz Boris Slobodin Zohar Snapir Ilya Soifer Tomer Stern Zvi Tamari Hadas Tamir Peter Tsvetkov Kfir Baruch Umansky Noam Vardi Ilya Venger Bernardo Vidne Omri Wurtzel Shaul Yogev Avihu Yona

Administrator

Yuri Magidov 48 Plant Sciences

Plant Sciences

Avi Levy, Head The Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Plant Sciences

The goal of the department of Plant Sciences is to better understand the biology of photosynthetic organisms, namely plants, algae, and several bacterial species. These organisms play a vital role to sustain life on Earth, through several unique features that we are studying. First is photosynthesis, the process that uses carbon dioxide, water and light energy to produce carbohydrates and oxygen. The global effect of photosynthetic organisms is to maintain the atmospheric levels of oxygen and CO2. In addition, photosynthetic organisms distinguish themselves from other organisms in many fascinating aspects. Plants and algae are extraordinary sun-powered chemical factories, producing primary metabolites: sugars, lipids and amino acids that constitute the bulk of their biomass and of our food and that can be used as biofuel. In addition, plants and algae produce hundreds of thousands of secondary metabolites: pigments, vitamins, volatiles, alkaloids and more, that we use as drugs, perfumes, dyes, detergents and many other uses and that they use for defense, signaling, light harvesting. Understanding how these metabolites are produced is a major challenge. Plants cannot move to escape stress and therefore they have developed highly sophisticated mechanisms for short and long-term adaptation to the changing environment. Plants do not have an established germline, and plant cells stick to their daughter through cell walls that prevent their mobility. In this, and other aspects, plant growth and development differ from that of other multicellular organisms in pattern and organ formation, cell-cell communication and reproduction. Plants are also champions in the evolutionary race, with hundreds of thousands of plant species compared to only a few thousands mammals. This makes plants excellent models to study speciation and evolution.

Ten research groups and emeritus professors, are studying the biology of: Higher plants such as the Arabidopsis model species and crop plants (Wheat, tomato, potato, etc..); Lower plants such as the moss Physcomitrella; Algae, such as Chlamydomonas (a model species) or diatoms that constitute most of the phytoplankton; and Cyanobacteria. We are involved in basic experimental research at the molecular, cellular, organism and population levels as well as in theoretical modeling approaches. Our fields of interest include: light harvesting, from biophysical aspects to gene expression regulation (Schertz, Noy, Danon, Edelman); Plant Development (Eshed) and Evolution (Levy, Feldman) using genetics, genomics and epigenetics approaches; Primary and Secondary Metabolism, including chemistry, gene regulation, designing and Plant Sciences 49 modeling of metabolic pathways (Galili, Aharoni, Milo, Vardi); Environmental studies on global aspects of carbon fixation (Milo) and marine biology (Vardi) and on sensing and responding to environmental insults from pathogens, weeds and parasites or from abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, nutrient starvation etc.. (Fluhr, Galili, Gressel, Scherz, Vardi). Finally, we are developing web-based tools for storing and handling complex genomic and biological data (Edelman, Milo).

The applications derived from our work are in the fields of Agriculture and Medicine, Biotechnology, Plant improvement, Alternative energies, human health, nutrition and environmental management. Our scientists have filed several patents in these fields and several biotech companies have emerged from our basic research. In addition, we have contributed to public efforts and our work had impact on securing more food, and food of better quality for the benefit of developed and developing countries. Finally, we are involved in education, at the national and international levels, from school children, to teachers, farmers, students and scientists in plant sciences. The highlights from our research are summarized below for each of our scientists.

Asaph Aharoni's group investigates how plants control their metabolism in the course of development and under stress conditions. The group researchs and achievements are: (i) Identification of regulatory networks coordinating activity of metabolic pathways during tomato fruit development and ripening. New mutants and genes in these pathways were identified. (ii) Deciphering the regulatory mechanisms that maintain the homeostasis between secondary metabolites and the biosynthesis of their precursors in primary/central metabolism (e.g. lipids, amino acids). (iii) Studies on the formation of the plant surface, i.e. the cuticular layer that mediates the plant interaction with the environment. The Aharoni group has made discoveries on the biosynthesis, transport and polymerization of cuticular components and the transcriptional networks that control cuticle-associated metabolic pathways. (iv) Studies on regulation through riboswitches, RNA elements that mediate gene control upon binding a small molecule. This is a newly identified mechanism for feedback regulation and gene control in metabolism. The group has discovered and characterized the activity of a Thiamine (Vitamin B1) riboswitch from plants through alternative splicing in the 3' untranslated region of genes. (v) Developing and applying new Metabolomics tools that allow extensive metabolic profiling of complex plant extracts and the integration of metabolic data with information derived from other levels of regulation such as the transcriptome. Finally, the knowledge acquired is translated into genetic tools for the production of plants with desired metabolic quality traits.

Avihai Danon studies the regulation of gene expression by redox signals. In particular, he is investigating post-transcriptional regulation in the adaptation of plants to changing environments. Redox reactions of two proteins involve 50 Plant Sciences the transfer of electron(s) from one protein (the donor) to the other (the acceptor). While there is accumulating evidence that changes in the redox state of particular proteins are used by plants as signals, very little is known about the nature of the signaling redox reactions. In plants, multiple redox signaling programs, such as in protection mechanisms against the accumulation of free radicals, in regulation of protein synthesis, or in controlling enzymes of carbon fixation, seem to take place in parallel. This raises questions about the identity of the signaling proteins and the principals of their redox reactions. Danon has found that regulatory proteins of the thioredoxin family exchange electrons along specific pathways in the soluble compartments of the cell. His studies suggest that the flow of electronic information in biology can take place also in solution by means of non-insulated routes.

Marvin Edelman and Vladimir Sobolev are using DNA sequence data to predict 3D metal binding sites in proteins. A new algorithm, SeqCHED, has been developed and added to their SPACE suite of tools for Structure Prediction & Analysis based on Complementarity & Environment (http://ligin.weizmann.ac.il/space/servers). Current work involves the association of metal binding sites with disease-related single nucleotide polymorphisms in humans, and a comprehensive identification of the metalloproteome of the model plant, Arabidopsis. Edelman is also collaborating with Autar K. Mattoo (ARS-USDA, Beltsville, USA) to study the relationship between Photosystem II reaction center proteins and phosphorylation. Currently, using nitric oxide donor-mediated inhibition of phosphorylation, they find that light-mediated degradation of the photosystem II D1 protein and phosphorylation are not tightly coupled. Edelman and Ron Vunsh are using polyploidization of Spirodela (duckweed) to produce stable clonal lines of modified plants in a non-genetically engineered manner. Currently, in collaboration with Asaph Aharonis group, they have identified a stable, fast growing, non-genetically engineered, vegetative line producing a significantly increased level of the anti-oxidant, caffeic acid. Edelman, in collaboration with Joel Sussman, has spearheaded a campaign to establish a UNESCO international training center in BIOmics (bioinformatics, proteomics & functional genomics) at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Currently, the program has received official endorsement by UNESCO and the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology and is poised to take off. The first BIOmics international workshop was held in the summer of 2009 (http://www.weizmann.ac.il/ISPC/workshop/2009/biomics).

Yuval Eshed: To understand how variation between plants occurs through evolutionary processes, Yuval Esheds group studies the genetic and developmental mechanisms that shape plant organs of several unrelated species. These include the annual plant Arabidopsis and the perennial bush, tomato. In both plants, leaves are initiated by common mechanisms, however, Arabidopsis leaves turn small and simple whereas tomato leaves become large Plant Sciences 51 and compound. Indeed, in both species leaf initiation entails interaction between the two sides of the leaf primordia, the upper and the lower, which in turn, activate a growth program that generates the flat leaf lamina. However in the small leaves, this program is short lived whereas in large leaves in lasts longer. What are the mechanisms that time the leaf growth period? What are the instructions that halt growth when time arrives? While numerous mechanisms can impact the growth process via regulation of basic process such as cell division or cell expansion, the mechanism that guide timing of growth are elusive. Based on genetic and expression profiling studies, interactions between several groups of transcription regulators and micro RNAs that counteract their activities were identified. Minor modifications in the relations between these factors account for significant portion of the differences between the small Arabidopsis and large tomato leaves, allowing first entry to mechanisms that "measure" the size of organs. Through the study of plant development, several new tools were developed that can be used in a wide array of applications. Methods to down or up regulate multiple genes in specific time and place via tailored micro RNAs should allow precise manipulations of endogenous or introduced traits with minimal side effects.

Robert Fluhrs laboratory investigates the response of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cultivated plants are prone to disease and environmental insults but also have inbuilt mechanisms to sense the type of damage and mount a defense. These are part of a complex system called innate immunity. It is innate in the sense that the plant is genetically pre-programmed to respond in a particular manner. Clearly the response should be particular to each insult. For example, biotrophic pathogens that exist on living cells are met with a response that hastens the death of those cells. In contrast, chewing insects are met with a battery of rapidly synthesized, anti-herbivory proteins and chemicals that are produced by living tissue. As the environment is complex and herbivory and microbial pathogens are likely to be simultaneous events it is also essential to understanding the molecular architecture of their signal transduction and the interaction between these events. Robert Fluhr's group used molecular genetic techniques to uncover the genes that are central for resistance to plant vascular diseases. Many other plant resistance genes and even innate human resistance genes can be shown to have common molecular features. Importantly, a conserved TIR domain appearing in different molecular context appears to play a dual role in signaling pathogen and herbivory defense and contributing to the balance between them. In another project, the rapid adaptive responses of plants to the biotic and abiotic environment necessitates whole plant signaling and was shown by us to include rapid activation of reactive oxygen species produced by NADPH oxidases and the participation of a special class of aldehyde oxidases (in collaboration with Moshe Sagi; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev). Stress-related responses are multi-tiered and in another project the effect of stress on alternative splicing is examined. A LAMMER-type kinase conserved 52 Plant Sciences in humans and plants originally isolated in the lab as a kinase whose activity is modulated by the stress hormone ethylene was shown to localize to the nucleus and regulate the alternative splicing of a particular subset of transcripts. Based on that result, important parallels but major differences between plant and human alternative splicing were discovered. Our challenge is to understand the biological importance of stress motivated alternative splicing.

Gad Galili: Breeders of higher yielding crops have traditionally relied on assembling the best of what is available in nature into crop plants. But with the help of fundamental understanding of plant metabolism, particularly amino acid synthesis, Gad Galili's group has shown that biosynthetic and catabolic pathways can be manipulated for enhanced production of essential amino acids as well as various health associated compounds that are produced by plants. The production can be directed to special cells in the seeds. Research is directed into genomics-based elucidation of complex regulatory networks linking between amino acids metabolism and other metabolic networks and regulatory processes that control seed development and germination. In addition, a new research has been initiated to elucidate how metabolism in plant seeds interacts with and regulated by metabolic networks in vegetative tissues.

Plants are essential elements for human health, serving both as food sources as well as bioreactors for modern therapeutic drugs. Improving the quality of plants for human health requires the modulation of metabolic networks in plant cells, and research activity in Gad Galili's group is targeted at these issues.

Plant growth requires continuous remodeling of its metabolic networks in response to various stresses imposed by the changing environment. This remodeling is regulated by a number of different intra-cellular processes, one of which, called autophagy, has been implicated to protect plants against nutrient stresses. Yet, Gad Galili's group has recently shown that the autophagy process operates not only under nutrient stress, but also under normal plant growth, implying a broader function of this pathway. In an attempt to elucidate new functions of autophagy in plants, Gad Galili's group has also identified novel plant proteins that interact with the core proteins of autophagy. The functions of these proteins in plant growth and response to environmental stresses as well as the significance of their interaction with the autophagy machinery are being elucidated.

Avraham Levys laboratory is interested in understanding how species are formed and evolve. Levys research focuses on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the plasticity and biodiversity seen in the plant kingdom. Mechanisms, such as hybridization and polyploidization are studied for their Plant Sciences 53 contribution to rapid and successful speciation. In addition we study mechanistic aspects of genome maintenance that preserve the genomes integrity as well as its ability to evolve through a fine regulation of homologous recombination, DNA repair, and transposons. Homologous recombination contributes to genomic diversity through the exchange of chromosomal homologous segments. It is also the mechanism that enables precise genetic modifications via gene targeting. Levys group studies the process of homology search, with some emphasis on the role and function of the homologs of RAD51, RAD52 and of the chromatin remodeling RAD54 genes. We test how chromatin structure and cytosine methylation can affect meiotic recombination and gene targeting. Wheat species have evolved through hybridization between related species followed by whole genome doubling (polyploidy). Levys group, in collaboration with Prof. Moshe Feldman, studies how these speciation events have affected genome structure and function. They showed, that a new, non-additive variation, not previously present in the diploid progenitors, is induced immediately upon hybridization and polyploidization rather than on an evolutionary scale. The basis for that is both genetic and epigenetic, involving sequence elimination, activation of transposons, alterations in gene expression, cytosine methylation and fluctuations in the profile of small RNAs. These events promote the generation of new traits necessary for rapid speciation, but on the other hand, they may have deleterious effects, establishing a barrier between species (e.g. mutator effects or genetic incompatibilitie). Levys lab also studies, in collaboration with Prof. Naama Barkai, hybridization and polyploidization in budding yeast, as a model for similar mechanisms in plants, as it provides a much simpler system to investigate the origin of new traits that contribute to fitness and speciation, and the genetic basis for the heterosis (Hybrid vigor) frequently observed in hybrids.

Ron Milos group brings the tools of systems biology to bear on the grand challenges of sustainability. It studies the efficiency of photosynthesis: the engine that drives our biosphere, the source of our food, and the dominant

process determining atmospheric CO2. One aim of the research is to find the bottlenecks and limiting factors in the process of converting photons of sunlight into molecules of stored sugars that are used for food and fuel. Milos group wants to understand the constraints that shape photosynthesis properties and the limitations on the maximal productivity of plants and other photosynthetic organisms. Specifically, Milos research explores the possibilities, limits and optimality of carbon metabolism, trying to understand the fundamentals of its design principles with the goal of improving our ability to produce food and fuel more efficiently; and to conserve water and nitrogen usage. A major approach is to computationally design and experimentally implement novel synthetic carbon fixation cycles. In addition, Milos group develops BioNumbers, a cooperative, community resource of useful biological numbers for both researchers and the public. This resource can help biologist 54 Plant Sciences in quantitative assessment of biological phenomena. Another interest of the laboratory is to develop optimality models that help us test our ideas about the tradeoffs and dominant forces of evolution. Here is an ontology of examples: Optimality in biology collection

Dror Noys laboratory studies the fundamental processes involved in photosynthetic solar energy conversion. These provide plants and other evolutionary older photosynthetic organisms the energy for all their metabolic needs. As such they are a source of inspiration for designing artificial devices for solar energy conversion and storage. Dror Noys group focuses on the flow of energy and electrons to and from the catalytic sites of photosynthetic enzyme complexes. In contrast to the highly elaborate and very specific arrangement of cofactors and protein residues at catalytic centers, the relays of energy and electrons favor universal pigments, and redox cofactors, most of which are embedded and immobilized within simple and resilient redox proteins, and the rest are diffusible. By applying state of the art computational and empirical tools of protein de novo design, the Noy lab constructs novel protein-cofactor complexes that serve as minimal functional analogs of the natural energy- and electron-transfer proteins. In the next stage, an interface is designed to couple the artificial proteins with their natural redox and/or catalytic partners. New designs are tested by a variety of analytical and spectroscopic methods, and the results are used for optimizing the previous designs in an iterative process. This learning by design approach provides substantial insights into folding and assembly of protein-cofactor complexes, and the critical parameters affecting their function as energy- and electron-transfer relays. Most importantly, it can teach us important lessons on how Nature achieves functional diversity by combining only a few basic modules into a variety of elaborate networks of long-distance inter- and intra-protein energy- and electron-transfer reactions. In the future, these lessons may be used for designing and constructing custom-built networks of enzyme complexes to carry out chemical transformations of our choice either in a non-biological context, or in a biological setting.

Avigdor Scherzs group studies the role of proteins in regulating this mechanism. Using spectroscopy and theoretical calculations of metal substituted bacteriochlorophylls he follows and investigates charge flow between atoms, groups and whole molecules. These studies provide insight to mechanisms that underlay chemical reactivity in biological and non-biological systems. Other metal susbtituted Bchl that have been recently synthesized by Scherz are used for vascular targeting photodynamic therapy of tumors and other diseases. The first of theses novel compound is now in phase II clinical trials against prostate cancer. Studies of quantitative structure activity relations

Assaf Vardi's laboratory investigates Marine photosynthetic microorganisms (phytoplankton). These organisms are the basis of marine foodwebs and are Plant Sciences 55 responsible for nearly 50% of the global annual carbon-based primary production. Despite their importance, the molecular basis for their ecological success has been largely unexplored. During bloom succession phytoplankton populations are thought to utilize chemical signals (infochemicals) to enhance their defense capacities against viruses and grazers, and to outcompete other phytoplankton for available resources. Recent advances in algal genomics and genetic and cell biology tools provide an unprecedented opportunity to elucidate the cellular mechanisms that are employed by phytoplankton during acclimation to stress in the marine environment. In light of their unique evolutionary history, studying members of the three dominant bloom-forming algal taxa in contemporary oceans (diatoms, coccolithophores and dinoflagellates), will provide exciting insights into their unique biology and ecological success. We specifically explore the signal transduction pathways related to the origin of programmed cell death (PCD), cell-cell communication, host-virus interactions and chemical-based defense. As well as examining how these signaling pathways regulate cell fate and developmental changes as resting stage and biofilm formation. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Plant_Sciences/ 56 Plant Sciences Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Robert Fluhr, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professorial Chair of Agricultural Molecular Biology Gad Galili, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Bronfman Professorial Chair of Plant Science Avraham Levy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Plant Sciences Avigdor Scherz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Robert and Yadelle Sklare Professorial Chair in Biochemistry

Professors Emeriti

Dan Atsmon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Marvin Edelman, Ph.D., Brandeis University, Waltham, United States Moshe Feldman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Esra Galun, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Jonathan Gressel, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States

Associate Professors

Avihai Danon, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Tucson, United States The Henry and Bertha Benson Professorial Chair Yuval Eshed, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Jacques Mimran Professorial Chair

Senior Scientists

Asaph Aharoni, Ph.D., Wagenigen University, Wagenigen, Netherlands Incumbent of the Adolfo and Evelyn Blum Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Ron Milo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Anna and Maurice Boukstein Career Development Chair Dror Noy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Assaf Vardi, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusaelm, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Edith and Nathan Goldenberg Career Development Chair Plant Sciences 57 Senior Staff Scientists

Vlad Brumfeld, Ph.D., University of Bucharest, Romania Vladimir Sobolev, Ph.D., Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences, Siberia, Russian Federation

Associate Staff Scientists

Cathy Bessudo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Olga Davydov, Ph.D., Rsearch Institute for Essential Oil Plants, Crimea, Ukraine

Assistant Staff Scientists

Avital Adato, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (left December 2010) Ilana Rogachev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Hadas Zehavi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Intern

Ilit Cohen Ofri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineers

Zohar Hagbi, B.A., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yair Ream, B.A., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Consultants

Alexander Brandis, Steba Labs, Kiryat Ha'mada, Rehovot, Israel Leonid Brodsky, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel Leon Esterman Esra Galun Eran Goldberg, Panaxia Ltd., Bet-Dagan, Israel Asael Herman Ilan Samish

Visiting Scientists

Saul Buderman, Hebrew University , Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel Pierre Goloubinoff, University of Lausanne, Switzerland Theodore Muth, City University of New-York, U.S.A. 58 Plant Sciences Postdoctoral Fellows

Noam Alkan, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Ruthie Angelovici, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yuval Ben Abu, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Samuel Bocobza, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Revital Bronstein, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Youlia Denisov, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Jorge Gerardo Dinamarca Cerda, Universidad De La Frontera Idan Efroni, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liron Even-Faitelson, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Eiri Aulikki Heyno, Cea Saclay, Ibitec-S Sb2sm Arie Honig, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Maxim Itkin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michal Kenan-Eichler, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Frieda Kopnov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nardy Lampl, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michal Lieberman-Lazarovich, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Arieh Moussaieff, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Moran Oliva, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Shilo Rosenwasser, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Jianxin Shi, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Jebasingh Tennyson, Ph.D., Madurai Kamaraj University Libbat Tirosh, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gal Wittenberg, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Boris Zorin, Humboldt Univerity of Berlin

Research Students

Ran Afik Tamar Avin Wittenberg Arren Bar-Even Dario A. Breitel Louise Chappell Inbal Dangoor Idan Efroni Ilan Feine Ruth Goldschmidt Liat Goldshaid Maxim Itkin Michal Kenan-Eichler Ruth Khait Menny Kirma Nardy Lampl-Saady Noam Leviatan Ronen Levy Michal Lieberman-Lazarovich Sergey Malitsky Dikla Malter Arie Marcovich Iris Margalit Shira Mintz Avishai Mor Elad Noor Sharon Reikhav Dadi Segal Anat Shperberg Vered Tzin Gal Wittenberg Tamar Yifhar Plant Sciences 59 Administrator

Maanit Zibziner 60 Biological Services

Biological Services

Robert Fluhr, Head The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professorial Chair of Agricultural Molecular Biology

The Department of Biological Services provides specialized facilities and services to more than 700 scientists and students in the areas of bioinformatics, molecular biology, protein analysis, cell biology, bacteriology, genomics and immunology. The specific services include DNA sequencing, Protein sequencing, Mass spectroscopy analysis (including peptide synthesis quality control, protein molecular mass determination, protein identification and identification of post translational modifications), Oligonucleotide synthesis, Peptide synthesis, Bioinformatics consultation (given as 1:1 consultation or in the format of lectures and workshops), Cell sorting (analytical and preparative), Antibody preparation (polyclonal and monoclonal), Bacterial fermentation, irradiation of cells, animals and other biological materials, Gene expression profiling by DNA array analysis and maintenance of electronic equipment and computers.

In addition, staff members of various units of the Biological Services provide courses through the Feinberg Graduate School. Example of such courses are programming, basic bioinformatics analysis, DNA array handling and results analysis and cell sorting. The Bioinformatics unit hosts the Israeli National Node (INN), which maintains a comprehensive collection of DNA and protein databases and programs. Together with the Genome Center the Bioinformatics unit works on the development of tools used for databases searching.

Most of our services are available to scientists from other academic institutions and to the industry.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/biological_services/ Biological Services 61 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professor

Robert Fluhr1, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professor of Agricultural Molecular Biology

Senior Staff Scientists

Ora Goldberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel(retired August 2010) Jaime Prilusky, Ph.D., National University of Cordoba Aharon Rabinkov, Ph.D., Leningrad Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Federation

Associate Staff Scientists

Shifra Ben-Dor, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Edna Furman-Haran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Shirley Horn-Saban, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ghil Jona, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Orith Leitner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dena Leshkowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alla Shainskaya, Ph.D., Palladine Institute of Biochemistry, Ukraine Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine Ayala Sharp, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Irina Shin, Ph.D., Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Elena Ainbinder, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ester Feldmesser, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Rotem Sertchook, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left July 2010) Bassem Ziadeh, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States

Senior Intern

Gilgi Friedlander, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineer

Marilyn Safran, M.Sc., Boston University, Boston, United States 62 Biological Services Visiting Scientist

Yishai Levine

Postdoctoral Fellow

David Pilzer, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

Administrator

Ariela Mendel

1Department of Plant Sciences Structural Proteomics Unit 63

Structural Proteomics Unit

Zvi Livneh, Head The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research

The Structural Proteomics Unit was formally established in 2010 within the Biochemistry Faculty. It hosts The Israel Structural Proteomics Center (ISPC) (http://www.weizmann.ac.il/ISPC), that was founded in 2002 as a special unit within the Faculty of Chemistry and with the support of the Ministry of Science as a Core Center for Knowledge and Service that would be concerned with protein production and structure determination. Its principal mission is to work closely with the scientific community, so as to provide a service for producing proteins and/or solving their structures. Targets are selected by the individual investigators. To this end, the ISPC has developed high throughput methodologies for cloning, expression, purification, crystallization, structure determination and structure analysis. As a result, the ISPC has had a significant impact on a large number of projects carried out by scientists at the Weizmann, as well as elsewhere. The center accepts purified proteins for crystallization, as well as providing highly purified proteins over-expressed in E. coli, P. pastoris, insect cells and human cells for crystallization and subsequent structure determination, as well as for biochemical and biophysical studies. During the past eight years, the ISPC has worked on over 300 different protein targets provided by more than 70 scientists, and solved the 3D structures of over 70 individual proteins and complexes. In order to be capable of handling effectively so many different projects in parallel, the ISPC has established a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), implemented state-of-the-art robotics into the workflow, and hired a staff of highly qualified personnel. The ISPC is continuously engaged in the development of new methodologies, as well as in the implementation of state-of-the-art technologies at all stages of the pipeline. The ISPC has developed extensive international collaborations, being a senior node of the EC Vth Framework Integrated Project, SPINE (Structural Proteomics in Europe (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/euprojects/index.html#spi) followed, more recently, by the VIth Framework SPINE2-Complexes Project (http://www.spine2.eu), which focused on solving 3D structures of protein complexes. It is becoming clearer that the future direction of high-throughput structural proteomics is towards solution of higher-order structures and to tight synergy with the biologists, a path that was taken by the ISPC from the very outset and the goal the European Infrastructure Project Instruct (http://www.instruct-fp7.eu), in which the ISPC serves as a core center. 64 Structural Proteomics Unit Staff

Professor

Zvi Livneh1, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research

Associate Staff Scientists

Orly Dym, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yoav Peleg, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Administrator

Maanit Zibziner

1Department of Biological Chemistry The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine 65

The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine

Zvi Livneh, Director The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research

The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine (BIMM), fully operational since 2003, is aimed at the support of basic research that impinges upon Molecular Medicine at the Weizmann Institute. While the road may be long and difficult, our belief is that a deep understanding of the basic molecular processes underlying disease is invaluable for the final successful outcome. The Weizmann Institute of Science, being primarily a basic research institute, provides an ideal setting for initiating and advancing such studies.

The activities of the BIMM cover several directions. First, grants are provided to research groups at the Weizmann Institute. We aim to support promising research projects, which impinge on Molecular Medicine, at the early stages of their conception and development. This initial boost should allow them to progress to a stage where they can be presented to competitive external funding agencies, either as basic research or disease-oriented projects. Second, in order to enhance interactions between Weizmann researchers and the clinic, the BIMM supports research grants that represent collaborations between the Weizmann Institute and MDs who carry out research at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. These projects are expected to lead to better diagnostics and treatment, and further inspire clinically relevant research at the Weizmann Institute. The ability to purchase top of the line equipment is essential to carry out high caliber research. Such equipment involves sophisticated microscopy, cell sorters, protein analysis by mass spectrometry, and high throughput DNA sequencing. The BIMM participates in purchase and upgrading of equipment that is essential for research impinging on Molecular Medicine. Finally, the BIMM supports scientific meetings and visits of leading scientists in Israel.

While all the BIMM grants are aimed at supporting biomedical research, they do cover a wide range of disciplines, representing the multidisciplinary and collaborative environment of the Weizmann Institute. The different approaches include manipulation of model organisms such as mice, flies and yeast, cell culture studies, and the elaborate biochemical manipulations of proteins.

In conclusion, the contribution of the Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine to the activities of the Life Science Faculties at the Weizmann Institute is enormous. To promote the continued impact, we will 66 The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine strive to maintain the balance between focused support of outstanding groups on the one hand, and broad support of equipment and facilities that will influence not only the work of these groups in particular, but also the capability of the Life Sciences in general. We also strive to maintain the balance between the support of established groups who are leaders in their fields, and the projects of outstanding young scientists who are at the initial stages of their independent career. The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases 67

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases

Anthony H. Futerman, Director The Joseph Meyerhoff Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases (BCND) was established in late 2003. Its mission is to promote research and understanding of the molecular basis of neurological diseases. Under this umbrella are several devastating and yet unsolved brain diseases, including developmental disorders of the brain, e.g. fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome as well as neurodegenerative diseases of the aging brain, including Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease. In between are affective disorders, likely to originate as a developmental defect of the brain, but that last through the entire human life. The common denominator of these diseases is that they are unique to the human brain, and thus are hard to tackle in model systems and many if not most seem to involve an intricate array of risk factors and defected genes.

The mission of the Center will be achieved through several avenues including research grants, support for conferences, and invitations of prominent scientists from abroad.

As part of this mission, the BCND organizes an annual symposium on emerging issues in Neurological Diseases. The First Benoziyo symposium on the Molecular Basis of Neurological Diseases took place on the 17th and 18th of October, 2004 at the Botnar Auditorium with 6 overseas participants and 18 Israelis. The 2nd Benoziyo symposium was held on the 25th of September, 2005, with two prominent scientists from abroad and 15 local scientists. The 3rd Benoziyo symposium took place on the 9th of September, 2007, and included scientists from Israel and abroad. The 4th Benoziyo symposium took place on the 21st of September, 2008. These symposia contribute to the development of collaborative studies among scientists at the Weizmann and other research/medical institutions in Israel and abroad. 68 The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research

The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research

Eitan Bibi, Director The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel and Freda and Edward M. Siegel Professorial Chair

The Josef Cohn Center for Biomembrane Research was officially inaugurated in 1988 to commemorate Dr. Cohn's major contributions to the scientific links between Germany and Israel. Through its activities, special attention has been given by the Center to promoting contacts with German scientists.

Scientific Aim

The aim of the Center is to initiate and promote interdisciplinary scientific research of biomembranes, with emphasis on processes involved in transfer of information across membranes of living cells.

This aim is achieved by provision of funds for original and innovative research activities and for purchase of specific equipment, by fellowships to young investigators (primarily from Germany and East Europe), and by supporting workshops on hot topics in this field in order to disseminate among young scientists current problems in that field and attract their research attention.

Research funds are granted competitively, on the basis of scientific merits, judged by an internal scientific committee of the Center. Initially the Center supported the research activities of up to 10 investigators per year, each receiving a very modest seed grant. In recent years the policy has been changed. Now, only 2-3 projects are supported, but larger grants are provided. This type of support is primarily for research projects that have the potential to significantly advance the field, but are at a too early stage for obtaining support from regular funding agencies. Funding is provided on a matching basis, i.e., partial coverage of expenditure for fellowships, purchase of equipment, and scientific meetings. Young scientists have priority in obtaining research support and in integration into the Center.

The Center was initially directed by Prof. Israel Pecht (1988-1994), followed by Prof. Michael Eisenbach (1994-1999), Prof. Haim Garty (1999-2000), and Prof. Zvi Livneh (2001-2007) Since 1.1.2008 the director is Prof. Eitan Bibi from the Department of Biological Chemistry.

The administration of the Center The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research 69 The director operates the Center with the help of an advisory scientific committee. Two members of this committee are from the Department of Biological Chemistry, and the third is from another department. Awards are made annually during January. The administrator of the department functions as the administrator of the Center, and secretarial help is provided by the Department. 70 The Crown Human Genome Center

The Crown Human Genome Center

Doron Lancet, Director The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Professorial Chair of Human Genomics

The center was inaugurated in 1998 in order to advance genome research at the Weizmann Institute. The center addresses the challenges posed by the enormous worldwide progress in DNA sequencing of numerous genomes.

In 2008 the Crown Center initiated and introduced the novel Illumina (Solexa) high-throughput DNA sequencing technology to the Department of Biological Services, thus, once again, providing Weizmann scientists with the most advanced genome facilities world wide. This revolutionary technology enables various applications, including bacterial whole genome sequencing, whole genome scale gene expression, Transcriptome and miRNA sequencing, as well as identification of regulatory elements based on Chromatin Immuno-Precipitation analyses, in a most efficient and cost effective manner. In the coming year The Crown Center will also continue to support WIS users of this novel technology

In previous years, the Crown Center helped introduce the following infrastructure activities that are continuously available for WIS scientists: 1) Large scale DNA sequencing of genomic segments. 2) DNA microarray technologies, including an Affymetrix instrument with photolithography-generated oligonucleotide arrays, which analyses mRNAs expression patterns or genomic mutations in thousands of genes from different species. In this scope, the GeneNote project, supported by the Abraham and Judith Goldwasser fund elucidated basic patterns of gene expression in human tissues over the entire genomic gamut of ~40,000 genes. 3) Computational genomics, including know-how on the utilization of the complete, diversely annotated human genome sequence, as well as other completed genomes, in terms of genomic maps and gene repositories. This includes access to external databases and internal data structures such as GeneCards and its affiliated databases (http://www.genecards.org/). Most recently, the GeneALaCart and GeneDecks facilities are being developed to enlarge the scope of GeneCards and exploit its wealth of annotations by providing batch queries and sophisticated analysis tools on sets of genes (e.g. those that result from the output of high throughput experiments). The Crown Human Genome Center 71 In the past, gene discovery projects, performed in collaboration with medical establishments throughout Israel, have led to the discovery of 7 novel genes that underlie human inherited diseases typical to Israeli ethnic groups, and are now available for genetic consultation.

The Sequenom MassArray system for discovering and scoring human genetic variations (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms - SNPs) is very successful. This technology is a central topic of genomic research, aimed at understanding variations among individuals within a species. Nearly thirty collaborative projects aimed at understanding how small genetic variations culminate in causing diseases, from cancer to schizophrenia, were carried out, six of which are ongoing. Pharmacogentic studies, as well as agricultural studies mapping quantitative traits loci were successfully carried out. All of these studies were concluded, and reported on in a variety of scientific publications.

With the discovery of CNVs (Copy Number Variation) a year ago, a whole new vista of genetic variation, with dramatic implications for disease studies, has been revealed. In line with this discovery, the Crown Center initiated a study to identify CNVs in association with specific anosmia.

The Center also harbors a program in evolutionary genomics, including the evolution of the sense of smell, whereby novel information on extreme genetic diversity has been uncovered, relevant to the fragrance and flavor industry. An important example of the olfaction evolution is the recent analysis of the platypus genome, performed at the center, that discovered an olfactory receptor (OR) repertoire of 700 genes. This repertoire is roughly half as large as that in a typical mammal, suggesting that monotremes serve as a departure point for the OR repertoire expansion in mammals, potentially via a duplication of the entire OR sub-genome around the monotreme-marsupial separation. Also, a program in prebiotic evolution is ongoing, aiming at solving one of the most important open questions of science: how life evolved on planet earth. Such computer-based early evolution studies focus on developing a model (The Graded Autocatalysis Replication Domain, GARD) which is an analogy to biochemical networks, with many of the realistic kinetic and thermodynamic properties of present-day cellular networks.

More recently, the Synlet (Synthetic Lethality) project has been initiated. The purpose of this project is to develop methodologies which will predict synthetic lethality within the GARD network. We will then apply these methodologies on the yeast and human protein interaction networks. This is one of many efforts within the new realm of Systems Biology, and the Genome Center is thus in close interaction with the newly inaugurated Center for Systems Biology at Weizmann, directed by Prof. Eytan Domany. 72 The Crown Human Genome Center The Crown Human Genome Center receives current support from the Crown Family and the Israel Science Foundation Grant - Sub-Contract of Hadassah Medical Center. Past support was received from the Israel ministry of Science and Technology (National Knowledge Center for Genomics), a Magneton project of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Abraham and Judy Goldwasser Fund, Israel Science Foundation Grant - Sub-Contract of Hadassah Medical Center and Philip Morris External Research Program, and lately, an Israel Science Foundation equipment grant.

http://bioinformatics.weizmann.ac.il/genome_center/ The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition 73

The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition

Avi Levy, Head The Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Plant Sciences

Increasing plant productivity and nutritional quality are a major human interest. The Dobrin Center provides a coordinating and supportive framework for various activities aimed at increasing our understanding of the genetics, biochemistry, and physiological processes that may lead to improvements in crop plants.

During the past year, the Center supported novel approaches for the production of nutritionally improved plants, and reducing crop plants losses caused by biotic and environmental stresses. In addition, the Center has continued to provide support for the exchange of scientists and for the participation of young scientists in international conferences that deal with plant productivity and nutrition. 74 The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics

The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics

Yosef Shaul, Director The Oscar and Emma Getz Professorial Chair

Forchheimer Center supports directly and indirectly research conducted in the field of molecular genetics from different aspects such as developmental biology, system and computational biology, molecular cell biology and molecular virology. In addition, the Center supports activities to provide state of the art facilities and tools at both institutional and individual groups levels.

The Center supported maintaining and enlarging biological services in the campus and in the Department of Molecular Genetics, among them the laboratory for the production of transgenic and gene "knock-out" mice. The Centers support has also led to the establishment of advanced facilities for DNA analysis and protein identification by mass spectrometry. This equipment enables the Institutes molecular geneticists to perform genetic studies in vertebrate model organisms and to conduct functional studies on isolated genes and proteins.

During the past few years Molecular Genetics department has recruited a number of excellent young scientists. Thanks to the support by the Center the recruitment became smooth and pleasant and certain items and facilities were purchased for their immediate and long-term needs.

The Center also provided partial supports to students for attending scientific workshops and meetings, to share their results with the international scientific communities. Forchheimer Center has established in the campus a repository of plasmids and vectors of wide interest. The Center continues to keep this collection updated to assist our scientists to use the state of the art tools. An updated list of available plasmids is posted on the Web, so that our researchers, upon request, have easy access to the repository. The Kekst Family Institute for Medical Genetics 75

The Kekst Family Institute for Medical Genetics

Yoram Groner, Director The Dr. Barnet Berris Professorial Chair of Cancer Research

The Kekst Family Institute for Medical Genetics was established by Gershon and Carol Kekst. The Institute's main objective is to promote the investigation of medical aspects of genetics, with the aim of understanding the molecular mechanisms of life processes, and its subsequent application to medicine.

The Institute provides financial assistance to investigators embarking on new projects in the field of molecular medicine, as well as to cross-disciplinary research collaborations between groups from different departments. It also supports the organization of international and local conferences and workshops aimed at disseminating and promoting communication between researchers in fields related to medical genetics. Particular emphasis is given to funds allocated for purchase of new equipment with the aim of upgrading the technical infrastructure of medical genetics at the Institute.

The activities of the Institute are coordinated by a steering committee, comprised of Yoram Groner (Department of Molecular Genetics), Benjamin Geiger (Department of Molecular Cell Biology) and Ben-Zion Shilo (Department of Molecular Genetics). 76 The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology

The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology

Avi Levy, Head The Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Plant Sciences

The Charles and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology supports basic research addressing important global challenges, such has hunger, malnutrition and sickness. It supports studies that aim at improving the understanding of biological processes in plants and the application of these studies for improving crops. Plants accumulate a large number of special metabolites, which help them tolerating various stresses, such as high light intensity and pathogen attacks. These metabolites are also important parts of the nutritional quality of plants because of their antioxidant activities and other health properties. This year, The Charles and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology supports research activities associated with understanding of the regulation of plant development, productivity and metabolism as well as support services such as cell culture and plant growth infrastructure. The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research 77

The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research

Yoram Groner, Director The Dr. Barnet Berris Professorial Chair of Cancer Research

The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research, established in November 1998 with a generous founding endowment made by the Manfred D. Moross Foundation, will be dedicated to the promotion of excellent cancer research at the Weizmann Institute.

The M.D. Moross Institute aims to promote, facilitate and enhance cancer related research at the Weizmann Institute. To this end the M.D. Moross Institute will work as an umbrella institute encompassing other Weizmann Institute centers and some major funds that are involved in cancer research, in order to achieve a campus-wide synergy in cancer research.

Cancer related research constitutes more than half of all Weizmann Institute activities in the Life Sciences, involving close to 50 groups (approximately 350 people). This breadth is a result of the Institute's inherently interdisciplinary nature, and is a feature that is likely to become even more prominent in the years to come, as disciplines overlap each other's domains and coalesce to create new areas of expertise. Seminal contributions of Weizmann Institute scientists often cannot be realized due to a hiatus in critical funding during the post-discovery period. The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research will provide this timely and significant support.

The main areas of support include:

♦ Special support for the acquisition of new trans-disciplinary technologies aimed at encouraging research collaboration between different groups.

♦ Funding collaborative research projects between various cancer researchers at the Weizmann Institute, and between these scientists and clinicians at the Tel Aviv Sourasky-Ichilov Medical Center with the aim of translating basic Weizmann laboratory research into clinical application in the hospital.

♦ Supporting scientists who have submitted or resubmitted large, ambitious research plans to significant external granting agencies, to cover their research expenses for the interim period between 78 The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research submission and acceptance.

♦ Life Science Colloquia in the field of cancer research, to which distinguished scientists are invited to present an Institute-wide lecture on their research, and to spend a few days on campus for meetings and discussion with faculty and students. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/moross-icr/ The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research 79

The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research

Yoram Groner, Director The Dr. Barnet Berris Professorial Chair of Cancer Research

The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research was established by David and Fela Shapell in honor of Jacob Shapell, their beloved grandson, to support research on Down syndrome and other genetic disorders. The Center's main objective is to promote the investigation of molecular genetic aspects of Down syndrome and other genetic disorders, with the aim of understanding the molecular mechanisms by which altered genotype leads to altered phenotype.

The Shapell Center provides financial assistance to investigators embarking on new projects in the field of molecular genetics, as well as to interdisciplinary research collaborations between groups using the infrastructure of the Facility for Genetically Modified Animals (a.c Transgenic Facility). Funds are also allocated to facilitate research activities in the Transgenic Facility and for the purchase of new equipment with the aim of upgrading the technical infrastructure of the facility.

The Shapell Center also supports the organization of international and local conferences and workshops aimed at disseminating and promoting communication between researchers in fields related to medical genetics.

The activities of the Center are coordinated by a steering committee, including Yoram Groner (Department of Molecular Genetics), Ori Peles (Department of Molecular Cell Biology), Ari Elson (Department of Molecular Genetics) and David Wallach (Department of Biological Chemistry). 80 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research

The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research

Avi Levy, Head The Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Plant Sciences

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics supports basic research in plant sciences that focuses on plant growth and productivity. Its resources are directed toward the support of Weizmann Institute plant scientists as well as their ongoing research, purchase of scientific equipment, and support services such as cell culture and plant growth infrastructure. Research funded by the Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research, addresses and problems of the hungry, the needy, and the sick, and focuses its efforts on promoting the welfare of humankind, through improving human nutrition, human health and the environment. The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research 81 82 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research Faculty of Biology

Dean: Michal Neeman The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professor

Michael Sela, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor The W. Garfield Weston Professor of Immunology 84 Faculty of Biology

Faculty of Biology

Dean: Michal Neeman The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professorial Chair

The Faculty of Biology is one of two faculties of Life Sciences at the Institute. Together with the sister Faculty of Biochemistry, research efforts span the understanding of life at all levels, from the molecule to the cell and the intact organism. The four Scientific Departments of the Faculty of Biology dedicate their efforts to understanding biological processes in normal and pathological settings. The Departments of Neurobiology and Immunology, concentrate on the nervous and the immune systems respectively. The Departments of Molecular Cell Biology and Biological Regulation share interest in understanding regulatory networks that affect function and structure at the cellular to whole organism levels, during pathological and physiological development.

Complementing the physical organization of the Faculty into Departments, interdisciplinary Research Institutes and Centers coordinate campus-wide research projects. The Einhorn Dominic Institute for Brain Research and its associated centers The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences and The Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions support and fortify studies of the most fascinating and least understood organ, the brain. The Yad Abraham Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy supports work aiming primarily to implement the basic knowledge generated at the Weizmann towards better diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Studies on aging, a major focus of interest in contemporary Western societies, are supported by the Meller Center for the Biology of Aging. Clinically important aspects of our immune system are also being explored: the Robert Koch Center for Research in Autoimmune Disease is studying the consequences of malfunction of the immune system and is exploring ways to intercept such unwelcome processes, while the Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research is supporting work aimed at increasing the success of bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of cancer and other life threatening diseases. The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology supports the study of structural and functional aspects of our blood system.

The Faculty considers as its major aim to foster biological studies both at the organism and at the molecular level, by using state of the art technologies. Faculty of Biology 85 Accordingly, we are constantly streamlining services that help research groups generate animal models, including gene-knockout and transgenic animals. In parallel, we seek to enhance our research activities that use sophisticated imaging methods, including digital light microscopy, MRI and EEG, ultrasound and CT to follow the function of cells, internal organs, tumors and the brain. In anticipation of changes in the directions of biomedical research in the 21st century, the Faculty is encouraging research in the field of biological physics and systems biology, bringing together researchers trained in physics and in the life sciences.

Our large core service center, the Department of Veterinary Resources, provides cutting edge pre-clinical facilities. Both the new and the extensively renovated facilities host our laboratory animals under state-of-the-art conditions. Of particular importance is the Facility for Genetically Modified Animals and the unit for In Vivo Bioimaging. These facilities provide Weizmann Institute researchers with powerful timely tools for developing and analyzing animal models of human diseases.

Our other major challenge is to attract and recruit outstanding young scientists. In an age of constantly growing complexity of unanswered biological questions and ever increasing competition for discoveries, we consider it our shared responsibility to provide optimal conditions for the creativity of our promising junior faculty members. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dbio.shtml 86 Biological Regulation

Biological Regulation

Nava Dekel, Head The Philip M. Klutznick Professorial Chair of Developmental Biology

The regulation of processes responsible for the concerted action of cells, tissues, vascular networks and organs is being carried out in our department. Our studies include the identification of signaling pathways involving hormones, growth promoting factors, as well as programmed cell death and survival factors. We also characterize specific receptors, target cells, and the multiple mechanisms involved in the transmission of signals as well as processing and regulation of developmental and differentiation events. In these investigations we apply a diverse range of methodologies in different in vitro and in vivo systems: namely, biochemical, molecular biology, and physiological methods in tissue cultures, organs and whole animals. We also focus on developing non-invasive imaging technology by the utilization of optical means, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). Since changes in the regulation of such processes are a cause for many human diseases (cancer, infertility, heart failure, stroke etc.), we further apply our results to develop new modes of treatment, such as photodynamic cancer therapy, and drugs for pharmacological intervention.

Hadassa Degani: This year, our lab focused on investigating hormonal regulation of breast cancer, monitoring and searching the steps associated with breast cancer metastasis, as well as discovering molecular and biochemical processes associated with breast malignant transformation. The experiments were performed on human breast cancer cells growing in culture, as well as on orthotopic tumors of these cells implanted in experimental animals in vivo. In addition, we extended our studies to lung cancer cells and tumors growing in the lung, searching for the distinct properties of the microvascular network of this cancer. In the course of these investigations we developed novel, non invasive methods for monitoring cancer progression and metastasis by means of magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging . For example, we developed a method which enabled us to map the distribution of the interstitial fluid pressure and thereby determine the barriers to drug delivery, and resistance to chemotherpy. Moreover, In collaboration with Prof. David Milstein, Organic Chemistry, we synthesized and demonstrated the application of novel molecular MRI probes for mapping in vivo the expression of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer tumors and rat uteri. In collaboration with Medical Biological Regulation 87 Centers in the US and Taiwan we continued our clinical MRI investigations of prostate cancer staging and breast cancer response to chemotherapy.

Nava Dekel: Studies in our laboratory are directed at identification and characterization of molecular events that regulate reproduction and early development. Of major interest is the control of the meiotic status of the mammalian oocyte. Attempts to disclose this issue include investigation of the gating mechanism of the gap junctions that mediate the communication of the inhibitory cAMP from the somatic cells of the ovarian follicle to the oocyte and the response of the ovarian gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) to gonadotropins. Exploration of ovarian biochemical events that mediate gonadotropin action to stimulate the resumption of meiosis include the mode of activation of the EGF receptor as well as its downstream ERK1/2. Search for complementary mechanisms that ensure the efficiency of a timely alteration between meiotic arrest and resumption of meiosis include the characterization of the oocyte specific phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) and its possible mode of regulation during meiotic arrest and upon reinitiation of meiosis. Potential downstream regulators that are subjected to the PKA-mediated cAMP action are examined and their hierarchy is explored. Specific interest is directed at the role of ECT2 and RhoA that participate in the completion of the first meiotic division.

A list of ovarian and endometrial genes, the expression of which is upregulated in association with ovulation and implantation, respectively have been recently generated by suppression subtructive hybridization (SSH) and microarray analysis. Further attempts to characterize and identify the specific function of a selected group of these genes are presently performed. Our studies on implantation and early embryonal development are also directed at exploration of the involvement of the immune system in the embryo-uterus dialog. These studies that are performed in collaboration with the IVF unit at the Kaplan Medical Center already resulted in the development of a new protocol for treatment of infertility that is associated with failure of implantation.

Dr. Lilach Gilboa "Gonad morphogenesis and establishment of germ line stem cells in Drosophila melanogaster": Many organs rely on stem cells for normal development, function and regeneration. The adult ovary of Drosophila employs germ line stem cells (GSCs) for the continual production of eggs throughout the lifetime of the animal. The known location of GSCs and the genetic tools available for Drosophila research have made the adult ovary a leading system in understanding the principles of stem cell biology. Despite the wealth of information regarding adult GSCs, less is known about how, during larval development, the adult niche forms and how it affects GSC establishment of from primordial germ cells (PGCs). Our lab studies two aspects of larval ovary development: A. How the somatic cells of the ovary 88 Biological Regulation control proliferation of PGCs, thereby determining the number of stem cells the adult ovary will contain, and B. How the somatic niches for GSCs form, and how niche formation contributes to the establishment of GSCs from PGCs. PGCs in the larval ovary reside in close proximity to Somatic Intermingled Cells (ICs). PGCs and ICs communicate via an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-dependent feedback loop (Gilboa and Lehmann, 2006). PGCs produce Spitz, which is required for IC survival and for the production of an unknown substance that represses PGC proliferation. To reveal the identity of this unknown substance we used microarray analysis, comparing wild-type ovaries to ovaries that express an activated form of EGFR. The microarray, together with other lines of evidence suggested one ligand emanating from ICs, is repressing PGC proliferation. Indeed, reducing the amount of this ligand in ovaries results in over-proliferation of PGCs. We are currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the repression of PGC proliferation by this ligand. We are also investigating the signals that positively control PGC proliferation. Our preliminary results suggest that the ligand Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is required for proliferation of PGCs. In the past year our lab conducted a genetic screen to identify regulators of niche formation and stem cell maintenance. The screen was based on direct observation of precociously differentiating PGCs in larval ovaries. The novel detection mode allowed us to uncover novel genes that are important for both niche formation and stem cell maintenance. We are now studying some of these regulators. Combined, our studies will lead to a better understanding of the complex relationship between stem cells and the organs they reside in. Cross talk between stem cell and niches determine the number of stem cells an organ contains, their division rate, maintenance and differentiation. Better understanding of the biological principles underlying such complex relationships is required for our understanding of normal development, disease and, possibly, its treatment.

Atan Gross: Our lab is primarily focused on studying regulatory mechanisms controlling the balance between cell life and death. In the first line of research, we are exploring the activities of the pro-apoptotic BID protein at the mitochondria by studying its interaction with a novel and uncharacterized protein named mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2)/Met-induced mitochondrial protein (MIMP). We have recently revealed that MTCH2/MIMP acts as a mitochondrial receptor for BID and plays a critical role in liver apoptosis. We have also found that MTCH2/MIMP is involved in mitochondria metabolism, and our future goals are to determine its exact function at the mitochondria and how it may connect apoptosis and metabolism. In a second line of research, we are exploring the activities of BID in the response of cells to DNA damage. We have previously found that DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of BID by the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, and that this phosphorylation is important for cell cycle arrest at the S phase and for inhibition of apoptosis. More recently we Biological Regulation 89 have revealed that phosphorylated BID plays a critical role in protecting bone marrow cells from DNA damage, and our future goals are to determine the mechanistic details of BID's activities in the hematopoietic lineage.

Ami Navon: In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, most proteins are degraded in an ATP-dependent manner. In eukaryotes ATP-dependent degradation is executed by the 26S proteasome, which hydrolyzes ubiquitin-conjugated and certain non-ubiquitinated polypeptides. Its primary function is the turnover of damaged or misfolded proteins. In addition, the proteasome affects the cell cycle and other processes through the degradation of regulatory components and transcription factors. The proteasome is important for immune system as well through processing of NFkB, a key factor in the inflammatory response, and in generating peptides used for MHC class I presentation. Furthermore, the proteasome plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson and ALS, presumably through its failure to degrade specific proteins, which form deleterious aggregates. Currently, our lab is investigating three aspects related to proteasomal degradation. The major effort of the lab is invested in understanding the molecular mechanism underlining the function of the proteasome regulatory ATPase complex, which is responsible for substrate recognition, unfolding and translocation into the 20S proteasome. In addition, we also study the significance of the N-linked-glycans removing enzyme PNGase, for the proteasome associated MHC class I antigen presentation. Recently, we became interested in the mechanistic reasons for the failure of the 26S proteasome to degrade certain substrates under specific physiological conditions. This may result in the accumulation of aggregated proteins and lead to degenerative diseases such as Parkinson and ALS. To address these scientific aims, we use an integrative approach of biochemistry, structural biology and cell biology.

Michal Neeman: Application of MRI and optical imaging for elucidation of the regulatory pathways that control the recruitment of endothelial capillaries (angiogenesis), vascular maturation, and remodeling of the lymphatics. Studies aim to reveal the contribution and interplay between environmental, hormonal and growth factor mediated signaling pathways. Specific steps in the process are detected by monitoring hemodynamic properties, vascular permeability and changes in the extracellular matrix. Vascular remodeling is followed in a range of biological models including reproduction, embryonic development, repair of ischemic injuries, tumor progression and metastatic dissemination.

Yoram Salomon: Vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) is a local anti vascular treatment modality of solid tumors that uses light and Pd-bacteriochlorophyll derivatives as photosensitizers. The anti tumor action is delivered by a local burst of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species that leads to the treatment endpoint - blood stasis within minutes and consequent tumor 90 Biological Regulation eradication. The mechanism of vascular destruction by VTP is the major objective of the research. Online imaging by fMRI based on photoinduced BOLD contrast is being developed as means of treatment-follow up and guidance. Intravital microscopy studies in combination with MRI aim at elucidation of the hemodynamic and photochemical basis of the BOLD contrast. The immunological response of the treated mice associated with the healing of the VTP induced injury is also being examined. This work was done in collaboration with Michal Neeman, Dept. of Biological Regulation and Avigdor Scherz, Dept. of Plant Sciences.

Rony Seger: In order to survive and perform their functions, cells need to respond to many extracellular signals such as mitogens, hormones, cytokines, physical changes of the environment and stress. In the lab we are characterizing the intracellular transmission of extracellular signals by seven distinct signaling pathways: four MAP Kinase cascades (ERK, JNK, p38 and BMK) two PI3K dependent cascades (AKT and S6K) and the PKA cascade. These studies included (i) identification of novel components, (ii) cross-talk between the distinct cascade, (iii) intracellular localization of components of the cascades, and are aimed to elucidate how the signaling network formed by these signaling cascade regulate gene expression, proliferation, and differentiation. In the last year we focused mainly on (i) the translocation of ERK and other MAPKs into the nucleus, (ii) the mechanism of AKT regulation by kinases, scaffold proteins and phosphatases (iii) the role of alternatively spliced variants of MEK and ERK in Golgi fragmentation, and (iv) antiangiogeic signaling by PEDF. These studies should shed a new light on the regulation of proliferation and survival of both normal or transformed cells.

Alex Tsafriri: Ovulation in mammals is a preferable target for contraception and fertility regulation. Our studies are focused primarily on two of the ovulatory processes: (i) Oocyte maturation, including the differential regulation and activity of phosphodiesterases and other regulators of meiosis in the germ cells and somatic compartments in the ovary). (ii) Follicular rupture at ovulation and the involvement of proteolytic cascades (plasmin activating system, and collagenases), eicosanoids and other paracrine regulators.

Eldad Tzahor: The nature of the instructions leading to a specific cell fate is one of the most puzzling questions in biology. The fates of embryonic progenitor cells and their patterning require a molecular "dialogue" between adjacent cell populations, yet the details of these molecular interactions remain elusive. For the past few years, we have focused on the characterization of signaling molecules that regulate both heart and craniofacial muscle formation during early vertebrate embryogenesis (Tzahor et al., 2003; Tzahor and Lassar, 2001). Heart and skeletal muscle progenitor cells are thought to derive Biological Regulation 91 from distinct mesoderm regions during early embryogenesis. The recent identification of the secondary heart field in vertebrate embryos led us to consider the contribution of the secondary heart field to cardiac development. What might be the relationship between the cranial paraxial mesoderm (the precursors of the skeletal muscles in the head) and this newly discovered myocardial lineage? Utilizing fate mapping studies, gene expression analyses, and manipulations of signaling pathways in the chick embryo, both in vitro and in vivo, we have demonstrated that cells from the cranial paraxial mesoderm contribute to myocardial and endocardial cell populations within the cardiac outflow tract. Furthermore, BMP signals, which block head muscle formation, act as potent inducers of the secondary heart field lineage (Tirosh-Finkel et al., 2006, accepted for publication). These findings support the notion that the cells within the cranial paraxial mesoderm play a vital role in cardiogenesis. Based on our past and ongoing studies, we propose that the developmental programs of progenitor populations that contribute to the head muscles and the anterior pole of the heart are tightly linked, indicative of a single cardiocraniofacial morphogenetic field.

During vertebrate craniofacial development, progenitor cells derived from the mesoderm fuse together to form a myofiber, which is attached to a specific skeletal element derived from the cranial neural crest (CNC) in a highly coordinated manner. To investigate this exquisitely tuned process, we employ both mouse genetic models and the avian experimental system to explore the molecular crosstalk between CNC and mesoderm progenitor cells during vertebrate head development. Thus far, loss- and gain-of-function experiments in both mouse and avian models demonstrate that skeletal muscle patterning and differentiation in the head are precisely regulated by CNC cells (Rinon A, Lazar S, & Tzahor E, in preparation). Our studies on cardiac and skeletal muscle specification during vertebrate embryogenesis are expected to provide valuable and original insights that may contribute to our understanding of normal as well as pathological aspects of heart and craniofacial development.

Karina Yaniv: Our lab takes advantage of the optical clarity and genetic accessibility of the zebrafish embryo to study vessel formation in vivo. Zebrafish embryos develop externally and are optically clear, providing noninvasive and high-resolution observation of the entire vascular system at every stage of embryonic development. In addition, the formation and anatomical layout of the fish vasculature are similar to that of other vertebrates, and most of the genes currently known to act as key players in embryonic vascular development are highly conserved in zebrafish. In recent years, it has become clear that many of the signals implicated in vascular development are reactivated during disease states of angiogenesis such as tissue ischemia, coronary heart disease and cancer-promoted angiogenesis. This has further reinforced the potential medical relevance of vascular development studies such as those carried out in our laboratory. 92 Biological Regulation Yosef Yarden: Growth factors enable clonal expansion and fixation of genetic aberrations by ensuring unlimited proliferation of transformed cells (tumor growth), attraction of blood vessels (angiogenesis) and colonization of distant sites (metastasis). An example is provided by the family of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the neuregulins, which bind with the ErbB family of receptors. ErbB proteins and their EGF-like ligands play essential roles in human cancer. One important mechanism involves autocrine loops comprising co-expression of a receptor and the respective ligand. Another mechanism entails genetic aberrations, which relate primarily to ErbB-1, and involve deletion of regulatory domains. Mutant forms of ErbB-1 were found in both brain and lung tumors. Last, overexpression of ErbB-2/HER2 in human carcinomas characterizes a relatively aggressive subset of mammary and other tumors. Our previous studies raised the hypothesis that an overexpressed ErbB-2 biases formation of the mitogenically more potent ErbB heterodimers, and indeed, the crystal structure of ErbB-2 revealed the existence of a dimerization loop ready to engage in dimer formation. Thus, ErbB-2 is a pre-activated receptor, which can amplify growth signals without binding to a ligand of its own.

Our biochemical analyses led us to the realization that the four ErbBs and their many ligands form a layered signaling network. Invertebrates like C. elegans and Drosophila, present simple versions of the network, which gradually evolved complexity through gene duplications and genetic diversification. The layered structure of the mammalian network ensures robust signaling, while maintaining stringent control and finely tuning the output. Once activated by growth factors, receptor tyrosine kinases simultaneously launch both 'positive signals', which lead to cell stimulation, and delayed 'negative signals', which regulate the amplitude and duration of these positive signals. A delicate balance between positive and negative signals is critical for normal cellular homeostasis, and its disturbance is often implicated in disease development. Hence, we focused our studies on negatively acting pathways that normally desensitize growth factor signaling. Our studies of the last few years identified several negative regulatory pathways, such as ligand-induced receptor endosytosis and degradation, as well as induction of newly synthesized negative regulators of the network, which are defective in human tumors of epithelial origin. In the last year we focused on additional potential mechanisms that restrain ErbB signaling in normal cells, but whose function may be aberrant in tumors. The list of potential regulators includes transcription repressors, MAPK and tyrosine-specific phsospatases, de-ubiquitination enzymes, micro-RNA molecules and alternatively spliced forms of growth factor-induced mRNAs. Interestingly, many actin-binding proteins are included in the group of late-induced, growth factor up-regulated transcripts. Our initial studies uncovered involvement of these mRNAs in growth factor-induced cell migration and invasion, observations we hope to extend to metastasis driven by the ErbB family of receptors and their EGF-like Biological Regulation 93 ligands. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biological_Regulation/ 94 Biological Regulation Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Hadassa Degani, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook, United States (on extension of service) The Fred and Andrea Fallek Professorial Chair in Breast Cancer Research Nava Dekel, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel The Philip M. Klutznick Professorial Chair of Developmental Biology Michal Neeman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professorial Chair in Biological Sciences Yoram Salomon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Professorial Chair of Hormone Research Rony Seger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Yale S. Lewine and Ella Miller Lewine Professorial Chair for Cancer Research Yosef Yarden, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professorial Professorial Chair in Molecular Cell Biology

Professor Emeritus

Alexander Tsafriri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professor

Atan Gross, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Senior Scientists

Lilach Gilboa, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Incumbent of the Skirball Career Development Chair in New Scientists Ami Navon, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Incumbent of the Recanati Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Eldad Tzahor, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Gertrude and Philip Nollman Career Development Chair Karina Yaniv, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Senior Staff Scientist

Batya Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Biological Regulation 95 Senior Interns

Erez Moshe Bublil, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (left July 2010) Hagit Dafni, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Moshit Lindzen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Zhong Yao, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Intern

Efrat Glick-Saar, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel (left October 2010)

Consultants

Amichai Barash, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel (left June 2010) Catherine Brami, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Irit Granot, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Fortune Kohen Alexander Konson (left May 2010) Ariel Rinon Yael Schiffenbauer, Aspect-Magnet, Netanya, Israel David Varon, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel (left January 2010)

Visiting Scientists

Avner Baz, Tufts University Medford,MA, U.S.A. Yonni Cohen, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel Yehia Daaka, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., U.S.A. Joel Garbow Sebastian Katz Philip Tickhock Lee, Singapure Bioimaging onsorium, Singapore Guy Nadel Deborah Schechtman Tal Shapira - Roten Zhong Yao

Postdoctoral Fellows

Nira Amar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Inbal Avraham-Davidi, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Vardina Bensoussan, Pasteur Institute (Paris) Pradeep Chaluvally Raghavan, Ph.D., Amala Cancer Research Centre, Kerala, India Cosimo Walter D'Acunto, University of Salerno 96 Biological Regulation Anna Maria Emde, M.D. Dana Gancz, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Miriam Ivenshitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Edith Kario, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Merav Kedmi, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Alexander Konson, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Mattia Lauriola, Bologna University Iris Maimon (Edry), Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Guy Malkinson, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Elisha Nathan, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Plotnikov, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Sunila Pradeep, Ph.D., Amala Cancer Research Centre, Kerala Marina Radoul, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tal Raz, M.D., Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University Ariel Rinon, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Stav Sapoznik, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Hagit Schayek, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Nilly Shimony, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Ketty Shkolnik, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Assaf Tal, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Moriel Vandsburger, University of Virginia Michal Weiler-Sagie, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yaara Zwang, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Yoseph Addadi Reut Avni Roi Avraham Avital Beer Nir Ben-Chetrit Dikla Berko Yinon (Yoni) Cohen Adva Cohen Fredarow Hadas Cohen-Dvashi Yael David (Ben-basat) Judith Elbaz Erez Eyal Liron Gibbs Bar Itai Glinert Itamar Harel Anna Hitrik Edith Kario Wolfgang Koestler Tamar Lengil Minjun Li Noa Madar-Balakirski Maria Maryanovich Inbal Michailovici Michal Milgrom-Hoffman Galia Oberkovitz Roni Oren Adi Pais Fresia Gilda Pareja Zea Gur Pines Gregory Jacques Ramniceanu Shiri Raphaelli-Procaccia Yitzhak Reizel Stav Sapoznik Aldema Sas-Chen Liat Shachnai Yael Shahar-Pomerantz Biological Regulation 97 Helena Sheikhet-Migalovich Ketty Shkolnik Ari Tadmor Gabi Tarcic Yael Chagit Tzuman Katrien Vandoorne Jean Wakim Inbal Wortzel Yfat Yahalom - Ronen Eldar Zehorai Administrator

Rachel Benjamin 98 Immunology

Immunology

Yair Reisner, Head The Henry H. Drake Professorial Chair of Immunology

The exponential growth of research activity in the life sciences has immunology in its center: The wide range of research activities in our Department covers a spectrum of studies in immunology ranging from fundamental aspects of antigen recognition and intracellular signaling to intercellular communication as well as immune-cell differentiation, migration and homing. Naturally, the progress made in resolving the basic principles underlining the mode of operation of the immune system is also applied to furthering the understanding of its disorders such as autoimmunity and allergies, as well as to the design of new immunotherapeutic modalities to fight cancer and infectious diseases.

Among the different interesting advances made during the recent years is the effective collaborations that have evolved amongst several researchers of the Department in studying the relationship between migration and adhesion of immune cells and their regulation during the functional maturation of the immune system.

The activities of the different research groups are briefly summarized below:

K. Abramson studies focus on a very unique population of the thymic stroma, called the medullary epithelial cells (MECs). Although these cells are extremely rare, they are absolutely essential for the establishment of immunological tolerance. This is due to their amazing capacity to express (and subsequently present) essentially all body antigens, including those whose expression was originally thought to be restricted only to peripheral organs (e.g. insulin, casein, etc). Hence, this "promiscuous" transcription of peripheral-tissue-antigen (PTA) genes in these unique cells "foreshadows" the self-antigens that T cells would encounter once they reach maturity and are released into the body. Many of these ectopic transcripts are regulated by the product of a single gene, the Autoimmune regulator (Aire), as mice with a mutation at this locus express only a fraction of the PTA repertoire. As a result, these animals develop antibodies and immune infiltrates directed at multiple peripheral tissues, resembling a multiorgan autoimmune disorder characteristic of humans with a mutated AIRE gene, the autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). The lab Immunology 99 aims at further delineation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the MEC-induced immunologic tolerance to self.

R. Alon's studies focus on the molecular basis and cellular mechanisms by which vascular adhesion molecules (selectins, integrins and their respective ligands) operate to capture and arrest circulating leukocytes on vascular endothelium under shear flow. The group investigates the crosstalk between these adhesion receptors and chemokine receptors on recruited leukocytes, facilitating their emigration to specific tissues both in normal and pathological immune processes. A major focus of the lab is the role of mechanical signals, transduced to adherent leukocytes by shear flow, and their function in the translation of biochemical signals from vascular endothelial cells into productive transendothelial leukocyte migration. Another focus is the interplay between endothelial and stromal transcribed chemokines in directing effector lymphocyte diapedesis. The group also investigates the roles of integrins and their ligands in leukocyte trafficking and function in inflamed lungs.

R. Arnon studies focus on antigenicity and vaccine development: Epitope-based synthetic vaccines; as well as autoimmune diseases: Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, mechanisms of its suppression by basic copolymers of amino acids and relevance to multiple sclerosis (collaboration with M. Sela, R. Aharoni); Neurogenesis induced by copolymer I (with R. Aharoni); Exploitation of Copolymer I for additional application including inflammatory bowel diseases; Use of Cop1 in the prevention of transplant rejection (collaboration with M. Sela and R. Aharoni). In addition, she studies antigen-specific T-cells efficacy in cancer.

A. Ben-Nun demonstrated new primary target antigens (MOG, MOBP and OSP) in multiple sclerosis and their implications for pathogenic processes and immune-specific therapy; He studies multi-epitope/multi-antigen-directed, altered peptides-mediated, immune-specific therapy of 'complex EAE' associated with multiple pathogenic autoreactivities. The mechanisms of T cell modulation; T cell receptor and ligand interaction in autoimmune disease; Non-superantigenic bacterial toxins, T cell subsets and autoimmune diseases; Effect of encephalitogenic myelin-specific T cells and demyelinating antibodies on nerve conduction in the central nervous system in vitro and mechanisms of myelin/neuronal repair by adult stem cells.

G. Berke investigated the regulation of tumor immunity emphasizing tumor escape from immune attack. Along this line, he has addressed the regulation of expression and function of the death receptor Fas and its Ligand in tumors. He studied the binding to and activation of tumor specific T lymphocytes by tetrameric MHC peptide complexes and showed direct activation of the lymphocytes by the bound tetramers. He developed a novel procedure to determine tumor cell susceptibility to anticancer drugs. Finally, he provided 100 Immunology evidence that hypoxia predisposes the heart to myocardial damage induce by the death receptor Fas, a finding with implication to the mechanism of myocardial damage following myocardial infarction.

I.R. Cohen's research activities concentrate on the following topics: Autoimmune diabetes: Pathogenesis and clinical trials; Autoimmunity to hsp60 and the development of subunit vaccines against infectious diseases; Innate receptors for hsp60; Bio informatics: antigen chip (with Eytan Domany), modeling languages (with David Harel, Amir Pnueli), and T-cell repertoire chip; Regulation of immune inflammation by small carbohydrate molecules (originally done with Ofer Lider) and by lipoid molecules (with Meir Shinitzky);Autoimmunity to p53 and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (with Varda Rotter).

L. Eisenbach: tumor progression results in the emergence of highly metastatic cells disseminating to distal organs. We are studying the interaction between malignant cells and the cellular immune system. In particular: a) Identification and characterization of human Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA) peptides derived from differentially expressed genes. Differentially expressed genes are discovered through genomic methods (DNA chips, SAGE) or molecular methods. TAAs from breast, colon, prostate and bladder tumors are the focus of our studies b) Design of anti-tumor peptide vaccines. c) Design of anti-angiogenic vaccines d) The role of interferon inducible genes in tumorigenesis e) Antigen presentation in tumor Immunity. f) Brain tumors (together with Prof. I. Cohen) g) Genetically manipulated tumor cell vaccines.

Z. Eshhar pursues the adoptive-gene and cell immunotherapy by redirecting effector (for cancer) and suppressor (for autoimmune diseases) T-cells using antibody based chimeric receptors and focusing on murine models of the human diseases. The process of homing, mode of action and fate of the genetically modified lymphocytes, as well as the optimal gene transfer procedure are studied and optimized. Another area of interest is the development of universal vaccine for allergy (together with Prof. G. Gross from Miga"l).

N. Friedman studies focus on network modules involved in T-cell activation and differentiation. Some questions of interest include - How does autoregulation effect thresholds for cell activation? What are the rules for combinatorial signaling, when a cell responds simultaneously to a number of cytokines? What roles are played by stochasticity in differentiation processes? We focus on experimental studies and theoretical modeling of processes mediated by cytokines during CD4 T cell activation and differentiation. We also develop and apply microfluidics devices for dynamic investigation of single cell responses in controlled microenvironments, using live cell imaging. Immunology 101 S. Fuchs studies immunoregulation of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and the relation between myasthenia gravis and acetylcholine receptor (AChR); Structure, function and signal transduction of dopamine receptors and their presence in peripheral tissues in health and disease.

S. Jung investigates the in vivo origin and functional organization of the mononuclear phagocyte (MP) system, a body wide network of myeloid cells including macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as organ specific cell types such as the brain microglia. To study the differential functions of MP subsets in homeostasis and under pathogen challenge his research team uses the combined application of adoptive precursor cell transfers, imaging strategies and conditional in vivo cell ablation in the intact organism. A particular focus is given to the host/pathogen interface in the gut mucosa and the role of MPs in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis as well as colitis development. More recently, the Jung laboratory developed a model system to investigate microglia functions in the healthy and diseased brain.

T. Lapidot T. Lapidot pursues the identification of cytokines, chemokines, stromal cells, proteolytic enzymes and adhesion molecules that mediate and regulate the migration and developmental program of human stem cells, both normal and leukemic, in a functional in vivo assay as well as the applications for human gene and cancer therapy. In particular, mechanistic insights into the pleotropic roles of the Chemokine SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 in stem cell migration (homing and mobilization) and retention in the stem cell niche as well as interactions between Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts in these processes are investigated.

O. Lider. Died, July 2004. His group's activities are being supervised by Prof. I. R. Cohen. Prof. Lider's students are continuing his studies on how the immune system operates under inflammatory conditions. They analyse the effects of cytokines on lymphocyte migration, cell surface adhesion receptor function. They also attempt to evaluate the enzymatic machinery required for leukocytes migration as well as examine the capacities of these enzymes to generate natural small molecular weight inhibitors of inflammation.

E. Mozes research focuses mainly on the mechanisms underlying the specific down-regulation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by a novel tolerogenic peptide (hCDR1) that is based on the sequence of the complementarity determining region-1 of a pathogenic autoantibody. The role of peptide induced regulatory T cells in the amelioration of disease manifestations, the significant effects of hCDR1 treatment on autoreactive T and B cell populations and on crucial signaling pathway, that are involved in SLE, are investigated. In addition, the potential therapeutic effects of hCDR1 on SLE patients are studied. 102 Immunology I. Pecht investigates the process of recognition performed by immunoreceptors and the mechanism of their signaling. Specifically, what is the physico-chemical nature of these receptors' stimuli how it is coupled to cellular responses and controlled. The model employed for the latter process is that of mast cell response by secretion of inflammatory mediators and its Fce receptor coupled cascade. T-cell antigen recognition is the main system where the immunological recognition processes are studied. Another, rather different problem investigated is the mechanism of internal electron transfer reactions in proteins.

Y. Reisner investigates a new approach for tolerance induction, using megadose stem-cell transplants to overcome MHC barriers in sublethally irradiated recipients; the mechanism(s) of tolerance induction by different tolerizing cells is investigated along the mechanism of a novel TCR independent T cell therapy directed against B cell malignancies ; also the reduced immunogenicity of human and pig embryonic tissues is investigated so as to afford a new source for organ transplantation.

I. Schechter scientific activities center on the active sites of enzymes and antibodies, mapping of the active site of proteases, the model of a large active site divided into subsites, rational design of inhibitors/drugs, proteases and inhibitors in biology and medicine, inhibitors can activate proteases to catalyze the synthesis of peptides, the binding energy of enzyme-inhibitor complex formation can be utilized to catalyze the synthesis of peptide bonds in the absence of an exogenous energy source (e.g. ATP), catalysis driven by binding energy may be relevant to prebiotic evolution since it is a simple system that enables synthesis, specificity and diversity.

M. Sela collaborates with R. Arnon on mechanism of action of copolymer 1,a drug against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. He collaborates also with Y. Yarden on monoclonal antibodies to ErbB1 and ErbB2,and their roles in potential anti-tumor strategy, as well as on aptamers specific for the respective epitopes. He also studies the immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

I. Shachar studies homing, maturation, survival and function of B cells in health and disease. Adaptive immunity depends on the production and maintenance of a pool of mature peripheral lymphocytes throughout life. Most of these cells circulate in the periphery in a quiescent state, without actively contributing to any given acute immune response. Thus, homing and survival are two essential mechanisms that regulate the maintenance of this peripheral lymphocyte pool. We follow these pathways in healthy cells and when things go wrong in tumor cells. Immunology 103 G. Shakhar studies cellular communication in the immune system with these objectives:

♦ Keeping biomedical applications in mind *The lab addresses questions important for optimizing cancer immunotherapy: how tumor antigens are carried to draining lymph nodes, and how tumor cells evade destruction by infiltrating lymphocytes. *The control of autoimmunity by Treg in inflammatory bowel disease. ♦ Observing complicated cellular networks - to be true to the complicated cellular milieu we follow interactions among multiple cell populations by using several channels simultaneously. ♦ Preserving physiological conditions - we image live mice using the least intrusive microscopic methods to keep blood, lymph and neural connections intact. ♦ Employing cutting-edge microscopic techniques - we use two-photon fluorescent microscopy and second harmonics generation, which are ideal for in vivo microscopy. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/immunology/ 104 Immunology Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ronen Alon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Linda Jacobs Professorial Chair in Immune and Stem Cell Research Avi Ben-Nun, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Professorial Chair Gideon Berke, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Isaac and Elsa Bourla Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Tsvee Lapidot, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Edith Arnoff Stein Professorial Chair in Stem Cell Research Yair Reisner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Henry H. Drake Professorial Professorial Chair of Immunology Michael Sela, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor The W. Garfield Weston Professorial Chair of Immunology

Professors Emeriti

Ruth Arnon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Irun R. Cohen, Ph.D., Northwestern University Medical School Zelig Eshhar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Sara Fuchs, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Nechama Haran-Ghera, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Edna Mozes, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Roald Nezlin, M.D., Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Israel Pecht, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Israel Schechter, M.D., Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Lea Eisenbach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Georg F. Duckwitz Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Steffen Jung, Ph.D., Universitaet zu Koeln, Germany Idit Shachar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel The Dr. Morton and Anne Kleiman Professorial Chair

Senior Scientists

Jakub Abramson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Dr. Celia Zwillenberg-Fridman and Dr. Lutz Immunology 105 Zwillenberg Career Development Chair Nir Friedman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Pauline Recanati Career Development Chair Guy Shakhar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Senior Staff Scientists

Rina Aharoni, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ruth Maron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Tali Feferman, Ph.D., Macquarie University Sydney, Sydney, Australia Sara Feigelson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alexander Kalinkovich, Ph.D., Pirogov Moscow Medical Institute (PMMI), Russian Federation Orit Kollet, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Esther Lustig, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Elias Shezen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Rina Falb, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Shlomit Reich-Zeliger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Interns

Revital Aricha, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Shirly Becker Herman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Esther Witsch, Ph.D., Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany (left November 2010)

Interns

Nathali Kaushansky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ravit Saada, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

Engineer

Esther Tzehoval, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Alain Berrebi, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot Sonia Berrih-Aknin, CNRC Hopital Marie Lannlongue, France (left February 106 Immunology 2010) Nir Debotton Enrique Freud, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel Smadar Gertel, The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana, Israel Amiela Globerson Valentin Grabovsky (deceased October 2010) Debby Haite-Reuveni, The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana, Israel David Issachar David Margel (left June 2010) Felix Mor, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel Roald Nezlin Bilha Schechter Alexander Shtabsky, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (left July 2010) Miriam Souroujon, Open University, Raanana, Israel (left March 2010) Dalit Tchorsh (left July 2010) Ilan Volovitz, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Lior Zangi (left March 2010) Ayelet Zauberman, The Israel Institute of Biological Research, Ness-Ziona

Visiting Scientists

Benjamin Chain, University College London, UK Ole Farver, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen, Denmark Nadav Haim, HLRZ, Julich, Germany William Kerr, Suny at Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A. Amit Maliar, Assaf Harofe Hospital, Zrifin, Israel Ruth Maron, Harvard Med. School, MA, U.S.A. Vicki Plaks Janos Roszik, University of Debrecen, Hungary David Shafritz, A. Einstein College of Medicine, NY, U.S.A. Yehuda Skornick, Ichilov Medical Ctr., Tel Aviv, Israel Willem Van Eden, University of Utrecht, Nederland Scot Wherland, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Einat Amit Romach, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Yaron Antebi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Inbal Binsky-Ehrenreich, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shmuel Cohen, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Hilah Gal, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Georg Mahlknecht, Ph.D., Institute of Cell Biology (Now Bioanalytics)-Tum Assaf Marcus, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Mildner, Department For Neuropathology Sigal Nakav, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Immunology 107 Wilfred Ndimongang Ndifon, Princeton University Anita Sapoznikov, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Amir Schajnovitz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Charlotte Servais, Ph.D., UniversitÉ Libre De Bruxelles Ziv Shulman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alona Telerman (Vishnevsk, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Nissan Yissachar, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Simon Yona, Ph.D., University of London

Research Students

Zoya Alteber Anna Aronovich Tagest Aychek Meir Azulay Eszter Bakos Dan Blat Gal Cafri Noam Cohen Sivan Cohen Shiri Cohen - Gur Yaki Edelshtein Julia Farache Pinto Anat Globerson Karin Golan Yosi Gozlan Liat Greenshtein - Bar-On Ira Gurevich Ronit Gutman Pasvolsky David Hagin Tamar Huberman Arieli Tomer Itkin Kiwook Kim Yael Klionsky Kfir Lapid Assaf Lask Aya Ludin Amit Maliar Eugenia Manevich- Mendelson Yoav Manster Ayelet Marom Idan Milo Eran Ophir Diana Rashkovan Jacob Rimer Chava Rozen Amir Schajnovitz Aya Shelly Eric Shifrut Liat Stoler-Barak Orna Tal Dalit Tchorsh-Yutsis Nir Waysbort Yochai Wolf Maya Yaskovich Gordin Irina Zaretsky Einat Toister Zelman Ehud Zigmond Administrator

Pnina Carmi 108 Molecular Cell Biology

Molecular Cell Biology

Varda Rotter, Head (until October 2010) The Norman and Helen Asher Professorial Chair of Cancer Research

Elior Peles, Head (from November 2010) The Hanna Hertz Professorial Chair for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroscience

Research in our Department focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms and systems levels that control cell behavior:

◊ growth regulation ◊ determination of cell fate and differentiation ◊ cell adhesion and movement ◊ intracellular trafficking

♦ These studies include investigations into the mode of action of growth factors, and the nature of signals triggered by them in target cells. Cell growth regulation is also examined through explorations of tumor suppressor genes, such as p53, which inhibit cell proliferation and can drive cells toward differentiation or apoptosis, as well as through the characterization of growth-activating genes and signaling networks. ♦ Our researchers also address the understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancerous transformation, either due to deregulated growth or to failure to undergo apoptosis. Advanced gene screening techniques and genetically modified experimental models are used to identify and characterize specific genes that are involved in normal and malignant growth. There is broad interest in the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion and motility, and their involvement in the regulation of cellular and embryonic morphogenesis, neuronal development, and in the spread of tumor metastases. Of special interest are proteins such as §-catenin, which plays a critical role in reinforcing cell-cell adhesions, as well as triggering gene expression. These studies include characterizing the mechanisms underlying adhesive interactions, the role of sugars in adhesive processes. Furthermore we investigate the identification of recognition molecules which mediate cell-cell interactions during nervous system development. Understanding of the process by which surface-associated adhesion molecules enable the cell Molecular Cell Biology 109 to bind to the cytoskeleton, and the involvement of such adhesions in cell motility and signaling is thoroughly investigated. ♦ Other interesting issues studied in our Department are concerned with developmental biology, and differentiation, processes are dealt with by using cutting edge technologies. This includes also the molecular genetics and evolution of genes involved in human diseases and myogenesis as a model system for investigating possible therapeutic potentials. ♦ To understand the behavior of cells, it is important to add to the molecular level of description an understanding on the level of systems biology. For this purpose, study of model organisms such as E. coli are useful for defining the design principles of biological circuits. Combined experimental and theoretical approaches allow one to define basic network motifs and their functions, as well as studying the role of evolution in shaping regulatory circuits in the cell. ♦ Since these cellular processes involve groups of interacting factors, we are also interested in mathematical modeling and computational analysis of biochemical and gene circuitry in normal cells and their deregulation in cancer.

Uri Alon focuses on the cell-wide analysis of protein activity, and how cells make decisions and process information. A systems biologist working to develop a "blueprint" of a living cell, he has determined that the biochemical circuitry in the cell is composed of repeating circuit patterns called network motifs, each of which performs a specific information-processing task. Homepage

Abraham Amsterdam focuses on investigating the control of ovulation and factors, which may explain the risk factors for ovarian cancer. We used ovarian transcriptsomes as a tool for global approach of genes, modulated by gonadotropic hormones in human ovarian granulosa cells. Combined studies by DNA microarrays, biochemical and physiological approaches revealed that epiregulin (Ep) and amphiregulin (Ar), members of the mitogenic epidermal growth factor (EGF), are highly expressed on the level of the genes and the proteins, following gonadotropin stimulation. In contrast, in ovarian cancer, these EGF like factors are expressed constitutively.

Avri Ben-Zeev studies the genes and cellular mechanisms involved in cancer. In focusing on β-catenin, a gene that is abnormally activated in colorectal and many other types of cancer, he has clarified the consequences of β-catenin hyperactivation in cancerous cells, and identified some of the signals unleashed by this gene in instances of malignancy. Homepage 110 Molecular Cell Biology

Alexander Bershadsky studies how cells move, and the physical forces necessary for cells to attach themselves to the substrate and to one another. In exploring the points of contact, which act as mechanical "sensors" that provide the cell with information about its environment and determine its behavior, he has learned that in cancer cells, the activity of these "sensors" is disrupted, which likely accounts for the cell's difficulty in adhering to substrates and, consequently, their greater mobility.

Eli Canaani iinvestigates the MLL gene and its protein products, in order to understand their biochemical activities and the mechanism by which they trigger leukemia. Leukemias associated with rearrangement of the MLL gene account for the majority of acute lymphocytic and myelocytic leukemias in infants, and in therapy-related leukemias.

Benjamin Geiger focuses mainly on the mechanisms responsible for communication between cells, both normal and cancerous. He is attempting to identify and trace the specific molecular involved in intercellular recognition and communication, and to investigate the molecules and signaling processes which mediate such interactions. Homepage

David Givol investigates the tumor suppressor gene p53, the most frequently mutated gene in all cancers, and focuses on mechanisms that activate p53 and the way p53 activates target genes, using microarrays. He also studies the effect of p53 on different chemotherapies. Recently he has been studying connection between stem cells and cancer, exploring the properties of "cancer stem cells" that are responsible for the propagation of malignant tumors. He isolates such stem cells from leukemia and glioblastoma and compares gene expression profiles of stem and non-stem tumor cells and test differential drug response in these cells. Homepage

Zvi Kam is developing and applying high-resolution automated cell-based screening microscopy for functional analysis of cells. Multiple perturbations by compound libraries and by siRNA are applied to reporter cells cultured in multi-well plates, cell images are recorded, and quantitative image analysis scores the responses. This high-throughput platform provides systems biological experimental approach for studying complex cellular mechanisms. Homepage

Sima Lev studies the molecular mechanisms of membrane trafficking pathways in mammalian cells. These pathways mediate the transport of proteins, lipids, and sugars to their final cellular destinations and are fundamental to normal cell function and survival. Defects in these pathways are associated with many human diseases and can affect cell cycle Molecular Cell Biology 111 progression. She is currently focusing on mechanisms that control the lipid composition of membrane domains along the secretory pathway, as well as the regulation of membrane trafficking events during cell division. Homepage

Gil Levkowitz utilizes zebrafish embryos as a vertebrate model organism to investigate how coordinated development of multiple neuronal types is achieved in the brain. The lab studies the development and maintenance of dopaminergic neurons and of several neuropeptides- secreting neurons, which reside in the hypothalamus. Understanding these processes is relevant to prospective therapies for neurological disorders as aberrant development of the dopaminergic system might be a major factor contributing to Parkinsons disease and impairments in hypothalamic neurons are associated with defects in energy balance, and in neuro-endocrine and psychiatric disorders. Homepage

Moshe Oren is studying the regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor and its relevance to cancer. Specific interests include the analysis of signal transduction pathways that modulate p53 activity in response to various stress signals, exploration of the molecular basis for the ability of p53 to elicit different cell fate changes in response to different triggers, the role of p53 in the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment, and (in collaboration with V. Rotter) the analysis of gain of function activities of cancer-associated p53 mutants. In addition, the group is studying the regulation and function of the Mdm2 oncoprotein, a major component of the p53 network. Homepage

Elior Peles focuses on the biology of Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, the myelinating glial cells of the peripheral and central nervous system, respectively. His group is studying how these cells recognize and wrap axon with myelin, an insulating lipid membrane that enables the rapid and efficient conduction of nerve impulses. His laboratory is also studying how axon-glia interaction control the molecular organization of the axonal membrane, which is required for the normal function of myelinated nerves and is disturbed in Multiple Sclerosis, as well as in a wide range of other neurological diseases.

Varda Rotter focuses on the p53 gene, which as a wild type protein plays a pivotal role in protecting cells from becoming cancerous, but when mutated or inactivated causes the accumulation of genetic instabilities, which in turn induces malignant transformation of cells. On the question of mutant p53 gain of function, which is central in her research, she is collaborating with Moshe Oren and Eytan Domany. As it is well accepted that malignant 112 Molecular Cell Biology

transformation is a stepwise process involving various defined gene signatures it is the challenge of her studies to discover which of these gene networks involve the p53 protein. Homepage

Oren Schuldiner studies the molecular mechanism of neuronal remodeling. His lab uses the fruit fly as a model to investigate axon pruning. Using sophisticated genetic and microscopic tools to create and visualize a single mutant neuron in a heterozygous brain, it is possible to study cell autonomous processes that occur late during development in vivo. To understand the mechanisms that regulate axon pruning, his lab focuses finding and characterizing novel proteins that play a role in cell-cell interactions (specifically neuron-glia interactions), cargo trafficking, and signaling within the neurons. His lab also studies the molecular switch that induces re-growth of the axons following pruning. Axon fragmentation during pruning shares molecular similarities with processes occurring in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying pruning and axon re-growth will promote our understanding of axon fragmentation and regeneration during development and disease. Homepage

Eran Segal develops computational models aimed at understanding how biological processes are regulated at various levels. These include models that integrate transcription factors and DNA sequences, aimed at explaining how complex patterns of gene expression are encoded in DNA sequences and read by cells, and sequence-based models for chromatin structure that explain how nucleosomes get positioned on genomes and how they consequently affect gene expression. Homepage

Uri Nudel and David Yaffe are investigating the structure, evolution and function of products of the dystrophin gene, which is defective in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Gene inactivation techniques were used to study the function of Dp71, the major non-muscle product of the DMD gene, and its possible involvement in development and in learning capacity. Cloning and analysis of the homologous genes from sea urchin and drosophila have important implications with regard to the evolution of the DMD gene family and function of the DMD gene products. These studies showed a very impressive conservation during evolution of the structure of the DMD gene and its multiple products. Functional studies indicated a number of abnormalities associated with mutants of the drosphila orthologue of the DMD gene, including defects in learning capacity. It is interesting to note that in humans, DMD is also often associated with cognitive impairments. Dr. Rachel Sarig, of the same group is also investigating the topic of adult Molecular Cell Biology 113 stem cells and their potential application for cell therapy. Recent studies have indicated the prevalence and importance of adult stem cells in development, maintenance and regeneration of various tissues. Muscle progenitor cells are of special interest as an excellent, easy accessible cell type, with well-characterized markers and transcription factors associated with its various differentiation stages, thus offering a convenient model system. The team has isolated, from mouse skeletal muscle a population of slow adherent myogenic cells that can proliferate for extended periods, as suspended clusters of cells (myospheres). Myosphere cells express myogenic markers, and differentiate to muscle fibers both in vitro and in vivo. Cloned populations of these cells and of human myogenic cells are being examined for their plasticity and ability to transdifferentiate into other cell lineages. Preliminary results suggest that these cells can be reprogrammed into neuronal cells.

Yehiel Zick studies the molecular basis of insulin resistance with a particular emphasis on the role of Ser/Thr kinases as negative-feedback regulators of this process. He also works to understand the activities of galectin-8, one of a family of animal lectins implicated in the development of prostate cancer. Demonstrating that galectin-8 as a modulator of cell cycle progression and as an inducer of cell growth arrest, he is working toward a novel, potentially curative treatment for prostate cancer.

Dov Zipori focuses on the nature of the mesenchyme, primarily on the tendency of this tissue to generate cells in the stem state. Research in this laboratory is divided into three categories. The first is concerned with the molecular basis of stemness. The research team discovered that mesenchymal cells have promiscuous gene expression pattern in that they express genes of various lineage (e.g. T cell receptor components). The functional significance of this unexpected gene expression is a major subject for investigation in the laboratory. The second category relates to the regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Previous studies of this research team suggested that the maintenance of the stem state is imposed by differentiation restraining molecules such as transforming growth factor β superfamily members. The group recently showed that Toll-like receptor ligands convey signals that block mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation. The generality of this phenomenon and its mechanism are now being studied. The third category relates to the practical use of MSC. These cells are used as a therapeutic modality in animal models for human diseases including osteoarthritis and multiple myeloma. Homepage http://www.weizmann.ac.il/mcb/ 114 Molecular Cell Biology Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Uri Alon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Avri Ben-Ze'ev, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Samuel Lunenfeld-Reuben Kunin Professorial Chair of Genetics Alexander D. Bershadsky, Ph.D., Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation The Joseph Moss Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research Eli Canaani, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Harry Kay Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Benjamin Geiger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Professor Erwin Neter Professorial Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology Zvi Kam, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (on extension of service) The Israel Pollak Professorial Chair of Biophysics Moshe Oren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Andre Lwoff Professorial Chair in Molecular Biology Elior Peles, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hanna Hertz Professorial Chair for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroscience Varda Rotter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Norman and Helen Asher Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Yehiel Zick, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Marte R. Gomez Professorial Chair of Photosynthesis

Professors Emeriti

Abraham Amsterdam, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel David Givol, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel David Yaffe, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Professors

Sima Lev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joyce and Ben B. Eisenberg Professorial Chair of Molecular Endocrinology and Cancer Research Dov Zipori, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joe and Celia Weinstein Professorial Chair Molecular Cell Biology 115 Senior Scientists

Valery Krizhanovsky, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Carl and Frances Korn Career Development Chair in the Life Sciences Gil Levkowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Tauro Career Development Chair in Biomedical Research Oren Schuldiner, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Aser Rothstein Career Development Chair

Associate Staff Scientists

Janna Blechman, Ph.D., Moscow University, Moscow, Russian Federation Anat Bren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Erez Dekel, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Tatiana A. Rozovskaia, Ph.D., Institute of Molecular Biology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Yael Aylon, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Rehovot, Israel Sigalit Boura-Halfon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Nancy Gavert, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Irina Lavelin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Galia Maik-Rachline, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Avi Mayo, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Rachel Sarig, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientist

Hila Rubin-Lifshitz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left May 2010)

Senior Interns

Irina Issaeva Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Jerusalem, Israel (left November 2010) Cellina Cohen-Saidon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Jerusalem, Israel (left July 2010) Alexandra Lichtenstein, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel 116 Molecular Cell Biology Ziv Porat, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alexander Sobko, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Sabina Winograd-Katz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Interns

Yossi Buganim, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left March 2010) Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left August 2010) Yael Eshed Eisenbach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Konstantin Fineberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left May 2010) Eyal Kalo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institutue of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left June 2010) Perry Stambolsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Ronit Aloni-Grinstein, Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), Ness-Ziona, Israel Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern (left September 2010) David Givol Valery Krizhanovsky (left January 2010) Helit Nabel-Rosen (left June 2010) Guy Shinar, Dune Medical Devices Ltd., and Earlysense Ltd., Amos Simon, Sheba Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel David Yaffe

Visiting Scientists

Ronit Aioni-Grinstein Fabian Anderegg, University of Zurich, Switzerland Jozsef Baryani, INSERM E0021, Paris, France Avigdor Eldar Shai Garty, Max Planck Inst., Heildelberg, Germany Dov Gefel, Barzilai Med. Ctr., Ashkelon, Israel Anna Carla Goldberg Marija Nika Lovsin, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Jovana Matic Shmuel Rozenblatt, Tel-Aviv University , Israel Sanford Sampson, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Yardena Samuels, NIH, NIE, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A. Tamar Shahal, Max Planck Inst., Stuttgart, Germany Molecular Cell Biology 117 David Sidransky, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, U.S.A. Moshe Yaniv, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France Israel Zan-Bar

Postdoctoral Fellows

Shlomit Amar-Farkash, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Liat Amir-Zilberstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vered Bar, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ran Brosh, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Debora Rosa Bublik, Sissa-Isas Ariel Cohen, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tomer Cooks, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yael Eshed-Eisenbach, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Konstantin Feinberg, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shahar Frechter, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Naama Geva-Zatorsky, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yaniv Hakim, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Ido Horresh, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Iris Kamer Samoelov, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Elena Kartvelishvily, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Ira Kogan-Sakin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Daniel Koster, Ph.D., Delft University of Technology Orly Laufman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Julieta Leyt Kachanovsky, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Efrat Lidor Nili, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ariel Livne, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Merav Marom, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Neta Moskovits, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Lior Noy, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Meirav Pevsner-Fischer, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ziv Porat, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nadya Rakovitsky, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Adriana Reuveny, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ruth Scherz-Shouval, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tamar Shahal, University of Cambridge Tom Shemesh, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Guy Shinar, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alessia Vivanti, University of Rome Hyun-Jeong Yang, Tokyo Institute of Technology Shirit Yaniv, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Yuliya Zilberman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 118 Molecular Cell Biology Research Students

Shelly Adi-Harel Veronique Amor Vered Bar Sarit Batsir Avital Beck Amir Ben-Shmuel Anat Biran Nataliya Borodovsky Ran Brosh Dror Chorev Yifat Cohen Eran Eden Yakov Fogel Naama Geva-Zatorsky Neev Golan Ido Goldstein Lior Golomb Chagay Gonen Aaron Gordon Itai Gutman Amos Gutnick Gal Haase Yuval Hart Gil Hornung Roi Isaac Sivan Kagan Amir Kedan Omer Keinan So Hui Kim Ira Kogan-Sakin Gilad Landan Orly Laufman Sarit Levin Efrat Lidor Nili Daniel Madar Shlomi Madar Alina Molchadsky-Cholostoy Nurit Novak Meirav Pevsner-Fischer Dana Rabinovich Miriam Regev Noa Rivlin Adi Sagiv Orly Savion Michael Selitrennik Efrat Shema Ofer Shoshani Oren Shoval Timor Shuster-Meiseles Hilla Solomon Yaron Vinik Einav Wircer Reut Yosef Hemo Yuliya Zilberman Administrator

Pnina Carmi Neurobiology 119

Neurobiology

Yadin Dudai, Head (until August 2010) The Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology

Rafi Malach, Head (from September 2010) The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair in Brain Research

Research in Neuroscience in the Department of Neurobiology encompasses a wide variety of subjects, in areas including cellular and molecular biology, neuroanatomy, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), physiology, pharmacology, psychophysics, and computational sciences.

Research in Neuroscience in the Department of Neurobiology encompasses a wide variety of subjects, in areas including cellular and molecular biology, neuroanatomy, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), physiology, pharmacology, psychophysics, and computational sciences.

At the Neurobiology Department, the structure, function, development, and plasticity of the nervous system are studied at various levels of analysis, using different types of cell and experimental animal models. Two main approaches explore the brain at the cellular and system levels.

At the cellular level, the research involves in vitro systems ranging from non-neuronal and neuronal cell lines to primary neuronal and glial cells of cerebellar, hippocampal and cortical origin. In many cases, the cells studied are transfected with genes of interest. These cell systems allow the study of the roles of various components of the nervous system, including cell surface membrane components, specific enzymes, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, growth factors, neuroreceptors, lipid components, ionic channels and cytoskeletal constituents. Algorithms for the synaptic plasticity between neurons, and the role of dendritic ion channels in synaptic input and information processing, are also being studied. Injury models of nerve lesion and oxidative stress paradigms are applied to examine the principles of CNS regeneration, rescue from ischemia and stroke, and apoptotic cell death and senescence.

At the system level, the experimenters strive to understand the complex neuronal mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and sensory processing (vision, taste, smell), and to determine the relationship between brain and 120 Neurobiology mind. Using track tracing methods, the rules governing the interconnections in the visual cortex are being unraveled. Behavioral studies focus on principles of learning and consolidation, cortical information processing, learning disabilities, and addiction. Functional brain imaging of the human visual cortex is being studied by various techniques, including fMRI. Psychophysical approaches are being used to define processes involved in image segmentation, learning and memory skill acquisition, motor control, and language. Nearly 20 groups of researchers carry out both independent studies and collaborative research with colleagues from within the Department and outside it.

E.Ahissar Active sensing: Brain mechanisms perception. Theory of perception Object localization in rats and humans Biomimetic technology for active touch and vision Sensory substitution - seeing by feeling

A. Arieli The role of ongoing activity in sensory processing Mechanisms of Active Sensing - studies in Humans: Fixational eye movements and visual perception. Active vision in sensory-substitution. Brain-sensor dynamics during three-dimensional perception. Decision Making Strategies revealed by Eye-tracking

S. Barash Neuroscience of looking and seeing

A. Chen (http://www.weizmann.ac.il/neurobiology/labs/chen/) Neurobiology of Stress: The molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the brain responses to stressful challenges. The central role of the CRF/Urocortins family of stress-related neuropeptides. Stress and Energy Homeostasis. Environmental Enrichment Positive Challenge. microRNA and the Stress Response. Epigenetic Mechanisms and the Stress Response. Establishment of CNS-related genetic tools.

Y. Dudai Mechanisms of memory consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction in the mammalian brain. Memory enhancement and erasure. Brain and behavioral mechanisms of episodic recollection in the human. Neurobiology 121 Theories of learning and memory.

A. Grinvald The functional architecture underlying visual perception. A. Grinvald, D. Omer, L. Rom

Cortical correlates of attention in behaving monkeys. A. Grinvald, D. Omer, L. Rom

The space-time dynamics of cortical activity as revealed by population activity (EEG, LFP and real-time optical imaging) coupled with single-unit and intracellular recordings. A. Grinvald, D. Omer, L. Rom M. Tsodyks

The Interactions between evoked and on-going activity and their potential functional role in cortical processing. A. Grinvald, D. Omer, M. Tsodyks

The dynamics of cortical representations in the visual cortex. A. Grinvald, S. Naaman

T. Kimchi Neuronal Basis of Sexually Dimorphic Behaviors Sexually dimorphic pheromone signals perception, processing and biology function. Characterizing novel pheromone-mediated behavioral and neuroendocrine responses in laboratory and wild-caught mouse strains. Identifying the genetic, neural and biochemical basis of sex-typical social and reproductive behaviors. Studying the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using genetic modified mouse models.

I. Lampl Cortical and subcortical dynamics of ongoing and sensory evoked synaptic activities. The functional connectivity in the somatosensory system. Mechanisms and functions of sensory adaptation. Mechanisms and functions of synchrony in the mammalian cortex

R. Malach Brain activity underlying human sensory perception- combined functional imaging with magnetic resonance and intracranial recordings in patients Holistic and part based visual representations Spatio-temporal cortical activity patterns associated with perceptual awareness Changes of brain activity during sleep and wakeful states 122 Neurobiology Fundamental Intrinsic and Extrinsic networks in the human brain and their role in perceptual awareness. Patterns of Spontaneous activity in healthy and pathological brains

R. Paz Neurobiology of learning and memory Neuronal circuits and interactions between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex Generalization and specificity of learning Extinction of memory Motivational and emotional modulation of memory Computational approaches to coding mechanisms in the brain Psychiatric disorders from pathologies in the amygdala-prefrontal pathway (e.g. autism, anxiety-disorders, post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD), epilepsy)

D. Sagi Human vision, with an emphasis on processes involved in image segmentation, learning, and memory.

E. Schneidman Computational and theoretical Neuroscience Neural Coding, Information and noise in neural populations, Decoding neural activity, Design and function of network of neurons Animal swarming and collective behavior Decision making and learning Biological networks

M. Schwartz The role of circulating immune cells (macrophages and autoimmune T cells together providing "protective autoimmunity") in maintaining the brain's plasticity in health and disease Acute CNS injuries- where and how the immune-brain dialogue takes place: How trafficking of beneficial immune cells through the brain's barrier to the diseased brain is controlled, and how their immune activity is regulated in acute injuries and in chronic diseases. Cognitive activity and aging: How circulating immune cells contribute to life-long hippocampal dependent spatial learning/memory, and how aging of the brain is related to the aging of the immune system. Cell renewal: The mechanism by which the immune response controls stem cells and cell renewal in neurogenic niches, the hippocampus, dorsal root ganglia (recently shown by my group to participate in touch sensation and habituation), and the eye. Coping with stress: How the immune system protects the brain from threats arising from within and restores homeostasis. How immune cells contribute to Neurobiology 123 coping with stress and depression. Neurodevelopmental diseases: How congenital malfunction of the immune system causes attention deficits and induces late onset neurodevelopmental diseases, such as schizophrenia. Chronic diseases: How breaches in the equilibrium between the immune system the brain affect the onset of ALS and Alzheimer's disease.

M. Segal Intracellular calcium and structural/functional plasticity in cultured neurons. M. Segal, Dr. Eduard Korkotian, Professor Michael Frotscher, Prof. Thomas Deller Hippocampal structure and function during stress. M. Segal, Dr. Nicola Maggio, Dr. Gayane Grigoryan

Electrical activity in small hippocampal networks M. Segal, Dror Cohen

Activity maintains survival of neurons in culture M. Segal, Eldi Schonfeld-Dado

N. Sobel Olfaction Functional Imaging

V. Teichberg Penetration of prion protein into brain via the blood brain barrier V. Teichberg, Itzik Cooper

Peripheral mechanisms for brain neuroprotection V. Teichberg, Yael Klin, Alexander Zlotnik and Yoram Shapira

Enzymatic scavenging of blood glutamate in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases V. Teichberg, Keti-Cohen-Kashi-Melina, Itzik Cooper, Alexander Zlotnik, Yoram Shapira, Angela Ruban, Yael Klin, Moti Boyko

Treatment of acute brain neurodegenerative conditions by activation of a blood glutamate scavenging system Glutamate transport in an in vitro model of the blood brain barrier

Treatment of malignant gliomas with blood glutamate scavengers

Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with blood glutamate scavengers 124 Neurobiology Treatment of nerve gas exposure with blood glutamate scavengers GABA transport in an in vitro model of the blood brain barrier. Treatment of melanoma with blood glutamate scavengers

M. Tsodyks Modeling of cortical neuronal populations: From microcircuits to large scale networks.

Information transmission through dynamic synapses. M. Tsodyks, H. Markram

Population activity in visual cortex. M. Tsodyks, A. Grinvald, D. Sagi

N. Ulanovsky Neurobiology of learning and memory: a systems neuroscience approach Mammalian hippocampus - hippocampal place cells Neuronal circuits and hippocampal neural activity in freely-behaving echolocating bats Towards neurophysiological recordings in freely flying bats, using radio-telemetry From the bat's biological sonar system to spatial cognition The neural basis of behavior

A. Zangen Depression and Addiction in the Brain Reward System Evaluation of neurochemical and electrophysiological alterations in the brain reward system of animal models for addiction and depression. Behavioral and neurochemical effects of brain stimulation in reward-related brain sites: Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in humans and localized electrical stimulation in animal models.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/neurobiology/ Neurobiology 125 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ehud Ahissar, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Helen Diller Family Professorial Chair in Neurobiology Yadin Dudai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology Amiram Grinvald, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Helen Norman Asher Professorial Chair in Brain Research Rafi Malach, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Professorial Chair in Brain Research Dov Sagi, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The George Zlotowski Professorial Chair Michal Schwartz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maurice and Ilse Katz Professorial Chair of Neuroimmunology Menahem Segal, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States The Harry and Leona Levine Professorial Chair of Neurosciences Vivian I. Teichberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Louis and Florence Katz-Cohen Professorial Chair of Neuropharmacology Michail Tsodyks, Ph.D., L.D. Landau Institute of Theoretical Physics, Moscow, Russian Federation The Gerald and Hedy Oliven Professorial Chair in Brain Research

Professors Emeriti

Yitzhak Koch, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Uriel Littauer, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel David Samuel, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Israel Silman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Izchak Z. Steinberg, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Zvi Vogel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ephraim Yavin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Professors

Shabtai Barash, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Ilan Lampl, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Carl and Frances Korn Career Development Chair in the Life Sciences (until September 2010) 126 Neurobiology Noam Sobel, Ph.D., Stanford University, California, United States Abraham Zangen, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Incumbent of the Joseph and Celia Reskin Career Development Chair (until July 2010)

Senior Research Fellow

Amos Arieli, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Senior Scientists

Alon Chen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Philip Harris and Gerald Ronson Career Development Chair Tali Kimchi, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Rony Paz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Beracha Foundation Career Development Chair Elad Schneidman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship Nachum Ulanovsky, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Knarik Bagdasarian, Ph.D., Orbeli's Institute of Physiology of Armenian Academy of Science, Armenia Liora Cahalon, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Eduard Korkotian, Ph.D., University of Yerevan, Armenia

Senior Intern

Avi Mendelsohn, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Intern

Dori Derdikman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineers

Vladimir Garber, M.Sc., National Technical University of Ukraine , Kiev, Ukraine Daniel Goldian, B.Sc., Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom Abebe Medhanie, B.A., Tel-Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Afeka, Israel Neurobiology 127 Naama Rubin, M.Sc., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States

Consultants

Yael Adini Avraham Avital, Yhe Yizreel Valley College, Israel (left March 2010) Barak Blumenfeld (left October 2010) Yoram Bonneh, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel Yossi Chalamish, Kibbutzim College of Education, Tel-Aviv, Israel Alexander Cooperman Thomas Deneux Roman Gersner (left September 2010) Sebastian Haidarliu Ilana Harlev Eilat Kahana, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel (left May 2010) Uriel Littauer Nicola Maggio, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel David Samuel Barbara Schick Shani Revital (left March 2010) Israel Silman Ilan Vaknin, Active P, Kiryat Shmona, Israel Eduard Yakubov (left July 2010)

Visiting Scientists

Shimon Amir, Concordia University , Montreal, Canada Osnat Ben Shahar, University of California at Santa Barbara, U.S.A. Aviva Berkovich-Ohana, Internal Medicine Program, U.S.A. Satomi Ebara, University of Meiji, Japan Howard Eichenbaun Natalya Exselrod, Barzilai Med. Ctr., Ashkelon, Israel George Fink, University of Melbourne, Australia David Golomb Yona Greenman, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel Kalanit Grill - Spector, Stanford University , U.S.A. Amichai Hareven Guido Hesselmann, INSERM E0021, Paris, France Anna Hill, Medizinische klinik munichen, Germany David Holcman Thomas Hummel Adela Ana Juknat Geralnik, University of Tel - Aviv, Israel Bianca Jupp, University of Melbourne, Australia Eilat Kahana Steve Lisberger 128 Neurobiology Etan Markus, University of Conneticut, Storrs, CT, U.S.A. Tal Marom Mohammed Ragib Milad-Hayek Daniela Schiller, University of New-York, U.S.A. David Shore, McMaster University , Ont., Canada Sagit Shushan, Wolfson Hospital, Yaffo, Israel Mikhail Stepanichev, Russian Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia Gasper Tkacik, University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Larry Young

Postdoctoral Fellows

Michal Cardon, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dror Cohen, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Katayun Cohen-Kashi, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Thomas D. A. Deneux, Ph.D., Ecole Polytechnique Ilan Dinstein, New York University Georg Dirnberger, University of Vienna, Austria Evan Elliott, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ehud Fonio, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Orit Furman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Catherine Wairimu Gatome, Anatomy Gayane Grigoryan, Institute of Physiology Of National Academy Of Sci Lior Haviv, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Guido Hesselmann, University of Dusseldorf Yonatan Katz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oded Klavir, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Mariana Laura Melcon Morante de Sa, Ph.D., University of Tuebingen Avi Mendelsohn, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Michaeli, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Uri Nili, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kazunori Ohashi, Ph.D., Kyushu Institute of Technology Alexander Pine, University College London (Wellcome Centre For Neu Son Preminger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Neta Rimmerman, Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington Julia Maria Rist, University of Cambridge Sandro Romani, Universita' Di Roma "Sapienza" Noga Ron-Harel, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Avraham Saig, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maytal Shabat-Simon, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yair Shemesh, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Dekel Taliaz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michael Tsoory, Ph.D., Haifa University, Israel Ilan Vaknin, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yossi Yovel, Tuebingen University + Mpi Biological Cybernetics Neurobiology 129 Viviana Zlochiver (Munoz Flo, Suny Upstate Medical University

Research Students

Ana Catarina Aidos Raposo Anat Arzi Karen Assayag Yekutiel Baruch Aya Ben-Yakov Irit Birnboim Sella Michal Cardon Dror Cohen Eyal Cohen Merav Cohen Yarden Cohen Katayun Cohen-Kashi Itzik Cooper Eran Dayan David Deutsch Gili Ezra Arseny Finkelstein Lior Fisch Oren Forkosh Orit Furman Rotem Gabai (Genud) Elad Ganmor Hagar Gelbard-Sagiv Sharon Gilad-Gutnick Goren Gordon Leor Gruendlinger Sharon Haramati Tal Harmelech Orna Issler Muna Jubran Roni Kahana Yonatan Katz Yonat Keshet Yael Klin Gilad Kunis Yael Kuperman Hadas Lapid Offir Laufer Maya Lebow Tomer Livne Uri Livneh Anat London-Drori Rachel Ludmer Shirley Mark Avi Mendelsohn Meir Meshulam Omer Miller Adi Neufeld Uri Nili Shira Ozana (Eilam) Yaron Penn Limor Regev Jennifer Resnik Noga Ron-Harel Alon Rubin Avraham Saig Inbar Saraf-Sinik Eldi Schonfeld-Dado Ravid Shechter Reut Shema Sagit Shushan Erez Simony Dekel Taliaz Bo Xiao Michael Yartsev Yaara Yeshurun Noga Zilkha Administrator

Michal Hirschberg 130 Veterinary Resources

Veterinary Resources

Professor Alon Harmelin, Head

The Department of Veterinary Resources provides services and facilities to the life science faculties. The department has a staff of 70. Its activities include breeding and maintenance of laboratory animals and the operation of specialized facilities.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/vet/

Staff

Senior Staff Scientist

Alon Bernstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Raya Eilam-Altstadter, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Rebecca Haffner-Krausz, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom Vyacheslav Kalchenko, Ph.D., Chita State Medical Academy, Chita, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Inbal Biton, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Michael Tsoory, Ph.D., University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

Intern

Yuri Kuznetsov, Ph.D., Chita State Medical Academy, Chita, Russia, Chita, Russian Federation

Veterinarians

Alon Harmelin, Prof., BVsc. MRCVS, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, School of Veterinary Medicine, R.S.A., Diplomate Eclam Veterinary Resources 131 Ori Brenner, B.V.Sc., University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, School of Veterinary Medicine, Diplomate ACVP Natalya Dotsenko, D.V.M., Moscow Veterinary Academy Bella Finarov, D.V.M., Moscow Veterinary Academy Gil Hecht, DVM, University of Utrecht, Faculty of Veterinary, Utrecht, The Netherlands and Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alina Maizenberg, D.V.M., Latvia, Riga Noa Stettner, D.V.M., Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot

Administrator

Kaduri Abudi (until March 2010) Ilana Alon (from April 2010) 132 The Norman and Helen Asher Center for Brain Imaging

The Norman and Helen Asher Center for Brain Imaging

Yadin Dudai, Head (until August 2010) The Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology

Rafi Malach, Head (from September 2010) The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair in Brain Research

The Center for Human Brain Imaging will utilize an ultra modern facility dedicated to the imaging and understanding of human brain function. The Center will support the operations of the most advanced neuroimaging technology available, including a 4-tesla f-MRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine. This equipment will allow unprecedented research and diagnostic inroads into the functions and malfunctions of the human mind.

Beyond its implications for basic science, however, the potential for clinical and biomedical applications based on this research is enormous. Initially, the f-MRI's high resolution as an imaging tool will allow for much greater precision in mapping the brain (the f-MRI greatly improves upon existing technologies, for example, in locating and assessing the effects of brain tumors and tissue damage caused by cerebral events or head injuries). In the longer term, increased understanding of the causes of such mental disorders as depression, schizophrenia, autism, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, stroke, dementia and countless others, will lead to the development of currently unimaginable diagnostic tools and treatment modalities.

With the physical facilities of the program now in place, and good progress towards the procurement of its major equipment, the Center's support of the f-MRI operations will enable the translation of the potential of the f-MRI into scientific reality by fostering inter-disciplinary research programs that combine several complementary approaches. The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences 133

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences

Yadin Dudai, Head (until August 2010) The Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology

Rafi Malach, Head (from September 2010) The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair in Brain Research

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences was established in 1978. Since its creation, this center has been geared toward the promotion and support of studies of the nervous system at molecular, cellular, and multicellular levels. The Benoziyo Center supports the research of scientists in a wide range of fields at the Weizmann Institute, allowing them to unravel structure-function-activity relationships in the brain and to understand the complex neuronal mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and sensory processing (vision, taste, smell), as well as the relationship between brain and mind. Much time, intellectual effort, and financial resources still need to be devoted to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, neurosignaling cascades, network patterns, memory, and cognitive psychophysics. Solving the molecular basis of human brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, is high on the list of priorities of the Benoziyo Center. The Center provides financial assistance to scientists initiating new projects and to some students in need of salaries. In addition, it provides a means for reknowned world neuroscientists to visit the Weizmann Institute, and supports travel of students to international or local Neuroscience meetings. 134 The Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Center for Brain Research

The Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Center for Brain Research

Yadin Dudai, Head (until August 2010) The Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology

Rafi Malach, Head (from September 2010) The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair in Brain Research

The Einhorn-Dominic Institute of Brain Research was inaugurated in November 1996. Among its primary missions was the initiation of new activities in brain research at the Weizmann Institute, particularly those requiring collaborations among several disciplines in several faculties. This year we focused on the planning of WIS new human brain imaging facility (F-MRI and Electroencephalography) and supported joint molecular and cellular brain research.

The Einhorn-Dominic Institute policy is to encourage brain research in the Department of Neurobiology and all other faculties at the Weizmann Institute of Science targeted at the studies of higher brain functions. Funding decision are made by the Brain Research Institute's ad-hoc Committee. The Committee will assign higher priority to support multi-disciplinary research collaborations among scientists from different departments and faculties at the WIS. The current policy is to provide a few large grants. Such support may be granted for a few years, depending on the research progress accomplished after the first year.

This year the Dominic Institute funds were allocated to five researchers: Yadin Dudai, Efraim Yavin ,Ehud Ahissar, Misha Tsodyks, Henry Markram, Shabtai Barash and Amiram Grinvald.

In addition the Institute also hosted a number of eminent scientists from around the world, who gave lectures in our weekly Seminars. Visiting lecturers came to our campus from Freiburg University, The Hebrew University, Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, New York University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Bar-Ilan University, Brandeis University and Cornell University. The Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions 135

The Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions

Amiram Grinvald, Director The Helen and Norman Asher Professorial Chair of Brain Research

General Activities

This center supports the research of Prof. Grinvald. Grinvald's research focus on the principles underlying cortical processing, perception and higher brain functions, and the so-called "neural code," a term referring to the strategies employed by neuronal networks in the brain to accomplish their remarkable function. The research tools used in order to "see" how the brain functions are two optical imaging techniques, one based on voltage-sensitive dyes, and the second on intrinsic signals. These explorations are combined with traditional neuroanatomical and neurophysiological techniques, and are guided by computational theories and modeling.

The combination of "real time" optical imaging and single unit recording has enabled to directly visualize the workings of neuronal assemblies, as well as the architecture and functioning of the mammalian cortex, in unprecedented detail. As a result, one can directly "see" how the brain works in real time, and some longstanding questions related to perception and higher cognitive functions were resolved including the functional architecture of primary visual cortex, the point spread function of cortical activity, the dynamics of shape processing, the interaction of neuronal activity with the micro-circulation and the spatio-temporal structure of on going activity of anesthetized and awake subjects indicating that functional connectivity must be explored in awake subjects. 136 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research

Dov Zipori, Director The Joe and Celia Weinstein Professorial Chair

The Stem Cell Club, founded in 2004, at the Weizmann Institute included scientists from the Weizmann Institute as well as other Israeli Academic Centers. The Club organized "The First International Stem Cell Symposium", 28th29th November 2004 and the "Stem Cell Meeting", 16th November 2005. Both of these meetings took place on campus. This activity was then followed by the formation of the Stem Cell Center in Establishment that provided support for several research groups at the Weizmann Institute leading the way to the initiative for the establishment of the Israel Stem Cell Society (ISCS). The Center contributed to allocation of major funds dedicated to the purchase of advanced cell analysis and imaging equipment. The establishment of the Helen and Martin Kimmel Stem Cell Research Institute in 2006 boosts stem cell activities: The Stem Cell Institute has undertaken the organization of the "International Stem Cell Meeting: Stem Cells and their Microenvironment", in conjunction with the Israeli ILSI-BioMed, June 2007. This meeting has been a major event that attracted the majority of stem cell researchers in Israel. Leaders in the stem cell research field from America, Europe and Asia also participated in the meeting. The success of this first event encouraged the organizers of The Second International Stem Cell Meeting to maintain the structure of the event and to hold it along side the ILSI-BioMed, May 2008 in Tel Aviv. The third meeting in this series took place during 2009. During 2011 the fourth meeting is the series is planned to take place in Shiba Medical Center.

A Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of the Stem Cell Research Institute has been established and has provided research grants to groups belonging to different Departments and Faculties within the Weizmann Institute. This activity is now in its fifth year and according to the experience gained, the SSC formulated instructions for grant applications. The call for applications is issued each year with the deadline of November and funding beginning the following January. Instructions for application are provided in the Research Grant and Project Office site.

During 2008-2010, The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research, hosted several guest speakers and visiting scientists. The Institute also hosted a local meeting of the ISCS devoted to presentations by young investigators. Last but not least, The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research 137 Stem Cell Research, in collaboration with the Biological Services Department, has opened a new Stem Cell Core Facility aimed at promoting embryo stem cell research at the Weizmann Institute. This facility is now operative and serves many research groups by providing mouse and human embryonic stem cells, as well as adult stem cells and feeder cells. The facility further offers cell repository services. 138 The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders

The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders

Benjamin Geiger, Director (until July 2010) The Professor Erwin Neter Professorial Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology

Michal Neeman, Director (from August 2010) The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professorial Chair in Biological Sciences

The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders was founded in 2006. Its primary objectives are to advance our understanding of childhood diseases such as cancer (e.g., leukemias), and immunological disorders such as asthma, allergies, acquired immunodeficiencies, and various aspects of inflammation and immune system deregulation.

At the Weizmann Institute of Science, investigations into these topics are particularly promising, both due to their potential to highlight the mechanisms underlying these diseases, thereby enabling the design of effective therapeutic approaches, and the possibility of joining forces with clinicians, and contributing to the development of novel therapies and diagnostic approaches.

To contribute to these important goals, the Kirk Center supports early stage, cutting-edge research related to childhood diseases and immunological disorders, enabling the purchase of vital instrumentation, and covering the cost of conferences addressing a range of topics in pediatric research. In 2009-2010, the Kirk Center financed the following research projects, courses and conferences:

♦ Prof. Yosef Yarden "Novel EGFR mutants of pediatric brain cancer: molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis" ♦ Prof. Yair Reisner "Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation" ♦ Prof. Avri Ben-Zeev "Nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) signaling and ezrin are essential for L1-meiated colon cancer cell metastasis". ♦ Prof. Lea Eisenbach "Split immunity: immune inhibition of a lethal brain tumors preclinical models" ♦ Prof. Avi Ben-Nun "artificial multi-myelin epitope protein and adult neural stem/progenitor cells for myelin/neuronal repair and treatment of chronic MS-like disease" The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders 139 ♦ Prof. Yair Reisner The course "Highlights in Immunology" - This bi-yearly course which covers hot topics in immunology, involves leading immunologists from Europe and the US. ♦ Prof. Steffen Jung and Prof. Idit Shachar "Immunity in context - Development and Survival Signals in the Immune System" Meeting ♦ Prof. Benny Geiger "The Myeloma Days", 2009-2010, combining scientific gathering and a direct interactions with MM patients. ♦ Prof. Atan Gross Mito 2010" meeting on "Mitochondria: Function and Dysfunction" http://www.weizmann.ac.il/kirk/ 140 The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging

The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging

Yair Reisner, Director The Henry H. Drake Professorial Chair of Immunology

The Center, established in 1979, aims to further research that will contribute to our understanding of the fundamental biological processes related to the phenomena of aging and its pathology. Areas of research supported concentrate on the cellular interactions in the immune system, and related aspects of the structure and function of the vascular system, connective tissues, the molecular genetics of differentiation, and the molecular basis of malignant transformation.

To achieve its aims, the Center provides support for research performed at the Institute's department of Immunology and also contributes to certain activities in the field of gene targeting and transgenic animals, which constitute powerful tools for studying the molecular basis of the immune system as well as various disorders that are involved in the aging process. The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research 141

The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research

Yair Reisner, Director The Henry H. Drake Professorial Chair of Immunology

The center supports the research of Prof. Tsvee Lapidot, Prof. Dov Zipori and Prof. Yair Reisner, dedicated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Highlights of these studies last year were as follows:

Prof. Tsvee Lapidot

To obtain the healthy stem cells for transplantation - either from a healthy donor or from the patient himself before or during treatment with chemotherapy - these cells must be "encouraged" to come out of the marrow into the bloodstream (in other words, they must be "mobilized"). To understand how this happens, we probed the turn of events in the bone marrow and found that stem cells in the marrow are freed into the blood via an "anchors aweigh" mechanism. The findings put a key protein into focus - SDF-1. This protein had previously been found by this and other research teams worldwide to anchor stem cells inside the marrow by activating adhesion molecules (molecules that serve as "glue"). We now have found that SDF-1 must be degraded for stem cell mobilization to take place and uncovered the underlying degradation mechanism. This finding which was published this year in the prestigious journal Nature Immunology, Is not only important for the understanding of the biology of stem cell transplantation but it may also lead to improved collection of stem cells for clinical transplantations.

Prof. Dov Zipori

Our studies on the interactions between hemopoietic cells and the organ me senchymal stroma indicate that transforming growth factor (TGF)β cytokines are involved in the formation of restrictive microenvironments. Activin A, one member of the TGFβ family, was initially found to cause apoptotic death of tumor B lineage cells. We have now found that activin A specifically restrains the differentiation of normal precursor B cells: activin A caused accumulation of B lineage cells at early stages of differentiation both in vivo and in vitro. This restrictive activity is not exerted on other hemopoietic lineages. The expression of such lineage specific restrictive molecules may assure the control of adult pluripotent stem cells, which occur in multiple organs and 142 The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research tissue types, to prevent their differentiation into directions that may endanger the integrity of the tissue.

Prof. Yair Reisner

Clinical studies continue with the implementation of our new approach, making use of 'mega dose ' stem cell transplants , which enables the use of mismatched family members. Although we have adequately shown the efficacy of this approach in more than 300 patients, it must be analyzed properly, the same as for any new drug by formal multi-center clinical trials in Europe and in the USA, and we are presently in the middle of this important final step.

This month we are happy to launch a web site which will serve as a quarterly bulletin, showing update of clinical and scientific data for the benefit of patients and doctors who might be interested in our approach. The site address is: http://www.haplo.org/index.php

In addition, we are focusing our efforts on a new application of stem cell transplantation for patients with diseases that could be cured by transplantation but who are not at immediate risk from their disease and, therefore, should not be exposed to the current risky protocols. Thus, the challenge is how to overcome graft rejection following mild radiation or chemotherapy based protocols. To that end, based on encouraging results in the mouse model, we are currently developing new cell preparations which could be given in conjunction with the stem cells in order to facilitate engraftment of the latter cells under such safe conditions. The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology 143

The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology

Nava Dekel, Director The Philip M. Klutznick Professorial Chair of Developmental Biology

The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology was officially inaugurated on November 3rd, 1999. The Center was designed to focus on the regulation of angiogenic processes and on the identification of signaling pathways and the mechanisms involved in the transduction of these signals in biological systems. Since de-regulation of such processes are a cause for many human diseases (e.g., cancer, heart failure and stroke), an effort is made to use our results to develop tools for early diagnosis of these ailments, and for the design of new drugs for pharmacological intervention.

The long-range goals of the Center are: (i) to support innovative ideas, while still in their seeding stage, when it is not yet possible to obtain financial support from conventional funding agencies; (ii) to nurture budding research of young outstanding investigators before their reputation is established; (iii) to finance research that requires an inter-disciplinary effort; (iv) to encourage collaboration with hospitals and with other centers of excellence in Israel and abroad; (v) to train doctoral and post-doctoral students in bioregulation and vascular biology.

The Center supported this year the scientific work of the following groups:

Dr. Lilach Gilboa "Gonad morphogenesis and establishment of germ line stem cells in Drosophila melanogaster": Many organs rely on stem cells for normal development, function and regeneration. The adult ovary of Drosophila employs germ line stem cells (GSCs) for the continual production of eggs throughout the lifetime of the animal. The known location of GSCs and the genetic tools available for Drosophila research have made the adult ovary a leading system in understanding the principles of stem cell biology. Despite the wealth of information regarding adult GSCs, less is known about how, during larval development, the adult niche forms and how it affects GSC establishment of from primordial germ cells (PGCs). Our lab studies two aspects of larval ovary development: A. How the somatic cells of the ovary control proliferation of PGCs, thereby determining the number of stem cells the adult ovary will contain, and B. How the somatic niches for GSCs form, and how niche formation contributes to the establishment of GSCs from PGCs. PGCs in the larval ovary reside in close proximity to Somatic Intermingled 144 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology Cells (ICs). PGCs and ICs communicate via an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-dependent feedback loop (Gilboa and Lehmann, 2006). PGCs produce Spitz, which is required for IC survival and for the production of an unknown substance that represses PGC proliferation. To reveal the identity of this unknown substance we used microarray analysis, comparing wild-type ovaries to ovaries that express an activated form of EGFR. The microarray, together with other lines of evidence suggested one ligand emanating from ICs, is repressing PGC proliferation. Indeed, reducing the amount of this ligand in ovaries results in over-proliferation of PGCs. We are currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the repression of PGC proliferation by this ligand. We are also investigating the signals that positively control PGC proliferation. Our preliminary results suggest that the ligand Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is required for proliferation of PGCs. In the past year our lab conducted a genetic screen to identify regulators of niche formation and stem cell maintenance. The screen was based on direct observation of precociously differentiating PGCs in larval ovaries. The novel detection mode allowed us to uncover novel genes that are important for both niche formation and stem cell maintenance. We are now studying some of these regulators. Combined, our studies will lead to a better understanding of the complex relationship between stem cells and the organs they reside in. Cross talk between stem cell and niches determine the number of stem cells an organ contains, their division rate, maintenance and differentiation. Better understanding of the biological principles underlying such complex relationships is required for our understanding of normal development, disease and, possibly, its treatment.

Dr. Atan Gross - "BID: a master regulator of cell life and death decisions": Apoptosis is essential for both the development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Thus, defects in apoptosis contribute to a variety of diseases including cancer, AIDS, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and autoimmune disorders. Proteins in the BCL-2 family are critical regulators of the commitment to apoptosis, yet their cell death regulatory function remains a mystery. We have picked to focus our studies on BID, a pro-apoptotic member of this family. Mitochondria are a major site of action for BID, yet a detailed understanding of its actions at this organelle is lacking. In the first line of research, we are exploring the activities of BID at the mitochondria by studying its interaction with a novel and uncharacterized protein named mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2)/Met-induced mitochondrial protein (MIMP). We have recently revealed that MTCH2/MIMP acts as a mitochondrial receptor for BID and plays a critical role in liver apoptosis. We have also found that MTCH2/MIMP is involved in mitochondria metabolism, and our future goals are to determine its exact function at the mitochondria and how it may connect apoptosis and metabolism. In a second line of research, we are exploring the activities of BID in the response of cells to DNA damage. We have previously found that The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology 145 DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of BID by the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, and that this phosphorylation is important for cell cycle arrest at the S phase and for inhibition of apoptosis. More recently we have revealed that phosphorylated BID plays a critical role in protecting bone marrow cells from DNA damage, and our future goals are to determine the mechanistic details of BID's activities in the hematopoietic lineage. A better understanding of BID's function at the mitochondria and in the nucleus will most likely yield critical insights for manipulating the apoptotic and DNA repair processes in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Dr. Eldad Tzahor "For the past few years, our lab has been focusing on the identification of candidate signaling molecules and tissue-specific transcription factors that regulate head muscle development during early vertebrate embryogenesis."

Lineage plasticity of the cranial paraxial mesoderm: The developing heart is a specialized muscular vessel that serves as a pump for both the systemic and pulmonary circuits. This extremely complicated organ is highly sensitive to genetic perturbations, which are reflected in the numerous congenital heart defects that affect ~1% of all live births. The multiplicity of cardiac progenitor populations in various vertebrate species is an emerging area of intense focus in many laboratories, due to the enormous therapeutic potential of these avenues for treating heart disease. During early embryogenesis, heart and skeletal muscle progenitor cells are thought to derive from distinct regions of the mesoderm (i.e., lateral plate mesoderm and paraxial mesoderm, respectively). We recently employed both in vitro and in vivo experimental systems in the avian embryo to explore how mesoderm progenitors in the head differentiate into both heart and skeletal muscles. Utilizing fate mapping studies, gene expression analyses, and manipulations of signaling pathways in the chick embryo, we demonstrated that cells from the cranial paraxial mesoderm contribute to both myocardial and endocardial cell populations within the cardiac outflow tract. We further showed that bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling affects the specification of mesoderm cells in the head: application of BMP4 to chick embryos, both in vitro and in vivo, induces cardiac differentiation in the cranial paraxial mesoderm, and blocks the differentiation of skeletal muscle precursors in these cells. Our results demonstrate that cells within the cranial paraxial mesoderm play a vital role in cardiogenesis, as a new source of cardiac progenitors that populate the cardiac outflow tract in vivo.

Craniofacial muscle patterning: Craniofacial development requires the orchestrated integration of multiple interactions among progenitor cells derived from both the cranial paraxial mesoderm and the cranial neural crest (CNC). In the vertebrate head, mesoderm-derived cells fuse together to form a myofiber, which is attached to 146 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology specific CNC-derived skeletal elements in a highly coordinated manner. Although it has long been suggested that the CNC plays an indirect role in the formation of the head musculature, the precise molecular underpinnings of this exquisitely tuned process, and the significance of the CNC's contribution to it, are far less clear. In a recent study we analyzed head skeletal muscle patterning and differentiation in vivo, in three mouse models involving genetic perturbations of CNC development, as well as in CNC-ablated chick embryos. Our results demonstrate that although early specification of the skeletal muscle lineage is CNC-independent, CNC cells play an important role at later developmental stages, regulating the expression patterns of myogenic genes, the migration and axial registration of the mesoderm cells, and the subsequent differentiation of myoblasts in the branchial arches. This study supports a model in which CNC cells control craniofacial development and patterning by regulating positional interactions with mesoderm-derived muscle progenitors that together shape the cranial musculoskeletal architecture during vertebrate embryogenesis.

The contribution of Islet1-expressing splanchnic mesoderm cells to distinct jaw muscles reveals significant heterogeneity in head muscle development: Heart development takes place in close apposition to the developing head. The term "cardio-craniofacial morphogenetic field" reflects the intimate developmental relationship between the head, face, and heart, which is also reflected in numerous cardiac and craniofacial birth defects. Nathan et al, have characterized the nature of the cardio-craniofacial mesoderm in both chick and mouse embryos, using several lineage tracing and gene expression techniques. At both the cellular and molecular levels, the cardio-craniofacial mesoderm can be divided into two compartments, the cranial paraxial mesoderm, and splanchnic mesoderm (SpM), part of which comprises the anterior heart field (AHF). We have found that each of these compartments contributes to the developing heart in a temporally regulated manner. Following linear heart tube stages, we have found that Isl1+/SpM cells contribute to the distal part of the pharyngeal (branchial) mesoderm, as well as to the cardiac outflow tract. Molecular analyses of the head muscles demonstrated distinct molecular and developmental programs for CPM and Isl1+/SpM-derived branchiomeric muscles. Furthermore, we have provided evidence that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates Isl1 and Nkx2.5 gene expression, presumably by fine-tuning boundary formation within the cardio-craniofacial mesoderm. The Women's Health Research Center 147

The Women's Health Research Center

Varda Rotter, Director The Norman and Helen Asher Professorial Chair of Cancer Research

The Woman's Health Research Center is interested in promoting studies on gender -related physiology and disorder leading to specific pathologies. The center, focused on issues concerning fertility, cancer and osteoporosis, is trying to bridge between between basic research and clinical studies. The center supports basic research in ovarian function, such as the regulation of female germ cell development into an ovum, capable of fertilization and embryonic development. Any impairment in these processes may lead to infertility. Basic research in this area led to remarkable achievements in the development of assisted reproductive techniques and offers high hope improve human health through advances in stem cell research and therapeutic cloning. Another focus of the center are gender specific malignancies. It is well accepted that various cancer types are greatly dependent on hormonal control and thus better understanding of the relationship between gender specific tumors and hormones that may contribute to better diagnosis and therapy of such tumors. Support of the center of basic research on the structure and development of bones is directly pertaining to the development of osteoporosis and its potential cure. 148 The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy

The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy

Varda Rotter, Head (until October 2010) The Norman and Helen Asher Professorial Chair of Cancer Research

Elior Peles, Head (from November 2010) The Hanna Hertz Professorial Chair for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroscience

The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy was established in 1998 to promote cancer research, and in particular for the development of new avenues for early detection of malignant processes and of novel therapeutic approaches. The Center supports research projects focusing on the genetic basis for cancer, including the characterization of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and studies on the relationships between cancer and programmed cell death. Special attention is given to studies concerning the relationship between malignant processes studied in vitro and in experimental animals and those associated with human cancer. The Center promotes interdisciplinary studies combining molecular approaches at the cellular level with studies at the level of the intact organism.

The Center supported in 2003 studies on the regulation of p53 and its target genes in human cancer. It promoted development of new approaches for harnessing ovarian cancer and address the role of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in cancer and in cancer metastasis.

The center is currently supporting a series of seminars organized by Prof. Dov Zipori on stem cell biology. The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy 149 150 The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy Faculty of Chemistry

Dean: Yehiam Prior The Sherman Professor of Physical Chemistry

Israel Dostrovsky, Ph.D.(deceased September 2010) (University of London) Institute Professor The Agnes Spencer Professor of Physical Chemistry

Ada Yonath, Ph.D. (Weizmann Institute of Science) Nobel Prize Institute Professor The Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professor 152 Faculty of Chemistry

Faculty of Chemistry

Dean: Yehiam Prior The Sherman Professorial Chair of Physical Chemistry

Department of Chemical Physics

The department consists of theoreticians and experimentalists working at the interface between physics and chemistry. The experimental research is focused, in general, on the understanding of the interaction of matter with different kinds of radiation or charged particles. The effect of the chemical environment on this interaction is investigated by methods such as magnetic resonance, laser spectroscopy, electron tunneling, and electron transmission. New experimental techniques are developed and then applied to a variety of problems in chemistry, physics and biophysics such as catalysis, dynamics of molecules in confined space, enzymatic reactions, the study of protein folding through single molecule spectroscopy, and the study of molecules as possible candidates for electronic devices. The manipulation of chemical reactions by lasers is studied both theoretically and experimentally and the effect of strong laser fields on matter is probed. Extensive theoretical research is also devoted to the complexity of nature and non linear dynamics, reaction dynamics in condensed matter, electron transfer reaction in solutions and quantum optics.

Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

The research at the department is focused on understanding the complex inter - relationships among the major Earth systems and between the human need for alternative energy source and the consequent impact on the Earth's environment. The efforts are equally split between field/experimental work and theoretical studies.

The research into climate change and the atmospheric greenhouse effect takes several directions, including climate dynamics, oceanic circulation, paleoceanography and the study of past climatic patterns, plant-environment interaction and atmospheric chemistry, earth system dynamics and geophysics. These topics are studies as the basic means to understand and predict global changes.

In Hydrology, the research activity has centered on combination of field and laboratory studies with theoretical models to understand flow of water and Faculty of Chemistry 153 chemicals from the ground surface, through the unsaturated zone into the geological saturated formations.

The Solar Energy research is focused on all aspects of using concentrated solar light. It includes the development of new hybrid solar thermal systems, solar fuels, concentrated photovoltaic systems and solar lasers. A technology transfer to the industry was initiated as a result of this work.

Our main objective for the future is to develop scientific activities based on experimental studies providing the basis for integration of field observations into mathematical models. The dynamic of the atmosphere and the lithosphere, environmental analytical chemistry, field hydrology, eco-physiology and climate prediction are among the main fields that we want to develop in the near future.

Department of Materials and Interfaces

The Department of Materials and Interfaces of the Weizmann Institute of Science is an interdisciplinary scientific unit composed of physicists, chemists and materials scientists. A common theme of much of the research done in the department is the design of materials from elementary units with unique, pre-designed functionality. A complementary effort involves the understanding of the functionality of various materials, based on their supramolecular architecture. This leads naturally to foussing on nanomaterials, from synthesis to characterization and eventually to their applications in variety of fields. In addition to new insights in how materials properties can be understood from their atomic, molecular and macromolecular composition and structure, this strategy permits the development of new high performance materials and nanocomposites for numerous applications.

Some recent accomplishments include: a monolayer of water molecules squeezed between two mica surfaces coated with polymer molecules was shown to provide an extremely low friction coefficient, which is relevant to bio-lubrication. A new kind of 1D solid consisting of an ordered array of bubbles flowing in a microfluidic channel was discovered and its highly damped sound wave velocity and phonon spectra were measured. A new torsional nanoelectromechanical device based on carbon nanotubes was fabricated. This device was found to exhibit quantum current oscillations.

Research in the Department of Organic Chemistry

The areas of research in the Department of Organic Chemistry include synthetic and mechanistic organic, inorganic and organometallic chemistry involving novel reactions for organic synthesis; syntheses of physiologically active compounds; polymeric reagents; bond activation studies; homogeneous 154 Faculty of Chemistry catalysis by specifically designed metal complexes; selective oxidation catalysis by polyoxometalates; creation of organic films with desirable electronic and optical properties and the development of molecule-based technologies. Bioorganic chemistry includes the studies of plant antiviral agents; the molecular mechanism of action of rhodopsin; artificial ion carriers and molecular sensors. Biological chemistry includes studies on structure, function, and mode of action of biologically active peptides and proteins; thermophilic enzymes; enzymes involved in DNA repair, DNA and RNA processing; and studies of ordered, compact states of nucleic acids. Methods for very accurate ab initio calculations of molecular properties are being developed and applied.

Department of Structural Biology

The Department is committed to research in the major areas of structural biology and is investigating biological systems from the atomic to the cellular level of organization. The ultimate goal is to obtain a complete picture of biological structures in their complexity, with a continuity at all length scales, from Angstroms to millimetres. The structures of biological macromolecules and their complexes are studied at the length scale of Angstroms by X-ray diffraction from crystals, and in solution by advanced spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance and EXAFS. Electron microscopy, electron tomography and atomic force miscroscopy are imaging techniques used that span the range between nanometers and microns, i.e. from single molecules to macromolecular assemblies and whole tissue organization.

The elucidation of the relations between structure and function of key components in main biological pathways is one of the generalized goals of the research conducted in the Department. One such pathway is the translation of the genetic code from DNA to proteins. A highlight in recent years has been the continued progress in determination of different structures of the ribosome and their complexes with substrate analogues, cofactors, chaperones or antibiotics. These most significant achievements crown the titanic efforts of tens of years of research aimed at elucidating the structure and mechanism of action of ribosomes which are the principal protein synthesis machinery of the cell. Additional research in this area includes structural studies on transcription factors and their DNA targets, tRNA synthetases and their complexes with various substrates, and helicases that unwind RNA Work is also being carried out on chaperones and enzymes that catalyze disulfide bridge formation. These factors assist protein folding which constitutes one of the last 'steps' in the pathway from DNA to functional proteins. The physical principles of protein folding and other biomolecular self-assembly processes (such as protein-protein and protein-DNA recognition) are investigated by using a variety of computational and theoretical tools. Faculty of Chemistry 155 Structural and dynamical aspects of enzyme and protein function and recognition constitute another focal point of activity. Examples are studies on the mechanism of acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme in the transmission of nerve impulses, on proteins regulating membrane-fusion and virus entry into the cell and on metalloproteins. Antibody-antigen recognition is studied using NMR and the tools of molecular biology to unravel the energetic contributions of single interactions, and through antibodies interacting with monolayer and crystal surfaces.

Studies on the relations between organic and mineral components and between structure, function and mechanical properties of mineralised tissues including bone, teeth and shells, and on the nanomechanics of hearing, are performed over the whole range of hierarchical organizations. The development of new techniques in archeological chemistry provides information about human life conditions and technologies in prehistoric times .

The X-ray and NMR facilities are now state-of-the-art. A major upgrade in the electron microscopy facility has also taken place with the addition of two high resolution transmission electron microscopes, an environmental field emission scanning electron microscope, and a high-resolution SEM. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/chemistry/ 156 Chemical Physics

Chemical Physics

Shimon Vega, Head (until November 2010) The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professorial Chair

Eli Pollak, Head (from December 2010) The Sam and Ayala Zacks Professorial Chair

The research in the Department of Chemical Physics covers a wide range of interdisciplinary subjects, combining the fields of chemistry, physics and biophysics.

Light-matter interactions (quantum optics) and their applications for quantum information are being investigated theoretically by Gershon Kurizki in periodic structures, cavities, cold atom gases and condensates. A universal strategy, based on electromagnetic pulses, is being developed for effectively combatting decoherence in various quantum systems.

Ilya Averbukh and Yehiam Prior study, both theoretically and experimentally, various aspects of nonlinear optical interactions, including excitation and detection of atomic and molecular wavepackets prepared by shaped femtosecond pulses, nonlinear optical interactions under the tip of a scanning near-field optical microscope, femtosecond laser material processing and molecular alignment and orientation by strong laser fields, atom optics and atom lithography applications.

David J. Tannor is studying, theoretically, femtosecond control of chemical reactions, attosecond control of multielectronic atoms, optimal control of laser cooling, dissipative quantum mechanics and a new formulation of quantum mechanics based on complex trajectories.

The most recent cavity-QED (quantum electodynamics) capabilities with single cold atoms and chip-based microcavities are combined by Barak Dayan to investigate atom-mediated nonlinear photon-photon interactions. These measurements enable the study of single-photon switches, Quantum Non-Demolition (QND) measurements of optical photons and quantum gates. Chemical Physics 157 New and general methods of molecular and atomic cooling are developed by Ed Narevicius. His group is building a magnetic coilgun to decelerate molecular and atomic beams. Cold atoms and molecules will be used to study collisional processes at ultra-low temperatures where quantum effects become dominant.

Ron Naaman is investigating the use of molecules as components in electronic devices and sensors. This includes studying the electronic properties of organized thin molecular films and investigating information transfer through them. The group also studies the interaction of electrons with bio-molecules.

Gilad Haran uses single-molecule fluroescence methods to study conformational dynamics, association and folding of proteins. In addition, his group also uses single-molecule Raman spectroscopy to probe dynamics of individual surface-adsorbed molecules as well as to study plasmonic interactions on the nano-scale.

Single molecule conduction is studied by Oren Tal. Individual molecules are trapped between two metallic electrodes and their electric conductance is measured and related to their structural and dynamic properties. These studies are also an excellent test bed for studying electronic spin transport at the atomic and nanomater scale.

New methods for the computation of real time quantum dynamics in complex systems are developed by Eli Pollak. Applications include ab-initio chemistry, surface scattering, electron transfer, photoinduced processes and more. The fluorescence quenching by electron transfer assisted by diffusion and spin conversion in radical ion pairs as well as for triplet production and annihilation are being studied by Anatoly I. Burshtein within the original integral encounter theory, beyond the rate concept.

Turbulence both in hydrodynamics and in nonlinear wave interactions is investigated by Victor L'vov. Itamar Procaccia's group deals with various phenomena involving complexity in Nature; besides working on turbulence with L'vov, the group studies the properties of amorphous solids. How these solids form via the glass transition and what are the mechanical properties of the resulting amorphous solids, including their modes of failure like fracture, shear banding and plastic flow.

Eran Bouchbinder studies non-equilibrium problems in solid mechanics and materials science, such as breaking and deformation of materials, using tools of statistical and continuum physics while interacting with experimental and computational groups. 158 Chemical Physics Theoretical modeling of cellular shapes and dynamics is studied by Nir Gov. In particular, the unique dynamic features of biological membranes are investigated and a unified model is developed to describe the mechanical properties of the membranes of red-blood cells.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) and double resonance spectroscopic (ENDOR) techniques are developed and applied by Daniella Goldfarb for the characterization of metal active sites in porous inorganic catalysts and metalloenzymes and for the study of the formation mechanism of the mesostructured mesoporus materials. New multidimensional methods of analysis in solution, solid-state and imaging magnetic resonance are also being developed by Lucio Frydman and his group, for the investigation of metabolism, of biomolecular structures and for dynamic elucidations. NMR methodologies are also used by Zeev Luz to investigate ordering and dynamics processes in condensed phases. Recently, Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) Spectroscopy has been applied to enhance the sensitivity of high resolution NMR spectra and to follow metabolic pathways in biological samples. Basic experimental and theoretical aspects of DNP are also investigated. Water induced molecular motions at solvent-surface interfaces inside mesoporous materials are also studied.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/chemphys/ Chemical Physics 159 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ilya Averbukh, Ph.D., USSR Academy of Science Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation The Patricia Elman Bildner Professorial Chair of Solid State Chemistry Lucio Frydman, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Daniella Goldfarb, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Erich Klieger Professorial Chair of Chemical Physics Gershon Kurizki, Ph.D., University of New Mexico The George W. Dunne Professorial Chair of Chemical Physics Ron Naaman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Aryeh and Mintzi Katzman Professorial Chair Eli Pollak, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Sam and Ayala Zacks Professorial Chair Yehiam Prior, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Sherman Professorial Chair of Physical Chemistry Itamar Procaccia, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Professorial Chair in Chemical Physics David Tannor, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, United States The Hermann Mayer Professorial Chair Shimon Vega, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professorial Chair

Professor Emeritus

Zeev Luz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Associate Professors

Nir Gov, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Gilad Haran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hilda Pomeraniec Memorial Professorial Chair

Senior Scientists

Eran Bouchbinder, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Barak Dayan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow 160 Chemical Physics Incumbent of the Joseph and Celia Reskin Career Development Chair Edvardas Narevicius, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Oren Tal, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Incumbent of the Alvin and Gertrude Levine Career Development Chair

Associate Staff Scientists

Valery Ilyin, Ph.D., Kiev State University Alexander Milner, Ph.D., Ukrainian Academy of Science, Ukraine (left September 2010) Anna Pomyalov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Amos Bardea, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Akiva Feintuch, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Special Contract

Victor Lvov, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

Senior Interns

Rahamim Guliamov, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Adonis Lupulescu, Ph.D., University of Cluj-Napoca, Napoca, Romania Mark Vilensky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left August 2010)

Consultants

Tali Akua Anatoly Burshtein Noam Erez (left August 2010) Gabriel Abraham Frank, National Institutes of Health NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA Reuven Ianconescu, Shenkar, College of Engineering & Design, Ramat-Gan, Israel David Petrosyan, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Forth Yoav Shrot, Elop, Rehovot, Israel Arik Yochelis, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (left July 2010) Chemical Physics 161 Visiting Scientists

Juan Antonio Almendral, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain Talya Arusi-Parpar, Soreq Nuclear Center, Yavne, Israel Efim Brener, Juelich Center, Germany Paul Brumer, University of Toronto, Canada Yuriy M. Bunkov, CNRS, Grenoble, France Riccardo Castagna, ENS De Cachan LPQM, France Sagar Chakraborty Olivier Dauchot, CEA Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France Cynthia Dwork, Microsoft Research, Silicon Valley, U.S.A. Uriel Frisch, Observatoire de Nice, France Giorgio Frossati, Leiden Institute of Physics, Nederland Ute Goerke Elad Harel, University of Chicago, Il, U.S.A. Yong He, Central South University , Changsha, China (P.R) Hilary George Hentschel, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. Andrey Kaplan, University of Birmingham, UK Luiza Kondaurova, Inst. of Thermophysics, Novosibirsk, Russia Anael Lemaitre Joseph Manson, Clemson University, U.S.A. Gnanavel Muthaiyan Alexander Pechen, Princeton University , NJ, U.S.A. David Petrosyan, IBM Almaden Rese. Ctr., San Jose, CA, U.S.A. Alexander Pines, University of California at Berkeley, U.S.A. Benjamin Schuler Heinz Georg Schuster, University of Kiel, Germany Moshe Shapiro Srinivasan Shekar, University of New-York, U.S.A. Federico Toschi, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Nederland Shimon Weiss, UCLA, CA, U.S.A. Joseph Zyss

Postdoctoral Fellows

Tali Aqua, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Bikash Baishya, Iisc Bangalore, India Debamalya Banerjee, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India Tomer Bar-On, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Laurent Boue, Universite; Paris 6/Ens, Paris Christian Oliver Bretschneider, University of Nottingham Eyal Capua, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Holger Cartarius, Universitaet Stuttgart Leah Beck Casabianca, Georgetown University Lev Chuntonov, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel 162 Chemical Physics Vartash Claudia, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Jens Clausen, Ph.D., Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena Riccardo Conte, Scuola Normale Superiore Durga Bhaktavatsala Dasari, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Ratul Dasgupta, Jawaharlal Nehru Center For Advanced Scientific Re Kevin Donovan, University of California Irvine Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich, Mpi For The Physics of Complex Systems Doron Kabaso, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Ny Smarajit Karmakar, Indian Institute of Science Yonit Kasherman Kirshenbau, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Royi Kaufmann, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Svetlana Khokhlova, Institute of Chemical Kinetics And Combustion Michal Kolar, Palacky University Olomouc Michal Leskes, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Daniel Mohr, Institut Fur Physikalische Chemie, WestfeLische Wi Jeremy Michael Moix, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology Gregory Lars Olsen, University of Washington Maria Ott, Ph.D., University of Luebeck Hubert Marek Piwonski, Ph.D., Institute of Physical Chemistry Pas Inbal Riven, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oleksii Rudenko, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Adi Salomon, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Pieter Smith, University of Michigan Jayanthi Sundaresan, Indian Institute of Science Zuoti Xie, Fudan University

Research Students

Tali Aqua David Avisar Asaf Azuri Yohai Bar Sinai Noam Ben-Eliezer Eyal Benisaac Guy Bensky Eyal Capua Sharona Cohen Yossi Cohen Shauli Daon Amit Davidi Reuven Eitan Marc Florent David Andres Gelbwaser Johannes Leonhard Floss Klimovsky Erez Gershnabel Sasha Gersten Michal Gordon- Grosman Gilad Gotesman Talia Harris Tal Honig Yonatan Hovav Yun Min Jung Ilia Kaminker Roy Kaner Royi Kaufmann Yuri Khodorkovsky Gregory Kopnov Omer Korech Etay Lavert-Ofir Edan Lerner Chemical Physics 163 Michal Leskes Yulia Lovsky Nataliia Makedonska Tal Markus Erez Matalon Moshe Naoz Menahem Pirchi Marina Radoul David Rakhmilevich Ido Regev Serge Rosenblum Oleksii Rudenko Rita Schmidt Ephraim Shahmoon Andrey Shalit Itamar Shani Roie Shlomovitz Itay Shomroni Yoav Shrot Eddy Solomon Uri Steinitz Anand Kumar Tatikonda Maria Tkachev Shira Weissman Noa Zamstein Nir Zohar Jacques Zylberg Administrator

Varda Katzir 164 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Brian Berkowitz, Head The Sam Zuckerberg Professorial Chair

Research in the department includes both experimental/field and theoretical studies focused on understanding the complex inter-relationships among the major Earth systems, and on the human need for non-polluting energy sources.

Scientists in the department have expertise in a range of Earth-Science disciplines, including climate dynamics, oceanic circulation, hydrology, paleoceanography and the study of past climatic patterns, plant-environment interaction, atmospheric chemistry and earth system dynamics. These disciplines, and topics studied in each one of them, are ultimately integrated as a means to understand and predict local, regional and global changes.

Our main objective for the future is to develop scientific activities that explore the critical interfaces coupling the Earth systems. These include the biosphere-atmosphere, ocean-atmosphere, ocean-sediment, and land surface-groundwater interfaces. We also aim to offer solar energy sources as alternative to those which are adversely affecting our environment.

Research topics in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research include:

Atmospheric chemistry: Analytical chemistry of the atmosphere; Aerosol physics and chemistry including surface and heterogeneous chemistry; Aerosol optical properties; vegetation-climate interactions; Aerosol-climate interactions, Nano-particle chemistry in the atmosphere(Principal investigator: Yinon Rudich)

Clouds and cloud-aerosol interactions: Using remote sensing to study the radiation transfer in the atmosphere, cloud microphysics, inversion of the physical properties of the clouds and aerosols. Remote sensing and patterns and texture in clouds are also used to estimate manmade impacts on the radiation and the thermodynamic balance of the atmosphere, as well as on the water cycle. (Principal investigator: Ilan Koren)

Hydrology: Integration of laboratory and field studies with theoretical models to understand flow of water, and transport of conservative and reactive Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 165 chemicals, from the ground surface, through the unsaturated zone, and within saturated geological formations. Transport in porous media. Development of chemical methods for remediation of contaminated water. (Principal investigator: Brian Berkowitz)

Biogeochemistry: Plant-atmosphere interactions; Environmental influence on the exchange of trace gases and energy between land ecosystem and the atmosphere; Climatic influence on the natural abundance of carbon; oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in CO2, H2O and organic materials; Scaling biological processes from cellular to global scales. Tracing photosynthetic CO2 fluxes with Carbonyl Sulfide (COS).(Principal investigator: Dan Yakir)

Physical Oceanography and climate dynamics: Interactions between ocean biota and climate; Climate dynamics and paleoclimate; Dynamics of the Gulf of Eilat; Radio-wave oceanography. (Principal investigator: Hezi Gildor)

Paleoceanography and climate change: Global climate change reconstructions from stable isotope records in marine and continental sediments; Southern Ocean paleoceanography. Oxygen isotopes in biogenic silica; Stable isotopes in diatom records; Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in corals. (Principal investigator: Aldo Shemesh)

Energy Research: Focusing mainly on finding methods of utilization of concentrated solar radiation for efficient, cost-competitive solutions affecting

♦ Electricity production ♦ Energy storage ♦ Energy transportation This includes the development of new solar thermal systems; solar derived 'clean' fuels; concentrated photovoltaic systems; high temperature water splitting and carbon dioxide dissociation; high temperature water splitting; high temperature catalytic processes. (Principal investigator: Jacob Karni) http://www.weizmann.ac.il/ESER/ 166 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Brian Berkowitz, D.Sc., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Sam Zuckerberg Professorial Chair in Hydrology Israel Dostrovsky, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom (deceased September 2010) Institute Professor The Agnes Spencer Professorial Chair of Physical Chemistry Yinon Rudich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dan Yakir, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem at Rehovot, Rehovot, Israel

Professors Emeriti

Joel R Gat, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Martin M. Halmann, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Jacob Karni, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States Aldo Shemesh, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Barry Rymer Family Professorial Chair

Senior Scientists

Hezi Gildor, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left July 2010) Incumbent of the Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Career Development Chair Ilan Koren, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Incumbent of the Benjamin H. Swig and Jack D. Weiler Career Development Chair

Associate Staff Scientists

Ishai Dror, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Eyal Rotenberg, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Irina Vishnevetsky, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Ruth Yam, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 167 Senior Interns

Ali Abo Rizig, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, California, United States Orit Altaratz Stollar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Engineer

Ruth M.J. Benmair, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left August 2010)

Consultants

Rimon Arieli, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (left January 2010) Itai Carmeli (until April 2010) Israel Carmi Erick Fredj, Jerusalem College of technology, Jerusalem, Israel (left April 2010) Joel R Gat Ellen Graber, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel (left February 2010) Martin M. Halmann Emanuel Mazor Tamar Moise Harvey Scher Bruno Yaron, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Oded Aharonson, California Institute of Technology, U.S.A. Emmanuel Boss, University of Maine, Orono, ME, U.S.A. Graham Feingold, NOAA - Aeronomy Lab., CO, U.S.A. Nadine Goeppert, University of Karlsruhe, (TKM), Germany Alex Kostinski, Tech. University of Michigan, U.S.A. Yoav Lehan, Tel-Aviv University , Israel Jose Vanderlei Martins, University of Maryland, U.S.A. Lorraine Remer, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, U.S.A. Eli Tziperman, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A. Karen Willbrand, University of Cologne, Germany Warren Wiscombe, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Yury Alioshin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gilboa Arye, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 168 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research David Asaf, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Diana Gurevitch, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Hemu Kharel Kafle, Nagoya University Eran Tas, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Research Students

Gabriela Adler Yury Alioshin Rotem Bar-Or Yuval Ben Ami Tal Ben Moshe Eliyahu Biton Yaniv Edery Gidon Fridman Liran Goren Maxime Gouet-Kaplan Eitan Hirsch Tamir Klein Naama Lang-Yona Leehee Laronne Ben-Itzhak Avi Lavi Shira Rubin Guy Sisma - Vantora Keren Stimler Miriam Trainic Administrator

Hila Shochat Materials and Interfaces 169

Materials and Interfaces

David Cahen, Head The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Professorial Chair in Energy Research

Activities in the Department span a wide range of topics from soft, composite and hard materials to energy research, nanoscience, and biological systems. A UNIFYING THEME is the STUDY OF MATERIAL FUNCTIONALITY AND ITS RELATION TO FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES AT MULTIPLE SCALES. These properties may be mechanical, structural, electronic, magnetic and chemical. Some examples are: How do shapes and sizes of nm-sized particles affect their spectral properties? How can we tune the properties of solar cells by manipulating their material interfaces? How does friction in knee and hip joints depend on polyelectrolytes that lubricate them? How can we design self-assembling, even self-replicating (bio)chemical systems? THE RESEARCH IS BASED ON AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH, and in-deed the scientists bring complementary experience in chemistry, physics, and biophys-ics, including theory and experiment.

Among the materials under active study we can note:

♦ nano-particles and nanotubes of carbon and inorganic materials ♦ composite materials down to the nanoscale, with unique mechanical properties ♦ crystalline and non-crystalline pyroelectric and piezoelectric materials ♦ self-assembling supra-molecular architectures, also for nanoscale lithography ♦ functionalized electronic materials, also for sensing and energy conversion ♦ ultrathin ceramic or molecular organic films ♦ polymers and polyelectrolytes, complex fluids ♦ biomolecular materials: DNA, cytoskeleton ♦ biological tissues, cells, and matrix elasticity ♦ materials and processes for alternative, sustainable energy conversion and storage. ♦ opto-electronic, pyroelectric, superconducting solids with extended bonding ♦ nano-crystalline ceramics with unique mechanical & electrical property combina-tions; Experimental and theoretical approaches include: 170 Materials and Interfaces ♦ first-principles calculations, density functional theory ♦ inorganic synthesis, template synthesis, electrochemistry ♦ optical and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, Kelvin probe ♦ solid state impedance spectroscopy; ♦ surface force apparatus, atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers ♦ mechanical testing, elasticity & indentation ♦ X-ray diffraction & scattering ♦ micro- & nanofabrication, including new (non-traditional) processes ♦ microfluidic devices ♦ advanced optical, electron, and X-ray microscopies ♦ in vitro reconstitution of functional biosystems, biomimetics ♦ theory of membranes and gels, charge interactions & elasticity ♦ application of theory to understanding biological cell & tissue properties. Many facilities that we use are part of the Chemical Research Support Unit. They include the Electron Microscopy Unit, Surface Science (Scanning Probe Microscopies and Pho-toelectron Spectroscopy) unit, X-ray diffraction and scattering unit, combined clean rooms / micro-fabrication / biological specimen manipulation ("nano-bio") laboratories. Further facilities in the department or Chemical Support Services include systems for low temperature electrical transport and for optical and magnetic characterization of materi-als. In addition to new insights in how materials properties can be understood from their atomic, molecular, macro-/supra-molecular and over-all composition and structure, our inter- and multi-disciplinary strategy to the study of the functionality of materials and its relation to fundamental properties of matter at multiple scales, permits exploring new materials and combinations. It has also led to a number of practical applications.

Recent accomplishments include:

Bar-Ziv Roy - Genetic circuit elements were constructed in vitro by engineering tran-scriptional activation and repression cascades, in which the protein product of each stage is the input required to drive or block the following stage.

Cahen David Several proteins transport electronic charge as molecular wires, rather than as insulators (with Sheves, Pecht). New basic limits to photovoltaic conversion for 3d generation cells are defined. Inversion is a central issue for several solar cells.

Elbaum Michael - Studies focus on thermodynamics of molecular exchange at the cell nucleus, on biomaterials involved in gene transfer between living organisms, and on soft X-ray microscopy. Materials and Interfaces 171 Hodes Gary Solution deposition of oxides and semiconductors is strongly affected by the glass vessel in which deposition occurred. A surface treatment of ZnO nanorod films greatly improves semiconductor coverage in ETA solar cells, resulting in improved cells.

Joselevich Ernesto - Carbon nanotubes, grown on crystal surfaces, organize into well-defined geometries, serpentines, coils, and more. Twisting carbon and inorganic nano-tubes yields torsion-induced conductance oscillations and torsional stick-slip behavior.

Klein Jacob Our studies of interfacial forces were recently extended to liposomes, and discovered to reduce friction between sliding surfaces to the uniquely low levels found at mammalian joints, with implications for both tissue engineering and prosthetic implants.

Kronik Leeor - Major advances in quantitative first principle calculations of molecular assemblies that were made include, among others, accounting for dispersive interactions and describing charge transfer excitations.

Lubomirsky Igor - Electromechanically active materials based on ionic conductors were developed. The nature of surface charges that develops on dielectric surfaces upon rub-bing was studied. The technology for electrochemical energy storage was improved.

Rubinstein Israel - Discontinuous, island-type gold films on transparent substrates exhib-iting morphology-dependent optical properties were studied and used as transducers for chemical and biological sensing.

Safran Sam - Self-assembly of inhomogeneous and charged membranes with application to rafts in biological cells, as well as elastic interactions and orientations of cells in gels and applications to biomaterials were studied.

Sagiv Jacob - Rapid multiple replication of hydrophilic-hydrophobic organic monolayer patterns via a novel "contact electrochemical" process based on wetting discrimination was proposed and demonstrated.

Tenne Reshef - The first core-shell nanotubes of layered compounds were synthesized. With aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (0.7 A resolution), the de-tails of the growth mechanism of WS2 nanotubes were elucidated.

Wagner Daniel H - Nano-compression of pillar-like specimens of dentine, a micro-nano hierarchical composite; fracture toughness of C-nanotube-reinforced polymers; compos-ite mechanics studies of anisotropic size and shape change of live cell focal adhesion on fibronectin-coated 172 Materials and Interfaces surfaces.

Lahav Meir - Spontaneous enantio-selective polymerization of racemic amino acids into homochiral peptides in water, thin films and crystals was accomplished; its relevance to the origin of bio-chirogenesis was hypothesized.

Leiserowitz Les Pathological crystallization in malaria and atherosclerosis; - hemozoin crystal nucleation in Plasmodium Falciparum-infected red blood cells; - crystalline cho-lesterol bilayer assembly in mixtures with phospholipids and phingomyelin in hydrated synthetic membranes.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/materials/ Materials and Interfaces 173 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

David Cahen, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Evanston, United States The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Professorial Chair in Energy Research Gary Hodes, Ph.D., Queen's University of Belfast Jacob Klein, Ph.D., University of Cambridg, Cambridge, United Kingdom The Hermann Mark Professorial Chair of Polymer Physics Israel Rubinstein, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Samuel Safran, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Professorial Chair Jacob Sagiv, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Reshef Tenne, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Drake Family Professorial Chair of Nanotechnology Daniel Hanoch Wagner, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Livio Norzi Professorial Chair

Professors Emeriti

Zeev Alexandrowicz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Joseph Jagur-Grodzinski, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Meir Lahav, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Leslie Leiserowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Moshe Levy, Ph.D., State University of New York, Syracuse, United States Joost Manassen, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam

Associate Professors

Roy Bar-Ziv, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michael Elbaum, Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, United States Ernesto Joselevich, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Leeor Kronik, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Igor Lubomirsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Staff Scientists

Rivka Maoz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alexander Vaskevich, Ph.D., Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys, Moscow, Russian Federation 174 Materials and Interfaces Associate Staff Scientist

Rita Rosentsveig, Ph.D., Leningrad Technological Institute, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Nir Kampf, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Alla Milner, Ph.D., National Polytechnical University, Kharkov, Ukraine (left September 2010) Ayelet Vilan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Ilya Zon, Ph.D., Academy of Science USSR, Moscow, Russian Federation

Senior Intern

Doron Burshtain, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Interns

Tsevi Beatus, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left April 2010) Lior Nissim, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineer

Baruch Ittah, M.Sc., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel (left May 2010)

Consultants

Maya Bar Sadan, Julich Research Center, Julich, Germany Itai Carmeli Yael Isabelle Dror Haim Grunbaum, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Joseph Jagur-Grodzinski Valery Kaplan Alon Katz Haim Leader Alexander Margolin, NanoMaterials Ltd., Rehovot, Israel (left March 2010) Moshe Levy Joost Manassen Noa Marom, University of texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA Materials and Interfaces 175 Doron Naveh, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA (left November 2010) Leonid Odnopozov, IF, Consult, Rishon LeZion, Israel (left March 2010) Zeev Porat, Nuclear Research Center, Negev, Israel Lev Rapoport, Holon Institute of Technology, Honon, Israel Dmitry Shumalinsky, Barzili Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel Ellen Wachtel Isabelle Weissbuch Ana Yaron Albu Ella Zak, Nanomaterials Ltd, Rehovot, Israel Daniel Ziskind, Private Clinic, Jerusalem

Visiting Scientists

Stefano Curtarolo, Duke University , NC, U.S.A. Andrey Enyashin David Ginley, NREL, Golden Co., U.S.A. Sung You Hong, Max Planck Inst., Berlin, Germany Antoine Kahn, Princeton University , NJ, U.S.A. Richard Kaner, UCLA, CA, U.S.A. Celia Mercader Lev Rapoport, Holon Inst. of Technology, Israel Meir Redlich, Hadassah Hebrew University Med. Ctr., Jerusalem, Israel Deepak Sinha, Ecole Normale Superieure de Paris, France Wentao Sun, University of Peking Ashok Vaseashta, Nuari, Institute of advanced Sciences Convergence, U.S.A. Jatinder Vir Yakhmi, Bhabha Atom. Rese. Ctr., Bombay, India

Postdoctoral Fellows

Benny Bar On, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Aviad Baram, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Inna Barsky, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Tsevi Beatus, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Giuliano Bellapadrona, "Sapienza" University Of Rome Yoav Biton, Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of Nj Doron Burshtain, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Dror, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Benjamin Markus Friedrich, Tu Dresden, Germany Ludmila Frolov, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Ronit Goldberg, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Roni Antoine Illos, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Jing Ji, University Of Science And Technology of China Sanghyun Kim, Kaist Saar Kirmayer, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel 176 Materials and Interfaces Noa Lachman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Wenjie Li, Simon Fraser University Robert Lovrincic, Heidelberg University Liran Ma, Tsinghua Univerisyt Adi Makmal, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Amir Natan, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Pabitra Kumar Nayak, Tata Insitute of Fundamental Research Lior Nissim, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tutiki Umasankar Patro, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India Silvia Piperno, University of L'Aquila Dikla Raz-Ben Aroush, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mark Schvartzman, Columbia University Lior Segev, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Victor Shelukhin, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Gabriel Shemer, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yair Shokef, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Xiaomeng Sui, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Science Einat Tirosh, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Tetsuya Yamamoto, Tokyo Institute of Technology Asaf Zeira, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Yahel Atsmon Aviad Baram Lee Barnea-Nehoshtan Alik Belitzky Jonathan Berson Ariel Biller Dan Bracha Yulia Chaikin Eran Edri Anna Faingold Anastasia Gaisinskaya Jonathan Garel Ronit Goldberg Irit Goldian Rotem Har-Lavan Yafit Itzhaik Sergey Kapishnikov Tanya Karakouz Eyal Karzbrun Ofer Kedem Michael Kokotov Roman Korobko Anna Kossoy Eli Kraisler Ronen Kreizman Noa Lachman Roi Levi Adi Makmal Gabriel Man Noa Marom Amir Natan Elena Rabinovich Gal Radovsky Izhar Ron Lior Segev Lior Sepunaru Jasmine Seror Nitzan Shadmi Hagay Shpaisman Gilad Silbert Ofer Sinai Raya Sorkin Sarah Sultan Odeya Tairy Materials and Interfaces 177 Alexander Tesler Ofer Tevet Tal Toledano Allon Weiner Inna Wiesel Noga Yaakov Omer Yaffe Assaf Zeira Administrator

Adi Ein Gal Bar Nahum 178 Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Ronny Neumann, Head The Rebecca and Israel Sieff Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry

The research in the Department of Organic Chemistry spans a wide range of topics, including synthetic-, mechanistic and structural aspects of organic, inorganic-, organometallic-, polymer-, bioorganic-, biological- and computational chemistry.

Soluble metal oxide clusters termed polyoxometalates are being investigated and developed as homogeneous oxidation catalysts by Ronny Neumann. Polyoxometalates have the ability to activate environmentally benign oxygen donors such as molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitrous oxide and ozone. In the presence of hydrocarbons, selective oxidation reactions can be carried out. Catalytic oxidation reactions which are being investigated include the epoxidation of alkenes, the hydroxylation of alkanes, oxydehydrogenation of alcohols and other substrates and oxyhalogenation. Mechanistic and kinetic studies using a large variety of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques allow the identification of active intermediates, the determination of different modes of activation of oxygen donors and the preparation of improved catalysts.

The team of Milko van der Boom is working to create novel films with desirable electronic and optical qualities. The formation of organic thin films is at the forefront of nanotechnology research. His team is hoping to replace today's conventional inorganic materials with organic compounds, which would be much easier to modify, thus offering far better, cheaper devices. The challenges of creating these films, however, are considerable - from effectively integrating custom-designed organic and metal-organic molecules into thin films, to creating materials that are highly ordered and smooth as well as thick enough to efficiently convey optical signals.

The group of Michael Bendikov who has joined the department recently, explores the structureproperty relationship in conducting polymers and their oligomers, aiming at the design of novel electronic materials. The chemical reactivity of carbon-nanotubes is also explored. The research combines synthesis, physical measurements and theoretical quantum mechanical studies.

The computational chemistry group of Jan (Gershom) Martin is engaged both Organic Chemistry 179 in the development of highly accurate ab initio computational thermochemistry methods (W1 and W2 theory) and in the methodology and applications of density functional theory, with a particular focus on organometallic reaction mechanisms relevant to homogenous catalysis. Theoretical vibrational spectroscopy beyond the harmonic approximation and basis set development (the SDB-cc-pVnZ basis sets) are subsidiary research interests.

Electron-rich complexes of transition metals, capable of insertion and activation of some of the strongest bonds are being developed by David Milstein. The selective insertion of a metal into a simple carbon-carbon bond presents new prospects for selective hydrocarbon functionalization. Activation of N-H and O-H bonds opens new directions for the selective use of ammonia and water. Facile activation of bonds to carbon by specifically-designed complexes has led to new catalytic reactions of significance to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, including highly efficient carbon-carbon bond formation. A new approach towards catalysis based on the ordering of metal complexes in thin films was demonstrated (with Meir Lahav, Materials and Interfaces). The use of metals for the generation, stabilization and controlled release of biologically relevant, unstable organic transients is being studied. New ligands and complexes for MRI imaging, which are receptor specific, are being developed (with Hadassa Degani, Biological Regulation).

Biological activity of visual pigments and bacteriorhodopsin is related to a photocycle during which both the retinal and the opsin moieties undergo a series of structural changes. The molecular changes and their correlation with the corresponding biological functions are of primary importance. The use of artificial pigments, model compounds and spectroscopic methods by Mudi Sheves has resulted in the clarification of the role that single and double bonds play in the photocycle; protein-chromophore interactions in the binding site; the role of water and light in retinal protein activity; cations-protein interaction in bacteriorhodopsin; and the mechanism of rhodopsin light activation.

In Abraham Shanzer's group the principles of Biomimetic Chemistry are being applied to mimic bioactive molecules with emphasis on natural iron-carriers that are recognized by microbial receptors and consequently transported into the living cells. When labeled with fluorescent markers, these carriers proved to be useful diagnostic kits. When linked to a cytotoxic agents, they are envisioned as a new generation of anti microbial agents. Molecular electronics is being persued, including: (a) Preparation of molecules with desired optical, electronic and magnetic properties, and their assembly on gold surfaces (with Israel Rubinstein, Materials and Interfaces); (b) Sensors based on imidazolyl ligands capable of axial coordination of metalloporphyrins in a predetermined location above the conductive surfaces have been developed and used as sensors for oxygen, NO and CO; (c) Design and preparation of devices acting 180 Organic Chemistry as static and dynamic molecular switches for memory storage and Molecular Logic-Gates for executing algebraic operations.

The structure, function and thermal stability of thermophilic enzymes are being studied by Yigal Burstein, aiming at understanding the mechanisms of adaptation of enzymes to extreme environment and for designing novel enzymes for biotransformations in organic chemistry. A family of highly homologous alcohol dehydrogenases that span the phenotypic range of temperature in microorganisms, is investigated. Structural elements conferring thermal stability were identified and analyzed employing genetic engineering methods.

Chemical, biological and clinical studies of modulatory peptides including immunomodulator antibacterial anticancer and neuroactive compounds are being carried out by Mati Fridkin. Novel technologies for drug delivery and stabilization have been developed and applied to several proteins (e.g. insulin, growth hormone, interferon), peptides (e.g. GnRH ,exendin ) and small molecules ( antibiotics and anticancer drugs ). The clinical-pharmaceutical potential of several compounds are being evaluated. A novel approach toward Fe- chelation in relation to neuroprotection is being developed. En route to anti-Alzheimer and anti-Parkinson drugs.

Design, synthesis, structure and function of aminoglycoside-arginine conjugates (AACs), novel HIV-1 inhibitors of viral entry and transactivation of the viral transcripts by Tat protein, are being studied by Aviva Lapidot aiming at understanding the mechanisms of inhibition of the diversity functions of Tat protein, which might be critical for anti-AIDS strategies.

DNA organization and survival under stress is being studied by Avi Minsky. Morphological changes that occur within living cells, following their exposure to various stress conditions are being studied by electron microscopy and X-ray scattering. Under such conditions, genomic DNA undergoes either a spontaneous or a protein-promoted phase transition into highly packed and ordered structures in which the DNA molecules are sequestered and effectively protected. A new and general mode of protection through biocrystallization is indicated. The structural properties of stress-induced DNA-binding proteins that are involved in these structural transitions are being studied. Ultrasensitive calorimetrical methods are used to assess the effects of the large intracellular crowding and viscosity upon the thermodynamic features of interactions between macromolecules, such as DNA and proteins.

The group of Yossi Sperling is studying the structure and function in pre-mRNA processing of supraspliceosomes. These huge macromolecular assemblies contain, in addition to pre-mRNAs, all known components required Organic Chemistry 181 for their post-transcriptional processing (capping, polyadenylation, editing and splicing). Hence, they can be regarded as representing the nuclear RNA processing machinery. A new mechanism that regulates splicing by affecting splice site selection has been discovered. This discovery implies that the reading frame of mRNAs can be recognized in the nucleus prior to splicing. A model derived from structural studies of supraspliceosomes by electron microscopy is being developed to explain this unexpected finding. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Organic_Chemistry/ 182 Organic Chemistry Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Gershom (Jan) Martin, Ph.D., University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium The Margaret Thatcher Professorial Chair of Chemistry David Milstein, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Israel Matz Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry Abraham Minsky, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Professor T. Reichstein Professorial Chair Ronny Neumann, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Rebecca and Israel Sieff Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry Abraham Shanzer, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Charlotsville, United States (on extension of service) The Siegfried and Irma Ullmann Professorial Chair Mordechai Sheves, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Ephraim Katzir-Rao Makineni Professorial Chair of Chemistry

Professors Emeriti

Mario D. Bachi, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusaelm, Jerusalem, Israel Yigal Burstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Matityahu Fridkin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Valeri A. Krongauz, Ph.D., L.Y. Karpov Physical Chemistry Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation Aviva Lapidot, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Abraham Patchornik, Ph.D., The Hebrew Univesity of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Joseph Sperling, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professor

Milko Van Der Boom, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Michael Bendikov, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Incumbent of the Recanati Career Development Chair of Energy Research Rafal Klajn, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Evanston, United States Incumbent of the Robert Edward and Roselyn Rich Manson Career Development Chair David Margulies, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Organic Chemistry 183 Incumbent of the Judith and Martin Freedman Career Development Chair Boris Rybtchinski, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Abraham and Jennie Fialkow Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientist

Alexander M. Khenkin, Ph.D., Academy of Science, Russian Federation

Associate Staff Scientists

Irena Efremenko, Ph.D., Kazakh National Academy of Science, Alma-Ata, Russian Federation Edward E. Korshin, Ph.D., Kazan State University, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Yaniv Barda, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yana Sheynin, Ph.D., Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation Haim Weissman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Interns

Moran Feller, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eyal Kamhi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Eyal Ben-Ari, Agan-Aroma, Ashdod, Israel Alexander Berchansky Yigal Burstein Virginia Buchner Shlomo Dukler Noga Friedman Amiram Hirshfeld Boris Kraiz Yisrael Parment, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel (left February 2010) Joseph Sperling Edna Schechtman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Amir Karton Eugene Khaskin, University of Maryland, U.S.A. Amir Korton 184 Organic Chemistry Peter Maitlis Gershom Martin Dmitri Perepichka, McGill University, Canada Tamar Schlick Yossi Weizmann, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., U.S.A. Yossi Weizmann, Mass. Gal. Hospital, Boston, U.S.A. Sanjio Zade, Indian Inst. of Sci., Bangalore, India

Postdoctoral Fellows

Marc Altman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rigoberto Barrios, Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico Gnanaprakasam Boopathy, Ph.D., Bhavnagar University Joyanta Choudhury, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Sanjib Das, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Iraklii Ebralidze, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Balaraman Ekambaram, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. Joseph Englander, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Moran Feller, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Santosh Ganapathysubramanian, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Eyal Kamhi, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Viktoria Koltunov, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Elizaveta Kossoy, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sebastian Kozuch, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Robert Langer, University of Karlsruhe (Th) Vered Lev-Goldman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maya Mani-Hazan, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Michael Montag, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Takafumi Nakagawa, The University of Tokyo Snehangshu Patra, Indian Institute of Science Dana Peled, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Emanuel Perugia, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Elena Poverenov, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Joseph Renny, University of Bristol Bhimsen Rout, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Ujjal Kanti Roy, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Sagar Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Dennis Sheberla, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Madhu Vedichi, Ph.D., University of Hyderabad Yair Haim Wijsboom, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nathan Zauberman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Olena Zenkina, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Organic Chemistry 185 Research Students

Jonathan Baram Graham de Ruiter Delina Dematov Jessica Ettedgui Eran Fogler Moti Gargir Ori Gidron Hila Goldberg- Azoulay Revital Kaminker Amir Karton Jenny Kolsenik Elizaveta Kossoy Elisha Krieg Alexandr Laskavy Noam Levi Eldad Marom Anat Milo Leila Motiei Yael Mutsafi Evgenia Olshvang Meital Orbach Ronny Peri - Naor Rinat Rozin Amir Rubinstein Leonid Schwartsburd Hen Shahar Yamit Sharaabi Naor Nelia Shechter Elijah Shirman Tanya Shirman Elena Smolensky Natalia Szenkier-Garcia Yaron Tidhar Alona Ustinov Yair Haim Wijsboom Natalia Zamoshchik Nathan Zauberman Olena V. Zenkina Administrator

Galit Zemel Saig 186 Structural Biology

Structural Biology

Zippora Shakked, Head The Helena Rubinstein Professorial Chair of Structural Biology

The Department is committed to research in the major areas of structural biology and is investigating biological systems from the atomic to the cellular level of organization. The ultimate goal is to obtain a complete picture of biological structures in their complexity, with a continuity at all length scales, from Ångstroms to millimeters. The structures of biological macromolecules and their complexes are studied at the length scale of Ångstroms by X-ray diffraction from crystals, and in solution by advanced spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance and EXAFS. In addition, imaging techniques that span the range between nanometers and microns, such as electron microscopy, electron tomography and atomic force microscopy, are being used to study single molecules, macromolecular assemblies and whole tissue organization.

The elucidation of structure-function relationships of key components in main biological pathways is one of the general goals of the research conducted in the Department. One such pathway is the translation of the genetic code from DNA to proteins. A highlight of recent years has been the continued progress in determination of different ribosome structures also in complex with antibiotics. These significant achievements crown the titanic efforts of tens of years of research aimed at determining the structure and mechanism of action of ribosomes. Ribosomes are large particles composed of RNA and more than 50 proteins that are the principal protein synthesis machinery of the cell. The mechanism of translation of the code into proteins is also investigated by X-ray crystallography of tRNA synthetases and their complexes. Additional research in this area includes work on helicases that unwind RNA and elucidation of the 3-D structures of DNA molecules and DNA-protein complexes. Research is also being carried out on molecular chaperones and catalysts of disulphide bridge formation that assist protein folding which is the one of the last stations in the pathway from genes to functional proteins.

Structural and dynamical aspects of enzyme and protein function and recognition constitute another focal point of activity. Examples are studies on the mechanism of acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme in the transmission of nerve impulses, and on proteins regulating membrane-fusion and virus entry into the cell. Antibody-antigen recognition is being studied using NMR and molecular biology tools in order to unravel the structural basis and energetics of these interactions. Antibody-antigen recognition is also being studied using Structural Biology 187 antibodies that interact with monolayer and crystal surfaces.

Studies on the relationships between organic and mineral components and between structure, function and mechanical properties of mineralized tissues including bone, teeth, shells and many others, are performed over the whole range of hierarchical organizations. The development of new techniques in Archeological Chemistry provides information about human life conditions and technologies in prehistoric times.

The X-ray and NMR facilities are state-of-the-art. A major upgrade was recently made in the electron microscopy facility with the addition of two high resolution transmission electron microscopes and an environmental field emission scanning electron microscope. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/sb/ 188 Structural Biology Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Lia Addadi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Dorothy and Patrick Gorman Professorial Chair Jacob Anglister, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joseph and Ruth Owades Professorial Chair of Chemistry Amnon Horovitz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Zippora Shakked, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Helena Rubinstein Professorial Chair of Structural Biology Joel Sussman, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States (on extension of service) The Morton and Gladys Pickman Professorial Chair in Structural Biology Stephen Weiner, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States The Dr. Walter and Dr. Trude Borchardt Professorial Chair of Structural Biology Ada Yonath, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Institute Professor The Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professorial Professorial Chair of Structural Biology

Professors Emeriti

Wolfie Traub, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom Edward Trifonov, Ph.D., Moscow Physico-Technical Institute, Russian Federation

Associate Professors

Deborah Fass, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States Itay Rousso, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Robert Edward and Roselyn Rich Manson Career Development Chair (until September 2010) Mark Safro, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow, Russian Federation The Lee and William Abramowitz Professorial Chair of Macromolecular Biophysics Irit Sagi, Ph.D., Georgetown University, Washington, United States The Maurizio Pontecorvo Professorial Chair Structural Biology 189 Senior Scientist

Koby Levy, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship Incumbent of the Lilian and George Lyttle Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientist

Tamar Unger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Shira Albeck, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Anat Bashan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Harry Mark Greenblatt, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Naama Kessler, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Moshe Peretz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Haim Rozenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Tal Ilani, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ella Zimmerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Interns

Noemi Rebollo, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, United States Osnat Rosen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left May 2010) Dalit Shental, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Inna Solomonov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Marianna Tsvitov, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Interns

Zohar Biron-Sorek, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left April 2010) Igal Finarov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ester Malka Kitayner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eran Noah, h.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left August 2010) Netta Sela, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 190 Structural Biology Consultants

Rina Arad-Yalin, Semorex, Park Rabin, Nes-Ziona, Israel Yacov Ashani Felix Frolow, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv (left September 2010) Michal Harel Maggie Kessler, Banner Chemicals Ltd., UK Netta Lev-Tov Chatta Haim Lider Tsipi Shoham, OSM-DAN Ltd., Collaborating Organisations, Rehovot, Israel Israel Silman Peter Stern Oren Zimhony, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Carla Hanter 1, Tel-Aviv University , Israel Raul Andino, UCSF, U.S.A. Mark Baldus, University of Utrecht, Nederland Elisabetta Boaretto, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Dan Cabanes, Universitat Rovira i Virgili - IPHES, Spain Yaron Caspi, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. Peta L. Clode, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia David Dreyfus, Yale University , New Haven, CT, U.S.A. Hay Dvir Adi Eliahu Isabella Felli Adrian Goldman, University of Helsinki, Finland Alexander Guri, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Cyril Kay, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada Lewis Kay, University of Toronto, Canada Michael Levitt, Stanford University , U.S.A. Oded Lewinson David Marcey Mario Martin, Tel-Aviv University , Israel Eric Martz, University of Mass., Amherst, U.S.A. Erika Merschrod, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John, Canada Nina Moor, Russian Acad. of Sci., Novosibirsk, Russia John Moult, University of Maryland, U.S.A. Fred Naider, CUNY, Staten Island, Island Dvori Namdar, Tel-Aviv University , Israel Joseph Orgel, IBM Almaden Rese. Ctr., San Jose, CA, U.S.A. Steven S. Plotkin, University of British Coloumbia, Vancouver, Canada Kristin Poduska, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John, Canada Structural Biology 191 George Rose, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, U.S.A. Osman Ugur Sezerman Yael Slasky, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Hua Tang Ehud Weiss, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Paul Whitford, University of California at San Diego, CA, U.S.A. Naama Yahalom - Mack, Tel-Aviv University , Israel Clive Yreman

Postdoctoral Fellows

Matthew James Belousoff, Monash University Benjamin Philipp Born, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum Boris Brumshtein, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dan Cabanes Cruelles, Universitat Rovira I Virgili Eileen Sandra Eckmeier, University of Zurich Igal Finarov, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gabriel Frank, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Micha Gladnikoff, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Racheli Gueta, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Netaly Khazanov, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Ester Malka Kitayner, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nitzan Kol, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tal Koren, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yosef Yehuda Kuttner, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Julia Mahamid, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Inbar Maymon-Pomeranchik, Agriculture Faculty, Israel Eran Noah, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Orly Noivirt-Brik, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ilona Nudelman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Aviv Paz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noemi Rosa Rebollo Franco, University of California Santa Barbara Dalit Shental, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Michio Suzuki, The University of Tokyo Alla Trahtenherts, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Grzegorz Wieczorek, Institute of Biochemistry And Biophysics, Polish A Roy Ziblat, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Assaf Alon Maya Amit Moshe Ben-David Avi Ben-Shimon Shai Biran Chen Davidovich Amir Eldar Iael Fargion Ziv Frankenstein Dafna Geblinger 192 Structural Biology Larisa Goldenberg Michal Goldschmidt Moran Grossman Ranit Gruber Tzachi Hagai Motti Hakim Nimrod Heldman Liron Hevroni Ekaterine Kartvelishvili Liron Klipcan Konstantin Kogan Keren Limor Waisberg Julia Mahamid Amir Marcovitz Inbal Mermershtain Adi Moseri Michal Nadler-Holly Orly Noivirt-Brik Ilona Nudelman Lior Regev Natalie Reznikov Gili Samorodnitzky-Naveh Einat Schnur Michal Shemesh Miri Sokolovski Oren Tchaicheeyan Yael Udi Dana Vuzman Itai Wekselman Eitan Wong Roy Ziblat Administrator

Galit Zemel Saig Solar Research Facilities Unit 193

Solar Research Facilities Unit

Haim Garty, Vice President

The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

Michael Epstein, Head

The Solar Research Facilities of the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) are among the most advanced laboratories in the world for concentrated solar energy research. A major feature of the Unit is a Solar Power Tower containing a field of 64 large, multi-faceted mirrors (heliostats), each measuring 7x8 meters. A picture of the Solar Tower is shown in Figure 1. Each heliostat tracks the movement of the sun independently and reflects its light onto a selected target on a 54-meter high tower containing five separate experimental stations, each of which can house several experiments. Light can be reflected toward any or all of these stations, allowing a number of experiments to be carried out simultaneously. This is the only Solar Tower facility in the world located on a campus of a research or academic institute and is solely dedicated to scientific work. WIS invested over $15M in the construction and maintenance of this laboratory.

Recently a new optical feature was added in the form of a 75 m2 reflector attached to the tower at about 45 m above ground level. Using this reflector about one megawatt of concentrated sunlight can be beamed down onto a ground target. This is a unique feature existing only at the Weizmann Institute Solar Tower. WIS is presently upgrading the heliostat mirrors to improve their optical performance. The cost of this renovation project to the Institute is about $1M.

Research Projects Conducted at the Solar Research Facilities Unit

Our goal is to explore solar-driven thermal and chemical processes, enabling power production, fuel alternatives, long-term storage and convenient transportation options. Work at WIS is diverse and evolves based on the scientists vision and imagination. At present, our research programs address the following topics: 194 Solar Research Facilities Unit 1. Electricity production developing cost effective ways for environmentally clean, solar-driven electricity production. The scientists involved in this program are Jacob Karni and Michael Epstein. 2. Hydrogen production WIS scientists work on several methods to produce hydrogen (a clean and efficient fuel) using solar energy. These methods include: (i) hydrocarbon reforming, (ii) methane decomposition, and (iii) solar thermal-electrochemical dissociation of water at high temperatures. The scientists involved in these programs are Abraham Kogan, Michael Epstein, Alexander Berman and Jacob Karni. 3. Biomass gasification developing means to use solar energy to convert biomass (such as organic waste) to fuel. The scientists involved in this program are Roman Adinberg, Michael Epstein and Jacob Karni. 4. Developing of high temperature stable catalyst for steam reforming of methane. The scientists involved are alexander Berman, Rakesh Kumar Karn, Michael Epstein and Jacob Karni. 5. Solar reduction of metal oxides, for example, the production of zinc from zinc oxide, for developing a clean process to provide zinc for fuel cells and for the production of hydrogen. The scientists involved in this program are Michael Epstein, Irina Vishnevetsky, Tareq Abu-Hamed and Jacob Karni. 6. Developing of heat storage in a phase change material (PCM) medium. Scientists involved are Roman Adinberg and Michael Epstein. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/ESER/People/Karni/research.html

Staff

Professor

Haim Garty1, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professor of Biochemistry

Associate Staff Scientist

Roman Adinberg, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

Engineers

Rami Ben-Zvi, M.Sc., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Michael Epstein, B.A., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Doron Lieberman, M.Sc., Ben-Gurion Univesity of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Solar Research Facilities Unit 195 Consultant

Rimon Arieli (left January 2010)

1Vice President 196 Chemical Research Support

Chemical Research Support

Michael Elbaum, Head

The Department of Chemical Research Support, comprising 14 major units, offers a wide range of facilities for analytical and preparative chemical techniques to Institute scientists.

Each unit is headed by a Research Fellow or a Staff Scientist and is operated by qualified technical staff. The development program for the Department of Chemical Research Support and its mode of operation are supervised by Users Committees and scientific advisors.

Chemical and Biophysical NanoSciences (Person in charge: Shirley Daube)

The objectives of the unit are to promote research in processes and phenomena in (bio)chemistry, (bio)physics and materials research on the nano-meter scale, which cannot be addressed within the existing facilities of the WIS. An important aspect of this development is the technological need for miniaturization. Fundamental scientific issues are addressed in the areas of synthesis of nanomaterials, nanomanipulation of matter, chemistry and physics of mesoscopic objects and of biomaterials.

More specifically we refer to the emerging capability to design and prepare systems, showing predetermined heterogeneity at the atomic and molecular levels. Towards this, conceptual capabilities of molecular control and self-assembly (ready-made components) are combined with those of sturdy supra- or non-molecular components.

The center of the unit is a class 10,000 clean room complex, including facilities for optical and electron beam lithography, a mask aligner MA-6, a sputtering system for thin film deposition, and a dry etching ICP apparatus. The facility has, in addition, apparatus for thermal and electron beam evaporation of metallic and dielectric films, and equipment for surface characterization (wettability/contact angle; a Rudolf ellipsometer; a surface profiler-Dektak 6M). A chemical hood inside the clean rooms provides capabilities for a broad range of chemical manipulations. We also provide the means to fabricate micro-fluidic devices. Chemical Research Support 197 In order to advance research towards implementation of biologically active molecules as integral components in inorganic devices, the center includes a Nano Bio lab. The Nano Bio team aid physicists and chemists in the design and performance of their research involving biological molecules. In addition, the Nano Bio lab provides the means to perform experiments and produce pre-designed biological molecules using basic molecular biology and biochemical techniques. The lab is equipped with a variety of centrifuges, gel electrophoresis and imaging apparatus for nucleic acids and proteins, shakers/incubators for bacterial cultures, an autoclave and a sonicator, an AKTA basic FPLC protein purification apparatus, PCR machines, NanoDrop and NanoVuespectrophotometers, FLA-5100 FUJI fluorescent scanner, BioTek Synergy HT fluorescent plate reader, and a Hamilton liquid handling robotic system. A radioactive workstation for 32P and 35S labeling is also available.

Computational Chemistry Unit (Person in Charge: Mark Iron)

Computational Chemistry: The application of modern computational methodologies to calculate the chemical and physical properties of molecules and related systems.

State-of-the-art software packages can be used to accurately calculate molecular properties, including properties that can be measured experimentally. Through informed choice of methodology, the results of calculations can be used to predict molecular features, interpret experimental data and understand molecular effects and behaviour.

We use commercial software packages (such as Gaussian) and Molpro to calculate electronic structure, molecular properties and molecular mechanisms using ab initio, Density Functional Theory (DFT), semiempirical and force field methods. More specifically, the following information can be retrieved from electronic structure calculations:

Reaction Mechanisms

♦ The characterization of organic, inorganic and organometallic reactions is one of the most common goals of computational chemistry. Relative energies for reactants, products, transition states and intermediates can be computed to give insight into the reaction pathway and to possibly predict how specific changes will affect the observed reactivity. In such a way, it may be possible to determine potential modifications that may enhance, or even radically alter, chemical selectivity and efficiency. Electronic Properties 198 Chemical Research Support ♦ Atomic charges ♦ Molecular orbitals ♦ Ionisation (oxidation) potentials and electron affinities Spectroscopic Properties

♦ Infrared (IR) frequencies and intensities ♦ Raman frequencies ♦ Electronic (UV-VIS) spectra ♦ Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra ♦ Polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities Kinetics and Thermochemistry

♦ Reaction kinetics (calculations of rate constants) ♦ Reaction thermochemistry ♦ Solvent effects Other services: ♦ Please enquire about any other types of calculations that may be of interest. Computational Chemistry Unit Website

Electron Microscopy Unit (Administrative Manager: Orna Yeger)

The Electron Microscopy Unit supports and facilitates research for all Weizmann Institute scientists, as well as other academic institutions and industrial clients. We provide service, collaboration and training on both short-term and long-term projects. Scientists can use equipment independently after appropriate training and supervision. Our goals include outreach to the microscopy community in Israel and abroad, as well as maintaining cutting-edge technology through continuing renewal and education.

Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM)

All three SEMs at the EMU are high-resolution microscopes equipped with Field Emission Gun (FEG) sources.

Environmental SEM XL 30 (FEI): The instrument permits the observation of specimens in an environment of up to 10 Torr in pressure, which facilitates the study of wet samples. Besides its basic configuration, the ESEM 30 XL has a micromanipulator attachment, as well as an EDS detector from EDAX for X-ray elemental analysis.

The Ultra -55 from Zeiss, with declared resolution of 1.3 nm, has been outfitted with a BAL-TEC cryo-stage, permitting observation of frozen-hydrated specimens, and is also equipped with a STEM detector from Zeiss. Chemical Research Support 199 The Supra -55 (Zeiss) is outfitted with nanomanipulators, Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC) imaging system, detectors for back-scattered electrons and cathodoluminescence, and an EDS detector from Oxford for X-ray elemental analysis.

Focused Ion Beam Microscope (FIB)

The Helios Nanolab 600 Dual Beam Microscope from FEI combines a focused ion beam (FIB) column with a SEM column. This microscope has excellent resolution for SEM imaging, along with nano-scale patterning by etching or material deposition. The FIB has a time-saving procedure for the preparation from block samples of thin cross-sections (lamellae) suitable for TEM analysis, using an advanced Omniprobe micromanipulator. In addition it can be operated in a three-dimensional "slice and view" mode for serial imaging of freshly cut sections. The instrument is equipped with a cryo-stage and EDS detector for X-ray elemental analysis. The Helios FIB/SEM is suitable for both materials and biological studies, as well as microelectronic device prototyping.

Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM)

There are five TEMs at the EMU, each one meeting specific experimental needs. All microscopes are equipped with digital imaging cameras.

Materials Science

The CM-120 (Philips) is a 120kV instrument with a Super-Twin lens configuration, allowing for high resolution imaging of samples from Materials Science. It is equipped with an EDS detector for X-ray elemental analysis, and a Gatan US1000 CCD camera.

The Tecnai F-30 (FEI) with a FEG filament, is a high-resolution instrument (UltraTwin lens configuration, resolution 0.17 nm), equipped with a double tilt holder. Attached to this 300kV microscope there is a post-column Gatan Imaging Filter (GIF) which enables EELS measurements (electron energy loss spectra) and elemental mapping at nanometer scale. There is a US1000 camera installed above the GIF.

Biological Sciences

All three Biological TEMs are equipped with special blades for cryo-temperature applications and have digital slow-scan cameras (CCDs) for low-dose work. 200 Chemical Research Support The Tecnai Spirit T12 (FEI) (120 kV) has a BioTwin lens configuration, which provides the high contrast suitable for biological specimens, and allows for screening at extremely low magnifications with the objective aperture in place. The Megaview III side-entry camera provides TV-rate viewing and wide field-of-view. The bottom-mounted FEI Eagle 2k CCD provides high sensitivity and excellent optics.

The Tecnai T-12 (FEI) (120kV), with Twin lens configuration, balances

between contrast and resolution, and uses a LaB6 filament for better brightness and coherence. The side-entry Gatan Erlangshen 500W camera provides wide field-of-view and TV-rate speed, while the TVIPS bottom-mount F224HD 2k CCD is extremely sensitive for super-lowdose cryoTEM applications. Tomography software is installed.

The Tecnai F20 (FEI), running at 200kV with a FEG filament, includes a Gatan Tridiem post-column energy filter for EF-TEM (energy filtered TEM) applications. There is also a host of analytical tools, including EELS, EDS for elemental analysis, a high-angle annular dark-field detector, DF/BF detector, and STEM capability. The microscope includes automated tomography capability for all configurations, including EF-TEM and STEM tomography.

Sample Preparation

Various pieces of auxiliary equipment for sample preparation are available in the unit. These include polishing apparatus, dimpling and ion milling machines, sputter, and physical evaporation apparatus, a critical point dryer, and several ultramicrotomes. The EM unit is equipped for conventional as well as low-temperature preparation of biological samples and immuno-labeling. There is equipment for cryo-applications such as high-pressure freezing (HPM 10, BAL-TEC), Freeze fracture device (BAF 60, BAL-TEC), cryo-plunging (including a new Leica automated plunger), AFS1 & AFS2 freeze-substitution devises (Leica) and cryo-microtome (Leica).

Image analysis

The facilities include software, servers, and workstations (linux and Windows) for advanced image analysis, for 3D reconstruction by tomographic and single-particle techniques, and for 3D visualization including stereo imaging.

Electron Microscopy Unit Website

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) (Person in Charge: Lev Weiner) Chemical Research Support 201 The Electron Spin/Paramagnetic Resonance (ESR/EPR) Unit is equipped with a Bruker ELEXYS 500 (X and Q bands, 9.5 and 35 GHz) and ER 200 D SRC (9.5 GHz, X band) spectrometers. The various techniques for measuring the structure and properties of free radicals and paramagnetic ions in solid state and in solution are available for a wide range of temperatures.

The ESR Unit provides consultation and training for scientists interested in techniques for the detection and quantitation of oxidative stress in chemical and biological systems.

Site directed spin labeling of mutants of diamagnetic proteins provides unique information about properties of biopolymers under physiological conditions (pH, temperature, etc.)

A novel spin-tapping technique has been developed for quantitating and monitoring the kinetics of appearance of short lived reactive oxygen species and carbon-centered radicals in chemical, photochemical and biological systems. The technique can also be used to distinguish between the various reactive oxygen species, which include superoxide and hydroxyl (OH) 1 radicals, as well as singlet oxygen ( O2). The ESR technique is applicable to strongly scattering and stained systems, such as organ homogenates and cell cultures.

A novel ESR approach has been developed for the quantitative determination of sulfhydryl groups (down to 10 -12 moles) in chemical and biological systems.

Laboratory for Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Materials (Person in Charge: Gregory Leitus)

The Unit provides research services for scientists developing new materials and devices with special physical properties. The Unit is equipped with a Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS XL - Quantum Design inc.), supplemented by additional devices (Keithley Instruments and SRS) providing DC (direct current), AC (alternative current), magnetic, and electric measurements. It allows:

♦ Precise temperature control in the range 1.8 to 350 K, or temperature sweep with a rate of approach to the set point variable from 0.001 to 10 K/min. Continuous Low Temperature Control (CLTC) provides continuous operation below and above 4.2 K (> 45 hours at 1.8 K), and temperature stability ?0.005 K over the entire temperature range. ♦ Magnet Control System provides magnetic fields up 1 Tesla. The superconducting magnet can be operated in either persistent or 202 Chemical Research Support non-persistent modes, and the user can select several charging options. ♦ Superconducting SQUID Amplifier System (SQUID detector) provides reset circuitry, auto-ranging capability, and a highly balanced second-derivative sample coil array and environmental magnetic influence protection. ♦ Sample Handling System is able to step the sample smoothly through the detection coil without transmitting undue mechanical vibration to the SQUID. It allows for varied scan lengths and options. Maximum sample size is 5 mm in diameter. Reciprocating Sample Option (RSO) employs small-amplitude, periodic displacement (down to 0.5 mm) of a sample inside MPMS' second-order gradiometer. High sensitivity: absolute: 10-8emu, relative: 510-9emu at field: 0-1 T and low frequency: 0.5 to 4.0 Hz. Fiber optic Sample Holder (FOSH) allows user to illuminate a sample with an external light source during magnetic measurements. ♦ DC resistivity and Hall effect measurements System provides 4-probe and van der Pauw electric transport measurement in direct current range from 0.1 ?A to 5 mA ♦ AC conductivity measurements System provides electrical transport measurement in alternating current ranges from 2 pA to 5 mA, frequency range from 1 mHz to 100 kHz. ♦ Computer Operating System MultiVu. All features of the MPMS XL and external devices are under automated computer control including individual functions and measurement sequences. In near future the Unit will be equipped by a dedicated Electrical Transport Measurement System (ETMS). The ETMS will provide precision testing of newly developed electronic materials and devices. The ETMS will consist of two parts:

♦ Janis Probe Station based on ST-500-2 continuous flow cryostat operating from 5 to 475 K, equipped with a sample chamber accommodating large samples (max diameter 52 mm), automatic termperature control, four independent micro-manipulated single tip probe holder arms, optical fiber illumination, permanent magnets for fields up to 0.2 T, and an independent micro-manipulated Kelvin probe. ♦ Keithley Semiconductor Characterization System 4200-SCS with ultra fast pulse (arbitrary shape) generator card and pulse measurement unit (4225-PMU), capacity voltage measurement unit (DC+AC) 4210-CVU, power source and measure unit 4200-SMU (DC+AC) with preamplifier 4200-PA, remote amplifier/switch (4225-RPM) performs switching between PMU, CVU and SMU and works as an amplifier for PMU, power source and measure unit 4200-SMU (DC+AC) with preamplifier 4200-PA, GNDU ground unit, and controlling computer. Chemical Research Support 203 Mass-Spectrometry and Chemical Analysis (Person in Charge: Arye Tishbee)

The Chemical Analysis Laboratory, provides training, consultation and method development for measurement, separation, purification, and isolation of a wide range of Organic compounds by Elemental analysis (CHN), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), Amino Acids, Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry, RAMAN ,Micro RAMAN, Infra Red (IR), Micro IR spectroscopy, and Rapid Kinetics monitoring using Stopped Flow instrument, Gas Sorption analysis.

BET- Rapid Gas Sorption measurement 2m2 and up using Nitrogen.

Available equipment: NOVA 1000, Quantachrome Instruments.

The Thermal Gravimetry unit provided TGA analysis up to 1400C.

Available equipment: TA SDT Q600 Air or Nitrogen environment.

The RAMAN unit provides Raman measurements, using 1064 µm 1.5W Laser excitation With a target area of 100 µm.

Available equipment: Bruker FT RAMAN - RFS 100/S Ge Diode detector Spectral range of 3600 - 70 cm-1. (stokes shift) and 100-2000 (anti-Stokes shift) . Controlled by PC based OPUS spectral software.

The Micro RAMAN unit provides micro Raman measurements, using 780 nm and or 633nm laser excitation, magnification range from x5 to x100, for a variety of samples, including temperature controlled stage with operating range of - 200 to + 5000C.

Available equipment: Renishaw Micro Raman Imaging Microscope Controlled via a PC base software, with temperature control, moving xyz stage, dual lasers 633 and 780nm, and Grams 2c spectral manipulation software.

The IR unit provides standard IR measurements.

The Micro IR unit provides micro IR Transmission and reflection measurements.

Available equipment: TENSOR 27 FT-IR instrument attached to an IR/Optical Microscope. IRscope II, with Transmission and reflection, measurement modes. 15X IR Objective Measured Area: 20 µm Minimum. Mid Range MCT detector 7000-600 cm-1. 204 Chemical Research Support Elemental Analysis for CHN.

Available equipment: Thermo EA 112 Elemental analyzer.

Rapid Kinetic Instrument unit provides Stopped Flow measurements, for enzyme reactions, Single, double, triple mixing with intermediate ageing, variable mixing ratio and dilution, µvolume operation using absorbance, fluorescence, or circular dichroism.

Available equipment: BioLogic MOS-450 with MPS 60. Consists of 4 syringes 10 - 2,5 ml, Min. Dead Time 0.98 ms, Min Ageing Time 1.63ms. Light source : 150W Xe, reflective achromatic monochromator , 180 to 800 nm. 1 nm. Steps. slits :2,4 or 8 nm, data acquisition rate, 50 ms/sample to 1000s/sample. Acquisition time 50 ms to 20s/nm.

The Mass Spectrometry Unit provides mass spectra for the determination of molecular weights and structure elucidation of organic compounds up to 4000AMU including labile metal complexes, and for Peptides and proteins up approx. 18,000AMU Detection limit approx. 50 pg. GC-MS Analyses of complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds up to 700 AMU with system peak matching and library search. Detection Limit approx. 10pg. Accurate mass FD analysis of semi volatile and non soluble organic compound.

Available equipment: ESI-MS Micromass ZQ 4000 Mass Spectrometer equipped with ESI and ESCI probes for Electrospray and ESCI analysis. Connected to a MassLynx data station. UPLC - MS Micromass Q-TOF Premier, Quadrupole Time Of Flight High Resolution Mass Spectrometer equipped with ESI for Electrospray analysis. Connected to a Masslynx data station. Field Desorption FD-MS Micromass GCT Premier TOF equipped with FD probe .GCQ Polaris Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer for volatile compound, connected to Xcalibur data station equipped with NIST Library search capabilities.

The Amino Acid Analyzer Unit provides qualitative and quantitative Analysis of protein and peptide hydrolyzates. Detection Rage of 100-3000 pmoles, using OPA and FMOC pre column derivatization, monitoring at UV, using reverse phase separation. Detection range of 5 - 3000 pmole using AccQ.Tag pre column derivatization, and monitoring Fluorescent emission.

Available equipment: Waters PicoTag Work Station for gas phase Hydrolysis Waters 2695 Alliance HPLC equipped with fluorescence and Diode Array detectors and autoinjector , utilizing AccQ.Tag chemistries for the analysis of Hydrolizates and some physiological Amino acids. Chemical Research Support 205 The Atomic Absorption unit provides Analysis for a verity of elements in sensitivity of few mg/L depending on the analyte, a wide range of lamps is available for different elements. Both Flame and Graphite Oven atomizers are available.

Available equipment: Perkin Elmer Analyst 400 atomic absorption unit.

Molecular Modeling Unit (Person in Charge: Miriam Eisenstein)

This unit offers diverse structure-analysis and molecular-modeling services to many groups in the Chemistry and Biology faculties. These include homology modeling of proteins, protein-protein recognition and docking, and conformational analyses. The available equipment is a 4-core PC and 2-core PC equipped with a high-end graphics card. Several different computer programs and packages are in constant use: For example, the Accelrys InsightII package for display, homology modeling, energy minimization and molecular dynamics and the Gromacs package for extensive molecular dynamics simulations. The protein-protein docking program MolFit, originally developed by E. Katchalski-Katzir, I. Shariv, M. Eisenstein et al, is continuously being improved and extend by Dr. Eisenstein.

MolFit Website

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (People in Charge: small molecules - Leonid Konstantinovski, peptides & proteins - Tali Scherf, magnetic resonance imaging - Peter Bendel and Inbal Biton)

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Unit comprises two facilities: one for High Resolution NMR Spectroscopy, and one for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Spectroscopy encompasses two labs, with focus on small organic molecules and on biological macromolecules.

mainly for small molecules:

The low-field NMR instrument AVANCE III-300 is used primarily for routine identification and standard work. It is equipped with a 5mm (QNP) probe with z-gradient for 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P measurements and Broad Band BBO (5mm) probe.

The new AVANCE III-400 spectrometer includes five different probes: a unique 5 mm (PBBO) Broad Band probe with z-gradient and automatic tuning and matching (ATM), a 5mm (BBI) Inverse with z-gradient, a 5mm (TXI) Inverse (triple-channel) with z-gradient, a 10mm (BB) multinuclear probe 206 Chemical Research Support covering the range 107Ag to 31P, and a 10mm (BB) low-frequency probe (39K 193Ir).

The AVANCE I-500 provides three channels and is equipped with six unique probes: a micro 2.5mm Triple-Resonance Inverse (TXI) probe(1H, 13C, 15N) equipped with z-gradient, a 5mm multinuclear Broad Band (BBO) probe in the frequency range 109Ag to 31P equipped with ATM as well as z-gradient, a 5mm Inverse Triple-Resonance (TBI) probehead in multinuclear version, a 5mm (1H, 31P, BBlow) with z-gradient, a 5mm Broad Band (109Ag - 31P) Inverse probe (BBI) that includes z-gradient, ATM, as well as a special tuning for 103Rh, a standard 5mm (QNP) probe for 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P measurements, and a CP-MAS probe.

Mainly for macromolecules:

The Bruker DMX-500 is mainly used for specialized research, including 2D NMR and biologically oriented work. The instrument is equipped with dedicated NMR probes for 1H, 2H, 13C, 15N, and 31P measurements, as well as for "inverse" experiments, and a 13C CP-MAS probe. It has a new, 5mm Triple-Resonance Inverse CryoProbe, TXI, (1H, 13C, 15N) equipped with Z-gradients.

The 800 MHz high-resolution spectrometer (Bruker, DRX Avance-800) provides access to the highest magnetic field currently available in Israel, enabling state-of-the-art high-resolution multi-dimensional experiments for macromolecular structure determination. The accessories include a multi-nuclear TXI probe with z gradient (1H, 13C, 15N, 5mm), a multi-nuclear QXI probe with x, y and z gradients (1H, 13C, 31P, 5mm), and two solid-state MAS probes covering both low and high multi-nuclear frequency ranges. Recently, a new, 5mm Triple-Resonance Inverse CryoProbe, TCI, (1H, 13C, 15N) equipped with Z-gradients was installed, which uses an automatic tuning and matching (ATM) device.

Mainly for imaging:

A Bruker Avance III-400 widebore spectrometer is used for NMR microscopic imaging. Spectroscopic capabilities include 1H and broad band multi nuclei probes and an automatic QNP probe, switchable by computer. Imaging is provided by two systems: a microscopy probe includes actively shielded gradients (up to 200 G/cm) with 5 mm rf coils for 1H, 1H/ 13C and 1H/ 31P. A mini-imaging probe with actively shielded gradients (up to 150 G/cm) includes several 1H RF coils, with diameters between 4 and 30 mm. The spectrometer is used mainly for research in biology and for non-invasive physiological and metabolic measurements of small samples. Chemical Research Support 207 For imaging of large specimens including whole plants and small animals there are two horizontal, wide-bore Biospec systems from Bruker. The first spectrometer is an Advance DBX version, based on a 4.7 Tesla magnet with a 30 cm bore. The system has fully broadband dual-channel operation, self-shielded gradients and an assortment of resonators and surface coils with active coil detuning for crossed-coil operation. This instrument is most flexible in the types of samples it can accommodate, and projects have ranged from studies of spinal cord damage to rock fracture models. The second system, a Bruker Avance-II 94/20, is dedicated to animal imaging. It has a 9.4 Tesla magnet and an accessible bore of 20 cm. It is located in the new Center for Preclinical Research building (Mamtak), and is operated in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Resources.

High-Resolution NMR Website

MRI- Tips and Bugs

Organic Synthesis Unit (Person in Charge: Veronica Frydman)

The Organic Synthesis Unit provides a service to all the scientists in the Institute who need non-commercial chemicals in order to perform their research work. The Unit carries out upon request the synthesis and characterization of a wide variety of organic compounds, including (but not limited to) polymers, porphyrins, steroids, isotopically-labeled oligopeptides, spin-labeled chemicals, etc. Synthezised quantities range from small to medium scale. The Unit counts with a fully equipped organic synthesis laboratory, and uses the facilities provided by other units (e.g., NMR, ESR, MS, etc.) to characterize the intermediates and final products. The staff also provides consultation about experimental procedures and techniques.

Solar Optics Design; Mathematical Modeling (Person in Charge: Akiba Segal)

This unit offers assistance in the modeling of the solar optics systems connected with the main research around the utilization of concentrated solar energy at high temperatures. In this range we have a remarkable experience in the development of the non-imaging secondary optics devices. As example, we designed a new optical feature, which was added as a 75 m2 reflector attached to the Solar Tower at 49 m above ground level. Using this reflector, about one megawatt of concentrated sunlight can be beamed down onto a ground target. This is a unique feature exists only at the Weizmann Institute. We also designed the biggest solar energy concentrator in the World, which was also built, according to our design, at the Weizmann Institute. Both the tower 208 Chemical Research Support reflector and the big concentrator are currently used in various researches that are recognized as between the most advanced solar researches in the World. We have also capabilities to design small energy concentrators, providing big light energy concentration, which can be used for various chemical processes, studied in the Faculty laboratories, which need high temperatures. These concentrators will use the solar energy with an appropriate optical system from the Institute's solar facilities, or, in laboratory, using an adequate light source as simulator of energy. Also we can offer assistance in conceiving mathematical models for various chemical processes that are in study by the scientists from the Faculty in order to complete and finish their research work. This means that we can provide consultation and development of methods for solving the various mathematical models and, eventually, the mathematical optimization of the results.

Spectroscopy Unit (Person in Charge: Leonid Konstantinovski)

Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy consists of a Nicolet 460 single beam infrared Fourier transform spectrophotometer (FTIR) fully operated by a Nicolet computer (512K RAM, 13" high-resolution color monitor) equipped with two internal 3.5 inch disk drives for programming and data storage. The optical bench provides a maximal resolution of 2 cm-1 over the complete spectral range from 4000 to 400 cm-1 and contains a sample compartment built especially for introducing various IR accessories, such as gas cell, ATR, and so forth. This equipment is suitable for a large variety of analytical IR applications, offering high sensitivity and photometric accuracy and computerized data manipulation capabilities.

In addition, the Spectrometry Unit provides facilities for measuring optical absorption, optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and circular dichroism (CD) at a wavelength range of 180-1000 nm and at a temperature range of -190°C to 70°C.

Available equipment : Aviv Model 202 spectropolarimeter, UV-visible diode array spectrophotometer, Beckman DU-7500.

The Unit for Radioactive Counting provides facilities for scintillation counting of b-radioactive sources. The unit is equipped with a Beckman Model LS7500 b-scintillation counter.

Surface Analysis Unit (Person in Charge: Sidney Cohen)

The surface analysis group provides the means for a variety of surface-sensitive measurements. These include chemical composition of the Chemical Research Support 209 exposed atomic layers, atomic scale surface topography, electronic and mechanical surface properties, and detection of adsorbed molecules. The various units of this group are housed in two laboratories and include facilities for rudimentary sample preparation and cleaning, such as ozone cleaner, snowjet cleaning, and solvent cleaning station with clean hood.

The Scanned Probe Microscopy Unit contains three separate scanning tunneling/scanning force microscopes (also known as atomic force microscopes AFM):

♦ Veeco Metrology multimode AFM + Nanoscope 5 electronics, including the following modes: torsional resonance, electric force modes, conductive AFM (TUNA), scanning capacitance microscopy, liquid cell, cooling/heating from -243 373 K, and both HarmoniX and Peak Force QNM materials mapping packages which yield nm-resolution material properties. The instrument has an "intelligent" software module (ScanAsyst) which allows inexperienced users to operate the instrument at optimal conditions. XY scanner ranges are of 100 x 100 microns, or 14 x 14 microns. ♦ NT-MDT P47/LS enabling work with small and large samples, conductive AFM, and electric force modes. Scan range for large samples of 140 x 140 microns and for small samples 13 x 13 microns. All scanners use closed loop control. ♦ NT-MDT NTEGRA including high and low temperature attachments covering range from 30degrees - + 230 degrees, environmental control with low vacuum possibility, electric force modes, and liquid cell. XY scanning ranges range from 200x 200 microns using dual scanner, down to 12 x 12 microns for small sample work. All scanners use closed loop control. These microscopes enable determination of surface topography and mechanical and electrical properties at resolutions ranging from tens of microns down to atomic scale.

In addition, the laboratory houses an Agilent instrumented Nanoindenter equipped with XP and DCM heads for force ranges up to 500 mN or 14 mN respectively, and Nanovision for nm-scale mapping of the surface in-situ with the indenter tip.

The Electron Spectroscopy Unit is a multifaceted ultra high vacuum (below10-9 torr) system for surface analyses. The main analysis chamber includes a Kratos Axis-Ultra x-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), which detects elements and determines their chemical state on the surface at depths up to 15 nm and sensitivity of 0.1%. A monochromatic x-ray source and improved mapping capabilities are offered by this instrument, down to 3 µm spatial resolution in parallel imaging mode. The system includes an ultraviolet 210 Chemical Research Support lamp for valence band measurements, ion gun for sputtering the surface and for ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), and a flood gun for insulating samples. In addition, Auger electron spectroscopy at lateral resolution of 100 nm can be performed in the same chamber. A second spectrometer for XPS (Kratos AXIS-HS) is available in the laboratory, supported by a VG Low Energy Electron Diffractometer (LEED) for determining the surface crystalline structure.

Based on the XPS technique, we are capable of studying electrical properties of surfaces as well, using chemically resolved electrical measurements (CREM). These measurements are performed in-situ and do not require a physical electrode contact. They can provide I-V curves at selected surface positions resolved laterally and/or vertically, photovoltaic characteristics, sample work function and other electrical features all acquired in parallel with the chemical analysis.

Surface Analysis Unit Website

X-Ray Crystallography (Person in Charge: Linda J. W. Shimon)

The X-ray Crystallography Laboratory of the Weizmann Institute is both a service and user facility. It is well equipped for the single crystal diffraction experiments needed for structural biology and chemistry research. We apply a variety of experimental methods to these investigations. Since each crystal is unique, we tailor each experiment to the individual sample and offer expertise in the following areas:

♦ Air sensitive crystals ♦ Unusually small crystals ♦ Low-temperature data collection ♦ Disorder or twinning ♦ Absolute structure determinations, including all-light atom structures ♦ Database searches A structure determination of molecular crystals will typically involve the following: ♦ Crystal Sample inspection under the polarizing microscope ♦ Determination of unit cell parameters, crystal system and space group ♦ Structure solution and refinement ♦ Creation of tables in CIF and other formats ♦ Publication-ready molecular and packing plots The measurements of organic and organometallic materials are performed using a Bruker KappaApexII CCD diffractometer with MiraCol optics or a Nonius KappaCCD diffractometer mounted on a FR590 generator, both utilizing Mo radiation. A Nonius Mach3 Kappa full 4-circle diffractometer Chemical Research Support 211 mounted on a FR590 generator is also available with Cu radiation. Data collection may be performed at either LN or ambient temperatures. Low temperature has many benefits for X-ray structure determination, including better quality data in less time than room-temperature work and the ability to handle highly reactive compounds with minimal fuss. We typically collect data at 100K, but on occasion, destructive phase transitions force data collection at higher temperatures

For the Structural Biologists, the X-ray laboratory is a user facility. Macromolecular crystallographic measurements are made on two R-Axis IV++ systems. The image plate detectors are mounted on RU-H3R Rigaku rotating anode generators equipped with Osmic confocal focusing mirrors. One of these systems is outfitted with a 2-theta stage allowing high resolution data collection. Both systems are equipped with Oxford cryostream cooling systems for LN, low-temperature measurements. Also available in the laboratory are light-microscopes for sample inspection and mounting as well as digital cameras for crystal photography. Training is available for users, so that they can perform their own experiments.

X-ray Crystallography Unit Website

X-Ray Diffraction Lab (Person in Charge: Yishay Feldman)

The aim of the X-ray diffraction laboratory is the structural characterization of natural and synthetic solids including powders, thin films, single- and poly-crystals. X-ray diffractometry is a powerful, non-destructive technique capable of determining a number of parameters which characterize the structure of the irradiated material. The volume of a sample which can be studied at a given time depends on the dimensions of the X-ray beam (up to 15 x 15 mm) and on the penetration depth of the X-rays used. In the case of our generators (Cu target, ?av=0.154nm) the penetration depth reaches several tens of micrometers in inorganic materials and millimeters in organic materials. High intensity X-ray sources and high quality X-ray optics allow us to obtain a sufficiently strong diffraction signal even when the X-ray beam dimension is less than 200 µm.

Our lab is equipped with three X-ray generators manufactured by Rigaku Ltd. (Japan). The instrumentation includes a wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) camera affixed to a RU200 rotating anode generator (12kW) with an imaging plate for data acquisition and two theta-theta vertical diffractometers: a sealed tube generator-based ULTIMA III (2kW) and a rotating anode generator-based TTRAXS III (18 kW). Data acquisition for the latter two is computer controlled and data analysis is performed on separate platforms with Jade9.1 software. Search/match protocols use the Powder DIffraction File (PDF-4+) of 212 Chemical Research Support the ICDD (International Center for Diffraction Data) on CD-Rom.

The two theta-theta diffractometers have a combination of modern XRD software and hardware which together permit almost all the structural characterization of solids that can be realized under laboratory conditions. These include:

♦ Qualitative and quantitative phase analysis (including evaluation of degree of crystallinity); ♦ Lattice parameter evaluation; ♦ Determination of microstrain and the evaluation of crystallite size; ♦ Crystal structure refinement by the Rietveld method; ♦ Texture determination using pole figure mapping; ♦ Residual stress measurement; ♦ Thin film reflectivity; ♦ High resolution measurements using a Ge (220) channel-cut monochromator; ♦ Capillary sample holders for use with materials that require a controlled environment and/or materials with severe preferential orientation on flat plate sample holders; ♦ Measurements in the low and medium temperature range (from -180° to 300° C); optionally, in an inert environment It should be noted that the TTRAX III is the only diffractometer of its kind manufactured today i.e. a rotating-anode theta-theta diffractometer- which makes possible the characterization of a horizontally mounted sample with 18 kW of X-radiation. Our instrument is the only one of its kind in Israel and there are only a few in Europe and in the US. Its high intensity X-ray beam and high quality X-ray optics allow us to obtain good powder diffraction patterns from gold films with thickness as small as 2 nm. Another example of the extraordinary capabilities of this instrument is the high quality XRD patterns obtained in transmission geometry from inorganic membranes with thickness of half a micron and lateral size of 200 microns.

Recently a polycapillary optic has been acquired which, when installed on the RU200 generator, will allow us to produce an X-ray microbeam (about 20 µm) with very high intensity (the manufacturers compare the flux density in the focal spot to that of a regular synchrotron beam) for WAXS measurements. Possible applications include characterizing the two-diimensional heterogeneity of both biological and inorganic samples as well as determining crystallite size in the range up to 1 micron. Another planned addition is a high speed, high sensitivity, high resolution solid state X-ray detector which will be used in conjunction with the existing variable temperature attachment in order to avoid long data acquisition times at low and high temperatures which may cause sample damage. It also will improve the angular resolution of measured XRD profiles up to 0.02° in 2-theta and will markedly reduce the turn-around Chemical Research Support 213 time for heavy use of the Ultima (or TTRAX) diffractometer.

Light Scattering (Person in Charge: Ellen J. Wachtel)

Dynamic light scattering (DLS), also called quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) or photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), is a widely used, rapid and nondestructive technique to determine the hydrodynamic size and aggregational state of particles dispersed in solution. The particles may be biological macromolecules such as proteins or oligonucleotides, surfactant aggregates (micelles or vesicles), or inorganic nanoparticles. Both organic and aqueous solvents may be used. Information on translational diffusion of the particles is obtained from intensity fluctuations measured on the microsecond to millisecond time scale. The diffusion constant may be related to a hydrodynamic radius via the Stokes - Einstein relationship. When the dispersion contains a mixture of sizes, mathematical algorithms are used to extract a weighted distribution.

The department DLS instrument (Viscotek, model 802 DLS) is characterized by high sensitivity, fast and accurate temperature control ( 0-90oC), and low sample volume. It uses a 50mW fiber coupled laser diode light source, with wavelength 830nm, in order to avoid strong absorptions in the visible. The suitable size range of particles is 0.5nm - 0.1 micron in hydrodynamic radius. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Chemical_Services/ 214 Chemical Research Support Staff

Professor

Michael Elbaum1, Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, United States

Senior Research Fellows

Hagai Cohen, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Sidney Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Miriam Eisenstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Arye Tishbee, Ph.D., University of Houston, Houston, United States

Senior Staff Scientists

Peter Bendel, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook, United States Yishay (Isai) Feldman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Konstantin Gartsman, Ph.D., Physical Technical Institute, Russian Federation Eugenia Klein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Leonid Konstantinovski, Ph.D., Rostov University, Rostov on Don, Russian Federation Ronit Popovitz-Biro, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Akiba Segal, Ph.D., Jassy University, Romania Linda J.W. Shimon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Vera Shinder, Ph.D., Moscow University, Biochemical Institute, Academy of Science Lev Weiner, Ph.D., Institute of Catalysis, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Sharon G. Wolf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Shirley Daube, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene, United States Veronica Frydman, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Gregory Leitus, Ph.D., Metallurgy Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Tali Scherf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eyal Shimoni, Ph.D., ETH, Zurich, Switzerland

Assistant Staff Scientists

Yoav Barak, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tatyana Bendikov, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Chemical Research Support 215 Arkady Bitler, Ph.D., Leningrad State University, Leningrad, Russian Federation Yael Diskin Posner, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Mark Alan Iron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Elena Kartvelishvily, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Palle Von Huth, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineers

Gregor Rory Leitch Alexander Yoffe, M.Sc., University of Tashkent, Russian Federation

Consultant

Itai Carmeli (left September 2010)

Visiting Scientist

Rotem Asaf, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Estelle Kalfon-Cohen, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Administrator

Hila Shochat

1Department of Materials and Interfaces 216 The Center for Energy Research

The Center for Energy Research

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

The Energy Research Center was established in 1980 to promote and encourage research in all aspects of energy-related research. Energy research covers a broad range of disciplines, and all the Faculties in the Institute are involved. The basic philosophy of the Center is to keep the various energy projects within the framework of the departments in which they originated as long as possible and to promote close contact between scientists working in the various fields, thereby encouraging innovation.

The Center provides facilities shared by all the research groups, holds seminars and disseminates information.

Most of the energy research work done in the Institute is related to the exploitation of solar radiation. There are research projects in the direct conversion area, in thermal electricity generation, in thermally driven chemical processes, and in photochemistry.

Within the commissioning of the Canadian Institute for the Energies and its Solar Research Facilities Unit, and the operation of the Schaeffer Solar Furnace, it became possible to carry out many new projects.

Solar fuels

Research on the gasification of carbonaceous materials was continued. In this program, concentrated solar light is used for gasification of low value materials like heavy oil, coal and urban waste. At high temperature of the solar receiver, the carbonaceous materials are reacted with Zn oxide to produce CO and Zn vapor. The reaction products are then reacted with water to produce hydrogen and recover the Zn oxide.

High temperature receivers

A new generation of receivers that can reach higher temperatures by direct heating of compressed gas is being developed. The goal of the research is to achieve temperatures above 2000°C. These receivers will be used in the future to operate a new generation of thermal machines or chemical systems that are The Center for Energy Research 217 now under development.

Novel solar optical systems

The goal of this project is to achieve peak solar concentrations above 20,000 in solar central receiver systems. This goal will be achieved by closed loop continuous tracking of the sun by heliostats, improved imaging optics and new concepts of nonimaging optics. High peak solar concentration will improve the performance of existing solar thermal systems, and will allow in the future achieving higher temperatures with the newly developed solar receivers.

Solar-pumped lasers

Work on solar-pumped lasers continued. The focus of the present research is to develop phase conjugate mirrors for high power solar lasers to improve beam quality that will support in the future transmission of high power lasers, and communication in space systems. In another research, gas phase solar molecular dimer lasers are being developed. These lasers will be the first generation of tunable directly pumped solar lasers.

Technology transfer to industry

The following major activities took place during last year:

An industrial consortium, with four Israeli industries and two universities, which was established in 1995 as part of the MAGNET Program of the Israeli Ministry of Industry for the industrialization of the solar technologies that were developed under the framework of the Energy Research Center, completed its successful second year of operation. The goal of these projects is to develop the technologies of small- and large-scale solar thermal and solar photovoltaic electric systems, and solar lasers.

An industrial consortium based on the cooperation between American and Israeli industries was formed under the framework of the Joint Israeli-American Commission for Advanced Technologies. The goal of this project is to develop solar thermal plants based on the concept of the solar reflective tower.

An industrial consortium based on cooperation between Israeli and European organizations was established under the Fourth Framework Program of the European Union. The goal of this organization is to develop advanced solar-assisted systems that will use synthesis gas obtained by solar reforming to operate gas turbines and fuel cells. 218 The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry

The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry

Lucio Frydman, Director

The Fritz Haber Center supports various scientific activities in the fields of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics. The support of the Center is given directly to research groups to help initiate new endeavors and for ongoing activities. The support is usually dedicated to the purchase of new scientific equipment, upgrade of operating laboratories and extension of existing experimental systems.

During the 2009/2010 period the Center supported the purchase of scientific equipment for the following projects:

♦ Fritz Haber Center support was used to launch a project on computational electromagnetics with the emphasis on modeling experiments on near-field optics and nanoplasmonics. With this, a high-performance workstation that allowed scientists to perform the above exploratory studies was purchased (Prof. Ilya Averbukh, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI) ♦ A new 12 channel peristaltic pump was purchased. This is a high-accuracy, high-resolution pump that was acquired to simulate realistic flow rates of key pharmaceutical and personal care products. Funding from the Fritz Haber Center will permit us to carry out investigations on the effects introduced by heavy metals present in laboratory columns containing natural soils or in aquifer materials, and how these affect market-oriented products. (Prof. Brian Berkowitz, Dept. Environmental Sciences, PI). ♦ An animal monitoring system was purchased for performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research on animals. This device enabled a precise calibration of the anesthetic conditions needed to implement long-term experiments on small rodents; it also provided the triggering signals needed to synchronize complex single-scan multidimensional MRI experiments. (Prof. Lucio Frydman, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI). ♦ With partial funding from the Fritz Haber Center, an HPLC for purifying biological samples (proteins, peptides and RNAs) was purchased. This HPLC allows us to prepare suitable amounts of sample to carry out electron paramagnetic resonance studies on reaction mechanism of metal-containing enzymes; on the mechanism of how enzymes bind to RNA; peptide-membrane interactions using spin labels; and on the electronic structure of electron transfer mediating Cucontaining proteins. (Prof. Daniella Goldfarb, Dept. Chemical The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry 219 Physics, PI). ♦ A special Xenon lamp to implement light microscopy studies was purchased. This lamp is used as the illumination source in a dark-field microscopy /spectroscopy system. This system takes Mie scattering spectra of individual metal nanoparticle clusters. We correlate the measured spectra with electron microscopy-derived structural information and electromagnetic calculations. (Prof. Gilad Haran, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI). ♦ Fritz Haber Center support was used to purchase and install a special excimer laser. This system is used for studies focusing on the interactions between DNA and surfaces; using novel laser pulsing techniques the unique electronic nature of these interactions can be elucidated (Prof. Ron Naaman, Dept. of Chemical Physics, PI). ♦ With the Center's support, an atomic force microscopy controller and stage could be upgraded. This in turn enables state of the art AFM measurements on the nanometer scale. These measurements are integral parts of the 'bottom-up' construction of nanomaterials, as well as applications of the newly developed nanostructures being developed in a layer-by-layer fashion for chemical and biological applications. (Prof. I. Rubinstein, Dept. Materials and Interfaces, PI). ♦ Using support from the Fritz Haber center a blue diode laser for aerosol spectroscopy was purchased. This diode laser is used in a photoacoustic cell coupled to a cavity ring down spectrometer. The instrument is used to measure the absorption and total extinction by aerosol particles and to derive their complex refractive index. (Prof. Yinon Rudich, Dept. Environmental Sciences, PI). ♦ A Dual-Channel dynamic signal analyzer was purchased, as part of a new setup being installed to enable single-molecule electronic conductivity measurements. This analyzer is an integral part of new molecular electronic efforts being pursued in the search of the ultimate, single-molecule electronic device (Dr. Oren Tal, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI). ♦ A High-Speed Digitizer was purchased, to enable the direct detection of EPR signals at 95GHz. This digitizer is part of a brand new dynamic nuclear polarizer being built in the Institute to probe the nature of electron-to-nuclear polarization transfers at cryogenic temperatures (Prof. Shimon Vega, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI). 220 The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research

The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research

Yehiam Prior, Director The Sherman Professorial Chair of Physical Chemistry

The Institute was established in November 2000 with a generous founding endowment made by the Ilse Katz Foundation. The Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry is the Director.

The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of excellent research in the fields of materials and magnetic resonance at the Weizmann Institute. Both fields represent to date spear points of technologically advanced interdisciplinary research, encompassing topics ranging from medicine to physics, through chemistry and biology. Large investments are required in infrastructure and instrumentation, including support for the personnel responsible for the laboratories. This is the main focus of the Ilse Katz Institute. In addition, the Ilse Katz Institute encourages and supports young investigators committed to advanced research in any field of materials and magnetic resonance. The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science 221

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science

Stephen Weiner, Director The Walter and Dr. Trude Brochardt Professorial Chair of Structural Biology

Archaeology is the study of ancient cultures based on the material remains that have survived the ravages of time. This represents a most challenging objective that requires on the one hand, some of the most sophisticated analytical tools available, and on the other hand a keen understanding of human culture and history. This blend of science and humanities is unique. Israel's geographic location at the cross-roads between Africa, Europe and Asia, and its relatively mild climate, are two of the main reasons why this small country is so well endowed with a wonderfully rich archaeological record.

The achievements of the archaeological community of this country over the last 80 years have contributed enormously to the overall knowledge of past human culture. The last 40 years have, however, witnessed a shift in the way archaeological research is practised. There is an increasing use of the scientific method, along with a dependence on more and more sophisticated analytical capabilities to reveal that part of the archaeological record not seen with the naked eye. We refer to this as "microarchaeology". This trend in turn has exasperated a situation that exists in Israel, and almost all western countries, namely that archaeologists are educated in the faculties of humanities, yet the practice of archaeology in many respects is most suited to the natural sciences.

This situation prompted the Weizmann Institute to establish the Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science, with its primary aim being the training of students at the PhD level in both the natural sciences and archaeology. In November 1997, the Center was formally established in a newly renovated building on the campus designed by the famous architect, Mendelsohn.

The Center's resources are used primarily for fellowships and modest research funds for 5 to 6 PhD students. The special PhD program involves one year devoted entirely to studies, usually in archaeology if the student has a background in the natural sciences or vica versa. The remaining 4 years are devoted to research and some course work. The Center has a joint agreement with Bar Ilan University to carry out research and teaching in the field of 222 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science microarchaeology.

Some of the research topics currently being investigated are differences in atomic disorder in calcites formed in different ways, the study of minerals that form as a result of exposure to high temperatures as a means of deciphering past activities involving high temperatures, and the analysis of lipids preserved in ceramic vessels as a means of studying the contents and functions of these vessels. Each summer the Kimmel Center students and staff spend several weeks in the field at Tel es Safi as part of an ongoing project with Bar Ilan University to better understand the archaeology of this important site through the materials. An on-site laboratory is operated. The Kimmel center also operates an international field school in the summer at Tel es Safi.

The Center also supports the maintenance and upgrading of the technological infrastructure required for archaeological research at the Institute. The main campus facilities currently used for archaeological research, include the Radiocarbon Laboratory which is acquiring an accelerator mass spectrometer in the near future, residue analysis laboratory, a laboratory for archaeometallurgical research, electron microscope facilities for imaging and elemental analyses, and Raman and infrared vibrational spectrometers. The Center also supports scientific exchanges with foreign scientists, and holds weekly meetings and seminars for scientific communication.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/kimmel-arch/home.html The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design 223

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design

David Milstein, Director The Israel Matz Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design is aimed at the design and synthesis of organic and organometallic molecules of novel properties and at the development of new synthetic methodology. Cooperation between scientists working on various aspects of these areas is strongly encouraged.

The Center deals currently with the following topics:

The design and synthesis of novel metal-binding coordination compounds with special chemical properties.

Development of methodology for the synthesis and structural modification of organic compounds of importance for the pharmaceutical- and fine chemical industries.

Development of novel molecular catalysts for efficient, selective and environmentally friendly processes of high industrial and academic interest.

The design and synthesis of biomimetic transition-metal coordination compounds.

The synthesis of novel metal-containing chromophores as selective sensors at ppm levels.

Development and application of theoretical calculations of molecular properties and computational studies of the reactivity of organic and organometallic molecules.

The synthesis of new conducting polymers.

Non-covalent synthesis by self assembly. 224 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science

Reshef Tenne, Director The Drake Family Professorial Chair in Nanotechnology

Objectives: The objectives of the Helen and Martin Kimmel center for Nanoscale Science is to encourage research in this burgeoning scientific discipline in general, and to help establish the links between molecular biology and nanoscale science, in particular; Another objective of the center is to promote education of young researchers who will be the future generation scientists in this field.

Means: To achieve these goals, the center supports the Helen and Martin Kimmel Nanoscale Laboratories (NL) in the basement of the Perlman building, which include clean rooms; molecular biology laboratories, and auxiliary laboratories for the characterization and manipulation of nanomaterials. It further supports laboratories engaged in nanomaterials synthesis and their characterization, and the activity in computations of nanomaterials. During this first year of operation, the NL have been completed and its scientific and technical staff has been established. The JEOL 6400 scanning electron microscope (SEM) was moved to the NL and an electron beam lithography system was installed on it.

Highlights of the scientific activities during this year: The mechanical properties of individual WS2 nanotubes were further investigated. This work suggests numerous applications for such nanotubes, especially in high strength nanocomposites (R. Tenne). Cell-free genetic circuit elements were constructed in a transcription-translation extract. For this purpose transcriptional activation and repression cascades were engineered, in which the protein product of each stage is the input required to drive or block the following stage (R. Bar-Ziv). A new microfluidic-based 1D solid made of an array of water droplets in oil with attenuated sound velocity was discovered and physically characterized (R. Bar-Ziv). A new carbon nanotube based nanoelectromechanical device was fabricated and its quantum mechanical current oscillations measured (E. Joselevich). The Helen and Milton A.Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly 225

The Helen and Milton A.Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly

Ada Yonath, Director The Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professorial Chair

The Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly, established in 1988, aims at encouraging research at the molecular level on frontier scientific problems concerning the assembly of biological macromolecules into functionally active intracellular units and organelles.

The center is supporting research projects in the following aspects of bio-macromolecular structural research: nucleic-acids and protein expression and purification, crystallization, crystallographic data collection at international state-of-the-art facilities, display and visualization of life processes.

The center is actively involved in educating graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. This includes participation in international conferences and workshop alongside inviting distinguished professors for short and long periods.

It also shares responsibility for various functions of the chemical infrastructure facilities and biological services alongside providing the means for key inter-departmental common facilities.

Funds are being divided into the following categories:

1. Purchasing, installation, and development of state-of-the-art sophisticated equipment to be used for the investigation of structural aspects of life sciences. Examples are cryo and ambient-temperature X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, cryo and ambient-temperature EM imaging and time-resolved experiments at the micro-second limits. This includes also the upgrading, maintenance and repair of the existing instrumentation on a regular basis and by emergency calls. 2. The biocrystallographic laboratory: a common facility for large scale preparations of sensitive biological materials in purity allowing high performance of crystallographic analysis and/or NMR studies. 3. Funding selected programs of an outstanding quality, albeit premature and/or risky to be funded by the common agencies. 226 The Helen and Milton A.Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly 4. Assisting the first steps of young scientists as well as of more experienced new comers. 5. Providing means for the organization of conferences, seminars, courses and symposia dealing with aspects of structural biology. Assisting short and long term visits of leading scientific figures as well as post doctoral fellows. Facilitating the attendance of graduate students in workshops and advanced courses, carried out in Israel and/or abroad. The center also stimulates interactions with worldwide experts with specific skills in the area of structural biology. The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology 227

The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology

Zippora Shakked, Director The Helena Rubinstein Professorial Chair of Structural Biology

The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology, established in 1980, encourages research and cooperation among scientists working in this area. The Center operates by (a) direct grants to selected research projects, especially those that attempt to solve significant albeit risky problems; (b) participation in providing biological, chemical, and crystallographic services, in purchasing equipment and in improving experimental facilities; and (c) sponsoring seminars, symposia, short-term visits and the participation of young scientists in schools, workshops and meetings.

A significant part of the funds are allocated for the maintenance of the laboratory for biological structure determination. Support was also given to Chemical and Biological Services. 228 The Gerhardt M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center on Supramolecular Architecture

The Gerhardt M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center on Supramolecular Architecture

David Cahen, Director The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Professorial Chair in Energy Research

The Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Center for Supramolecular Architectures was founded in 1995 to promote interdisciplinary research in the field of condensed matter and molecular chemistry, physics and biophysics.

Within the framework of the centre both experimental and theoretical studies are carried out, generally by way of support for contacts of the Weizmann faculty members with German scientists, aid for ongoing projects and contributions to critical equipment needs.

Areas that have been supported in the recent past include structure and function of thin films, made of molecular organic as well as of hard (inorganic) materials; studies on architectures of soft and bio-materials, such as micelles, vesicles and membranes, studies of the inorganic-organic materials interface and mesoporous materials.

The centre provides travel support for genuine, bona-fide collaborative studies between German and Israeli scientists, mostly of, students, postdocs and young scholars.

The Centre organizes or participates in joint meetings, especially student-organized ones, schools, and more formal conferences.

Often the centre joins forces with other centres and foundations so as to able to spread its resources.

In Sept. 2008 the most recent Student Symposium took place, on "Molecules as Sensors" in Israel, joint with Bar-Ilan University's Minerva Centre for Nanoscale Particles and Films. The faculty advisors were Prof. Ron Naaman from the Weizmann Institute and Prof. Marc Tornow from the Techn. Univ. Braunschweig. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/chemphys/cinaaman/Minerva2008/

In Dec. 2011 a Minerva School on Alternative Energy research for German and Israeli PhD students will take place in Nazareth. http://www.minerva.mpg.de/minerva_schools/list.html The Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging 229

The Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging

Avi Minsky, Director The Professor T. Reichstein Professorial Chair

The Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging was established in 2006. The primary aim of this center is to support activities that will enhance the capacities of the imaging unit of the Weizmann Institute and maintain its position as a worldwide center of excellence.

The policy of the Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging is to encourage new initiatives for internal development. These initiatives, conceived and carried out by the center staff in collaboration with students and Post-Doc fellows, are aimed at promoting and improving imaging techniques and capabilities.

The center supports the purchase of new, state-of-the-art equipment and the upgrade of existing facilities.

The center sponsors participation of students and staff members in conferences and meetings dedicated to microscopy, as well as visits to other laboratories and participation in professional training and evaluation of new methods and equipment.

In 2008 the Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging supported a project conducted by a software engineer in collaboration with members of the center staff that was aimed at bringing current image analysis techniques to the stage that they can be used reliably to analyze electron tomography data.

The center supported the purchase of a state-of-the-art cryo-microtome that enables cryo-sectioning of biological samples under conditions that optimally preserve their native structures. Additionally, the center supported the purchase of a STEM attachment to the ZEISS ULTRA SEM microscope, that provide a continuity in the possibility of observing details of specimens from very low (50 X) to very high (1 000 kX) magnification.

The center sponsored participation of staff members in the European Meeting on Electron microscopy. 230 The Dr. Scholl Center for Water and Climate

The Dr. Scholl Center for Water and Climate

Brian Berkowitz, Director The Sam Zuckerberg Professorial Chair

The Dr. Scholl Center for Water and Climate Research at the Weizmann Institute of Science is building a fund to realize the dream of sustainable, long-term support for climate-related research at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

The Center will provide financial assistance to investigators embarking on new projects in the field of water and climate, as well as to interdisciplinary research collaborations between groups.

The Center will also support the organization of international and local conferences and workshops aimed at disseminating and promoting communication between researchers in these fields.

The Center will devote resources to educating the next generation of environmental science leaders, by organization of international summer or winter schools. The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences 231

The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences

Brian Berkowitz, Director The Sam Zuckerberg Professorial Chair in Hydrology

The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences was established in 1993. Its main goals are to promote, coordinate, and support research on the environment in the Institute in general, and in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research in particular.

In recent years, the Sussman Family Center focused its efforts on supporting the recruitment of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows to carry out research in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research. Linked to this effort, the Sussman Family Center also invested in supporting visits by distinguished scientists from the various environmental science disciplines, both on an individual basis and as part of workshops and symposia organized by the Department. The Sussman Family Center will continue to allocate funds for the acquisition of new equipment, for individual research projects, and to promote scientific interactions between scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and students, both from the Weizmann Institute and from other international centers of environmental research.

In 2009, funding was allocated for the following:

Postdoctoral Award program: The $10,000 postdoctoral award program was established by the Center in 2007 to promote the postdoctoral research of highly talented Israeli Ph.D. graduates. This program is expected to serve as a unique tool for the Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research for identifying the best potential candidates for future faculty recruitment. Dr. Itay Halevy from Harvard University and Dr. Nadav Kashtan from the Weizmann Institute of Science were the 2009 recipients of this fellowship.

Equipment: A recent contribution from the Sussman Center was made to enable the department's researchers to have access to a newly-acquired, state-of-the-art computing facility (multi-processor computer cluster "farm") by the Faculty of Chemistry. This is a major facility that will serve heavy computational demands for the next years, including high-resolution climate simulations. 232 The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences Fellowships: The Sussman Family Center awarded five postdoctoral fellowships, nine Ph.D. scholarships, two M.Sc. scholarships, and fellowships for two Research Associates.

Land Preservation: The unique and pristine landscapes of the Negev desert are endangered due to mining and other human activities. Prof. Emanuel Mazor has continued his efforts, supported by the Sussman Center, to increase awareness of sustainable development in the Negev through research and educational initiatives, and through an effort to obtain UNESCO World Heritage Status for the three craters: Makhtesh Ramon, Makhtesh Gadol, and Makhtesh Katan.

Visitors: During the past year, eleven visiting scientists enriched the activities of the Center by presenting special workshops, colloquia, and seminars. Interactions between Institute scientists and prominent scientists from around the world provide opportunities for discussion, teaching, and training associated with issues at the cutting edge of global environmental research. Visitors to our department came from leading research institutions in North America and Europe, and included:

Prof. Pierre Adler, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Laboratory Sisyphe, Paris, France. Prof. Adler's work includes analytical and numerical modeling of fluid flow and transport of reactive chemicals in fractured and porous geological formations.

Prof. Joe Berry, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Global Ecology, Stanford. Prof. Berry models biosphere-atmosphere interactions and climate change.

Dr. Yevgeny Derminian, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Laboratoire d'Optique Atmospherique, Universite des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, France. Dr. Derminian's research includes atmospheric chemistry and spectral analysis of the atmospheric column, and ground validation of satellite data. Dr. Derminian was invited and hosted as a potential recruit to the department.

Dr. Graham Feingold, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory, Chemical Sciences Division, Boulder, CO. Dr. Feingold's interests lie in aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions and implications for climate change. His focus is on process-level studies using high resolution models and observations (aircraft and surface remote sensing) at the cloud scale (10s of meters to 10s of kms). Dr. Feingold is an associate editor of the Journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), a contributor to the Climate Change Science Program, chapter author of the International Aerosol-Precipitation Scientific Assessment Project, and a The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences 233 NOAA representative to EarthCare. He is a member of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project and the Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation-Climate (ACPC) steering committees.

Prof. Alberto Guadagnini, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Hydraulic, Environmental, Transportation and Surveying Engineering , Milan, Italy. Prof. Guadagnini's research includes analytical and numerical modeling of groundwater flow and contaminant transport in porous media, focusing on water quality protection.

Dr. Marcelo Guzman, Harvard University, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, MA. Invited lectures on Origin of Life and Prebiotic Metabolism. Dr. Guzman was invited and hosted as a potential recruit.

Prof. Alex Kostinski, Michigan Tech, Department of Physics, Houghton, MI. Prof. Kostinksi's recent research has been in cloud, aerosol, and precipitation physics; radar meteorology; astrophysics; wave propagation in random media; turbulent fluids; adaptive optics; and polarization optics.

Prof. J. Vanderlei Martins, University of Maryland Baltimore County and NASA. Dr. Martin's interests are related to the effect of aerosol particles on cloud formation, development, lifetime, and precipitation. He studies how aerosols influence clouds through microphysical and radiative effects. In particular, his group's scientific research covers several aspects of this topic varying from the microphysical measurement of the aerosol particles. Dr Martins is strongly oriented towards the development of new instrumentation and algorithms for laboratory and field measurements from ground, mountain top, aircraft, and satellite sensors. A number of future satellite missions are currently being developed by his group.

Dr. Lorraine Remer, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. Dr. Remer is a Senior Physical Scientist in the Climate and Radiation Branch of Goddard's Laboratory for Atmospheres. She is the head of the EOS-MODIS aerosol product. During the past 15 years, she has contributed to some of the key breakthrough studies in climate and climate change, and, in particular, in remote sensing of aerosols from satellites.

Prof. Eli Tziperman, Harvard University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, MA. Prof. Tziperman studies large-scale climate and ocean dynamics, including El Niño, thermohaline circulation, abrupt climate change, glacial cycles and equable climates; and advanced methods of ocean data assimilation.

Dr. Warren Wiscombe, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. Dr. Wiscombe is a former chief scientist of the Atmospheric 234 The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences Radiation Measurement program (ARM) and the former president of the Atmospheric Section of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). His research has centered on remote sensing and radiative transfer of clouds, single scattering theory, and the development of new satellite system concepts. In particular, 3D radiative fields of clouds and the effect of such photon fields on the surrounding cloud free atmosphere, modeling of cloud liquid water structure, and the resultant shortwave radiation field.

Conferences: The Sussman Family Center supported a conference/workshop that was co-organized by scientists and students from the Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research: "Forest management and the water cycle: Water issues in dryland forestry." The workshop was held in Sde Boker on November 9-12, 2009. Our contribution permitted free attendance to Israeli students. Prof. Dan Yakir was a key participant of this workshop. Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement 235

Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement

Perlman Institute of Chemical Sciences 236 Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement Faculty of Physics

Dean: Yosef Nir The Amos de Shalit Professor of Theoretical Physics

Haim Harari, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor The Annenberg Professor of High Energy Physics 238 Faculty of Physics

Faculty of Physics

Dean: Yosef Nir The Amos de Shalit Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics

The Faculty of Physics consists of three departments: Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics. In addition, a unit of Physical Services support the experimental groups. The research in the faculty is conducted by 43 faculty members, about 130 graduate students and about 40 post doctoral fellows and visitors.

The research in the faculty covers a wide range of experimental and theoretical areas. The experimental effort includes studies of solid state and semiconductor physics, superconductivity, plasma, radiation detection physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, hydrodynamics and optics. In addition, the faculty is involved in large scale high energy experiments done at accelerators in Brookhaven, Geneva and Hamburg. The experimental activity is carried out by some 20 groups operating within the faculty, most of which established and developed during the last decade. The faculty is now extending its activities in atomic and laser physics, and entering into new areas such as observational astrophysics.

Theoretical studies at the faculty cover areas like high energy physics, string theory, mesoscopic systems, interacting electron systems, equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical physics and astrophysics.

In addition, a new interdisciplinary direction of research, biologically oriented physics, has been developed within the faculty. Several research groups are engaged in theoretical and experimental studies in cooperation with groups from other faculties.

The faculty hosts The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics, The Crown Photonics Center, The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research, The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems, The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics, and the Center for Experimental Physics.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dphys.shtml Condensed Matter Physics 239

Condensed Matter Physics

Mordehai Heiblum, Head The Alex and Ida Sussman Professorial Chair of Submicron Electronics

Research in our department covers a broad range of subjects in condensed matter physics. It can be broadly divided into two main groups: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics and Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics. The activities of each group is detailed below.

Experimental Condensed Matter Physics:

Israel Bar-Joseph: - Exciton Physics; - Molecular electronics; - Nano-Plasmonics; - Fractional quantum Hall effect.

Moty Heiblum: - Controlled dephasing of electrons -'Which Path' type Experiments; - Phase measurements of Electrons; - Charge and statistics of fractional charges in the fractional quantum Hall effect regime; - Studying neutral modes in the quantum Hall regime; - Growth of high purity semiconductors by Molecular Beam Epitaxy.

Shahal Ilani: - Carbon nanoelectronics. - Transport in ultra-clean carbon nanotubes. - Nano-mechanics of carbon systems. - Spin manipulation in carbon systems. - Charge imaging on nanometer scales using scanning nanotube single electron transistors. - Two dimensional electron systems at the interface between oxides (LaAlO/SrTiO).

Dan Shahar: - The fractional and integer quantum Hall effects and related phenomena; - Electronic transport of inorganic nanotubes (with R. Tenne); - The superconductor-insulator transition in two-dimensional films and 240 Condensed Matter Physics one-dimensional wires.

Eli Zeldov: - High-temperature superconductivity; - Vortex dynamics; - Vortex matter phase transitions; - Magneto-optical imaging; - Scanning nano-SQUID microscopy.

Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics:

Ehud Altman: - Strongly correlated quantum states of ultracold atoms. - Non equilibrium quantum phases and phase transitions. - Theory of high Tc superconductivity.

Alexander Finkelstein: -Disordered Conductors, Metal-Insulator Transition; -Superconductivity in Amorphous Systems; -Electron Systems near Quantum Critical Points; -Electron Systems with Spin-Orbit Interactions and Spintronic Devices; -Fundamentals of the Fermi-Liquid Theory; -Thermal Transport and Thermoelectric Phenomena.

Yuval Gefen: - Strongly correlated electronic systems out of equilibrium; - Tunneling of fractionally charged quasi-particles; - Fractional charge and fractional statistics of anyons; - Spin effects in quantum dots and mesoscopic conductors - this is related to the emerging field of Spintronics; - Berry phase and geometric effects in mesoscopic systems, including dissipative and "environmental" effects. This has important implications in the fast developiong field of quantum computing.

Yoseph Imry: - Slow relaxation modes, their distribution and the resulting relaxation and "aging" in electron glasses; related phonon localization and thermal transport. - Hierarchical decay and the Dicke effect in quantum dots coupled to reservoirs. - Mesoscopic superconductivity, superconducting fluctuations above Tc and the effects of pair-breaking. - towards explaining large mesoscopic persistent currents applying the scale-dependence of the interaction. Similar phenomena in N-S proximity systems. - Transport through molecules having vibrational modes, the effects of the Condensed Matter Physics 241 inelastic channel opening and partial thermalization by coupling to a bath, the resulting noise and decoherence, thermal and thermoelectric transport. - Understanding thermoelectric transport in poor conductors, trying to increase the "figure of merit". - Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem in nonequilibrium steady states and attempts for generalization to non-stationary states.

Shimon Levit: - Non classical light - squeezed photons, nano-optics, microcavities; - Semiconductor optics with non classical light; - Photonic Crystals. Quantum Mechanical Techniques. Path Integrals.

Yuval Oreg: - Disordered superconductors in low dimension; - Coulomb glass and aging; - Luttinger liquids and multi-channel Kondo effect; - Many body effects in nano-scale systems (e.g small quantum dots); - Topological Insulators.

Ady Stern: - The fractional quantum Hall effect; - Non-abelian statistics and topological quantum computation; - Topological insulators; - Transport in novel materials (e.g., p-wave superconductors). http://www.weizmann.ac.il/condmat/ 242 Condensed Matter Physics Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Israel Bar-Joseph, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Jane and Otto Morningstar Professorial Chair of Physics Alexander Finkelstein, Ph.D., Landau Institue, Moscow, Russian Federation The Charles and David Wolfson Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Yuval Gefen, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel The Isabelle and Samuel Friedman Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Moty Heiblum, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Alex and Ida Sussman Professorial Chair of Submicron Electronics Shimon Levit, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harry Kweller and Kathleen Kweller Professorial Chair of Condensed Matter Physics Adi Stern, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Eli Zeldov, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The David and Inez Myers Professorial Chair

Professor Emeritus

Yoseph Imry, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Yuval Oreg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dan Shahar, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States

Senior Research Fellow

Vladimir Y. Umansky, Ph.D., Academy of Science of the USSR, Leningrad, Russian Federation

Senior Scientists

Ehud Altman, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Incumbent of the Louis and Ida Rich Career Development Chair Shahal Ilani, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the William Z. and Eda Bess Novick Career Development Chair Condensed Matter Physics 243 Senior Staff Scientist

Hadas Shtrikman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientist

Yuri Myasoedov, Ph.D., Franko Lvov State University, Ukraine

Interns

Ariel Amir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michael Stern, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineers

Michael Fourmansky, B.A., Holon Institute of Technology, Holon, Israel Vitaly Hanin, M.Sc., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Diana Mahalu, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Olga Raslin, M.Sc., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Nahum Stern, M.Sc., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Amnon Aharony, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel David Bergman, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ora Entin, Ben-Gurion University of the Nevev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Yigal Gat Dima Gutman, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Lev Medvedovsky Yigal Meir, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Joseph Sperling

Visiting Scientists

Alexander Altland Dmitri Bagrets , University of Karlsruhe, (TKM), Germany Aveek Bid, Indian Inst. of Sci., Bangalore, India Alessandro Braggio, University of Geneva, Switzerland Ernst Helmut Brandt Igor Burmistrov, L.D.Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics RAS, Russia Yunchul Chung, Nat. University, Pusan, Korea Sebastian Diehl Thierry Giamarchi, University of Geneva, Switzerland Oktay Goktas David Goldhaber-Gordon, Stanford University, U.S.A. 244 Condensed Matter Physics Igor Gornyi Alex Gurevich Bertrand Halperin, Harvard University, MA, U.S.A. Martin Huber, University of Colorado at Denver, U.S.A. Jakub Jedrak Beena Kalisky Mikhail Kiselev, ICTP - Int. Ctr. Theo. Phys., Trieste, Italy Jurgen Koenig, Universitat Duisburg-Essen, Germany Ferdinand Kuemmeth Ofer Lahav, University of London, UK Frieder Lenz, University of Erlangen, Germany Abraham Leob, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A. Igor Lerner, University of Birmingham, UK Abraham Loeb, Harvard Med. School, MA, U.S.A. Alexander Mirlin, University of Karlsruhe, (TKM), Germany Gregorii Mykytyk Diego Porras Nicholas Read, Yale University , New Haven, CT, U.S.A. Gil Refael Saul Reichman, Lunaros Co., Israel Georg Schwiete, University of Bochum, Germany Alexander Shnirman, University of Karlsruhe, (TKM), Germany Konstantin Tikhonov, Landau Inst., Moscow, Russia Oran Uzrad, Lunaros Co., Israel Valerii Vinokour, Argonne Nat. Lab., IL, U.S.A. Felix Von Oppen, Free Univ., Berlin, Germany

Postdoctoral Fellows

Aveek Bid, Ph.D., Indian Institute Of Science Gabriele Campagnano, Tu Delft Hyungkook Choi, Seoul National University Gareth Conduit, University Of Cambridge Anindya Das, Indian Institute Of Scienec Sebastian David Huber, Eth Zurich Nebile Isik, Walter Schottky Institute (E24) Tum Jianhua Jiang, University Of Science And Technology Of China Arjun Emmanuel Alvar Joshua, Indian Institute Of Science Pradip Khatua, Iit Kanpur Gregory Kopnov, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Andrey Kretinin, Ph.D., University Of Exeter Nissim Ofek, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Arijit Saha, Harish-Chandra Research Institute (Hbni, Deemned U Vanishri Saligrama, Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore, India Denis Vasyukov, University Of Exeter Condensed Matter Physics 245 Jianhui Wang, Indiana University

Research Students

Ariel Amir Hamutal Bary-Soroker Assaf Carmi Eyal Cohen-Hoshen Emanuele Dalla Torre Yehuda Dinaii Merav Dolev Lior Embon Amit Finkler Valery Garmider Lilach Goren Eran Grinvald Yaron Gross Ilia Gutman Avraham Guttman Roni Ilan Hiroyuki Inoue Maciej Koch-Janusz Yaacov Kraus Karen Michaeli Yonatan Most Nissim Ofek Maoz Ovadia Sharon Pecker Zohar Ringel Yehonathan Segev Ronen Vosk Emil Weisz Oded Zilberberg Administrator

Tomer Hansen 246 Particle Physics and Astrophysics

Particle Physics and Astrophysics

Eli Waxman, Head The Max Planck Professorial Chair of Quantum Physics

The Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics is composed of several groups which have inter-related research directions. In Experimental Physics, we have groups in Heavy Ions, High Energy Physics, Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, Observational Astrophysics, Particle-Astrophysics, Plasma Physics and Radiation Detection. In Theoretical Physics, we have activities in Astrophysics, Field Theory, Many Body Theory, Particle Physics and Quantum Mechanics. The various activities are grouped below into three sub-groups: I. Experimental Physics, II. Theoretical Physics, and III. Theoretical, Observational & Experimental Astrophysics.

I. Experimental Physics

Heavy Ions: the PHENIX and CERES Experiments The Weizmann Institute heavy ion group includes Alexander Milov, Ilia Ravinovich and Itzhak Tserruya. The activities led by Itzhak Tserruya are focused on the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. RHIC is dedicated to the study of QCD and in particular high density QCD via heavy-ion collisions at energies up to vsNN= 200 GeV. PHENIX was designed to measure all potential signatures of the phase transition leading to deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration expected to take place in these collisions. Capitalizing on the experience gained with the CERES experiment and to further investigate the enhancement of low-mass electron-positron pairs discovored by CERES, the group in PHENIX is particularly interested in the measurement of low-mass dileptons including the low-mass vector mesons, via their decay into electron-positron pairs, which are sensitive probes of chiral symmetry restoration. The group has developed a novel Hadron Blind Detector (HBD) as an upgrade of the PHENIX detector for the measurement of low-mass electron pairs at RHIC. The HBD is now installed in PHENIX and first physics data were collected in the RHIC run of 2009. In addition to that, the group is responsible for the innermost set of pad chambers, called PC1, that are essential elements of the charged particle tracking system.

The activities led by Alexander Milov are focussed on the heavy-ion program of the ATLAS experiment at the LHC (Large hadron Collider) that is just Particle Physics and Astrophysics 247 starting operations at CERN. The main initial goal is to investigate the QGP under the new regime of higher energy density available at LHC and to concentrate on global observables to assess whether under such new conditions the QGP beahves like at RHIC or whether it exhibits new properties unseen at lower energies. The first proton-proton collisions presently being collected allow us to learn about the performance of the ATLAS detector and optimize the analysis techniques which will be applied in future studies. Among the highest priorities for the group is to improve the detector performance at very low momentum which is crucial to analyze the bulk particle production in heavy ion collisions when the first heavy ion data are collected at the end of 2010.

High Energy Physics: The ATLAS Experiment The ATLAS group includes Ehud Duchovni, Eilam Gross, Daniel Lellouch, Giora Mikenberg, Meir Shua and Vladimir Smakhtin. Our main analysis interests are focused on the understanding of the ATLAS detector and on analyzing its first data. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) situated at CERN - Geneva, concluded a very successful run with proton beams of 3.5TeV each, in which an integrated luminosity of approximately 50pb-1 was recorded. The ATLAS detector performed extremely well and recorded, with unprecedented accuracy, the outcome of ~45pb-1 pp collisions. An attempt to consolidate the understanding of ATLAS performance is at the center of few of our ongoing studies. In parallel, members of the group are engaged in searches for the elusive Higgs boson, for first hints of Supersymmetry existence, and in studies of the substructure of ultra energetic jets. Our hardware contribution to the ATLAS experiment, namely the Thin Gap Chamber system, which accounts for a significant part of ATLAS's capability to trigger on muons, is functioning excellently. Based on this success, the group is in the midst of an ambitious R&D aimed at converting the present trigger device into a trigger and tracking device for the harsh environment of the super-LHC.

Molecular Ion Quantum Dynamics

Led by Daniel Zajfman, the group works in the field of molecular astrophysics, ion trapping, cluster physics, nanosecond and femtosecond laser and electron induced processes. Experiments are being carried out both at the ion trap laboratory at the Weizmann Institute, and at the Test Storage Ring, located at the Max-Planck Institut, Heidelberg, Germany. The experiments study the internal dynamics of few body quantum systems.

Nuclear Physics

Led by Michael Hass, the group also includes Gvirol Goldring. Measurements are carried out in two major areas: a) Nuclear Structure and electromagnetic moments in nuclei with extreme values of isospin as exist far from the valley 248 Particle Physics and Astrophysics of stability. At the REX-ISOLDE (CERN), GANIL (France) and GSI (Germany) centers the group uses various production means to reach such exotic nuclei and measure the electromagnetic moments of ground states and isomeric states. b) Nuclear-astrophysics experiments such as measurement at the 3 MV VDG accelerator of the 7 Be(p,GRgamma)8B and 3He(4He,GRgamma)7Be cross sections that are essential for understanding the issues of solar-neutrino oscillations and mass and are connected to Big-Bang Nuclear-Synthesis. The group is also involved in measurements of nuclear reactions devoted to the understanding of explosive nucleo-synthesis scenarios that occur in, e.g., x-ray bursts and supervovae.

A new developing activity is the initiative to work with radioactive beams in Israel. Such nuclear structure and astrophysics measurements may become possible in the near future with the completion of Phase-I of the high-current, 40 MeV, proton and deuteron accelerator, SARAF, at Soreq. The possibilities with the SARAF are strongly coupled to planned activities at the next-generation, SPIRAL-II facility at GANIL(France),to utilize light radioactive like 14O, 15O, 18Ne and 6He for basic research in nuclear astrophysics of explosive phenomena (see above) and neutrino physics . This part is in collaboration with Dr.Dan Berkovits and Dr. Israel Mardor (Soreq Nuclear Research Centre).

6He and 8Li radioactive nuclei can also be produced at the Weizmann Institute Laboratory by using the newly-purchased neutron generator that employs the D+T reaction to provide high fluxes of 14 MeV neutrons. Such beams will be utilized for precision studies of Fundamental Interactions in the GRbeta-decay process by directing the respective ions into an Electrostatic Ion Beam Trap (EIBT) and measuring the decay products in the trap. Such studies are aimed at providing unique precision results that may demonstrate "New Physics" that is beyond the present Standard Model of elementary particles and interactions. This program is in close collaboration with the group of Prof. Daniel Zajfman and Dr. Oded Heber.

Plasma Physics

The Plasma Laboratory pursues investigations of high-energy-density plasmas, driven by intense current pulses or intense laser radiation. The group, led by Yitzhak Maron, also includes Vladimir Bernshtam, Rami Doron, Vladimir Fisher, Eyal Kroupp, Evgeny Stambulchik, and Alexander Starobinets. Studies of plasmas subjected to high energy deposition involve investigations of interactions with strong electric and magnetic fields, propagation of ionization fronts, production of fast particle beams, generation of magnetic shocks, development of collective fluctuating fields, and plasma-surface interactions. Implications to the development of intense x-ray sources, plasma switches, generation of electron and ion beams, and to astrophysical phenomena are Particle Physics and Astrophysics 249 considered.

The diagnostic methods are based on fast high-resolution plasma spectroscopy of spontaneous emission in the region from visible to x-rays and spectroscopy of laser absorption and laser-stimulated emission. Theoretical analysis of the experimental data is based on detailed modeling of atomic physics processes that govern the atomic/ionic spectral line broadening, atomic level splitting under electric and magnetic fields, field ionization, and time-dependent collisional-radiative calculations.

The plasma laboratory conducts broad international collaborations with a number of groups and individual researchers from the US and Europe.

Current activities in the Plasma Laboratory encompass:

♦ Studies of conversion of magnetic-field energy to kinetic energy and radiation in imploding and stagnating plasmas (in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, USA); ♦ Ionization waves, pressure waves, turbulence and magnetic field distribution in plasmas imploded by magnetic fields (in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and Cornell University, USA); ♦ Propagation of magnetic shocks in low-resistivity plasmas; Hall-effect physics; ♦ Investigations of warm dense matter (WDM) a transient non-equilibrium state of matter between a solid and a plasma, created in the interaction of short intense laser pulses with a solid target, including studies of the relativistic electrons and ultra-high fields formed in the targets (in collaboration with the Jena and Rostock Universities, Germany); ♦ Extensive modeling of spectral line shapes and plasma kinetics; ♦ Development of novel laser-based accelerators of electrons and protons (in collaboration with the Jena University, Germany). Radiation Detection

The work led by Amos Breskin and including Rachel Chechik, Sergei Shchemelinin and Sana Shilstein, involves study of radiation interactions with gas and solid matter and the development of novel methods to exploit the resulting secondary charges for radiation detection. This permits conceiving fast and accurate advanced radiation imaging detectors equipped with novel electron multipliers and efficient radiation converters, such as photocathodes for ultraviolet and visible light, and X-ray and neutron converters. The research program includes both experimental investigations and theoretical modeling. An important activity is the development of modern detection concepts for nuclear, particle and astroparticle physics, synchrotron radiation, material science, medicine and radio-biology. New methods are investigated 250 Particle Physics and Astrophysics for early detection of prostate cancer, positron emission tomography (PET) and for quantifying radiation damage to DNA.

II. Theoretical Physics

Field Theory

The work of Ofer Aharony involves field theories, string theories, and the relations between them along the lines of the AdS/CFT correspondence. Particular interest is in the study of string theory duals for non-conformal field theories like QCD, in understanding non-gravitational non-local field theories (such as "little string theories") and in finding a general non-perturbative definition for string theory / M theory. Ofer is also interested in understanding better confinement and the dynamics of supersymmetric gauge theories (with or without supersymmetry breaking).

The work of Micha Berkooz focuses of the development and application of new theoretical ideas and methods to the study strongly coupled physical systems. It currently focuses on non-perturbative aspects of String theory, field theory, supersymmetry and gravity, and their application to particle phenomenology, strongly coupled critical behaviour in condensed matter system in and off equilibrium, and the application of quantum information theory to dynamical black holes.

The work of Doron Gepner is centered around two subjects: 1) Solving the quantum field theory associated with manifolds of exceptional holonomy: minimal models associated with the so called Shatashvili-Vafa algebra are investigated and smooth non-orbifold constructions are realized in analogy with the Gepner construction. 2) Realizing pseudo conformal field theories: these have the same fusion rules as known affine or bosonic theories, but different modular matrix. All pseudo bosonic theories and also some of the pseudo affine theories can be realized. The plan is to realize all affine theories by using multi-para fermions.

The work of Yitzhak Frishman includes various aspects of non-Abelian gauge theories, perturbative and non-perturbative. These theories, within the standard model, describe strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions, as observed in Nature. Two dimensional models are being used, especially to learn about non-perturbative methods, and to possibly apply to four dimensions. For the spectrum and various other properties of states, strong coupling methods have to be developed, which is obviously in the non-perturbative regime. We have completed a book, together with Jacob Sonneschein from Tel Aviv University, entitled "Non-Perturbative Field Theory From Two-Dimensional Conformal Field Theory to QCD in Four Dimensions", published by Cambridge University Press, 2010. Particle Physics and Astrophysics 251 Nuclear Theory

Michael Kirson works on the theory of the structure of atomic nuclei. Recent work has concentrated on the systematics of nuclear masses and spectra, with particular reference to semi-empirical mass formulas and to random two-body interactions.

Particle Physics

Yossi Nir's research subjects include flavor at the LHC; particle cosmology, especially electroweak baryogenesis, leptogenesis and dark matter; phenomenology and flavor issues in supersymmetric theories; CP violation.

Zvi Lipkin works on (1) Hadron spectroscopy (with Marek Karliner) and (2) Quantum theory of neutrino oscillations.

Quantum Mechanics

The work of Shmuel Gurvitz includes multi-dimensional tunneling; quantum measurement and decoherence; Zeno effect; quantum transport in mesoscopic systems; deep inelastic scattering in nuclei.

III. Theoretical, Observational & Experimental Astrophysics

The research interests of the astrophysics group are briefly summarized below. For more details check the Astrophysics Home Page.

Theoretical Astrophysics

The theoretical astrophysics group includes T. Alexander, M. Milgrom, V. Usov, and E. Waxman.

The research of T. Alexander focuses on:

♦ Massive black holes (MBHs): Stellar dynamics near MBHs, Close interactions of stars and MBHs, Gravitational wave sources; ♦ The MBH in the Milky Way: The origin of young stars near the Galactic MBH, Post-Newtonian effects near the Galactic MBH, Interpretation and modeling of observations of the Galactic Center. The research of M. Milgrom focuses on: ♦ Underlying theories for the modified dynamics (non-relativistic and relativistic). ♦ Phenomenology of galaxy dynamics. ♦ Effects of the modified dynamics in the solar system. The research of V. Usov focuses on: 252 Particle Physics and Astrophysics ♦ Quark stars and their observational appearance (with M. Milgrom). ♦ Physical processes in relativistic electron-positron plasma. ♦ Physical processes in very strong magnetic fields. ♦ The theory of nonthermal radiation from compact astronomical objects (pulsars, white dwarfs, gamma-ray bursters, etc.). ♦ Hydrodynamics and high-energy physics of colliding stellar winds in binary systems. E. Waxman studies various topics in Theoretical Astrophysics, with a focus on High-Energy and Particle Astrophysics.

Observational Astrophysics

A. Gal-Yam is the first faculty member working in the area of observational astrophysics. He will be joined by a new faculty member, E. Ofek, in the coming fall.

A. Gal-Yam is developing the observational astrophysics activity in close collaboration with the Theoretical Astrophysics group members. His research is focused on cosmic explosions: the catastrophic deaths of stars. Huge amounts of energy are released within hours in events so bright they are seen from the edge of the Universe. The resulting extreme physical conditions involve huge densities, pressures and temperatures, strong magnetic fields, nuclear and high energy particle reactions, and strong relativistic effects (special and general). These topics are at the forefront of research in high energy particle astrophysics and gravity theories, with implications from the source of life to cosmology.

Experimental Particle Astrophysics: XENON Dark-matter search

This year, the department began a new activity in experimental astroparticle physics: the search for Dark Matter. Eilam Gross and Ehud Duchovni (Particle Physics), Amos Breskin (Detector Physics) and Lorne Levinson (Electronics and data acquisition) have joined the XENON experiment at the Gran Sasso under-ground Laboratory, Italy. XENON aims at detecting cold dark matter particles via their elastic collisions with xenon nuclei in two-phase liquid-xenon time projection chambers (TPCs). The Weizmann Institute XENON group is taking an active part in the statistical data analysis of the on-going XENON 100kg experiment and the design of the more ambitious XENON 1t detector. XENON 100kg is an ultra-low background detector, filled with 170 kg of liquid xenon (part of it is an active background shield). Our group suggested an improved data analysis, resulting from our long accumulated expertise in rare-event searches of Higgs particles at the LHC; it is based on Profile Likelihood ratios. As a result, the sensitivity achieved for dark matter searches is maximized delivering the lowest Dark Matter detection limits obtained so far. Particle Physics and Astrophysics 253 XENON 1t will use a target mass of about two tons. A two-phase TPC will be im-mersed in an active water shield (a Cherenkov muon veto); it is expected to reach sensitivities of 10-47 cm2 WIMP-nucleon Spin Independent cross-sections - about two orders of magnitude lower than current detectors. The Weizmann team designed and intends to build the huge active Water-Shield tank, which hosts the Muon-Veto Photomultipliers. We are also involved in the design of the calibration system (for gammas and nuclear recoils), in Monte Carlo simulations of the detector and its response, the development of electronics to read out the TPC's sensors, and the experiment's monitoring and control system. In parallel, the group is carrying out extensive generic research on novel cryo-genic gaseous-photomultipliers as an alternative concept for UV-scintillation re-cording from large-volume liquid-xenon TPCs. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/particle/ 254 Particle Physics and Astrophysics Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ofer Aharony, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Micha Berkooz, Ph.D., Rutgers University, Piscataway, United States Amos Breskin, Dr. Ing., University of Grenoble, France The Walter P. Reuther Professorial Chair of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Shmuel Gurvitz, Ph.D., Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russian Federation Haim Harari, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor The Annenberg Professorial Chair of High Energy Physics Michael Hass, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Murray B. Koffler Professorial Chair Yitzhak Maron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Stephen and Mary Meadow Professorial Chair of Laser Photochemistry Giora Mikenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lady Davis Professorial Chair of Experimental Physics Mordehai Milgrom, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Isidor I. Rabi Professorial Chair of Physics Yosef Nir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Amos de Shalit Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Itzhak Tserruya, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (on extension of service) The Samuel Sebba Professorial Chair of Pure and Applied Physics Vladimir Usov, Ph.D., Space Research Institute, Moscoe, Russian Federation Eli Waxman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Max Planck Professorial Chair of Quantum Physics Daniel Zajfman, D.Sc., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Simon Weinstock Professorial Chair of Astrophysics

Professors Emeriti

Abraham E. Blaugrund, Ph.D., State University of Utrecht Yehuda Eisenberg, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States Yitzhak Frishman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Gvirol Goldring, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom Uri Karshon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michael W. Kirson, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States Moshe Kugler, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (deceased September 2010) Harry J. Lipkin, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States Particle Physics and Astrophysics 255 Avraham S. Rinat, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam Igal Talmi, Dr. Sc. Nat., E.T.H., Zurich, Switzerland Zeev Vager, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Zeev Zinamon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Professors

Tal Alexander, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ehud Duchovni, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Wolfgang Gentner Professorial Chair of Nuclear Physics Doron Gepner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eilam Gross, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Avishay Gal-Yam, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Alexander Milov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Dewey David Stone and Harry Levine Career Development Chair Gilad Perez, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Shloimo and Michla Tomarin Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientists

Vladimir Bernshtam, Ph.D., Donetsk State University, Donetsk, Ukraine Vladimir Fisher, Ph.D., Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, Moscow, Russian Federation Daniel Lellouch, Ph.D., University of Paris VI, Paris, France Ilia Ravinovich, Ph.D., Yerevan Physics Institute, Armenia

Associate Staff Scientists

Eyal Kroupp, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Vladimir Smakhtin, Ph.D., Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Evgeny Stambulchik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Starobinets, Ph.D., The Institute of High Current Electronics, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientist

Gabor Kupi, Ph.D., Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary 256 Particle Physics and Astrophysics Special Contract

Leonid Weingarten, Ph.D., ivanovo State Universtiy, Ivanovo, Russian Federation

Senior Interns

Carlos Badenes, Ph.D., Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain (left September 2010) Amit Klier, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left December 2010)

Intern

Igor Rahinov, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (left November 2010)

Engineers

Donald Hochman, Ph.D., SUNY, Stony Brook, United States (retired November 2010) Boris Yankovsky, M.Sc., Metallurgic Institute, Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation

Consultants

Ron Arad, Center for Nuclear Research, Nahal Soreq, Yavne, Israel Yosef Babichenko, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Carlos Badenes, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Rachel Chechik Roman Dovgard Shmuel Elitzur, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Amnon Fisher Amnon Fruchtman, Center for Technology Education, Holon, Israel Amit Giveon, The Hebrew University of Jerusaelm, Jerusalem Gvirol Goldring Don Hochman Marek Karliner, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Harry J. Lipkin Eran Nardi Avraham S. Rinat David Salzmann Sariel Shalev, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel Sergei Shchemelinin Jacob Sonnenschein, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Particle Physics and Astrophysics 257 Daniel Strasser, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Benjamin Svetitsky, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel Igal Talmi

Visiting Scientists

Adi Armoni, University of Wales, UK Bruce R Barrett Paul Biswajit Klaus Blaum Anastasia Bochenkova, University of Aarhus, Denmark Juan Jose Gomez Cadenas, U of Valencia, Spain Gianluca Castignani Richard Chasman, Argonne Nat. Lab., IL, U.S.A. Bruno Combettes Aldo Covello Sushanta Dattagupta Moshe Elitzur, University of Kentucky, Lexington, U.S.A. Bartomeu Fiol, University of Barcelona, Spain Dale Andrew Frail Joseph Ginocchio Benjamin Grinstein Dafne Guetta, Observatorio Astrofisico Arcetri, Firenze, Italy Harald Ita Henrik Johansson Uri Keshet, Center of Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A. Marcel Klapisch Zohar Komargodski David Kosower Magdalena Kowalska Shri Kulkarni Jean-Pierre Lasota, Institut d'Astrophysique in Paris, France Michael Liberman Eckart Lorenz, Max Planck Inst., Munich, Germany Jan Louis, Universitat Hamburg, Germany Pedro Luz Louis Lyons, Imperial College, London, UK Lorenzo Mannelli, University of Texas at Austin, U.S.A. David Melnik, Soreq Nuclear Center, Yavne, Israel Shiraz Minwalla, Tata Inst. of Fund. Rese. Mumbai, India Teresa Montaruli Jayant Murthy Eyal Neistein Eivind Osnes Kyoichiro Ozawa 258 Particle Physics and Astrophysics Seongtae Park Agosstino Patella Daniel Patnaude, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A. Vladimir Peskov, CERN, Euro. Org. For Nuclear Rese., Geneva, Switzerland Sterl Phinney Dori Reichman, University of Michigan, U.S.A. Antonio Riotto Elena Maria Rossi, University of Milano, Italy Dirk Schwalm, Max Planck Inst., Heildelberg, Germany Amit Sever Anatoly Shabad, Russian Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia Boris Sharkov, Helmholtz Ctr. for Infection Rese., Braunschweig, Germany Shalom Shlomo Christophe Sotty Roy Tuhin Subhara Zeev Surujon Kaspi Vicky Hans Weidenmuller Andrew White, University of Texas at Austin, U.S.A. Larry Zamick

Postdoctoral Fellows

Lior Arazi, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Ran Budnik, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Henrik Buhr, Ph.D., Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg Kuljeet Singh Chakkal, Ph.D., Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chd. Cyril Closset, Ulb Cedric A. A. Delaunay, University of Paris Xi And Spht Cea-Saclay Sophia Domokos, University of Chicago Zeev Fradkin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Florian Karl Gmeiner, Lmu Munich Masanori Hanada, Ph.D., Department Of Physics, Kyoto University Jose Juknevich, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Bhim Prasad Kafle, Graduate University For Advanced Studies Boaz Katz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vivek Kumar, Ph.D., Department of Physics, Panjab University, India Seung Joon Lee, Cornell University Mihael Makek, University Of Zagreb, Faculty of Science Lorenzo Mannelli, Ph.D., University of California Santa Cruz Aviv Ofer, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Hagai Perets, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel David Polishook, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Daniel Robles Llana, Ph.D., Stony Brook University Deepali Sharma, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Particle Physics and Astrophysics 259 Assaf Sternberg, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Dong Xu, Dark Cosmology Centre, Niels Bohr Institute, Unive Ofer Yaron, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

Research Students

Raz Alon Dror Alumot Iair Arcavi Liron Barak Sagi Ben-Ami Leon Berdichevsky Acosta Kfir Blum Michal Bregman Marco Cortesi Matan Field Ofir Gabizon Oram Gedalia Daniel Grossman Guy Gur-Ari Tsviki Hirsh Yonit Hochberg Boaz Katz Doron Kushnir Uri Lev Dimitry Mikitchuk Dmitry Milstein Maxim Naglis Itay Rabinak Guy Rosenzweig Itamar Roth Boaz Rubinstein Nir Sapir Itamar Shamir Deepali Sharma Ohad Silbert Sergey Vaintraub Ofer Vitells Ran Yacoby Amir Zait Administrator

Kobi Ben-Shmuel 260 Physics of Complex Systems

Physics of Complex Systems

Gregory Falkovich, Head (until August 2010)

Nir Davidson, Head (from September 2010) The Peter and Carola Kleeman Professorial Chair of Optical Sciences

Elisha Moses is an experimentalist studying Neuro-Physics: We are interested in experimental investigation of physical aspects in the brain. At present we are pursing three main directions. Information flow. We construct living linear neural networks under our microscope that allow us to follow precisely the propagation of information along a biological Shannon-like information channel. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional hippocampal cultures are studied using both optical and electric detection. Using a novel application of percolation theory, we obtain quantitative biological information about the connectivity of the living neural network. Interaction of neurons with electromagnetism. We stimulate neurons using a non-invasive method, both in human brains and in cultured dishes, by applying a strong and short magnetic pulse. Applications to synchrony in the brain and the study of aspects of Schizophrenia offer a fascinating perspective.

Joel Stavans' group is currently engaged in studies of the interaction of proteins and DNA using single-molecule techniques, and the behavior of genetic networks in bacterial cells. Research on protein-DNA interactions is currently focused on fidelity in RNA interference. These studies are conducted using a variety of fluorescence techniques including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and fluorescence anisotropy, at the ensemble and single-pair level. The group is also characterizing and modelling the properties of the dynamical response of small genetic networks in bacterial cells, in both large populations and single cells. Experiments are currently being carried out on (a) development of bacterial multicellular organisms, and (b) small RNA-controlled networks.

Victor Steinberg's group is studying dynamics of various single flexible micro-objects and hydrodynamics of their solutions and suspensions. This year the following projects are under investigation: (i) Properties of elastic turbulence and mixing in polymer solutions with polymer concentrations from dilute till concentrated regimes; (ii) Single polymer dynamics and conformations in elastic turbulence and molecular stress sensor; (iii) Physics of Complex Systems 261 Convective turbulence in SF6 near its gas-liquid critical point; (iv) Turbulent drag reduction in swirling flow due to addition of polymers; (v) Dynamics of a vesicle in shear, mixed and elongation flows (vi)Hydrodynamics and rheology of vesicle suspension; (vii) Development of technology of capsule production and dynamics of a single capsule in a general flow: (viii) Dynamics of a single Red Blood Cell in a general flow.

Eytan Domany's research turned in the last years towards problems in Biology and Bioinformatics, with emphasis on development and application of methods for the visualization and analysis of data from high thoughput experiments. Computers play a central role in nearly all aspects of the group's work. Clustering, sorting and a variety of other statistical methods are used to study biological data such as gene expression, DNA copy number, micro RNA etc, coming from various experimental platforms. We collaborate with several Weizmann research groups from the Life Sciences, as well as with laboratories at other Israeli institutions and hospitals, and also with groups from the US and Europe. Our main focus is on cancer, but we are open to other problem areas as well. Our activities range from rigorous mathematical work, through development of novel computational tools, their algorithmic implementation and application to analyze data obtained by our collaborating labs. A certain level of activity in Statistical Mechanics is maintained; for example, the structure of RNA and its binding to micro RNA are studied.

Gregory Falkovich studies systems far from equilibrium, in particular, turbulence. His main interest on a fundamental side is in symmetries. He studies anomalies i.e. breakdown of symmetries that do not disappear when symmetry-breaking factor goes to zero. With collaborators in France and Italy, he discovered new emerging symmetries like conformal invariance in inverse turbulent cascades and now tries to incorporate this in turbulence theory. He also studies interplay between nonlinearity and randomness in the systems of fluid-mechanical type. Another direction of work is on spectral condensates that appear in inverse cascades and condensate-turbulence interaction.

David Mukamel's group is active in the general area of statistical physics, with particular emphasis on (a) collective properties of systems driven out of thermal equilibrium, (b) thermodynamic and dynamical properties of systems with long-range interactions in equilibrium, and (c) statistical properties of biopolymers. Some similarities between non equilibrium systems and those with long-range interactions are being explored, and denaturation phenomena in DNA molecules are studied.

In Uzy Smilansky's group, research on Quantum Chaos evolves around the following topics: Quantum graphs - spectral statistics, scattering and trace formulae. The morphology of nodal lines of billiards wave functions and the number of nodal domains are investigated, with two aims: To establish a 262 Physics of Complex Systems criterion of quantum chaos, and to determine the extent by which knowledge of the nodal set determines the billiard shape. We have still some interest in the following subjects: Conditions for hyperbolicity for billiards on surfaces with constant curvatures. Quantization of billiards in homogeneous magnetic fields, and the density of exterior and interior edge states. The classical and quantum spectral duality.

Nir Davidson's group develops new techniques for laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms. They are studying ultra cold and dense atomic ensembles that have very long atomic coherenece times for quantum memories and single photon nonlinear optics. They are also conducting experiments in a Bose-Einstein condensate including measurements of its zero-temperature excitation spectra its ground state properties and its coherence. The group is also studying phase locking of large laser arrays both for practical high power application and for simulation of spin systems in condensed matter spin and dynamical networks.

Asher A. Friesem is participating in basic investigations on the resonance behavior of grating-waveguide structures and on phase locking, combining and synchronization of many lasers for a variety of applications.

Yaron Silberberg and his group are studying ultrafast, nonlinear and quantum optics. Using femtosecond optical pulses, they study how the shape of these pulses affects the interaction between the light and atoms or molecules. In particular, the group investigates how shaped pulses can be used in nonlinear laser spectroscopy and microscopy. Novel microscopy is also a drive in another area of research of the group, where the quantum properties of light are investigated with the goal of improving the limits of optical imaging. Finally, the group also studies the propagation of light in periodic media, using it as a model system that can explain phenomena in condense matter and atomic physics.

Adam Schwimmer continued to study various aspects of Quantum Field Theory and String theory and their interrelation. In particular the group studied the relation between Conformal Field Theories appearing on the boundary of AdS type space-times and the String Theory description in the bulk. The role played by the stringy Solitons ("D-branes") in holographic theories was elucidated.

Tsvi Tlusty and his group deal with modeling living information systems, their molecular components and the way they evolve. A central question in this field is the impact of the inherent molecular recognition noise on the design of information channels. We examine this question in the contexts of the genetic code and the transcription regulatory network (with Uri Alon). Currently we use this approach to look into the problem of chromosome organization and its Physics of Complex Systems 263 relation to gene expression. On a microscopic scale, we examine the actual physical forces that act during molecular recognition and suggest that the structure of certain bio-recognizers has evolved to optimize the quality of detection. Another aspect of molecular recognition that we study concerns the function of strongly selected proteins, such as Rubsico, the enzyme that facilitates photosynthesis. Other research activities include modeling 2D neural networks in terms of percolating random graphs (with Elisha Moses) and the theory of particle-laden microfluidic flow (with Roy Bar-Ziv).

Dan Oron and his group are studying nonlinear dynamics in nanocrystals using ultrafast time-resolved techniques as well as quasi-continuous-wave energy- and frequency- resolved methods. Much of the research effort is aimed towards utilizing the unique resonant properties of semiconducting and metallic nanoparticles towards applications as nonbleaching contrast agents in bioimaging. The group also studies the fundamental aspects of exciton-exciton interactions in multicomponent semiconductor quantum dots and in doped quantum dots. In this context, possible applications in optical gain devices and in photovoltaics are explored.

Roee Ozeri's group uses laser cooled and trapped ions for quantum information, quantum optics and quantum metrology experimental studies. In one project we focus on the quantum information aspects of ion-photon interactions. The coupling of an ion-qubit to the elecro-magnetic vacuum through spontaneous photon scattering is studied as a generic model for quantum noise. The decoherence induced as well as active methods to correct for it through quantum feedback are explored. In a second project we are using trapped-ions as highly sensitive local probes of a quantum-degenerate gas of neutral atoms. In particular we are interested in measuring forces that are mediated between trapped ions via a quantum degenerate gas.

Nirit Dudovich's group studies basic phenomena in strong field light-matter interactions. In particular, the group focuses on the generation and measurement of attoseconds pulses (1 attosecond is 10-18 seconds). The advent of time resolved measurements with attosecond resolution opens new fields in which the observation of fast electronic dynamics can be attained. The group develops new approaches to observe highly nonlinear interactions and to manipulate their evolution in time and space.

Ofer Feinerman's group studies the collective behavior of ants. Experimental tools are developed to allow the observation and manipulation of ants on all relevant scales from the individual to the whole colony. These novel tools are then used to address questions regarding information flow through the ant colony as it performs specific behaviors. On the larger scale, we measure colony reactions, as well as their functional consequences, in the face of shifting environmental conditions. We then relate these measurements to, 264 Physics of Complex Systems smaller scale processes that involve the integration of fragmented information collected by individual ants via an interaction network.

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/complex/ Physics of Complex Systems 265 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Nir Davidson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Peter and Carola Kleeman Professorial Chair of Optical Sciences Eytan Domany, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States The Henry J. Leir Professorial Professorial Chair Gregory Falkovich, Ph.D., Novosibirsk State University Elisha Moses, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel David Mukamel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold J. and Marion F. Green Professorial Chair Yaron Silberberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harry Weinrebe Professorial Chair of Laser Physics Joel Stavans, Ph.D., University of Chicago, United States

Professors Emeriti

Asher Friesem, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States Adam Schwimmer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Uzy Smilansky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Victor Steinberg, Ph.D., Laboratory of Critical Phenomena, Moscow, Russian Federation

Senior Scientists

Nirit Dudovich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Ofer Feinerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dan Oron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Roee Ozeri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tsvi Tlusty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship

Assistant Staff Scientists

Barry Bruner, Ph.D., University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Rinat Goren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineer

Rostyslav Baron, Ph.D., Institute of Low Temperatures, Kharkov's, Russian Federation 266 Physics of Complex Systems Consultants

Eldad Bettelheim, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Itzhak Fouxon, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Asher Friesem Libi Hertzberg Yariv Kafri, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Ido Kanter, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Eliezer Rabinovici, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Noam Shental, The Open University, Raanana, Israel Shira Silberberg Shmuel Starobinets Shimon Yankielowicz, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Liu Yonggang (left May 2010) Norman Zabusky Or Zuk, MIT, Harvard, USA

Visiting Scientists

Michael Aizenman, Princeton University, NJ, U.S.A. Rebecca Aron Myron Bander, University of California at Berkeley, U.S.A. Andre Barato Jeremie Bec Gregory Berkolaiko, Texas A&M University, U.S.A. Francesca Biagioni David Biron, University of Chicago, Il, U.S.A. Samuel Bottani Margit Burmeister, University of Michigan, U.S.A. Alssandro Campa Hui Cao Christoph Dellago Julien Deschamps Jean-Pierre Eckmann, University of Geneva, Switzerland Martin Einhorn Venkatesan Guruswani Tomer Hertz Jonathan Home Daniel Kahneman Eugene Kanzieper Jorge Kurchan David Kutasov, University of Chicago, Il, U.S.A. Vladimir Lebedev, Landau Inst.., Moscow, Russia Jonathan Levitt Sergei Lukaschuk, University of Hyderabad, India Physics of Complex Systems 267 Alexandeu Mezincescu, University of Maimi, U.S.A. Sushil Mujumdar, Tata Inst. of Fund. Rese. Mumbai, India Nir Navon David Nelson Herbert Neuberger Vladimir Al Osipov Harald Posch, University of Vienna, Austria Sidney Redner Vladimir Rittenberg, University of Bonn, Germany Assaf Rotem, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A. Stefano Ruffo, University of Florence, Italy Tobias Schaetz Gunter Schuetz, HLRZ, Julich, Germany Akira Shudo Neil Smith, University of California at San Diego, CA, U.S.A. Sander Tans Jean-Paul Thiery Vinod Vaikuntanathan Sergey Vergeles, Landau Inst.., Moscow, Russia Pedro Vidal Petr Vorobev, Landau Inst.., Moscow, Russia Geoffrey West Jianying Zhou

Postdoctoral Fellows

Itai Afek, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nir Bar-Gill, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dipankar Bhattacharyya, University of Calcutta Michael Gilbert G. Bon, Ecole Polytechnique Yaron Bromberg, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Barry Dov Bruner, Ph.D., University of Toronto Raphael Benjamin Chetrite, Ecole Normale Superieur De Lyon Adi Diner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tamar Friedlander, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Nicolas Alexandre Be Galle, University of Lille 1 Shamik Gupta, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Yair Horesh, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Adi Natan, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Fabien Piotet, Ph.D., Bristol University Vaibhav Shridhar Prabhudesai, Ph.D., Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Tridib Sadhu, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai Yonatan Savir, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gabriel Seiden, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Dov Steiner, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 268 Physics of Complex Systems Sanjiv Kumar Tiwari, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur India

Research Students

Itai Afek Eldad Afik Nitzan Akerman Ido Almog Amnon Amir Amit Aronovitch Assaf Avidan Ram Band Amir Bar Noa Bossel Yaron Bromberg Or Cohen Jonathan Coslovsky Yehonatan Dallal Zvicka Deutsch Yotam Drier Yehonatan Elon Ittai Fattal Moti Fridman Yinnon Glickman Amit Godel Ori Hirschberg Stella Itzhakov Ori Katz Shlomi Kotler Yoav Lahini Adam Lampert Michael Levant Adam Mani Shiri Nitzan- Meshner Micha Nixon Idan Oren Rami Pugatch Oren Raz Shamir Rosen Yoav Sagi Yonatan Savir Osip Schwartz Dror Shafir Michal Sheffer Asif Sinay Eran Small Hadas Soifer (Yeger) Shani Stern Haim Suchowski Asaf Tal Marija Vucelja Amit Zeisel Administrator

Israel Gonen Physics Services 269

Physics Services

Amos Breskin, Head The Walter P. Reuther Professorial Chair of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy

The Physics Services, comprising of five different units, offers advanced services in particle accelerators, electronics, data acquisition, vacuum and cryogenics, thin films and mechanical workshop. These units provide services to the scientific groups throughout the institute as well as to various external users. The structure of the Physics Services is:

1. Accelerator Laboratory (Prof. M. Hass, in charge) Operation of the 14 MV Pelletron accelerator and the 2 MV VDG accelerator

2. Electronics and Data Acquisition (Dr. L. Levinson, in charge) DAQ solutions to research problems Electronics design and construction Repair of sophisticated electronic instruments Real-time DAQ software

3. UHV, cryogenics and thin films (Dr. M. Rappaport, in charge) Consultation and design for experimental systems Thin films deposition: evaporation, sputtering, electron-gun, rolling

4. Data acquisition (Dr. E. Segre, in charge) Consultation and design of on-line data acquisition, image processing, etc...

5. Mechanics workshop (Y. Asher, in charge) http://www.weizmann.ac.il/physics/services.html

Staff

Professor

Amos Breskin1, Dr. Ing., University of Grenoble, France The Walter P. Reuther Professor of Research in the Peaceful Uses of 270 Physics Services Atomic Energy

Senior Staff Scientists

Oded Heber, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Lorne Levinson, Ph.D., Brown University, Providence, United States Michael Rappaport, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States

Associate Staff Scientist

Enrico Segre, Ph.D., University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Engineers

Gedalia Perelman, M.Sc., Polytechnical University, Russian Federation Alexander Roich, M.Sc., Technological Institute for Electricity and Communication, Tashkent

Administrator

Kobi Ben-Shmuel

1Department of Particle Physics and Astophysics The Crown Photonics Center 271

The Crown Photonics Center

Yaron Silberberg, Director The Harry Weinrebe Professorial Chair of Laser Physics

Light is not only our primary way to sense the world around us, it is also the leading tool for the scientific interrogation of nature. Understanding light itself was key to the biggest breakthroughs in modern physics, from relativity to quantum theory, and to their testing to extreme precisions. Unique sources of light are constantly being developed and are being used in many diverse areas of science and technology, often opening areas of research which were inconceivable just a couple of decades ago. Lasers with extremely precise frequencies, lasers producing extremely short and intense bursts of light, and sources of light with special quantum properties are just a few examples of the wide spectrum of light sources available today. The Crown Photonic Center promotes the study of light and its applications at the Weizmann Institute, it supports the groups who study light by enabling them to maintain and update their expensive equipment and to educate students and postdoctoral fellows in the field and it helps in the organization of scientific meetings in the area of photonics. 272 The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics

The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics

Eli Waxman, Director The Max Planck Professorial Chair of Quantum Physics

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics promotes research in theoretical and experimental astrophysics, cosmology, and related topics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. In addition, it supports collaborations with academic institutions in Israel and abroad, and the training of young researchers studying for MSc and PhD degrees, and postdoctoral fellows. For more information, check the center's web-page: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/astrophysics/ The Center for Experimental Physics 273

The Center for Experimental Physics

Yosef Nir, Director

The Amos de Shalit Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics

The Center for Experimental Physics was established in 2002. The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high-level research in all areas of experimental physics. The Center supports experimental efforts through human-contact activities, such as hosting experimental physicists visiting from abroad and post-doctoral trainees working with different experimental groups in the Institute. The Center also supports, partially or fully, small topical meetings and workshops. It also supplies partial help for the purchase and maintenance of special experimental equipment.

The research in Experimental Physics at the Weizmann Institute ranges from the most basic aspects of particle physics, usually carried in major facilities abroad, through experimental studies, at the Faculty laboratories, of basic material properties such as semiconductors and superconductors; of atomic, molecular, plasma and optical physics, to interdisciplinary studies of the physics of biological systems. 274 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics

Giora Mikenberg, Director The Lady Davis Professorial Chair of Experimental Physics

Although the universe in which we live looks very complex, with a large variety of different molecules and forces that binds them together, it is commonly assumed that shortly after the moment of creation the universe was a much simpler place. In particular, it is believed that only a single (unified) force existed. During the expansion of the universe its temperature dropped and the unified force was split into the four forces we know today (gravitation, nuclear, electromagnetic and the weak force which drives the radioactive decay). First viable models of the unification concept were suggested about 25 years ago and were experimentally confirmed some 15 years ago. A major consolidation of this concept was later done at LEP, the Large Electron Positron accelerator situated at CERN. Virtually all of the present knowledge about the fundamental particles and their interaction is included in a model named 'Standard Model'. In spite of its spectacular success and its incredible predictive power, the Standard Model cannot be the ultimate theory of particles and their interactions. Few fundamental measurements are still to be done and few crucial questions are still to be answered. The following projects that are supported by the Benoziyo center, address some of the more fundamental aspects of the Standard Model.

The ATLAS Experiment at the LHC Accelerator

The ATLAS Experiment has been measuring P-P and Pb-Pb collisions since April 2010 at the highest collision energy achieved by mankind. The ATLAS experiment has been performing as planned and coping with the five orders of magnitude increase of the LHC Luminosity, since the beginning of the operations. In particular, the 3,600 Thin-Gap Chamber (TGC) system, which was mainly constructed by the ATLAS-Weizmann group has been fully operational and less than 0.3% of the Weizmann made detectors have shown operational problems. The group has also constructed part of the readout system of the TGC complex. The hardware was commissioned together with the chambers.

The ATLAS group has also actively participated in the analysis of the collected data, in particular, in the understanding of hadronic background and in preparing for future possible discoveries of new particles. In the evaluation The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics 275 of this possible discoveries, a member of the group plays a leading role.

The team is also involved in R&D work required for the adaptation of the TGC technology to the harsh environment of the future Super-LHC (SLHC). At the SLHC the Israeli system will perform two tasks: Triggering on muonic events; and tracking muons which emerged from the interaction point with small angle with respect to the beam direction.

The group has also constructed part of the readout system of the TGC complex. The. hardware was commissioned together with the chambers.

In order to carry out the physics analysis millions of events need to be simulated. The complexity of the ATLAS detector coupled with the high beam energy of the LHC will result in complex events whose simulation require more than 30 minutes per event. The large amount of computing power required can be obtained by large number of closely linked computers within a system called GRID. The Weizmann group has spearheaded the GRID activity in Israel.

Contemporary basic physics is confronting three major issues:

♦ The origin of mass (or the search for the Higgs boson) ♦ The amazing weakness of gravitation (or completing Einstein's dream of unifying all the forces in nature). ♦ The source of CP violation (or why the universe contains only matter and no anti-matter). The Weizmann team is focusing on the first two issues. One part of the group (which now has eight students, a postdoc, three technicians, two programmers and six faculty members) working on various aspects of Higgs boson searches. In particular, the group is very active in preparing the statistical tools that will be used for the interpretation of the results. It focuses on the Supersymmetric case in which five Higgs bosons are expected and searches for the charged and lightest Higgs particles through their decay into tau-leptons). The other part of the team focuses on the most popular model that goes well beyond our present knowledge. This model, known as Supersymmetry (SUSY), assumes that each of the known particles has a partner with different spin-statistics. The SUSY partners escape detection, but are expected to be indirectly detected at LHC due to their high mass. Supersymmetry is the first step for the long sought unification of forces. If found, it will solve some major problems in our present models, and will take us a long step toward unification. In particular the group is focusing on inclusive searches, on high jet multiplicity events and, as a first step, on better understanding of jet-energy calibration and resolution and on better identification of high pT b-quark jets.

The Physics of Heavy Ions: the PHENIX and ATLAS Experiment 276 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics The main activity of the Heavy Ion group at the Weizmann Institute is centered on the PHENIX Experiment at BNL. The PHENIX Experiment deals mainly with the study of a new state of matter called Quark-Gluon Plasma. This particular state characterizes the Universe a few microseconds after the Big-Bang. The Weizmann Heavy Ion Group is mainly involved in the detection of low mass electron-positron pairs which will follow very interesting results obtained by the group in previous experiments. For this reason, and under the leadership of the Weizmann Group, a new "Hadron Blind Detector" has been developed. This detector has been installed in 2007, fully instrumented with new GEMs. In 2010 PHENIX had a very successful run at RHIC with the HBD fully operational. A large data sample was collected on Au +Au collisions at the top RHIC energy of sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV (app. 8 billion minimum bias events). In addition to that, smaller data samples were recorded at 62.4 GeV (700 million events) and at 39 GeV (200 million events). The analysis of this data is being performed in collaboration with groups of Stony Brook University and Tokyo University.

On parallel to this activity, members of the group have played a key role in the analysis of the Heavy Ions data obtained with the ATLAS Experiment at the LHC, and in particular in the first clear observation of jet quenching that has recently been published. The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research 277

The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research

Mordehai Heiblum, Director The Alex and Ida Sussman Professorial Chair of Submicron Electronics

Research activities at the Center are concentrated on fabrication and investigation of small semiconductor structures. The energy spectrum, interactions, and dynamics of electrons in these structures are strongly affected by the reduced dimensions. The structures are grown by state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), patterned using very high resolution electron beam writing system and processed using advanced techniques.

Research at the Center is conducted by staff, providing services mostly to the experimentalists in the department of condesed matter physics (CMP), as well as other departments in the institute and outside it.

The details of the research conducted by the experimentalists in the CMP department is provided under the heading of the department. Research in the center is also conducted by Hadas Shtrikman who studies nano-wires growth and characterization; Vladimir Umansky who studies high purity growth of GaAs/AlGaAs and high frequency low noise transistors; and Diana Mahalu who studies electron beam miniaturization of electronic structures.

The center is run by three research associates, three engineers, and two technicians, and is serviced by the secretariat of the CMP department. Its director is Moty Heiblum. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/smc/ 278 The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics

The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics

Mordehai Milgrom, Director The Isidor I. Rabi Professorial Chair of Physics

The Albert Einstein MINERVA Center for Theoretical Physics was established in 1980 with the generous donation of an endowment fund from the Bundes Ministerium für Forschung und Technologie (BMFT) of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the joint committee for German Israeli Scientific Cooperation (Minerva). The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high level research in theoretical physics, while promoting cooperation among German and Israeli theorists. The Center supports human contact activities, such as theoretical physicists visiting from abroad, and consultants working with different theory groups at The Weizmann Institute. The Center also supports, partially or fully, small topical meetings and workshops. Naturally, most of the activity of the Center is related to research projects based at the Faculty of Physics, but considerable support has also been lent to appropriate projects in the Faculty of Chemistry and, to a lesser extent, in the Faculty of Mathematics. The support from the Center plays an important role in almost all the research in theoretical physics at the Institute.

Visiting Theoretical Physicists

During 2010 we supported 51 visitors who came to the Institute to collaborate and to give lectures. The visitors came from Germany (7), United States (21), UK (5), France (4), Canada (3), Japan (2), Spain (2), India (2), Switzerland (2), Italy (1) , Austria (1) and Colombia(1).

The Advisors (Associate Membership) Program

The advisors are theoretical physicists, with appointments in other academic institutes in Israel, who come to the Weizmann Institute for up to 1 day per week for part or the whole of the academic year. They collaborate with scientists from the Weizmann Institute and give lectures here. Much joint work results.

In 2010, three advisors were in the Department of Condensed Matter Physics, five in the Department of Particle Physics, and four in the Department of The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics 279 Complex Systems. The advisors for Condensed Matter Physics were Prof. Amnon Aharony, Prof. Ora Entin-Wohlman, and Prof. Yigal Meir, all from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The advisors for Particle Physics were Dr. Yosef Babichenko, Dr. Roman Dovgard, Prof. Amit Giveon, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Prof. Marek Karliner, Prof. Jacob Sonnenschein, Tel Aviv University. The advisors for Complex Systems were Prof. Eliezer Rabinovici, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Prof. Shimon Yankielowicz, Tel Aviv University, Dr. Yariv Kafri, Technion, and Prof. Ido Kanter, Bar-Ilan University.

Center supported conferences (2010):

Physics 2Life, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 23.05.2010 - 27.05.2010

Physics Students Open Day - Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 28.02.2010

Quantum Decoherence & Thermodynamics Control- Safed, Israel, 25.08.2010-30.03.2010

Einstein Colloquia

In celebration of Einstein's Annum Mirabilis centennial, a special series of physics colloquia, the "Einstein Colloquia", was initiated and supported by the center. The colloquia were given by distinguished physicists, describing recent progress in research related to Einstein's great contributions of 1905.

Claude Cohen-Tannoudji (College de France and Ecole Normale Superieure, Laboratoire Kastler Brossel), "Ultracold Atoms A Model System for New Ivestigations in Physics"

Nicholas Read (Physics Department and Applied Physics Department, Yale University), "Topological Phases of Matter: from Complexity to Simplicity" http://www.weizmann.ac.il/physics/einstein_physics.html 280 The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics

The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics

Mordehai Heiblum, Director The Alex and Ida Sussman Professorial Chair of Submicron Electronics

The Maurice and Gabriella Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics was established in 2001. Fueled by the success of the research on Mesoscopic Physics, the main goal of this center is to promote theoretical and experimental research in Nanophysics at WIS. This is done by funding student and postdoc fellowships, and by supporting physics students who travel to workshops and schools in this field. An important priority of the center is enhancing the collaboration between nano-physicists at WIS and their peers abroad. The center provides funds for visitors and for organizing workshops in this field. The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 281

The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems

Itamar Procaccia, Director The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair of Chemical Physics

The Center was established jointly by the Technion and the Weizmann Institute. It maintains strong links with the Max Planck Institute for Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden. The Center supports the activities of three groups at the Weizmann Institute, in addition to a variety of exchanges, workshops, schools and seminars.

The main subjects covered by the Center in the last few years were:

Hydrodynamics, Turbulence and Pattern Formation-Theory

1. Turbulence. Our research in the last few years concentrated on understanding the universality of turbulence, with a focus on the "anomalous" exponents that characterize the scaling properties of correlation functions and structure functions. We had three major lines of progress, in each of which we have achieved significant results. First, anomalous scaling was related to the existence of "Statisticallly Preserved Structures", which remain invariant (on the average) on the background of the turbulent flow. Such invariant functions are responsible for the observed anomalous exponents that were mysterious for decades to turbulence researchers. Now we can identify them as eigenfunctions of eigenvalue 1 of appropriate operators. Second, we have presented a systematic and accurate approach to peeling off anisotoropic contributions from turbulent statistical objects. We showed how each isotropic sector exhibits its own set of anomalous exponents which are universal. This way we have settled long standing issues related to the decay of aniostropy as a function of length scale and Reynolds number. Finally we have addressed the problem of drag reduction in turbulence by polymeric additives, and proposed a rather complete theory of this mysterious phenomenon. In particular we explained the universal "Maximum Drag Reduction" (MDR) asymptote, and offered explanation to the non-universal cross over back to Newtonian behavior. The theory provides an explanation to the common aspects and to the differences in drag reduction by flexible and rodlike 282 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems polymers.

2. Our main focus on a fundamental side is in symmetries. We studiy anomalies i.e. breakdown of symmetries that do not disappear when symmetry-breaking factor goes to zero. In particular, we derived recently new exact flux relations for compressible and incompressible turbulence, they shed some unexpeceted light on how properties of turbulence may depend on th espace dimensionality. A different set of phenomena is related to symmetries emerging as a result of turbulence cascade. With collaborators in France and Italy, we discovered new emerging symmetries like conformal invariance in inverse turbulent cascades and now try to incorporate this in turbulence theory. We also work on exploring the whole class of systems (in fluid mechanics, plasma physics and geophysics) which allow for conformal invariance in turbulence. Another direction of work is on turbulence interacting with a coherent mode. Here we studued ultra-long fiber lasers and discovered an unusual process of appearance of optical turbulence very much similar to turbulence appearance in pipe flows. We also study spectral condensates that appear in inverse cascades and condensate-turbulence interaction with applications to atmospheric physics.

3. Fractal Grourth. We considered Laplacian growth and Diffusion Limited Aggregates (DLA). By constructing conformal maps from the unit circle to the fractal patterns we obtained dynamical equations for the conformal maps, allowing us to solve for the interesting patterns that evolve in these systems. We understood completely Laplacian dynamics and developed a theory of DLA which is able to predict all the multifractal properties from first principles. In particular we have offered a convergent calculation of the fractal dimension of DLA, settling a long standing question whether it is fractal or not (it is).

In the last year we have developed the dynamics of conformal maps to problems of fracture of brittle materials. We have solved the quasi-static fracture problem and are making progress in dynamic fracture. We have offered novel methods to analyze the roughening of fractured interfaces, and begun to explore the physics of plasticity and its implications on fracture.

Hydrodynamics, Turbulence, and Pattern Formation-Experimental

During the past years the main progress has been made on the following projects: The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 283 1. Elastic turbulence and Batchelor regime of mixing in dilute polymer solutions. The central subject in the laboratory during this period was the investigation of various aspects of hydrodynamics of polymer solutions. Significant progress has been made in our understanding of the role of elastic stresses in hydrodynamics of polymer solutions. Statistics of global (torque and injected power) and local (velocity and velocity gradient fields) characteristics of the elastic turbulence in a flow of a polymer solution between two disks was experimentally investigated. Analogy with a small scale fast dynamo in magneto-hydrodynamics and with a passive scalar turbulent advection in the Batchelor regime was used to explain the experimentally observed statistical properties, flow structure, and scaling of the elastic turbulence. Dependence of properties of elastic turbulence on polymer concentration was studied in detail. Next step in this project was to study turbulent mixing of very viscous fluids by adding polymers. We studied mixing in curved channels of macroscopic size (3mm side size in cross-section) and in a micro channel of 100 micron side size cross-section. It turned out that these studies have besides obvious importance for application also rather important implications in our basic understanding of chaotic mixing. Indeed, it was demonstrated that mixing due to elastic turbulence is an ideal system to study the Batchelor regime of mixing. The latter is a rare example of the model of dynamics of a passive scalar in a turbulent flow, for which the analytical solution was obtained. Mixing due to elastic turbulence regime provided quantitative verification of theoretical predictions and further initiated theoretical activity to quantitatively understand the results. 2. Single polymer dynamics and conformations in a random flow. Single polymer dynamics and statistics of conformation were studied in shear and random flows. Coil-stretch transition in polymer conformation in a random flow was identified and characterized. Dependence of the coil-stretch transition on polymer concentration and molecular weight are studied, and also the degree of polymer stretching in a random flow on its closeness to a wall. New fluorescent labeling technique with quantum dots is developing in the lab in order to conduct experiments on a single polymer in various flows to measure end-to-end vector that is used in a theoretical model. Further experiments on synthetic polymer molecules are in progress. 3. Hydrodynamics of complex fluids in micro-channels. Dynamics of vesicles and rheology of vesicle solutions are realistic models for blood flow. Different regimes in dynamics of a single vesicle in shear flow that appears between two disks and in micro-channels were quantitatively studied. It was demonstrated that in tank-treading regime a vesicle dynamics in a wide range of vesicle deformations is described quantitatively well by the recently developed theoretical model. On the 284 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems other hand, a transition from tank-treading to tumbling regime occurred rather differently from what expected. First, a new regime of vesicle trembling at lower shear rates was identified when both vesicle inclination angle and shape deformation were oscillated. Second, these shape deformations persisted also in the tumbling regime. Recently, hydrodynamics of concentrated solution of vesicles was studied by measurements of its global (pressure drop as a function of discharge in a micro-channel flow) and local (dynamics of a single vesicle) properties. Strong fluctuations in vesicle inclination angle due to vesicle interaction via flow (up to two orders of magnitude larger than thermal noise) were observed and studied specifically in a case of two vesicles interaction. Investigation of dynamics in other flows such as elongation and random flows is currently on the way. Finally, we are going to identify rheology of vesicle solution to compare it with empirical constitutive equations used for blood rheology. Similar research we are planning to perform for solution of worm-like micelles and any other fluids that show visco-elastic properties. 4. Further development of new acoustic detection technique of vorticity distribution in turbulent flows and its application for turbulent drag reduction. During the last several years we developed a new sound scattering technique for measurements of velocity and vorticity fields in a turbulent flow. We use this technique together with Laser Doppler and particle image velocimetry methods, hot-wire anemometry, precise measurement of torque, and pressure fluctuations to study turbulent drag reduction. The latter problem we study in von Karman swirling flow between two counter-rotating disks of water or water-sugar solutions with different concentration of PAAm 18M molecular weight. 5. Convective turbulence in SF6 near its gas-liquid critical point. Turbulent convection was studied in a gas SF6 near the gas-liquid critical point. This unique system provides us an opportunity to reach extremely large Raleigh numbers (up to 1015) and to study the Pr dependence over an extremely wide range (up to 500) in the same system. The existence of the critical fluctuations provided us the possibility to perform laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements of the velocity field in a rather wide range of the closeness to the critical point. Using this novel technique developed in our laboratory, we studied statistical properties of the velocity field in a wide range of Re and Pr numbers. Together with the local temperature and global heat transfer and temperature and velocity profile measurements it provided us complete information about convective turbulence. A surprising outcome of theses studies was a very weak influence of strong non-Boussinesq effect on global and local scaling properties of convective turbulence. The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 285 Quantum Chaos - Theory

The main problem in "quantum chaos" is to reveal the quantum mechanical implications of classical chaos. Chaotic dynamics - a generic property in classical physics, leave universal fingerprints in quantum physics, which are unraveled by the on going research in "quantum Chaos". The results are relevant and applicable in Mesoscopics, Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear physics. As a matter of fact, "quantum chaos" appears in all problems where wave propagation is studied in the short wavelength limit. Thus, "quantum chaos" is also studied in acoustics, electromagnetic propagation, cavities etc. The observation which brought "quantum chaos" to the focal point of modern theoretical physics, was the intimate connection between the distributions and statistics of many quantum observables, and the underlying classical dynamics. More precisely, it was found that the predictions of random matrix theory, a minimum-information statistical approach, accurately reproduce the properties of simple quantum systems, as long as the underlying classical dynamics is chaotic. In this way, the ergodicity which is the hallmark of classical chaos is extended into the quantum domain. In our recent research we contributed to this effort along the following lines: 1. Quantum graphs. In the quest for the simplest quantum systems which display spectral fluctuations which are reproduce by random matrix theory, we proposed quantum graphs, for which an exact trace formula exists, and the "classical dynamics" was shown to be mixing. An extensive test of the spectra of simple graphs have shown an excellent reproduction of various statistical measures derived from random matrix theory. Moreover, the derivation of spectral correlation functions can be reduced to the solution of combinatorial problems. With this insight, the applicability of random matrix theory for graphs was theoretically established to better degree than hitherto achieved in any other system. Various other problems of interest, such as isospectrality (which relates to the question- "Can one hear the shape of a graph?"), quantum irreversibility (dephasing) and nodal structures of wave functions on graphs are also studied. Recently we introduced a method to construct graphs which are isospectral but are not congtuent.

2. The statistics and structure of nodal domains. Real wave functions (in 2d for simplicity) vanish along lines which separate domains where the wave function has a constant sign. The properties of the sets of nodal lines and nodal domains are sensitive to the underlying classical dynamics. We revived the interest in this aspect of "quantum chaos" by introducing a new statistical measure for the distribution of the number of nodal domains. We derived the universal features of this distribution for quantum integrable problems, and conjectured its 286 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems behavior for chaotic ones.

3. Can one count the shape of a drum? We study the sequences obtained by counting the number of nodal domains of wave functions ordered by increasing energies. We have shown that these sequences of integers store geometric information on the shape of the boundary of the "drum". Moreover, we conjectured and verified the conjecture numerically that these sequences resolve isospectral ambiguities. Recently we proved the validity of the conjecture for a certain class of isospectral graphs. Fracture, Glass Physics and Plasticity - Theory

1. Fracture. Our research in the last couple of years concentrated on understanding the dynamics and instabilities of rapid crack propagation. The main focus was on understanding the roles played by elastic nonlinearities localized near a crack's tip in accounting for both the apparent universality of fracture dynamics and for the emerging lengthscales. One major achievement is the development of the so-called "Weakly Nonlinear Theory of Dynamic Fracture", which quantitatively accounts for pioneering experimental results and resolves various puzzles in fracture mechanics. This theoretical framework naturally gives rise to a material lengthscale that may be intimately related to several poorly understood high-speed crack instabilities. In this context, we have proposed a crack tip equation of motion that incorporates the new lengthscale and accurately predicts the onset and properties of an experimentally observed oscillatory instability. We currently further develop this theory and apply it to a broader range of fracture phenomena.

2. Glass Physics and Plasticity. We developed a non-equilibrium thermodynamic framework for driven disordered materials. A basic idea in our approach is that the degrees of freedom of a disordered material can be separated into two subsystems -- the slow configurational degrees of freedom, i.e. the inherent structures, and the fast kinetic-vibrational degrees of freedom which. While the latter are generally at equilibrium with the thermal reservoir, the former are characterized by an effective temperature that may depart from the reservoir temperature in externally driven situations. Within this general framework, we addressed several fundamental problems in glass physics and plasticity. We were able to explain a basic glassy memory effect the Kovacs effect in a continuum thermodynamic approach. We reformulated the Shear-Transformation-Zone (STZ) theory of amorphous plasticity in a self-consistent, non-equilibrium thermodynamic manner and applied it to various phenomena involving irreversible deformation. The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 287

3. We currently study the linear response of glassy materials (both hard structural, polymeric and metallic glasses and soft colloidal suspensions and emulsions) with the aim of understanding in a unified manner the linear viscoelastic behavior of these systems. We also started to study the irreversible, dislocation-mediated deformation of polycrystalline materials, using non-equilibrium thermodynamic ideas and concepts developed originally in the context of amorphous materials. 288 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Dean: Zvi Artstein (until February 2010) The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

Dean: David Peleg (from March 2010) The Norman D. Cohen Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences 290 Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Dean: Zvi Artstein (until February 2010) The Hettie H. Heineman Professorial Chair of Mathematics

Dean: David Peleg (from March 2010) The Norman D. Cohen Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences

The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science consists of two departments: the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. The research is spread over many areas in mathematics, applied mathematics, and computer science.

There are no clear-cut lines separating the different areas, and many projects span more than one of them. The research itself ranges from abstract and very theoretical considerations within mathematics and computer science, through applying mathematics and computer science in other sciences, including Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and the Social Sciences. It is not easy to divide the faculty members into well identified research groups, as there is a large overlap in research interests and expertise, an overlap that in turn contributes to the strength of the Faculty. Thus, the best way to see what is done in the Faculty is to read the research summaries for each of the departments and for each individual scientist.

The Faculty also hosts the The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, The John von Neumann Minerva Center for Development of Reactive Systems and the Moross Laboratory for Vision Research and Robotics.

http://www1.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dmath.shtml Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 291

Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Uriel Feige, Head The Lawrence G. Horowitz Professorial Chair

Research in computer science encompasses theoretical studies on the foundations of computer science, experimental aspects of computer science, computer vision and robotics, machine learning and statistical data analysis, the study of information processing by biological systems, theoretical biology and bio-informatics. On the theoretical side, topics include computational complexity, cryptography, algorithms, distributed computing, methods for system verification, specification and development, logics of programs, combinatorics and number theory, combinatorial games, information retrieval, and numerical analysis. Experimental research includes the development of concurrent languages, visual languages, and programming environments. The study of vision, robotics, and motor control includes both theoretical and experimental components. We have expanded our activity at the interface of biology and computation by adding a program in bio-informatics, and studying computations by biological machinery and modeling and analysis of biological systems.

Research in applied mathematics includes two main themes. The first is the basic study of applied mathematics and the development of new mathematical tools of general applicability in science and engineering. The second theme is the use of mathematical techniques to elucidate phenomena of interest in the natural sciences, such as biology, medicine, and physics.

We describe below some of the research areas addressed by our department members. This presentation is not meant to be exhaustive (additional research interests can be found in individual home pages of department members), not meant to be proportional (length of description is not necessarily correlated with extent of activity), and is not meant to imply a separation among areas (many of the areas overlap in various ways).

Algorithms: Research on algorithms includes the design of approximation algorithms for difficult (NP-hard) optimization problems, the design of heuristics for such problems, and the design of ultra efficient algorithms that work on huge data sets (including so called property testers and streaming algorithms). The analysis of these algorithms often involve the use of tools from mathematical areas such as probability theory and high dimensional 292 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics geometry.

Complexity theory deals with classifying computational problems by the amount of computational resources they require; in particular, the number of processing steps and the memory required for their solution. In addition to studies aimed at providing absolute answers to questions of the above nature (e.g., lower bounds on the complexity of specific types of computational tasks), much study evolves around relating seemingly different computational phenomena (e.g., the PCP characterization of NP).

Cryptography deals with methods for protecting the privacy, integrity, and functionality of computer and communication systems. The research activities on the area range from providing firm foundations to the construction of such methods to providing actual constructions for specific needs. Correspondingly, research in Cryptography ranges from very abstract (or theoretical) to very applied (or concrete). The full range of these activities is represented in our department.

Distributed computing and communication networks: Work in this area includes the design of efficient communication patterns and efficient transmission of information between sites in a network.

Randomness is related to computation in various ways, and a central question is whether randomness is inherently useful in various computational settings. Research in this area evolves around finding new ways of using and manipulating randomness (e.g., extracting pure randomness from impure random sources) on the one hand, and finding ways to dispense of randomness on the other hand (e.g., pseudorandom generators).

Combinatorics, number theory, combinatorial games. Study of the structure of complementary sequences and nonstandard numeration systems, and their applications to the complexity analysis of combinatorial games.

System and software engineering: Research on languages and methods for the modeling and simulation of complex reactive systems. Work focuses on visual formalisms, based on topological and geometric constructs. It includes the 1984 language of Statecharts, and a more recent language for scenario-based specification, called LSCs (live sequence charts). The latter leads to a novel programming paradigm, behavioral programming (BP). We are working on many aspects of BP, including a non visual Java-based version, hybrid interactive programming techniques, synthesis and compilation, and smart", verification-based program execution methods.

Vision: Object recognition: developing methods for recognizing objects, such as faces or cars, from their images. Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 293 Aids for the visually impaired: Using computer vision methods to help the visually impaired.

Video analysis and application: using video analysis to handle and manipulate information from multiple video cameras imaging the same scene (either simultaneously or at different times). Video enhancement, video indexing and browsing (e.g., over the internet), compression (for storage and transmission), video-based surveillance and monitoring, and multi-media applications.

Visually guided navigation: using vision to guide mobile robots and robotic arms to reach a desired position.

Motor control and robotics: Movement control in biological and robotic systems: studying the processes of motion planning and control in biological systems and the strategies employed by the brain in the planning, execution and control of multi-joint movements and different motor tasks, such as reaching, pointing, grasping and drawing. These studies combine behavioral, modeling and brain mapping studies.

Developing optimization and geometry based models to model, simulate and decompose human movements into the underlying motion primitives.

Studies of movement generation in flexible biological and robotic arms and developing flexible robotic arms inspired by the octopus.

Studies of complex body movements' production and perception, body expression of emotion and movement and gestures characterizing social interactions.

Machine learning and statistical data analysis: development and theoretical analysis of algorithms to perform various data analysis tasks including clustering classification and regression, specifically in high dimensional settings.

Dynamical systems, partial differential equations and applications: We develop and use dynamical systems approach and PDE tools to analyze nonlinear evolution equations which arise in diverse fields of interest. The applications include fluid mechanics, geophysics, chemical reactions, combustion theory, nonlinear fiber optics, lasers, elasticity, biological models and control theory. Our research lies at the interface between rigorous applied analysis and physical applications. Current projects that deal with finite dimensional systems include studying the motion of particles in optical traps (billiards), various aspects of mixing in fluid flows, models that arise in nonlinear optics and the dynamics of certain models in biology. Some of these projects contribute to the understanding of basic underlying structures of 294 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics nonlinear Hamiltonian systems. Projects which deal with infinite dimensional systems include the study of complex nonlinear phenomena, such as turbulent flows and the long-term behavior (global attractors) to nonlinear dissipative partial differential systems, such as the Navier-Stokes equations, reaction-diffusion systems and other related systems. The dynamics of such dissipative nonlinear PDE models involves a wide spectrum of temporal and spatial scales. This often makes it prohibitively expensive computationally. We approach this challenging problem by developing reliable reduced approximate PDE models, which are possible to implement computationally and to be validated rigorously, for the relevant spatial and temporal scales.

Bioinformatics and computational biology: The recent sequencing projects provide us with all the basic "building blocks" of life, including a nearly complete description of all of the genes. The next challenge is to unravel how these parts interact and assemble into larger cellular machines, capable of carrying out increasingly complex functions. Our research activities address this challenge by developing computational frameworks that model complex biological systems, through integration of heterogeneous sources of biological data. Recent directions include development of: models of transcriptional control that incorporate transcription factors, DNA sequences, transcription degradation, binding competition and synergy; models of translational control through microRNA-RNA interactions; models of chromatin structure through nucleosome positions, post-translational histone modifications, and chromosomal expression domains. Applications of these models that are currently being pursued include understanding pattern formation during development and understanding control of gene expression during the cell cycle. The underlying computational techniques and algorithms are statistical in nature, including general tools from Machine Learning and probabilistic graphical models.

Cell lineage analysis and its applications: We developed a method for reconstructing cell lineage trees based on the detection and analysis of somatic mutations, and now explore its application to cell lineage analysis in mice as well as its application to the analysis of the development of cancer.

Biological modeling: We are involved in several efforts of modeling and analyzing complex biological systems. We view this as reverse engineering, and use techniques from systems and software engineering, including visual formalisms, such as statecharts and LSCs, advanced model executability techniques, such as smart play-out, reactive animation, and verification. In particular, we have worked on cell fate determination in C. elegans and on T cell development in the thymus, as well as on pancreatic organogenesis, and on the lymph node. We are currently involved in an effort to model cancer tumors and a modest neural system. A particularly interesting aspect of the work is the use of verification techniques to prove the consistency between Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 295 proposed mechanistic models of behavior and laboratory observations.

Olfaction: Recent parts of our work on the synthesis and communication of odors involved predicting pleasantness from eNose measurements and relating molecular characteristics of odorants to neural response and eNose data. http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/ 296 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ronen Basri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Professorial Chair of Applied Mathematics Uriel Feige, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lawrence G. Horowitz Professorial Chair Tamar Flash, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The Dr. Hymie Moross Professorial Chair Oded Goldreich, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Meyer W. Weisgal Professorial Chair Shafrira Goldwasser, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States David Harel, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The William Sussman Professorial Chair of Mathematics Michal Irani, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Moni Naor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Judith Kleeman Professorial Chair David Peleg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Norman D. Cohen Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences Ran Raz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Vered Rom-Kedar, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States The Estrin Family Professorial Chair of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Adi Shamir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Paul and Marlene Borman Professorial Chair of Applied Mathematics Ehud Shapiro, Ph.D., Yale University, New Haven, United States The Harry Weinrebe Professorial Chair of Computer Science and Biology Edriss S. Titi, Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington, United States Shimon Ullman, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The Ruth and Samy Cohn Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences

Professors Emeriti

Ari Ben-Menahem, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States Achi Brandt, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Aviezri S. Fraenkel, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, United States Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 297 Associate Professors

Irit Dinur, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Daniel Michelson, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Elchanan Mossel, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Omer Reingold, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Robert Krauthgamer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Anat Levin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Helena Rubinstein Career Development Chair Boaz Nadler, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Eran Segal, Ph.D., Stanford University, Stanford, United States Amos Tanay, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow

Associate Staff Scientist

Meirav Galun, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Dorit Ron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Adina Weinberger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Assaf Marron, Ph.D., University of Houston, Texas, United States

Interns

Sharon Alpert, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left October 2010) Avital Sadot, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left March 2010) Yaakov Setty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineers

Yorram Kalef, M.Sc., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (left June 2010) 298 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Leah Mory, M.Sc., Weizmann Institute of Science

Consultants

Binyamin Applebaum, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel Avi Barliya, Primesense, Tel-Aviv, Israel Nayantara Bhatnagar, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left November 2010) Erick Fredj, Jerusalem College of technology, Jerusalem, Israel Leonid Karlinsky, Elop, Rehovot, Israel Shahar Maoz Yoram Yekutieli, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem Ido Zelman, Havruta School, ICYL, Neve Hadassa (left August 2010)

Visiting Scientists

Andrej Bogdanov - Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Peter Constantin, University of Chicago, Il, U.S.A. Matthias Englert - Univ. of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom Dirk Fahland - Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany Jasmin Fisher, Microsoft Research, Cambridge, U.S.A. Fred Hamprecht - Univ. of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany Brendan Juba - M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Keren Livescu, Texas A&M University, U.S.A. Krzystof Pietrzak - Centrum voor Wisukunde en Informatica (CWI), Amsterdam, Holland Toniann Pitassi, University of Toronto, Canada Milena Radnovic, SANU, Belgrade, Serbia Ronald Rivest - M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Warren Schudy - Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Gregory Shakhnarnovich, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland Nathan Srebro, University of Chicago, Il, U.S.A. Eitan Tadmor - Univ.of maryland, College Park, MD, USA Dmitry Turaev, Imperial College, London, UK

Postdoctoral Fellows

Noa Agmon, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Adi Akavia, MIT, Cambridge, MA., USA Binyamin (Benny) Applebaum, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Nitsan Ben-Gal, Brown University Lucas Carey, Stony Brook University Eden Chlamtac, Princeton University Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 299 Maya Dadiani, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eran Dayan, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michael Henry Dinitz, Carnegie Mellon University Orr Dunkelman, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Yair Field, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ronit Fuchs, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Lee-Ad Gottlieb, New York University Carmit Hazay, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Tali Kaufman, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Michael Kertesz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Robby Lampert, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yosef Efraim Maruvka, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Ricky (Rivka) Rosen, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Oded Schwartz, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Elad Segev, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Kushal Kumar Shah, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Avital Tsofe, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Oren Weimann, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Einat Zalckvar, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Sharon Alpert Mica Arie-Nachimson Noam Arkind Yoram Atir Shai Bagon Avi Barliya Naamah Bloch (Swerdlin) Zvika Brakerski Shiri Chechik Gil Cohen Michael Dinerstein Itai Dinur Nimrod Dorfman Yair Field Ronit Roxana Fuchs Daniel Glasner Elazar Goldenberg Michal Gordon Daniel Harari Simon Israeli-Korn Ram Jaschek Shlomo Jozeph Amir Kantor Erez Kantor Noam Kaplan Matan Karklinsky Leonid Karlinsky Ephraim Kenigsberg Michael Kertesz Orit Kliper-Gross Gillat Kol Michal Levo Jasmine Sonia Linshiz Noam Livne Shachar Lovett Shai Lubliner Roy Malka Ohad Manor Or Meir Yaron Meirovitch Netta Mendelson Cohen Merav Parter Tom Ran Daniel Reichman Ron Rothblum Yaniv Sa'Ar 300 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Tali Sadka-Raveh Itai Segall Gil Segev Eilon Sharon Igor Shinkar Marina Shudler Konrad Simon Eitan Yaffe Danny Zeevi Maria Zontak Administrator

Raanan Michael Mathematics 301

Mathematics

Sergei Yakovenko, Head The Gershon Kekst Professorial Chair

The principal research interests of the Department lie in the three general areas of Analysis (understood in the broadest sense, including applications), Geometry and Algebra.

Topics covered in Analysis include operator and matrix theory, function theory on the plane, graphs and Riemann surfaces, spectral theory, several aspects of probability, and some applications of statistics, linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations, harmonic analysis, dynamical systems, ergodic theory, control theory in its various manifestations, optimization, game theory and mathematical economics, approximation and complexity of functions, numerical analysis, singularity theory, and robotics.

The areas of Geometry studied at the Department are the structure of finite and infinite dimensional spaces, geometric aspects of random walks and percolation, real analytic geometry and o-minimal structures, topology of singular holomorphic foliations.

The direction of Algebra includes some aspects of algebraic geometry, non-Archimedian analytic spaces, representation theory, quantum groups, combinatorics, number theory, automorphic forms, ring theory, and enveloping algebras. Although the approach taken is primarily that of pure mathematics, some of the research leans toward possible applications. Listed below is a sample of some of the specific topics that the department's members have pursued lately or are involved in now.

Algebraic Geometry: Work has be continued on so called algebraic and analytic geometry over the field of one element. Roughly speaking, algebraic geometry over the field of one element studies algebraic varieties defined by binomial equations in a way that does not regard the addition operation. This way reveals additional structures of combinatorial nature on binomial algebraic varieties, which are not seen in the presence of the addition operation. Analytic geometry over the field of one element is related to the corresponding algebraic geometry in a similar way as in the classical situation, and studies objects that encode a skeletal structure of algebraic varieties and non-Archimedean analytic spaces. 302 Mathematics

Analytic theory of ordinary differential equations: A comlete solution of the Infinitesimal Hilbert 16th Problem was achieved: the number of isolated zeros of complete Abelian integrals is explicitly bounded by the double exponential of the degree. A similar bound for the oscillarion of solutions of Fuchsian systems with real spectra of all residues was achieved; in this case the bound is non-uniform but growing polynomially near the frontier of Fuchsian class.

A general finiteness result for zeros of pseudo-Abelian integrals was achieved for perturbation of non-Hamiltonian (Darbouxian) integrable systems.

Deep relations between the Hilbert's problem (as well as another closely connected one - Poincare's Center-Focus problem) and several fields in Classical and modern Analysis and Algebra have been found. Among them Generalized Moments, Several Complex variables, Composition Algebra and D-modules. These promising relations are now investigated.

Analytic and real algebraic geometry: Polynomials associated with geometric objects (smooth manifolds and convex sets) are studied. The volume of a tubular neighborhood of a manufold, as a function of the radius of the manifold, is one example of such a polynomial. Special functions appear naturally in this study. Interesting relations are discovered. In particular, distribution of zeros of such polinomials is investigated for some manifolds.

The Maxwell problem (the question about the number of equilibrium points for the electrostatic field created by three charges) was advanced and an upper bound 12 was achieved (the conjectured number is 4 and previous results were in the range of billions).

A new demonstration of the Gromov theorem was achieved.

Automorphic forms: On the one hand, joint work is finishing up on lower bounds for automorphic L-functions at the edge of the critical strip; on the other, we are seeing how these results fit into the general scheme of bounds for these L-functions.

Recently, Langlands's theory of automorphic forms has been looked at from the point of view of p-adic analysis. Although some results on Hecke's L-functions have been successful, much remains to be done. We have been trying to understand what the theory of Langlands-Shahidi might tell us from this point of view. So far, we have worked out the p-adic analysis of the inverse of Riemann's zeta-function.

Banach spaces: The geometry of finite and infinite dimensional normed Mathematics 303 spaces and maps between them is investigated. A topic of particular interest is classification problems in the class of Banach spaces under Lipschitz and uniform homeomorphisms, and under Lipschitz and uniform quotient maps. Another main subject is tight embedding results, particularly for finite dimensional subspaces and subsets of Lp.

Combinatorics: The study of various permutation statistics on the symmetric groups and on related groups continues. New refinements and extensions of MacMahon's classical equidistribution theorem are found, relating that sub-area of Enumerative Combinatorics to the sub-area of Shape-Avoiding Permutations.

Differential and integral operators: The well-known asymptotic formulas for the Heat Kernel on the Heisenberg Group (for small time) are not uniform near the conjugate line. In particular the power laws are different for generic points and conjugate points. We establish an integral formula whose Laplace asymptotics clearly show how the asymptotic law is deformed as one approaches the conjugate line. The sub-Riemannian nature of the geometry dictates application of the Hamiltonian formalism (on the cotangent bundle) rather than the more conventional approach involving connections on the tangent bundle. Explicit formulas for wave kernels of degenerate hyperbolic and elliptic operators are obtained, using Laplace transformation and sophisticated inversion formulas for products of confluent hypergeometric functions. The resulting formulas involve hypergeometric functions of rational functions of the arguments.

Game theory and mathematical economics: Costs of time and negotiations were incorporated into a dynamic system leading to the Nash bargaining solution for cooperative games. A strategic model of financial markets, in which a central bank determines interest rates and creates money, is developed. Nash equilibria for the price-taking agents are studied. As the number of individual agents increases, the price making strategic behavior becomes indistinguishable from that of price takers, a-la Walrasian models.

Dynamical systems: Coupled slow and fast ordinary differential equations were examined via singular perturbations analysis. Attention was paid to the structure of switching between manifolds of equilibria of the fast motion. Invariant measures of multi-valued dynamics were characterized. Ergodic theory on non-compact spaces is investigated.

Modeling biological system: How long does it take in average for a random particle to escape from a sphere with a small hole? this question is at the basis of many problems related to chemical reactions in microstructures. In particular, it is possible to redefine the forward binding rate constant in confined geometry. Applications go from dendritic spine and synapses, to the 304 Mathematics analysis of noise in photoreceptors.

Operator theory and Matrix Function theory: Finite dimensional reproducing kernel Krein spaces were used to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions to a number of biangential interpolation problems in the extended Schur class of meromorphic matrix valued functions with a finite number of poles in the domain of interest. Linear fractional descriptions of these solutions were also obtained when the conditions for existence were met.

A monograph devoted to the theory of J-contractive and J-inner matrix valued functions and a number of applications of this theory was completed and published by Cambridge University Press.

Optimization and control: The control of coupled slow and fast motions was examined. The model is of singular perturbations with, possibly, measure-valued variables representing the limit of the fast variables. Design of switching modes between manifolds of equilibria or invariant measures of the fast dynamics were examined. The possibility to ignite impulses of the slow dynamics was demonstrated. The limit occupational measures of controlled dynamics were examined utilizing general convexification techniques.

Partial Differential Equations and global analysis: Influence of small noise on dynamical systems on Riemannian compact manifolds can be studied using the asymptotic of the probability density function. As the noise goes to zero, the ground state solution gets concentrated on the subsets of the recurrent set of the dynamical system, where the topological pressure (formulated as a variational problem) is achieved.

Probability and geometry: Several subjects relating probability and geometry of sets in finite dimensional space or in discrete structures are investigated. These include problems pertaining to Statistical Physics; in particular, percolation, random walks on diverse geometrical structures, motion in random media, the study of convex sets in high dimensional Euclidean space, as well as the study of random matrices. Also studied are various aspects of stochastic analysis and filtering theory.

Representation theory and related topics: This concerns the representation theory of algebraic groups, enveloping algebras and quantum groups -- specifically at present, the construction of adapted pairs leading to affine slices for coadjoint orbits, the path model of crystals for Borcherds algebras, embedding of reflection groups in Weyl groups and constructing invariants by reverse transgression.

Another direction is the representation theory of classical Lie superalgebras Mathematics 305 and related vertex algebras. Specifically, a criterion of simplicity of vacuum module was conjectured and it was proven for simple Lie algebras and some Lie superalgebras. This was applied to study of W-algebras. Vacuum Shapovalov-Kac determinant for Virasoro and Neveu-Schwarz algebras was computed.

For both associative and Lie algebras with polynomial identities, the study of their codimension growth is continued, via the applications of the representation theory of the Symmetric groups. The Vershik-Kerov representation theory of the infinite symmetric group, together with Probability and with the Theory of Symmetric Functions, are applied to the study of combinatorial identities.

Spectral theory of differential operators: The Dirichlet Laplacian in a class of narrow planar domains is considered. The asymptotic behaviour of its spectrum is studied when the width of the domain tends to zero. It is shown that this behaviour is determined, up to the second term of asymptotics, by the germ of the function defining the shape of domain, at its maximal point. Applications to the spectrum of thin waveguides are given. http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/ 306 Mathematics Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Zvi Artstein, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Hettie H. Heineman Professorial Chair of Mathematics Itai Benjamini, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Renee and Jay Weiss Professorial Chair Vladimir Berkovich, Ph.D., Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation The Matthew B. Rosenhaus Professorial Chair Stephen Gelbart, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States The Nicki and J. Ira Harris Professorial Chair Anthony Joseph, Ph.D., University of Oxford, United Kingdom (on extension of service) The Donald Frey Professorial Chair Yakar Kannai, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Erica and Ludwig Jesselson Professorial Chair of Theoretical Mathematics Victor Katsnelson, Ph.D., Kharkov University, Kharkov, Ukraine (on extension of service) The Ruth and Sylvia Shogam Professorial Chair Gideon Schechtman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The William Petschek Professorial Chair of Mathematics Sergei Yakovenko, Ph.D., Institute of Control Science, Moscow, Russian Federation The Gershon Kekst Professorial Chair Yosef Yomdin, Ph.D., Novosibirsk State University, Russian Federation The Moshe Porath Professorial Professorial Chair in Mathematics Ofer Zeitouni, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Herman P. Taubman Professorial Chair of Mathematics

Professors Emeriti

Harry Dym, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States Amitai Regev, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Michael Solomyak, Ph.D., University of Leningrad, Russian Federation Mathematics 307 Associate Professors

Maria Gorelik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Gady Kozma, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Omri Sarig, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel The Theodore R. and Edlyn Racoosin Professorial Chair

Senior Scientist

Dmitry Novikov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Gil Alon, The Open University, Raanana, Israel Yevgenia Apartsin, Bar-Ilan University Yosef Bernstein, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Lucas Fresse, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Crystal Hoyt, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Elena Litsyn, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Anna Melnikov, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel Shahar Nevo, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Andrei Reznikov, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Nina Roytvarf Marshall Slemrod, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA Victor Zalgaller

Visiting Scientists

Avraham Aizenbud, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., U.S.A. Damir Arov, S. Ukrainian University , Odessa, Ukraine Michael Bjoerklun, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Marcin Bobienski, Warsaw University, Poland Fred Brauer, U. of British Columbia, Canada Alexander Brudny, University of Calgary, Canada Yury Burago, Steklov Institute, St Petersburg, RAS, Russia Laurent Clozel, Universite de Paris -Sud Amadeu Delshams, Universitat di Catalunia, Barcelona, Spain Vladimir Derkach, Donetsk National University, Ukraine Alex Eremenko, Purdue University , W. Lafayette, IN, U.S.A. Florence Fauquant-Millet, University Jean-Monnet, France Alexander Fish, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA Andrei Gabrielov, Purdue University , W. Lafayette, IN, U.S.A. Antonio Giambruno, Universita di Palermo, Italy Vladimir Golubyatnikov, Russian Acad. of Sci., Novosibirsk, Russia Jacob Greenstein, University of California at Riverside, U.S.A. 308 Mathematics Shamgar Gurevitch, U. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, U.S.A. William B. Johnson, Texas A&M University , U.S.A. Anatoly Katok, University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Svetlana Katok, University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Lubomir Gavrilov, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France Boris Khesin, University of Toronto, Canada Anton Khoroshkin, Independent U. of Moscow, Russia Nathan Enoch Lewis, Vacciguard, Misgav, Israel Alexander Loskutov, Moscow State University , Russia Gennady Lyubeznik, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, U.S.A. Leonid Makar-Limanov, Wayne State University , U.S.A. Pavao Mardesic, Universite de Bourgogne, Dijon, France Pierre Milman, University of Toronto, Canada Nikolai Mnev, Steklov Institute, St Petersburg, RAS, Russia Sebastian Mueller, Technische Unniversitaet Graz, Germany Asaf Nachmias, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., U.S.A. Alexander Nazarov, State University , St. Petersburg, Russia Marina Prokhorova, Russian Acad. of Sci., Ekaterinburg, Russia Petr Pushkar, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium Joseph Romanovsky, Steklov Institute, St Petersburg, RAS, Russia Vladimir Roubtsov, Universite d'Angers, Angers, France Grigori Rozenblioum, Chalmers Inst. of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden Peter Sarnak, Princeton U., Princeton, U.S.A. Arnab Sen, University of Berkeley, U.S.A. Bruno Shapira, Universite' Paris-Sud 11 Boris Shapiro, Stockholm University, Sweden Senya Shlosman, CNRS, France Adi Shraibman, Tel Aviv University Vladas Sidoravicius, IMPA, Brazil Marshall Slemrod, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, U.S.A. Allan Sly, Microsoft Research, USA Augusto Teixeira, ETHZ, Switzerland Nina Uraltseva, Steklov Institute, St Petersburg, RAS, Russia Anatoly Vershik, Russian Acad. of Sci., St. Petersburg, Russia Jonathan Widom, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A. Doron Zeilberger, Rutgers University, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Gideon Amir, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Lucas Fresse, Ph.D., Universit Claude Bernard Lyon 1 Ouziel Hadad, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Crystal Hoyt, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Nathan Keller, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Veniamin Kisunko, University Of Toronto Mathematics 309 Dalia Krieger, Ph.D., University Of Waterloo Polyxeni Lamprou, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nir Lev, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Alexander Rahm, Institut Fourier, Grenoble Noam Solomon, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Tamir Tuller, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Johan Harald Tykesson, Chalmers University Of Technology David Windisch, ETH, Chalmers Institute, Zurich, Sweden

Research Students

Avraham Aizenbud Dmitry Batenkov Gal Binyamini Ido Bright Dominik Reinhard Freche Yair Hartman Dvir Haviv Alon Ivtsan Tal Orenshtein Eviatar Procaccia Shifra Reif Niv Moshe Sarig Eric Shellef Omer Tamuz Ekaterina Zavyalova Administrator

Raanan Michael 310 The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science

The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science

Zvi Artstein, Director (until February 2010) The Hettie H. Heineman Professorial Chair of Mathematics

David Peleg, Director (from March 2010) The Norman D. Cohen Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences

The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science provides support to the entire spectrum of research and educational activities carried out at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and related research at The Weizmann Institute; that includes theoretical and applied aspects of mathematics and computer science from basic, fundamental research to cutting edge applicable research.

The funds of the Belfer Institute are used to support long and short term visits of high quality researchers from around the world. These visitors give lectures and collaborate with our faculty members. The Belfer Institute also helps support locally organized workshops and conferences on related topics. Part of the funds are used to purchase servers and communication equipment, personal computers and other computing equipment, as well as updating the communication means in order to achieve outstanding results. Once in a while, and in very special cases, we use the Institute's funds in supporting salaries, especially for particularly outstanding students and postdoctoral fellows.

We have plans to use the Belfer Institute funds also for broader initiatives of a more general kind, extending our day-to-day activities. These include supporting larger research projects involving groups of outside scientists that we would invite to cooperate with our faculty members and students, and inviting outside expert lecturers to teach topics not covered by our normal curriculum. These will serve to enhance our visibility, and will help attract more outstanding students and postdoctoral fellows, thus contributing to the overall quality of the Faculty's work.

In the 2010 fiscal year, the Belfer Institute sponsored many programs and projects. Here we list the main ones only: The 2010 Pekeris Lecture, delivered by Prof. Doron Zeilberger from Rutgers University, "...We have come a long way (or did we?): A Redux of Pekeris' 1958 Computations on a 2010 The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science 311 Computer". Support for several scientific meetings, including the Annual Meeting of the Israel Mathematical Union. Support for a range of Faculty Seminars including the program of Distinguished Lecture Series. Travel support for the doctoral students. Support for a long list of guests. Direct support for scientists including salary support for several students. System administrators support, including computer back up and general maintenance. Support for new equipment and continual upgrading communication equipment and ongoing supplies. We continued to support to the Faculty Library including updating the books and journal collections. 312 The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics

The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics

Zvi Artstein, Director (until February 2010) The Hettie H. Heineman Professorial Chair of Mathematics

David Peleg, Director (from March 2010) The Norman D. Cohen Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences

The Ida Cohen Center for Mathematics provides support for across-the-board activities within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. Most of the fund is divided up and given to the two department heads to supplement their regular budgets. For further details and the description of activities in the Departments, please see the corersponding scientific descriptions. The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems 313

The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems

David Harel, Director The William Sussman Professorial Chair in Mathematics

The John von Neumann Center was established in December 1997, thanks to a generous endowment from the ministry for Science and Technology (BMFT) of the Federal Republic of Germany, through Minerva, the joint committee for German-Israeli cooperation. Prof. Amir Pnueli was director until March 31, 2005, and Prof. Harel took over on April 1, 2005. The title of the center also changed somewhat.

The mission of the center is to advance and promote the state of the art of developing complex reactive systems, mainly through the processes of specification (modeling) and analysis.

Our research concentrates on visual formalisms and supporting tools for modeling, and on powerful simulation and analysis methods, including verification. We emphasize both intra-object and inter-object approaches, using state-based and scenario-based languages and methodologies (e.g., statecharts and live sequence charts). Recently, we have been working on a general approach, which we call Behavioral Programming. We also work on related topics, such as natural language specification, reactive animation and GUI-based programming.

Throughout, the relationship between our work and accepted standards, such as the UML, is carefully maintained and extended. We also cultivate joint work with industry and case studies, so that our work does not result in academic advances only.

We also work quite heavily on several application areas, first and foremost amongst them is biological modeling, using similar techniques taken from reactive system development. Others include service-oriented computing, tactical simulators and health care processes. Some of our work on odor analysis and synthesis is also under the Centers umbrella. 314 The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems Feinberg Graduate School

Dean: Lia Addadi The Dorothy and Patrick Gorman Professor 316 Feinberg Graduate School

Feinberg Graduate School

Dean: Lia Addadi The Dorothy and Patrick Gorman Professorial Chair

The Feinberg Graduate School The Feinberg Graduate School [FGS], the educational body of The Weizmann Institute of Science, was founded in 1958.

Mission The School's goal is the advanced education and training of new generations of creative and original researchers in the natural sciences and mathematics, or, in other words, the building of a cadre of future scientific leaders. Therefore, all FGS students complete a formal curriculum and are directly involved in the research conducted at the Institute.

Recognition The School is chartered as a higher education institution in the State of New York, U.S.A., and accredited by the Council for Higher Education in Israel.

Language of Instruction The official language of instruction at FGS is English. This enables foreign students to also benefit from its programs.

Thesis Advisors and Lecturers The instructors and mentors of FGS students are Weizmann Institute of Science faculty members as are most of the lecturers teaching the courses offered by FGS.

Major Fields of Study and Research Study programs are offered in five major fields of study: Physical Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematics and Computer Science; and Science Teaching.

Study Programs FGS offers graduate programs leading to the following degrees: Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Fellowships All FGS students receive fellowships so they can devote their time to research Feinberg Graduate School 317 and study. The fellowships are supported by competitive research grants, competitive fellowship awards, the Ministry of Science and Technology in Israel, the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education in Israel, several private foundations and by more than 300 private endowment funds established by supporters of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Tuition Fees All FGS students are exempted from paying tuition fees.

Students FGS oversees more than 1,000 students. At any given time there are over 700 PhD students; close to 270 students are enrolled in the regular MSc track (i.e. with thesis), and just over 90 students in the Rothschild-Weizmann program in science teaching (without thesis) for teachers. About 44% of the students are women.

Applications Applications to the Ph.D. tracks are accepted throughout the year, while applications to the M.Sc. degree must be received before the end of May for the following academic year, typically beginning in late October.

Admission The only criterion for acceptance to the FGS programs is academic excellence and integrity. A total of 333 new students were accepted during the academic year 2009/2010 (i.e. from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010). Of these students 179 were accepted to the M.Sc. programs and 155 to the Ph.D. program. 45.5% of the new students were women.

Graduates In 2010, a total of 270 degrees were conferred upon FGS graduates. Of these, 135 were Ph.D. degrees and 135 were M.Sc. degrees. 43% of the graduates were women.

Visiting Students Each year, FGS hosts more than150 visiting students from other universities in Israel and abroad.

Dean Prof. Lia Addadi

Steering Committee The Dean is assisted by a Steering Committee consisting of the directors of the Research Schools (see below), and the Chair of the Board of Studies in Science Teaching: 318 Feinberg Graduate School Prof. Shimon Levit (Physical Sciences) Prof. Gilad Haran (Chemical Sciences) until December 31, 2010 Prof. Nir Gov (Chemical Sciences) as of January 1, 2011 Prof. Ari Elson (Life Sciences) Prof. Ran Raz (Mathematics and computer Science) until September 30, 2010 Prof. Vered Rom-Kedar(Mathematics and computer Science) as of October 1, 2010 Prof. Nir Orion (Science Teaching)

Director and Academic Secretary Dr. Ami Shalit

Research Schools Studies at FGS are conducted within the framework of research schools. Each school is headed by a director appointed by the FGS Dean. Each director is assisted by a Board of Studies. The director of each school coordinates all activities in the relevant field of study. These include: guidelines for academic requirements, courses, laboratory work, admission of students, and evaluation of their progress in both research and studies.

Research School of Physical Science Director: Prof. Shimon Levit

Solo Dwek and Maurizio Dwek Research School of Chemical Science Director: Prof. Gilad Haran

Lorry I. Lokey Research School of Biochemical Science Director: Prof. Ari Elson

Ekard Research School of Biological Science Director: Prof. Ari Elson

Moross Research School of Mathematics and Computer Science Director: Prof. Vered Rom-Kedar

Financial Support For many years, the Feinberg Graduate School has been the recipient of financial support from the United States Government through the Agency for International Development (USAID), within the framework of the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. The 2009/2010 USAID grant was $1,000,000. AID funds are used to purchase a significant portion of the scientific equipment and literature needed by students for their advanced research projects. Feinberg Graduate School 319 The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program In addition to the degree programs, the School administrates the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at the Institute. The Head of the Program is Prof. Elior Peles. Currently, there are over 300 fellows in this program. Applications to this program are accepted throughout the year.

The Graduate School Office The FGS office coordinates the operations of the School. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/2010/feinberg_degrees.html http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/2010/Scholarship.html http://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/ 320 Feinberg Graduate School

Ph.D. Degree Recipients - Graduation Ceremony 2010

Name Title of Thesis Advisor/s Depatrment

Sharon Alpert Multiscale methods for edge Professor Achi Department of detection and image Brandt Computer segmentation Professor Ronen Science and Basri Applied Mathematics

Marc Altman Controlling order and charge Professor Milko Department of localization in Erik Van Der Organic coordination-based multilayers Boom Chemistry

Roy Amariglio Hypoxia and embryogenesis: Dr. Elazar Zelzer Department of The role of HIF-1 during early Molecular stages of skeleton development Genetics

Tal Amitay-Rosen A MAS NMR study of the local Professor Shimon Department of mobility of guest molecules on Vega Chemical silica surfaces is an aqueous Physics environment

Yoram Atir On large scale scenario-based Professor David Department of programming Harel Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Vered Bar The role of caspr in formation Professor Elior Department of and maintenance of the Peles Molecular paranodal junctions Cell Biology

Nir Bar-Gill Many-body excitations and their Professor Department of decay in Bose-Einstein Gershon Kurizki Physics of condensate Professor Nir Complex Davidson Systems

Meir Max Barak Mechanical behavior of whole Professor Steve Department of rat bone: Relative contributions Weiner Structural of trabecular and cortical bone Professor Ron Biology Shahar

Omri Barak Feinberg Graduate School 321

Working memory in recurrent Professor Michail Department of neural networks with dynamic Tsodyks Neurobiology synapses

Haim Beidenkopf Thermodynamics and Dynamics Professor Eli Department of of the Second-order Vortex Zeldov Condensed Glass Transition in Matter Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 Physics

Roy Bekerman Evolvability of regulatory Professor Dan Department of sequences Tawfik Biological Chemistry

Ronit Ben-Bassat Levy Teaching computer science with Professor Department of animation: Attitudes and ways of Mordechai Science experiencing Ben-Ari Teaching

Avi Ben-Shimon Anchoring spots mapping on Professor Zippora Department of protein surfaces Shaked Structural Dr. Miriam Biology Eisenstein

Keren Ben-Yaakov Role of STAT3 in retrograde Professor Mike Department of injury signaling in lesioned Fainzilber Biological sciatic nerve Chemistry

Yaron Bromberg The effects of interactions and Professor Yaron Department of lattice potentials on Hanbury Silberberg Physics of Brown and Twiss correlations Complex Systems

Ran Brosh Cancer-associated transcriptional Professor Varda Department of signatures and their modulation Rotter Molecular by the p53 tumor suppressor Cell Biology

Ran Budnik Relativistic shocks in Professor Eli Department of Astrophysics: Cosmic rays and Waxman Particle radiation mediated shocks Physics and Astrophysics

Eyal Capua Hybrid organic-inorganic Professor Ron Department of electrical devices - Sensing and Naaman Chemical information transfer at nanoscale Physics

Nitzan Censor Perceptual learnig: Linking Professor Dov Department of memory generation and Sagi Neurobiology 322 Feinberg Graduate School

consolidation, adaptation and sleep

Mati Cohen On the path to De-Novo protein Professor Gideon Department of interface design Schreiber Biological Chemistry

Rachel Cohen Examining the practical aspects Professor Anat Department of of implementing the living cell Yarden Science topic as a longitudinal axis in Teaching junior - high schools

Katayun Cohen-Kashi Investigations on the traffic of Professor Vivian Department of the neurotransmitter glutamate Teichberg Neurobiology across the blood brain barrier

Eran Dayan Coupling between visual Professor Rafael Department of perception and motor Malach Neurobiology production-evidence from Professor Tamar neuroimaging and psychophysics Flash

Noam Diamant Involvement of the cell cycle and Professor Zvi Department of DNA damage checkpoint Livneh Biological proteins in mammalian Chemistry translesion DNA synthesis

Iraklii I. Ebralidze Formation of transition metal Professor Ronny Department of complexes based on Neumann Organic N,N'-bis-pyridin-2- Chemistry ylmethylene-ethane-1,2-diamine and it derivatives

Osnat Eldar Collaborative diagnosis of Professor Department of scientific and pedagogical Bat-Sheva Eylon Science conceptions: An instructional Professor Miky Teaching model for teaching optics To Ronen pre-service Science teachers

Rofa Elfakess Transcription and translation Professor Rivka Department of initiation in a subset of Dikstein Biological TATA-less promoters Chemistry

Evan Elliott Roles of co-chaperone BAG-1 in Dr. Alon Chen Department of tau metabolism, Alzheimer's Professor Irith Neurobiology disease pathology, and Ginzburg neurogenesis Feinberg Graduate School 323

Idit Eshkar-Oren Interaction of limb vasculature Dr. Elazar Zelzer Department of with the forming skeleton and its Molecular contribution to interdigital Genetics programmed cell death during mouse embryonic development

Hedda Falk Characterizing and scaffolding Professor Anat Department of the enactement of adapted Yarden Science primary literature based Teaching high-school biology curricula

Igal Finarov Insights into structural and Professor Mark Department of biochemical aspects of human Safro Structural cytoplasmic Phenylalanyl -tRNA Biology synthetase

Sharly Fleischer Selective manipulations of Professor Yehiam Department of molecular rotations Prior Chemical Physics

Gabriel A. Frank Single molecule studies of the Professor Gilad Department of chaperonin GroEL Haran Structural Professor Amnon Biology Horovitz

Marina Fridin Body expression of emotions Professor Tamar Department of Flash Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Efrat Furst Brain substrates of real-life Professor Yadin Department of long-term episodic memory: Dudai Neurobiology Retrieval of documented experience

Maayan Gal Methodological developments in Professor Lucio Department of ultrafast multidimensional NMR Frydman Chemical for monitoring dynamic Physics biomolecular events

Kfir Gazit Biochemical and functional Professor Rivka Department of characterization of Dikstein Biological TAF4/4b-TAF12 DNA binding Chemistry activity 324 Feinberg Graduate School

Rita Gelin-Licht A role for mRNA transport in Professor Jeffrey Department of the polarized growth of yeast Gerst Molecular Genetics

Eliezer Gilsohn Identification and functional Professor Talila Department of analysis of Slowdown (Slow), a Volk Molecular novel regulator of muscle/tendon Genetics junction formation in Drosophila melanogaster

Roni Golan-Lavi Studies on the expression of the Professor Department of human interferon-alfa gene Menachem Molecular family Rubinstein Genetics

Yael Gore The molecular mechanisms Professor Idit Department of regulating peripheral B cell Shachar Immunology differentiation and survival

Dmitry Gourevitch Multiplicity one theorems and Professor Stephen Department of invariant distributions Gelbart Mathematics Professor Joseph Bernstein

Ronen Gradwohl The good, the bad, and the Professor Omer Department of rational: Computer science and Reingold Computer economics in a merged model Science and Applied Mathematics

Racheli Gueta Characterization of the Dr. Itay Rousso Department of mechanical properties and Structural structure of the Tectorial Biology membrane

Ronit Gutman Conformational switches of Professor Ronen Department of Pasvolsky LFA-1 by endothelial and Alon Immunology antigen presenting cell signals (APC)

Refael Haddad Odor coding: From odor Professor David Department of molecules to olfactory neural Harel Computer response and perception Professor Noam Science and Sobel Applied Mathematics

Liora Haim-Vilmovsky Feinberg Graduate School 325

Endogenous mRNA localization Professor Jeffrey Department of in living yeast Gerst Molecular Genetics

Bracha Halaf Pathways and selectivity in Professor Ziv Department of transport through nuclear pore Reich Biological complexes Chemistry

Liraz Harel CCM2 mediates death signaling Professor Mike Department of by the TrkA receptor tyrosine Fainzilber Biological kinase Chemistry

Yehudit Genetic variation in human Professor Doron Department of Hasin-Brumshtein olfactory receptors: From Lancet Molecular evolution to olfactory sensitivity Genetics

Haim Haviv Specific lipid-protein Professor Steven Department of interactions in Na+, K+ -ATPase Karlish Biological purified from Pichia pastoris Chemistry

Yaacov Zvi Hoch Security analysis of generic Professor Adi Department of iterated hash functions Shamir Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Maxim Itkin The Tomato Agamous-like 1 is a Dr. Asaph Department of component of the fruit ripening Aharoni Plant Sciences regulatory network

Michal Izrael Myelination capacity of Professor Michel Department of oligodendrocyte precursor cells Revel Molecular derived from mouse and human Genetics embryonic stem cells: Effect of interleukin-6 type cytokine and noggin

Eyal Kamhi Identification of novel Professor Joseph Department of components involved in the Sperling Organic stop-codon-mediated Chemistry suppression of splicing RNA surveillance mechanism

Erez Kantor Algorithms for wireless ad-hoc Professor David Department of radio and sensor networks Peleg Computer Science and 326 Feinberg Graduate School

Applied Mathematics

Shulamit Kapon Public lectures by scientists on Professor Department of contemporary physics topics: Bat-Sheva Eylon Science Characterizing explanations, Professor Uri Teaching instructional use, and a study of Ganiel learning

Edith Kario Multiple modes of glycoprotein Dr. Ami Navon Department of degradation Biological Regulation

Leonid Karlinsky 'Visual verb phrases': Towards Professor Shimon Department of the recognition of actions and Ullman Computer their components Science and Applied Mathematics

Amir Karton Ab initio comutational Professor Department of thermochemistry: Theory and Gershom Martin Organic applications Chemistry

Boaz Katz Aspects of cosmic ray origin and Professor Eli Department of fast collisionless shocks Waxman Particle Physics and Astrophysics

Irena 3D shape reconstruction with Professor Ronen Department of Kemelmacher-Shlizerm shading information and prior Basri Computer knowledge Science and Applied Mathematics

Michal Kenan-Eichler Alterations in small RNA Professor Department of species following hybridization Avraham Levy Plant Sciences and polyploidization in wheat

Michael Kertesz The function of RNA secondary Dr. Eran Segal Department of structure in gene regulation Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Olga Khersonsky Mechanistic enzymology - from Professor Dan Department of classical tools to directed Tawfik Biological Feinberg Graduate School 327

evolution Chemistry

Jin-Chul Kim The role fo caspase-8 in adult Professor David Department of epidermal homeostasis Wallach Biological Chemistry

Ester Malka Kitayner X-ray crystallographic studies on Professor Zippora Department of the structural basis of DNA Shaked Structural recognition by the Biology tumor-suppressor protein p53

Nitzan Kol Mechanical aspects of retroviral Dr. Itay Rousso Department of maturation Structural Biology

Anna Kossoy Chemical strain effect - toward Professor Igor Department of stress-adaptive nanocrystalline Lubomirsky Materials and materials Interfaces

Elizaveta Kossoy Electron-Poor pincer complexes Professor David Department of of late transtion metals: Milstein Organic Synthesis and reactivity Chemistry

Orly Laufman Molecular mechanisms Professor Sima Department of underlying the function of the Lev Molecular COG complex in mammalian Cell Biology cells

Anat Lavi-Itzkovitz Nucleocytoplasmic transport of Professor Mike Department of necdin, a MAGE family protein Fainzilber Biological Chemistry

Michal Leskes Advances in high resolution Professor Shimon Department of proton solid state NMR Vega Chemical Physics

Boris Levant Analytical and numerical study Professor Edriss Department of of certain models of turbulence Titi Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Dan Levi Learning complex object-class Professor Shimon Department of models in natural conditions Ullman Computer Science and Applied 328 Feinberg Graduate School

Mathematics

Avital Levy-Lior Biogenic organic crystal Professor Lia Department of formation: Guanine crystals and Addadi Structural structural colors in nature Professor Steve Biology Weiner

Shai Litvak Cortical circuitry implementing Professor Shimon Department of graphical models Ullman Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Alexey Lyashenko Development of gas-avalanche Professor Amos Department of photomultipliers sensitive in the Breskin Particle visible spectral range Physics and Astrophysics

Yossy Machluf Identification of novel Dr. Gil Levkowitz Department of determinants of dopaminergic Molecular and isotocinergic neural fates: Cell Biology Lhx5 and Wnt-antagonists act downstream of the conserved transcriptional regulator Fezf2

Shahar Maoz Topics in scenario-based Professor David Department of specification and programming Harel Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Assaf Marcus Tumor immunotherapy across Professor Zelig Department of MHC barriers using redirected Eshhar Immunology allogeneic T cells

Noa Marom A first principles description of Professor Leeor Department of the electronic structure of Kronik Materials and organic semiconductors Interfaces

Dganit Meidan Effects of fluctuations Professor Yuval Department of dissipation and interactions in Oreg Condensed low dimensional Matter superconductors Physics

Ofir Meir C/EBP-beta is a self-restricted Professor Department of master regulator of survival Menachem Molecular Feinberg Graduate School 329

module triggered in response to Rubinstein Genetics ER stress

Avihai Meiraz Studies on CTL differentiation Professor Gideon Department of IN-VIVO reveal two distinct Berke Immunology types of CTL's

Avi Mendelsohn Retrieval of long-term episodic Professor Yadin Department of memory: From brain to behavior Dudai Neurobiology

Inbal Mermershtain Investigation of protein Professor Ada Department of biosynthesis by inhibitors Yonath Structural targeting the bacterial ribosome Professor Mark Biology and amion-acyl tRNA synthetase Safro

Amir Mitchell Adaptive environmental Professor Yitzhak Department of conditioning: Prediction of Pilpel Molecular environmental changes by Genetics eukaryotic and prokaryotic micro-organisms

Neta Moskovits The role of p53 in Professor Moshe Department of Tumor-Stroma cross-talk Oren Molecular Cell Biology

Tiruwork Mulat Components of success in school Professor Department of mathematics among Students of Abraham Arcavi Science Ethiopian origin (SEO) Teaching

Maxim Naglis Phi meson production in p+p, Professor Itzhak Department of d+Au and Au+Au collisions at Tserruya Particle RHIC using the PHENIX Physics and detector Astrophysics

Moshe Naoz Physical processes in Actin Professor Nir Gov Department of based cellular protrusions Chemical Physics

Adi Natan Quantum control of atoms and Professor Yaron Department of small molecules with intense Silberberg Physics of femtosecond pulses Complex Systems

Elisha Nathan Characterization of the Isl1 Dr. Eldad Tzahor Department of lineage in the cranial mesoderm: Biological Fate, function and regulation Regulation 330 Feinberg Graduate School

Olivia Niitsoo Wet-chemical deposited Professor David Department of inorganic extremely thin Cahen Materials and absorber solar cells Professor Gary Interfaces Hodes

Ronit Nir Regulation of the Drosophila Professor Talila Department of RNA binding protein HOW by Volk Molecular MAPK/ERK phosphorylation Genetics

Eran Noah Biochemical studies of the Professor Jacob Department of membrane proximal regions of Anglister Structural the HIV-1 envelope protein gp41 Biology

Lior Noy From action to perception and Professor Tamar Department of back again: Studying the features Flash Computer of movement imitation Science and Applied Mathematics

Dana Peled Properties of DNA monolayers Professor Ron Department of Naaman Chemical Physics

Hagai Binyamin Perets Few body interactions near Professor Tal Department of central massive objects Alexander Condensed Matter Physics

Maciej Dominik Pietr Cannabinoid signaling and Professor Zvi Department of function in the rodent vibrissal Vogel Neurobiology and microglial systems Professor Ehud Ahissar

Yael Politi The formation of transient Professor Lia Department of amorphous calcium carbonate in Addadi Structural biomineralization and its Professor Steve Biology transformation into calcite Weiner

Alexey Potapov Development of pulsed EPR Professor Department of methods at high field and their Daniella Goldfarb Chemical application to studies of Physics metalloproteins and model systems

Shani Raveh The effects of Twist and Necl4 Professor Avri Department of expression on colon cancer cells Ben-Zeev Molecular Feinberg Graduate School 331

tumorigenesis Cell Biology

Dikla Raz-Ben Aroush Mechanics of cell adhesion a Professor Daniel Department of materials science approach Wagner Materials and Interfaces

Peter Reuven Single-cell approach towards Professor Michael Department of understanding the switching Eisenbach Biological mechanism of the bacterial Chemistry flagellar motor

Izhar Ron Proteins as solid-state electronic Professor David Department of conductors Cahen Materials and Professor Interfaces Mordechai Sheves

Noga Ron-Harel Brain maintenance and functionl Professor Michal Department of plasticity are Schwartz Neurobiology immune-dependent: Implications to aging

Yosef Rosenfeld Interaction between Professor Yechiel Department of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Shai Biological host defense molecules Chemistry

Oleksii Rudenko Energy and momentum transport Professor Itamar Department of in Newtonian turbulent boundary Procaccia Chemical layers and superfluid turbulence Professor Victor Physics Lvov

Niva Russek-Blum Deciphering developmental Dr. Gil Levkowitz Department of processes that determine the size Molecular of dopaminergic meuronal Cell Biology population

Hiyam Salem Activation of strong C-H and Professor David Department of C-C bonds. New late transition Milstein Organic metal complexes based on Chemistry phosphinite pincer ligands

Anita Sapoznikov Probing in-vivo dendritic cell Professor Steffen Department of functions in lymphoid organs Jung Immunology Professor Idit Shachar 332 Feinberg Graduate School

Dadi Segal Prediction of binding affinity Professor Avigdor Department of and activity of ligands using Scherz Plant Sciences quantitative structure activity relationship models

Yael Segal-Ruder Signaling networks involved in Professor Mike Department of the injury response in peripheral Fainzilber Biological sensory neurons Chemistry

Reut Shalgi Coupling transcriptional and Professor Moshe Department of post-transcriptional miRNA Oren Molecular regulation in the control of cell Professor Yitzhak Cell Biology proliferation Pilpel

Tamar Shapira-Cohen Characterization of ER retention Professor Benny Department of of the drosophila EGFR ligand Shilo Molecular Spitz Genetics

Ketty Shkolnik Novel participants in the control Professor Nava Department of of ovulation Dekel Biological Regulation

Eli Shlizerman Classification of chaos in a Professor Vered Department of near-integrable infinite Rom-Kedar Computer dimensional hamiltonian system Science and Applied Mathematics

Yishay Shoval Genomic and evolutionary Professor Adi Department of studies of the DAP kinase family Kimchi Molecular of proteins Genetics

Yoav Shrot Towards spatially encoded Professor Lucio Department of ultrafast NMR spectroscopy Frydman Chemical In-Vivo Physics

Zohar Snapir Ubiquitin dependent and Professor Chaim Department of independent degradation in Kahana Molecular regulating cellular polyamines Genetics

Dorit Taitelbaum Chemistry teachers Continuous Professor Avi Department of Professional Development Hofstein Science (CPD) during teaching the Dr. Rachel Teaching inquiry approach in the Mamlok-Naaman Chemistry laboratory Feinberg Graduate School 333

Yoni Toker Cooling and heating of small Professor Daniel Department of clusters as measured using Zajfman Particle statistical dissociation Physics and Astrophysics

Yaron Vagima Regulation of normal and Professor Tsvee Department of leukemic hematopoietic stem Lapidot Immunology cell retention and egress from the bone marrow by proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors

Elvira Vitu The mechanism of disulfide Professor Department of bond formation in proteins Deborah Fass Structural Biology

Bess Wayburn Identification of novel Stripe Professor Talila Department of targets that participate in Volk Molecular Drosophila muscle-tendon Genetics interactions

Yair Haim Wijsboom Electrochemistry of novel Dr. Michael Department of conductive polyselenophenes Bendikov Organic and nitrate lon-selective Chemistry electrodes based on conductive polymers

Ariel Yadin Diffusion limited aggregation, Professor Itai Department of and loop-erased random walk Benjamini Mathematics beyond the euclidean lattice

Hagit Yarden Learning and teaching Professor Anat Department of biotechnological methods using Yarden Science interactive animations Teaching

Ido Yosef Function and regulation of the Professor Eitan Department of signal recognition particle Bibi Biological system in E. coli Chemistry

Nathan Zauberman Structural aspects underlying the Professor Department of infection cycle of the giant Abraham Minsky Organic Acanthamoeba Polyphaga Chemistry Mimivirus

Olena V. Zenkina Ring walking of group 10 metals Professor Milko Department of over pi-conjugated organic Erik Van Der Organic systems Boom Chemistry 334 Feinberg Graduate School

Yuliya Zilberman Regulation of microtubule Professor Department of dynamics and organization of the Alexander Molecular Golgi complex: Novel Bershadsky Cell Biology mechanisms involving HDAC6 deacetylase and mDia1 formin

Gadi Zipor Localization of mRNAs Professor Jeffrey Department of encoding peroxisomal proteins Gerst Molecular Genetics

M.Sc. Degree Recipients - Graduation Ceremony 2010

Name Advisor/s Field of Depatrment Study

Adi Abada Manelis Professor Life Sciences Department of Zvulun Biological Chemistry Elazar

Sivan Abramovitch Professor Life Sciences Department of Yosef Yarden Biological Regulation

Hila Afargan Dr. Hezi Chemical Department of Gildor Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Ran Afik Professor Life Sciences Department of Yair Reisner Immunology

Ana Catarina Professor Life Sciences Department of Aidos Raposo Michal Neurobiology Schwartz

Zoya Alteber Professor Lea Life Sciences Department of Eisenbach Immunology

Oron Ambar Professor Physical Department of Yaron Sciences Physics of Complex Silberberg Systems

Veronique Amor Professor Life Sciences Department of Elior Peles Molecular Cell Biology Feinberg Graduate School 335

Amir Apelbaum Professor Life Sciences Department of Gideon Biological Chemistry Schreiber

Yuriy Arbitman Professor Mathematics Department of Moni Naor and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Iair Arcavi Dr. Avishay Physical Department of Gal-Yam Sciences Particle Physics and Astrophysics

Noam Arkind Dr. Boaz Mathematics Department of Nadler and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Oshrit Arviv Dr. Koby Chemical Department of Levy Sciences Structural Biology

Yahel Atsmon Professor Chemical Department of Roy Bar-Ziv Sciences Materials and Interfaces

Omri Avidan Professor Life Sciences Department of Plant Avraham Sciences Levy

Lidor Avigad Professor Mathematics Department of Oded and Computer Computer Science Goldreich Science and Applied Mathematics

Hind Basheer Dr. David Science Department of Fortus Teaching Science Teaching Dr. Yael Shwartz

Dmitry Batenkov Professor Mathematics Department of Yosef and Computer Mathematics Yomdin Science

Aya Ben-Yakov Professor Life Sciences Department of Yadin Dudai Neurobiology 336 Feinberg Graduate School

Ishay Ben-Zion Professor Joel Physical Department of Stavans Sciences Physics of Complex Systems

Tal Berger Professor Mathematics Department of David Harel and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Assaf Biran Professor Life Sciences Department of Yosef Shaul Molecular Genetics

Noa Bossel Professor Life Sciences Department of Eytan Physics of Complex Domany Systems

Ori Brostovski Professor Mathematics Department of Michal Irani and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Yulia Chaikin Professor Chemical Department of Israel Sciences Materials and Rubinstein Interfaces

Or Cohen Professor Physical Department of Leeor Kronik Sciences Materials and Interfaces

Yarden Cohen Dr. Elad Life Sciences Department of Schneidman Neurobiology

Adva Cohen Professor Life Sciences Department of Fredarow Yair Reisner Immunology

Yakir Dadon Professor Life Sciences Department of Yechiel Shai Biological Chemistry

Shachar Dagan Professor Life Sciences Department of Mike Biological Chemistry Fainzilber

Amit Davidi Dr. Ilan Chemical Department of Koren Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Feinberg Graduate School 337

Gil Diamant Professor Life Sciences Department of Rivka Biological Chemistry Dikstein

Yair Dimant Professor Physical Department of Shimon Levit Sciences Condensed Matter Physics

Itai Dinur Professor Adi Mathematics Department of Shamir and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Niv Dobzinski Professor Life Sciences Department of Plant Yuval Eshed Sciences

Yaniv Edery Professor Chemical Department of Brian Sciences Environmental Berkowitz Sciences and Energy Research

Michal Eifer Professor Life Sciences Department of Michal Biological Regulation Neeman

Hanan Einav Levy Professor Chemical Department of Yinon Rudich Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Izhak Evenor Professor Physical Department of Shimon Levit Sciences Condensed Matter Physics

Osnat Ezra Professor Life Sciences Department of Varda Rotter Molecular Cell Biology

Tal Frank Professor Physical Department of Ehud Sciences Particle Physics and Duchovni Astrophysics

Eran Gat Professor Mathematics Department of Shafrira and Computer Computer Science Goldwasser Science and Applied Mathematics 338 Feinberg Graduate School

David Andres Professor Physical Department of Gelbwaser Gershon Sciences Chemical Physics Klimovsky Kurizki

Amit Godel Professor Physical Department of Uzy Sciences Physics of Complex Smilansky Systems

Chagay Gonen Professor Life Sciences Department of Moshe Oren Molecular Cell Biology

Zohar Goren Professor Zvi Life Sciences Department of Livneh Biological Chemistry

Guy Gur-Ari Professor Physical Department of Ofer Aharony Sciences Particle Physics and Professor Astrophysics Micha Berkooz

Gal Haase Professor Life Sciences Department of Avri Molecular Cell Ben-Zeev Biology

Tal Harmelech Professor Life Sciences Department of Rafael Neurobiology Malach

Michal Haskel Professor Life Sciences Department of Ittah Benny Shilo Molecular Genetics Dr. Eyal Schejter

Meital Rotem Professor Life Sciences Department of Hatan Talila Volk Molecular Genetics

Yael Heyman Professor Chemical Department of Roy Bar-Ziv Sciences Materials and Interfaces

Eran Hodis Dr. Eran Life Sciences Department of Segal Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Feinberg Graduate School 339

Asaf Isseroff Professor Chemical Department of Michael Sciences Materials and Elbaum Interfaces

Merav Professor Life Sciences Department of Jacobson-Bensky Noam Sobel Neurobiology

Shlomo Jozeph Professor Mathematics Department of Uriel Feige and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Yovav Kalifon Professor Physical Department of Gregory Sciences Physics of Complex Falkovich Systems

Ofer Kedem Professor Chemical Department of Israel Sciences Materials and Rubinstein Interfaces

Liraz Keidar Professor Life Sciences Department of Abraham Neurobiology Zangen

Ephraim Dr. Amos Life Sciences Department of Kenigsberg Tanay Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Anna Keselman Dr. Roee Physical Department of Ozeri Sciences Physics of Complex Systems

Yonat Keshet Professor Life Sciences Department of Rony Seger Biological Regulation

Michael Kiewe Dr. Avishay Physical Department of Gal-Yam Sciences Particle Physics and Astrophysics

Gilad Landan Dr. Amos Life Sciences Department of Tanay Computer Science Professor and Applied Varda Rotter Mathematics

Naama Lang-Yona Professor Chemical Department of 340 Feinberg Graduate School

Yinon Rudich Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Gidi Lasovski Professor Physical Department of Asher A. Sciences Condensed Matter Friesem Physics Professor Shimon Levit

Yonatan Lati Professor Idit Life Sciences Department of Shachar Immunology

Offir Laufer Professor Life Sciences Department of Ehud Ahissar Neurobiology Dr. Amos Arieli

Noa Leshem Professor Life Sciences Department of Tony Biological Chemistry Futerman

Shay Dr. Ami Life Sciences Department of Leventhal-Gabay Navon Biological Regulation

Roi Levi Professor Chemical Department of Reshef Tenne Sciences Materials and Interfaces

Michal Levo Dr. Eran Life Sciences Department of Segal Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Omer Lutzky Professor Life Sciences Department of Deborah Fass Structural Biology

Ayelet Marom Professor Idit Life Sciences Department of Shachar Immunology

Elad Mazor Dr. Eran Mathematics Department of Segal and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Yair Mazor Professor Mathematics Department of Feinberg Graduate School 341

Ehud Shapiro and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Netta Mendelson Dr. Amos Mathematics Department of Cohen Tanay and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Dimitry Mikitchuk Professor Physical Department of Yitzhak Sciences Particle Physics and Maron Astrophysics

Yuval Namdar Dr. Eli Life Sciences Department of Arama Molecular Genetics

Michal Natan Professor Adi Life Sciences Department of Kimchi Molecular Genetics

Inbal Navon Dr. Alon Life Sciences Department of Chen Neurobiology

Sergey Novikov Professor Mathematics Department of Omer and Computer Computer Science Reingold Science and Applied Mathematics

Evgenia Olshvang Professor Chemical Department of Abraham Sciences Organic Chemistry Shanzer

Tal Orenshtein Professor Mathematics Department of Gady Kozma and Computer Mathematics Dr. Boaz Science Tsaban

Smadar Professor Life Sciences Department of Ovadia-Caro Rafael Neurobiology Malach

Shira Ozana Professor Life Sciences Department of (Eilam) Shimon Computer Science Ullman and Applied Dr. Hamutal Mathematics Slovin 342 Feinberg Graduate School

Michael Rein Professor Chemical Department of Daniel Sciences Materials and Wagner Interfaces Dr. Orna Breuer

Jennifer Resnik Professor Life Sciences Department of Steffen Jung Immunology

Noa Rivlin Professor Life Sciences Department of Varda Rotter Molecular Cell Biology

Shamir Rosen Dr. Dan Oron Physical Department of Sciences Physics of Complex Systems

Itamar Roth Professor Physical Department of Ehud Sciences Particle Physics and Duchovni Astrophysics

Meir Rozenbaum Professor Life Sciences Department of Mike Biological Chemistry Fainzilber

Assaf D. Professor Adi Life Sciences Department of Rubinstein Kimchi Molecular Genetics

Tal Shachar Professor Life Sciences Department of Plant Robert Fluhr Sciences

Nitzan Shadmi Professor Chemical Department of Ernesto Sciences Materials and Joselevich Interfaces

Hen Shahar Professor Chemical Department of Reshef Tenne Sciences Materials and Interfaces

Ayelet Shamai Dr. Eldad Life Sciences Department of Tzahor Biological Regulation

Tal Shamia Professor Life Sciences Department of Yosef Shaul Molecular Genetics

Itamar Shamir Professor Physical Department of Ofer Aharony Sciences Particle Physics and Feinberg Graduate School 343

Professor Astrophysics Micha Berkooz

Matan Shanzer Professor Life Sciences Department of Chaim Molecular Genetics Kahana

Aya Shelly Professor Life Sciences Department of Avraham Immunology Ben-Nun

Eric Shifrut Dr. Nir Life Sciences Department of Friedman Immunology

Igor Shinkar Professor Irit Mathematics Department of Dinur and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Hadar Shlomai Professor Physical Department of Victor Sciences Physics of Complex Steinberg Systems

Yulia Shwartz Dr. Elazar Life Sciences Department of Zelzer Molecular Genetics

Hadas Professor Life Sciences Department of Plant Sibony-Benyamini Robert Fluhr Sciences

Eran Small Professor Physical Department of Yaron Sciences Physics of Complex Silberberg Systems

Hadas Soifer Dr. Nirit Physical Department of (Yeger) Dudovitch Sciences Physics of Complex Systems

Aviv Solodoch Professor Physical Department of Dan Yakir Sciences Environmental Professor Eli Sciences and Energy Tziperman Research

Nir Stein Professor Chemical Department of David Cahen Sciences Materials and Interfaces 344 Feinberg Graduate School

Shani Stern Dr. Amos Physical Department of Tanay Sciences Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Tomer Stern Dr. Elazar Life Sciences Department of Zelzer Molecular Genetics

Johanna Professor Life Sciences Department of Stern-Haddad Michael Biological Chemistry Walker

Natalia Professor Chemical Department of Szenkier-Garcia Abraham Sciences Organic Chemistry Shanzer

Ofer Tabach Professor Life Sciences Department of Eytan Physics of Complex Domany Systems

Amir Tal Professor Chemical Department of Dan Yakir Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Inbal Professor Mathematics Department of Talgam-Cohen Uriel Feige and Computer Computer Science Science and Applied Mathematics

Elizabetha Professor Chemical Department of Tartakovsky Milko Erik Sciences Organic Chemistry Pevtsov Van Der Boom

Rivka Taub Professor Science Department of Mordechai Teaching Science Teaching Ben-Ari Dr. Michal Armoni

Rotem Tidhar Professor Life Sciences Department of Tony Biological Chemistry Futerman

Yaron Tidhar Feinberg Graduate School 345

Dr. Boris Chemical Department of Rybtchinski Sciences Organic Chemistry

Tal Toledano Professor Chemical Department of David Cahen Sciences Materials and Interfaces

Yoav Tzur Professor Mathematics Department of Oded and Computer Computer Science Goldreich Science and Applied Mathematics

Noam Vardi Professor Life Sciences Department of Naama Molecular Genetics Barkai

Jean Wakim Professor Life Sciences Department of Yosef Yarden Biological Regulation Professor Ari Elson

Leehee Weinberger Professor Life Sciences Department of Naama Molecular Genetics Barkai

Shoshana Winter Dr. Dan Oron Physical Department of Sciences Physics of Complex Systems

Eitan Wong Professor Irit Life Sciences Department of Sagi Structural Biology

Shay Yaari Professor Life Sciences Department of Zelig Eshhar Immunology

Tohar Sion Yarden Professor Chemical Department of Ernesto Sciences Materials and Joselevich Interfaces

Ehud Yarom Professor Physical Department of Victor Sciences Physics of Complex Steinberg Systems

Itamar Yaron Professor Life Sciences Department of Benjamin Molecular Cell Geiger Biology 346 Feinberg Graduate School

Gili Yovel Professor Life Sciences Department of Michal Neurobiology Schwartz

Liron Zaltzman Professor Chemical Department of Abraham Sciences Organic Chemistry Minsky

Lior Zelcbuch Dr. Ami Life Sciences Department of Navon Biological Regulation

Prizes for Ph.D. and M.Sc. Students 2010

John F. Kennedy Prize

Recipients Advisors Department

Avraham Aizenbud Professor Vladimir Department of Mathematics Berkovich Professor Joseph Bernstein

Naama Professor Uri Alon Department of Molecular Geva-Zatorsky Cell Biology

Yoav Lahini Professor Yaron Department of Physics of Silberberg Complex Systems

Michal Leskes Professor Shimon Department of Chemical Vega Physics

Dimitris N. Chorafas Prize

Recipients Advisors Department

Ariel Amir Professor Yuval Department of Condensed Oreg Matter Physics Professor Yoseph Imry

Olga Khersonsky Professor Dan Department of Biological Tawfik Chemistry Feinberg Graduate School 347

Elchanan E. Bondi Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Karen Michaeli Professor Alexander Department of Condensed Finkelstein Matter Physics

Shimon Reich Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisors Department

Julia Mahamid Professor Lia Addadi Department of Structural Professor Steve Biology Weiner

Noa Marom Professor Leeor Department of Materials and Kronik Interfaces

Dov Elad Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Alexey Potapov Professor Daniella Department of Chemical Goldfarb Physics

Gad Resheff Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Gil Segev Professor Moni Naor Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Giora Yoel Yashinski Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Michael Kertesz Dr. Eran Segal Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Daniel Brenner Memorial Prize 348 Feinberg Graduate School

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Chen Varol Professor Steffen Department of Immunology Jung

Lady Anne Chain Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Liraz Harel Professor Mike Department of Biological Fainzilber Chemistry

Esther Hellinger Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Konstantin Feinberg Professor Elior Peles Department of Molecular Cell Biology

Haim Holtzman Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Amir Mitchell Professor Yitzhak Department of Molecular Pilpel Genetics

Menashe Milo Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Ram Band Professor Uzy Department of Physics of Smilansky Complex Systems

Dean's Prize for Ph.D. Students

Recipients Advisors Department

Tsevi Beatus Professor Roy Department of Materials and Bar-Ziv Interfaces

Orly Laufman Professor Sima Lev Department of Molecular Cell Biology Feinberg Graduate School 349

Shachar Lovett Professor Omer Department of Computer Reingold Science and Applied Professor Ran Raz Mathematics

Rami Pugatch Professor Nir Department of Physics of Davidson Complex Systems

Noga Ron-Harel Professor Michal Department of Neurobiology Schwartz

Dean's Prize for M.Sc. Students

Recipients Advisors Department

Noam Arkind Dr. Boaz Nadler Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Or Cohen Professor Leeor Department of Materials and Kronik Interfaces

Amit Davidi Dr. Ilan Koren Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Yaniv Edery Professor Brian Department of Berkowitz Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Michal Eifer Professor Michal Department of Biological Neeman Regulation

Guy Gur-Ari Professor Ofer Department of Particle Aharony Physics and Astrophysics Professor Micha Berkooz

Anna Keselman Dr. Roee Ozeri Department of Physics of Complex Systems

Naama Lang-Yona Professor Yinon Department of Rudich Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Michal Levo Dr. Eran Segal Department of Computer Science and Applied 350 Feinberg Graduate School

Mathematics

Inbal Navon Dr. Alon Chen Department of Neurobiology

Assaf D. Rubinstein Professor Adi Department of Molecular Kimchi Genetics

Jean Wakim Professor Yosef Department of Biological Yarden Regulation Professor Ari Elson Feinberg Graduate School 351

Scholarships

Ph.D. Scholarships in Perpetuity

The Cindy Rose Anderson Scholarship Endowment Fund Established in 2007 by Cindy Rose Anderson, Palm Beach, Florida The Lila and Israel Jacob Alter Scholarship Established in 2008 through a bequest of Israel Jacob Alter, Israel The Dr. Lester Aronberg Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1981 by the Dr. Lester Aronberg Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Jacob and Sonia Hager Axelrad Endowed Doctoral Scholarship Fund in Cancer Research Established in 1999 through a bequest of Sonia Hager Axelrad, New York The Hanan Bar-On Memorial Fund Established in 2004 by the Weizmann Institute of Science, in honor and in memory of Hanan Bar-On, former Vice-President of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hazel Olzman Bellin Memorial Endowed PhD Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 2009 through a bequest of Hazel Olzman Bellin, New York The Shlomo Beilitz Scholarship Established in 1979 through a bequest of Shlomo Beilitz, Ra'anana, Israel The Louis Bein Scholarships for Russian Students Established in 1991 by the Louis Bein Trust, Chicago, Illinois The Ursula Johanna and Fritz Werner Blumenthal Scholarship Established in 2007 through a bequest of Ursula Johanna and Fritz Werner Blumenthal, Australia The Dr. Walter and Dr. Trude Borchardt Fund for Graduate Students and the Feinberg Graduate School Established in 2001 through a bequest of Dr. Trude Borchardt, New York The Jeannette and Max Bouckalter Scholarships Established in 2009 by Jeannette and Max Bouckalter, Paris, France The Caspe Family Scholarship Established in 2000 by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Caspe and the Caspe Family Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa The Professor Arthur Charlesby Fund for Doctoral Student Scholarships and Travel Stipends Established in 2001 by Irene Charlesby, Swindon, United Kingdom, in memory of her husband The Dr. Rebecca Chutick and Dr. Lillian Chutick Doctoral Scholarship Fund for Immigrant Students from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 352 Feinberg Graduate School Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Rebecca Chutick, New York The Judith and Norman D. Cohen Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2005 by Judith and Norman Cohen, New York The Leo A. and Sarah G. Copin Scholarship Fund Established in 1994 through a bequest of Sarah G. Copin, Palm Beach, Florida The Florence Edelman Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1987 through a bequest of Florence Edelman, New York The Dr. Eugene I. and Charlotte Falstein Graduate Scholarship Established in 1997 by Charlotte R. Falstein, Chicago, Illinois The Harold Feinstein and Bess Rae C. Feinstein Scholarship Fund for Students from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Established in 1990 through a bequest of Bess Rae C. Feinstein, Chicago, Illinois The Stephen W. Fleck Scholarship Fund Established in 1995 through a bequest of Herta Fleck, New York The Adolph Fogel and William Fogel Scholarship Fund Established in 2001 through a bequest of William Fogel, New York The Joseph F. and Clara Ford Foundation Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1989 by the Joseph F. and Clara Ford Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts The Violet, Samuel, and Anna Friedman Doctoral Scholarship Fund Established in 2009 through a bequest of Violet Friedman, Palm Springs, California The Regina and Leo Frisch Scholarship Established in 2010 through a bequest of Rachel Lubell, New York The Rose Frisch Sax Scholarship Established in 2010 through a bequest of Rachel Lubell, New York The Chaya Austern Fuchs Scholarships Established in 2010 through a bequest of Rachel Lubell, New York The Rita Gehl Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1999 by Rita Gehl, London, United Kingdom The Yasha Gluzman Scholarship Established in 1998 by Ilan Gluzman, Nutley, New Jersey The Goldberg-Guild Scholarships Established in 1984 by Bernard Goldberg, Hallandale, Florida, and by Irwin C. Guild, Palm Beach, Florida The Morris and Rose Goldman Scholarship Fund Established in 1996 by Rose Goldman, Chicago, Illinois The Linda, Tal, and Akiva Gross Endowment Fund, in Memory of Heinrich Gross Established in 2007 by Akiva Gross, Glencoe, Illinois The Leanora, Judith, and Samson Gruber Memorial Scholarships Established in 1998 by Mr. and Mrs. Irving M. Gruber, New York, and named in memory of Mrs. Gruber and the Gruber's children Feinberg Graduate School 353 The Nurit Guter Scholarship Established in 2009 through a bequest of Nurit Guter, Israel The Herbert Leiser Harband Memorial Scholarship Established in 1976 through bequests of Dorothea and Julius Harband, San Francisco, California, in memory of their beloved son The Otto and Mary Hersch Scholarships in Perpetuity Established in 1987 through a bequest of Mary Hersch, New York The Luta and Ludwig Heusinger Memorial Scholarship Established in 1993 through a bequest of Dr. Ludwig Heusinger, Kfar Shmaryahu, Israel The William T. Hogan and Winifred T. Hogan Scholarship Established in 1997 by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 714, Chicago, Illinois The Abraham and Elena Kahn Scholarship Fund Established in 2004 by Abraham and Elena Kahn, Mexico The John F. Kennedy Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1965 by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, Rehovot, Israel The Malcolm Kingsberg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 through a bequest of Malcolm Kingsberg, New York The Jeaninne Klueger Scholarship Established in 1991 by Seraphina Klueger, Dusseldorf, Germany, in memory of her daughter The Alex and Lilly Koron Scholarship Established in 2008 through bequests of Alex and Lilly Koron, Chicago, Illinois The Lillian Hellman Kugler Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1983 through the Saerree K. and Louis P. Fiedler Family Fund, Deerfield, Illinois The Alexander E. Langsam Memorial Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2001 by Florence Langsam, Rockville, Maryland The Liselotte and Richard Laster Endowed Doctoral Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 2001 by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Laster, Chappaqua, New York The Harold J. Lawn, M.D. Scholarship Fund Established in 1985 by Dr. Harold J. Lawn, St. Paul, Minnesota The Sally and Jerome Lipper Scholarship Fund for Young Immigrants Established in 1993 by the Kenneth and Evelyn Lipper Foundation, New York The Samuel and Eleanor London Scholarship Established in 1986 through a bequest of Eleanor J. London, Los Angeles, California The Dr. Saul and Rose Mackoff Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2002 through a bequest of Dr. Saul Mackoff, Chicago, 354 Feinberg Graduate School Illinois The Rixi Markus Scholarships, in Memory of Eugenia, Ignacy, and Herbert Alfred Heller Established in 1995 through a bequest of Rixi Markus, MBE, London, United Kingdom The Rodolfo May Scholarships Established in 1997 through a bequest of Rodolfo May, Montevideo, Uruguay The Nora Menasce Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 2002 through a bequest of Nora Menasce, Milan, Italy The Paul and Felicia Muskat Scholarship Fund Established in 1984 through a bequest of Paul Muskat, Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Gertrude and Valentin Nathan Scholarship Fund Established in 1997 through a bequest of Gertrude Nathan, New York The Oskar Oliven (Dr. of Engineering) Memorial Scholarship Established in 2003 through bequests of Gerald and Hedy Oliven, Los Angeles, California The Dora Ostre Memorial Scholarships Established in 1987 through a bequest of Dr. Sprinzl Weizenblatt, Asheville, North Carolina The Rose Lee and Marvin Pomerantz Scholarship Established in 1998 by Rose Lee and Marvin Pomerantz and friends, Des Moines, Iowa The Theodore R. and Edlyn Racoosin Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through bequests of Theodore and Edlyn Racoosin, New York The Hirsch and Braine Raskin Foundation Scholarships Established in 1970 by the Hirsch and Braine Raskin Foundation, New York The Harry, Lillian, and Sylvan Ray Memorial Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1997 by Dr. M. L. Ray, Dallas, Texas The Reiter Family Scholarship Established in 1984 by the Reiter Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Charles G. and Belle Reskin Doctoral Graduate Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1997 through a bequest of Charles G. Reskin, Chicago, Illinois The David Rich Doctoral Scholarship in Chemistry Established in 1999 by Edra Rich, Phoenix, Arizona The Burton and Sylvia Richards Doctoral Scholarship Established in 1999 by Burton Richards, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania The Albert A. Robin Family Scholarship Established in 2009 through a bequest of Albert A. Robin, Chicago, Illinois The Gabriella and Paul Rosenbaum Scholarship in Biology Feinberg Graduate School 355 Established in 1999 by the Gabriella and Paul Rosenbaum Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Scholarships in Memory of Harry Mlinov Rosenberg and Sarah Rudman Rosenberg Established in 2008 through a bequest of Abraham Rosenberg, Rumson, New Jersey The Joni Perlman Rosenberg Scholarship Fund for the Support of Cancer Research Established in 2007 by the Harold L. Perlman Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Dr. Arnold Rosenblum Memorial Endowment Fund Established in 1996 by Dorothy Rosenblum, Brooklyn, New York, in memory of her son The Leon and Lily Schidlow Scholarship Fund Established in 1999 by Sr. and Sra. Leon Schidlow, Bosques de las Lomas, Mexico The Alice and Lewis Schimberg Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 by Alice Schimberg, Chicago, Illinois The Rudolf Schoenheimer Memorial Scholarships Established in 1968 by Fritz Schoenheimer, New York The Eugene and Lenore Schupak Endowed Doctoral Scholarship in Genetics Established in 1997 by the Schupak Family Foundation, Scottsdale, Arizona The David and Pauline Segal Scholarship Established in 1999 by George and Joan Segal, Chicago, Illinois The Bernard and Bernice Dorothy Segall Scholarship Fund Established in 2006 through a bequest of Bernice Dorothy Segall, New York The Simon and Frieda Senderowicz-Perel Graduate Student Research Fund Established in 1999 through a bequest of Lea Senderowicz, Zurich, Switzerland The Hon. Sir David Sieff Doctoral Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 2000 by family and friends, Weizmann UK The Lily Sieff Doctoral Scholarship Established in 1998 by Helen and Martin Kimmel, New York The Rachel and Arnold Smith Endowed Scholarship Established in 1996 by Rachel and Arnold Smith, Phoenix and Paradise Valley, Arizona The Paula and Ernest Sommers Scholarship Established in 2001 by Ernest Sommers, Chicago, Illinois The Sylvia and Leonard Sorkin Scholarship Established in 1997 through a bequest of Leonard Sorkin, Chicago, Illinois The Blanche and Max Steig Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Blanche Steig, New York 356 Feinberg Graduate School The Gabriel Armand Stein Scholarship Fund Established in 1991 by Paul Stein, Jackson Heights, New York, in memory of his son The Jack, Gertrude, and Leesa Steinberg Doctoral Scholarship for Neurological Diseases Established in 2009 by Leesa Steinberg, Hampstead, Quebec, Canada The Sergey and Maria Steuerman Endowed Scholarship Fund Established in 1991 through a bequest of Maria Steuerman, New Rochelle, New York The Armin and Etel (Angyal) Szolovits Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2001 through bequests of Armin and Etel Szolovits, Hollywood, California The Samara Jan Turkel Scholarship Fund for Autoimmune Diseases Established in 1996 by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bach, New York, in memory of their granddaughter The Guido Franklin van D. Memorial Scholarship Established in 2000 by an anonymous donor The Paul and Greta Weinberger Scholarship Established in 1995 through a bequest of Paul Weinberger, New York The G. Pauline Whiteman Scholarship Fund Established in 2005 through a bequest of Pauline Whiteman, San Francisco, California The Ruth Ann and Sam Wolfson Scholarship Established in 1996 by Ruth Ann and Sam Wolfson, Dallas, Texas The Endowment for the Cure of Alzheimer's in Honor of Ruth Ann Wolfson Established in 2001 by Sam Wolfson, Dallas, Texas The Rubin and Gladys Wollowick Scholarship Fund for Autoimmune Disease Research Established in 1999 by the Rubin and Gladys Wollowick Foundation, Miami, Florida The Dr. Arthur Yarman and Gertrude Yarman Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 through a bequest of Gertrude Yarman, Miami, Florida The Yitzhak Scholarship Fund Established in 1992 through the offices of Martin Paisner, London, United Kingdom

Annual and Semester Ph.D. Scholarships

The Azrieli Fellowships at the Weizmann Institute of Science Established in 2008 by the Azrieli Foundation, Tel Aviv, Israel The CAMBR Foundation Doctoral Scholarships Established in 2006 by Mr. Allen Skolnick, Lynbrook, New York The Clore Scholars Program Established in 1992 by Dame Vivien Duffield, DBE, and the Clore Feinberg Graduate School 357 Foundation, Jerusalem, Israel The Sam Cohen Windhoek Scholarships Established in 1981 by the Sam Cohen Trust, Namibia The Fanny Denes Scholarship Established in 1969 by Dr. George Denes, Zurich, Switzerland, in memory of his mother The Daniel Falkner Scholarship Established in 2001 by Daniel Falkner, London, United Kingdom, through the Daniel Falkner Charitable Trust The Eugenie Fromer Student Needs Fund Established in 2010 by Eugenie Fromer, New York The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Scholarships Established in 1997 by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, San Francisco, California KEREN M.E.H. in the name of Margot and Ernst Hamburger Established in 2009 by Hana and Gideon Hamburger, Tel Aviv, Israel The Judith Kaplan Scholarship Fund Established in 2008 by the Judith Anne Kaplan Fund of RSF Social Finance, Sonoma, California The Joseph Meyerhoff Scholarships Established in 1983 through the Joseph Meyerhoff Fund and the Rebecca Meyerhoff Fund, Baltimore, Maryland The Richard and Christine Purchas Scholarship Established in 2008 by the Richard and Christine Purchas Charitable Trust, London, United Kingdom The Lizika and Ami Sagy Scholarship Established in 2009 by Lizika and Ami Sagy, Ramat Gan, Israel The WorldQuant Foundation PhD Scholarship Fund Established in 2010 by the WorldQuant Foundation, Old Greenwich, Connecticut

M.Sc. Scholarships in Perpetuity

The I. W. Abel Scholarship Established in 2002 by the United Steelworkers of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Henrietta and Jack Abrams Scholarship Established in 1988 by Henrietta Abrams, Lauderhill, Florida The Harry P. and Henrietta Albert Scholarship Established in 1970 by the Alfred T. Stanley Foundation, New York The Egle Forti Ancona Scholarship in Perpetuity (The Dana Fund) Established in 1993 through a bequest of Mrs. Egle Forti, Rome, Italy The Harvey and Sandy Angell Master's Scholarship for Research for the Benefit of Children Established in 2001 by Harvey and Sandy Angell, Chicago, Illinois 358 Feinberg Graduate School The Arizona Women and Science Scholarship Established in 1996 by Arizona Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science The Eda and Leo Asseo Scholarship Established in 1988 by Eda Asseo, Tel Aviv, Israel The Israel W. and Fannie Backe Scholarship Fund Established in 1987 through a bequest of Fannie Backe, Worcester, Massachusetts The Lillian Baker Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Lillian Baker, Hallandale, Florida The Florence and Theodore Baumritter Scholarship Fund for Russian Students Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Baumritter, Boca Raton, Florida The J. Myron and Zachary Michael Bay Scholarship Established in 1979 by Jerry Adler and friends, and the Mogen David Wine Corporation, Chicago, Illinois The Mollie Freeman Becker Scholarship Established in 1971 by Mrs. Samuel Becker, Newton, Massachusetts The Shlomo and Rivka Benador Bursary in Perpetuity Established in 1984 by Shlomo and Rivka Benador, Geneva, Switzerland The Bendit Foundation Scholarship Established in 2000 by Dr. and Mrs. Emile Bendit and the Bendit Foundation, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland The Joseph W. and Emily J. Bernstein Scholarship Established in 1990 by the Amber Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Carolyn and Marvin Birger Scholarship Established in 2000 by Marvin Birger, Palm Beach, Florida The Dr. Henri H. Birnbaum Scholarship Established in 1979 through a bequest of Dr. Henri H. Birnbaum, New York The Abraham H. Blank Scholarship Established in 1979 by Myron Blank, Des Moines, Iowa The Benjamin M. Bloch Memorial Scholarship Established in 1964 by the Faculty of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Alex and Yudas (Yetta) Bloom Scholarship Established in 1971 by Philip Bloom, New York The Alan I. Bluestein Scholarship Established in 1990 by Milton J. Bluestein, Palm Beach, Florida The Alejandro y Dinorah Margounato Blum Scholarship Established in 1986 by the Leon and Elena Blum Foundation, Montevideo, Uruguay The Edith C. Blum Scholarship Fund Feinberg Graduate School 359 Established in 2007 by the Edith C. Blum Foundation, New York The Louis C. and Edith B. Blumberg Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 by the Louis Blumberg Foundation, Southfield, Michigan The Irena-Ida Bogdanowicz Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Irena-Ida Bogdanowicz, Tel Aviv, Israel The Bonder Family Scholarship Fund Established in 1994 through the Leon Bonder Trust, Chicago, Illinois The Dr. Louis D. Boshes and Natalie A. Boshes Endowed Master's Scholarship Established in 2005 through a bequest of Dr. Louis D. and Natalie A. Boshes, Chicago, Illinois The Harold and Harriet Brady Master's Scholarship Established through a bequest of Harriet Brady, Chicago, Illinois The Joan and William J. Brodsky Scholarship in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy in Perpetuity Established in 1995 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Illinois The Adele S. and Abraham Browner Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 1999 through a bequest of Adele Browner, Chicago, Illinois The Roel C. Buck Master's Scholarship for Nanotechnology Research Established in 2010 by the Roel C. Buck Family Foundation, Canada The Melva and Martin Bucksbaum Scholarship for Biomedical/Cardiovascular Research Established in 1996 in honor of Melva Bucksbaum and in memory of her husband, Martin, by family and friends, Des Moines, Iowa The John and Dana Burgess Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 2000 by International Profit Associates, Buffalo Grove, Illinois The Dr. Meyer Chapman Memorial Bursary Established in 1971 through a bequest of Dr. Meyer Chapman, Chicago, Illinois The Cowen Semester Scholarship in Molecular Biology, in Memory of Belle and Leonard Cowen, and Sylvia and Irving Schwartz Established in 1996 by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Cowen, Tenafly, New Jersey, in memory of their parents Scholarship for Biomedical Research in Memory of Richard J. Daley ll Established in 2002 by friends of William M. Daley, Chicago, Illinois The Joseph and Sadie Danciger Scholarship Established in 1987 by the Sadie Danciger Trust and the Joseph and Sadie Danciger Fund, Kansas City, Missouri The Helen and Harry Hans Davis Memorial Scholarship Established in 2002 through a bequest of Helen J. Davis, Wyncote, 360 Feinberg Graduate School Pennsylvania The Amos and Hortense Deinard Memorial Scholarship Established in 1989 through a bequest of Hortense H. Deinard, Minneapolis, Minnesota The Kitty Waas Dekker, Simon Waas, and Rosette Dekker Scholarship Established in 1998 through a bequest of Rosette Dekker, United Kingdom The Samuel Denmark Family Scholarship Established in 2000 by the Samuel Denmark Family Philanthropic Fund, Scottsdale, Arizona The Nathan and Leah DeWoskin Memorial Scholarship for Biomedical/Cancer Research Established in 2004 by William DeWoskin and Doris D. Roskin, Chicago, Illinois The Alan Dixon Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1977 by the Hon. Alan J. Dixon, St. Louis, Missouri The Jack and Simon Djanogly Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1985 by Sir Harry Djanogly, London, United Kingdom The Pearl and Morris Dry Scholarship Established in 1966 by Sidney Dry, Chicago, Illinois The Dr. Yehuda and Leah Dubowski Scholarship Established in 1988 by Leah Dubowski, Kiryat Ono, Israel The Batsheva and Joseph Eden Scholarship Established in 2007 by Batsheva and Joseph Eden, Great Neck, New York The Dr. Joshua and Helene Ehrlich Memorial Scholarship Established in 1987 through a bequest of Helene Ehrlich, Miami, Florida The Bina and Icchak-Meir Erlich Fund Established in 1987 through a bequest of their daughter Hanna Erlich, Bendzin, Poland The Bella and Hyman Eisenbaum Scholarship Established in 1994 through the Bella Eisenbaum Trust, Miami Beach, Florida The Alex Elovic Memorial Scholarship Established in 1996 through a bequest of Bernat Elovic, Miami Beach, Florida The Louis E. Emerman Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 1999 by the Saul and Devorah Sherman Fund, Chicago, Illinois The Charles I. and Fanny Engelstein Endowment Fund Established in 1995 through a bequest of Fanny Engelstein, New York The Belle and Philip Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York The Dr. Judith Schneider and Dr. E. Richard Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1981 by Belle S. Meller, New York Feinberg Graduate School 361 The Lillian Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York The Shirley and Judge Wilfred Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York The Meyer Feldman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1973 through a bequest of Meyer Feldman, Tucson, Arizona The Joel Fellner and Gisella Schreiber Fellner and Ernest Ludwig Mannheimer and Arabella Weiss Mannheimer Scholarship Fund Established in 1983 by the Leopold and Clara M. Fellner Charitable Foundation, Los Angeles, California The Pauline and Maximilian Firestone Bursary Established in 1978 by Maximilian Firestone, New York The Aaron and Zlata Fish Memorial Bursary Established in 1980 by Mr. and Mrs. Abe Fish, Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Joseph E. and Rose Fisher Scholarship Established in 1978 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Fisher, Canton, Ohio The Rita Friedell and Donald Fiterman Scholarship Established in 1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Morlan Fiterman, Highland Park, Illinois The Sonia Floomberg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1998 through a bequest of Sonia Floomberg, Montreal, Quebec, Canada The Alexander and Lilly Foldes Memorial Scholarship Established in 1981 through a bequest of Lilly Foldes, New York The Malcolm Fraser Scholarship in Medical Biology Established in 1981 in honor of Malcolm Fraser by the Australian Association for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Joyce and Joseph J. Freed Family Scholarship Established in 1995 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Freed, Wheeling, Illinois The Yeheshkel and Fruma Freedman Education Fund Established in 2001 through a bequest of Isaac Freedman, Boston, Massachusetts The Helen and Charles Friedman Scholarship Fund Established in 1986 by Helen and Charles Friedman, Paradise Valley, Arizona The William F. Fuerst Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 through a bequest of Madeleine Fuerst, New York The Margot and Alfred Furth-Regina Fleischer Scholarship in Chemistry Established in 1992 through a bequest of Regina Fleischer, and by Alfred Furth, New York, in memory of his wife, Margot The Naomi and Morris Futorian Scholarship Established in 1994 by Naomi Futorian, Northbrook, Illinois The Prof. Eugene Gadol Scholarship Established in 2004 through a bequest of Prof. Eugene Gadol, Vienna, 362 Feinberg Graduate School Austria The Leo and Frances Gallin Scholarship Established in 1994 by Leo and Frances Gallin, Los Angeles, California The Florence Gambino Scholarship Established in 2000 through a bequest of Florence Gambino, Chicago, Illinois The Rachel and Herzl Getzler Scholarship Established in 2008 by Gad and Talia Zeevi, Haifa, Israel The Bessie and Barnet Ginsburg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1971 by the Bessie and Barnet Ginsburg Memorial Foundation, Westhampton Beach, New York The Israel, Sara, and L. Chester Glaser Scholarship Established in 1975 through a bequest of L. Chester Glaser, New York The Dr. Anna Goldfeder Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Anna Goldfeder, New York The Harry Goldman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1975 through a bequest of Harry Goldman, New York The Morris and Rose Goldman Scholarships Established in 1987 by Rose Goldman, Chicago, Illinois The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Scholarship Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goldman, San Francisco, California The Samuel L. and Rebecca R. Goldstein Bursary Established in 1977 through a bequest of Samuel Goldstein, Lynn, Massachusetts The Phillip and Beverly Goldstick Scholarship Established in 1980 by Phillip C. Goldstick, Chicago, Illinois The Dorothy and Maurice Gordon Scholarship Established in 1968 by Centrose Associates, Boston, Massachusetts The Ethel and Anne Gordon Scholarship Established in 1990 through a bequest of Ethel Y. Gordon, New York The Helena F. and Jacob Y. Gordon Scholarship Established in 1973 by Mrs. Jacob Y. Gordon, Newton, Massachusetts The William and Mildred Gosden Endowed Scholarship Established in 1998 by Mildred Gosden, Sun City, Arizona The Salomon and Augusta Gottfried Scholarship Established in 1997 by Kurt and Sorel Gottfried, Ithaca, New York, in memory of Dr. Gottfried's parents The Victor Graber Memorial Scholarship Established in 1999 by David Graber, Alameda, California The Harold J. and Marion Green Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Green, Chicago, Illinois The Jules R. Green Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1980 by Jules R. Green, Chicago, Illinois, in memory of his wife, Rose, and son, Michael Jay Green Feinberg Graduate School 363 The Scott David Greenberg Scholarship for Physics Research Established in 2001 by Scott D. Greenberg, Buffalo Grove, Illinois The Nandor F. Gross Scholarship Established in 1982 through a bequest of Kalman Gross, New York The Harry and Isadore Gudelsky Memorial Bursary Established in 1974 by the Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Potomac, Maryland The Haas Family Scholarship for Scientific Research Established in 2007 by Dr. and Mrs. David Haas, Suffern, New York The Dr.-Ing. Jerzy Hanowski Scholarship Established in 1992 through a bequest of Lola Hanowski, Aachen, Germany The Heinrich and Gisa Blum Harpuder Memorial Scholarship Established in 1982 through a bequest of Heinrich Harpuder, Bronx, New York The B. J. Harris Scholarship Established in 1970 by B. J. Harris, Palm Beach, Florida The Gertrude and Benjamin R. Harris Scholarship Established in 1989 through bequests of Gertrude and Benjamin R. Harris, Chicago, Illinois The Harry Julius Harris Scholarship Established in 1997 through a bequest of Dorothy Harris and by Anne Ingber, New York The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1997 by friends and supporters, Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Ilinois The Dr. Esther Hellinger Memorial Scholarship Established in 1986 through a bequest of Dr. Esther Hellinger, London, United Kingdom The Carylon and Julius L. Hemmelstein Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 2001 by the Carylon Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Barry Hershman and Barbara Isaacson Scholarship for Biomedical and Cancer Research Established in 2001 by Barry Hershman, Des Plaines, Illinois The Fay and Harry Hoffman Scholarship Established in 1982 by Harry Hoffman, family and friends, Chicago, Illinois The Benjamin S. Hornstein Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 through a bequest of Benjamin S. Hornstein, New York The Anna Hurwitz Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1983 by Allan Hurwitz, Chicago, Illinois The Evelyn and Harold Igdaloff Scholarship Fund Established in 2007 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Igdaloff, Los Angeles, California 364 Feinberg Graduate School The Fanny E. and Lewis J. Isaacs Scholarship Established in 1989 through the Fanny E. Isaacs Living Trust, Glencoe, Illinois The Thomas and Ruth Isackson Memorial Scholarship Award Established in 1992 through a bequest of Ruth Isackson, Miami Beach, Florida The Barbara and Jon M. Kaufman Scholarship in Particle Physics Established in 2008 by Jon M. Kaufman, New York The Benjamin Kaufman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1995 by Nathan Jacobs, New York The Udi Khazam Memorial Scholarship Established in 1996 by the Khazam Family, London, United Kingdom, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada The Nora Lifschultz Bergman and Edward Klein Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 1998 by Edward Klein, Rancho Mirage, California, and S. Nora Bergman, Chicago, Illinois The Neil David Konheim Memorial Scholarship Established in 1985 by George Konheim, Beverly Hills, California The Arthur Konviser Memorial Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 2007 by Dr. Eudice Goldberg and friends, Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Richard Koret Scholarship Established in 1968 by the trustees of the Richard Koret Foundation, New York The Joseph Korodi Memorial Scholarship Established in 1993 by Emmy Singer, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The Alex and Lilly Koron Scholarship Established in 2008 through bequests of Alex and Lilly Koron, Chicago, Illinois The Frank Korrick Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Francis Charles Korrick, Sydney, Australia The Esther B. and Milton J. Krainin Master's Scholarship Established in 2006 by Dr. Milton J. Krainin, Atlanta, Georgia The Margaret S. Kramer Scholarship Established in 1999 by Margaret S. Kramer, Palm Beach, Florida The Samuel and Ronnie Kraut Scholarship in the Life Sciences Established in 1988 by Ricky Kraut through bequests of her parents, Samuel and Ronnie Kraut, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada The Anne P. Lederer Master's Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1998 by the Anne P. Lederer Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois The Philmore A. and Judith Leemon Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1997 by Philmore A. and Judith Leemon, Las Vegas, Feinberg Graduate School 365 Nevada The Dr. Aaron M. Lefkovits Scholarship Fund Bursary Established in 1986 by Dr. Aaron Lefkovits, Memphis, Tennessee The Dr. Sophie N. Leschin Scholarship Fund Established in 1985 through a bequest of Dr. Sophie N. Leschin, Chicago, Illinois The Eudyce H. Levin Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1984 by Wallace "Bud" Levin, North Miami Beach, Florida The Chaim Michel and Chaya Freyda Levine Scholarship, established by their son, Jules Lawren Established in 1995 through a bequest of Jules Lawren, New York The Irena and Morris Goldstein and Stefan Joram Lewari Memorial Scholarship Established in 1988 through a bequest of Irena Lewari, Cape Town, South Africa The Morris I. Lewisohn Scholarship Established in 1976 through a bequest of Morris I. Lewisohn, Teaneck, New Jersey The Leyfell Family Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 by Mr. and Mrs. Aleksander Leyfell, Cambridge, Massachusetts The Dorothy and Elias Lieberman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 by the Elias Lieberman Memorial Foundation, Jamaica, New York The Jacob P. and Estelle Lieberman Scholarship Established in 1990 by the International Fund for Education and Career Development, Tel Aviv, Israel The Terri and Barry Lind Scholarship for New Scientists Specializing in Cancer Research Established in 2004 by Mr. and Mrs. Barry J. Lind, Chicago, Illinois The Abe Lisan Educational Grant Bursary Established in 1974 through a bequest of Abe Lisan, Glenside, Pennsylvania The Meyer Loomstein Scholarship Established in 1982 by Meyer Loomstein, Hollywood, Florida The Josef and Avraham (Avi) Isser Luchfeld Memorial Bursary Established in 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Josef Luchfeld, Montreal, Quebec, Canada The Lou and Miriam Ludwig Scholarship Established in 1974 through a bequest of Louis Ludwig, New York The Henry and Louis Malakoff Scholarship Fund, New Rochelle, New York Established in 1991 by Rebecca Malakoff, Brooklyn, New York The Judd D. Malkin Scholarship in General Biomedical Research Established in 2004 by Judd Malkin and Barry Malkin, Chicago, Illinois 366 Feinberg Graduate School The Sheldon J. Mandell Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 2002 by Sheldon J. Mandell, Chicago, Illinois The Alexander and Mary Margolis and Bernard A. Margolis Perpetual Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Bernard A. Margolis, Brooklyn, New York The Ben and Ruth Marks Scholarship Established in 1990 by Ben and Ruth Marks, North Miami Beach, Florida The Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Scholarship for the Study of Aging Established in 1996 by friends of the late Hon. Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz, Chicago, Illinois The Joory Mashal Bursary Established in 1981 by Joory and Doreen Mashal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada The Samuel Mayer Bursary Established in 1973 by Elsie Mayer, Santa Monica, California The Joseph and Mable E. Meites Scholarship Fund Established in 1983 by Joseph and Mable E. Meites, Okemos, Michigan The Nora Menasce Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 2002 through a bequest of Nora Menasce, Milan, Italy The Martin and Dianne Mendoza Scholarship Established in 1991 in honor of Martin and Dianne Mendoza by friends and admirers, London, United Kingdom The Leo Meyer Scholarship Established in 1965 through a bequest of Leo Meyer, San Francisco, California The Dr. Bert Migicovsky Scholarship Established in 1990 by the Ottawa Jewish Community, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The Minzer Family Fund Scholarship Established in 1978 by Margaret and Sol Minzer, Dallas, Texas The Pola and Elias Mirson Scholarship Established in 1989 through a bequest of Pola Mirson, Buenos Aires, Argentina The Paul and Felicia Muskat Scholarship Fund Established in 1984 through a bequest of Paul Muskat, Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Inez P. and David N. Myers Scholarship Established in 1981 by the David and Inez Myers Scholarship Fund, Cleveland, Ohio The Fanny Fletcher Naxon and Meyer Naxon Memorial Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1984 through a bequest of Meyer Naxon, Beverly Hills, California The Clara and Bela B. Nevai Scholarship Feinberg Graduate School 367 Established in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Bela B. Nevai, Dobbs Ferry, New York The Dr. Louis B. and Rose M. Newman Scholarship Established in 1971 by Dr. and Mrs. Louis B. Newman, Chicago, Illinois The Harold Paul Novick Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Samson Novick, New York The Cemach Oiserman Scholarship Fund Established in 1999 through the offices of Yehuda Assia, Geneva, Switzerland The Walter Pancoe Scholarship Established in 1992 by Walter Pancoe, Chicago, Illinois The Cecile and Ben Pekin Scholarship Established in 2002 by Cecile and Ben Pekin, Highland Park, Illinois The Gertrude and Ivar Philipson Bursary Established in 1961 through bequests of Gertrude and Ivar Philipson, Stockholm, Sweden The Rose and Israel Pincus Bursary in Perpetuity Established in 1987 by William B. Ingram, Laguna Hills, California The Harry and Evelyn F. Platoff Memorial Bursary Established in 1975 through a bequest of Evelyn F. Platoff, Miami Beach, Florida The Edith and Henry Plessner Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Edith Plessner, New York The David and Janet Polak Scholarship Established in 1997 by Mr. and Mrs. David Polak, Beverly Hills, California The David Pollin Revolving Scholarship Fund Established in 2000 through a bequest of Dan Pollin, Fort Lauderdale, Florida The Sidney L. and Betty B. Port Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 2003 by Sidney L. Port, Chicago, Illinois The Alfred Prager Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1970 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, and through a bequest of Alfred Auerbach, New York The Brothers Moses and Meyer Pupko Trust Fund Bursary Established in 1971 through a bequest of Abraham Pupko, Seattle, Washington The Rona and David Radler/Sun Times Scholarship for Biomedical Research Established in 1997 in honor of F. David Radler by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Illinois The Ruth Epstein Recu Scholarship Established in 1980 by Ruth Recu, Chicago, Illinois The Harry and Mildred Remis Scholarship Established in 1973 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Remis, Peabody, Massachusetts 368 Feinberg Graduate School The Anna and Max Resnick Scholarship Established in 1996 by Howard Resnick, Chicago, Illinois The Prof. David Rittenberg Memorial Bursary Established in 1971 in memory of her husband by Mrs. S. Rittenberg and friends, New York The Aida & Jerome Robinson Scholarship Endowment Fund Established in 2003 by Jerome and Aida Robinson, Fort Lee, New Jersey The Lillian L. Rolde Memorial Scholarship Established in 1981 by L. Robert Rolde, Boston, Massachusetts The Dorothy and Irving Rom Scholarship Established in 1990 by the Irving and Dorothy Rom Charitable Trust, Chicago, Illinois The Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Scholarship Established in 1990 by Ben and Esther Rosenbloom, Baltimore, Maryland The Charles J. Rosenbloom Memorial Bursary Established in 1973 through a bequest of Charles J. Rosenbloom, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Isidore Rosenkrantz Scholarship Established in 1960 through a bequest of Isidore Rosenkrantz, St. Paul, Minnesota The Anna and Leo Rosner Scholarship Established in 1986 by the Leo Rosner Endowment Fund, Miami Beach, Florida The Celia and Nelson Rostow Scholarship Established in 1987 through a bequest of Nelson Rostow, New Haven, Connecticut The Sara Rottenberg Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1994 by Sophie Kalina, New York, in memory of her mother The Rachelle Rubin (nee Blecher) Scholarship Established in 1991 by Rachelle Lea Rubin, Dusseldorf, Germany The David and Eleanore Rukin Scholarship Established in 1981 by the David and Eleanore Rukin Philanthropic Foundation, Saddle River, New Jersey The Rymer Family Scholarship Established in 1986 by the Barry Rymer Trust, Chicago, Illinois The Ann B. Sadowsky Scholarship Established in 1987 through a bequest of Ann Sadowsky, Mineola, New York The Dr. Alexander Salamon Memorial Endowment Fund Established in 2006 by Lilly Salcman, Julie Salamon, and Dr. Suzanne Salamon, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts The Bernard and Edith Samers Scholarship for Cancer Research Established in 1997 in honor and in memory of Bernard Samers, former Feinberg Graduate School 369 Executive Vice-President, American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York The Marvin Sands Endowed Master's Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 in honor of Marvin Sands by South Florida Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science The Elsie Olin and Philip D. Sang Scholarship Established in 1995 by Elsie Olin Sang, Chicago, Illinois The Jerome D. and Beverly Scheer Scholarship Established in 1989 by Jerome D. and Beverly Scheer, Potomac, Maryland The Sylvia and Aaron Scheinfeld Scholarship Established in 1976 by Mrs. Aaron Scheinfeld, Chicago, Illinois The Ida and Abraham Schneider Scholarship Established in 1968 by Abraham Schneider, Palm Beach, Florida The Harry and Mae Schetzen and Prof. Martin Schetzen Scholarship Established in 1979 by Mae Schetzen, New York The Max Schoenfeld Scholarship Established in 1976 by Walter E. Schoenfeld, Seattle, Washington The Stuart and Sarah Schulman Scholarship Fund Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Schulman, Boca Raton, Florida The Joseph Schumer Scholarship Established in 1964 through a bequest of Joseph Schumer, New York The Rabbi Samuel and Charlotte Schwartz Scholarship Established in 1981 by their son James L. Schwartz, Highland Park, Illinois The Segal Scholarship for Biomedical Research Established in 2000 by Joan and George I. Segal, Chicago, Illinois The Henry and Soretta Shapiro Master's Scholarship Established in 1996 by the Soretta and Henry Shapiro Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Sabina D. and Benjamin Shapiro Scholarship Fund Established in 1999 through a bequest of Sabina D. Shapiro, New York The Ruth and Leonard Simon Scholarship in Leukemia/Cancer Research Established in 1999 by Ruth Simon, Wilmette, Illinois The Rochelle and Harold Simpson Scholarship Established in 2003 by Harold and Rochelle Simpson, Delray Beach, Florida The Irving I. Singer Foundation Scholarship Established in 1974 by the Irving I. Singer Foundation, New York The Yvette Slotnick Scholarship Fund Established in 1998 by Rhea Slotnick, Margate, Florida The Sabine and Jeremy Smouha Scholarship Established in 2007 by Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Smouha, London, United Kingdom 370 Feinberg Graduate School The Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Solomon Bursary Established in 1982 by Dr. Jonathan G. Solomon, Hampton, Virginia, in honor of his parents The Paula and Ernest Sommers Scholarship Established in 1998 by Ernest Sommers, Chicago, Illinois The Eliezer and Genia (Chaine) Sotskover Scholarship Established in 1992 through bequests of Eliezer and Genia (Chaine) Sotskover, Ramat Gan, Israel The Hazel and David Spatz Scholarship Established in 2000 by the Spatz Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois The Samuel J. Spector and Augusta Spector Bursary Established in 1978 through a bequest of Augusta Spector, New York The Blanche and Max Steig Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Blanche Steig, New York The Oscar H. Stern Memorial Scholarship Established in 1976 through a bequest of Oscar H. Stern, New York The Leo and Rachel Sussman Scholarship Fund Established in 2008 through a bequest of Rachel Sussman, Garden City, New York The Roy L. Swarzman Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1990 by Matthew Bucksbaum, Marvin Pomerantz, and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Isaacson, Des Moines, Iowa The Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1985 by the Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute, Zurich, Switzerland The Nachman Syrkin and Mendel Osnos Scholarship Established in 1999 by Drs. Morton G. and Zivia Wurtele, Berkeley, California The Armin and Etel (Angyal) Szolovits Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 through bequests of Armin and Etel Szolovits, Hollywood, California The Isaac H. Taylor Scholarship Established in 1972 by Isaac H. Taylor, Ellicott City, Maryland The Werner and Daughter Renee Usansky Memorial Bursary Established in 1982 by Sra. Sara Z. de Usansky, Buenos Aires, Argentina The Minnie and Arthur Vare Scholarship Established in 1968 by the Minnie and Arthur Vare Foundation, New York The Rose and Ben N. Vollen Scholarship Established in 1993 through a bequest of Ben N. Vollen, Chicago, Illinois Master's Scholarship In Perpetuity Established in 2010 by Rami and Yael Unger, Israel The Wagner-Braunsberg Family Foundation Scholarship Fund Established in 2008 by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wagner, and Elizabeth Feinberg Graduate School 371 Wagner, Rockville, Maryland The Norma Walk Memorial Scholarship Established in 1971 through a bequest of Norma Walk, New York The Raoul Wallenberg Scholarship Established in 1980 by the Swedish Committee and the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science The George Wasserman Foundation/Janice Wasserman Goldsten Scholarship Established in 1994 by the George Wasserman Foundation and by Janice Wasserman Goldsten, Washington, D.C. The Dr. Edgar Weil Memorial Bursary Established in 1975 by an anonymous donor, Los Angeles, California The Charles Weinfeld Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 by the Charles Weinfeld Trust, Northbrook, Illinois The Celeste and Joseph Weingarten Memorial Scholarship Established in 1987 by Nancy Weingarten and friends, Boston, Massachusetts The Edythe & Samuel Weinstein Scholarship Established in 2002 by the Samuel Weinstein Family Foundation, Niles, Illinois The Joe and Celia Weinstein Master's Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1995 by Major Max and Sylvia Shulman, New York The Dr. Lee Franklin Weinstock Leadership Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Lee Franklin Weinstock, Detroit, Michigan The Samuel Wendorf Bursary for the Feinberg Graduate School Established in 2001 through a bequest of Samuel Wendorf, Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Sarah Werch Research Scholarship Fund Established in 1994 by the Solomon Carl Werch Trust, Chicago, Illinois The J. Stanley and Rose Weyman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1997 by Anne Weyman, London, United Kingdom The Estelle White Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 2001 through a bequest of Estelle White, New York The William W. Wilkow Scholarship Fund Established in 1987 by Mrs. William W. Wilkow, Chicago, Illinois The Dr. Albert and Blanche Willner Scholarship for Russian Students Established in 1993 by Dr. and Mrs. Albert Willner, Delray Beach, Florida The Women of Vision Scholarship Fund in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Established in 1996 by friends and supporters, South Florida Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Milton Young Memorial Bursary Established in 1980 by friends of Milton Young, New York The Alice Zacharia Scholarship 372 Feinberg Graduate School Established in 1983 by Madame Alice Zacharia, Paris, France The Ronald Zemell Memorial Master's Scholarship in Immunology or Biomedical Research Established in 2001 by Dr. and Mrs. David S. Papermaster, Bloomfield, Connecticut, in memory of Ronald Zemell The William N. Zinn Endowed Master's Scholarship Established in 2003 by Robert Zinn, Houston, Texas, and Natalie Zinn Haar, Cambridge, Massachusetts The Samuel Zonne Scholarship Established in 1980 through a bequest of Samuel Zonne, Minneapolis, Minnesota The Lillian and Samuel L. Zuckerman Bursary Established in 1959 by the Zuckerman family, New York, in honor of their parents' golden wedding anniversary

Annual and Semester M.Sc. Scholarships

The Daniel Amar Scholarship Established in 2010 by Daniel Amar, France The Janet Dwek Scholarship Established in 2009 by the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, in honor of Janet Dwek The Eugenie Fromer Student Needs Fund Established in 2010 by Eugenie Fromer, New York The Tamara Harlap Scholarship Established in 2009 by Tamara Harlap, Herzliya, Israel The Jorge Kassel Scholarship in the Earth Sciences Established in 1990 by Jorge Kassel, Naucalpan, Mexico The David and Pola Kuppermann Scholarship Fund Established in 2000 through a bequest of Pola Kuppermann, Flushing, New York The Edward C. Levy and Linda Dresner Levy Foundation Master's Scholarship Established in 2010 by Edward C. Levy and Linda Dresner Levy, Detroit, Michigan The Charles and Denise Noparstak Master's Scholarship Established in 2010 by Charles and Denise Noparstak, Northbrook, Illinois The Sassoon and Marjorie Peress Master's Student Scholarship Established in 2009 by Sassoon and Marjorie Peress, Harrison, New York The Anna and Isidore Roseman Foundation Semester Bursary Established in 1985 by the Anna and Isidore Roseman Foundation, Reading, Pennsylvania The Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation Scholarship Established in 2010 by the Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Feinberg Graduate School 373 Foundation, New York The Susan and Donald Schwarz Scholarship Fund Established in 2007 by Susan and Donald Schwarz, Sherman Oaks, California The Herman de Stern Stiftung Scholarship Established in 2007 by the Herman de Stern Stiftung, Jerusalem, Israel The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Scholarship Established in 2003 by the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Tulsa, Oklahoma 374 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center

The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center

Lia Addadi, Director The Dorothy and Patrick Gorman Professorial Chair

The Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Center The Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Center of the Weizmann Institute of Science was established in 1972, following the tragic death of Aharon Katzir-Katchalski at the hands of terrorists. The Center, set up as a living memorial to him, is administered through a Board of Trustees supported by an International Advisory Committee.

Mission The Center promotes activities in physical biology and macromolecular science and in such other areas of science that fall within the wide-ranging interests of Aharon Katzir-Katchalski. The Center furthers international scientific cooperation through the organization of scientific meetings and the exchange of scientists. Of particular concern to the Center is the impact of scientific and technological advances on human society.

Director Prof. Lia Addadi, Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School (ex officio).

Board of Trustees The Board presently composed of a number of ex-officio members: Prof. Lia Addadi; Prof. Daniel Zajfman, President; Dr. Isaac Shariv, Vice-President for Administration & Finance; Prof. Michal Neeman, Dean of the Faculty of Biology; Prof. Zvi Livneh, Dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry. Additional members are: Prof. Ruth Arnon, Prof. Michael Eisenbach, Prof. Uriel Littauer, Prof. Michael Sela, Prof. Joel Sussman, and Prof. Izchak Z. Steinberg.

Head of the local Advisory Committee The local advisory committee is appointed by the FGS Dean to oversee the ongoing operations of the center. Currently, this committee is headed by Prof. Rony Seger.

Administrative Coordinator Ms. Dalia Greenberg The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center 375 Financial Support The Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Center has for many years been the recipient of financial support from various Foundations including the Batsheva de Rothschild Fund for the Advancement of Science in Israel.

Activities

The Annual Katzir-Katchalski Conference

These conferences are held annually, alternately in Israel and abroad. To date 36 conferences have been held. The latest were:

2010: 36th Integrative Perspectives on the Development of the Musculoskeletal System Dr. Eldad Tzahor

2010: 35th Mitochondria:Function and Dysfunction Prof. Atan Gross

2009: 34th Protein Misfolding in the test tube and in disease Prof. Jerardo Lederkremer

2009: 33rd From physics to life: an interdisciplinary workshop Prof. Samuel Safran,Israel

2009: 32nd The MIF/CD74 pathway in health and disease Prof. Idit Shachar,Israel

2007: 31th The Unbearable Complexity of Life Prof. Abdussalam Azem, Prof. Nathan Nelson

2006: 30th Optical of Biomolecular Dynamics II Prof. Gilad Haran,Israel

2005: 29th Molecular Perspective on Protein-Protein Interactions Prof. Gideon Schreiber,Israel

2004: 28th The COP signalosome, the proteasome and e-IF3 at the interface between signaling and proteolysis Prof. Michael Glickman, Technion

1999: 27th Cellular Implications or Redox Signaling Chairpersons: C. Gitler, A. Danon

1998: 26th annual meeting "Polymer Based Technology" (POC 98) 376 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center Chairpersons: A. Warshavsky, M. Fridkin

1997: 25th annual meeting "From the Dawn of Life to the End of Days" 25th Annual Convention im Memory of Aharon Katzir.

1996: 24th, Bioinformatics-Structure. Chairperson: J. Sussman

1996: 23rd, International Conference on Environmental Impact of Polymeric Material. Chairperson: D. Vofsi

1994: 22nd, Plant Molecular Biology-Biotechnology and Environment, Max-Planck-Institute, Koln, Germany Chairpersons: R. Fluhr, I. Chet (Israel), J. Schell (Germany)

1993: 21st, Applications of Membranes in Industry, Rehovot, Israel Chairperson: O. Kedem, Israel

1992: 20th, In the Crucible of the Scientific Revolution-A Special Symposium Dedicated to Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Twenty Years After His Death Chairpersons: O. Kedem and J. Jortner, Israel

1991: 19th, Plant Bioenergetics and Ion Translocation, Rehovot, Israel Chairperson: Z. Gromet-Elhanan, Israel

1990: 18th, From Receptor to Cell Response-Physiology and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Sud, Italy Chairpersons: D. Corda (Italy) and M. Shinitzky (Israel)

1990: 17th, Molecular Control of Development-Growth Differentiation and Malignancy, Ein Gedi, Israel Chairperson: L. Sachs, Israel

The Annual Katzir-Katchalski Lecture on Biological Foundations and Human Behavior

These lectures, endowed by Mr. Stephen L. Stulman of New York, have been held in Rehovot since 1975. To date 29 lectures have been delivered. The latest were:

2010: 29th, Prof. Cori Bargmann, (The Rockefeller university, New York, USA): Genetic and neuronal networks for flexible behaviors. The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center 377 2010: 28th, Prof. Roger Y. Tsien, (University of California, San Diego, California, USA):Breeding and building molecules to spy on cells and tumors.

2008: 27th , Prof. David Baker, (University of Washington, Seattle, Wa.): From prediction of structure to design

2005: 26th, Prof. Roald Hoffmann, (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY): Honesty to the singular object: Some reflections on ethics, narrative, and science.

2004: 25th, Prof. David Baltimore, (California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California): The Many Faces of NF-kB

2003: 24rd, Prof. Daniel Kahneman (Princeton University and The Hebrew Univesity of Jerusalem): Intuition and Rationality.

2000: 23rd, Prof. Miroslav Radman (Universite Paris-V, France) Molecular and Population Genetics of Evolution. Fidelity of Biosynthetic Processes: Mechanistic and Medical Aspects.

1998: 22nd, Prof. Judah Folkman (Harvard Medical School) New Directions in Angiogenesis Research. Do Vascular Endothelial Cells Control Organ and Tissue Size?

1997: 21st, Charles Weissmann (University of Zurich) Prion Protein in Health and Disease

1996: 20th, Aaron Klug, F.R.S. (President Royal Society, London) Protein Designs for the Regulaiton of Gene Expression

1994: 19th, Joshua Jortner (President, The Isrel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Te Challenge of the Structure-Function Relation in Photosynthesis.

1993: 18th, Amos Tversky (Stanford University) Rationality of Cognitive Illusion; A New Approach to Subjective Probability

1992: 17th, Daniel E. Koshland (University of California, Berkeley), Transformation of Information Across Membranes in Biological Systems

1992: 16th , Nicole Le Douarin (Coll?ge de France, Paris),The Development of the Nervous System Analyzed in the Avian Model; Alternative Methods for Inducing Immunological Tolerance

1990: 15th, Jean-Pierre Changeux (Institut Pasteur, Paris), Communications in the Nervous System: From Molecules to Cognitive Functions; Molecular 378 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center Biology of Synapse Development

1989: 14th, George Klein (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm), I:The Neoplastic Microevolution a; II:The Neoplastic Microevolution b; III: The Role of Viral Transformation and Oncogene Activation by Chromosomal Translocation in the Genesis of B-Cell Derived Tumors

1988:13th, Arthur Kornberg (Stanford University, Stanford), Understanding Life as Chemistry; Initiation of DNA Replication at the Origin of the Chromosome

Katzir-Katchalski Travel Grants The program has been in operation since 1976. Travel grants are provided to graduate students working within the areas of the Center's interests, to facilitate their participation in courses, schools, and workshops abroad. Students from all Israeli institutions of higher learning are eligible. 000 such grants were awarded in 2010.

Special Activities The Center assists with the organization of scientific meetings that fall within its scope. The latest were:

2007: 32nd The Unbearable Complexity of Life Chairperson: N. Nelson

2006: 31st Optical Spectroscopy of Biomolecular Dynamics Chairperson: G. Haran, Israel

2006: 30th Life and Death in the Nervous System. Chairperson: M. Fainzilber, Israel

2005: 29th Molecular Perspectives on Protein-Protein Interactions Chairperson: G. Schreiber, Israel

1995: Israeli-Hungarian Conference: Plants and the Environment Chairperson: A. Zamir, Israel

1991: The 13th Edmond de Rothschild School in Molecular Biophysics: Chemotaxis of Cells and Unicellular Organisms Chairperson: M. Eisenbach, Israel

1988: 2nd International Congress of Plant Molecular Biology Chairperson: M. Edelman, Israel

1987: 9th International Biophysics Congress The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center 379 Chaiperson: H. Eisenberg, Israel http://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/katzir/contentE/index.html 380 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center Dean for Educational Activities

Dean: Israel Bar-Joseph

The Jane and Otto Morningstar Professor of Physics 382 Science Teaching

Science Teaching

Bat Sheva Eylon, Head The Chief Justice Bora Laskin Professorial Chair of Science Teaching

The Department is composed of groups working in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, life sciences, science and technology for junior-high school, and interdisciplinary issues. In all these areas there are extensive research and development projects, aimed at (1) studying science and mathematics learning and teaching and their development, (2) producing and implementing improved and up-to-date learning and teaching materials that integrate the use of modern technologies, and (3) providing professional development for teachers, all over Israel. Work is based on an underlying philosophy that considers curriculum development and implementation, teacher professional development, research and evaluation as interrelated and continuous long-term activities. Research studies focus on cognitive, socio-cultural and affective aspects of learning, teaching and learning to teach science and mathematics. The studies use various research methodologies: quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods.

The department operates several programs to promote the life-long learning and professional development of teachers: (1) Three national centers for science teachers (chemistry, physics, and science and technology in junior high school) that specialize in the development of leadership among science teachers and in continuous professional development for science teachers using effective models. The centers serve as academic professional source for development of teachers, support and counsel regional professional development programs, provide resource materials, and accompany the activities with research and evaluation. The National Centers are supported financially by the Ministry of Education (MALAM). (2) A program for students and graduates of the Feinberg Graduate School that grants teaching certificates. To date the program has educated 44 teachers. (3) A program for training mentor teachers to become guides of beginning teachers in schools. To date it has trained 100 mentor-teachers. (4) The Rothschild-Weizmann Program for Excellence in Science Teaching described below.

In the academic year 2008-2009 in collaboration with the scientific departments of the Institute, the department started the Rothschild-Weizmann Program for Excellence in Science Teaching. The program supports excellent Science Teaching 383 science and math teachers in obtaining an MSc from the Feinberg Graduate School in science and mathematics teaching. The program aims to empower teachers by providing them with unique opportunities to expand their knowledge of science and science teaching and be involved in innovative professional activities. Ninety seven high school teachers are currently enrolled in the program in four disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Scientists in these four disciplines and science educators have designed about 60 special courses for the program and mentor teachers in preparation of final projects. The program also operates a non-degree track for leading teachers for development and implementation of innovative field initiatives.

Mathematics Group Ruhama Even, Head

Integrated Mathematics Program (Matematica meshulevet R. Even, A. Friedlander): In response to the introduction of a new junior-high school mathematics curriculum by the Ministry of Education, the group is developing a new comprehensive junior-high school mathematics curriculum program. The program emphasizes problem solving, thinking, and reasoning for all students. It approaches the teaching of mathematics in junior-high schools in a spiral way, making connections among mathematical concepts, topics and domains. The experimental edition is currently trialed in more than 150 schools (more than 35,000 7th and 8th grade students).

Rehovot Excellence Program (Metzuyanut Rehovot A. Friedlander & R. Even): To address the needs of the most advanced and talented students, the group develops also materials for excellent junior-high school students. The materials include mathematical investigation activities, aiming at deepening and broadening student knowledge of mathematics. The experimental edition of the 7th and 8th grade materials is currently trialed in several schools.

Professional Development for Teachers (R. Even):

♦ The group works closely with hundreds of teachers all over the country, who experiment the new Integrated Mathematics curriculum program. ♦ The group, in collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics, operates the Rothschild-Weizmann's part related to math teachers. Presently, 23 students are participating in the mathematics strand. In addition, a group of 9 teachers participate in the non-degree track. This group is developing a Wiki textbook based on the textbook developed by the mathematics group and incorporating their own teaching experiences and knowledge. 384 Science Teaching ♦ The group continues to provide summer courses for interested teachers at all grade levels. ♦ The group initiates, supports and provides academic counseling to professional development programs and activities conducted by the Davidson Institute for mathematics teachers at all levels. The School for Nature and Environment Studies in Tel-Aviv Project (A. Friedlander): This selective "magnet" school was established in 1986. In view of the school's special focus and character, we cater for its needs by developing and experimenting with innovative learning materials and teaching frameworks for the general student population and for the mathematically talented students in particular. At a later stage, the developed materials and models are implemented in other schools and teacher activities as well.

Same Teacher Different Classes: the Interactions among teachers, curricula and classrooms (R. Even): The overarching aim of this research program is to gain insights about the complex interactions among teachers, curriculum and classrooms. To achieve that we compare teaching and learning mathematics in different classes of the same teacher and of different teachers, examining the enacted curricula, the teaching practices, the classroom culture, the mathematics offered to students, etc. In addition to studying actual classroom teaching in different classes of the same teacher and of different teachers, we study teachers' views on the textbooks they use and which curriculum materials they desire. The findings provide useful information for the curriculum and teaching development projects of the group.

Physics Group Bat-Sheva Eylon, Head

The group carries out research, development and implementation activities to advance the teaching of physics in grades 7-12. The activities aim to enhance the learning of the basic syllabus by all the students and to provide special programs and activities for excellent and underachieving students. A central objective of the group is the long term professional development of the community of physics teachers in Israel. The Group operates two internet sites in physics education: an internet site for physics teachers (http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/ptc) and an internet site for physics students (ALEPH.) (http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/aleph). In addition to many learning materials and activities, the teachers use the site to run activities offered through the teacher site (see below).

The PELE project (B. Eylon, E. Bagno): The goal of this project is the research- based development of a new track towards the physics matriculation that will enable teachers to extend the learning experiences that are available to their students (e.g. a variety of inquiry activities in the school lab, project-based learning, learning from articles, out of school environments and Science Teaching 385 topics extending the regular syllabus). A central component of students' assessment in this track will be a portfolio documenting their activities and the development of inquiry skills. Presently, about 30 teachers are enrolled in a pilot program. This year, the students of 10 teachers from this group will matriculate according to the new track. A PhD study investigates the teachers' learning and professional development in the process of introducing the new track into their classrooms.

'Physics and Industry' (B. Eylon): This program is carried out in collaboration of the physics group with the Electro-Optics industries and the Davidson Institute of Science. It targets excellent and interested physics students in grades 11-12 and is implemented by R. Arieli and D. Langley in the Davidson School of Contemporary Science. In the last 10 years, 271 excellent students studied in the program. Presently it is implemented also with high-potential students from low socio-economic backgrounds. This version of the program aims to develop these students' self-efficacy, learning skills and autonomy in learning, and their scientific and technological knowledge and problem-solving skills. A PhD study investigates the learning processes of these students and the attainment of the above mentioned learning goals.

The National Center for Physics Teachers (E. Bagno, B. Eylon): The overarching goal of the Center is to promote the professional development of physics teachers (about 1200 teachers) and to raise the quality of physics learning and teaching in Israeli high schools. Accordingly, the central activities of the Center focus on enhancing physics teachers' knowledge, establishing teacher leadership, maintaining professional interaction among teachers and supporting teachers' practice. The Center runs an interactive didactic website for teachers. The website is used extensively by the teachers, responding continuously to their needs and providing them with on-going support and user-friendly materials for instruction, ready for downloading and editing. The website enables teachers to interact with their colleagues. The Center conducts leadership workshops, designs and collects resource materials for the teaching of physics and runs a variety of projects. The Center works closely with the Ministry of Education. It coordinates many of the operations related to physics education in Israel and supports the implementation of national initiatives. The Center publishes an on-line journal for physics teachers (Tehuda) and organizes an annual conference and seminars for the physics teachers.

The Physics Center, in collaboration with the Junior-high School Center, has embarked this year on a program for promoting the teaching of physics in Junior-high School. Towards this aim, the Center is enacting several professional development programs: (1) a program for high school leading teachers to promote a 7-12 grade view of physics learning and teaching. (2) A program for physics teachers to become mentors for 7-9 grade science teachers 386 Science Teaching on physics topics that they teach. (3) Active involvement in the professional development programs for science and technology mentors in junior high school to enhance their physics knowledge and physics pedagogy in junior high school.

Rothschild-Weizmann Physics Program (B. Eylon, E. Bagno) : A group of 21 physics teachers are currently enrolled in the Rothschild Weizmann MSc program. Another group of teachers participate in the non-degree track, 6 last year and 6 this year. These teachers have participated in developing the PELE program (see above) and in the professional development of teachers participating in the program. The first group of teachers helped in designing, implementing and working with other teachers on the first version of the program. The Teachers this year extend the activities and develop new approaches to promote the PELE track (e.g., inquiry activities carried out in the context of historical case studies of physics experiments.)

Soft and Messy Matter (E. Yerushalmi, S. Safran from the Department of Materials and Interfaces): This project is carried out in collaboration with the Chemistry Group (S. Livne and A. Hofstein). The project involves research-based development of an interdisciplinary two-year program for a mixed group of students, chemistry and physics majors. The program is implemented in the Davidson Institute for Science Education in regional classes. Students participating in the program study basic concepts in statistical thermodynamics that allow them later on to study advanced, interdisciplinary topics such as colloid and interface science, complex fluids, and polymer science and cell mechanics. The project is accompanied by research on students' performance in, and perception of, the teaching of a current and interdisciplinary field of research. In addition, we study the learning and understanding of the fundamentals of statistical mechanics by high school students.

Web-based diagnostic modules (E. Yerushalmi, E. Bagno): Research-based development of web-administered activities in electromagnetism. The activities present students with common mistakes representing widespread alternative conceptions. The activities are intended to refine students' conceptual understanding through guiding them in analyzing the mistakes. The research focuses on the effect of resources provided along the activity on students' reconstruction of conceptual understanding.

Promoting reflective habits of mind in the Physics classroom (E. Yerushalmi)

♦ Professional Development of Teachers in the Arab sector: This project is carried out in collaboration with R. Safadi from the Arabic College for Education and involves development and implementation of professional development programs intended to advance students' Science Teaching 387 learning and problem solving skills in high school physics. In the yearlong, practice based, programs participants experience as students, try out in their classrooms and reflect on activities intended to develop the above skills. Accompanying research focus on teachers understanding of and attitudes towards the activities they try out in their classrooms. The results of this research inform the design of follow-up in-service and pre-service programs. ♦ Sample Solutions in Physics as a Resource for Learning and Teaching among Science Pre-Service Teachers from the Arab Sector in Israel : This project is carried out in collaboration with R. Safadi. The goal of this project is to study the learning outcomes and processes associated with a classroom activity intended to support learning from sample solutions. Students are instructed to represent the sample solution as a set of sub problems, in each of which they are required to identify the intermediate variables looked for, the physics principles used to find those and why it is appropriate to use them, and what explanation are missing in the solution. We study how well do students study sample solution using the above instructions, as compared to a less structured activity where they are asked to reflect on what they have learned from the sample solution. ♦ Instructors' consideration in designing worked out examples for their students: This project is carried out with collaborators at Michigan State and University of Pittsburgh. The goal of the project is to study instructors' considerations in designing worked out examples for their students. We focus on two groups of instructors - university physics faculty members and teaching assistants. The results will inform dissemination efforts of research based instructional strategies and materials focused on problem solving. Chemistry Group Avi Hofstein, Head

Chemistry Curriculum Development, implementation, and research (R. Mamlok-Naaman, A. Hofstein): The Group is engaged in all facets of chemistry >curriculum development, implementation and evaluation. In recent years, few textbooks and other learning materials were developed, in order to address the goals of the new chemistry curriculum in Israel. In order to disseminate innovative ideas in chemistry education, the group emphasizes the professional development of chemistry teachers in general and professional development of leading teachers in particular. The group is involved in several research studies focusing on chemical literacy, student understanding of concepts, and learning in the laboratory (development, implementation and assessment of inquiry-based chemistry experiments).

The chemistry group developed a unit for 12th grade students titled "Environmental Chemistry", and continued the process of professional 388 Science Teaching development for its implementation. This process was accompanied by intensive evaluation procedures (a PhD study). The practical work related to this module is conducted in collaboration with the NECHMAD project at the Davidson Center for Science Education.

Throughout the academic year the chemistry group initiated several programs for chemistry teachers with the goal in mind to enhance their content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge mainly in the National Center for Chemistry Teachers.

Multi-faceted learning of energy (Y. Shwartz): A longitudinal research study started during the 2009 academic year with the goal in mind to investigate students' understanding of the multi-disciplinary facets of energy, and the development of coherent view regarding key ideas.

Investigating students' Motivation to learn chemistry in high-school (Y. Shwartz): Science Studies in middle-school undergoes substantial changes these days. In addition, many students' are required to choose their major by the end of middles school and do not study physics-biology-chemistry during their first year in high-school. We investigate the effect of these changes on students' enrolment in chemistry in high-school, and compare differences between students who choose their major by the end of middle-school to those who study a basic chemistry course in high-school before they make their choice of a major. Last structured study of student's enrolment in chemistry took place in Israel at 1987 By Hofstein et.Al.

Development of students' argumentation and critical thinking, through a debate-like intervention plan (Y. Shwartz): This project is aimed at developing short interventions dealing with various conflicts that can be integrated into the formal syllabus.

Generating Knowledge Together (Y. Shwartz): Following the development of a community of practice of teachers using a wiki platform to generate knowledge together, as part of their participation in a chemistry leaders-teachers course. (The course is a part of the Chemistry Teachers National Center activity).

The international chemistry year (Y. Shwartz): Contributing to the organization and implementation of the International Chemistry year both in formal and informal science activities.

Questioning behavior of high school chemistry students (R. Blonder, A. Hofstein): The main goal of this research is to determine how the Inquiry Chemistry Laboratories program affects the questioning behavior of different populations. The research is conducted simultaneously at different sectors in Science Teaching 389 Israel: Arabic, Hebrew (religious), and Hebrew (secular) in order to identify the scientific thinking characteristics in the classes and the students' questioning behavior.

The Chemistry Teachers National Center (R. Mamlok-Naaman, A. Hofstein) : The National Center for Chemistry Teachers is coordinated by the chemistry group. The main goals of this center are: (1) Enhancing the content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of teachers, (2) developing leadership among chemistry teachers, and (3) establishing a core of chemistry teachers regarding the enhancement of new and more advanced chemistry topics (e.g. nanochemistry). The main activities focus on: (1) Conducting leadership workshops for chemistry teachers, (2) publishing a journal for chemistry teachers, organizing meetings and conferences, and (3) running an interactive website.

Link Center with the chemical industry in Israel (M. Kesner, A.Hofstein): The main goal of this Center is to provide instructional materials related to the applications of chemistry to industries. These materials include films and booklets that help in the planning and conducting of educational field trips to industrial sites in Israel. The Center operates a website containing a collection of pedagogical ideas and teaching materials relating the chemistry taught in school to industrial and everyday life applications in order to make chemistry more relevant to students.

In 2008-9 the center in collaboration with ICL industries initiated a project called "Chemistry, Industry and Environment in the Eyes of the Society and Individuals" This project include several competitions amongst high school students, including: research projects, posters, articles, short video films, and also quiz questions on the web. All these, aim at motivating students to learn chemistry and demonstrating the relevance of high school chemistry to daily life. Altogether about three hundreds students from 25 schools from all regions of the country participated this year in the project. The final event was a conference in the Davidson Center in which 110 students participated (the finalists).

Rothschild-Weizmann Chemistry program (R. Mamlok Naaman, R. Blonder, Y. Shwartz and A. Hofstein): This year a group of 25 chemistry teachers are enrolled in the Rothschild Weizmann MSc program. In addition to the general description regarding the Rothschild-Weizmann program we choose to highlight two unique initiatives based on collaborative efforts between members of the faculty of chemistry and the department of Science Teaching. The first is a three stage model to enhance the chemistry teachers' advanced chemistry content knowledge and its related pedagogical content knowledge (e.g. organic chemistry, protein chemistry, medicinal chemistry). The second initiative is the active involvement of the teachers in the topic nano-chemistry 390 Science Teaching and surface chemistry.

A group of 4 teachers are enrolled in the non-degree track. They prepare activities for the chemistry-year.

Life Sciences Group Anat Yarden, Head

The group's major objective is to establish means to bridge between the dynamics of biological discoveries and the biology that is taught in junior- and senior-high schools in Israel. Towards this objective the group developed a concept, which was adopted nation wide, to learn biology using scientific research articles that were adapted to the knowledge level of high-school biology students. During this year we developed three models for the teaching and learning of the opening sections of an APL article and examined their use by three biology teachers. The analysis of the teaching approach of the opening sections of an APL in the classroom illustrates the challenges presented by the use of scientific articles for learning and instruction and the strategies that might be useful in overcoming them. By comparing those models for the APL article, we aim at facilitating the use of different genres of scientific articles in class, and promoting the design of additional teaching/learning models.

Another approach we took towards our major objective involves the use of bioinformatics tools, which are extensively employed by molecular biologists, for teaching and learning genetics within the high school biology majors program in Israel. During the last year we developed a new learning environment that makes use of bioinformatics tools for high-school biotechnology majors. The learning environment invites the students to solve several authentic biotechnological problems while using 8 different bioinformatics tools (Entrez, BLAST-N, BLAST-P, ClustalW, ORF Finder, Primer3Plus, Prosite and Jmol) and the various genome databases, all freely available on the world-wide-web. The Bioinformatics tools are introduced to the learners in a virtual Bioinformatics Tool-Box that includes detailed tutorials as to how to use the tools while using the various genome databases, thus enabling to acquire the required procedural knowledge for solving the biotechnological problems. The environment also includes the declarative knowledge that is required for solving the problems, namely the relevant subject matter knowledge in biology, biotechnology and bioinformatics. The students are invited to combine the procedural knowledge, acquired through the use of the Bioinformatics Tool-Box, with their prior knowledge and the subject-matter knowledge that is available within the environment, in order to solve 6 biotechnological problems. Science Teaching 391 In addition, we recently developed and implemented laboratory experiments in molecular biology which enable the introduction of contemporary biology to high school students and teachers. Those laboratory experiments are carried out in a unique setting in which the high school biology teachers themselves teach their own students at the Davidson Institute laboratories, following appropriate professional training. This setting, which we termed Teacher-Led Outreach Laboratories (TLOL), enables both teachers and students to carry out modern molecular biology experiments, which cannot be implemented within the senior high-school laboratories (in collaboration with the Davidson Institute). During the last year we developed a new environment that allows high-school biotechnology majors to perform inquiry projects, entitled Biotech, that are part of their matriculation evaluation. We collaborated with scientists from the institute, as well as from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in establishing a co-teaching framework together with the Biotechnology teachers to support students' inquiry learning (in collaboration with the Davidson Institute).

In order to understand the declining interest young people have in pursuing scientific careers, we attempt to probe students' scientific interests in general, and their biological interests in particular. Towards this end, we developed a novel methodology to identify students' interests - using children's self-generated questions as an indication of their scientific interests. During last year we used the data collected from 5,000 self-generated science related K-12 students' questions, classified into seven science subjects, to quantitatively measure the gender gap in science interests and its change with age. Using this methodology we found that the difference between boys' and girls' science interests did not exist during early childhood, but increased over 20-fold by the end of high school. Furthermore, the gap widened in a stereotypical manner, with girls being increasingly interested in biology and boys more interested in physics and technology. This novel method could be applied for identifying and comparing the gender gap in science interests between different populations based on different data sources.

Finally, a group of 28 biology teachers are currently enrolled in the Rothschild-Weizmann MSc program. Another group of 4 biotechnology teachers (holding MSc or PhD degrees) currently participate in an initiative to implement the learning of bioinformatics as an elective topic within the program for high school biotechnology majors in 12th grade. During the last year a group of 4 biology teachers (holding MSc degrees) developed initiatives for the high school biology majors program (11th-12th grades). Those initiatives focused on three topics: incorporating bioethics issues into the core topics of the biology program, learning about the living cell via hands-on laboratory experiments, and learning ecology using adapted primary literature. The initiatives program is accompanied by extensive research on the development of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge in the course of the 392 Science Teaching program.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Group Nir Orion, Head

The Group is involved in curriculum development, implementation and evaluation involving students from kindergarten to high school. The curriculum materials are developed for a variety of learning environments: the laboratory, the outdoors, the computer and the classroom.

Ongoing projects include:

♦ Development of new curriculum materials for the senior high school; ♦ Development of new curriculum materials for junior high school; ♦ Development of new curriculum materials for elementary school; ♦ The introduction of the outdoors as a an integral and central learning environment of the science curricula; ♦ Intervention projects in elementary and junior high schools in order to introduce new strategies, methods and emphasis of teaching the science curricula; ♦ Studying how to develop environmental insights among K-12 students; ♦ Development of practical and effective ways and techniques for using science education as a tool to close social gaps and cultural differences; ♦ Development of practical and effective ways to use the computer as a distance learning tool; ♦ Development of practical and effective ways and techniques to lead changes among teachers; Computer Science Group Mordechai Ben-Ari, Head

Computer science for middle school students (M. Ben-Ari, M. Armoni) : The main topic of our work this year is on teaching computer science (CS) to young students (middle schools). We are evaluating two programs: Computer Science Unplugged and Scratch, and we are considering developing learning materials for robotics.

Computer Science Unplugged is a set of activities for learning about CS. The activities do not require the use of a computer; rather, central concepts of CS are introduced using dramatizations, paper-and-pencil worksheets, and other simple learning aids. The activities are aimed at young students and are intended to show them that CS is much more than installing and running programs on a computer. While there is no question that the CS Unplugged activities are a lot of fun, our research is investigating whether participation in the activities will actually change view and attitudes towards CS. Science Teaching 393 Scratch is a programming environment that enables students to construct programs that generate and interact with animated figures. The programming is done visually so that students need not deal with the complex textual syntax of ordinary programming languages. Many students use Scratch to develop games and stories, but we are investigating whether it can be used to successfully teach concepts of computer science. We are developing learning materials for this purpose and carrying out research design to test the effectiveness of this approach. The research is being carried out in both Hebrew-language and Arabic-language schools (in East Jerusalem).

Teaching advanced topics (M. Ben-Ari) : We have developed software tools for learning concurrent and distributed computation. Our most recent work is focused on model checking, an advanced method for verifying the correctness of programs that we believe can be adapted for teaching high school and undergraduate students.

Debugging (M. Ben-Ari, M. Armoni) : Many beginning students of programming find it extremely difficult to develop adequate skill for "debugging" (find errors in a program). We have started a research program aimed at finding interventions that can improve learning of this important skill.

On Learning Live Sequence Charts (M. Armoni, D. Harel from the Mathematics and CS Faculty) : LSC (Live Sequence Charts) is a language designed for specifying the behavior of reactive systems. LCS is of unique nature, compared to other programming languages, since it is scenario-base, and it uses visual-diagrammatic syntax. We are studying issues concerning the learning processes of LCS, specifically how students internalize CS concepts when studying LCS, how does learning LCS affect their problem solving habits, and more.

Introduction to CS using the OO paradigm (M. Armoni, D. Ginat from Tel Aviv University) : Introduction to computer science involves the design and implementation of solutions to computational problems. This can be done in several paradigms, of which the most widely used for introductory CS courses is the object-oriented paradigm. We are examining how various educational approaches for using the object-oriented paradigm (object-first, object-second) affect students' learning processes and their outcomes.

Teaching Computational Science (M. Armoni) : Computational Science is a unit developed for advanced high school students, dealing with the design and use of computerized models to model scientific phenomena. The unit includes topics of science, mathematics, and computer science. From the perspective of computer science, we aim to understand the interaction between these three disciplines, and specifically how the combined learning affects the understanding of computer science concepts. 394 Science Teaching Science and Technology in Junior-High School Group Bat-Sheva Eylon, Head

The National Teacher Center for Science and Technology in JHS. (Z. Scherz, B. Eylon): This Center serves an audience of ~5000 S&T teachers within Israel and supports the regional teacher frameworks. It is an interdisciplinary science teachers center that relates to the main science education disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences) as well as technology. The main goal of the National Center is to develop leading science teachers who will lead science and technology professional development programs in their regions, as well as participate in regional educational projects and initiatives. This is achieved through long-term courses and workshops (e.g. 'Physics for Biology teachers', 'use of technologies in education', 'assessment for learning', 'integration of high-order skills into science learning'). The National Center organizes annual conferences (~500 participants on average) and workshops, publishes an annual teacher's magazine, and supports an influential S&T teachers' website (MOTNET). In particular, the National Center leads and supports initiatives and reforms under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Education, and influences their dissemination throughout the country. In the 2009-2010 school years the National Teachers Center for S&T has been very influential in helping the Ministry of Education to implement a major reform aimed at improving students' science learning and their achievements. In the last two years we have been conducting five parallel long-term courses throughout the country for 170 S&T teacher leaders. We have already developed eight teaching/ learning/ assessment modules for 7th and 8th grade S&T teachers in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as well as guidance materials for leading teachers. This involvement will continue in the year 2010-11 and will be extended to 9th grade and towards developing a program for outstanding students in S&T.

LSS - Learning Skills for Science Program (Z. Scherz, B. Eylon): This program supports students in developing several high-order learning skills, such as information retrieval, scientific reading, scientific writing, listening and observing, and knowledge representation and presentation. The instructional materials in English, which were published in collaboration with the Science Enhancement Program (SEP, UK), the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), and the Nuffield Curriculum Centre (UK) include a students' activity book, an extended guide for teachers, resources (relevant texts and articles for several main science topics), a trainers' manual, an updated website, and assessment tasks The program for grades 14-16 has been adopted and farther developed for the British educational system as part of their "Science for the Scientists" and "Science for the Citizens" curriculum.

Since 2007 a new advanced LSS program was developed implemented for the Post 16 (ages 16-18) level. This program aims at four scientific disciplines: Science Teaching 395 Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Applied sciences and initiated a new wave of teacher development and dissemination. As of 2010, the LSS program has been formally integrated into the revised 21st Century Science Program in England. The LSS program has been disseminated through 9 Science Centers in the UK and was adopted also in Northern Ireland and Ireland. LSS teachers' workshops were also carried out by us in Brazil, Singapore, and Latvia and teachers in these countries worked on integrating the program into their science curriculum. Recently we have been requested to conduct teachers' workshops in the USA, Canada, and Germany. In 2009 we were awarded a grant by the Israeli Ministry of Education to translate the extended English version of LSS back into Hebrew in order to adapt it to the new science syllabus and to implement it into Israeli secondary schools, which will be accomplished in 2011.

Interdisciplinary Science Group David Fortus, Head

The interdisciplinary science education group, which brings together faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and consultants with a range of scientific and pedagogical backgrounds, studies: A) the environmental factors that influence adolescents' motivation to engage in science learning in and outside of schools, B) novel ways of representing individual's science knowledge on a given topic and its development across time, facilitating the development of learning progressions, C) the development of scientific practices and core scientific ideas that are fundamental across all scientific disciplines, D) coordination of curriculum across the scientific disciplines, E) ways of using on-line readings on cutting edge science to enhance students' interest in science, and F) characterizing the nature, strengths, and weaknesses of science education in Israeli Waldorf schools. Most of the groups' research is focuses on middle school students, but there are also some projects involving elementary and high school students.

CMLeS Continuing Motivation to Learn Science - Multiple studies have documented that student motivation and goal orientation towards mastering science learning declines as they grow older, especially during the transition from elementary to middle school. Possible reasons for this decline have been suggested, but they have not been tested nor compared to evaluate their relative influence. The CMLeS project investigates the relation between multiple environmental factors, students' perceptions of the factors, and the development of students' motivation and goal orientation as they progress from 5th to 8th grade. It focuses in particular on differences between traditional and democratic schools, teaching styles, peer and parent influence, and differences between in-school and after-school engagement in science learning. 396 Science Teaching ReKoTa Representing Knowledge Trajectories Using a knowledge-in-pieces perspective, we have developed a computer-based graphical method for representing the development of students' knowledge of concepts in chemical bonding. This representation facilitates quick diagnosis of weaknesses and strengths in students' understanding, identification of concepts that are not taught and assessed properly, and comparison of different pedagogical approaches.

IQWST - Investigating and Questioning the World through Science and Technology - is an NSF-funded project which is developing the next generation of inquiry-based science curricula for middle schools. The curriculum includes 12 units, 4 in each year, 3 in each of the following disciplines: physics, chemistry, life science, and earth science. The project brings together educators, scientists, psychologists, and literacy experts from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science.

http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/menu/ Science Teaching 397 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Abraham Arcavi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lester B. Pearson Professorial Chair Bat Sheva Eylon, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Chief Justice Bora Laskin Professorial Chair of Science Teaching Avi Hofstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service)

Professors Emeriti

Maxim Bruckheimer, Ph.D., Southampton University Uri Ganiel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Mordechai Ben-Ari, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ruhama Even, Ph.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States The Rudy Bruner Professorial Chair of Science Teaching Nir Orion, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Anat Yarden, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Michal Armoni, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel David Fortus, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States Yael Shwartz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Edit Yerushalmi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Staff Scientists

Esther Bagno, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alex Friedlander, Ph.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States Rachel Mamlok-Naaman, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Zahava Scherz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientist

Ron Blonder, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 398 Science Teaching Senior Intern

Tami Levy Nahum, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Science Education Staff

Ilana Hopfeld, PhD., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Shelly Livne, PhD., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Naomi Robinson, MA., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Adi Rosen, MA., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yetty Varon, MA., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Rachel Cohen (left July 2010) Osnat Eldar, Oranim College, Haifa, Israel Nurit Hadas Rina Hershkovitz Naomi Taizi Nurit Zehavi

Visiting Scientists

Robert Eisdorfer, Shady Grove Hospital, U.S.A. Michael Ford, University of Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A. Barbara Jaworski, Loughborough University, UK

Postdoctoral Fellows

Yael Bamberger, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Adi Ben-David, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Furman Shaharabani, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Eilat Hasson, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yossy Machluf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Orni Meerbaum Salant, Ph.D., Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Yamit Sharaabi Naor, Ph.D.,Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Molly Yunker, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Research Students

Giora Alexandron Rahela Alfasi Neta Avraham Green Michal Ayalon Tom Bielik Iyad Dkeidek Osnat Eldar Orna Fallik Science Teaching 399 Zehorit Kapach Dvora Katchevich Elena Korman - Raved Elon Langbeheim Daphna Mandler Shai Olsher Menashe Puterkovski Ronit Rozenszajn Tali Shapiro Awwad Sharaf Michal Stolarsky Ben-Nun Rivka Taub Dana Vedder-Weiss Hagit Yarden Malka Yayon Administrator

Mali Karni 400 Davidson Institute of Science Education

Davidson Institute of Science Education

Prof. Haim Harari, Chairman of the Board

Dr. Ariel Heimann, Director General

The Davidson Institute strives to advance science, mathematics, and technology education in Israel. Its mission spans upon a range of activities aimed at teachers, school-children and the general public conducted over more than 40 years.

The Institute draws heavily on the cooperation of the Weizmann Institute's scientific community. The involvement of scientists and research students in all its programs provides our target audiences with the unique and indispensable experience of interacting with active scientists and their work. In addition, the influence of several Davidson Institute's programs (on the school-children's and teachers' performance in school) is being researched by Ph.D. students from the Weizmann Institute's Department of Science Teaching. The Davidson Institute aspires to include a wide spectrum of target groups and activities. Activities are offered to populations ranging from young children to adults, from Israel and from abroad, from the north to the south of the country, from the nearby center and from the periphery, from various communities (Jews, Christians, Arabs, and Druze), and from those who can pay to those in need of scholarships. Activities range from one-time or short-term activities to multi-year intensive programs; the content ranges from very advanced level to popular science for a non-scientific audience, and is offered in a variety of languages (Hebrew, English, Arabic, and Spanish). Over 300,000 individuals participate in a wide range of activities annually. The Davidson Institute's staff and activities are organized in two mini-campuses within the Weizmann Institute: the southern campus houses most of the Students Activities Unit, the Teachers Professional Development Unit, the Technology in Education Unit and the Perach tutorial project, while the northern complex houses most of the Science for All Unit activities, including the Clore Garden of Science.

Following the recent process of re-organization, the Davidson Institute experienced a fruitful year in 2009-10. Several entirely new programs were initiated: Davidson Institute of Science Education 401 ♦ A new website, offering both information about the Institute's activities and, equality important, an online platform for a wide variety of popular science resources "Davidson Online" is being designed and will be launched during 2011. ♦ The Davidson Institute and Weizmann Institute are exploring the possibility of a new research and science education center in the Yatir Forest that will combine environmental research and will involve visiting high school students. ♦ The Kraar Observatory Project offers students from around the world the opportunity to gaze at the Israeli skies through the new telescope that has been erected on top of the Koffler Tower at the Weizmann Institute. Activities to maximize the potential of the telescope are being developed. Many other programs such as Katom laptop project, Science camps for youth, Astronomy for All, Science by Mail, etc. extended the scope of their activities to new audiences and broadened their areas of influence.

Students Activities' Unit - TELEM1 Dr. Yehuda Ben-Hur, Head

The Unit nurtures and advances the scientific and technological education in the formal education system as well as in chosen informal frameworks, focusing on the student as the main part of the educational cycle. The Students Unit plans, organizes and performs a variety of programs for classes and individual students, in all grades and levels. The Units' programs address the needs of excellent students interested in advanced science and technology, regular classes of heterogeneous population, low-achieving at-risk students, and high school drop outs. The Unit includes the following programs:

"SHLAV"2 : A program for the Advancement of Low Achievers in Mathematics The SHLAV program for advancing low achievers in mathematics at the secondary school level aims at increasing the number of at-risk students who pass the Matriculation exam in mathematics. The program seeks to promote equity in the mathematical education offered to Israeli students by improving the quality of mathematics teaching in low-track mathematics classes, especially in the peripheral and low-income areas of Israel. The program started in 2004 and shifted in 2007-8 from its pilot phase to an extended mode of implementation. In the 2009-10 school year the program was active in 29 classes spread all over Israel, including schools from the Arab and Druze sectors.

Science Programs for Classes The "Science Programs for Classes" program introduces topics from the 402 Davidson Institute of Science Education frontiers of science to k-12 classes within single or multi-day frameworks. It aims to stimulate students' curiosity and challenge their scientific thinking through advanced inquiry experiments conducted by teachers and students, using state-of-the art laboratory equipment. The program encompasses activities in chemistry, physics, biology, biotechnology and environmental science. The framework includes:

♦ Advanced inquiry lab experiments lead by students' school science teachers ♦ Scientific lectures given by Davidson Institute's staff and Weizmann Institute's scientists ♦ Visits to scientists' labs ♦ Visits to the Clore Garden of Science ♦ Visits to the Weizmann House

In the 2009-10 school year the program was attended by 770 classes, totaling 22,000 students from all over Israel.

An additional 7,500 students in 250 classes from all over the country enjoyed science enrichment activities brought to their schools by the "Science Mobile". The Science Mobile is a large van, equipped with scientific exhibits and educational aids, which carries instructors and the science programs to outlying schools, in order to convey the excitement of scientific discovery to the students and teachers in 4th -9th grades. Moreover, beginning in the 2009-10 school year, the Science Mobile is involved in the "School for hospitalized children" programs in Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, and in Asaf Harofe Medical Center.

"KATOM"3 - Preparing the teachers and students for education in the digital era by integrating laptop computers into class educational activities KATOM is an educational program whose goal is to promote and pave the road to more advanced and updated learning and teaching methods by integrating laptop computers (or any other future technical appliance) into class activities. The program is focused on the concept of providing school students and their teachers with laptops as tools that enhance and enrich their learning experience.

Based on the experience of recent years, establishing the 'KATOM community' with main focus in supporting teachers along the process is essential. Special emphasis is placed on a teachers' development program, focusing on the new educational process and the changes it requires from all parties involved - teachers, students, parents and the local authorities. In addition, the program supports a special purpose website to facilitate the Davidson Institute of Science Education 403 KATOM community to promote collaboration.

In order to study the effects of this intervention, an evaluation process is being applied as an essential part of the experiment, thus enabling appropriate adjustments based on on-line data collection analysis. In 2009-10 school-year the KATOM program has significantly expanded its activities, by adding over 1,500 students, 240 teachers and 54 new classes nationwide to the laptop learning and teaching community with a notable expansion in Ashdod. Ashdod municipality adopted KATOM to be the leading computer program implemented in junior high school, thus adding 11 schools to the KATOM community. In Yoqneam, Kfar Saba, Carmiel and Kiryat Ata new classes joined the program within already active schools, expanding the local KATOM community beyond its existing scope. In total, KATOM is currently being implemented in 26 schools in 12 municipalities, with new participants from Beit Shemesh and Gesher Haziv, (in addition to Ashdod). The KATOM community in 2010 includes 2400 students (7th-9th grade) and 400 teachers.

The School of Contemporary Science The School of Contemporary Science complements the formal educational system. It attempts to assist outstanding students interested in expanding their knowledge beyond the level taught at school, by exposing them to the latest advancements and developments in science and technology. Meeting the highest standards, the School offers interdisciplinary courses not addressed within the regular school system, taught by a highly professional staff of the Davidson Institute, in collaboration with the Weizmann Department of Science Teaching, and, in some cases, in collaboration with outside organizations such as HEMDA Science Center in Tel Aviv and El-Op Industries.

The courses are carried out in the framework of regional classes. Depending on the particular course, students are usually eligible for academic credit towards the matriculation exams. In 2009-10, the School offered seven courses:

♦ "MOACH"4 (Computational Science) ♦ Physics and Industry ♦ Computer Science, Academia and Industry ♦ Energy and Environment ♦ Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology ♦ Soft Matter ♦ "AVODOT GEMER" research project an opportunity to conduct an individual student research project under the supervision of a WIS scientist (or a research student) and submit the results to the Ministry of Education as a part of the students' matriculation exams. Over 500 students took part in the various courses of the School of Contemporary Science in the 2009-10 school year. 404 Davidson Institute of Science Education "Active Science" Education Activities for Youth MAPATZ Hebrew acronym for Young Active Science Groups - was developed by the Davidson Institute of Science Education in the belief that science can be used as a mean to promote and develop students. The program operates as a tool to empower students with unfulfilled potential, to enhance their motivation and help them reach their true abilities. The program uses "hands-on" science activities as a tool to give these students a sense of self-efficacy and increase their confidence by developing social and academic skills of team work, communication, logical and critical thinking, and investigative skills. Members of the Davidson Institute staff carefully train, support, and guide the instructors, and provide supervision throughout the program season. The program consists of three modules:

♦ CAMP5 active science groups- for youth at risk (age 15-17) ♦ KAMATZ6 young science groups for middle school underachieving students ♦ KAMEA7 - for immigrants' science groups "CAMP" module creates science activities for high-school students who have dropped out of the formal educational system. In this framework, 15-18-year-old boys and girls participate in a four-hour weekly science course for three years. The courses focus on scientific topics intended to attract, challenge and interest the participants, such as "Science and Music," "Science of Toys," "The Environment and Me", etc. In the 2009-10 academic year, around 110 boys and girls from the towns of Lod, Rehovot, Rishon-LeZion, Nes-Ziona, Yahud, Ramle , Tamra, Ashdod, Beer-Sheva, Kiryat-Gat, Netanya, Yavneh, Daliyat el-Carmel, Tirat-haCarmel, and Ashkelon took part in the program, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the National Insurance Institute and the local authorities.

"KAMATZ" module provides science activities for underachieving middle school students (12-14 years old) to prevent them from dropping out in the future. The program is geared at children at the bottom third of their classes, who are underachieving but are not necessarily less talented than their peers. Each group is led by a team of two instructors. Currently the KAMATZ program runs in the following towns: Kiryat Malachi, Nes-Ziona, Sderot, Rishon-LeZion, Hadera and Yerucham.

The "KAMEA" module was designed to help immigrant students with a high potential to excel and assist their integration into Israeli society. The KAMEA program operated this year as a pilot program in the town of Lod. The group consisted of 19 seventh-grade middle-school first-and second-generation immigrants with relatively high capabilities. Focusing on scientific theory, the program led to in-depth discussions of scientific and technological concepts. Throughout the course, the students bonded and formed very positive friendships. This group's members were characterized by their willingness to Davidson Institute of Science Education 405 help each other, their teamwork skills, and their curiosity and interest in the subject matter. The participants' relationship with the KAMEA instructors was excellent, and attendance was among the highest in the MAPATZ program.

In the 2009-10 academic year 35 groups (~ 450 students) took part in the MAPATZ program. At the conclusion of the year, the students in all frameworks presented their individual and group projects in a "Science Fair" for parents, teachers, and peers.

Science for All Unit "Shoam"8 Dr. Kobi Lavie, Head

The Science for All Unit aims at stimulating the enthusiasm and interest of school children and adults in science and scientific thinking. The Unit offers a great variety of enrichment activities for different audiences of all ages, in almost every field of science.

Most of the Unit's programs take place at the Davidson Institute's northern campus, which includes the Laub International Science Youth Village and laboratories. The Laub International Science Youth Village, a dormitory facility with 20 rooms that accommodates up to 80 people, a clubhouse, office, and the village square, offers accommodations participants in the summer programs and also allows multi-day programs for students from all over Israel and abroad. Some of the Unit's programs receive support from the Ministry of Education and from the Ministry of Culture.

Below is a listing of the programs offered by the Unit and the number of their participants in the 2009-10 school year: Weekly Science Clubs: After-school clubs in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science, astronomy and robotics were attended by 320 students from (3rd -12th grade).

Math-by-Mail: An international correspondence program via mail, email and the web platform, aimed at math enthusiasts from 3rd to 9th grade. In the 2009-10 school-year over 2,500 participants in Israel, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the USA enjoyed the program in its Hebrew, English, Spanish and Arabic versions.

Science-by-Mail: Math by Mail's "sister program," initiated in 2007, offered in 2009-10 in Israel in Hebrew and Arabic to over 400 students.

"Arrow" program for young researchers: A research program aimed at nurturing young scientists. Top 10th grade students from all over Israel participate in this three year program, starting with an overview of modern science (10th grade) followed by involvement in individual research projects 406 Davidson Institute of Science Education (11th grade) under the supervision of a WIS scientist/graduate student. 248 students in total participated in the program in the 2009-10 school-year.

"Young Buds" program: A three year scientific program for outstanding 9th grade students from selected peripheral settlements. Through lectures, various lab activities and tours of the Weizmann Institute's facilities the students are introduced to a world of contemporary scientific research emphasizing the unsolved questions in science and how they are dealt with. The program also attempts to confront the students with bio-ethical dilemmas incorporating Jewish and other ethics. 200 students in total participated in this program.

"Sparks of Science": A unique science enrichment program, focusing on reinforcement of curricular Math and English and on individual tutorship for 9th to 12th grade students of Ethiopian origin. The program's main goal is to bring these students to a level which will enable them to be admitted to academic science and engineering education. 250 students took part in this program in the 2009-10 school year.

"Women Scientists Today and Tomorrow": A mentoring program aimed at encouraging female high school students to pursue professional career in science by using one-on-one email communication. 20 girls and 20 female WIS researchers participated in the program in 2009-10.

Summer Science Residential Programs in which the participants work in actual research laboratories, mentored by a WIS graduate students and scientists.

♦ The Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute: A four week international summer science program for top pre-college high-school graduates. The participants conduct their own research at the Weizmann labs and research groups under the individual supervision of scientists and Feinberg School graduate students (78 students from 18 countries participated in this year camp). ♦ The Amos De-Shalit Summer Science Workshop: though this workshop did not take place in the summer of 2010, efforts are being made to ensure it does in the summer of 2011. ♦ "University Within Reach" a two week science camp for middle school students, performed this year with 25 students from Eilat. ♦ "Zutta" Camp: One week mini-camp for 10th graders of the "Arrow" program, attended this year by 36 students from all over the country. ♦ Math Camp for youth of Druze minority: A three day program for outstanding Druze high-school students from all over Israel, carried out for the second time in 2009-10 with 35 students. Davidson Institute of Science Education 407 ♦ Raya Cowan Science Camp: Held in cooperation with the World Ort organization for Jewish high school students from Israel and abroad. 18 students from various countries and from Israel took part in this three-week science camp. Competitions in Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics:

♦ The Prof. Joseph Gillis Mathematics Olympiad for high school students had 100 students in competition. ♦ The JHS 'Zuta' Mathematics Olympiad for middle school students is carried out in two stages: 450 students took part in the first stage, and 100 students passed to the second stage competition. ♦ The Shalhevet Freier (Safe-Cracking) Physics Tournament is an international team competition for 11th and 12th graders. 48 teams from various countries including Australia, Canada, England, Italy, Slovenia, Thailand, USA and Israel competed this year totaling 170 students. ♦ Chemistry Tournament: A four month competition, beginning with an early stage in which teams of high school students work at school and at home, and culminating in a two day on-campus event. The first day is devoted to learning modern chemical separation and compound identification instrumentation, followed by the tournament day itself. 50 students participated in this competition in 2009-10. Lectures and activities in popular science:

♦ The Fifth Annual Katzir lecture: This scientific lecture for high-school students was attended by 600 participants from across the country, and broadcasted by remote live web to three different sites in Israel. ♦ The Amos De-Shalit Popular Science Lectures: A series of three lectures by prominent Weizmann Institute scientists open to the public was attended by 580 students. ♦ "Science Cafe": An informal face-to-face discussion with a scientist about current science topics. The lecture, open to everyone in casual settings, over a cup of coffee attracts science enthusiasts of all ages. There were 14 such meetings this year, attended by 1,190 participants, mostly adults. ♦ Astronomy Club: The three on-campus and three off-campus Astronomy Club meetings and lectures about astronomy and astrophysics, followed by naked eye and telescope star gazing were attended by 242 adults and school students. ♦ Researchers Night: A single scientific evening event for general public held simultaneously by universities, science museums and research institutes all across Israel in late September. The event was initiated, funded and coordinated by the European Union and takes place all across Europe. This year 4,500 participants participated in 408 Davidson Institute of Science Education open lab tours, guided visits to the Foucault Pendulum, the 3D Molecular Theater, and simultaneous on-and off-campus lectures in Rehovot and nearby towns (including attendance at the Clore Garden activities). ♦ "Meetings at the Frontiers of Science" - a series of lectures in popular science aiming to promote science literacy by introducing the general public to cutting-edge scientific research in a popular manner. The series, comprised of 8 lectures in each of its series, in two separate semesters are given in several locations: the Davidson Institute campus, the Hemda Science Education center in Tel-Aviv, and in six Hi-Tech industry companies (such as El-Op Ltd,- the electro optic industry, the Israel Aerospace Industry etc.) In 2009/10, 16 lecture series took place, with a total of 1,200 participants. ♦ Debates on Issues in Bioethics (in memory of the late Prof. Hanan Bar-On): Three topic evenings dealing with different issues of bioethics were carried out during 2009-10, drawing an audience of around 600 participants. These discussions bring together two or three leading experts who presented different perspectives on bioethics, followed by a panel discussion with audience comments and active participation. ♦ Culture and Science evenings: "The Chemistry of Chocolate" event which included a scientific lecture, demonstrations and tastings was attended by 200 participants. ♦ "Games and puzzles" mini conference: An annual gathering dedicated to puzzles, riddles, and games in recreational mathematics. The event takes place during the month of March each year and is attended by students from 10th grade and up, as well as for the general public. This year around 200 participants enjoyed an evening of lectures, games, workshops, and game exchange. The Annual "Science Festival" The Weizmann Institute opens its gates to the general public for two days of scientific thrill, for the first time this year during the Sukkoth vacation. The festivities include exhibits, competitions, performances, workshops and guided tours. Science lovers of all ages have the opportunity to experience the excitement of scientific inquiry and explore the natural world through hands-on experiments. Weizmann Institute's research teams, at the forefront of world science, present their fields of research using demonstrations and simple, accessible language. Tours of the campus take visitors through the festival's attractions and introducing them to the Institute's historical sites, scientific labs and other attractions. The evenings are dedicated to panel discussions and 'Science Café' activities, featuring talks by top Weizmann scientists. This year, the festival took place on September 27-28, 2010, attracting around 10,500 visitors. Activity locations were spread all around the institute at six main areas: Solar-Tower building, Clore Garden of Science, "Knowledge-ranch", "Jubilee plaza", in addition to performance area and the Davidson mini campus. Furthermore, many guest organizations Davidson Institute of Science Education 409 contributed to the festival with various activities: 'Techno-Da' from Haifa, Jerusalem Science Museum of Science, Israel's Police Department, IDF, etc.

Delegations to Programs Abroad:

♦ London International Youth Science Forum: A delegation of five Israeli high school students attended this annual science camp in London along with more than 250 from over 50 countries. ♦ Stockholm International Youth Science Forum - a one week symposium of selected high school graduates, held in conjunction with the Nobel Prize events. One student participated in this forum in December this year. ♦ Other science camps abroad attended by Israeli high-school students, delegated by the Institute: ◊ PI camp at Petnica Science Center, Serbia (2 students) ◊ NYEX at XLAB Güttingen in Germany (1 student) ◊ A science delegation to Korea (6 students) ◊ RSI at MIT, Cambridge Massachusetts (1 student) ◊ Asia Science Camp in India (4 students) The Clore Garden of Science

The Clore Garden is an open-air science museum, unique among science museums as its entire collection of exhibits is displayed outdoors. Ever since its establishment in 1998, the garden has been a center for innovation and inspiration to science museums all over the world. Clore Garden introduces its visitors - students, families and the general public to the fascinating world of natural science phenomena, using its one-of-a-kind exhibits, which demonstrate various principles in physics.

In the course of the 2009-10 school-year, a total of 59,137 visitors toured the Clore Garden of Science. Around 31,000 were students (most of them visiting with their classes), and around 14,000 were adults (visiting in group or in individual frameworks).

Here are the various programs and activities that took place at the Garden during this period:

♦ Educational programs The Garden offers many different educational programs that can be ordered in various frameworks for groups of students, teachers, etc. For example: "Sensing our Senses," "Waves," "Solar Energy and Optics", "Balancing Act", "Discovering the Garden," "Water, Water Everywhere," "Something Electric," "Why the Sun," "Come for a Spin," "Connections in Math," "A Taste of Science," etc. 410 Davidson Institute of Science Education ♦ Ecology program in the Ecosphere: A series of four meetings carried out over the school year, in which the students explore, design and build their own experimental systems. Each group of students focuses on a different Ecological topic such as - compost, light and growth, biodiversity and more. The experimental systems are composed of a few ongoing experiments utilizing the resources and unique conditions of the Ecosphere and the changes in the environment. Teachers' Professional Development Unit - Hatmada9 Dr. Zahava Scherz, Head

The Unit promotes and nurtures professional development of teachers throughout the various phases of their career in fields of science, technology and mathematics teaching (k-12) by advancing their continuous professional development, new pedagogical strategies and by creating an active and welcoming "home" for teachers (professional training, enrichment, counseling and guidance). The Unit's activities are coordinated and recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Education.

The Teachers' Professional Development Unit plans and conducts following programs:

♦ Continuous professional development programs for teachers (long and short term courses and workshops) A variety of in-service training courses for science and mathematics teachers are conducted in order to encourage successful implementation of curricular materials, integration of innovative teaching methods and learning strategies, and enrichment of the learning environments. In addition to workshops, conferences, and one-day meetings, the Teachers Unit also offers a wide range of annual and summer teacher courses. During the 2009-10 school year around 60 in-service training courses were given, in which more than 2,200 teachers participated. The Davidson Institute invested a special effort this year to support a national reform in Science and Technology in Junior High Schools (JHS) in Israel. As a part of this effort, the Unit supported teacher courses (19-30 hours) in 3 main districts in Israel, for about 600 teachers. The teacher-courses took place at the Davidson Institute of Science Education campus as well as in regional PISGA centers around of the country. ♦ Professional development for leading Mathematics teachers As part of a new reform in Math education for the JHS level, The Davidson Institute was asked to design and to implement a program for leading Math teachers in the central district of Israel. The program offered: ◊ A 30-hours course for leading Math teachers ◊ A 30-hours support program for the leading teachers, scaffolding them in their in-school math guidance duties and Davidson Institute of Science Education 411 ◊ A 30-hours course for development of new leading Math teachers Altogether some 30 leading Math teachers were trained and they, in turn, are aimed to work with about 400-500 Math teachers in the central district. ♦ In-school programs for advanced science classes The Teachers Unit specializes in tailoring unique programs for schools interested in special science frameworks for excellent or science oriented students. These programs support the teachers in the design and the implementation of special topics, through workshops and individual meetings with the school staff. In the 2009-10 school year two special programs were designed and implemented for a science oriented primary school and an environmental school. ♦ Teachers as developers of state-of-the- art computerized programs for science and technology teaching on JHS level The Davidson Institute initiated a pioneering program that aims to develop prototypes of special uses of computerized applications to support science teaching/learning. All applications are developed by a team of JHS science teachers with computing background, and Davidson Institute's staff members. The program benefits from the Davidson/Weizmann pedagogical and professional experience in curriculum development and integrates cutting-edge educational technologies (e.g. electronic smart-boards, computerized environments, animations and video clips, computerized laboratory). Two main developments were achieved in the reported period: ◊ Several prototype units were developed by the team for the 'Moodle' learning environment. In the summer of 2010, a pilot teachers' course was given to some 30 teachers. The program is experimentally implemented in their classes. In addition, teachers participating in "Katom" program (a laptop computer for every Student Teacher and Class described above) were exposed to the program and some of them implement it as well. ◊ A collection of computerized laboratory experiments (using data loggers) for science and technology teaching on JHS level was developed in cooperation with Fourier Systems Ltd. ♦ International leading science teacher program The program utilizes the experience and expertise of the Davidson Institute in the area of professional development of teachers in order to promote science education towards excellence on an international level. In this framework, international seminars for leading science teachers from Israel and abroad are conducted annually since 2005. In the summer of 2010 an 8-day international summer seminar for leading science teachers was held at the Davidson Institute. The seminar brought together 30 participants from Brazil, Australia, USA, Canada, Singapore and Israel. This year, for the first time, a teacher from 412 Davidson Institute of Science Education Greece joined the program. Technology in Education Unit "Yitav"10 Dr. Yossi Elran, Head

The TIEU unit was established in June 2009 in order to deal with all technology related projects at the Davidson Institute. The main goal of the unit is to develop, implement and promote the use of novice technologies (in particular web and computer based technologies) in science education. The TIEU is comprised of three teams:

Infrastructure and IT ♦ Web management and graphic design ♦ Research & Development The main emphasis of the TIEU in 2009/10 was to make a concerted effort on part of all the teams so that the Davidson Institute will be able to bridge the technological gap that widened in the past years:

♦ A learning management system (Moodle) was incorporated into the Davidson Institute's programs, and developers from the R&D team created online resources within the system, enabling program managers to use the system for online activity and communication between staff and students. The staffs in the different projects were given guidance and tutoring and were actively assisted in the implementation in the respective units. Moodle was introduced into 10 programs from all the different units of the Davidson Institute, including Math and Science by Mail which were completely re-vamped with interactive activities, and KATOM. ♦ A novice science education distant learning project for grade 7 science teachers was launched and successfully implemented in a number of schools across the country. The project emphasizes partnership with science teachers, providing them with the technological tools to manage an online course with full responsibility for the content, the interaction with the students and the assessment. The content was produced by a collaborative team from the Davidson Institute (TIEU and the Teachers Unit) together with school teachers. Emphasis was put on using and translating open learning objects from the web, rather than creating everything "in house" as part of the overall philosophy of TIEU. Teachers are thus encouraged to search for appropriate material by themselves and then import them into the learning environment. A similar, but smaller project in co-operation with the Science Teaching Department constructed interactive units in mathematics for grade 7 teachers, accompanying the new math curriculum. ♦ A first "shot" at science education through mobile devices was initiated. Two games aimed at teaching students quantum mechanics were developed, tested and assessed on "Young Researchers" Davidson Institute of Science Education 413 participants. The games are now being developed in a mobile version and are planned to be distributed as applets. ♦ Maintenance and upgrade of the popular "Davidson Online" web-based interactive science education activity site for students, was another focus of the unit's activity in this period. This website exposes surfers from all over the country to state-of-the-art science literature, multimedia and interactive activities. The average number of surfers visiting the site doubled this year with over 35,000 visits each month viewing (uniquely) 100,000 pages. ♦ The new website of the Davidson Institute was developed during 2010, including the stages of planning, feature design, graphic design, programming and Q & A. The website is staged to launch in January 2011. ♦ The unit sports a state-of-art applet programming team for adding special purpose multimedia objects to projects. Applets were introduced into many of the different programs in the Davidson Institute. ♦ Computers and screens older than 7 years, both in the Davidson classrooms and laboratories, and for personnel, were replaced with modern equipment. ♦ Emphasis was put on individual development, so that the staff of TIEU will continuously strive to improve their professional capabilities. Cross-unit learning was encouraged, to enable a certain amount of flexibility and backup. Strategic planning regarding the next "technological leap" of the Davidson Institute was put into place. PERACH11 Tutoring and Mentoring Project Dr. Amos Carmeli, Director

The PERACH project was established in 1974 by a handful of students from the Weizmann Institute of Science. This tutorial project pairs up children from a disadvantaged background with university students who act as their mentors. The students receive a partial scholarship and /or academic credits in return to their work with children.

Today, approximately 15% of all students in Israel's institutes of higher education and tens of thousands of children in need are taking part in the project each year. A significant percentage of Perach's mentors and mentees come from minority groups.

Being the largest organization of its kind in the world, Perach has become a source of inspiration and practical support to Perach-like organizations, now operating in about twenty countries worldwide.

In 2008, the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, Perach was awarded the Israel Prize for a lifetime contribution to the state and society. 414 Davidson Institute of Science Education In 2010 there were 25,536 tutors in 1,215 schools or projects in most cities and towns, all over Israel. Approximately 24% of Perach's tutors are students from the minority sectors and about two-thirds of Perach's tutors operate in the south and north of Israel, while most of Israel's students study in the center of the country. In the described period, 82% of all Perach's tutors were giving individual tuition and the number of those tutored by them was equal to the number of students. 18% of the tutors led various group activities and worked with many diverse projects (such as health, education, , sciences, leadership, nature studies, law etc.), according to their capabilities and qualifications. A total of over 55,000 children and youth benefited from Perach activities this year.

Perach also runs nine hands-on science centers, six communication centers and fifty enrichment centers in peripheral areas and under-resourced neighborhoods all over Israel. In 2010 Perach inaugurated two new "Havayeda Teva" (interactive science centers) in Beer Sheva and Bat Yam, as well as two new communication centers in Ariel and in Tamra. During 2009/10 more than 200,000 people visited Perach's centers.

1"TELEM" is the Hebrew acronym for "Students Learn Science" 2"SHLAV" is an acronym in Hebrew for Improving Mathematics Learning "Shlav" also means 'a step' in Hebrew 3"KATOM" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for the Computer for Every Class, Student and Teacher 4"MOACH" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Computational Science". "Moach" also means 'brain' in Hebrew 5 "CAMP" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Active Science Groups". 6"KAMATZ" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Young Science Groups". 7"KAMEA" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Active Science Immigrants " 8"Shoam" is the Hebrew acronym for "Science and Education Oriented" 9"Hatmada" is the Hebrew acronym for "Professional Development for Science Teachers" 10"Yitav" is the Hebrew acronym for "Technology in Education Unit" 11Perach is acronym for tutoring project

http://davidson.weizmann.ac.il Davidson Institute of Science Education 415 416 Davidson Institute of Science Education Institute-Wide Centers 418 The Clore Center for Biological Physics

The Clore Center for Biological Physics

Michal Neeman, Director The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professorial Chair

The Clore Center for Biological Physics was founded in 2001, with the primary objective of initiating and supporting research activities in the field of biological physics. Under its auspices, biologists, chemists, computer scientists, and physicists work together to explore a variety of fundamental issues in biology, and develop new approaches to address them.

The Clore Center supported scientific meetings and research visits, as well as a growing number of Seminar Clubs, all focused on closing gaps between different areas of Life Sciences and Physics. This past year, the Clore Center also continued its traditional support of equipment purchases which are required for advancing the introduction of state of the art analytical and high throughput methods for the study of Biology.

Research projects:

Dissecting the evolution of gene regulation through transcription elongation and mRNA degradation Dr. Itay Tirosh, Curwen-Lowy Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Molecular Genetics

Autoimmunity in Bacteria Dr. Rotem Sorek, Department of Molecular Genetics

X-ray Microscopy for Novel Imaging of Plasmodium falciparum, the Causative Agent of the Deadliest Form of Human Malaria Prof. Michael Elbaum and Ph.D. student Allon Weiner, Department of Materials and Interfaces

Testing computational theories of mammalian grid cells: Locomotion versus active sensing in the bat Dr. Nachum Ulanovsky , Department of Neurobiology

Regulation of Intracellular Calcium Homeostasis Prof. Eitan Reuveny, Department of Biological Chemistry The Clore Center for Biological Physics 419 The Visualization of Dendritic and CD8 T Cell Migration Dr. Guy Shakhar , Department of Immunology

Equipment allocations:

The Amira® Software - In Vivo Imaging Center Pulse Oximetry Sensor - In Vivo Imaging Center A Robotic System for Studies in Systems Immunology - Dr. Nir Friedman, Department of Immunology

Support for Meetings and Research Visits:

Forum on Mathematical Principles in Biology The Physics2Life Workshop,br> Clore Seminars on Biological Physics: 2009-2010 Mini-Symposium in Memory of Prof. Pierre-Gilles de Gennes 420 The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research

The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research promotes forefront research of human diseases at the molecular level. Studies addressing biochemical mechanisms that underlie the major threats to human health, such as cardiovascular defects, cancer and infectious diseases will be supported by the Center. In addition to investment in major instrumentation, individual grants are awarded in two categories:

1. Start-up support - during the first three years after joining the Institute, selected investigators receive support for start-up and seed money, allowing for later applications to external granting agencies. 2. A significant portion of the Center's resources supports research into the development of experimental models of human diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Grants are generally based on applications to external grant foundations that have received ratings of very good or better but received insufficient funding to carry out the project. The J & R Center for Scientific Research 421

The J & R Center for Scientific Research

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

This Center funds a broad spectrum of research activities as well as the purchase of new instruments. On the order of ten internal grants per year are allocated; in many cases, the grants are leveraged by other funding provided by the individual scientist, Department or Dean. 422 The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell

The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell

Eytan Domany, Director The Henry J. Leir Professorial Chair

The Center for Systems Biology was launched in 2003. The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high-level research in Systems Biology, a new and exciting area of highly interdisciplinary scientific investigation, based on intensive collaboration between medical researchers, biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists. To understand life at the system level, it is necessary to study biology on all scales, ranging from the molecular , via the cellular all the way to that of the multicellular organism. The research goals supported by the Center are

♦ To elucidate the design principles of biological networks ♦ To create new experimental and computational technologies ♦ To apply these techniques to the study of cancer and other diseases ♦ To devise new methods for modeling network-based biological activity

To help reach these goals, the Center will support purchase of scientific equipment, award research grants, research fellowships, organize and sponsor symposia and meetings, support student participation in conferences abroad and maintain a visitor program aimed at attracting high level researchers to visit the Weizmann Institute for short as well as long durations.

Research Fellowships: Two fellowships, of 10,000$ each, are awarded for Ph D students and post-doctoral Fellows.

Symposia: All Weizmann Faculty are invited to submit proposals for one or two day Symposia on subjects that are relevant to Systems Biology, by email to [email protected]

Seminars: Monthly seminars are held under joint sponsorship of the Center and BigRoc, usually on the last Monday of each month.

Student travel grants: The Center for Systems Biology is awarding travel fellowships for Weizmann students who present papers/posters at conferences abroad. Awards will match funds provided by the student's advisor but will not exceed $500. Advisors who wish to apply for this award should send a letter (hard copy) and email to [email protected] listing the students The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell 423 name, degree of studies, the subject of his/her research, title of talk, name and date of the conference, an estimate of the travel costs and the source of the travel allocation (which is supplemented by the contribution of the Center). http://www.weizmann.ac.il/centers/system_biology.html 424 The Center for New Scientists

The Center for New Scientists

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

This Center provides startup funding for new scientists. The allocation is provided in conjunction with startup monies granted by the Department and the Dean. Each year, approximately seven new scientists join the Institute and their startup funds cover the costs of laboratory supplies and instruments, postdocs, graduate students and other personnel during their first three years at the Institute. During that period, the new scientists are encouraged to apply to external grant agencies for their future research support. The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research 425

The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

The Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research was established in 2006. Its purpose is to support innovative initiatives that are deemed by the Institute's management to be at the cutting edge of biomedical science, and where philanthropic support can make an essential contribution. Funds will be directed toward recruitment of new scientists, purchase of scientific equipment, refurbishment or upgrade of laboratories, research grants, graduate student scholarships, or any other relevant investment in the support and advancement of science at the Institute. 426 The Center for Scientific Excellence

The Center for Scientific Excellence

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

This Center supports activities at the Institute in all areas of research, on the basis of scientific excellence and needs. Scientists can apply for interim support by the Center for bridging funds or support of special programs. In addition, the Center supports research equipment and startup funds for new scientists. The Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research 427

The Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research

David Cahen, Director The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Professorial Chair in Energy Research

The Center started operation in 2008, with as purpose support for research by Weizmann scientists in Alternative Energy. It constitutes a major pillar of the institute's Alternative, sustainable energy research Initiative (AERI). Information on the mode of activities can be found on AERI's homepage, http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI and are given also below.

In terms of direct support for research, AERI issues calls for proposals once a year via the Research Grants and Projects office, http://www.weizmann.ac.il/RGP, where details can be found.

The Need for Alternatives to Present Energy Resources:

Life in modern society is fueled by relatively cheap, high density and readily available energy sources. Without such sources, the industrialized world would be unable to provide the power to maintain its standard of living. To be able to leave the next generations a safer and healthier world, this generation needs to assure them of the needed energy resources, both instantaneously available (electricity) and stored ones (fuel).

The main questions that arise are:

♦ Reduced carbon (fossil fuel) is one of scarcest natural resources that we have, if viewed as a "mineral" resource. Does the earth have enough fossil fuels to fulfill the growing energy demand, both with respect to total energy and in terms of the rate at which the energy is generated, at least to carry us over to the period where we will be able to manage without fossil fuels? ♦ The most abundant fossil fuel resource is coal. Therefore, if the answer to the first questions is yes, we should look at coal as one of the intermediate paths to carry us to the stage where we will be fossil fuel independent. There are also a variety of other reasons, including geopolitics, the value of oil as raw material for plastics, that lead to the need to become oil-(and gas-) independent as soon as possible. All this leads to the question if we can find ways to base a near future energy supply on coal, a fuel that with today's practical technologies, produces 428 The Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research some pollutants as well as CO2, a greenhouse gas, and does so even more than oil and gas fossil fuels? ♦ If the answer to the first question is negative, then this leads to the question of how we can limit and ultimately eliminate the effects of the fossil fuel burning rate for life on earth? Clearly this suggest to become independent of fossil fuels, which then begs the question of how we can best prepare viable alternative, sustainable energy resources? The challenge, posed by these questions is of such proportions that it demands a coordinated response from the world's scientific, technological, government and industrial/financial communities. It is a global challenge that should be met by an integrated approach.

In the long term the solution is the development of energy sources that are Carbon-free or Carbon-neutral (taking from the atmosphere, land and oceans what you put into it, at comparable rates) i.e., renewable and nuclear energy.

Although the amount of non-fossil fuel-based energy that will keep the current balance of nature is a matter of discussion, it appears likely that by 2050 the world will need at least another 20 Terawatts of power (a terawatt, TW, is 1000 gigawatts, GW; the Hadera power station complex has a capacity of 2.4 GW). 20 TW is more than the energy consumption of the whole world today. To produce 20 new TW in a sustainable manner by 2050, the basic science on which the solutions will be based must become available by about 2020 to allow manufacturing and installation by 2050, after the common period that it takes for applied scientific and then technological development stages.

The first challenge is to bridge the period till 2050, something that will require mostly building on the basic scientific knowledge that is available today (evolutions in science).

The second challenge, and one particularly well-suited for the Weizmann Institute's main mission, fundamental scientific research, is to explore ways to introduce clean energy sources. The obvious ones are solar (which also includes biomass, wind, hydroelectric), nuclear and geothermal. Any solution is very likely to involve all these and other options. However, as things stand now it would appear that only solar and nuclear have the potential to reach 20 TW within the next 30-40 years.

For example, the practically realizable potential of solar energy has been estimated at 600 TW with no inherent or clearly manageable environmental concerns. However, without new ideas to effectively utilize this source, we will not be able to get even close to this.

To arrive at such new ideas suggests, in addition to the above-mentioned evolutions, the need for revolutions. AERI and its sources try to help pave the The Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research 429 way, to facilitate such (r)evolutions to occur, by educating, stimulating and funding Weizmann scientists to work towards the above-stated long-range goals. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/centers/Beck_Canadian_Center.pdf 430 The Center for the Development of Scientific Resources

The Center for the Development of Scientific Resources

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

The Weizmann Institute of Science maintains extensive core research support facilities. These include the biological services, chemical research support, veterinary resources and physical services units. The core facilities house 'heavy' equipment operated by expert staff scientists and engineers. Much of the work done by Weizmann faculty depends on the sophisticated equipment available in these core facilities. Under prevailing Weizmann Institute procedures and regulations, access to these facilities is possible also for users from other Universities as well as to Industry.

One goal of the Center for the Development of Scientific Resources is to provide funds in the form of competitive research grants that will permit the core facility personnel to devote time and resources for special tasks. These will include developing ways to get the most out of the existing equipment and improve its performances to address special research needs. Such support will be targeted to enable innovative solutions to many cases when researchers have specific non-standard demands that require specific adjustments of standard protocols or higher accuracy than manufacturer's standards. These developments may also require some instrumental upgrade in the form of additional components, improved software etc'. Thus, the Center will also support, when appropriate, equipment upgrade to address increasing performance demands. An additional goal of the Center is to provide funds to explore new ideas that require extensive use of expensive instrumentation. The Yeda-Sela (YeS) Center for Basic Research 431

The Yeda-Sela (YeS) Center for Basic Research

Haim Garty, Vice President The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry

The YeS Center for basic research was established by a generous gift of Prof. Michael Sela and royalty income received from Yeda R&D Ltd. The YeS Center aims to support basic research projects in all areas of the exact and natural sciences which are less appealing to many of the problem oriented funding sources available to Weizmann scientists. This is in recognition of the fundamental importance of basic, curiosity driven research and the lack of adequate support to research projects with no practical goals. 432 The Yeda-Sela (YeS) Center for Basic Research Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Head: Boaz Avron

Academic Secretary 434 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Boaz Avron Academic Secretary and Head, Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

The Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs includes:

♦ The Academic Affairs Office ♦ The Research Grants and Projects Office The head of the Directorate is directly subordinated to the President and carries the overall responsibility for the proper functioning and administration of the Offices included in the Directorate. Academic Affairs Office 435 Academic Affairs Office

Esti Krieger, Head

The Academic Affairs Office assists the Academic Secretary in the performance of his duties.

The Offices principle responsibilities include the administration and follow-up of the:

1. Appointments and Promotions Committees of (i) the Life Sciences Faculties (ii) the Scientific Council (dealing with both non-tenured scientific personnel as well as Staff Scientists) , and (iii) the Council of Professors (dealing with scientific personnel tenured appointments and promotions to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor as well as appointments and promotions to the rank of Senior Research Fellows). 2. Administration of appointments of Deans, Department heads, Institute heads and Center heads and internal academic administrative committees. 3. Appointments of external academic consultants, interns and senior interns. 4. Annual Scientific Academic Advisory Committees (SAAC) reviews. 5. All regulations pertaining to the academic life at the Institute. 6. Scientific Council meetings and meetings of its various Committees. 7. Presidents Advisory Committee meetings. 8. Non tenured academic staff (i.e., scientific personnel as well as staff scientists) appointments and their extensions as relevant, as well as the Staff Scientists Tenure Committee. 9. Academic Grants allocations. 10. Clore (Sir Charles) Prize, Kimmel (Helen and Martin) Prize, Lombroso (Sergio) Award in Cancer Research and the Wolgin Prize for Scientific Excellence. 11. Goldschleger Conference Foundation. 12. Extension of Service Committee. 13. New Immigrants Funding Support. 14. Visiting Professors Programs and Feinberg Foundation Visiting Faculty Program. 15. Weizmann Lectures Series. 16. Annual disclosures of Academic Staff. The Academic Affairs Office publishes annually: ♦ Scientific Activities ♦ Current Research Activities 436 Academic Affairs Office Appointments and Promotions

Appointments

To the Rank of Senior Scientist Jakub Abramson Immunology Ofer Feinerman Physics of Complex Systems Valery Krizhanovsky Molecular Cell Biology Assaf Vardi Plant Sciences

To the Rank of Associate Staff Scientist Dena Leshkowitz Biological Services

To the Rank of Assistant Staff Scientist Barry Bruner Physics of Complex Systems Sigalit Boura-Halfon Molecular Cell Biology Elena Kartvelishvily Chemical Research Support Galia Maik-Rachline Molecular Cell Biology Rinat Goren Physics of Complex Systems Michael Tsoory Veterinary Resources Promotions

To the Rank of Professor Abraham Arcavi Science Teaching Gary Hodes Materials and Interfaces Chaim Kahana Molecular Genetics Orly Reiner Molecular Genetics

To the Rank of Associate Professor Ilan Lampl Neurobiology Itay Rousso Structural Biology Abraham Zangen Neurobiology Academic Affairs Office 437

To the Rank of Senior Scientist Rafal Klajn Organic Chemistry

To the Rank of Senior Research Fellow Daniela Novik Molecular Genetics Hagai Cohen Chemical Research Support Miriam Eisenstein Chemical Research Support

To the Rank of Senior Staff Scientist Batya Cohen Biological Regulation Yishay Feldman Chemical Research Support

To the Rank of Associate Staff Scientist Ruti Kapon Biological Chemistry Ghil Jona Biological Services Erez Dekel Molecular Cell Biology Eyal Rotenberg Environmental Science and Energy Research Awards and Honors

Awards

Allon Fellowships

The Allon Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding young researchers by the Council for Higher Education. In 2010 the incumbents were:

Eli Arama Molecular Genetics Eran Bouchbinder Chemical Physics Barak Dayan Chemical Physics Nirit Dudovich Physics of Complex Systems Eran Hornstein Molecular Genetics Shahal Ilani Condensed Matter Physics Robert Computer Science and Applied Krauthgamer Mathematics Valery Molecular Cell Biology Krizhanovsky Anat Levin 438 Academic Affairs Office Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Ron Milo Plant Sciences Dan Oron Physics of Complex Systems Rony Paz Neurobiology Rotem Sorek Molecular Genetics Computer Science and Applied Amos Tanay Mathematics Center for Complexity Science Fellowships

The Center for Complexity Sciences was established in 2001. It is aimed at promoting the Science of Complexity which integrates disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology. In 2010 the incumbents were:

Koby Levy Structural Biology Elad Schneidman Neurobiology Physics of Complex Tsvi Tlusty Systems Ministry for Immigrant Absorption Fellowships

The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption maintains several programs to aid in the absorption of new immigrants holding a Ph.D. in the Higher Education Institutions of Israel. During the calendar year of 2010, the following number of fellowships were in effect in the Weizmann Institute of Science: 15 Fellowships for initial absorption of new immigrant researcher, 1 Gileadi Fellowship and 31 Kamea Fellowships.

Institutional Awards

The Sir Charles Clore Prize for Outstanding Appointment as Senior Scientist in the Experimental Sciences was established in 1981 by Mrs. Vivien Clore Duffield, Geneva. The 2010 prize was awarded to Dr. Jacob Hanna, Molecular Genetics.

The Gruber Award fo a newly appointed researcher. The 2010 prize was awarded to Dr. David Margulies, Organic Chemistry.

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Award for Innovative Investigation was extablished in 2007. The Kimmel Award is a distinction bestowed annually on one Weizmann Institute researcher. The award consists of a substantial research grant ($1 million allocated as $200,000 annually over a five year period) and is intended for a researcher who is in the forefront of leadership in his/her area of research. The recipient of the award in addition to significant past achievements is judged to be in a position to reach new heights of Academic Affairs Office 439 scientific achievement in his/her broad area of research within the coming five year period as well as to provide scientific leadership to a group of younger investigators. The 2010 prize was awarded to Prof. Rafi Malach, Neurobiology.

The Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research was established in 1998. The award is given once in two years to an internationally distinguished scientist, medical researcher, or physician, who has made highly significant contributions to the understanding of the causes and mechanisms of cancer, or to its diagnostics and therapy. The candidate should be affiliated with a research or medical institution, and should be engaged full-time in scientific or clinical activity at the time of this award. In alternate years the award is given to a Weizmann Institute researchers, who has made highly significant contributions to the understanding of the causes and mechanisms of cancer. The 2009-2010 prize was awarded to Prof. Prof. Eli Canaani, Molecular Cell Biology.

The Rosa and Emilio Segre Research Award was established in 1999. The 2010-2011 prize was awarded to Prof. Micha Berkooz, Particle Physics and Astrophysics and to Prof. Yuval Oreg, Condensed Matter Physics.

The Wolgin Prize for Scientific Excellence was established in 2005. The prize is awarded to a scientist who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in research, who has been reviewed by an international committee. The 2010 prize was awarded to Prof. Yosef Nir, Particle Physics and Astrophysics.

Scientific Council Awards

The Morris L. Levinson Prizes were established in 1982 by Mr. Morris L. Levinson, New York. The Physics Prize for 2010 was awarded to Dr. Avishay Gal-Yam, Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics, for his breakthrough discoveries in the study of supernovae and their explosion mechanisms. The Mathematics Prize in 2010 was awarded to Dr. Amos Tanay, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, for his developing novel clustering algorithms and using them successfully so as to gain new insights from massive biological data sets. The Biology Prize in 2010 was awarded to Dr. Eldad Tzahor, Department of Biological Regulation, for his work on the development of the cranio-facial muscles and the contribution of the same progenitor cells to the development of the heart.

The Scientific Council Prize in Chemical Research. In 2010, the Prize was awarded to Dr. Michael Bendikov, Department of Organic Chemistry, for his contributions to the development and understanding of new conducting polymers and novel electronic organic materials. 440 Academic Affairs Office The Maxine Singer Prize to Outstanding Staff Scientists was established in 1991. In 2010, the Prize was awarded to Dr. Tamar Sapir, Department of Molecular Genetics, for elucidating novel mechanisms regulating proliferating and migrating neuroblasts using cutting edge technology and to Dr. Eugenia Klein, Department of Chemical Research Support, for her outstanding contributions of development of scanning electron microscopy.

Honors

Awarded to Weizmann Institute Academic Staff

Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute

• Ph.D. Honoris Causa • Weizmann Awards and Honorary Fellows Academic Affairs Office 441 Visiting Professors Programs

The Visiting Professorships are made available to suitable candidates from all countries. They are intended for outstanding scientists from institutions of higher learning and research institutions, who have achieved appropriate recognition in their fields of activity and who hold the rank of Full Professor (or an equivalent rank) in their home institutions.

Visiting Professors in 2010 were as follows:

The Morris Belkin Visiting Professorships

Prof. Yehia Daaka, MIT, Cambridge, MA., USA Prof. Wilma Friedman, Rutgers University, NJ., USA Prof. Jonathan Widom, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA Prof. Raphael Zidovetzi, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA., USA

The Joseph Meyerhoff Visiting Professorships

Prof. Alexander Pines, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA., USA Prof. Dirk Schwalm, Max Planck Institute, Heidelberg, Germany

The Erna and Jakob Michael Visiting Professorships

Prof. Efim Brener, Juelich Center, Germany Prof. Ofer Lahav, University of London, UK

The Rosi and Max Varon Visiting Professorships

Prof. Richard Kaner, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA., USA Prof. Boris Khesin, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Weston Visiting Professorships

Prof. Judith Berman, Universityof Minnesota, Minneapolis, MI., USA Prof. Margit Burmeister, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI., USA Prof. Benjamin Chain, University College London, London, UK Prof. David Goldhaber-Gordon, Stanford University, Stanford, CA., USA Prof. Pierre Goloubinoff, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland Prof. Vladimir Golubyatnikov, Russian Academic of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia Prof. Martin Huber, University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, CO., USA 442 Academic Affairs Office Prof. Laurence Kedes, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA., USA Prof. Louis Lyons, Imperial College, London, UK Prof. Stefano Ruffo, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Feinberg Foundation Visiting Faculty Program

Feinberg Foundation Visiting in 2010 were as follows:

Prof. Adi Armoni, Universiry of Wales, Wales, UK Prof. Stefano Curtarolo, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA Prof. Andrey Kaplan, Universiry of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Prof. Donna Martin, Universiry of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI., USA Prof. Dmitri Perepichka, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Weizmann Memorial Lectures

The "Weizmann Annual Lectures" program is the most prestigious lectureship program at the Weizmann Institute of Science and commemorates the name of the founder of the Institute, Dr. Chaim Weizmann.

The Weizmann Lecturers are selected by an internal committee from among the proposals for potential lecturers which are made by the members of the Institute's Scientific Council, the body representing all professors at the Institute.

The lectures are intended to review the state of the art and the newest developments of the particular field chosen. The series usually consists of two lectures, which are open to the Institute's faculty and staff and to the community at large. The first talk is usually aimed for anyone interested in science while the second lecture is mainly aimed for scientists at the Weizmann Institute as well as from other Higher Education Institutions in Israel.

In 2010, the Weizmann Memorial lecturer was Prof. Rolf-Dieter Heuer, General Director of CERN, Geneva, Switzerland.

Weizmann Presidential Development Chairs, Professorial Chairs and Career Development Chairs

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/current/Chairs.html http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/current/Chairs_open.html Academic Affairs Office 443

Weizmann Professorial Chairs, Career Development Chairs and Fellowships

Professorial Chairs

The Lee and William Abramowitz Professorial Chair of Macromolecular Biophysics Established in 1978 through the bequest of Mr. Abramowitz, Leominster, MA Incumbent Professor Mark Safro, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Annenberg Professorial Chair of High Energy Physics Established in 1967 by Mrs. Enid A. Haupt, New York, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Moses L. Annenberg Incumbent Professor Haim Harari, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Professorial Chair Established in 1995 by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Applebaum, Troy, Michigan Incumbent Professor Avi Ben-Nun, Department of Department of Immunology The Norman and Helen Asher Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Asher, Chicago Incumbent Professor Varda Rotter, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Helen Norman Asher Professorial Chair in Brain Research Established in 1993 by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Asher, Chicago Incumbent Professor Amiram Grinvald, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1982 by the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Foundation, Stamford, CT Incumbent Professor Amnon Horovitz, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Professorial Chair Established in 2010 by the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Dan Tawfik, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Henry and Bertha Benson Professorial Chair Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Benson, Montreal Incumbent Professor Avihai Danon, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Bernstein-Mason Professorial Chair of Neurochemistry Established in 1985 by Stuart A. Bernstein and John J. Mason, Washington, DC Incumbent Professor Orly Reiner, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Barnet Berris Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1981 by the Physicians' Committee, Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Yoram Groner, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Besen-Brender Professorial Chair of Microbiology and Parasitology Established in 1981 by Marc Besen, Melbourne, and Joseph Brender, Sydney 444 Academic Affairs Office Incumbent Professor Jeffrey Gerst, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Patricia Elman Bildner Professorial Chair of Solid State Chemistry Established in 1973 by Albert C. Bildner, New York Incumbent Professor Ilya Averbukh, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Paul and Marlene Borman Professorial Chair of Applied Mathematics Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Borman, Detroit, and their friends and associates Incumbent Professor Adi Shamir, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Plant Sciences Established in 1981 by Mr. de Botton and friends, Zurich and New York Incumbent Professor Avraham Levy, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Isaac and Elsa Bourla Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1979 by bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Bourla, Paris Incumbent Professor Gideon Berke, Department of Department of Immunology The Harold S. and Harriet B. Brady Professorial Chair of Cancer Rrsearch Established in 1982 by Mrs. Brady and the late Mr. Brady, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yechiel Shai, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Dr. Walter and Dr. Trude Borchardt Professorial Chair of Structural Biology Established in 2001 by the estate of Dr. Trude Borchardt, New York, NY Incumbent Professor Stephen Weiner, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Bronfman Professorial Chair of Plant Science Established in 1979 by Joseph E. Seagram and Sons, Inc., New York Incumbent Professor Gad Galili, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Rudy Bruner Professorial Chair of Science Teaching Established in 1970 by Mrs. Martha Bruner, New York, and Zelon Ltd., Israel Incumbent Professor Ruhama Even, Department of Department of Science Teaching The Sir Ernest B. Chain Professorial Chair Established in 1980 by his friends, London Incumbent Professor Talila Volk, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Chaya Professorial Chair in Molecular Neuroscience Established in 2006 by an anonymous donor, Switzerland Incumbent Professor Michael Fainzilber, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Norman D. Cohen Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences Established in 1971 by Mr. Cohen, New York Incumbent Professor David Peleg, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Ruth and Samy Cohn Professorial Chair of Computer Sciences Established in 1984 by close Israeli friends of Mr. and Mrs. Cohn, Rio de Janeiro Incumbent Professor Shimon Ullman, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Marvin Myer and Jenny Cyker Professorial Chair of Diabetes Research Established in 1971 by Mr. Cyker, Boston Incumbent Professor Michael Walker, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry Academic Affairs Office 445 The Lady Davis Professorial Chair of Experimental Physics Established in 1972 by the Eldee Foundation, Montreal, through Bernard M. Bloomfield and Major Louis M. Bloomfield, Q.C. Incumbent Professor Giora Mikenberg, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Amos de Shalit Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1976 Incumbent Professor Yosef Nir, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Helen Diller Family Professorial Chair in Neurobiology Established in 2001 by Helen and Sanford Diller, San Francisco, CA Incumbent Professor Ehud Ahissar, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Jack and Simon Djanogly Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1980 by Sir Harry Djanogly, CBE, London Incumbent Professor Michael Eisenbach, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Henry H. Drake Professorial Chair of Immunology Established in 1998 by Mrs. Erica Drake, New York Incumbent Professor Yair Reisner, Department of Department of Immunology The Drake Family Professorial Chair of Nanotechnology Established in 2005 by Mrs. Erica Drake of New York and Mr. Robert J. Drake, the Netherlands Incumbent Professor Reshef Tenne, Department of Department of Materials and Interfaces The Georg F. Duckwitz Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1975 by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany Incumbent Professor Lea Eisenbach, Department of Department of Immunology The George W. Dunne Professorial Chair of Chemical Physics Established in 1971 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Gershon Kurizki, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Joyce and Ben B. Eisenberg Professorial Chair of Molecular Endocrinology and Cancer Research Established in 1984 by the Ben B. Eisenberg Charitable Fund, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Sima Lev, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research Established in 1997 through the bequest of Mr. Ellis, London Incumbent Professor Zvi Livneh, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Estrin Family Professorial Chair of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Established in 2000 by Judith Estrin and William Carrico, Profs. Thelma and Gerald Estrin, California Incumbent Professor Vered Rom-Kedar, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Marshall and Renette Ezralow Professorial Chair Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Ezralow, Beverly Hills Incumbent Professor Ari Elson, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics 446 Academic Affairs Office The Fred and Andrea Fallek Professorial Chair in Breast Cancer Research Established in 2000 by Mrs. Andrea Klepetar Fallek, New York Incumbent Professor Hadassa Degani, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Professorial Chair Established in 1992 by the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Chicago Incumbent Professor David Wallach, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Donald Frey Professorial Chair Established in 1988 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Anthony Joseph, Department of Department of Mathematics The Isabelle and Samuel Friedman Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1979 by the bequests of Mr. and Mrs. Friedman, San Francisco Incumbent Professor Yuval Gefen, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Charles and Louise Gartner Professorial Chair Established in 1993 by Mrs. Louise Gartner, Dallas Incumbent Professor Uri Pick, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Wolfgang Gentner Professorial Chair of Nuclear Physics Established in 1982 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science in honor of the late Professor Gentner, Heidelberg Incumbent Professor Ehud Duchovni, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Oscar and Emma Getz Professorial Chair Established in 1993 by Mrs. Emma Getz, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yosef Shaul, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professorial Chair in Molecular Cell Biology Established in 2001 by the Jacob E. Goldenberg Foundation, Minneapolis, MN Incumbent Professor Yosef Yarden, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Professorial Chair of Applied Mathematics Established in 1982 by Mr. amd Mrs. Goldsmith, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Ronen Basri, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Marte R. Gomez Professorial Chair of Photosynthesis Established in 1985 by the Mexican Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Yehiel Zick, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Dorothy and Patrick Gorman Professorial Chair Established in 1966 by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Washington, DC Incumbent Professor Lia Addadi, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Harold J. and Marion F. Green Professorial Chair Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Green, Chicago Incumbent Professor David Mukamel, Department of Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Nicki and J. Ira Harris Professorial Chair Established in 1988 by Mr. Harris and his friends and associates, Chicago Academic Affairs Office 447 Incumbent Professor Stephen Gelbart, Department of Department of Mathematics The Hettie H. Heineman Professorial Chair of Mathematics Established in 1989 by James Heineman, Heineman Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Zvi Artstein, Department of Department of Mathematics The Hanna Hertz Professorial Chair for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroscience Established in 2008 by the late Hanna Hertz and her daughters Deborah Hertz, Elise Hertz and Sherryl Dobson, Canada Incumbent Professor Elior Peles, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Charles H. Hollenberg Professorial Chair of Diabetes and Metabolic Research Established in 1985 by his friends and associates, Toronto Incumbent Professor Yoram Shechter, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Lawrence G. Horowitz Professorial Chair Established in 1985 by Mr. Horowitz and his family, Philadelphia Incumbent Professor Uriel Feige, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Linda Jacobs Professorial Chair in Immune and Stem Cell Research Established in 2006 by Mr. Michael Jacobs, London, UK Incumbent Professor Ronen Alon, Department of Department of Immunology The Erica and Ludwig Jesselson Professorial Chair of Theoretical Mathematics Established in 1985 by Erica and Ludwig Jesselson, New York Incumbent Professor Yakar Kannai, Department of Department of Mathematics The Maurice and Ilse Katz Professorial Chair of Neuroimmunology Established in 1990 by Mrs. Ilse Katz, Geneva Incumbent Professor Michal Schwartz, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Louis and Florence Katz-Cohen Professorial Chair of Neuropharmacology Established in 1984 Incumbent Professor Vivian I. Teichberg, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Aryeh and Mintzi Katzman Professorial Chair Established in 1992 by The Carylon Foundation, Chicago Incumbent Professor Ron Naaman, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Harry Kay Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1985 by the Harry Kay Foundation, Minneapolis Incumbent Professor Eli Canaani, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Gershon Kekst Professorial Chair Established in 2002 by The Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Sergei Yakovenko, Department of Department of Mathematics The Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professorial Chair of Structural Biology Established in 1987 by Mr. Kimmel, New York Incumbent Professor Ada Yonath, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Peter and Carola Kleeman Professorial Chair of Optical Sciences Established in 1980 by Mr. Derrick Kleeman, London Incumbent Professor Nir Davidson, Department of Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Chair of Biochemistry 448 Academic Affairs Office Established in 1979 by Mr. Derrick Kleeman, London Incumbent Professor Haim Garty, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Judith Kleeman Professorial Chair Established in 1981 by Mr. Derrick Kleeman, London Incumbent Professor Moni Naor, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Dr. Morton and Anne Kleiman Professorial Chair Established in 1993 by Dr. and Mrs. Morton Kleiman, Chicago Incumbent Professor Idit Shachar, Department of Department of Immunology The Erich Klieger Professorial Chair of Chemical Physics Established in 2006 by Mrs. Ingeborg Klieger, Berlin Incumbent Professor Daniella Goldfarb, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Philip M. Klutznick Professorial Chair of Developmental Biology Established in 1967 by their friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Nava Dekel, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Murray B. Koffler Professorial Chair Established in 1993 in honor of Mr. Murray Koffler by The Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Michael Hass, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Harold L. Korda Professorial Chair of Biology Established in 1974 by the Harold L. Korda Foundation, Inc., New York Incumbent Professor Zvulun Elazar, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Samuel Lunenfeld-Reuben Kunin Professorial Chair of Genetics Established in 1973 by Mr. Lunenfeld, Lausanne, and Mr. Kunin, Blonay, Switzerland Incumbent Professor Avri Ben-Ze'ev, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Harry Kweller and Kathleen Kweller Professorial Chair of Condensed Matter Physics Established in 1984 by the estate of the late Mr. Kweller, London Incumbent Professor Shimon Levit, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Chief Justice Bora Laskin Professorial Chair of Science Teaching Established in 1984 in honor of the late Canadian Chief Justice by his friends and associates in Canada Incumbent Professor Bat Sheva Eylon, Department of Department of Science Teaching The Henry J. Leir Professorial Chair Established in 1999 by the estate of Henry J. Leir of New York Incumbent Professor Eytan Domany, Department of Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Harry and Leona Levine Professorial Chair of Neurosciences Established in 1986 by Mrs. Harry Levine, Cambridge, MA Incumbent Professor Menahem Segal, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair in Brain Research Established in 2005 by the Morris L. Levinson Foundation, Palm Beach, Florida Incumbent Professor Rafi Malach, Department of Department of Neurobiology Academic Affairs Office 449 The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professorial Chair in Chemical Physics Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Levinson, New York Incumbent Professor Itamar Procaccia, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Yale S. Lewine and Ella Miller Lewine Professorial Chair for Cancer Research Established in 2006 Established in 2006 through the estate of Yale S. Lewine and Ella Miller Lewine, Vintura, California Incumbent Professor Rony Seger, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Professorial Chair of Molecular Genetics Established in 2001 by Cecil Lewis, England and Switzerland Incumbent Professor Ben-Zion Shilo, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Professorial Chair of Hormone Research Established in 1982 by Mr. Lubin, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yoram Salomon, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Andre Lwoff Professorial Chair in Molecular Biology Established in 1984 by his friends through the French Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Moshe Oren, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Ephraim Katzir-Rao Makineni Professorial Chair of Chemistry Established in 2001 by Rao Makineni, Los Angeles, CA Incumbent Professor Mordechai Sheves, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Jules J. Mallon Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1972 by the Malakoff Foundation, Minneapolis Incumbent Professor Chaim Kahana, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Hermann Mark Professorial Chair of Polymer Physics Established in 1986 by the American, Austrian, European and German Committees for the Weizmann Institute of Science, in honor of Prof. Mark Incumbent Professor Jacob Klein, Department of Department of Materials and Interfaces The Israel Matz Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry Established in 1966 by the Alice Matz Goodman Endowment Fund, New York Incumbent Professor David Milstein, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professorial Chair in Biological Sciences Established in 1982 by the Mauerberger Foundation Fund, Capetown Incumbent Professor Michal Neeman, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Hermann Mayer Professorial Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. Mayer, Paris Incumbent Professor David Tannor, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Stephen and Mary Meadow Professorial Chair of Laser Photochemistry Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Meadow, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Yitzhak Maron, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Otto Meyerhof Professorial Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1968 by the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, Hannover, Federal Republic of 450 Academic Affairs Office Germany, in memory of the founder of molecular biology in born Hannover Incumbent Professor Leo Sachs, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Joseph Meyerhoff Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1971 by Mr. Meyerhoff, Baltimore Incumbent Professor Anthony H. Futerman, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Jacques Mimran Professorial Chair Established in 1980 by Jean-Claude Mimran, Paris Incumbent Professor Yuval Eshed, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Jane and Otto Morningstar Professorial Chair of Physics Established in 2000 by Mrs. Jane Morningstar, Boca Raton Incumbent Professor Israel Bar-Joseph, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Dr. Hymie Moross Professorial Chair Established in 1981 by Manfred D. Moross, London, in memory of his father Incumbent Professor Tamar Flash, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Joseph Moss Professorial Chair of Biomedical Research Established in 1981 in memory of his parents, Jacob and Molly Moskowitz, Chicago Incumbent Professor Alexander D. Bershadsky, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The David and Inez Myers Professorial Chair Established in 2000 by Mrs. Inez P. Myers, Cleveland Incumbent Professor Eli Zeldov, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Professor Erwin Neter Professorial Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology Established in 1986 by Robert and Idi Neter Incumbent Professor Benjamin Geiger, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Livio Norzi Professorial Chair Established in 2000 by the late Livio Norzi of Italy Incumbent Professor Daniel Hanoch Wagner, Department of Department of Materials and Interfaces The Gerald and Hedy Oliven Professorial Chair in Brain Research Established in 2003 by the estate of Gerald Oliven, Los Angeles, CA Incumbent Professor Michail Tsodyks, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Joseph and Ruth Owades Professorial Chair of Chemistry Established in 1999 by Joseph Owades of Sonoma, California Incumbent Professor Jacob Anglister, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Lester B. Pearson Professorial Chair Established in 1968 by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Abraham Arcavi, Department of Department of Science Teaching The William Petschek Professorial Chair of Mathematics Established in 1985 by his family, Scarsdale, NY Incumbent Professor Gideon Schechtman, Department of Department of Mathematics Academic Affairs Office 451 The Morton and Gladys Pickman Professorial Chair in Structural Biology Established in 2002 Morton and Gladys Pickman of Boca Raton, FL Incumbent Professor Joel Sussman, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Max Planck Professorial Chair of Quantum Physics Established in 1988 by the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Eli Waxman, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Israel Pollak Professorial Chair of Biophysics Established in 1981 by the Edit and Israel Pollak Foundation, Israel Incumbent Professor Zvi Kam, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Hilda Pomeraniec Memorial Professorial Chair Established in 1961 by Dr. J. Pomeraniec, Vence, France, in memory of his wife Incumbent Professor Gilad Haran, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Maurizio Pontecorvo Professorial Chair Established in 2005 by Dr. Clotilde Pontecorvo Incumbent Professor Irit Sagi, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Moshe Porath Professorial Chair in Mathematics Established in 1990 by The Weizmann Institute of Science in honor of Moshe Porath, Tel-Aviv Incumbent Professor Yosef Yomdin, Department of Department of Mathematics The Isidor I. Rabi Professorial Chair of Physics Established in 1988 by an anonymous donor Incumbent Professor Mordehai Milgrom, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Theodore R. and Edlyn Racoosin Professorial Chair Established in 1962 by Mr. Racoosin, New York Incumbent Professor Omri Sarig, Department of Department of Mathematics The Professor T. Reichstein Professorial Chair Established in 1989 by the Swiss Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Abraham Minsky, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Walter P. Reuther Professorial Chair of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Established in 1968 by the United Automobile Workers of America Incumbent Professor Amos Breskin, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professorial Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. Robbins, the Robbins family and friends, Chicago Incumbent Professor Shimon Vega, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Matthew B. Rosenhaus Professorial Chair Established in 1984 by the Sarah and Matthew Rosenhaus Peace Foundation, Inc., Morristown, NJ Incumbent Professor Vladimir Berkovich, Department of Department of Mathematics The Helena Rubinstein Professorial Chair in Cancer Research Established in 1994 by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Adi Kimchi, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Helena Rubinstein Professorial Chair of Structural Biology 452 Academic Affairs Office Established in 1985 by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Zippora Shakked, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Barry Rymer Family Professorial Chair Established in 1987 by the Barry Rymer Charitable Trust, Chicago Incumbent Professor Aldo Shemesh, Department of Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Professorial Chair in Energy Research Established in 2002 by Mr. Rowland Schaefer of Pembroke Pines, Florida Incumbent Professor David Cahen, Department of Department of Materials and Interfaces The Hermann and Lilly Schilling Foundation Professorial Chair Established in 1993 by the Herman and Lily Schilling Foundation for Medicine, Germany Incumbent Professor Shmuel Pietrokovski, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Samuel Sebba Professorial Chair of Pure and Applied Physics Established in 1972 by Mr. Sebba, London Incumbent Professor Itzhak Tserruya, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology Established in 1982 by their friends in Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, The United Kingdom and the United States Incumbent Professor Yadin Dudai, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Sherman Professorial Chair of Physical Chemistry Established in 1966 by the trustees of the Sherman Charitable Foundation in memory of Harry and Abe Sherman of South Wales Incumbent Professor Yehiam Prior, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Ruth and Sylvia Shogam Professorial Chair Established in 1998 in memory of Benjamin, Sarah and Dr. Isador Shogam Incumbent Professor Victor Katsnelson, Department of Department of Mathematics The Rebecca and Israel Sieff Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry Established in 1960 in honor of the founders of the Daniel Sieff Institute Incumbent Professor Ronny Neumann, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel and Freda and Edward M. Siegel Professorial Chair Established in 1979 by the Titan Industrial Corp., New York Incumbent Professor Eitan Bibi, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Professorial Chair of Human Genomics Established in 1998 by Ralph and Lois Silver, Chicago, Illinois Incumbent Professor Doron Lancet, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Ruth and Leonard Simon Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Simon, Chicago Incumbent Professor Rivka Dikstein, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Robert and Yadelle Sklare Professorial Chair in Biochemistry Established in 2002 Robert and Yadelle Sklare of Chicago, IL Incumbent Professor Avigdor Scherz, Department of Department of Plant Sciences Academic Affairs Office 453 The William D. Smithburg Professorial Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1986 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Steven J.D Karlish, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Agnes Spencer Professorial Chair of Physical Chemistry Established in 1965 by the Agnes Spencer Trust, London Incumbent Professor Israel Dostrovsky, Department of Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research (deceased September 2010) The Edith Arnoff Stein Professorial Chair in Stem Cell Research Established in 2006 by Edith and Martin Stein, Roca Raton, FL Incumbent Professor Tsvee Lapidot, Department of Department of Immunology The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Professorial Chair Established in 1992 by Mr. Manfred Steinfeld, Chicago Incumbent Professor Samuel Safran, Department of Department of Materials and Interfaces The William Sussman Professorial Chair of Mathematics Established in 1992 by S. Donald Sussman, New York Incumbent Professor David Harel, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Alex and Ida Sussman Professorial Chair of Submicron Electronics Established in 2000 by S. Donald Sussman, New York Incumbent Professor Moty Heiblum, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Herman P. Taubman Professorial Chair of Mathematics Established in 1961 in memory of the late Mr. Taubman, Tulsa, by his family Incumbent Professor Ofer Zeitouni, Department of Department of Mathematics The Margaret Thatcher Professorial Chair of Chemistry Established in 1985 by the Weizmann Institute Foundation of the United Kingdom Incumbent Professor Gershom (Jan) Martin, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Siegfried and Irma Ullmann Professorial Chair Established in 1991 by Mrs. Irma Ullmann, New York Incumbent Professor Abraham Shanzer, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professorial Chair of Agricultural Molecular Biology Established in 1983 by a special fund of the Stifterverband fuer die Deutsche Wissenschaft Incumbent Professor Robert Fluhr, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Harry Weinrebe Professorial Chair of Computer Science and Biology Established in 2005 by the Dorset Foundation, UK Incumbent Professor Ehud Shapiro, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Harry Weinrebe Professorial Chair of Laser Physics Established in 2003 by the Dorset Foundation, UK Incumbent Professor Yaron Silberberg, Department of Department of Physics of 454 Academic Affairs Office Complex Systems The Joe and Celia Weinstein Professorial Chair Established in 1993 by Major and Mrs. Max Shulman, New York Incumbent Professor Dov Zipori, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Simon Weinstock Professorial Chair of Astrophysics Established in 2000 by Lord Weinstock, London Incumbent Professor Daniel Zajfman, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Meyer W. Weisgal Professorial Chair Established in 1979 by Arthur B. Krim, William S. Paley, Raphael Recanati, George Sagan, and Robert I. Wishnick, New York Incumbent Professor Oded Goldreich, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Renee and Jay Weiss Professorial Chair Established in 1987 by Mr. Weiss, Miami Incumbent Professor Itai Benjamini, Department of Department of Mathematics The Edna and Mickey Weiss Professorial Chair of Cytokines Research Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Menachem Rubinstein, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The W. Garfield Weston Professorial Chair of Immunology Established in 1966 by the Garfield Weston Foundation Israeli Trust, London Incumbent Professor Michael Sela, Department of Department of Immunology The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Professorial Chair of Bio-Organic Chemistry Established in 1985 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Ed Bayer, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Charles and David Wolfson Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1965 by the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, London Incumbent Professor Alexander Finkelstein, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Sam and Ayala Zacks Professorial Chair Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Zacks, Toronto Incumbent Professor Eli Pollak, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The George Zlotowski Professorial Chair Established in 2001 by Gertrude Zlotowski Incumbent Professor Dov Sagi, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Sam Zuckerberg Professorial Chair in Hydrology Established in 2002 by Roy J. Zuckerberg Family Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Brian Berkowitz, Department of Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Academic Affairs Office 455 Career Development Chairs

The Dr. Celia Zwillenberg-Fridman and Dr. Lutz Zwillenberg Career Development Chair Established in 2010 by Dr. Celia Zwillenberg, Bern, Switzerland Incumbent Dr. Jakub Abramson, Department of Department of Immunology The Beracha Foundation Career Development Chair Established in 1978 by the Beracha Foundation, Geneva Incumbent Dr. Rony Paz, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Elaine Blond Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by Mrs. Blond, London Incumbent Dr. Michal Sharon, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Adolfo and Evelyn Blum Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1979 by bequest of Mr. Blum, New York Incumbent Dr. Asaph Aharoni, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Anna and Maurice Boukstein Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by family and friends of the late Mr. Boukstein, New York Incumbent Dr. Ron Milo, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Abraham and Jennie Fialkow Career Development Chair Established in 1990 by Lawrence Fialkow, New York Incumbent Dr. Boris Rybtchinski, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Judith and Martin Freedman Career Development Chair Established in 1988 by Mrs. Judy and Gary Freedman, Beverly Hills, California Incumbent Dr. David Margulies, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Edith and Nathan Goldenberg Career Development Chair Established in 2010 by Mr. Philip Goldenberg, London, UK Incumbent Dr. Assaf Vardi, Department of Department of Plant Sciences The Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Kimmelman, New York Incumbent Dr. Eran Hornstein, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Carl and Frances Korn Career Development Chair in the Life Sciences Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Korn, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Valery Krizhanovsky, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Corinne S. Koshland Career Development Chair Established in 1978 by Dr. Dan E. Koshland, Jr. and Mr. Dan E. Koshland, Sr., Berkeley, California Incumbent Dr. Eli Arama, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Daniel E. Koshland Sr. Career Development Chair Established in 1996 by Professor Daniel E. Koshland Jr. of, Berkeley, California Incumbent Dr. Yoav Soen, Department of Department of Biological Chemistry The Dewey David Stone and Harry Levine Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by the Stone Charitable Foundation, Inc., Shoreham, Massachusetts, Max Coffman, Brockton, Massachusetts and Friends of Mr. Stone and Mr. Levine Incumbent Dr. Alexander Milov, Department of Department of Particle Physics and 456 Academic Affairs Office Astrophysics The Alvin and Gertrude Levine Career Development Chair Established in 1994 by Alvin and Gertrude Levine, Los Angeles, California Incumbent Dr. Oren Tal, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Lilian and George Lyttle Career Development Chair Established in 1985 by Mrs. Helen Kimmelman, New York Incumbent Dr. Koby Levy, Department of Department of Structural Biology The Robert Edward and Roselyn Rich Manson Career Development Chair Established in 1982 in their memory, by Norman and Sandra Rich, West Liberty, IA, and Martin and Barbara Rich, Davenport, Iowa Incumbent Dr. Rafal Klajn, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Gertrude and Philip Nollman Career Development Chair Established in 1992 by Debra Gallagher, Irvine, California Incumbent Dr. Eldad Tzahor, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The William Z. and Eda Bess Novick Career Development Chair Established in 1993 by the American Committee in honor of Eda Bess and William Z. Novick, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Shahal Ilani, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Recanati Career Development Chair of Energy Research Established in 1978 by the Recanati Family, Israel Incumbent Dr. Michael Bendikov, Department of Department of Organic Chemistry The Pauline Recanati Career Development Chair Established in 1980 by the Ralli Foundation, Geneva Incumbent Dr. Nir Friedman, Department of Department of Immunology The Recanati Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1978 by the Recanati Family, Israel Incumbent Dr. Ami Navon, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Joseph and Celia Reskin Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Charles Reskin, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Barak Dayan, Department of Department of Chemical Physics The Louis and Ida Rich Career Development Chair Established in 1982 by Norman Rich, Martin Rich and Roselyn Rich Manson, West Liberty and Davenport, Iowa Incumbent Dr. Ehud Altman, Department of Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Philip Harris and Gerald Ronson Career Development Chair Established in 1986 by Mr. Harris and Mr. Ronson, London Incumbent Dr. Alon Chen, Department of Department of Neurobiology The Aser Rothstein Career Development Chair Established in 1987 by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Toronto and the Dysautonomia Fund of Canada Incumbent Dr. Oren Schuldiner, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Helena Rubinstein Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York Incumbent Dr. Anat Levin, Department of Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Academic Affairs Office 457 The Martha S. Sagon Career Development Chair Established in 1992 by Martha Sagon, Washington DC Incumbent Dr. Elazar Zelzer, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Rowland Schaefer, Miami, Florida Incumbent Dr. Rotem Sorek, Department of Department of Molecular Genetics The Skirball Career Development Chair in New Scientists Established in 2008 by the Skirball Foundation, New York Incumbent Dr. Lilach Gilboa, Department of Department of Biological Regulation The Tauro Career Development Chair in Biomedical Research Established in 1986 by the Tauro Stiftung, Switzerland Incumbent Dr. Gil Levkowitz, Department of Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Shloimo and Michla Tomarin Career Development Chair Established in 1985 by Mr. Harry Tomarin, St. Catherines, Canada and his sister Mrs. Adele Alexandroff, Toronto Incumbent Dr. Gilad Perez, Department of Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics The Benjamin H. Swig and Jack D. Weiler Career Development Chair Established in 1988 by Mr. Melvin M. Swig, San Francisco, and Mr. Jack D. Weiler, New-York Incumbent Dr. Ilan Koren, Department of Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Staff Fellowships

The Ludo Altenhaus Memorial Fellowship Established in 1976 by bequest of Dr. George Altenhaus, Worcester, Massachusetts The Joseph C. and Esther Foster Research Fellowship Established by the Joseph C. and Esther Foster Foundation, Inc., Boston The Peter R. Friedman Research Fellowship for Physicians Eestablished in memory of Dr. Leon A. Friedman, New York The Meir and Jeanette Friedman Research Fellowship Established by bequest of Mr. Friedman, Forest City, Iowa The Samuel A. Goldsmith Research Fellowship Established in 1968 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Hettie Heineman Research Fellowships Established in 1975 by the Heineman Foundation, New York The Fanny and Samuel Kay Research Fellowship Established in 1972 by James F. Kay and Irving, Jack and Wilfred Posluns, Toronto The Abraham and Sarah Krumbein Fellowship Established in 1971 by Mr. Krumbein, New York The Ann Landers Research Fellowship Established in 1981 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Michael and Audrey Sacher Research Fellowship Established in 1961 by Mr and Mrs. Sacher, London 458 Academic Affairs Office The Dr. Leopold J. Schwarz and Margarete Schwarz Memorial Cancer Research Fellowship Established in 1961 by bequest of Dr. Schwarz, San Francisco The C.P. Scott Research Fellowship Established in 1959 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sacher, London, in memory of C.P. Scott, editor of the Manchester Guardian The Herbert Sidebotham Research Fellowship Established by the late Harry Sacher, London, in memory of Herbert Sidebotham

Visiting Fellowships

The Joseph Brainin Fellowship Established in 1967 by the Meier Segals Foundation, Montreal The Morris Belkin Visiting Professorship Established in 1995 by Mrs. Helen Belkin, Canada The Charpak/Vered Visiting Fellowship Established in 1996 in honor of Dr. Georges Charpak by Sara and Zeev Vered and their friends, Ottawa, for the exchange of Israeli and Canadian Scientists The Federal Republic of Germany Through the Minerva Gesellschaft für die Forschung m.b.H., awards annually a number of fellowships for the exchange of Israeli and German scientists The Heineman Exchange Fellowship Established in 1972 by the Minna James Heineman Stiftung, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany, in memory of Dr. Konrad Adenauer The Institute of Biochemical Research-Fundacion Campomar (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Exchange Fellowships Established in 1985 The Joseph Meyerhoff Visiting Professorship Established in 1979 by the Joseph Meyerhoff Fund, Baltimore The Erna and Jakob Michael Visiting Professorship at the Weizmann Institute of Science Established by Mr. and Mrs. Michael, New York The Michael Sela Exchange Program in Immunology Established by the Mount Sinai Hospital in association with the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Toronto The Dr. Gordon M. Shrum Fund Exchange Fellowship Established in 1981 by the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Sieff Research Fellowships Program for Physicians Established in 1986 in honor of Lord Sieff of Brimpton by the American Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science The Rosie and Max Varon Visiting Professorships Established in 1986 by an anonymous U.S. donor and the estate of Dorothy Greif-Valsecchi, Paris The Garfield Weston Visiting Scholar Program Established in 1999 by Mr. Garry H. Weston , London The Weizmann Institute-Evanston Hospital Exchange Fellowships Academic Affairs Office 459 Established in 1980 by Harold L. Perlman, Chicago, and the Ambrose and Gladys Bowyer Foundation, Chicago The Weizmann Institute-Imperial College of Science and Technology Exchange Fellowship Established in 1981 by Marks and Spencer, London The Weizmann Institute-Johns Hopkins University Exchange Fellowships Established in 1982 The Sir Siegmund Warburg Visiting Professorship Established by the Sir Siegmund Warburg-Weizmann Trust, London The Weizmann Institute-University of Wisconsin Exchange Fellowships Established in 1979 by Harold L. Perlman, Chicago. Various Committees for the Weizmann Institute abroad also provide fellowships from time to time. 460 Academic Affairs Office

Weizmann Presidential Development Chairs, Professorial Chairs and Career Development Chairs (open)

Presidential Development Chairs

The Miriam Berman Presidential Development Chair Established in 2005 by Mrs. Miriam Berman, Forest Hills, NY The Nancy and Dr. Joseph Jacobson Family Presidential Development Chair Established in 2005 by Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Jacobson, Bloomfield Hills, MI The Enid Barden and Aaron J. Jade President's Development Chair for New Scientists in Memory of Cantor Established in 2006 by Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Jade, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Professorial Chairs

The Leonard and Kay Cohen Professorial Chair of Bioenergetics Established in 2001 The Jack Cotton Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1969 by the Jack Cotton Foundation, London The Joseph and Sadie Danciger Professorial Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1967 by the Sadie Danciger Trust, Kansas City The Harry de Jur Professorial Chair of Applied Physics Established in 1982 by the Harry de Jur Foundation, New York The Everett McKinley Dirksen Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1974 The Paul Ehrlich Professorial Chair of Immunology Established in 1979 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The William B. Graham Professorial Chair of Pharmacology Established in 1978 by his friends and associates, Chicago The Marc R. Gutwirth Professorial Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1967 in memory of Professor Gutwirth by his mother, Mrs. Regina Gutwirth, New York, and his wife, Gloria The Richard Kronstein Professorial Chair of Theoretical Magnetism Established in 1977 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Zurich The Charles and Charlotte Krown Professorial Chair of Medicinal Chemistry Established in 1985 by Mr. Charles Krown, Los Angeles The Herbert H. Lehman Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Academic Affairs Office 461 Established in 1965 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Olin-Sang Professorial Chair of Leukemia Research Established in 1969 in memory of Ida K. and Louis B. Olin and Etta and Jacob Sang by their families and friends, Chicago The Hilda Pomeraniec Memorial Professorial Chair of Organic Chemistry Established in 1961 by Dr. J. Pomeraniec, Vence, France, in memory of his wife The Theodore R. Racoosin Professorial Chair of Biophysics Established in 1962 by Mr. Racoosin, New York The Ruth Epstein Recu Professorial Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1981 through the estate of Mrs. Epstein Recu, Chicago The Robert W. Reneker Professorial Chair of Industrial Chemistry Established in 1976 by his friends and associates, Chicago The Sophie M.T. and Richard S. Richards Professorial Chair in Cancer Research Established in 1997 through the bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Richards, New York and Paris The Heinrich G. Ritzel Professorial Chair of Immunology Established in 1976 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Zurich The John Roberts Professorial Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1978 by the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Irene and David Schwartz Professorial Chair of Plant Genetics Established in 1973 by Mr. Schwartz, New York The Elias Sourasky Professorial Chair Established in 1992 by Dr. Jaime P. Constantiner, Mexico The Adlai E. Stevenson III Professorial Chair of Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology Established in 1972 by his friends and associates, Chicago The Max and Anne Tanenbaum Professorial Chair of Nuclear Physics Established in 1976 by Mr. and Mrs. Tanenbaum, Toronto The Bee Wiggs Professorial Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1983 by Mr. Irving Wiggs, San Marino, CA

Career Development Chairs

The Armour Family Career Development Chair in Cancer Research Established in 1989 by Mr. Robert N. Armour, Greenwich, Connecticut The Rhona and Graham Beck Career Development Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. and Mrs. Beck, South Africa 462 Academic Affairs Office The Arye Dissentshik Career Development Chair Established in 1978 by the Association of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel The Delta Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by Delta Textiles, Tel-Aviv The Dr. Victor L. Erlich Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by bequest of Dr. Erlich, New York The Jack and Florence Goodman Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Jack Goodman, Winnetka, Illinois The Walter and Elise Haas Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, San Francisco The Frances and Max Hersh Career Development Chair Established in 2002 by bequest of Frances and Max Hersh of, Florida The Henry Kaplan Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1987 by Mrs. Henry S. Kaplan, Stanford, California The Jacob and Alphonse Laniado Career Development Chair of Industrial and Energy Research Established in 1983 by the estate of Jacob Laniado, Montreal The Dewey David Stone and Harry Levine Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by the Stone Charitable Foundation, Inc., Shoreham, Massachusetts, Max Coffman, Brockton, Massachusetts and Friends of Mr. Stone and Mr. Levine The Madeleine Haas Russell Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Mrs. Madeleine Haas Russell, San Francisco The Soretta and Henry Shapiro Career Development Chair Established in 1992 by Mr. Henry Shapiro, Chicago The Morris and Ida Wolf Career Development Chair Established in 1984 in memory of their parents by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Fishman, Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Wolf and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Mills, Highland Park and Northbrook, Illinois Research Grants and Projects Office 463

Research Grants and Projects Office

Igal Nevo, Head

The principal aims of the Research Grants and Projects Office (RGP) are:

♦ Collecting and distributing information on sources of funds, both in Israel and abroad. ♦ Providing guidance, advice, and administrative services to academic staff members in all that concerns the submission of requests for research grants to (external and internal) funding sources. ♦ Negotiating and authorizing the contractual relationship with funding sources. ♦ Monitoring the follow-up and assuring adherence to the timetables of the different sponsored research projects. During the Academic Year 09/10 Institute researchers were active in over 1,000 research projects, totaling a gross external research income of over $65 million.

Sources of approved funding for research grants were geographically distributed between: Israel (over $25 million), Europe (nearly $30 million), the USA (nearly $10 million) and Bi-national and International sources (over $3 million).

The top sources providing external research grant support for research were the European Union Framework Programme, the Israel Science Foundation, research programs originating with the German government, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as research support programs of the Israel Ministry for Science and Technology. 464 Research Grants and Projects Office Division of Information Systems

Head: Ronit Segal 466 Division of Information Systems

Division of Information Systems

Ronit Segal

Head of Division of Information Systems

The Division of Information Systems, located in the Dr. Karl and Leila Ribstein Center for Information Technology, provides networking, communications, computer system services and support, applications developing and implementation, and internet and library services to Institute scientists, students and administrators. It oversees the smooth implementation of an integrated computing environment, as well as maintaining the infrastructure upon which these information technology services are delivered. The role of fast communication (data, voice and picture) facilities is constantly expanding, with ever-increasing demand for easy multi-platform access, to facilitate the retrieval and free flow of continually updated information.

The Division consists of three Branches:

♦ the IT Infrastructure Branch ♦ the Applications Branch ♦ the Libraries Branch The homepage of the Division of Information Systems is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/DIS/

Gershom Martin (until June 2010) Senior Academic Advisor to the Head of Information Systems Division

Prof. Martin acts as the academic advisor to the head of the Division, and also as advisor for IT affairs to the WIS President. The main focus of his activities is to articulate the special requirements of the academic sector to the division and to improve the quality of service for IT services that are essential to the scientists (email, internet access, end-user support, etc.).

Another focus is investigating future-proof next-generation technologies for the division in general, and the Computing Center in particular.

A third area of attention is nurturing practical expertise in research computing (particularly HPC). Division of Information Systems 467 Fourth, he acts as an integrator for problems where the solution requires bringing together expertise from different subspecialties of IT, and bridging the gaps between them.

In addition, Prof. Martin serves as the academic overseer of the WIS Library System.

IT Infrastructure Branch Ofer Aaronson, Head

The IT Infrastructure (ITI) Branch (previously known as the Computing Center) strives to provide an advanced and efficient communications and computing environment for the Institute's faculty, students and staff. ITI is a member of the Inter University Computing Center (IUCC), popularly known by its Hebrew Acronym MACHBA http://www.iucc.ac.il. The eight member universities share technology and services, to the benefit of all. From the smallest personal computer to powerful multi-processor servers, ITI supports and facilitates the campus computing and communications infrastructure, together with providing the network-intensive applications necessary for the pursuit and advancement of science at the Weizmann Institute.

♦ Fully backed-up Open Enterprise Server, Linux, UNIX and Macintosh file and print systems are now available for the thousands of personal computers at the Institute. ♦ The Tivoli Storage Management backup system has been upgraded and now runs on Linux servers. TSM backup system has been enhanced to allow faster processing, by storing backed-up data on high performance disk storage and on faster and higher-capacity LTO4 tapes. ♦ Support is provided for approximately 4000 personal computers running Windows, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems. Currently, about 60 new personal computers are installed on campus each month. ♦ The old IBM mainframe, which served administrative data processing, has been phased out. ♦ The Institute communications infrastructure has been upgraded with a fully redundant 10 Gb network in the core and in the main buildings, and with dedicated 1Gb bandwidth to every workstation on campus. The network is based on state-of-the-art networking technologies, and enables complete integration of the security policies on the campus. The entire Weizmann network, starting with our connection to the IUCC network and including almost the entire remaining network, is fully redundant. The network grows at a rate of 15% every year. ♦ The connection to the Internet via the IUCC network has been upgraded, and our main connection is now 1GB with a backup line of 468 Division of Information Systems 300Mb. ♦ We have deployed a centrally-managed Institute-wide wireless network. We have deployed new Wireless Technology, 802.1n, that allows greater coverage and mobility. This allows all users to access the same wireless environment, regardless of where they are located in the Institute, and allows roaming between wireless access points without disconnecting from the network. Wireless service is available for general Internet Web access and Secure Internal connection for those scientists who need such a service. We have launched a new Secured authentication system which seamlessly allows Wireless mobile devices (i.e. Laptop computer) to connect to the Institute's internal network, while still maintaining maximum security to our network. We also provide Wireless Guest Network service to visitors who need external access isolated from our Network, thus allowing extended applications (e.g. Client VPN and others) that cannot traverse the Weizmann firewall. ♦ The IT Infrastructure branch has built a new Data Center with a high density water cooling system to host HPC (high-performance clusters) systems per the scientific departments needs. We support 30kW cooling per compute nodes cabinets that typically hosts hundreds of compute cores, Infini-band inter-connect switches and Terabytes of storage. The ITI Data Center is a state-of-the-art hosting facility with raised floor, water cooling fabric for both HPC systems and room environmental, designed for optimal airflow rack layout. It supports power distribution for 3-phase outlets on an upper ladder rack and runs with 24x7 monitoring by Weizmann facility for all critical systems. ♦ The IT Infrastructure Branch oversees the implementation, integration and administration of HPC in various scientific departments. We have integrated Lustre file systems to be used in Linux clusters. Lustre file systems can support several thousand servers (Petabytes of storage) and can have hundreds of Gigabytes per second throughput. We are taking an active part in planning large HPC clusters in various scientific departments: in the Faculty of Mathematics two main clusters have been added, the Physics cluster has been rebuilt, and the compute cluster of Bioinformatics has been redesigned. The Servers Section is also taking an active part in managing the cluster of Molecular Genetics, assisting scientists in choosing the optimal compute cluster for their needs. ITI is also in the process of exploring new paradigm in HPC technology, the use of GPU technology for high core density and significant cost optimization. We are starting a pilot of GPU based computing and its applicability in specific scientific applications. ♦ The Server Section has created a dedicated High Performance Cluster based on Linux servers at ITI. Scientists are invited to add their own servers to that cluster so that all the computing resources of the High Performance Cluster can be shared. In this way we can Division of Information Systems 469 achieve optimal performance from the computing resources. Job management of the cluster is based on SGE (Sun Grid Engine) job management technology. ♦ The Microsoft Exchange 2010 mail system has been chosen to become a single unified mail system for Weizmann. ITI has launched a program to migrate all users from OCS and GroupWise to Exchange. This program is underway from its inception, planning, design and build of the core system and a detailed planning of the migration process. We are planning to complete the migration throughout 2011. The new Exchange mail platform will have better mobility integration options based on ActiveSync and Blackberry Enterprise Server, will provide enhanced and secured Web mail access using Microsoft Outlook Web access and will enhance everyone's collaboration with unified access to calendars, conference room resources, address book, etc. ♦ The Oracle Collaboration Suite (OCS) mail server platform will continue to support its users through the migration until the end of the year. ♦ The GroupWise mail system will continue to supports its users through the migration until the end of the year. ♦ The IT Infrastructure Branch supports mobility on both GroupWise and OCS mail servers, using a NotifyLink mobile server to provide wireless access and management of Email, Calendar, Contacts and Tasks. We will migrate all mobile devices to Microsoft Exchange throughout the migration process of our mail system. ♦ The security system for the Institute network continues to be upgraded with the latest available technologies. We have improved and expanded our Firewall and Intrusion Detection and Prevention systems. We have enhanced our state-of-the-art anti-virus/anti-spam system, which monitors and filters all incoming mail, and have added several new levels of anti-spam protection. We continue to improve our security systems, balanced by scientific needs, and to add new technologies to protect our network and resources. We also have completed the implementation of full high availability for all the security systems. This will ensure continuous operation of all the systems and will minimize, if not totally eliminate, maintenance downtimes. ♦ We continue to support the recent releases of the Macintosh OS X operating system, including OSX 10.6, as well as the new Intel Macintosh platform. All new machines come with our supported software installed. We support several solutions for Windows operating systems on the Macintosh and are developing a more rigorous backup system for the Macintosh. At this point, the Macintosh OSX system is widely used and supported in the Institute, although we continue to support the older system as needed. 470 Division of Information Systems ♦ The EMC CX3-40 Storage Array has been extended. The Storage Area Network Infrastructure is being upgraded to two Cisco 9509 Storage Directors, which will offer more bandwidth, higher capacity and load balancing. The Network Appliance file server has been replaced, and we now have a clustered FAS3070 filer which provides NFS and CIFS services to servers and workstations on the campus and can be part of our SAN Infrastructure as well. ♦ The Meta-Directory has been expanded to manage and synchronize the identities of our users on a wide range of systems, including the e-Tafnit ERP system, the Oracle Collaboration Suite email system, the Aleph Libraries System, the Human Resource System and others. ♦ Another directory connected to the meta-directory contains the contact information for all staff and faculty members. This is used by the Internet Services Unit for publishing in the intranet. This contact information can also be accessed by a convenient application at http://uinfo.weizmann.ac.il. ♦ Athens is a joint Institute project of the Library and the IT Infrastructure Branch. Using Novell Access Manager, Weizmann users can now gain access to information resources throughout the world, regardless of where they are located. Many information service providers in Europe and other parts of the world use a special authentication infrastructure, called "Athens", through which a users identity is verified before granting access to any given resource. The project at Weizmann integrates "Athens" and Weizmann's Identity Management infrastructure, so that when our users need access to external information resources, the user identity and access rights are verified against Weizmann's local Identity Management infrastructure, without exposing the user's passwords and other sensitive information to any external resource provider. ♦ We have centralized a Helpdesk function (Moked) that answers all end-users calls, in an attempt to provide immediate first call support. Support calls details are entered into our Helpdesk ticketing system for tracking, dispatch and resolution. The IT Support Section monitors the Helpdesk ticketing system and resolves tickets in the order they are entered into the system. Our Support group consists of three discrete sub-groups with related expertise: PC, Mac and Linux. This diversity allows us serve the Weizmann heterogeneous computing environment efficiently and effectively. ♦ We organize computing training programs for Office applications, Windows and other topics, as requested by specific departments in our computer classroom in the Division of Information Systems building. These programs are taught by certified trainers from key training partners. ♦ On an ongoing basis, we are working toward guaranteeing the fastest way to supply a fully-installed new PC. We continue to update the CD Division of Information Systems 471 ROMs (containing our supported software) which we prepare and distribute to our authorized PC dealers. The dealers use these CD ROMs to install our computing environment on PCs they sell to the Institute. These PCs are then delivered directly to the end user, ready to be connected to our network. Our supported software can also be installed from a menu on PCs which are already connected to our campus network. This is enabled by a product called Zen Works for Desktops. Today we keep images of most of the standard PCs supported by the IT Infrastructure Branch, and instead of installing or re-installing Windows on users PCs from Microsoft distribution CDs, we re-image them via the network. In most cases we can have a new copy of Windows up and running in 15-20 minutes. We have introduced Windows 7 and Office 2007 as standard in our imaging CD ROM, so that any new PC comes with the latest software. ♦ Administrative PCs: For 2010, the Weizmann Institute again selected a single PC and a single dealer for administrative PCs for a period of one year. Standardizing on a single PC allows us not only to negotiate a fair price with the vendor, but has also led to increased satisfaction from the user standpoint, and labor savings from the standpoint of the IT Infrastructure Branch. Standardizing on a single administrative PC allows us to utilize a standard "image" for the PC. If at any time there is a problem with the current copy of the system on the computer, we can ask the user to restart the computer and a fresh copy of the system will be downloaded over the network. ♦ Scientific PCs: we are constantly reviewing the scientific computer hardware configuration for PCs which should satisfy the needs of most scientific departments. We have elected and certified Intel motherboards in various configurations and manage our selection for price performance in tandem with Intel announcements. We have also established an Authorized Supplier program that requires our supplier to provide 3-years on-site support for all PC hardware we purchase from them. This ensures best price and service level for the Scientific PC hardware. ♦ We have upgraded our range of supported Windows software to improve service and security, we use Windows 7 as our standard operating system. ♦ The Telecommunications Services unit provides and maintains all telephone communications on the Institute campus. The hub of its activity is the central switchboard installation, managed by four operators and one supervisor. The switchboard is a "Coral" product of Tadiran, supporting over 3,000 extensions throughout the campus. It has been recently upgraded to version 15, allowing for IP-telephony and Soft phones. ♦ The Telephone Communications Services unit is responsible for the smooth functioning, maintenance, and (the constant) transfer of these 472 Division of Information Systems lines, as well as the addition of new extensions as needed. The unit works closely with Bezeq, and is also responsible for implementing the infrastructure necessary for remote (off-campus) connections to the Institute's computer network, such as fast Internet ADSL lines. This includes international connections as well, in conjunction with the various Israeli international telephone service providers. ♦ The Telecommunication team has joined forces with international telephone service partners to provide international phone service. Weizmann scientists can subscribe to regional Cellular phones from the Telecommunication section office for reduced roaming Cellular service while traveling abroad. Similar service is available with an international calling card. ♦ The unit oversees and maintains all cellular telephone activity on campus, together with the local cellular service providers. To date, there are over 400 cellular phones under the management of the Telecommunications Services unit. The unit now supplies cellular modems to the scientists, either by purchasing or by borrowing, to enable wideband connection from laptops to the internet. In 2011 following Weizmann decision to participate in the Accountant General's (Ministry of Finance) tender for Cellular Phone services, a tender which is performed for all government services, we are planning a migration of the cellular service to the newly elected prpovider, Pelephone. It is expected to provide significant savings in telecommunication costs as a result of this tender. ♦ We have completed a comprehensive ,b>mapping of all the telephone cables

on campus, radiating from the central switchboard to every single structure with a telephone. This information is an invaluable tool in maintaining the smooth running of the Institute's extensive telephone system, and enables the most efficient use of this cable network when installing new phones. ♦ The unit works tirelessly to provide and maintain the most efficient service possible in all areas of communication on the Institute campus that pertain to telephones. ♦ The home page of the Telecommunications Services section is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/telecomm/ The home page of the IT Infrastructure Branch is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/CC/ Division of Information Systems 473 Research Staff

Senior Staff Scientist

Morton F. Taragin, Ph.D., George Washington University, Washington, United States

Engineers

Shlomit Afgin, M.Sc., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Camille Botaz, M.Sc., University of Bucharest, Romania Yehezkel Bialik, B.Sc., Yeshiva University Issak Kopp, M.Sc., Novocherkassk Polytechnic Institute Boris Lourie, Ph.D., The Weizmann Institute of Science Iris Mersel, M.Sc., Tomsk University, Tomsk, and M.Sc., Moscow University, Moscow Jerry Mersel, B.Sc., Hunter College, NY

Applications Branch Mirit Katz-Shilo, Head

The Applications Branch is responsible for the activities previously carried out by the Data Processing Department and the Internet Services Unit. It is responsible for the development and maintenance of data systems used by Institute scientists and administrators. An additional focus is the creation of departmental web sites, as well as individually customized applications. All systems have been, and are currently being, developed in accordance with Internet/Intranet technology, in which a client-user is connected to an Internet web server via multi-platform-compatible web browser software. In such an environment, the client is not bound by any specific desktop platform, and can communicate freely with any international Internet or local Intranet site.

The Internet Services Section:

Since its inception in 1999, the Internet Services Section has played an integral role in the Divisions principal goal of improved communications and the dissemination of information. While the Internet Services Section maintains the Institutes central web servers, its primary function is the creation of departmental web sites, as well as a wide variety of individually customized applications.

As the focus of web sites has shifted from static web pages to dynamic interactive ones, the unit has made great progress in this area. Internet Services is concentrating on integrating the Human Resources database with the 474 Division of Information Systems dynamic resources of the web, making even the smallest change in the data immediately visible and retrievable via the Internet.

In the past year the section has been engaged in the following projects:

♦ A CMS (Content Management System) tool was developed, using the FCK editor. This tool enables the website owner to independently manage the content of the website. ♦ New platforms for website development have been implemented: Drupal, WordPress and SharePoint. These tools include capabilities of interfacing databases and other software tools. The platforms enable the website owner to independently update the content of the website. ♦ Designing and developing the new Weizmann web site, especially improved search engines, as part of the effort toward building a new website for the Institute. The new Weizmann web site will be ready in 2011, supplying a professional and efficient interface, and ensuring a dynamic reflection of a particularly multi-faceted campus. ♦ A new system to present tenders information to the public was developed, as part of the organization's readiness for implementing the new Tenders law and regulations of August 2010. ♦ An "Internal Form" in the Research Grants and Projects (RGP) Office web site was presented online. The submission of every grant application by a Weizmann Institute researcher, accompanied by completion and submission of a declaration, has been computerized and is now available online. ♦ The Internet Services section continues to modify applications to enable retrieving data from the HR system, which has been designated as the sole source of all Human Resources data at Weizmann. This ensures that all Human Resources data at Weizmann originates from the same source and is, therefore, totally uniform. ♦ The section continues to create web sites for any scientist or research group interested in this service. These sites are created in a way that allows the scientists themselves (or their students) to easily update their data, and to take real advantage of the webs capabilities. We have built automatic systems for a picture gallery, for a group calendar and for group announcements. In addition, there is now a user-friendly process for uploading files and displaying information about presentations given by group members at group meetings or scientific conferences. ♦ In addition, the section maintains important systems whose development is ongoing. These include: ◊ The highly successful online Directory, which includes pictures, phone numbers, room numbers, email addresses and home pages of Weizmann personnel. Division of Information Systems 475 ◊ The integrated online calendar, which is updated by many authorized personnel and displays information about all Weizmann events. ◊ The Email Distribution System M2G, which enables authorized personnel to send email to selected groups on campus. ◊ The Interactive Campus Map, which enables visitors and staff alike to easily navigate the campus. ◊ We have brought the online updating of the annual Scientific Activities report to the point where it is now automatically produced. This provides both for creating the online file, as well as for a simpler, significantly cost-saving, method of printing the annual report. ◊ The Current Research Activities is also produced on line and is updated weekly. This is an essential document, referred to by many (e.g. FGS students) as a primary and concise source of information about the scientific activities of research group leaders at the Institute. ◊ At the request of the Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs, the Internet Services section has created an online system to manage the Minerva-Weizmann Projects program. Information about the projects is displayed on line, enabling young German researchers who are interested in coming to Weizmann to learn more about working with the scientists involved in the project. ◊ Managing a continually evolving Weizmann web site, ensuring the rapid flow of up-to-date information via a professional and efficient interface, the section ensures that the Weizmann web site remains a dynamic reflection of a particularly multi-faceted campus. The ERP Section:

The extremely successful ERP system, based on Tafnit software, has been functioning smoothly since 2007, and is constantly being upgraded and expanded.

The system includes the following main modules: Finance, Budgets, Travel, Research Grants, Purchasing & Logistics, Construction and Salary Accounting, as well as an interface with the existing HR Oracle Applications module. The reporting and management of Grants and Financing has been upgraded to one integrated system, providing information transparency and automatic data control, according to accepted procedures and financial protocols. Data regarding where, when and by whom different operations were performed is stored and readily accessible. The whole process of a transaction, beginning with the request from the scientist and ending with the payment 476 Division of Information Systems process and its connection to the research, is accomplished within one system.

The ERP enables data retrieval and integration of data and processes from all information systems in the Institute, thus providing the complete and transparent information necessary for informed managerial decisions. This web-enabled system has had a campus-wide impact on documents workflow, control and reminders, where needed.

Further improvements that have been completed during 2010 include:

♦ Pursuant to the Tenders Law ("Chok ha'Michrazim") and regulations recently applied to institutes of higher learning in Israel, an initial response has been offered within the Tafnit system for the purchase of scientific goods and services. The declaration that needs to be approved by the initiator when submitting a purchasing request has been integrated within the purchase demand. As the automatic control process is developed further, more elements will be added to the Tafnit system, to provide a more inclusive answer to the requirements of the law and regulations. ♦ Enhancements in the Queries for Scientists now enable scientists to submit budgetary queries which return information on budgetary balances, as well as updates about personnel in the scientist's group. ♦ Development and implementation of an Inventory module, in Tafnit, for enabling Inventory control. ♦ A Suppliers portal has been introduced, which enables the Institues's suppliers to view the financial status and the approval of the invoices in the accounting department. The Human Resources System, based on the Oracle Applications Human Resources software package, has been in production for nine years. This system has been instrumental in centralizing all the human resources information and activities of the Institute, as well as providing, at long last, a single updated source of tabular information to be accessed by the entire campus. The Oracle Human Resources module serves as the single source of information for most of the Institute's online services, including LDAP, Internal Services, Feinberg Graduate School, and future portal-designed web sites.

The integration of the Academic Affairs Office into the larger Oracle data base has been completed. This new, comprehensive system monitors all administrative aspects of the scientific community, including sabbaticals, appointments, and organizational structure. Department administrators are now able to access the application to produce reports on their own, which include all relevant information about their department members. In addition, the Safety & Environmental Compliance Unit can also access relevant information in order to maintain the highest standards of safety on campus. Division of Information Systems 477 Additional modules and reports, which help systematize the Institute's organizational structure, are added regularly according to requests by the Division of Human Resources. The HR data base serves as a basis for campus-wide salary computations, the creation of individual employee information files, individually authorized entrance to campus buildings, and many other procedures. The system also enables total internet web-based interfacing with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat and other widely-used applications.

During the last year the following modules were implemented:

♦ A workflow tool of Oracle Application to support the process of reporting time effort and eligibility criteria for scientific grants by the scientists. ♦ An employee recognition system: Phase 1, which has been completed, manages the administrative part of the process. Phase 2, which will be implemented in the future, is planned to oversee entire workflow process, from the initial request for employee recognition, through all the approval levels until its final entry. ♦ Letters Production System: the old ADE system, which had no support, was replaced by a module in the HR system, which enables creating letters combined with information from the HR database. We are working toward sending the letters by email, instead on paper. The Applications Developing Section:

During the past year we have initiated the following projects:

♦ The successful Internal Services project, which has been running smoothly in production for over ten years, is constantly being upgraded and expanded. This web-enabled system, which monitors all in-house transfer of goods and services, has had a campus-wide impact on internal campus communication. Its current roster of approximately one hundred services provides an on-line catalogue of items available from various Institute departments (providers), and a user-friendly interface for placing, processing, and tracking internal orders. Most importantly, the system automatically debits and credits the department budgets or projects for these transactions. The systems is updated with new services all the time. ♦ The Feinberg Graduate School (FGS) system, which has successfully been in production for almost nine years, enables students to register for laboratory time according to availability, to view their grade scores on line via the web, to register on line for equipment and rooms, online registration for rotations and post-docs, course evaluation and scheduling, and an improved archive of graduate students. In order for students to view their grades, they must first 478 Division of Information Systems award a grade to the lecturer of the course, and to the course itself.

A complete menu of online interaction among students, lecturers, and the administration includes the automatic production of student cards, online questionnaires, a dynamic exchange and updating of grant reports, and the tracking of student and alumni awards.

Another service in the system, PAC (Ph.D. Approval Committee), assists the committee which awards Ph.D. degrees. It includes information on the committee members, dates, scheduling and candidate status, and oversees the smooth passage of all relevant forms and evaluations.

The system also includes improved logistical options and flexibility for the FGS staff, computerized systems for student and lecturers' salaries and student attendance, complete computerization of admissions procedures, early registration for exams, a grant system for outstanding women scientists, a follow-up system for Feinberg graduates (coordinated with the Ministry of the Interior), an improved travel system for students, registration of visiting students, automatic production of reports, and a greatly improved group email system which allows sending announcements/instructions/reports to specific population groups as needed.

Other recent enhancements include a user-friendly interactive reporting system, based on the interactive report Apex tool. a friendlier user interface developed in Oracle new tools (html/apex), which has improved the student-lecturer interface in the FGS system. Lecturers can now view the students' course evaluation for their courses. Application forms to FGS for different degrees/fellowships (M.Sc.,Ph.D.,Post-Doc) have been rewritten, and acceptance/rejection letters can now be printed on line. The forms and letters for the evaluation committee of the Women Scientists Fellowships, as well as Student Absentee reports, are presented via an html/web interface.

A new on-line course material system has been developed, which greatly assists Feinberg Graduate School students. The system allows students to view and download their course material, as well as providing an efficient method for professors to upload their syllabi and communicate with students. ♦ The Lab Manager system: (an html product, using Oracle APEX), for management of materials and orders for labs at Weizmann. The use of this product has been expanded to include 22 different laboratories. ♦ Many changes have been made in the administrative system for the Davidson Institute of Science Education and Tsemed systems, to Division of Information Systems 479 support the union of those units. ♦ Scientist housing: this system, which handles the housing provided to the scientists at Weizmann, has been rebuilt and it now integrates all the information regarding the housing of visiting scientists, permanent scientists and students. New modules, such as of inventory household, family members' care and interface to the ERP system were added. ♦ A new HelpDesk Reports system: provides Business Intelligence on the Helpdesk system at the IT Support Section in Weizmann. The reports analyze received tickets by departments, supporters, requests topics, etc. ♦ Kesher: an internal management system for the Research Services Division, which allows this unit to maintain time schedules and regulate the work of each member of the group. The system was implemented successfully during this year. ♦ Alumni: a new web form site, which allows all alumni to get in touch with former students of the Institute, including the option of having an institute email for life for alumni has been developed. ♦ DNA Manufacturing Process System, for Prof. Ehud Shapiro's lab. This system manages the tasks and projects during the manufacturing stage, encorporates Matlab's results of the process, and creates a file for production use by the robot. ♦ In addition to the new projects described above, the Applications Branch maintains and upgrades important systems whose initial development is complete. These include:

◊ LIMS: Laboratory Information Management System, requested by the new Israel Structural Proteomics Center housed on the Weizmann campus and run by Weizmann scientists. Researchers submit targets (DNA or purified protein) for cloning and expression of the target genes and purification, crystallization and 3D structure determination of the target proteins. The new system tracks all of the scientific stages along the way: from primers, PCR experimentation, cloning, mini-prep, expression, production and purification, to crystallization and 3D structure. We are now upgrading the system to a new html format. ◊ An Administrative Assemblies Management System for the Department of Resource Development: enables group visit tracking, flight information, tours and events scheduling, nametags, place cards, and all other aspects of important group assemblies at the Institute. ◊ A touch-screen system for the Levinson Visitors' Center that funnels information automatically to the Department of Resource Development. ◊ The Telephones Billing Management system. 480 Division of Information Systems ◊ The young@science system, which monitors after-school science activities offered by the Institute to Rehovot children. A new addition to this system manages a multifaceted program of organized school outings to the Clore Science Park. The same system also manages all activities in the Garden of Science. ◊ The IACUC (International Animal Care and Use Committee) system, which enables scientists to submit applications for veterinary resources via the Internet, replacing the previous email/telephone system. This is one of the department's most successful smaller systems, and since it went into production in November of 2002, a wide array of new features has been added every year. ◊ The system to monitor the working hours of the private Security Service personnel the Institute employs. ◊ A Safety Services system, which monitors reports submitted by Heads of Research Groups about the levels of their biological, chemical and radiations hazards/data, student exposure, and vaccinations. ◊ The transportation system, which enables the ordering of transportation services and movement of goods via the campus Intranet. ◊ A management system for controlling the schedule of the Wix and Ebner auditoriums. ◊ A scholarships system which interfaces between the Feinberg Graduate School and the Donors system. Every FGS student receives a donated Scholarship every year, and the new system maintains these relationships. ◊ CAMP and KAMATZ projects of the Davidson Institute of Science Education. This system includes a data base of students and counselors who participate in these projects, as well as follow-up data on project management, programs, and student attendance. The system also includes many report options, as well as mailing list management. The BI Section (Business Information and reports): BI is a methodology that creates a better view of the data in an organization. The platform usually includes tools that enable easy access to many sources of information, from several databases and formats, in different operational systems. BI also has the ability to display the combined data from different systems in a clear, graphical view, and to analyze the data by various categories and parameters. Due to BIs manifold abilities, issuing reports or presenting important data in a clear and precise way has become easier for any type of user, with any type of data.

The process of mapping the systems and data that exist in our organization, and of potential users and their needs has been completed. A BI technology Division of Information Systems 481 (ClikView) was selected and the implementation of 2 screens, displaying a variety of information, graphs and reports regarding budgets and donor contribution has also been was completed. Other screens regarding different issues are in progress are.

Electronic billboards: 30 billboards were installed around the campus in 2009. The electronic billboards display events from the Institute calendar, in order to enhance awareness and multi-disciplinary cooperation between the scientists. A new feature of automatic loading of a lecture poster' to be presented on the billboard screen, was implemented.

The Applications Branch is moving steadily toward its goal of a completely web-enabled environment, using a variety of cutting-edge tools to build the most integrated applications possible.

The website of the Applications Branch still includes two websites (of Data Processing and the Internet Services unit), which we plan to merge into one combined website: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/DP/ and http://www.weizmann.ac.il/IU/

Libraries Branch Hedva Milo, Chief Librarian

The Libraries are responsible for acquiring, collecting, processing, distributing, and storing all printed material (books, journals, patents, articles, etc.) needed by the Institute faculty and staff, as well as for purchasing, licensing, implementing, maintaining, managing and ensuring online access to digital resources such as e-journals/series, e-books, databases, etc. The Library staff provides users with up-to-date techniques for locating and using library material and for searching the Library's online catalog, supports the Institute's personnel with sophisticated use of online resources, and performs intermediated scientific literature searches upon request.

The Libraries are comprised of books and bound volumes of periodicals, of current periodical and book series subscriptions in hardcopy or in combined printed and electronic form, many electronic databases, and access to aggregated electronic collections. We maintain a constantly growing collection of thousands of electronic journals/series and e-books. A considerable portion of the electronic resources collection is a result of MALMAD consortium agreements.

The Institute's Archives document the history of the Weizmann Institute and its scientific, educational, and cultural contributions to the world of scientific endeavor, from its beginning to the present day. 482 Division of Information Systems The Libraries' home page is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/library

Innovations during the past year include:

Library's New e-Resources

Following a trial period, the Library has subscribed to the following e-resources:

♦ Scopus ♦ BrainNavigator ♦ Reaxys ♦ SpringerImages ♦ JoVE - The Library's first journal in video format.

Encyclopedias ♦ Encyclopedia of the Eye ♦ E-ROS - Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis

The Library has enabled access to the following Open Access resources: PE'ER - Open Access to Hebrew Textbooks and Study Material

PubGet - A New Life Sciences Search Engine

Additions & Updates to e-Resources: JoVE: Additional sections have been acquired to be included in the Institutional subscription.

Henry Stewart Talks: New presentations are constantly becoming available.

Reaxys: Features updates, new software, and techniques for drawing structures and more.

SciVerse: Elsevier has introduced its new platform for ScienceDirect Journals, Scopus, and new Science Applications.

Library Services' brochure The Library has published a Library Services' Brochure. The brochure is available in English and Hebrew.

WISPUB Weizmann Publications Database The Library has broadened WISPUB by adding earlier published items. The database now covers publications from 1973 onwards. Division of Information Systems 483 Automatic Creation of a Publications' List at the Scientist's Site Weizmann scientists can now create an automatic list of their publications, the fruits of their research at the Institute. The list is derived from the Weizmann publications database, where all the material is stored. It is updated automatically, in correspondence with monthly updates of the database. The Central Library is responsible for updating this database and maintaining its accuracy.

The list can be displayed on any site with the typical template of all other pages of that site. The automatic creation and updating of the list is overseen by the Internet Services' Unit.

WIS Library Cited for High-Standard International Cataloging A Weizmann Institute Library sample file of 7,538 catalog records was transferred to OCLC's (Online Computer Library Center) World Catalog. All records were accepted without any rejections.

1,266 Weizmann records were unique for OCLC. The remainder consisted of holdings that were added to already existing records.

This places the Weizmann Institute Library as the only academic library in Israel with no rejections, and with the highest cataloging accuracy.

A New Q&A Service We have added a trial Q&A service, which allows the user to search for answers to questions regarding Library resources and services by using the floating bubble on each of our web pages. If no information is found, a question can be forwarded to the Library staff with the "Ask a Representative" option. eBooks' purchase The Library has signed agreements for acquiring single eBooks. The purchase can be for a single license or a multi-user license, depending on the aggregator's agreement conditions. Full text of those eBooks can be accessed by all WIS staff from the Library Catalog or the eBook Manager.

Special Collections in the Central Library The Weizmann Institute's Central Library collections have been reopened to the WIS public, after being restored and then reorganized on the shelves in the Fromer Building.

Dissertation Project During 2010 we scanned about 500 old dissertations and their PDFs were added to the catalog. We have sent the hard copies to ITTI and they have provided us with a DVD which contained all PDFs. These PDFs were 484 Division of Information Systems mounted to the ALEPH server and linked to the catalog.

Computerized self-lending in all Faculty Libraries Self-lending of books is now available in all Faculty libraries by a card reader and a barcode reader. We have placed dedicated computers in all libraries to enable patrons to check out books independently 24/7.

Weizmann Institute Archives The WIS Archives is continuing the scanning process of historical material into a digital format for the purpose of preservation and backup of essential material. Division of Information Systems 485 486 Division of Information Systems Division of Research Services

Asher Bar-on, Head

The division consists of highly skilled technicians and engineers, grouped into professional working units.

The division provides support to the Weizmann Institute's research program, based on an inter-departmental charging system. The division is also in charge of the Security and Fire Department of the Institute.

The Division's organizational structure consists of two main branches and two sections. Each branch is headed by a branch head. The branch of Engineering & Instrumentation, headed by Eng. Arik Velner includes both machine shops, the Instrument Design Unit, the Glassblowing Unit and the Scientific Instruments Maintenance Unit.

The second branch Design, Photography and Printing combines these three units and at the moment is without a branch head. Both branch heads work directly under the division head as well as the two other section heads. These sections are the Security section and the Moving, Distribution and Postal section. The division's organizational structure is now pyramidal thereby allowing for much better managerial and control capabilities.

Scientific Instrumentation Production - Rothberg Avi Einhorn, Head

The workshop consists of a group of highly skilled technicians able to construct laboratory equipment from a wide range of materials. The workshop's machinery is designed to accommodate the demands of modern research laboratories, lathes, milling machines, sanders, drills and all other necessary equipment.

With our recently acquired CNC milling machine our capabilities to produce more complicated and intricate devices has been greatly enhanced.

The workshop includes the following disciplines as well: raw material warehouse, welding shop, sheet metal shop, sign production facility and production of unique laboratory apparatus made from plastic and PVC.

The design of the instruments is drawn up either by the scientist/student working in conjunction with the technicians or through the Instruments Design 488 Division of Research Services Unit using advanced CAD technologies.

The workshop produces and stocks a large range of Perspex appliances mainly for the use of the Biology faculties.

Instrument Design Unit Benny Pasmantirer, Head

The Instrument Design Unit, a team of skilled engineers, designs prototypes of versatile laboratory instruments according to specific research needs. Innovative solutions to technical problems that arose during the design process are worked out by the team in conjunction with the requesting scientist.

The design process is implemented using parametric software, which simulates the assembly as a solid on the screen, allowing quick changes until the final product is realized.

The team accompanies the manufacturing process of the prototype from the workshops of the Weizmann Institute (Precision Instrument and Engineering Workshop and Instrumentation Workshop, Physics) through its installation and finally to its successful operation in the laboratory.

We are in the process of recruiting a new design engineer who will replace one of the team's engineers who recently left the unit.

Scientific Instrumentation Production - Physics Shlomo Asayag, Head

This unit's vast capabilities and experience enable it to produce custom made instruments for all the research laboratories in the Institute.

Available to the skilled technicians are lathes and milling machines that allow high precision metalwork in the range of 1mm-2000mm. The workshop is fully equipped with drills, sanders, guillotines and all other necessary equipment needed to produce instruments of such high precision and quality.

Our technicians are able to produce equipment from plans drawn up after meetings and discussions with scientists or students. The Instruments Design Unit using CAD programs works in conjunction with the machine shop creating technical plans for scientific instruments to be produced in the workshop.

Scientific Glassblowing Unit Danny Nutman, Head Division of Research Services 489 Provides services for scientific research in the campus including advice and design of special glassware.

Creation and modification of pyrex and quartz glass laboratory instruments.

This year the head of the unit Yossi Novema retired and was replaced by another experienced and capable blower Danny Nutman. We also recruited a new blower who will take over when Danny retires towards the end of 2011.

Scientific Instruments Maintenance Chaim Yadin, Head

This unit specializes in the repair and maintenance of laboratory equipment. The unit is divided into the following sections: centrifuges, vacuum pumps and lab equipment. The centrifuge team repairs and maintains all types of centrifuges in the Institute: floor, tabletop, cooled, ultra etc.

Lab equipment ranges from small equipment such as Pipetman/ Pipetaid, stirrers, mechanical balances, hot plates to larger equipment such as shakers, electrophoresis cells, lyophilizes and ice machines.

With the merging of the Vacuum unit over 1,000 laboratory vacuum pumps are now being maintained by the unit's technicians. The unit has recently begun daily maintenance of a number of X-Ray film developing units.

This year the unit expanded its range of instruments that it is able to repair and maintain namely incubators. There are approximately 400 incubators at the Institute. The team underwent an extensive technical instruction program and are now fully qualified and capable to repair and maintain these instruments.

Moving, Distribution and Postal Services Ehud Idan, Head

This service is responsible for all handling and moving all goods within the campus, from the campus and to the campus. Besides regular distribution of items/requests from the different warehouses to the Institute departments, this team has vast experience in moving delicate/heavy/bulky equipment, (e.g. centrifuges, hoods, freezers, optical tables) from place to place.

The unit is also responsible for cleaning out basements, labs and offices and often makes use of special cranes and handling equipment.

At the disposal of the unit are three medium sized trucks with loading ramps, a forklift and numerous carts of different types and sizes. 490 Division of Research Services A limited amount of storage space is available, which can be used by special request.

Recently the Institute's Postal unit was moved from the Human Resources Division to the Division of Research Services and placed in the Moving section. The merge has been very successful and the option of utilizing all this section's manpower and vehicles has greatly raised the level of service in the postal unit.

Photography Laboratories Shalom Nidam, Head

Documentation of experiments, often live, at Institute laboratories, professional photography, developing and processing of photographs.

Video - shooting and editing. Digital photography, screening of photos, computerized photo processing and producing CD ROM discs. We recently purchased a digital video camera and digital editing equipment, which increased our support capabilities for the scientific staff.

In our archive section hundreds of thousands of important historical photos of the Institute have been cataloged. We can now easily retrieve photos from the archives. This is an ongoing project and should be funded at Institute level.

Duplication and Printing Unit Natan Kronenberg, Head

Printing, duplication and publishing all scientific work produced at the Institute, assisting in the preparation of materials for various forms as well as large format posters of scientific publications and presentations using new advanced digital duplicating machines for color prints.

Educational booklets and flyers of various types are also produced for many departments especially The Davidson Institute of Science Education and young@science.

This year we are enjoying the fruits of a substantial renewal of printing and copying machines. These new machines some of which replaced machines of over twenty years old have enhanced our printing capabilities both in quantity and especially in quality.

Graphics Department Haya Yoskovitch, Head

From the initial idea to the final product Division of Research Services 491 The Graphics Department at the Weizmann Institute of Science, housed in the Goldsmith-Maltz Building, was established in 1975 to supply the graphic requirements of all the scientists, technical workers and administrative staff.

From a nucleus of two, using pencils, rulers, letter-sets, rapidographs and similar old-fashioned equipment, we have now grown to a very respectable staff of ten.

Sharing our knowledge is important; whether it be through volunteering our educational services to the Institute retirees, or one-on-ones and small group instruction for specific programs. Special workshops, (such as Adobe Acrobat) offering basic information needed by the majority of our scientists, students and staff, are also organized.

Using updated multimedia technology, powerful computers, scanners, high-quality printers, digital recorders, video cameras, and the latest computer programs available on the market; we provide state of the art designs according to the specifications and requirements of our clientele. This year we continued investing in more powerful computers for graphics allowing us to keep up with the continual advance of graphics programs.

Security Department Moshe Gat, Head

The Security Department is in charge of all internal security, including fire alarm systems, fire-extinguishing equipment and security alarm systems. They are also involved in assisting social events at the Institute. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/RSD/

Engineers and Laboratories Staff

Asher Bar-on, MSM, Boston University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Arik Velner, B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Iris Mazor, B.A. English Lit. and History, Tel-Aviv University Tali Wiesel, B. Business, Management College, Tel-Aviv Lilia Goffer, M.Sc., Polytechnic Institute, Chelabinsk Benjamin Pasmantirer, B.Sc., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv Natan Kronnenber, B.A. Humanities, Israel History, Hebrew University of Jerusalem 492 Division of Research Services The Amos de-Shalit Foundation

Haim Harari, Chairman The Annenberg Professorial Chair of High Energy Physics

The Foundation bearing the name of Amos de-Shalit was formally established in 1974 on the fifth anniversary of his death. A living memorial to the founder and first head of the Weizmann Institute's Department of Nuclear Physics, and later of its Department of Science Teaching. The Foundation's main goal is to foster an increased awareness of the role of science among young Israelis.

This year's activities included:

The Annual Amos de-Shalit Summer School in Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences The Amos de-Shalit Foundation offers annual summer schools in physics, chemistry and life sciences for outstanding undergraduate students studying at Israeli universities who have at least two years of undergraduate studies. This year a one-week program was held for students in the life sciences and a two-week program for students in physics and chemistry. Forty students participated.

The Amos de-Shalit Prize for Excellence in the Teaching of Physics In 2010 two prizes were awarded to: Moshe Friedman from HEMDA, who will receive the prize for life long contribution to physics teaching in Israel and to Eyal Sinai, a teacher who taught for many years in the periphery with great success, and continues to teach in Modiin.

The Foundation also partly sponsored the following activities organized by the Davidson Institute of Science Education:

The Amos de-Shalit Popular Science Lectures A series of three lectures by prominent Weizmann Institute scientists open to the public. Over 630 people participated, mostly high school students. In addition, Dr. Diane Evans, Director of the Earth, Science and Technology Directorate of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, gave a lecture on use of satellites for environmental research.

Meetings at the Frontiers of Science, a series of lectures in popular science aiming to promote science literacy by introducing the general public to cutting-edge scientific research in a popular manner. There were 16 lecture series, comprised of 8 lectures in each of its series, in two separate semesters given in several locations. There was a total of 1,200 participants. 494 The Amos de-Shalit Foundation The Annual "Science Festival" The Weizmann Institute opens its gates to the general public for two days of scientific thrill. The Foundation sponsored two panel discussions within the framework of the Festival: Breakthroughs in Brain Research and Physics, Mathematics and Future Medicine. The Amos de-Shalit Foundation 495 496 The Amos de-Shalit Foundation Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd.

Prof. Mudi Sheves, Chairman

Mr. Amir Naiberg, CEO

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. is the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS). Yeda initiates and promotes the transfer to the global marketplace of research findings and innovative technologies developed by WIS scientists. Yeda holds an exclusive agreement with the Weizmann Institute to market and commercialize its intellectual property and generate income to support further research and education.

Yeda performs the following activities

♦ Identifies, assesses, and promotes research projects with commercial potential. ♦ Protects the intellectual property of the Institute and its scientists. ♦ Licenses WIS inventions and technologies to industry. ♦ Channels funding from industry to research projects. ♦ Follows-up on development and commercialization of licensed technologies. Yeda Statistics for 2009-2010

♦ Over 2400 introductions & presentations of WIS Technologies to companies. ♦ Over 130 presentations of confidential information to interested companies (under signed secrecy agreements). ♦ Over 65 new license and option agreements signed. ♦ Over 70 research projects at WIS were funded through Yeda by companies, by the chief scientist of the ministry of industry and trade and by Yeda itself, including through joint funds with companies such as Johnson & Johnson. ♦ Over 160 patent disclosures submitted by WIS scientists Spanning the Natural Sciences

WIS research and technologies cover a broad spectrum of the natural sciences, including:

♦ Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics ♦ Bioinformatics, Proteomics, Biomatics & Systems Biology ♦ Medical Devices 498 Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. ♦ Cleantech, Renewable Energy, Bio-fuels and Environmental Sciences ♦ Agriculture and Plant Genetics ♦ Chemistry and Nanotechnology ♦ Physics and Electro-Optics ♦ Mathematics and Computer Science Weizmann Scientists

Yeda controls an internal Yeda CEO Fund. This fund aims to support projects that are close to commercialization and due to their practical nature can not be funded by regular scientific research grants. More information is available on our website.

Contact us! We are interested in receiving your patent disclosures, requests, feedback & comments.

Seeking Additional Partners

Yeda partnered with many multinational entities such as Merck- Serono, Novartis, Baxter, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Johnson & Johnson, Teva, Invitrogen & others. We are actively seeking additional commercial partners and entrepreneurs that can bring WIS technologies to the marketplace.

Additional information on the business opportunities offered by Yeda, can be found at:

http://www.YedaRnD.com Tel: 972 (0) 8 947 0617 Fax: 972 (0) 8 947 0739 SMS: 972 (0) 8 9366874 e-mail: [email protected] Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. 499 500 Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet

Current Research Activities on the Internet

The full text of the above mentioned publication may be found on the Internet (the World Wide Web) at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Current_Research

You may search for any word or phrase, by using the online SEARCH option.

Keyword Search for Institute Researchers of the Internet

A specialty search engine has been designed which will return further to a Keyword(s) of your choice, a table of contact details for Weizmann Institute researchers' whose activities are relevant to provided search keyword(s). The contact details table returned is complied further to an automatic search that scans the following available online sources:

♦ Current research activities entry ♦ Publications ♦ Research grants and projects information ♦ Weizmann institute researchers homepages The search engine may be found at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/scisearch/scisearch.html

Scientific Activities on the Internet

The full text of this publication may be found on the Internet (the World Wide Web) at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities

You may search for any word or phrase, by using the online SEARCH option.

Study, Training and Research Opportunities

Interested in Study, Training or Research Opportunities at the Weizmann Institute of Science? Visit our Researchers Mobility Portal at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/RMP/ 502 Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet