WEIZMANN MAGAZINE SPRING 2020 2020 SPRING MAGAZINE WEIZMANN No. 17 • Spring 2020 TheWe i z m a n n International magazine of science and people The Brain Issue VOLUME 16 VOLUME

Plus: Special section on Weizmann coronavirus response SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE

From the President

Dear friends, We are in the midst of a global challenge that has Table of Contents forced everyone to adjust their lives and work routines, and the Weizmann Institute of Science is no exception. At the same time, as part of civil society, the Institute has a role to play in finding solutions. We see it as our duty to summon all of our resources and scientific expertise to contribute to the global battle against the novel coronavirus, for the benefit of humanity.

Our campus has swiftly become a hub of concentrated efforts in three critical directions: to help ramp up testing capacity, track outbreaks in the making, and advance promising research initiatives toward treatments and potential vaccines. Many of our scientists, each from his or her own unique angle, are stepping up to the plate to urgently search for solutions. We have assembled a task force comprised of researchers and administrators, including myself and the vice presidents, who are coordinating all of these efforts and working together to do our utmost to summon all possible resources to enable the science to move ahead.

In this issue of Weizmann Magazine, you can read about some of our initiatives related to the Credits Briefs Cover Story coronavirus. You’ll also read about our major new Spotlight On A publication of the Department of Resource Development flagship projects in neuroscience and artificial 2 Special section on 22 A wise future for 28 Rising Tide’s quest intelligence, which remain top priorities: the Institute coronavirus response neuroscience: Weizmann’s to advance cancer Editorial Staff for Brain and Neural Sciences, and the Artificial new flagship project research and care Prof. Roee Ozeri, Vice President for Resource Intelligence Enterprise for Scientific Exploration. Development and Public Affairs¶ Kelly Avidan, Director, Department of Resource Development This is my first greeting to you in the magazine as ¶ Tamar Morad, Head, Donor Communications President, and I look forward to many more. Most New Scientists Special Section Beyond the Bench ¶ Heidi Shulman, Publications and Video Production importantly, I offer you and your families my best Coordinator, Yarden Jaron, Visual and Digital Production 18 Finding Earth 2.0: Introducing 32 The 2019 Annual General Meeting 58 Brain-saving technology wishes for health and tranquility. Dr. Sagi Ben-Ami of the International Board Alumni Writing Staff Sincerely, 20 Sleuthing for the fingerprint Weizmann World 60 A healing solution Sandy Cash ¶ Dinah Elashvili ¶ Tali Galsky ¶ Sharon of water: Introducing Yael Reinheimer ¶ Anne Sperling ¶ Edward Truitt Kiro, groundwater detective 50 Stories and updates from our after brain surgery worldwide committees Prof. Alon Chen Science Features Art and Science Illustration President, Weizmann Institute of Science Education 46 Artificial intelligence: the future 62 The artistry of math Tal Bavli-Ziv of smart. AI is reshaping our lives 56 Boots on the ground in Ofakim: Israel’s In Memoriam and revolutionizing science first science pre-army prep program Graphic Design 64 Dr. Yael Mutsafi, 1981-2019 Alexey Kletsel, Netgo Ltd.

Photography and renderings Philipp Böni ¶ Itai Belson, Ohad Herches of the Weizmann Visit us: Institute Photo Lab ¶ Yael Ilan ¶ Hadar Kaminksy www.weizmann.ac.il/WeizmannCompass ¶ Ronald Korner ¶ Weizmann Institute Photo Archives ¶ Shutterstock¶ Paul J. Trummer

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Coronavirus Response 2–3

Ș In parallel, an effort byProfs. Eran Elinav and Ido The Weizmann Coronavirus Amit is underway to develop a new testing method based on a process that involves fewer stages Response Fund compared to existing tests, vastly expands the The Institute has established the Weizmann number of samples that can be tested at a time, Coronavirus Response Fund, which will enable and offers a method that greatly reduces the Institute leadership to urgently disseminate support biological risk to which the teams that perform to its scientists working on the front lines to find the tests are exposed. The Weizmann scientists solutions, and to support unique science education expect to have the capacity to test about initiatives to address the demand for online 20,000 samples per day. distance learning.

The Response Fund aims to raise approximately $25 million for the urgent allocation of support. More Video: It’s a revolution: massive than 50 projects across campus are underway. ramp-up in safer testing A sampling of our other efforts are described in this special section, including:

Ș Searches for the perfect drug or vaccine, such as Special section: the projects underway by Prof. Sarel Fleishman, Dr. Ron Diskin, and Dr. Nir London Weizmannn coronavirus response A model to sustain Ș An effort spearhead byProfs. Eran Segal and Benjamin Geiger is tracking geographic economic activity clusters in which the coronavirus is prevalent s we find ourselves—all of humanity—in the midst of a pandemic Ș As the state of the economy becomes an and will likely spread. caused by the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the Weizmann Institute of increasing source of concern, Prof. Uri Alon Ș The Davidson Institute of Science Education at and his graduate students Omer Karin and Yael Weizmann launched a new website called Stuck Science is advancing major research efforts and other initiatives to Korem-Kohanim, together with senior engineer at Home? which offers a suite of digital science A Boaz Dudovich of Applied Materials, have activities at a time when students, teachers, address this challenge: more than 50 projects are now underway. developed an epidemiological model that shows and parents are in need of quality distance- how it is possible to enact a nationwide policy learning content. The new coronavirus is a global health threat that is has been transformed into a center for the rapid to effectively suppress the coronavirus and at production of diagnostic tests, in coordination unprecedented in any of our lifetimes. The Weizmann the same time allow sustainable, albeit reduced, You can read more about the Weizmann Coronavirus with Israel’s Ministry of Health. This move has Institute, with its world-renown in immunology, economic activity. The model is based on the Response Fund on the Institute website, or via the QR enabled a multi-fold rise in the number of tests structural biology, computational science and mathematics of an intermittent lockdown: five code below. produced and Prof. Robert Fluhr is heading this artificial intelligence, cellular sequencing, and drug days of lockdown and two days of work every discovery, is poised to make key breakthroughs at effort. The G-INCPM is home to the country’s most comprehensive and advanced infrastructure week. In this way, the virus replication number— this critical time. for genomic and proteomic analysis, making it a the number of people infected by each contagious vital resource for Israel’s scientific and medical carrier—drops below 1: the magic number that In this section, you may read a sampling or our efforts, community as they seek to create new coronavirus would lead to a decline in the epidemic. focusing in three main directions: ramping up testing testing approaches. capacity, tracking outbreaks in the making, and A four-day work/ten-day lockdown strategy advancing promising research initiatives toward is even better, they suggest, allowing those treatments and potential vaccines. infected at work to cease becoming infectious at home. Prof. Alon suggests that after several such Video: Coronavirus testing center cycles, the number of infected people will drop More on the Weizmann at the Grand Center on campus dramatically. The epidemic can be contained until Coronavirus Response Fund Ramping up testing sufficient testing, effective treatment, or a vaccine Ș The Nancy and Stephen Grand Center for is developed, which would negate the need for a Personalized Medicine (G-INCPM) on campus lockdown.

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Mapping corona in stealth mode Towards a drug against COVID-19 Predict Corona fuses data on symptoms, geography to predict Co-led by Dr. Nir London, global consortium aims to drastically outbreaks in the making accelerate development of drug

eizmann Institute scientists have Already, the scientists have detected a n international initiative led by the initial hits that can potentially serve as developed a method for monitoring, significant increase in symptoms reported Weizmann Institute’s Dr. Nir London starting points for a drug. The Oxford W identifying, and predicting by the public in areas where verified A has brought together a range of University team and the Diamond Light geographical clusters in which the coronavirus patients are known to key players in the drug development Source (the UK’s national synchrotron coronavirus is prevalent and will have been. The mapping may enable process—from academia in light source science facility), were likely spread, by tracking symptoms health authorities to concentrate four countries, to biotech and able, in turn, to determine crystal throughout the Israeli public—both anti-contagion efforts on areas in contract research organizations, to structures showing how these healthy and sick individuals. which an outbreak and spread of the specialized software companies—to compounds bind in the protease’s The method is at the core of the virus is predicted—while allowing accelerate the development of a drug active site. Predict Corona project, spearheaded them to ease measures in areas where against COVID-19. by Institute’s Prof. Eran Segal and an outbreak is not expected. So far, they have identified 78 hits Prof. Benjamin Geiger, together with the Dr. London is collaborating with against the SARS-CoV-2 protease, 37 of Hebrew University’s Prof. Yuval Dor. The initiative relies on this daily researchers at Oxford University, Memorial which are covalent fragments originating questionnaire, which can be accessed in Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University g Prof. Benny Geiger g Dr. Nir London from the London lab. Now, they must narrow Predict Corona is being rolled out to the five languages (Hebrew, Arabic, English, of British Columbia, a California biotech down the possibilities, which requires the entire Israeli public in coordination with Russian, and Amharic). company PostEra, and Enamine, one input of medicinal chemists and chemo- Israel’s Ministry of Health and the country’s of the largest chemical vendors in the informatics and design experts. HMOs, and is being adopted now by over Together with Prof. Ran Balicer of the Clalit world, to develop small molecules to target a key 10 countries, including the U.S., Italy, Research Institute (affiliated with Clalit SARS-CoV-2 protein that can halt and counteract the and Spain. Health Services, Israel’s largest HMO) virus. Crowdsourcing for science and other researchers, the scientists “Viral spread occurs in clusters of called on other countries to The partners have developed the means to To that end, the researchers are hosting an online infection,” says Prof. Segal. “Therefore, implement the strategy. The interest characterize the structure of the main protease crowdsourcing challenge to ask medicinal chemists early identification of clusters may was immediate, and countries of SARS-CoV-2—an essential enzyme that is and computer-aided drug design experts around facilitate various actions aimed at including the U.S., Italy, Spain, India, responsible for a key step in the virus life cycle. the world to design better molecules based on the slowing down the spread of the virus.” Luxembourg, Malaysia, Germany, and The researchers have agreed to share all their available fragments. Close to 2,000 designs have Britain, are using the tool. data openly to avoid bureaucracy and intellectual been submitted so far, and the challenge is ongoing. The scientists describe their method in a property considerations. All data is available in real PostEra’s AI-based computational models are used fast-tracked publication in Nature Medicine. Prof. Segal and researchers from the time to the entire research community, inspiring a to prioritize chemical synthesis and drug-binding U.S. are spearheading the formation of an g Prof. Eran Segal true open-science global collaboration. simulations created by software project called international consortium that will share Folding@Home would be used to predict binding AI in the service methods, insights, and summary data to Their goal: to target this enzyme’s activity effectively, affinity. Together, these efforts will significantly of public health build predictive tools and compare across which would be a key antiviral approach. By ramping accelerate the compound-design cycle. all countries. Companies such as Intel, as well as up research production in a coordinated effort Predict Corona is a brief, one-minute voluntary academic researchers and members of the Israeli with contract research organizations (CROs) they Once such promising candidate drugs are identified, survey that asks Israelis to share their geographical military, have reached out to offer their assistance are hoping the effort will lead to an effective anti- Enamine and CROs will be on called to synthesize location (including street and neighborhood), and and are already contributing to this effort. COVID-19 drug candidate in a matter of months. and test every compound’s safety. any symptoms associated with COVID-19 —while protecting patient privacy—to assess infection Dr. London and his team in the Department of patterns for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Organic Chemistry are experts on drugs that rely on A framework for identifying COVID-19. The questionnaire tracks the development the formation of covalent bonds, and their innovative regional outbreak and spread Video: Dr. Nir London: The race for of virus-induced symptoms, and the analysis relies electrophile-fragment screening platform has been of COVID-19 from one-minute a cure on Big Data algorithms and artificial intelligence. population-wide surveys used against various proteins. In the past two weeks, they have applied it to the viral protein (produced and shipped from the UK) and have identified promising We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Coronavirus Response SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE 6–7

Learning from other lethal viruses Designing the perfect antibody Insights on Ebola, arenaviruses pave way Prof. Sarel Fleishman is applying computer modeling tools to create for Dr. Ron Diskin’s next target: the coronavirus a coronavirus-blocking solution

n an effort to find solutions for the novel rof. Sarel Fleishman and his team in the provoke a protective immune response that short- coronavirus, structural biologist Dr. Ron Diskin is Department of Biomolecular Sciences are using circuited infection by the malaria parasite, they I expediting two parallel investigations to counter P a unique platform developed in their lab to were also cost-effective to produce, and remained the disease based on his previous research on similar address the coronavirus problem by designing and stable at extremely high temperatures—a significant animal-borne contagions, and on the vaccine for testing millions of “nanobodies”—small synthetic advantage for impoverished populations living in Ebola, a virus that, like SARS CoV-2, is also believed antibodies that could potentially slip through the tropical climates. Successfully tested in laboratory to have originated in bats. coronavirus’s formidable defenses. Once they home studies by Prof. Fleishman’s colleagues in the UK, in on the most effective nanobodies, it may become the new proteins are being scaled up for release as a In the last six months, Dr. Diskin, of the Weizmann possible to design a treatment capable of stopping commercial vaccine. Institute’s Department of Structural Biology, has the deadly virus. made a series of crucial discoveries related to viruses Antibodies that are that cross over from animals to humans. In fact, A structural biologist and technology innovator, perfectly primed to papers published by Dr. Diskin just weeks before Prof. Fleishman has developed computer modeling block coronavirus the coronavirus outbreak, and another one in more tools that support the rapid and inexpensive design will not be easy to recent weeks, may point to new ways to find a cure of customized proteins. Much of his work focuses on design, however. That’s not only for the coronavirus—but a wide range of antibodies—proteins that defend the body against because the spike highly infectious and lethal viruses that cross over disease-causing invaders, like viruses and bacteria. protein structures that from animals (particularly rodents) to humans. Now, he is focused on a particular structural element drive infection are in the coronavirus—the “spike protein” recently shielded by particularly In January in Nature Communications, he described a characterized by scientists at the University of Texas complex structures molecular decoy he and his lab members engineered in Austin, which plays a key role in the infection known as glycans. that leads a group of animal-borne viruses, called process. His goal is to design a robust antibody that To get past this glycan g Prof. Sarel Fleishman’s arenaviruses, to avert cell membranes—and thereby would bind to vulnerable points on the spike protein shield, Prof. Fleishman method has been proven in the prevents infection. The lab is applying the same development of a potential and stop infection in its tracks. will massively expand a malaria vacccine. approach used to create this new molecule, which computational protocol they call “Arenacept,” to the coronavirus. already validated on a Lessons from malaria small scale in his lab. Dr. Diskin also recently published two other important studies, in Nature Medicine and Cell Host & The potential impact of this design approach is g Dr. Ron Diskin His team, comprising doctoral student Lucas Krauss, Microbe, respectively, showing just how the vaccine illustrated by a recent breakthrough achieved in and Drs. Ravit Netzer and Adi Goldenzweig, are against the Ebola virus activates the immune system the Fleishman lab against another infectious killer: leveraging their suite of protein design tools to to fight off the virus. In collaboration with partners in the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes mechanisms of lethal viruses, he plans to investigate generate computer models of millions of designed Cologne, Germany, the Diskin lab mapped out how malaria. The lab invented a methodology to design the novel coronavirus—with his eyes set on a cure antibodies in search of those most likely to bind the antibodies bind to the virus and destroy them— computer-based models of proteins, including or vaccine. In the first avenue, he is conducting a successfully to one or more of the coronavirus’s and discovered that smaller doses than what are antibodies, that do not exist in nature, and which comprehensive screening for identifying a decoy vulnerable sites, and winnow down the set using currently administered are just as effective. The latter have superior properties. The tools—available online molecule that will have all the desired properties experimental high-throughput screening technology, study identified the precise molecular target of and used by labs around the world—encode how needed to construct an immunotherapeutic thereby identifying the top antibody candidates. these specific antibodies acquired by all vaccinated proteins fold and function and predict how specific molecule (immunoadhesin). In the second avenue, individuals and Ebola patients who had recovered mutations would impact protein characteristics on Dr. Diskin is collaborating with several groups to from the disease, and described the mechanism by the atomic level. isolate antibodies from recovered coronavirus which a common immunological response against Video: Prof. Sarel Fleishman: patients. They intend to elucidate three-dimensional Ebola is elicited. Two years ago, an algorithm created by Dr. Adi Designing a coronavirus structures to reveal how these antibodies bind to the Goldenzweig—then a PhD student in the Fleishman vaccine These discoveries are incredibly timely, and taken SARS-CoV-2 virus, which could lead to a potential lab—resulted in the design of an anti-malarial together with Dr. Diskin’s other insights on the vaccine or antibody treatment for coronavirus. vaccine. Not only did these synthetic proteins We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Coronavirus Response SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE 8–9

So, notes Prof. Arnon, it isn’t Prof. Ruth Arnon: enough to generate a vaccine—it Coronavirus by has to be delivered to everyone at Lessons from influenza risk in order to be truly effective. the numbers For COVID-19, that’s the whole What the quest for a universal flu vaccine can teach us world. By the time that happens, A measured approach to understanding—and the current outbreak may have run defeating—the COVID-19 pandemic ith infections, as with football, a best offense is its course. often a good defense. But while that strategy The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a harsh reminder that, whether the virus is works for many infectious diseases, it doesn’t It’s also not clear whether, if a W spreading within a single human host or in a wave of infection spanning work with influenza; thanks to its readiness to mutate, vaccine is developed for COVID-19, continents, many of the most critical answers we seek about this unprecedented the influenza virus effectively “shifts the goalposts” coronaviruses will have a seasonal crisis are expressed in numbers. Quantitative questions include: How long does each year, requiring a new vaccination. fluctuation and die out like it take a single infected person to infect a million others? How long does the influenza, which is what happens to Renowned Weizmann Institute immunologist coronavirus survive on surfaces? How effective is social distancing, and how the flu, thanks to the herd immunity many lives can this policy potentially save? Prof. Ruth Arnon is spearheading a new defense—a caused by the seasonal flu vaccine, universal influenza vaccine that is currently in Phase as well as the arrival of warmer More than a decade ago, during his postdoc at Harvard Medical School, III of the clinical trial process—that focuses on the temperatures to which the virus is Prof. Ron Milo created an online, shareable resource for “bio-numbers”—values parts of the flu virus that stay the same from year to ill suited. culled from the scientific literature that relate to biological processes as they year, gluing the goalposts to the ground once and occur on all scales, from the levels of atoms and molecules, to the levels of for all. Coronaviruses are a common organisms and ecosystems. Over the years, Prof. Milo’s initiative grew into a Prof. Arnon, who emphasized that she is not an type of virus, and they come in a massive database called BioNumbers that allows scientists around the world expert on coronavirus, says she thinks a similar variety of strains. Most of these to search bio-based data to find answers to their questions, and to identify strategy might also be useful for countering strains produce the mildest of interesting questions that had never occurred to them before. coronaviruses, including the current SARS- cold symptoms in the infected Now, he and his colleagues are applying the same approach to the fight against CoV2 strain (which causes the COVID-19 disease). individual. From time to time—and g Prof. Arnon is the past president of the Israel the coronavirus. Those colleagues include Yinon Bar-On, a PhD student in the with frustrating unpredictability—a Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and co- Milo lab in the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Plant and Environmental That is, a possible pharmaceutical approach to developer of the blockbuster multiple sclerosis virulent variety appears, such as creating a vaccine against COVID-19 involves Sciences, Prof. Rob Phillips from the California Institute of Technology, and drug Copaxone. Her universal flu vaccine is the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) targeting a particular viral protein, called SPIKE, in Phase III clinical trials. Dr. Avi Flamholz of the University of California at Berkeley. strain of 2003, MERS-CoV in which is an important offensive player in the 2012 (both of which petered out In a recent publication in eLife, the researchers used existing peer-reviewed virus’s infection game. Another approach would literature to create something that could well be called “Corona-by-the- be targeting a protein, or segments of the virus by summer) and most recently, in humans, which means preclinical trials will likely numbers”—a comprehensive collection of the key biological properties proteins, that are common across the most virulent SARS-CoV-2. If this latest one sticks have to be carried out. Moreover, a vaccine must currently known about the coronavirus that can be measured in numerical terms. types of coronavirus, including SARS-CoV-2, and around, or if it decides to keep be tested in people for safety—a process that can They will be curating these numbers, and updating them as new data emerge MERS-CoV. reappearing like influenza, having a take weeks to months. And then, once a vaccine is vaccine will be crucial. from laboratories, clinical centers, and public health authorities worldwide. identified, it must be produced in sufficient mass “If I were working in the coronavirus field,” says quantities—and administered far and wide—in A range of scientific insights could potentially emerge from the use of this Prof. Arnon, “this non-changing protein approach is While a universal coronavirus order for herd immunity to take effect. Herd immunity data. For example, the carefully curated values may spark new ideas about where I would focus my efforts.” vaccine may not help us win the is a form of indirect protection that occurs when how the immune system could be stimulated to fight the virus. They may current outbreak, says Prof. Arnon, a large percentage of a population has become reveal how the coronavirus is similar to, or different from, other viruses against It’s going to take time and patience. Even if a it would help us mount the best universal coronavirus vaccine were identified today, immune to an infection, thereby providing a which preventative strategies already exist. Measurements of viral particle defense for the future. it is unlikely to be of use this year. measure of protection to individuals who are not concentration could aid in the design of diagnostic kits for asymptomatic vaccinated. In effect, the virus runs out of hosts. patients. And by offering measurements of factors that influence the speed at which the disease spreads, the data Prof. Milo and his colleagues compile may Time and patience Furthermore, vaccine trials tend to take longer lead to new strategies for protecting populations worldwide. than trials for, say, cancer drugs; the vaccines are Video: What is administered to healthy people, and efficacy can only Part of the challenge is one that is common to all a vaccine? “Knowledge of the numbers related to the coronavirus can give us a ‘sixth sense’ vaccine production processes. Vaccines must be be determined through a painstaking “wait and see” that allows us recognize what we can’t see or feel—thereby serving as a basis tested in animals, but there are no good animal approach, to find out whether the vaccines indeed for thoughtful, quantitative insights that may lead to important discoveries,” models of how the COVID-19 infection cycle works fend off infection. Prof. Milo says. 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Science Briefs 10–11

Homeschooling in the time of corona The Davidson Institute offers distance-learning solutions Science vs. neurodegeneration chools everywhere have closed due to the users—about 250,000. Before the crisis, the site spread of the novel coronavirus, and teachers received about 20,000 visits per day. While most wo Weizmann Institute labs have taken the lead molecules that bind to Spt5 and block the expression S are turning to remote learning to keep their surfers are accessing the site from Israel, several in the battle against neurodegeneration, with of the mutated protein. However, in cases where the students on track. If the online world wasn’t already thousand are from other countries as well, primarily T discoveries that may eventually contribute huntingtin gene appears in its normal, non-mutated a central fixture of our lives, now the Internet has the US. While Stuck at Home? is in Hebrew, Arabic, to treatments—or even cures—for two separate form, these molecules allow protein expression become a primary portal to the outside world for and English, and efforts are underway to translate it conditions: Huntington’s disease (HD) and to occur. These findings represent an important parents and kids cooped up at home—and in Israel, into Spanish. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as step forward in the eventual development of a drug school lessons and assignments have shifted almost Lou Gehrig’s disease. capable of “short circuiting” a molecular dynamic that exclusively to the online space. drives Huntington’s disease. Science on demand Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder In a separate advance, Prof. Eran Hornstein of The Davidson Institute of Science Education at caused by mutations in the huntingtin gene, leading The site offers a diverse range of science-related to the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the the Department of Molecular Genetics recently the Weizmann Institute, which operates dozens of topics and it is also a portal to other Davidson brain. Often striking in the prime of life and causing discovered a molecule involved in the onset of curricular and extracurricular programs, is on the content, such as its free and popular Science VOD deterioration of both physical and cognitive abilities, ALS. Prof. Hornstein and his colleagues led a front lines of this effort with its robust Davidson page, which includes an extensive library of videos HD currently has no cure. large international collaboration that identified a website. It launched a new site called Stuck at Home?, on demand. Davidson also launched a page with a microRNA gene that plays a crucial role in motor which offers a suite of digital science activities for the suite of articles on the COVID-19 outbreak, as well Now, Prof. Rivka Dikstein of the Department of neurons. This microRNA gene is expressed at entire family. as posts related to virology and epidemiology in Biomolecular Sciences has identified two molecules lower levels in ALS patients as compared to healthy general. The staff is also maintaining a daily report that can block the activity of Spt5, a gene involved individuals—something that makes it a powerful Stuck at Home? includes videos, articles, puzzles, tracking the spread of the virus. in HD onset. A regulator of gene transcription—an biomarker for early ALS diagnosis. The team also science experiments that can be conducted at early stage in the process that leads to protein identified rare mutations in the gene that codes for home, and other innovative science and math production—Spt5 is specifically required for this ALS-associated microRNA. activities. The Davidson Institute has shared the transcribing the mutant huntingtin gene associated link to this content via social networks, groups Prof. Hornstein’s research could lead the way toward Visit the 'Stuck at Home?' with HD progression. within the Ministry of Education and WhatsApp new strategies in which the microRNA he and his website. groups. The response has been overwhelming: A team led by Dr. Anat Bahat, a staff scientist colleagues discovered would be used to mediate On the first day after schools in Israel were closed, in the Dikstein lab, screened a library of about ALS symptoms, thereby transforming ALS from a the Davidson Institute website was flooded with 100,000 small molecules, and discovered two death sentence into a chronic, manageable illness.

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“Our uncle Mort Zuckerman would be kvelling over the impressive group here today, especially by the overwhelming number of women in the program,” says Eric Gertler. 12–13

Zuckerman Symposium: Women in STEM

he third annual Zuckerman US-Israel Symposium, industry and government. The speakers included focused on the advancement of women in Dina Ben-Yehuda, Dean of the Hadassah – Hebrew STEM subjects, took place in November on g Tipping the gender balance: women physicists at an international workshop on campus in November T University School of Medicine; Dr. Irit Idan, Executive the Weizmann Institute campus. The symposium Vice President of Research Development at Rafael was part of the Mortimer B. Zuckerman STEM Advanced Defense Systems; and Marissa Gross Yarm, Leadership Program, which awards financial grants Head of International Student Affairs at the Israeli Where are the female physicists? to American postdoctoral fellows doing research in Council for Higher Education. Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen Israel, provides vital resources to Israeli universities, from the Science Mission Directorate of NASA also facilitates the return of Israeli scholars to Israeli took part. It’s not a theoretical question institutions, and helps support Israeli postdocs doing research in the US. From the Weizmann Institute, participants included hysics has historically been a male-dominated “The challenges are many, starting at the high Prof. Ada Yonath, who won the Nobel Prize for field, but a new initiative in the Weizmann school level when girls first encounter physics, The Zuckerman STEM Program, established in 2016, Chemistry in 2009, and a former postdoctoral Institute’s Faculty of Physics is trying to and the roadblocks continue until the point of P has funded 125 scholars at 63 American universities researcher in her lab, Dr. Moran Shalev-Benami of understand why—and take proactive steps to career choice,” says Dr. Eran-Jona. One of the and seven Israeli universities to date. In the the Department of Structural Biology, a Zuckerman shifting the gender balance. biggest “forks in the road,” she says, is when 2019-2020 year, three out of its four faculty scholars Scholar, who described her research on visualizing women consider pursuing postdoctoral positions are women, and women comprise 54% of this protein function. In November, the faculty held a workshop that abroad—the unwritten prerequisite to attaining a attracted physicists and gender diversity experts year’s grantees. position in Israeli academia. It’s a decision that often from around the world to analyze the problem and requires uprooting a spouse and young children discuss success stories from other institutions and “Our uncle Mort Zuckerman would and surviving on a typically low postdoc salary in countries. The conference was co-led by Prof. Yossi be kvelling over the impressive expensive international cities. This is a crossroads Nir of the Department of Particle Physics and group here today, especially by the for women across the sciences, but is particularly Astrophysics; Dr. Meytal Eran-Jona, a sociologist overwhelming number of women acute in physics, “a male-dominated field where, who recently became the Institute’s first Director in the program,” says Eric Gertler, a unfortunately, women do not always feel at home,” of Diversity at the Feinberg Graduate School; and trustee of the Zuckerman Institute. says Prof. Nir. Prof. Marika Taylor, a professor of theoretical physics “We consider the Zuckerman STEM at of the University of Southampton in the UK. It was Since the November workshop, several initiatives Leadership Program to be a ripple sponsored by the Schwartz/Reisman Institute for have taken root, include: launching postdoctoral of hope and a center of energy, Theoretical Physics. grants for people with childcare responsibilities; and we’re confident that this great With a grant from Israel’s Ministry of Science and embracing an anti-harassment legal policy for collaboration will have a lasting Technology, Prof. Nir and Dr. Eran-Jona investigated prevention and enforcement of proper workplace impact on the world.” the gender imbalance in the field of physics behavior; and enhancing female visibility as nationwide. They found that while 38 percent of speakers in conferences and seminars. James Gertler, another trustee of high school students who study advanced physics the Zuckerman Institute, says, “We are girls, that percentage continues to decline Dr. Eran-Jona has also been working with FGS look forward to more and more throughout the stages of higher education and career and the Faculty of Physics to adjust the student successes for the women in our STEM choice. Only 16 percent of undergraduate physics recruitment process. Additional gains include program and the United States-Israel majors are female, and only six percent of physicists the Faculty’s exposure to and active participation academic exchange.” in tenured or tenure-track positions are women. Just in gender diversity efforts in physics worldwide, 16 women hold tenure or tenure-track or positions in including a new affiliation with a European The event included talks and panels g Prof. Ada Yonath, the keynote speaker at the Zuckerman Symposium physics in Israel. organization dedicated to this subject. including women from academia,

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“Recognizing and supporting promising scientists early in their careers is essential to ensure that they maximize the impact of their future research,” says Len Blavatnik. 14–15

Weizmann scientists win all three Blavatnik Awards Honors highlight research in cryptography, genetics, and protein assembly

he annual Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists “Recognizing and supporting promising scientists in Israel have gone to three Weizmann early in their careers is essential to ensure that T scientists—the first time that all three awards will they maximize the impact of their future research,” be bestowed exclusively on Weizmann researchers. says Len Blavatnik, Head of the Blavatnik Family Dr. Igor Ulitsky, a biologist who is studying how Foundation that awards the prizes. “For the past a type of genetic material—long noncoding several decades, Israel has been a powerhouse RNA—works to influence health and disease, of scientific breakthroughs and technological received the award in the Life Sciences category. innovation. The three young scientists recognized Dr. Emmanuel Levy, a biochemist investigating how by these awards are outstanding examples of the proteins assemble and interact, won the Chemistry enormous potential of Israeli scientific talent.” award. And computer scientist Prof. Guy Rothblum, who is advancing the study of The Blavatnik Foundation, which offers a series of cryptography, received prizes for outstanding scientists, launched its the Physical Sciences & Israel awards in 2017 in collaboration Engineering award. with the Israel Academy of Sciences and the Humanities. g Profs. Ido Amit and Eran Elinav flanking Joao Monteiro and Ursula Weiss of Nature.

Next Gen Immunology Conference 2020

undreds of world-leading researchers in like in vivo imaging, single-cell sequencing, and immunology convened February 2-5 at the Next new genomics approaches that will advance the H Gen Immunology Conference at the Weizmann understanding of the microbiome, the nervous Institute—a gathering that has now become the “go- system, cancer, metabolism, and beyond. to” conference in in the field for scientists, postdocs, The conference included some 85 poster sessions. and students. The conference is held every two years g Dr. Igor Ulitsky g Prof. Guy Rothblum g Dr. Emmanuel Levy in partnership with the prestigious journal Nature. The event was sponsored by the Moross Integrated Cancer Center, the Azrieli Institute for Systems Led by Profs. Eran Elinav and Ido Amit of the Biology, the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel Department of Immunology, the conference National Center for Personalized Medicine, highlighted discussions between scientists, and industry partners including Merck and clinicians, and the pharma industry; and new tools Teva Pharmaceuticals.

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“Our purpose was to generate enthusiasm for science among the young patients, and to allow them to step away from Sweet news: AI advances the difficulty of their illnesses and the hospital routine for a diagnosis of gestational diabetes moment,” says Prof. Schuldiner. 16–17

new algorithm developed by Weizmann Institute scientists can predict which pregnant women are at a high risk of gestational diabetes, a common condition in which A women without diabetes develop high blood sugar levels. The study was authored by Prof. Eran Segal and reported in Nature Medicine. Bringing the lab to the hospital

Analyzing data on nearly 600,000 pregnancies available from Israel’s largest Prof. Maya Schuldiner's group makes a visit to Kaplan health organization, Clalit Health Services, the study determined that, Medical Center based on the predictions offered by the algorithm on these data, it may be possible to predict and prevent gestational diabetes. cientists from the “Our ultimate goal is to help the health system take measures Department of to prevent diabetes from occurring in pregnancy,” says senior S Molecular Genetics author Prof. Segal, who has dual appointments in the Department visited patients in the Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and the Department pediatrics unit at Kaplan of Molecular Cell Biology. The study was done in collaboration with Medical Center in Rehovot researchers at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikvah and Clalit. to teach a bit of science and conduct a few simple Gestational diabetes is fraught with health risks for both mother experiments. The visit and baby. Typically, the condition is diagnosed in the second was initiated by Michal trimester, by way of a glucose tolerance test in which the woman Eisenberg, a PhD student drinks a glucose solution and then undergoes a blood test to see in Prof. Maya Schuldiner’s how quickly the glucose is cleared from her blood. lab.

Prof. Segal and his colleagues processed a dataset of more “Our purpose was to than 2,000 parameters for each pregnancy, including each generate enthusiasm woman’s blood test results and medical history, and ran for science among the the data through an algorithm built to “connect the dots” young patients, and to between the medical data and the diagnosis. It revealed that allow them to step away nine of the parameters were sufficient to accurately identify from the difficulty of their the women who were at a high risk of developing gestational illnesses and the hospital diabetes. The nine parameters include the woman’s age, body routine for a moment,” mass index, family history of diabetes, and results of her glucose tests says Prof. Schuldiner. during any previous pregnancies. “We witness the kids’ involvement and These findings suggest that by having a woman answer just curiosity around science nine questions, it should be possible to tell in advance whether and it always moves she is at a high risk of developing gestational diabetes. And us.” She hopes the if this information is available early on—in the early stages of partnership with Kaplan pregnancy or even before the woman has conceived—it might be will continue. possible to reduce her risk of acquiring the condition by making lifestyle modifications such as exercise and diet. Prof. Amnon Zung, Head of Pediatrics at Kaplan, says g Prof. Maya Schuldiner’ (at right) and her colleagues with pediatric patients Meanwhile, women identified by the questionnaire as being at that the partnership with at Kapalan Medical Center. a low risk for gestational diabetes may be spared the cost and Weizmann is welcome, inconvenience of the glucose testing. and the experiments with Weizmann scientists a partnership with the Weizmann Institute, and no doubt that the geographic The study is another step forward in advancing artificial intelligence offer a meaningful and proximity between our two institutions, focused on health and science in techniques for health—demonstrating the usefulness of large stimulating experience Rehovot, can lead to additional partnerships in the future.” human-based datasets, specifically electronic health records, for for the patients. “We deriving personalized disease predictions that can lead to prevention are happy to be the first In a particularly special moment, Prof. Zung met his daughter, MSc student and intervention. hospital to have such Naama Zung, who was part of the Weizmann group, for a big hug and kiss.

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New Scientists 18–19

A first clue may be that life as we know it requires of the origin of life—and may have been a key energy oxygen to survive. Indeed, the existence of molecular source in Earth’s infancy. Until now, scientists have

oxygen, O2, is one of the strongest indicators of had limited tools for detecting the UV habitable zone, planetary life, and its detection would be a key step the area around a star that is optimal for the evolution in finding a life-supporting biosphere similar that of of life based on its UV radiation. the Earth. And though a new generation of extremely large telescopes (ELTs) will become a reality in the Dr. Ben-Ami will be a part of the latest revolutionary coming decade and greatly increase scientists’ project in space exploration: the Israel-U.S. space- ability to find and characterize terrestrial planets, borne ULTRASAT mission, spearheaded by the none of them will be able to detect oxygen. Weizmann Institute’s Prof. Eli Waxman. ULTRASAT represents a revolutionary step forward for the So Dr. Ben-Ami set out to develop a spectrograph— astrophysics community, because it is capable of an instrument used to measure properties of detecting and measuring the UV emissions from light—but whose ability to capture extremely high transient explosions minutes after they occur—not spectral resolutions will enable the detection of the days or weeks captured by current telescopic O as well. Initially, this instrument will be used systems. ULTRASAT is expected to generate a Introducing 2 alongside today’s telescopes, which, though not “discovery rate”—the rate at which celestial events equipped to detect molecular oxygen, can help in are identified—that is 300 times greater than today’s Dr. Sagi Ben-Ami the study of large-sized planet atmospheres. Later, technologies, revolutionizing our understanding of when ELTs become available to the wider scientific a wide range of explosive transient events, like the community, his spectrograph archetype can be explosions of stars and the disruption of stars by used in conjunction with one of these ground-based massive black holes.

telescopes to detect O2. r. Sagi Ben-Ami, an experimental A native of Tel Aviv, Dr. Sagi Ben-Ami earned his BA (2005) and MSc (2008) in physics from the astrophysicist, is developing Here comes the sun Technion — Israel Institute of Technology and his advanced instruments and PhD (2014) in physics from the Weizmann Institute D Another major factor in a planet’s capacity for of Science. methods that will help detect bioactivity is the ultraviolet (UV) radiation field from its host star. Most of us think of UV radiation as In 2014, he was awarded a NASA Einstein Fellowship “bio-signatures”—substances that something we need to shield ourselves from with and conducted his postdoctoral research at the sunscreen and hats. And while high levels of UV Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He provide scientific evidence of past or radiation can destroy emerging biomolecules, we returned to Israel with his wife, whom he met while present life—on planets outside of our wouldn’t be here on Earth without it: UV radiation is at Harvard, and rejoined the Weizmann family in an important factor in the development of prebiotic January 2020 in the Department of Particle Physics solar system. molecules—chemical or environmental precursors and Astrophysics.

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About half of the world population lives in coastal regions and relies, in part, on groundwater from coastal aquifers. The interface between land and sea, Sleuthing for the and the interaction between groundwater and seawater, present a complex fingerprint of water and interconnected system. 20–21 Introducing Dr. Yael Kiro, groundwater detective

of declining rainfall. Israel has few reservoirs, and is University. Analyzing these samples will give a roundwater, seawater, ice, micro-droplets trapped in sediments, now desalinating seawater for human consumption detailed picture of the area’s paleoclimate over tens and agricultural use. of thousands of years. and evaporated minerals like Dead Sea salts can carry a chemical signature that can be unlocked and read with the sophisticated At the Weizmann Institute, Dr. Kiro has expanded her She also worked with a team in Norway, looking for G research to study the circulation of seawater and identifiable signatures to enable radium isotope analytical tools being developed by scientists like Dr. Yael Kiro in the groundwater in aquifers beneath the coastline of fingerprinting of water unlocked by melting Israel and the Mediterranean and is comparing that permafrost. Permafrost in circumpolar regions has Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. to other coasts around the world. One collaborative recently undergone massive thawing, with severe field project underway examines the coastal environmental consequences, including the release Dr. Kiro is a geochemist who uses radioactive Reading rocks like a book sediments and aquifers of the Delaware coast in of greenhouse isotopes and chemical clues to read the the eastern United States, which present a very environmental record preserved in groundwater, Geologists and geochemists like Dr. Kiro can read different profile than Israel’s. lake sediments, ice cores, and coastal aquifers. layers of sedimentary rock like a book that reveals As a PhD student at the Hebrew University hundreds of thousands of years of history. Using of Jerusalem, Dr. Kiro focused her 1,500 feet of core samples from the bottom of the research on hydrology in Dead Sea, Dr. Kiro co-led an international study the Dead that showed evidence of two “mega” droughts from this geological record: one that began approximately 120,000 years

About half of the world population lives in coastal regions and relies, in part, on groundwater from gases coastal aquifers. The interface and the possible amplification ago, when between land and sea, and of global warming. average global the interaction between The research team found temperatures rose about four groundwater and seawater, an identifiable permafrost degrees Fahrenheit, and another present a complex and radioisotope fingerprint, about 10,000 years ago, following the last interconnected system. and showed that it could be ice age. Understanding its used to track the thawing of Sea, and went on to develop a new concept for dynamics is important for these long-trapped bodies using radioactive isotopes to estimate the age of In a recent study, Dr. Kiro helped compare the trace practical purposes such as of water. groundwater systems and to track the circulation of chemicals in the tiny pockets of saline fluids found in water management, with many water in aquifers deep underground. core samples drilled in the deepest floor of the Dead as-yet-unexplored questions Dr. Kiro received a long string of awards and recognitions as Sea. This gives scientists new insights into the Dead for a geochemist. Water is a precious commodity in the arid Middle Sea during the last interglacial and glacial periods a student and in her postdoctoral East, and groundwater aquifers are a big part of and some clues about changes in rainfall patterns at The geologic record can also reveal years, including a three-month Israel’s water equation. Dr. Kiro provides some of the that time which might be relevant for the changes in past climate changes and provide internship with the U.S. Geological Survey tools needed to learn how much water is present in store to Israel in the near geological future. information for environmental and climate g Dr. Yael Kiro funded by the United States–Israel Binational an aquifer, its salinity, and what kinds of minerals and models that are essential for future Science Foundation (BSF) in 2009. She did pollutants are present. Being able to age and track The alarming rate of the Dead Sea’s shrinkage— predictions. her postdoctoral fellowship at the Lamont- samples of groundwater can provide data on how about a meter per year—is a well-known and Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia long an aquifer takes to circulate and recharge. This lamented phenomenon that is the result of water Dr. Kiro spent much of the summer of 2019 along the University, and spent time there as an associate is vital information for politicians and planners as well diversion projects, and industry pumping out the Chilean coast in South America taking core samples research scientist before joining the faculty of the as earth scientists. salty, profitable water for potash. It’s also the result from the ocean sediments with a team from Rutgers Weizmann Institute in 2019.

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A wise future Cover Story 22–23

neuroscience to be too high bear, and the success neuroscience research to a new level, the Weizmann for neuroscience rate of neurological medicines too low. Achieving Institute of Science is launching a $200 million the scientific momentum necessary to address the flagship project, the Institute for Brain and Neural urgent need for solutions demands collaborative, Sciences. It will take shape through the construction Weizmann’s flagship initiative will make us smarter multidisciplinary partnerships that combine of a state-of-the-art building that will serve as a excellence in neurobiology with hub for more than 40 internationally renowned than ever about the human brain insights from chemistry, physics, groups actively investigating topics of relevance linguistics, computer science, to brain research and neuroscience—including euroscience is at a critical juncture, with and engineering, among from physicists and computer scientists working other fields. beyond the archetypical borders of the life sciences. breakthroughs coming at a rapid pace. In the The building will also house a range of innovative To take advantage technologies that will allow scientists to explore the last decade alone, new imaging techniques of recent N brain in entirely new ways. and tools that allow scientists to see, stimulate, developments and The Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences will and record brain activity have opened the catapult comprise eight integrated research centers and an additional center for new technology door to previously unfeasible studies. An development.

explosion of knowledge in genomics has It is expected to generate a synergy that leverages spurred explorations of psychiatric and the Weizmann Institute’s permeable boundaries between departments, and its small size and informal other brain disorders. Links between culture that enable free-flowing interactions and the brain and the immune system collaborations. And, of course, its great science. have led to new ways to think about Snapshot of success diseases like Alzheimer’s, and the The results speak for themselves. The December brain has been shown to be far 2019 issue of Nature Neuroscience—the highest- impact journal in the field—featured a record more malleable than we ever three articles from one institution, and that thought possible. institution was the Weizmann Institute. In that issue, Prof. Alon Chen identified four distinct Yet many fundamental mysteries remain temperaments among mice—comparable to unsolved. How do consciousness and personality characteristics in humans—and cognition emerge from the brain’s complex linked them to specific genetic profiles, neural networks? How does the brain respond a major step towards enabling scientists to everyday experience, and to emotional to more deeply study mental health and stress and physical trauma? Why does brain illness in people. Prof. Rony Paz revealed function decline with age, and what are the how emotional learning and memory are circumstances underlying mental illness or represented in the brain by showing that neurodegeneration? temporal sequences across neurons in the amygdala serve as a coding mechanism. Paradoxically, these technological advances Prof. Ofer Yizhar used cutting-edge and bold questions come on the fleeing optogenetics to track the dynamics of how heels of big pharmaceutical companies, the brain encodes social sensory cues, with who have found the risk/reward ratio in relevance to autism spectrum disorder.

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Last October, Prof. Rafael Malach and Prof. Michal Irani caught the interest of the cognitive and systems neuroscience communities with a brain imaging study that revealed the importance of facial geometry in how we perceive human faces. Earlier in the year, Prof. Malach uncovered a neuronal mechanism central to human free recall—rapid ripples of activity across 24–25 the brain’s hippocampus. The study appeared in Science.

The accomplishments go on. Prof. Michal Schwartz pioneered the theory of ‘protective autoimmunity,’ which attributes a revolutionary role to the immune system in supporting cognitive function, mental stability, stem cell renewal and repair, and in combating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile, Prof. Nachum Ulanovsky and Dr. Yaniv Ziv made key findings on navigational ‘place cells’ Centers of Investigation in the brain that have important implications for understanding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The initial discovery of these cells garnered the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Development of How do we sense, and how does the brain Prof. Shimon Ullman, a 2015 Israel Q combine input from different sensory modalities Prize laureate, is working to Neural Networks to form a coherent picture? narrow the gap between he adult brain is a complex network of roughly the visual recognition 100 trillion connections among billions of Weizmann scientists are exploring a variety of abilities of humans and A neurons. Proper functioning of this network forms of sensory processing to clarify how sensory the artificial intelligence T demands an efficient wiring of circuits, optimized input translates into action. They are also working systems they build. And yet flexible enough to handle the uncertainties of to unveil the process of motor action—from the Prof. Noam Sobel used daily living. decision to take an action in higher brain areas, to the the Weizmann Institute’s execution of a movement via commands transmitted powerful 7-Tesla magnetic How does the brain, with all of its complex to the spinal cord, followed by muscle activation. resonance imaging Q neural networks, develop? What happens when system to show that the process goes awry? This research will improve our understanding olfaction is possible of sensory disorders and motor diseases, and even in the absence of Scientists will aim to reveal how the diversity contribute to efforts to develop sensory substitution an olfactory bulb. A of specific types of neurons emerge during techniques, alleviate chronic pain, and develop development, how neurons migrate to their correct artificial sensing technologies, such as robotic arms Accelerating locations, and how neurons’ extensions are guided and brain-machine interfaces. over long distances to find their targets. Topics multidisciplinary will include understanding the formation of neural Mental and research connections (synapses), remodeling of synapses and circuits, development of sex differences in neural Emotional Health The Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences networks, the role of neural support cells, as well as will accelerate multidisciplinary research by neuronal metabolism. More than 7 percent of global life expectancy years gathering the diverse neuroscience knowledge, lost to illness, disability, or premature death are This research will lead to a better understanding of expertise, and infrastructure at the Weizmann caused by mental illnesses, including depression, the pathology underlying a variety of diseases and Institute into a greater, collaborative, and integrated anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, among disorders from epilepsy and fragile X syndrome, to a whole—creating a unique environment of physical proximity other debilitating conditions. range of mental illnesses. that promotes robust synergistic energy and catalyzes discovery for the benefit of humanity. Q What prompts mental illness, what promotes Perception and Action resilience, and how can we manipulate these Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science has contributed to over 500 articles of processes? relevance to neuroscience in the last five years alone, and several of those papers have already Humans have an insatiable appetite for sensory been cited hundreds of times. From base pairs to bedside, from the emerging field of artificial input—whether conscious or unconscious. Sensory A Scientists in this center will employ integrated intelligence, to technological advances in disease modeling and illuminating the neural landscape, perception provides the immediate ingestion of molecular, biochemical, genetic, and behavioral neuroscience stands at a precipice. With the establishment of the Institute for Brain and Neural information, driving our behaviors as we seek out methods in state-of-the-art preclinical models Sciences, Weizmann is ready to soar. the new. to investigate neural pathways. Others will use

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psychophysics techniques and brain imaging memories while others are suppressed or erased technology in humans and electrophysiology in are all part of this complexity. Add to that optimal animal models to unveil emotion-related networks at decision-making (encompassed in the emerging the level of individual brain cells and understand how field of neuroeconomics). Additionally, addressing 26–27 these networks malfunction in mental illness. these issues and more requires an integrated study of brain activity that combines insights from Insights expected to emerge from this center will neuroscience, and computer scientists will also pave bolster mental resilience, prevent mental illness, and the way towards advanced machine learning and inform the design of new targets for brain-based ‘smart’ technologies that are at the heart of artificial treatment when illness does occur. intelligence. platform for the discovery of basic mechanisms of and how they learn, and how they might be corrected brain integrity, their failure in neurodegeneration and when damaged—or even improved. the potential means of amelioration. Research will The Aging Brain leverage the developmental, sensorimotor, memory, Q What is the ‘language’—the neural code— and aging advances of its sister centers, and return used by the hundreds of billions of neurons in the As science and medical technology key insights into the molecular, cellular, genetic, and brain? How does this language enable the brain continue to expand the human lifespan, systems-level mechanisms fundamental to how the societies and individuals must face the to perform the sophisticated computations that nervous system functions. inevitable consequences: the physical make us human? and mental deterioration of healthy aging, not to mention the increasing prevalence Injury and Regeneration A Researchers in this center will employ of age-related neurodegenerative mathematical tools taken from statistical physics, diseases. Unlike the expansive growth and adaptation of dynamic systems, machine learning, and information neurons in early development, central nervous theory to create new models and theories of brain How does the brain transform in system neurons undergo little or no regeneration Q function, and engage in intense collaborations the aging process? Can this process be following injuries, such as those to the spinal cord, with experimental laboratories. The resulting halted or reversed? that occur during adulthood. This failure of resilience has been attributed to a combination of inhibitory computational tools for analyzing ‘Big Data’ A Through extensive collaboration extrinsic factors—such as traumatic injury—as well will open up new experimental frontiers, while across fields and disciplines, as the loss of intrinsic growth ability. theoretical models for understanding the design Weizmann scientists will advance our and function of neural circuits will inform both understanding of what drives the aging Q What happens to the nervous system when it pathology and drug design. Ultimately, it will reveal process and the physiological results of is injured? How can we repair damage to the brain the ways in which ‘bugs’ in the neural code underlie brain aging—in health and disease—and and spinal cord? neurological disease. g Prof. Rony Paz, Head of the Institute for are expected to yield potential Brain and Neural Sciences treatments for aging-related disorders. This center Scientists will work to understand the role of will work in collaboration with the Sagol Institute for A these intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which may Longevity Research, which investigates brain and Development of Innovative shed light on how to convince damaged neurons to body biology related to aging and longevity. Learning, Memory, regenerate. Research will address such fundamental Technologies questions as the response to injury and the growth and Cognition Weizmann scientists have an extensive history of potential of damaged neural tissue. Researchers will Neurodegeneration developing groundbreaking technologies that have The hallmark of human evolution is sophisticated also draw insights from organisms such as fish and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amphibians, who regenerate neurons with far greater been implemented throughout the international amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, efficiency than mammals do. neuroscience community. This center will leverage Q How do our brain make us who we and Huntington’s disease are all characterized by that expertise as a hub for the development of new are—and how can we ‘fix’ the brain when this inexorable loss of cognition and memory, changes in technologies and techniques that are necessary activity falters? behavior, and an inability to control bodily functions. Theoretical and to accelerate the pace of discovery across all Research to prevent and repair neurodegeneration is the centers in the Institute for Brain and Neural Scientists will seek answers to these questions a priority for science and for medicine. Computational A Sciences. and their relevance to cognitive impairments, Neuroscience What are the causes and trajectories of dementia, amnesia, learning disabilities, and mental Q The creation of such technologies require close illness. neurodegenerative diseases? How can they be Theoretical and computational neuroscientists collaboration among biologists, physicists, chemists, prevented and cured? ask questions about the principles that underlie The human brain makes complex computations that the design of neural circuits, neural coding, and engineers, and computer scientists. These experts far outstrip the capacity of any modern machine. A Finding solutions to the challenges of information processing in the brain—and the will work together to identify specific problems, The process of working memory, the impact of neurodegeneration will lie at the heart of research resulting impact on behavior. Their research aims to brainstorm solutions, and then design and build attention, and the consolidation and storage of some conducted in this center, which will serve as a reveal how neural circuits form, how they function, these solutions.

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Steering a sea change 28–29 for cancer patients Rising Tide Foundation’s quest to advance cancer research and care hen Shawn Stephenson’s grandmother, Mary Brown Stephenson, died of cancer in 1982, it was a devastating turn of events for his W family—both because of her loss, of course, and also because she was denied existing treatment that could have saved her life, according to Mr. Stephenson. Her own doctors in Arizona turned down her requests to be treated by a Boston physician who, the family was convinced, would have treated and possibly cured her particular form of lung cancer.

Then in his teens, Mr. Stephenson was deeply affected by her death, and the entire family turned their collective efforts to helping patients with cancer access the solutions they need and want. The Stephensons went on to establish treatment centers and funding mechanisms for clinical trials across the United States. Intent on canvassing the globe for promising research and care solutions for patients, Shawn Stephenson went on to launch Rising Tide Foundation, which funds cancer research with translational promise—studies whose outcomes are likely to result in treatments for patients. g Shawn Stephenson: inspired to tackle cancer since his teens Five years ago, Rising Tide made a visionary gift to the Weizmann Institute that has funded a large range of initiatives related to cancer research: from Three decades of care competitive grants to start-up packages for young cancer investigators, to scholarships and fellowships and discovery for students and postdoctoral researchers. After Mary Brown Stephenson’s passing, the family The funding has advanced Weizmann investigations established a chain of privately funded, for-profit into new diagnostic methods, more personalized treatment centers called Cancer Treatment Centers drugs, novel immunotherapies, and more. of America, in 1988. Several years later, they started The partnership is now entering a second stage of Gateway for Cancer Research, a nonprofit that funds generous funding, over a four-year timeline. clinical trials in cancer. Both entities, with their respective agendas of care and clinical research, are “It is a partnership that fits like hand in glove—a focused on the same goal: to offer patients more and mutual interest in advancing research with better options for treatment and cures. an eye for improving patient outcomes,” says Mr. Stephenson. “From the beginning, Weizmann has Then, in 2006, with an eye toward identifying been committed to its focus in understanding how research investigations outside the US, Shawn g L to R: Rising Tide Foundation CEO cancer works and how it might be cured or better Stephenson co-founded Rising Tide, with Wendelin Zellmayer and Founder treated, and with our focus on improving outcomes headquarters in Shaffhausen, Switzerland. In addition Shawn Stephenson for the patient and saving lives, this has become a to Weizmann, it has funded the American Society of remarkable relationship.” Clinical Oncology, through an innovative program

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that funds mentoring partnerships between veteran investigations—which have been supported by “We want to empower patients by being able to offer them more and young scientists in the US and Europe. It also Rising Tide support and other donors—have indeed options… This is why we invest in translational cancer research,” supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a broken new ground in areas of major promise. US-based nonprofit; the Anticancer Fund, a Belgian says Shawn Stephenson. 30–31 nonprofit, which supports clinical trials for cancer Accelerated and expanded with this funding, these therapies with a special focus on rare cancers investigations have also since attracted grants and orphan drugs to treat them; and pediatric from the European Research Council and the Israel cancer research at Cambridge University and Science Foundation. “Weizmann’s great scientists Stanford University. are doing excellent basic research, which is leading to real application that will help patients,” says outcomes. The foundation is also keen on boosting of Care’ (a trademarked phrase) that is the hallmark Zellmayer. “We see how our funds have created a the “multiplier effect” referred to by Mr. Zellmayer, of their operations in the US and Europe. “We want The multiplier effect multiplier effect, such that not only has the research by inspiring other philanthropists and agencies to be able to offer cancer patients everything we’d been expedited, but also the projects we have to support the same projects—and thereby help want to be able to offer our own mothers if they The relationship with the Weizmann Institute began supported have led to external grants from major move them forward at an even more rapid pace. were sick… We want to empower patients by being in 2014 with a visionary multi-million dollar gift to funding agencies, and from other donors.” While the first funding stage was successful, the able to offer them more options—to enlarge the support cancer research. Wendelin Zellmayer, next stage “could have an even greater impact,” number of choices they have. This is why we invest Rising Tide’s CEO, says the foundation’s board Inspired by success, Rising Tide determined says Zellmayer. in translational cancer research. We are very pleased chose a series of research avenues at Weizmann earlier this year to enter a new stage of funding for with our relationship with Weizmann and we are that held major promise for translating into therapies Weizmann science. The focus of the next round Mr. Stephenson’s reasoning for supporting looking forward to intensifying it.” that would reach the bedside in a relatively will be support for studies in cancer prevention translational cancer research always goes back to short span of time. A half-decade later, these and detection and towards improving patient the patient, and what he calls “the ‘Mother Standard

recycling of these metabolites. More specifically, Immunology focuses on the regulation of proteins Cancer in focus they determined that urea cycle enzymes and related in cancer and immunity. Maintaining protein changes in metabolites can potentially serve as homeostasis involves an extensive protein network A sampling of groundbreaking Weizmann projects supported biomarkers for early detection of cancer, and may be of more than 1,000 proteins that are responsible used to determine whether individual patients will for sensing and responding to cellular stress, to respond well to cancer immunotherapy. by Rising Tide allow proper function. Her lab investigates both how Drugs targeting a cancer-causing genetic proteins are regulated and modified—so-called Testing tumor sensitivity to drugs: Dr. Ravid Dr. Straussman and his lab established Curesponse, post-translational modifications—and how they mutation: Dr. Nir London’s lab in the Department of Straussman and Dr. Nancy Gavert from his team in a start-up company based on the EVOC technology, Organic Chemistry designs cancer drugs that target are degraded in health and disease. The lab has the Department of Molecular Cell Biology developed which is now in multi-center clinical trials for various specific mutations in tumor cells in a personalized developed novel technologies to profile the protein a method to grow in the lab freshly removed cancers. manner. One focus is a specific mutation modification and degradation landscape in sections of human tumors and test The urea cycle as a guidepost in the p53 gene—the most frequently clinical samples. their sensitivity to a large panel of mutated gene in cancer—called for cancer treatment: Dr. Ayelet drugs, called ex-vivo organ culture R273C, which leads to the Among other findings, Dr. Merbl Erez, of the Department of (EVOC). The EVOC method allows development of tumors. has found a particular modifying for a rapid determination of a Biological Regulation, is a protein called FAT10 that tumor’s susceptibility to various clinical and research geneticist Dr. London's group identified regulates the infiltration of drugs over a course of up who specializes in inherited the first-ever molecules that can tumors into the immune to seven days. This method metabolic pediatric syndromes strongly and specifically bind system’s T cells; inhibiting this offers a major advantage over for understanding metabolic to p53 harboring this mutation, protein could potentially refine existing drug-testing methods irregularities in complex and are working to translate this because it tests the sensitivity disorders such as cancer to binding to cause regression of immunotherapy techniques. She of tumor cells to drugs within its find better ways to diagnose the tumor. Such compounds could is investigating this and other so-called microenvironment—the as well as improve response to serve as drug candidates in the “control mechanisms” that proteins non-cancerous cells that surround therapy. She and her lab members future, for the hundreds of thousands undergo in the cell, which may affect and support the cancer cells — which found that the urea cycle—a metabolic of patients with this mutation. tumor progression and the response to offers a more accurate model of how the pathway that converts physiological therapy. tumor would respond to treatment in the g Dr. Ravid Straussman waste so it can be excreted as urine—is Proteins that drive and inhibit g Dr. Yifat Merbl patient’s body. disrupted in various cancers to enable cancer: Dr. Yifat Merbl in the Department of

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he Opening Event of the 71st Annual General Meeting of the Prof. Michael and Sara Sela International Board in November 2019 marked the opening of the T Michael Sela Auditorium and celebrated Prof. Michael and Sara Sela, pillars of the Weizmann community. It also marked the start of the last celebrated at opening event Board event in Prof. Daniel Zajfman’s 13-year term as President. More than 500 people were in attendance.

Prof. Sela’s scientific advancements in immunology he deeply thanked Sara for her work on the have led to breakthrough drugs including Copaxone auditorium refurbishment. for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and a series of cancer drugs. He is also past President The Board events were compressed by missile fire from Gaza, which shut down the Institute for a full of the Weizmann Institute. They gave a visionary day. Nevertheless, a long series of donors were gift to renovate the former Michael and Anna Wix honored for their contributions and friendship, and Auditorium, with the generous consent of the Wix Prof. Zajfman’s leadership, and that of his leadership family of the UK. The new state-of-the art Michael team, was highlighted throughout the week of events. Sela Auditorium will be a hub for scientific meetings, Incoming President Prof. Alon Chen, who began his Board meetings, and cultural events on campus. term on December 1, gave an inaugural speech at the Open Session of the Board, in which he discussed his “I owe much more to the Institute than anything I did vision for the future. for the Institute. I owe my life to the Institute,” said Prof. Sela. “I thank Daniel Zajfman for everything The event included a performance by the Young he has done for the Institute,” he added, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

André Deloro Prize to Prof. Eli Zeldov

he André Deloro Prize for Scientific Research was awarded to Prof. Eli T Zeldov of the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at a session of the International Board on November 13.

Rebecca Boukhris, who presented the award, is a Trustee of the Adelis Foundation, founded by the late philanthropist André Deloro. The prize is awarded annually to an outstanding scientist whose research holds particular promise for deepening the understanding of science.

Video: A tribute to Prof. Michael Sela g L to R: Prof. Michael Sela, Sara Sela, Prof. Daniel Zajfman cutting g L to R: Prof. Daniel Zajfman, the ribbon at the new Michael Sela Auditorium Rebecca Boukhris, and Prof. Eli Zeldov

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Prof. Jonathan Dorfan, a particle physicist and Prof. Raphael Mechoulam, pioneering research Honoring excellence the former President of Okinawa Institute of Science scientist who discovered THC—the psychoactive and Technology Graduate University in Japan. ingredient of the cannabis plant—and the neural Prof. Dorfan led the design and construction of the circuits that process THC in the brain. A Weizmann Weizmann Institute bestowed eight honorary degrees in 2019 B-factory accelerator complex and coordinated other scientist who earned his PhD at the Institute, projects at SLAC—the Stanford Linear Accelerator Prof. Mechoulam’s high-impact findings were he Weizmann Institute of Science bestowed honorary doctorates on Center that enabled experiments leading to the of foundational significance for today’s growing 2008 Nobel Prize. A member of the Weizmann medical cannabis industry, and continue to drive eight distinguished individuals whose contributions to society have Institute’s International Board, and longtime co-chair important advances in the field of drug design. had a tangible and celebrated impact. The degrees of PhD honoris of its Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee, T Prof. Dorfan’s career achievements and institutional Prof. Martha C. Nussbaum is a philosopher causa were conferred at a festive ceremony on November 12 during the impact have made him a treasured leader of the world at the University of Chicago whose research scientific community. encompasses law, divinity, classics, ethics, and st 71 Annual General Meeting of the International Board. cognitive neuroscience. Prof. Nussbaum is one Mr. Mario Fleck, South American business leader of the founders of the Capabilities Approach—an The Weizmann Institute’s and philanthropist who founded the Brazilian Friends acclaimed theoretical model designed to point out 2019 PhD laureates: of the Weizmann Institute of Science and serves as what people need to have in order to live a good its President. Under Fleck’s charismatic leadership, and successful life. By championing the place of President Reuven (Ruvi) the Brazilian Friends became a community dedicated emotion in the establishment and understanding Rivlin, 10th President of the State to supporting cancer research—a goal significantly of human values, her work helps us understand of Israel. President Rivlin has advanced with the inauguration of the Weizmann- divisions in society, and offers new strategies for devoted his life to connecting Brazil Tumor Bank, an on-campus facility providing overcoming them. people around the world to the critical resources for scientists seeking to advance beauty and sanctity of Jerusalem. studies related to cancer prevention, diagnosis, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is the first person since His rich career in public service treatment, and cure. the medieval sage Rashi to have completed a full includes seven terms in the translation of and commentary on the Babylonian Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, Mr. Alex Levac, a photojournalist, is a 2005 Israel Talmud, and of the Bible, into modern Hebrew, as two terms as Knesset Speaker, Prize laureate. Mr. Levac elevates the human well as English, French, Russian, and Spanish. and two terms as Minister of condition by framing everyday scenes with humor Internationally regarded as one of the greatest rabbis Communication. President Rivlin and compassion. The self-declared “paparazzi of of this century and of the last, Rabbi Steinsaltz— has come to symbolize deep the anonymous,” he has created riveting images that whose academic background includes university and respectful communication, document the joys and struggles of people around training in mathematics, physics, and chemistry—is something that has earned the world, and give a lasting visual expression to an educator who founded schools, and, through him the love and respect of the one of history’s most astounding accomplishments: his own teaching, continues to promote spiritual Israeli people. the re-establishment of the Jewish people as a free advancement for every human being through the nation in their ancient homeland. removal of obstacles to Jewish learning. Mrs. Rebecca Boukhris, Trustee of the Adelis Foundation. An accomplished international banker, Mrs. Boukhris has successfully advanced the mission of the Foundation’s TVML Foundation lauded for founder, the late André Deloro: to support the State of Israel and Weizmann-MIT Collaboration Fund g Back row, L to R: Prof. Raphael Mechoulam, Prof. Daniel the Jewish people. Supporting he Weizmann Institute celebrated a visionary gift by Marcos and Vivian Zajfman, Prof. Martha C. Nussbaum, Shimshon Harel, social and educational initiatives, Lederman of Brazil to establish the TVML Foundation MIT-Weizmann Prof. Jehuda Reinharz, Larry Blumberg. the Adelis Foundation also T Collaboration Fund, which supports joint research projects in Front row, L to R: Rebecca Boukhris, Alex Levac, Mario provides critical funding for the computer sciences. The first beneficiary of the fund is Prof. Guy Rothblum Fleck, Prof. Jonathan Dorfan, Mr. Robert J. Drake, Weizmann Institute’s programs in of the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, who Prof. Daniella Goldfarb. Seated: Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz physics, chemistry, and the study is working with MIT colleagues on advancing encryption for improved of disease. data privacy.

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n the third of April 1934, a festive invention, with creativity, with innovation Leading with science ceremony took place to inaugurate the and with enterprise. Eight-five years later, one O Sieff Research Institute. can say with confidence that the Weizmann President Reuven Rivlin accepts honorary PhD Institute has realized not only Chaim In honor of the celebration, (as they reported it Weizmann’s vision, but also the vision of in the newspaper at the time), the British flag Professor Willstätter. he Weizmann Institute of Science bestowed an honorary doctorate on and the Hebrew flag flew above the building. And not just the Weizmann Institute. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, one of eight individuals to receive the Just imagine! PhD honoris causa in a festive ceremony on November 12, during the Our little ‘start-up nation’ is acclaimed in T Fourteen years before the establishment many parts of the world; our academia is st 71 Annual General Meeting of the International Board. An excerpt from of the State of Israel, at the time of the considered to be a beacon of knowledge, both British Mandate, the leaders of the Jewish President Rivlin’s keynote speech is below. theoretical and practical. Our entrepreneurial settlement—which at the time numbered about thinking, our scientific inventions, the 300,000 men, women and children—succeeded technology that is developed here—all of these in founding an institute for scientific research, have become a focal point for pilgrimage. the third in line after the Technion in Haifa, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I meet many leaders from all over the world Among those who attended the ceremony was who want to learn from us and collaborate Professor Richard Martin Willstätter. with us for the development of science, for the benefit of all mankind. And this is a In 1915, this Jewish-German chemist significant part of the prosperity of Israel— was awarded the Nobel Prize for of the Land of Israel and the State of Israel. Chemistry. In 1924, he retired from his work at the academy in Munich because of Distinguished guests—science, as we are the anti-Semitism of some members of the taught in school, is something that is very faculty. In 1938, he escaped from the Nazi accurate, linear, clear, understandable, threat to Switzerland, where he died in 1942. distinct. Sequential. Cause and effect. But whoever is accepted into the world of science But for one moment in time, between retiring for his or her higher education—whether due to anti-Semitism and his escape to it is in biology or chemistry, physics or Switzerland, at the height of the darkness mathematics, biochemistry, or even computer that had overcome Europe, he stood here science—is aware of the fact that science is not and very precisely defined the mission of the just a linear process. new Institute. And I quote: “In my vision, I see above the gates of the Institute, neither The most complex discoveries, the most in bronze nor in writing, yet nevertheless surprising, the most amazing, have resulted clearly, these three inscriptions: ‘Work for from a breaking down an accepted concept, the development of science! Work for the from breaking through the standard thought prosperity of the Land of Israel! Work for the process, which we think of as being a measured benefit of humanity!’” pace, step by step. This is what he wrote.

Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the scientist, the Video: President Reuven statesman, and the President, pushed for the Rivlin on Weizmann and Israeli establishment of the Sieff Institute because science g President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin at conferment ceremony of honorary doctorates he believed that “Torah shall go forth from Zion” with science, with research, with

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The leaders of the Jewish community in wrote a book about it, will testify—a necessary Laying the cornerstone of the David Lopatie the Land of Israel established educational and irreplaceable piece of the infrastructure Institute of Comparative Medicine institutions for the children of the settlement for every culture, for every country, for the long before there was a country here. They did social strength and vitality of every society. cornerstone-laying ceremony so with the same attention and concern with took place on the site of the which they invested in the livelihood of the The spiritual treasures of the Jewish people— A future David Lopatie Institute inhabitants and the pioneers of the Aliya. and Rabbi Steinsaltz will undoubtedly explain of Comparative Medicine during this better than I—are the wind beneath our the Annual General Meeting of the They invested in building the infrastructure of wings. It is thanks to them that we have been International Board, in the presence of higher education, culture and research, with able to maintain an unbroken dynasty of Mr. David Lopatie. The event took place on November 13. the same concern they had when establishing generations. Without them we would not have communities, developing dairy farms, and survived for thousands of years as a people Mr. Lopatie, of Johannesburg, planting agricultural crops. They understood without a home. Without them, we would not South Africa, has given generously that basic needs are also dependent on have been able to establish a state, and turn it to establish several buildings on fulfilling spiritual needs. They realized that a into the prosperous country that it is. campus, namely the David Lopatie nation is not built along one linear line, but International Conference Centre and in parallel. “If there is no flour, there is no Torah. And if the David Lopatie Hall for Graduate there is no Torah there is no flour.” Studies, housing the Feinberg And it is precisely here the Weizmann Graduate School. Institute which for many years has been Without literature, the Bible, and history, no known as—and rightly so—“The MIT of the matter how many study units of mathematics The new Lopatie Institute of Comparative Medicine will advance Middle East,” that I want to remind us all and science are taught in schools, this will not that the economic future, as well as the social the study of disease through be the worthy society that our Zionist fathers the use of animal models and strength and security, of the State of Israel, and mothers dreamed of establishing. advanced technologies. lies in its capacity to realize its scientific and g Mr. David Lopatie at the ceremony technological potential. That investment in This will not be the worthy society that we Comparative animal studies allow higher education, in science and research, want to bequeath to our children. scientists to control temperature, is an essential component of building the humidity, light, diet, and other factors national home in Israel, the construction of I thank you for the honor you have bestowed that might affect the outcome of the which is not yet complete. on me, both for the title itself, and for experiments. These rigorous controls receiving this alongside such wonderful men provide greater certainty about And meanwhile, the State of Israel must and women. experimental results. Moreover, the promote and nurture the humanities, which natural course of a disease in humans are—and which Professor Nussbaum, who God bless you all. may take dozens of years. In contrast, a model organism can quickly develop a disease or some of its symptoms. Researchers can thereby learn about the disease much faster.

As such the David Lopatie Institute Honoring Dita and Yehuda Bronicki for Comparative Medicine will serve life scientists throughout the t the 71st Annual General Meeting of the International Board, the Weizmann Institute. Weizmann Institute of Science celebrated the friendship and generosity A of Dita and Yehuda Bronicki of Israel who gave given to a large range “You are truly my extended family,” of scientific and educational projecs at the Institute, including the Davidson Mr. Lopatie said to the guests at the Institute of Science Education, the reserach of Prof. Nahum Ulanovsky in the ceremony. He thanked the Weizmann Department of Neurobiology, as well as nanoscience, energy research, and construction team and his own experimental physics. colleagues and friends from South g L to R: Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Mr. David Lopatie and Africa. He deeply thanked Prof. Daniel Prof. Alon Chen and Joëlle Zafjman. g L to R: Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Dita Bronicki and Yehuda Bronicki מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Special Section SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE 40–41

Opening the doors of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center he Moross Integrated Cancer Center was inaugurated in its new home, the Ullmann Building for Life Sciences, in the presence of T philanthropic supporters of its key research pillars. The event took place on November 13.

g L to R: Dame Vivien Duffield and Dr. Rita Schmidt

g The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Moross Integrated Cancer Center

A festive luncheon to Mandy Moross was honored the previous day for Michael de Picciotto, founder of the de Picciotto his establishment of the flagship project, and the Cancer Cell Observatory in Memory of Wolfgang and following donors were honored at the November Ruth Lesser. celebrate the Clore 13 ceremony: Mario Fleck, President of the Brazilian Friends of the Weizmann Institute, founders of the Weizmann-Brazil Eric Stupp representing the Swiss Society for the Tumor Bank. Garden and Clore Prize Weizmann Institute of Science, founders of the Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Prevention Research. David Teplow, National Chair of the American he annual Clore Luncheon was held on November 11. This year, the event honored Dame Vivien Duffield Committee, representing the Kleinman Cancer and the Clore Israel Foundation for their support for the renewal and expansion of the Clore Garden Bob and Renée Drake, founders of the EKARD Cell-Sorting Facility. of Science. Dame Vivien Duffield also conferred the Sir Charles Clore Prize on a new, outstanding T Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research. scientist, Dr. Rita Schmidt from the Department of Neuriobiology, an expert in brain imaging whose work The Moross Integrated Cancer Center works to has implications for a range of avenues of neuroscience research. unravel the complexity of cancer by harnessing the Julian Dwek and members of the Dwek family, power of basic research to facilitate translation into Dana Weiss, Chief Political Analyst of Israel’s Channel 12 News, gave the keynote address, discussing the founders of the Dwek Institute for Cancer the clinical arena in the quest for cancer prevention, deadlock in the formation of the Knesset and key issues in Israeli politics and society. Therapy Research. early diagnosis, and ultimately, a cure.

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Partners in science Sherman Institute Milvia Perinot, Ilana and Pascal Mantoux, Eden and Steve Romick inaugurated Video: Core Facilities tour n evening event marking the establishment of the Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Medicinal Chemistry series of dedications honored supporters for major new gifts A celebrated the visionary gift of the Sherman family of in the areas of imaging and genomics, stem cell science, Toronto to advance research on drug discovery. The new Sherman Institute is headed by Prof. Sarel Fleishman of the A and immunology. Department of Biomolecular Sciences.

I could support cancer research in this Ilana and I get a more intimate important way. I was just as delighted to feeling about science.” Ilana be able to add to the gift earlier this year, spoke eloquently about how so that the Krenter Institute can make non-Jewish Israelis play an even greater progress in imaging and integral role in the future of cancer,” she said. science in Israel, citing Yaqub as an example. “We are proud of the honor that he brings to Israel and to the Weizmann Institute,” she said.

The strength of core facilities

he Core Strength Luncheon was an opportunity to g L to R: Prof. Daniel T celebrate donors who Zajfman, Steve Romick, and gave to core facilities at the Prof. Ido Amit. g L to R: Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Alexandra Sherman Weizmann Institute. Krawczyk, Jeff Cohen, Susan Stern Those honored were:

g Milvia Perinot Ș Milvia Perinot of The new Sherman Institute funds multi-disciplinary Dr. Mark Alexander, for establishing the Norman Switzerland and Israel collaborations and holds monthly seminars that attract E. Alexander Family M researchers from all over the world. was celebrated for her Foundation Wing in the André g L to R: Ilana and Pascal new gift to support Ilana and Pascal Mantoux were honored Deloro Building for Advanced Mantoux, Prof. Yaqub Hanna The event took place at Kibbutz Ga’ash on November 11. the expansion of the for a new visionary gift to support the and Intelligent Materials. Among the speakers were Weizmann President Prof. Daniel Henry Chanoch Krenter research of Prof. Yaqub Hanna of the Ș Zajfman; Prof. Fleishman; and the daughter of the late Barry Laurent and Nathalie Amar Institute for Biomedical Department of Molecular Genetics. and Canadian friends for their Eden and Steven Romick of and Honey Sherman, Alexandra Sherman Krawczyk. Imaging and Genomics, “While we have supported other areas support for the Quantum California were celebrated for headed by Prof. Michal within Weizmann, our support of Yaqub Foundry in the Center for supporting the professorial Advanced and Intelligent Neeman. “When the has become a long-term partnership… chair Prof. Ido Amit from the Materials. Henry Chanoch Krenter it has allowed us to develop a personal Department of Immunology. Ș Video: The Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Kenneth Cooper, representing Institute for Biomedical relationship which we have sustained “My wife and I are so happy to Medicinal Chemistry the M. Judith Ruth Foundation, Imaging and Genomics to this day. We are honored and proud support Ido and his world- for establishing the M. Judith was established in 2012, of our friendship with Yaqub,” said leading work in immunology,” Ruth Institute for Preclinical Brain I was delighted that Pascal. “Every time we visit Yaqub’s lab, Steve said. Research.

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The gift from the Beck family represents a major testamentary gift from the late Tom and Mary Beck. Closing Gala celebrates Their children—Cathy, Liddy, and Anthony Beck— and their families were in attendance.

Tom and Mary Beck were enthusiastic and devoted lay leaders in Canada, helping establish Weizmann Beck family and Weizmann Canada in the late 1960s, 70s and 80s by hosting events and leading by example—giving generously to the Institute over many years, and then passing the torch to the next generation. Cathy Beck went Institute management on to actively lead the Canadian committee, serving as chair for six years, from 2010 to 2016, and is g Cathy Beck still deeply involved today. She is a member of the Institute’s Executive Board. Under her leadership, the community of Canadian friends of the Institute Vice President; Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph, Vice President enlarged exponentially, and philanthropic support for Resource Development and Public Affairs; in parallel, mirroring—and even surpassing—the Prof. Mudi Sheves, Vice President for Technology surge of activity during her father’s leadership a Transfer; and Shuli Geri, Vice President for Finance generation before. and Administration.

Tom Beck passed away in 2016, and Mary in 2018. Prof. Zajfman talked about the many individuals he The testamentary gift was open-ended, allowing has worked with over the course of his last 13 years the Institute to determine the most appropriate in office, and he received several standing ovations beneficiary area. Together with Weizmann leadership from the audience. and in a nod to the family’s historic devotion to alternative energy research, the Beck siblings Incoming President Prof. Alon Chen (who began chose to allocate it to the Center for Advanced and his term on December 1) gave an overview of his Intelligent Materials (C-AIM), and, within it, the Tom research on the neurobiology of stress. and Mary Beck Institute for Materials for Energy and Sustainability.

C-AIM is a major flagship project that will nurture research on new materials, with an eye towards applications in alternative energy, space, aeronautics, and medicine, including new materials for storing and using energy.

The Center is being named in honor of Tom and Mary Beck and it is a fitting legacy for a family whose name is virtually synonymous with energy research at Weizmann, whose footprint is felt across campus, and which has been foundational in what is today a flourishing Canadian circle of friends. Farewell to Institute he Closing Gala of the International Board was an opportunity to g All-star team, L to R: Executive Board management Chair Shimshon Harel, Prof. Daniel pay tribute to the Beck family of Toronto, longtime supporters of the Zajfman, Prof. Michal Neeman, Shuli Geri, th Institute; celebrate the Institute’s 70 anniversary; and bid a fond The Closing Gala offered an opportunity to thank and Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph, Prof. Mudi Sheves, T bid farewell to President Prof. Daniel Zajfman and Prof. Jehuda Reinharz farewell to Weizmann management after a 13-year term. his leadership team, including Prof. Michal Neeman,

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Science Feature SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Artificial intelligence: the future of smart Science Feature 46–47 AI is reshaping our lives—and revolutionizing science intelligence was previously considered AI at Weizmann a prerequisite. In the simplest cases, intelligent-like behavior can be Home to some of the world’s most n every branch of science, investigators are achieved by simple a well-defined prominent experts in computer science buckling under the weight of too much of a computer programs. But more and neurobiology, Weizmann Institute challenging tasks require AI systems to researchers are developing AI-based good thing: information. From particle physics methods for everything from drug I gather complex data, reveal patterns, discovery and personalized medicine, and make independent decisions. to genetics, and from cell biology to environmental to climate modeling and environmental chemistry, new technologies are generating massive Much like the human brain, successful protection. The application of AI to fields historically considered non- AI systems comprise sensors, data sets, making the interpretation of experimental computational—such as archaeology experiences, and the ability to and education—is demonstrating process remembered data to make findings a significant challenge. Luckily, the emerging the power of such systems to “flag” decisions. In AI, sensors are used to discipline of artificial intelligence is generating significant patterns that, because of gather complex data, for instance, their enormous complexity, would be mathematical “thought partners” that can sift through visual images, or, in biomedical overlooked by even the most brilliant applications, genetic and molecular human scientist. this mountain of data, and reveal discoveries that would data. Next, the system must be exposed almost certainly be overlooked by the human mind to large data sets—for example, in facial Among the many Weizmann recognition, or cancer prediction—for investigators who use AI, three working alone. which a solution is already known. g Prof. Ilan Koren of them—Prof. Amos Tanay, Finally, AI must be powered by an Prof. Ilan Koren, and Prof. Eilam Gross— algorithm—programming code that demonstrate how emerging AI tools What is artificial intelligence, anyway? enables the computer to discover are helping the scientific community achieve world-changing discoveries. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the simulation of human intelligence processes patterns and make decisions based by machines. When Marvin Minsky, the founder of MIT’s AI laboratory, advised on the sensors and past experiences. Stanley Kubrick on the film 2001: A Space Odyssey—which featured an intelligent Given these components, and if AI and health computer, HAL 9000—artificial intelligence was still the stuff of science fiction. the tasks for which the AI system is But bit by bit (and byte by byte), research advances have propelled AI into the designed have been defined correctly, What could we learn if we had detailed mainstream. From IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue, which faced off against it will do something quite astonishing: it health data, relating to an entire human chess champion Garry Kasparov in the late 90s, to the robotic vehicles will learn. population over decades, at our NASA landed on Mars in 2004, to today’s voice-activated “personal assistants” such fingertips? This is what Prof. Amos as Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, or Amazon’s Alexa, society has entered into an Ever-more powerful computers are Tanay—who holds appointments in evolving human-machine partnership for which the terms of the contract are still being expected to expand AI capabilities. both the Department of Biological written. New algorithmic approaches, such Regulation and the Department of as “deep neural network” techniques Computer Science and Mathematics— Today’s “Big Data” revolution makes basic science related to artificial intelligence a matter aims to find out. of critical importance. A new $100 million flagship project at the Weizmann Institute, inspired by the human brain, will join with emerging multi-sensor the Artificial Intelligence Enterprise for Scientific Discovery, will develop The advent of Electronic Health Records AI tools and ensure their integration into a range of scientific systems capable of accumulating data as a replacement for traditional, areas, while providing the massive computing power sets of unprecedented size. These handwritten medical charts has necessary to store, process, and analyze the data that will developments point toward an exciting helped standardize how patient data is lead to the next big discoveries. future, in which AI will push past the recorded, making it easier to share and limits of the imagination, and realize its use clinically important information. AI is a broad concept used to described the potential as a “thought partner” for its g Prof. Amos Tanay Prof. Tanay is taking this to the next solution, by a computer, of tasks for which human human creators. level, by developing software for data

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access and manipulation that makes it possible to AI and climate research Will tomorrow’s AI systems ask their own questions, and experience “scan” population-wide data. a “Eureka moment” in their circuits when they discover the answer? A new AI-based strategy based on the work of He is the director of a unique collaboration between three researchers, including Prof. Ilan Koren of the Only time will tell. 48–49 the Weizmann Institute of Science and Clalit Health Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences—is Systems, Israel’s largest HMO. The Weizmann/Clalit using machine learning to achieve an unprecedented project (and its Bench-to-Bedside Program, directed understanding of how cloud formation mediates the Earth’s energy balance and water cycle, and by Prof. Gabi Barbash, a physician and former influences climate. Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Health), makes the behavior of subatomic particles at and more efficient data analysis. This available for scientific research more than 20 years of Every climate model must take clouds into account, very high energies—is a great place will make it possible to characterize data, comprising computerized records of lab tests, but such data is usually gathered by satellites that to start. rare sub-atomic events that have been treatments, and results for over four million Israeli capture low-resolution images that miss many neglected because of the enormous citizens. This data repository, based on anonymized small clouds, and reveal only cloud systems’ most Weizmann Institute scientists are density—even by ATLAS standards!— patient records, is being analyzed using AI machine basic properties. Prof. Koren, on the other hand, prominent leaders in ATLAS, a detector of the data involved. learning protocols, as well as insights from the is developing a completely different approach to that is part of CERN’s Large Hadron emerging research field of data science. cloud analysis that, with the help of AI, will generate a Collider (LHC)—the world’s most A world-renowned expert on the wealth of new climate data. powerful particle accelerator. At the meeting point between AI and particle The ability of AI to recognize patterns within huge LHC, thousands of magnets speed up physics, Prof. Gross moved the field Prof. Koren’s strategy, called Cloud Tomography, sub-atomic particles so they collide at data sets has helped Prof. Tanay and his colleagues forward through a collaboration with uses medically inspired CT algorithms to enable a close to the speed of light. Over a billion identify previously unrecognized factors that play a Prof. Yaron Lipman from the Department coordinated fleet of 10 tiny satellites, each the size such collisions occur in the ATLAS role in human health. For example, in collaboration of Computer Science and Applied of a shoebox, to gather images of clouds’ external detector every second, generating with Dr. Liran Shlush of the Department of Mathematics. Together, the scientists and internal 3D structures, as well as the size vast quantities of data analyzed developed a novel method using Immunology, Prof. Tanay established an AI-based and concentration of water droplets within them. at 130 computing centers around geometric deep learning to improve strategy for the early diagnosis of Acute Myeloid A scientific space mission—called CloudCT—will the globe. detector performance by “tagging” Leukemia (AML). Based on the Clalit medical target small cloud fields that are often missed by particles of interest. records, deep sequencing of the genes recurrently remote-sensing technologies and, it is hoped, will Complex data produced by particle physics experiments strains the mutated in AML, and machine learning, the scientists resolve some of the unknowns surrounding climate In another project, Prof. Gross used prediction. data storage capacity of the world’s identified a distinct gene mutation profile that a type of machine learning called strongest computers. AI can help, Prof. Yaron Lipman accurately predicted which patients would live to a g convolutional neural networks to After the satellites are launched into orbit, they will by generating real-time results from healthy old age, without developing the disease—a predict how much of a certain type adopt the formation of a continuously moving and detected events. AI architectures might model that could potentially be used to identify of energy would be “deposited” in networked satellite “swarm” spread over hundreds also be trained to identify and save pre-AML risk many years prior to disease onset. components of the ATLAS detector. This of kilometers. The satellites will gather images from events that don’t match expectations— various points within cloud fields simultaneously, and rather than rejecting them—something advance makes it easier to separate In another recent AI achievement, Prof. Eran Segal— transmit images to the ground, allowing scientists that might alert scientists to inconsequential background noise from who holds appointments in both the Department to derive 3D information about how such clouds phenomena that hold the key to the next significant experimental findings. He is of Molecular Cell Biology and the Department of influence, and respond to, changing environmental major breakthrough. also using machine learning protocols Computer Science and Mathematics—designed conditions. to identify malfunctions in the detector an algorithm that can predict the risk of gestational Prof. Eilam Gross is a member of the itself. diabetes even before pregnancy. This advance— With the help of machine learning, Prof. Koren and Department of Particle Physics and based on machine learning algorithms that revealed his colleagues will be able to identify very complex Astrophysics who has devoted much Rapid AI progress has Prof. Gross and his colleagues dreaming of what could clinically significant patterns in the Clalit data—may interactions, with a special emphasis on the smaller of his scientific career to the ATLAS cloud structures that temper climate and can also be become possible in the near future. one day allow doctors to prevent gestational project. Prof. Gross was the overall team very sensitive to climate change. The new system is coordinator for the international group Rather than using machine learning diabetes in specific patients, by prescribing lifestyle expected to improve the accuracy of current climate of scientists responsible for the LHC’s to find patterns in high-density data interventions for reducing high blood sugar. models. most celebrated accomplishment—the in order to answer existing questions, discovery of the Higgs boson. He is tomorrow’s AI platforms may be able to If Prof. Tanay has his way, the next AI-based health now hard at work on a new challenge: ask their own questions independently, discoveries may emerge from closer collaboration AI and the nature helping to design algorithms that will and even run the experiments. between scientists and physicians. The Tanay team is of the universe improve monitoring and data analysis now putting the finishing touches on a new interface in the coming upgrade of the ATLAS And if tomorrow’s AI systems ask their that would allow doctors—with no training in AI or Machine learning methods are designed to explore experiment. These algorithms are own questions, will they experience a machine learning—to query the Clalit database, and independently analyze large data sets. And based on deep learning—a machine “Eureka moment” in their circuits when test out their hypotheses, and provide better, more if you’re looking for large data sets, then particle learning method based on artificial g Prof. Eilam Gross they discover the answer? Only time personalized care for their patients. physics—a discipline in which scientists examine neural networks—and will enable faster will tell.

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Latin America makes a strong showing at International Board Weizmann World 50–51 t the International Board, the Latin American In Mexico, a group of young women created Committee enjoyed its largest delegation the Vera Weizmann group, aiming to promote A in Weizmann history, with about 100 guests. the advancement of women in science at the The Committee hosted an exclusive event for Latin Weizmann Institute. Prof. Rony Paz, Head of the American friends and in honor of the President of the Department of Neurobiology, and Dr. Itay Tirosh Brazilian Association of Friends, Mario Fleck, who from the Department of Molecular Cell Biology received a Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa. visited Mexico in September and December, respectively, where they gave scientific lectures and Separately, the Argentinian Association of Friends organized its first nationwide Physics Challenge participated in a series of events. In December, the called “Think Outside the Box”. Teams of high Mexican Association of Friends held an event to school students from five schools created safes celebrate four Mexican scientists who have been with mechanisms based on principles of physics. supporting Weizmann Institute research: Dr. Ana The winning group was from the Technical Middle Flisser Steinbruch, Dr. Raquel Gerson Cwilich, School of the University of Buenos Aires in Dr. Alberto Huberman Wajsman, and Dr. David Villa Lugano. Kershenobich Stalnikowitz.

g Ellen Merlo presents David Teplow with the American Committee’s official gavel. (L-R) Dave Doneson, Ellen Merlo, David Teplow, and Dr. Gladys Monroy.

US: American Committee leadership passes the gavel

he American Committee held its Leadership Attendees also watched a compelling video in which Retreat and Annual Meeting in New York City President’s Circle Chairman Lester Crown shared his T in the fall. The opening event, dubbed the thoughts on science and philanthropy. The evening “Transformative Power of Philanthropy,” featured drew to a close with a tribute to Ellen Merlo, who a panel discussion with Prof. Avidgor Scherz of concluded her term as National Chair, a position Weizmann’s Department of Plant and Environmental she has held since 2013. Mr. Doneson thanked Sciences and Dr. Jonathan Coleman of Memorial Ms. Merlo for her years of service, commitment, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. American and friendship. Committee CEO Dave Doneson moderated the discussion, and thanked the Thompson Family The next day, lay leaders participated in a Foundation for their monumental support of this communications skills workshop tailored toward partnership since 2011. helping each participant tell their personal Weizmann “The story of the Thompson Family Foundation, story. The successful retreat concluded with the Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Weizmann Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors during Institute is part of a continuum of transformational which Ms. Merlo passed the American Committee’s philanthropy that has been the American official gavel to new National Chair David Teplow of g Mario Fleck at the International Board Committee’s inspiration for the past 75 years,” Boston, and Dr. Gladys Monroy of the Bay Area was Mr. Doneson said. elected President.

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for Systems Biology at Harvard Israel: Investing University. The participants shared stories about their journeys and in education the opportunities afforded to them he Science Club of the Israel through the support of the Israel Association of Friends honored National Postdoctoral Award Prof. Daniel Zajfman for his 13 years Program for Advancing Women T as President, at an event at the Hilton on in Science. December 16. event involved a panel The evening’s program also focused on the future of education in included highlights of new Israel. The panel included Prof. Zajfman; research from the Weizmann Dita Bronicki; the renowned Israeli author Institute and featured the Meir Shalev; and professional basketball Weizmann Canada’s Women and executive David Blatt. Science committee, highlighting Dr. Roberta Bondar moderating a panel discussion with National The conversation revolved around the g its efforts to raise funds for Postdoctoral Award recipients, L to R: Dr. Elena Meirzadeh, best ways to educate future generations the Advancing Women in L to R: Zohar Menshes, Bob Drake, Dr. Shira Weingarten-Gabbay and Dr. Naama Aviram. g of students, teachers, and science Science Program. Prof. Alon Chen, H.S.H. Prince Hans-Adam II, Prof. Daniel Zajfman, and Rita Kieber-Beck. enthusiasts, by providing them the right tools, resources, and equal opportunities. Mr. Shalev emphasized the importance of Canada: ‘Wonderful Women’ in focus at Celebrating Philanthropy event Europe: A royal welcome in Liechtenstein Weizmann Canada hosted more than 200 individuals for its Celebrating Philanthropy: Wonderful Women event in Toronto on September 25. .S.H. Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein hosted Weizmann Institute scientists and H leadership at his royal castle in January, including President Prof. Alon Chen; the former o highlight the importance of President, Prof. Daniel Zajfman; Bob Drake, Chairman women in science, Dr. Roberta T Bondar, Canada’s first female of the European Committee; and Zohar Menshes, astronaut and first neurologist in Executive Vice President of the European Committee. space, gave a keynote address Prof. Chen offered a broad overview on major on the challenges she faced as fundraising and scientific priorities. she pursued her dreams, and the importance of encouraging and Next, the delegation from the Liechtenstein Society of Friends met with H.E. Dr. Mauro Pedrazzini, g L to R: David Blatt, Prof. Zajfman, supporting women to pursue Dita Bronicki, Meir Shalev the sciences. Minister for Social Affairs in the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, who holds a PhD in physics. The group then traveled to Clinicum Alpinum, This led to a lively panel discussion “hands-on” learning, and spoke about the moderated by Dr. Bondar with a psychiatric hospital in Gaflei, Liechtenstein. Its roles of teachers in his books. Ms. Bronicki panelists Dr. Naama Aviram, a founder, Dr. Marc Risch, a specialist in psychiatry and spoke about the importance of investing in postdoctoral fellow in the Marraffini psychotherapy, hosted the delegation. Prof. Chen education, and Prof. Zajfman, discussed the Laboratory of Bacteriology at gave a talk on the neuroscience of stress and its Davidson Institute and its role in advancing Rockefeller University; Dr. Elena influence on disease. The event was followed by a science literacy and education. Mr. Blatt Meirzadeh, a postdoctoral fellow g Weizmann Canada’s Women and Science committee members, festive dinner with spectacular views of the Alps. discussed excellence and dedication as in the Department of Chemistry at L to R: Estelle Richmond, Linda Reitapple, Michele Atlin, Francie paramount in sports and education. Columbia University; and Dr. Shira Klein, Alana Kotler, Jennifer Tugg, Susan Rose, Reggie Greenberg The visit and event was led by Rita Kieber-Beck, Chair Weingarten-Gabbay, a fellow in the and Nancy Pencer. of the Liechtenstein Society, and Werner Bachmann, The event was sponsored by the private Sabeti Lab, part of the FAS Center the Vice Chair. banking unit of Credit Suisse.

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Australia: Weizmann-Garvan UK: From research to reality symposium and synergy

he Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics was celebrated between Garvan and Weizmann at the Annual General Meeting of the International Board on scientists, particularly in the area T November 13 in the presence of many Australian friends and of single-cell genomics.” She scientists. Jillian Segal, a major donor to the partnership who, with also acknowledged the work her husband John Roth, has been instrumental in garnering support of the Israeli and Australian throughout Australia, spoke eloquently at the dedication event at the Chambers of Commerce for Sela Auditorium. helping lay the groundwork for the collaboration. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be a donor to this project,” said Segal. “I’m thrilled to see the power of collaboration, and to see the synergies Prof. Chris Goodnow of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, also spoke, describing the origins of the program. “Scientific partnerships and collaborations,” he said, “lead to three key worthy outcomes: breakthrough science; shaping minds to think differently about problems in human health; and the creation of ‘ambassadors for science’ who can speak about g L to R: Dr. Roi Avraham, Weizmann UK Executive Director Sheridan Gould, Dr. Moshe Biton, Prof. Karina Yaniv, Prof. Alan Dangour, and Weizmann UK Chair Arabella Duffield achievements of individual countries and institutions.” hree scientists from the Weizmann Institute’s system will provide important insights into Earlier, on November 11, the Department of Biological Regulation traveled to organ regeneration. inaugural Weizmann-Garvan T London for Weizmann UK’s annual Ambassadors’ Research Symposium brought Lecture, From Research to Reality, on November Weizmann UK Chair Dr. Arabella Duffield gave the together scientists from both 25 at the Wellcome Collection, London. More than opening remarks at the event and the panel was institutions working on joint 100 guests attended the evening to hear the latest moderated by Prof. Alan Dangour from the London projects in immunology and research on various aspects of immunology. School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a Trustee autoimmune disease, the of Weizmann UK who said: “These three scientists microbiome, type 2 diabetes, Dr. Roi Avraham explained how he aims to have really given us an amazing glimpse into the and more. The symposium was understand more about the dynamics of infection in incredible research taking place at the Weizmann led by the Weizmann Institute’s the human body, and to design new ways for fighting Institute of Science.” Prof. Ido Amit of the Department infection at its earliest stages, especially in the face of widespread antibiotic resistance. of Immunology and the Garvan Thethree Weizmann researchers were also in the Institute’s Prof. Chris Goodnow. UK to take part in a joint Manchester-Weizmann Dr. Moshe Biton offered a peek into his promising Other participating scientists research on the dynamics of the human gut to study Symposium at the University of Manchester on New included Profs. Amos Tanay, how the diverse range of cells found in the digestive Frontiers in Cell Biology and Immunology. Eran Elinav, Ziv Shulman, and system may hold the key to a range of diseases Idit Shachar from the Weizmann A dinner was also hosted in Manchester by affecting the whole body. Institute; and A. Profs. Joseph Weizmann friend Lord Alliance to tie in with the Powell and Cindy Ma, and Drs. Lastly, Prof. Karina Yaniv gave the audience pause symposium. The evening celebrated Get Connected, Joanne Reed, Warren Kaplan for thought to consider that we all started life as the unique partnership of scientific collaboration g Jillian Segal and Prof. Daniel Zajfman and Dorit Samocha-Bonet of the a single cell and explored how advances in our between the Weizmann Institute and the University Garvan Institute. understanding of blood vessels and the lymphatic of Manchester.

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Education SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Boots on the ground in Ofakim Education 56–57 Israel’s first science pre-army prep program

Once a week, the cadets visit the Weizmann Institute the high school students they teach—have to walk hen teenagers hang out together at two in the morning, quantum to meet with researchers and hear lectures. They a delicate line between teacher and friend, making analyze scientific articles, develop research skills, the material fun while still presenting themselves as mechanics is not typically their chosen topic of conversation. But and discuss the business and ethics of science. They authority figures. All the while, they must ensure the conduct research on topics of particular interest and in the Davidson Institute’s new pre-military preparatory program, students’ safety as they handle potentially dangerous W give presentations to their housemates. discussing science is one of the favorite pastimes of its young cadets. materials, such as chemicals and soldering irons. The cadets also devote 12 hours per week to With lessons that range from 45-minute classroom volunteer at local elementary, middle, and high sessions to four-hour “science day” demonstrations After two years of planning, the schools, teaching science and mathematics classes at a community center, the mechina volunteers have vision was realized, and Davidson’s to more than 200 Ofakim students. Using hands-on to figure out how to hold the attention of different- new mechina program launched lessons specially designed by the Davidson Institute, last summer in the southern town the volunteers teach classes during school hours, as sized audiences, as well. of Ofakim. well as run after-school enrichment programs. But these challenges have turned out to be one Twenty kilometers west of of the program’s greatest strengths. What struck Beersheva, Ofakim was selected On the frontlines of Prof. Zajfman when he visited the Ofakim schools as the first site of what is hoped was how much the students needed role models their will be a series of similar science- science education own age. oriented mechinot [multiple such “Working with the younger children is my favorite programs]. A development town thing,” one cadet says. “Seeing them go from being “They are inspired, not by older seasoned established in the barren desert in nervous about working with unfamiliar tools to then 1955 where the government placed scientists who already boast many achievements,” seeing the excitement in their eyes when they build immigrants from Morocco and Prof. Zajfman says, “but by other relatable teenagers something like an electrical circuit with their own Tunisia, Ofakim suffered from high who have been given the opportunity to dream and hands is really rewarding. Some of them have told me rates of unemployment and poverty they wish our sessions were the science classes they learn simply because they came from cities with a for decades, until renewal efforts were taught every day.” more developed educational system.” over the last two decades began to change the face of the city. “I find working with the high school kids the most The pilot year of the Ofakim mechina program proved rewarding,” another cadet chimes in. “I can feel successful, and more than 80 candidates have “This town is situated in the center how I’m helping them prepare for their final exams. Talking science: cadets in the pre-army program in Ofakim applied for its second year, planned to launch in g of the country where quality Bumping up their matriculation exam scores by 10, summer 2020 with 30 new recruits. science education is still lacking,” 15 points would be a big change that could really Amedi says. “So it was the perfect affect their lives.” Founded by Davidson Institute of Science Education CEO Dr. Liat Ben location to launch this new “One of the major goals of the mechina, as David, program coordinator Eli Amedi, and former Weizmann President mechina program.” The volunteer sessions I see it,” remarks Dr. Ben-David, “is Prof. Daniel Zajfman, this pre-military training unit—or mechina—is do not only benefit the to influence society in Israel’s not just another gap-year program offered to high school graduates Selected for their passion for schoolchildren. In addition to the disadvantaged communities through in Israel before they enlist in the Israel Defense Forces. Besides science, the program’s first math and science the cadets learn, its emphasis on critical thinking and courses on Judaism, Zionism, philosophy, and Israeli society that 19 recruits moved into a small they pick up a myriad of valuable life knowledge-based decision making. are standard in every pre-military program, a substantial part of the villa in the heart of Ofakim. Their skills. Particularly, they learn how to The cadets, who become young Davidson mechina curriculum is devoted to science, mathematics, daily schedule is filled with convey information in an engaging and and technology. classes designed to enrich them inspiring way to a roomful of active scientific leaders in the community, are physically, mentally, and spiritually: children. instrumental in this effort. This program “We wanted to create a program that stood out in the sea of gap-year from philosophy, history, and is a game-changer, and we are looking programs that already exist in Israel—one that would allow youth science, to physical training, army The mechina forward to establishing more science- to use science to strengthen their connection to their country,” preparation—and even yoga and participants—who are oriented mechinot in the future.” Amedi says. mindfulness. not much older than

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Beyond the Bench 58–59

Casting a new “The elderly are more prone to falls, and if they fall Brain-saving light, using AI while on blood thinners, there’s a high risk of having a traumatic brain bleed,” says Dr. Wright. “Even if The technological secret behind TOVA is a the blood is drained away, there’s always a chance combination of infrared light and radiofrequency of a recurrence, which can go undetected until technology the next CT scan. Because TOVA offers real-time signals, coupled with sophisticated algorithms. It is based on a key scientific phenomenon where monitoring, the chances of significant brain injury New device combines algorithms, infrared blood has measurably different light-absorption are reduced.” light, and imaging to monitor bleeding in properties as it travels through different tissues in the cranium. TOVA is able to scan to a depth of 3 cm into the brain, the brain a relatively short distance. In this way, the technology The idea behind using the light-absorption properties fits a particular diagnostic niche, complementary to of blood to image the brain is more than 40 years old. CT and MRI. However, the means for harnessing such properties in a way that is both sufficiently accurate and safe (radiation free) has been considered impossible— until now.

“The computational requirements for building the algorithms are quite complex,” says Dr. Kalchenko. “But thanks to the revolution in artificial intelligence- magine a physician peering headgear connected wirelessly based ‘machine learning’ in the past 10 years, this is into a patient’s head to a mobile device (such as now possible.” I—from miles away—and a tablet or smart phone) diagnosing impending for continuous, real-time Prof. Harmelin and Dr. Kalchenko created an brain damage from an monitoring via the cloud, algorithm that can encode the blood/light ‘signature’ expanding blood clot, by along with a centralized of a hematoma in various tissues, and can distinguish simply glancing at a mobile monitoring system. it from healthy brain tissue. That is, they built the device. That ability is close at algorithm using an AI ‘machine-learning’ technique hand, thanks to a collaboration TOVA will be readily portable involving a series of datasets that simulate different g L to R: Dr. Slava Kalchenko and between Prof. Alon Harmelin, Vice and designed for continuous Prof. Alon Harmelin g The TOVA chip signatures, and then ‘taught’ these simulations to President for Administration and use. Patients will receive the a computer program that could then distinguish Finance; Dr. Slava Kalchenko, a wearable headgear when they the presence and size of a hematoma in live senior staff scientist and Head of are discharged from a hospital or The goal is to make TOVA available in ambulances, animal models. the In Vivo Optical Imaging Unit in the Department urgent care center, rather than undergo extended doctor’s offices, and nursing homes. Even integration of Veterinary Resources.at the Institute; and Dr. Paul hospitalization and exposure to the ionizing radiation into motorcycle helmets and military headgear, for And now, in collaboration with Dr. Paul Wright, Wright, a neurologist with Nuvance Health hospital received from CT scan monitoring (the current on-scene triage, may be possible. Prof. Harmelin and Dr. Kalchenko are advancing network in New York State and Connecticut. method for diagnosing hematoma and other brain injuries). In this way, TOVA would offer an immediate the applicability and availability of this wearable The development of TOVA technology received Prof. Harmelin and Dr. Kalchenko have developed reduction in the costs for prolonged hospitalizations headgear to the medical community. support from business development experts at Yeda, an imaging system—called transcranial optical while providing superior monitoring in one’s the Weizmann Institute’s technology transfer arm, vascular assessment, or TOVA for short—that own home. This development comes at an important time. and its Innovation Development, Enhancement, and captures an image and data on the presence and Thanks to medical advances that promote longevity, Acceleration (IDEA) program. IDEA is a new initiative growth of a subdural hematoma, a common type of According to Prof. Harmelin, who developed the more and more people are living longer lives; an to help Weizmann scientists bridge the gap between bleeding within the skull on the outermost surface technology when he was head of the Department of unintended consequence, however, is that more academia and industry. With Yeda’s help, TOVA will of the brain that frequently occurs after head injuries. Veterinary Resources, “TOVA will be a game-changer and more of them are on blood thinners due to soon be on hand—and on head—wherever the TOVA comes in the form of a lightweight, wearable for how we treat head injuries.” cardiac disease. patient is.

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע Alumni SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE

Alumni 60–61

One former neurobiology student from the Weizmann Institute has invented a patch for covering the exposed brain that is no Band-Aid solution— hastening healing in a purportedly more hygienic and effective manner than the current animal-based sealant used in brain surgeries today.

Dr. Amir Bahar, who received his PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science in the labs of Prof. Yadin Dudai and Prof. Ehud Ahissar in the Department of Neurobiology, teamed up with Nora Nseir, a biomedical engineer with a degree from the Technion, to form their company, Nurami Medical. There they developed ArtiFascia—a surgical patch that utilizes nanofiber technology to g ArtiFascia: beyond Band-Aids for the brain patch the exposed brain and provide a temporary substitute for the removed dura mater—the thick the patch provides a necessary scaffold for dura membrane between the skull and the brain that acts regeneration which, once a new membrane is A healing as a protective barrier. Because of its thinness and formed, dissolves within about six months. elasticity, ArtiFascia mimics the dura more closely than alternative bandages, allowing for easier Dr. Bahar said his path from scientist to entrepreneur application for the surgeon and quicker healing for started with an incidental conversation with a the patient. neurosurgeon at a time when he was eager to initiate solution after a project of his own, and was investigating potential The standard procedure after neurosurgery is to unmet medical needs. apply an animal-based collagen bandage to the surgical site and spray it with sealant. This process, “I learned that doctors don’t have time to think about however, is imprecise and time-consuming, and areas of work that could be improved,” he says. “They increases the risk of bacterial infections and cerebral simply work with the tools they have. It isn’t until a brain surgery biomedical engineer sits down and really talks with spinal fluid leakage. By being self-sealing, ArtiFascia simplifies the bandaging process and reduces the them that they discover the areas where medical chances of foreign materials finding their way into technology is lacking. I learned that cerebral leakage g Dr. Amir Bahar (inset) and the fabric of the ArtiFascia patch the wound. Additionally, because it is composed of was a major problem that often requires another biodegradable nanofibers and is many times thinner surgery just to fix.” than the animal-collagen product, ArtiFascia does With a patent in both the United States and China, not require removal from the brain, a procedure that Nurami Medical’s surgical patch has a promising increases the chances of contamination. Instead, Dr. Amir Bahar’s Nurami Medical makes post-op future. The first human clinical trials began in 2017 with success. Six patients in the Czech Republic recovery faster, safer underwent surgery, and all were fully healed at their six-month follow up after using the ArtiFascia patch. A larger clinical study with 90 patients is currently rain surgery is a frightening prospect under any circumstances, but underway.

successfully getting through the procedure is only half the battle. Even Not only could this invention vastly improve a if the operation itself goes smoothly, the dangers of infection and neurosurgical patient’s outcome, but the technology B behind it has the potential to be applied to many cerebral leakage post-surgery are high. surgical procedures throughout the body.

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Art and Science SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE

Art and Science 62–63

“Flexagons have their own inner logic that is fun to “I try to prove how many different ways there are to discover, and there is an element of surprise and rearrange the different phases as you flex through challenge to it,” says Schwartz, a copywriter in the them,” he explains. But still, the programming is book-publishing world. not the main thing: “The Flexagon is a little bit like a fidget spinner that you can physically explore. About 15 years ago, while attempting to recreate a The programs I write just help me learn more shape she had made before, Schwartz ended up about it.” making a hexagon divided into 12 pie slices. Since then, she has continued creating and exploring new The event organizers say they plan to publish flexagons with great passion, and is considered books, videos, and templates related to flexagons. internationally as a leader in the field. Specifically, they would like to create educational activities that harness the fun of flexing for students and teachers in Israel. The artistry of math The fun of flexing Folding together creativity and calculation, the flexigon is a new hit In a first, this special math workshop was supported Sherman, a programmer and flexagon expert, by the United States Embassy in Israel. Ellen brought a different perspective to the seminar as Schnitser, the Public Affairs Specialist at the US ost discoveries are driven by a search for answers to specific someone who speaks the language of math—i.e., Embassy, says, “This exciting math initiative will typology and group theory. In fact, when he finds a increase the involvement of disparate groups of questions, but in some cases exploration simply starts with a playful surprising way to fold a flexagon, he writes a program students—Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Arab, boys and to explore it and predict all of the possibilities that girls—in [science literacy] subjects, and will have a M use of material. may arise. great multiplier effect.” The story of the flexagon—a flat paper model that has around the globe, and connecting fans who share been inspiring and challenging mathematicians and new models and new insights with each other. physicists for years—began with an extra piece of Enthusiasts manipulate their paper—flexing, not paper. When the British mathematician Arthur Stone, folding—using special movements such as the who in 1939 was a student at Princeton University, “pinch flex,” the “reverse-pass through flex,” and found that he could not fit American paper into his the “V flex.” By being both a hands-on and minds-on English binder, he decided to cut them to size. While activity, creating flexagons appeals to adults and sitting in class, he started folding these excess strips children alike, bringing diverse and unlikely groups of paper into different shapes—and one of them caught his eye. of people together through their shared affinity for flexagons. Stone showed this shape, which later got the name “trihexaflexagon,” to the theoretical physicist Richard This enthusiasm is why the Davidson Institute Feynman, as well as two mathematicians, Bryant of Science Education dedicated the first Neil Tuckerman and John Tukey. Together, they formed Shore Recreational Math Workshop to the the Princeton Flexagon Committee and dove into topic of flexagons. The first workshop, held last the world of flexagons, making calculations and summer, provided a unique opportunity for some developing models. The Feynman diagram, which 40 individuals to come together to think, play and has become a fundamental tool in particle physics, learn about flexigons, including researchers, origami was one of them. artists, educators, and gifted junior-high and high school students to meet, study, and create. Hands-on, minds-on American lecturers Ann Schwartz and Scott Sherman, Today, some 80 years later, flexagons are still and Dr. Yossi Elran of the Davidson Institute, led the stimulating the hands and minds of people four-day workshop.

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע We i z m a n n MAGAZINE SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Thank you In Memoriam to our supporters 64–65

Uri Alon Ș Thompson Family Foundation Eran Elinav Alzheimer's Research Fund Yael Mutsafi, 1981-2019 Ș The Braginsky Center for the Ș Adelis Foundation Ș Wolfson Family Charitable Interface between Science Ș r. Yael Mutsafi, who as the extracellular matrix, Trust Estate of Bernard Bishin for and the Humanities completed both her PhD assemble. Ș Prof. Amit is the incumbent of the WIS-Clalit Program Ș The Kahn Family Research D and postdoctoral studies the Eden and Steven Romick Ș Leona M. and Harry B. Center for Systems Biology of at the Weizmann Institute, “Everything Yael did, she did Professorial Chair. Helmsley Charitable Trust the Human Cell tragically passed away from intensely and deeply,” Prof. Fass Ș The Morris Kahn Institute for Ș breast cancer on December remembers fondly. “She would Estate of Olga Klein Human Immunology - Astrachan Ruth Arnon 4, 2019, at the young age of 38. dissect every seminar, every Ș Else Kroener Fresenius She left behind a husband and paper, every scientist we Ș The Jeanne and Joseph Ș Irwin Green Alzheimer's Foundation Nissim Center for Life Research Fund two young children. knew. She had an opinion Ș Howard and Nancy Marks Sciences Research about absolutely everything, Ș Estate of Ethel Lena Levy Charitable Fund Yael was described by her loved expressed firmly but with grace Ș Rising Tide Foundation Ș Pearl Welinsky Merlo ones as a rare woman whose and delicacy. I pull up her voice Ș Sagol Institute for Longevity Scientific Progress Research extraordinary intelligence was in my memory all the time Sagi Ben-Ami Research Fund matched only by her boundless because I loved so much to Ș Ș Peter and Patricia Gruber Zuckerman STEM Leadership Ș Daniel Morris Trust compassion. hear it.” Program Awards Ș Park Avenue Charitable Fund Ș European Research Council Ș Willner Family Leadership “She had an amazing, almost Following her postdoctoral Institute for the Weizmann Ș Lawrence and Sandra Post frightening memory,” recalls studies in Prof. Fass’s lab, Yael Ș Prof. Uri Alon is the incumbent Institute of Science Family Foundation her PhD thesis advisor, Prof. Avi won a Revson Fellowship in of the Abisch-Frenkel Ș Donald and Susan Schwarz Minsky of the Department 2015 from the Israel National Professorial Chair Ș Yael and Rami Ungar of Structural Biology. “She Postdoctoral Award Program Rivka Dikstein Ș The Hanna and Dr. Ludwik would quote studies she had for Advancing Women in Ș Estate of Albert Engleman Wallach Cancer Research read years before, and even Science managed by the Ido Amit Ș Estate of David Levinson Fund remember the page number of Weizmann Institute, and moved Ș Adelis Foundation Ș Moross Integrated Cancer Ș European Research Council the source—I couldn’t believe with her family to Bethesda, Ș Kekst Family Institute for Center it. Not only did Yael have an extraordinary mind—she Maryland, where both she and her husband worked Ș Prof. Elinav is the incumbent Medical Genetics Ș Rising Tide Foundation was extremely empathetic and cared very much as postdoctoral fellows at the National Institutes of of the Sir Marc and Lady Tania Ș about people.” Health (NIH). Shortly after she joined the NIH, she Helen and Martin Kimmel Ș Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Feldmann Professorial Chair. was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast Award for Innovative Medicinal Chemistry Investigation She grew up in Arad, in Israel’s Negev desert, and cancer. After multiple treatments, she went through a Ș Prof. Dikstein is the Sarel-Jacob was fascinated by science from an early age. After brief remission period, but the cancer returned. Ș Lowy Foundation incumbent of the Ruth receiving her bachelor’s degree in biology at the Tel Ș Estate of Arthur Rath and Leonard Simon Fleishman Aviv University in 2005, she joined Prof. Minsky’s “When everyone recalls memories of her, they Professorial Chair of Cancer Ș Rising Tide Foundation Ș Head of the Dr. Barry Sherman lab as an MSc student. It was not long before Research. always talk about how intelligent and kind she Ș The Bill & Patricia Ritchie Institute for Medicinal Prof. Minsky recognized her talent and suggested was,” her husband, Daniel, says. “To me, her unique Foundation Limited Chemistry she switch to the direct MSc/PhD track. During that perspective on everyday things—a painting, a book, Ș Anita James Rosen Ron Diskin Ș Henri Gutwirth Fund for time, she studied the life cycle of the giant mimivirus a person—her seeing something that no one else Foundation Research to better understand how viruses penetrate and noticed and sharing these insights with me made life Ș Estate of Emile Mimran Ș Steven B. Rubenstein Ș multiply in living cells. After completing her PhD, with her so interesting. Our children and I miss the Ș Moross Integrated Cancer Stanley and Ellen Magidson Research Fund for Leukemia Yael pursued her first postdoctoral fellowship in privilege of her love, her softness, her tolerance and Center Ș Dianne and Irving Kipnes and Other Blood Disorders Prof. Deborah Fass’s laboratory in the Department acceptance, and her support and power.” Ș Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation, Carolyn Hewitt Ș of Structural Biology where she used fluorescence Sagol Institute for Longevity Center for Life Sciences and Anne Christopoulos, in and electron microscopy methods to study how She is survived by Daniel and their two children, Research Research Memory of Sam Switzer the physical support system around cells, known Nadav and Shai, as well as her siblings, Michal, Noa, Ș Estate of Simon Saretzky Ș Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Ș Edmond de Rothschild and Omer, and her parents, Yossi and Yaffa. Ș Richard & Jacqui Scheinberg Medicinal Chemistry Foundations

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע We i z m a n n MAGAZINE Our supporters SPRING 2020 We i z m a n n MAGAZINE

Ș Schwartz/Reisman Ș Dr. Scholl Foundation Ș Dana and Yossie Hollander Collaborative Science Center for Water and Climate Ș Ullmann Family Foundation Program Research Ș Zuckerman STEM Leadership Ș Ș Sussman Family Center for 66–67 Susan and Michael Stern Program Ș Darlene Switzer-Foster the Study of Environmental Ș European Research Council and Bill Foster Sciences Ș Ș Prof. Milo is the incumbent Ș Sam (Ousher) Switzer & Bernard & Norton Wolf Family Foundation of the Charles and Louise Children Gartner Professorial Chair. Ș Yeda-Sela Center for Basic Guy Rothblum Ș Ilana and Pascal Mantoux Development Chair for Research Emmanuel Levy Institute for Bioinformatics Bioinformatics. Ș Ș Benoziyo Endowment Fund European Research Council Ș Richard Bar Laboratory Yosef Ni r Ș Edmond de Rothschild for the Advancement of Foundations Ș Blavatnik Award Ș Amos de-Shalit Professorial Science Ș Steven B. Rubenstein Shimon Ullman Benjamin Geiger Ș Anne-Marie Boucher Chair of Theoretical Physics Ș Blavatnik Award Research Fund for Leukemia Ș and Mitch Garber Ș Carolito Stiftung Ș The de Picciotto Cancer Cell Ș Estate of Jacquelin Eckhous Estate of Albert A. Feldman and Other Blood Disorders Ș Merle S. Cahn Foundation Ș Ethel & Harry Reckson Observatory in memory of Ș Estate of Renne F. Lustig Ș TVML Foundation MIT- Ș Estate of Alice Ș Estate of Albert Delighter Weizmann Collaboration Fund Foundation Wolfgang and Ruth Lesser Ș Estate of Marvin Reinstein Schwarz-Gardos Ș Ș Ș Prof. Ullman is the incumbent Ș David and Molly Bloom, Estate of Fannie Sherr European Research Council Ș Wolfson Family Charitable Canada Ș Zuckerman STEM Leadership Trust of the Ruth & Samy Cohn Program Rony Paz Eran Segal Professorial Chair of Ș European Research Council Ș European Research Council Computer Sciences. Ș Nella and Leon Benoziyo Igor Ulitsky Ș Ș Adelis Foundation Dr. Levy is the incumbent Center for Neurosciences of the Recanati Career Ș Judith Benattar Ș Nella and Leon Benoziyo Ș Flexigon Eilam Gross Development Chair of Cancer Estate of Toby Bieber Ș Crown Human Genome Center for Neurological Ș Nella and Leon Benoziyo Research Ș Mr. and Mrs. Gary Clayman Center Diseases Workshop Center for High Energy Ș Rosanne Cohen Ș Else Kroener Fresenius Ș Blavatnik Award Ș Mr. Neil Shore Physics Ș Carl and Micaela Einhorn- Foundation Ș Minna-James Heineman Nir London Ș Stiftung Ș U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem Dominic Brain Research Larson Charitable Foundation Ș Joel and Mady Dukler Fund New Scientist Fund Ș Eran Hornstein Institute Leff Family for Cancer Research Ș Aliza Moussaieff Ș Sagol Institute for Longevity Ș Philip Garoon Ofakim Mechina Ș Nella and Leon Benoziyo Ș The Helen and Martin Kimmel Ș Fannie Sherr Fund Research Ș Murray H. & Meyer Grodetsky Center for Neurological Center for Molecular Design Ș Estate of Zvia Zeroni Ș Estate of Fannie Sherr Ș Perlman Family IDF Center for Research of Higher Diseases Ș Estate of Emile Mimran Ș European Research Council Ș Willner Family Center for Preparatory Science Ș Edward and Janie Moravitz Ș Moross Integrated Cancer Brain Functions Vascular Biology Education Fund Ș Prof. Hornstein is the Center Ș Irving B. Harris Fund for New Amos Tanay Ș European Research Council Ș The Gerald Schwartz incumbent of the Mondry Ș Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Directions in Brain Research Ș Dr. Ulitsky is the incumbent and Heather Reisman Family Professorial Chair. Medicinal Chemistry Ș Leff Family Ș Barry and Janet Lang of the Sygnet Career Foundation Ș The Honey and Dr. Barry Ș Harold L. and Faye B. Liss Sherman Lab Foundation Yael Kiro Ș Nelson P. Sirotsky Ș Andrea C. and Lawrence I. Ș DeWoskin/Roskin Foundation Ș Virgin JustGiving Marcus Fund for Emotional/ Ș Paul and Tina Gardner Ș Dr. London is the incumbent Psychological Disorders Ș Ilse Katz Institute for Material of the Alan and Laraine Ș Gladys Monroy and Larry Sciences and Magnetic Fischer Career Development Marks Center for Brain Resonance Research Chair Disorders Ș Raymond Lapon Fund Ș Oster Family Foundation Ș Isidore C. & Penny W. Myers Ș Foundation Ron Milo M. Judith Ruth Center for Trauma and Anxiety Research Ș Head of the Mary and Tom Beck-Canadian Center for Ș Bernard & Norton Wolf Family Ilan Koren Alternative Energy Research Foundation Ș de Botton Center for Marine Ș Dr. and Mrs. Brian Altman Ș Prof. Paz is the incumbent Science Ș Larson Charitable Foundation of the Manya Igel Chair of Ș Scott Eric Jordan New Scientist Fund Neurobiology.

מכון ויצמן למדע מכון ויצמן למדע coronavirus

/kuh-roh-nuh-vahy-ruh s/

noun, plural co·ro·na·vi·rus·es

any of various RNA-containing spherical viruses of the family Coronaviridae, including several that cause acute respiratory illnesses.