Scientific Section

RDI in Israel News Issue No. 289 – June-July 2013

Policy 2

Research Highlights 2

Facts & Figures 6

Publications 7

Events 7

Member State and International News 7

Disclaimer :

RDI News is not a formal communication and does not necessarily represent the official position of the Delegation of the European Union to the State of Israel.

RDI News is an internal service and is not intended as a source for further publication. Some of the material appearing in RDI News has been taken from newspapers, journals and other publications. The Delegation of the European Union to the State of Israel cannot authorize the reproduction of items taken from other publications. Those wishing to reproduce articles are advised to contact the relevant publication

Contacts: [email protected] - [email protected]

Policy

Reversing the brain drain The Israeli government's National Brain Gain Programme is trying to bring scientists back to Israel. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000853110&fid=1724

Israel the start-up nation with ADD A recent EU reports lauds Israel for its innovations, but what it fails to mention is how little the country benefits from it. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/david-s-harp-israel-the-startup-nation-with- add.premium-1.529275?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.221%2C2.465%2C

Bennett defends high-tech exits Minister of the Economy Naftali Bennett told the IATI-Biomed conference that Israel can learn from the involvement of multinationals following exits. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000851598

Stef Wertheimer: High tech marginal for Israel Iscar Ltd. Founder Stef Wertheimer tells "Forward" that high tech has the worrying effect of causing Israelis to leave the country. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000856858&fid=1725

Israel scores UN victory on entrepreneurship Israel shared with 141 countries expertise on entrepreneurship as the best way to deal with poverty and job creation. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000857594&fid=942

Israel, startup nation? not anymore, says Google study Study says main problem is low productivity rate compared with OECD countries http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israel-startup-nation-not-anymore-says-google- study.premium-1.535967?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C

Research Highlights

ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

Epilepsy drug helps locate dirty drinking water, Israeli researchers learn Researchers from the Hebrew University have found that an anti-epilepsy drug, carbamazepine, which remains in reclaimed water after purification can be used to detect water pollution http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/epilepsy-drug-helps-locate-dirty-drinking-water-israeli- researchers-learn-1.529091?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C

Sea Squirt solves crystal conundrum By using state-of-the-art high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to examine crystals found in and on the bodies of small marine organisms called sea squirts, an international team of scientists led by the Technion has resolved the nearly 100-year-old mystery about the crystal structure of the mineral called vaterite http://www.focus.technion.ac.il/May13/researchStory3.asp

Israelis, Palestinians talk water cooperation Scientists from France, West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Israel to travel to southern town of Sde Boker to discuss common water production issues. 'Water can be an issue for peace or for conflicts,' says French ambassador to Israel http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4391090,00.html

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First rate nano-rust for producing solar hydrogen Water and some nano-structured iron oxide is all it takes to produce bubbles of solar hydrogen. EPFL and Technion scientists just discovered the champion structure to achieve this. EPFL (Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) and Technion researchers have figured out the "champion" nanostructures able to produce hydrogen in the most environmentally friendly and cheap manner, by simply using daylight http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130708-avner13/news-item-en.htm

ICT

Apple to open Hadera school development centre Students at the Amal High School's centre, which will open next week, will develop iOS-based apps for iPads and iPhones http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000849607&fid=1725

New development by Technion students enables visually impaired to use smart phones Students at the Technion have developed software that enables the visually impaired to use smart phones by vocally announcing the key the user is pressing. The application, which can be installed on any (android) smart phone, is designed to enable the user to use the phone's regular functions by informing the user, in a clear voice, which key he or she is pressing. http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130606-blindapp/news-item-en.htm

Cisco to set up innovation centre in Israel Cisco, the giant U.S. based network communications company, said yesterday it would be opening an innovation centre in Israel employing dozens of people in radio, cellular networks and software. The company said the centre would be researching radio network configurations that address the problem of surges in demand for mobile Internet. “Worldwide mobile data consumption is expected to increase 13-fold by 2017; traffic patterns are becoming even more dynamic and unpredictable,” Cisco said. The new centre comes five months after Cisco acquired Intucell, a Raanana-based start-up that provides so-called self-optimizing network technology designed to optimize the functioning of cellular networks. Several weeks ago Cisco also acquired Ubiquisys, a company that specializes small cellular sites for locations such as malls and congested urban areas. The company will test its new technology in Pelephone’s network, which was the first to use Intucell’s service. (Amitai Ziv ) http://www.haaretz.com/business/business-in-brief.premium-1.530452

Israel can't be soft on cyber threat Israel is a rich target for cyber theft, but it has the means to retaliate. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000856761&fid=1724

SPACE

MEDUSA call for ideas open MEDUSA is the Euromed GNSS II project, funded by European Commission and coordinated by Telespazio and aimed at exploiting the E-GNSS in the Euromed area. In parallel with the development of the infrastructures necessary for the E-GNSS availability in the Euromed area, MEDUSA prepares the Euromed countries towards the optimal use and adoption of the relevant provided services in civil aviation and other transport and non-transport domains, by implementing a series of actions focused on EGNOS also in the perspective of Galileo. The Euromed GNSS II beneficiary countries are Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia. http://www.euromedtransport.eu/En/working-group-aaognssaau_20_9_54

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LIFE SCIENCES

Israeli scientists reveal brain research projects and innovations at Presidential Conference Israeli brain research took a share of the spotlight at the Israeli Presidential Conference in Jerusalem, showcasing scientific breakthroughs from researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Haifa University, and Bar-Ilan University. The exhibit also highlighted Israel’s role in the Human Brain Project, a landmark research project being funded by a grant of over one billion Euros from the European Union. (80 participants include a team of Israeli scientists). http://israel21c.org/news/israeli-scientists-reveal-brain-research-projects-and-innovations-at- presidential-conference/ http://www.humanbrainproject.eu/

Novocure offers breakthrough brain tumour treatment Novocure CEO Asaf Danziger says the company will remain independent, despite interest from big pharma. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000848309&fid=1724

Israeli researchers' discovery may help treatment of MS, cerebral palsy Tel Aviv University investigators find connection between cognitive abilities and white matter in the brain that could improve treatment of multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and some psychiatric illnesses. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israeli-researchers-discovery-may-help-treatment-of- ms-cerebral-palsy.premium-1.527488?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C

Israeli-American joint research team find new treatment for itching Scientists from Hebrew University and Harvard make breakthrough in understanding the mechanism behind the urge to scratch, and a cure. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israeli-researchers-find-new-treatment-for- itching.premium-1.527868?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C

Bone marrow transplantation: A discovery by Hadassah researchers to fight graft-vs.-host disease A foetal peptide can improve the rehabilitation process. http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/news/new-discovery-by-hadassah-researchers-to-fight-graft-vs- host-disease.aspx

Bursts of gentle electricity may slow down Alzheimer’s A significant Israeli study shows how it’s possible to restore a balance of key proteins in brains affected by the disease. http://israel21c.org/health/bursts-of-gentle-electricity-may-slow-down-alzheimers/

A novel method for diagnosing retinal micro-aneurysms to prevent diabetic retinopathy The novel method will enable early diagnosis and treatment of the condition, potentially minimizing damage and saving vision. The technology was patented by Yissum, the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University which is currently searching for an appropriate partner for the further development http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/06/10/2747790/yissum-introduces-a-novel-method.html

Using stem cells to treat severe fractures can speed up the healing process Research conducted by Hadassah's Department of Orthopaedics has proven that the injection of stem cells into severe fractures significantly speeds up recovery http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/news/hadassah-treating-fractures-with-stem-cells-significantly- speeds-up-the-bone-healing-process.aspx

Mice in a “Big Brother” setup develop social structures Weizmann Institute research into mouse social behaviour finds signs of leadership and reveals “autistic” mouse society http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/mice-in-a-big-brother-setup-develop-social- structures#.Ub7SeJwXvtwein-behavior#.UUbTYRegJ8E

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New peptide to protect brain function TAU researcher develops a protein to protect and restore nerve cell communications http://english.tau.ac.il/news/new_peptide_brain_function

Why chronic stress leads to disease Constant low levels of cortisol destroy normal regulation of the immune system, putting stressed-out people at risk of autoimmune disorders. http://israel21c.org/health/israelis-show-why-chronic-stress-leads-to-disease/

“The bee’s knees” Doctoral student puts postoperative knee surgery patients through their paces for better recovery of function. “The best part of my research is that it revolves around patient interaction.” His goal is to improve patient function so they can live their lives as normally as possible after surgery. http://www.focus.technion.ac.il/May13/researchStory1.asp

Scientists from the centre for fertility preservation at the Sheba Medical Center discover mechanism responsible for infertility caused by chemotherapy For the first time, there is hope of natural conception for young female cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment http://eng.sheba.co.il/Sheba_News/391.htm

Rat-faced no more: Israeli scientists get rats off booze Researchers manage to selectively delete memories related to and triggering alcohol consumption, while not harming other, unrelated memories. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/rat-faced-no-more-israeli-scientists-get-rats-off- booze.premium-1.531596?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C http://english.tau.ac.il/news/prevent_alcohol_relapse

Past brain activation revealed in scans Weizmann Institute scientists discover that spontaneously emerging brain activity patterns preserve traces of previous cognitive activity http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/past-brain-activation-revealed-in-scans#.Ucky6flHLXI

Kaye award to Hebrew University PhD student for research on delivering safer drugs through skin applications New, more efficient drug formulations designed to treat illnesses through skin applications -- thus avoiding serious side effects associated with oral drug-taking -- have been developed by a student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/17736

Bursts of electricity may help fight Alzheimer's Study conducted by Dr. Inna Slutsky of Tel Aviv University suggests simple everyday activities may have power to stave off mind-deteriorating disease http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4391822,00.html

Israelis, Americans collaborate on light-powered bionic eye With funding from the U.S. Air Force, scientists at Stanford University are developing a solar-powered device intended to cure blindness in people with a degenerative disease of the retina. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israelis-americans-collaborate-on-light-powered-bionic- eye.premium-1.535713?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C

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Exposure to stress even before conception causes genetic changes to offspring A female’s exposure to distress even before she conceives causes changes in the expression of a gene linked to the stress mechanism in the body — in the ovum and later in the brains of the offspring from when they are born, according to a new study on rats conducted by the University of Haifa. http://newmedia-eng.haifa.ac.il/?p=6440 http://www.jpost.com/Health-and-Science/Research-Rats-born-to-mothers-under-duress-show-effects- of-stress-on-genetic-level-319204

Ben Gurion University and Sorrento Therapeutics sign agreement to develop anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies This collaborative effort utilizes the respective strengths of each organization to create an important product opportunity consisting of therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents against HCV infections http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/sorrento_agreement.aspx

Can artificial sweetener treat Parkinson’s? Tel Aviv University researchers say mannitol could prevent aggregation of toxic proteins in the brain. http://israel21c.org/news/can-artificial-sweetener-treat-parkinsons/

Facts & Figures

Israel exported $440m in medical equipment in the first quarter of 2013 Medical equipment exports increase by 7% from same quarter last year; 37% of exports went to U.S. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israel-exported-440m-in-medical-equipment-in- q1.premium-1.527757?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C

Israeli life sciences companies raised 23% more capital in 2012 According to data from IATA (Israel Advanced Technologies Association), there are 920 life sciences companies in Israel of which 614 (67%) were founded in the past decade at an average of 61 new companies each year. Most of the capital raised by these life sciences companies was in the medical devices sector (55%). This is different from the US and Europe where only 40% of capital is raised by medical devices and 60% by biotechnology companies. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000851114&fid=1725

Teva CEO: We're using crowd sourcing Jeremy Levin told the IATI-Biomed conference that crowd sourcing can help Teva bring 10 new products to market a year http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000851510&fid=1725

TheTime named Israel's best incubator The Technological Incubators Programme has also chosen the three best technology incubator graduate companies, to be presented at its annual convention. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000857531&fid=1725

Does Waze mark the beginning of the end of Israel's brain drain? Waze, an Israeli traffic navigation application that was bought by Google for approximately $1 billion last month, bucks the trend by staying put: One of its key demands was that its Israeli employees remain in Israel. http://www.iati.co.il/news-item/1347/does-waze-mark-beginning-end-israels-brain-drain

For most Israeli start ups, no happy ending Google's acquisition of Waze is inspiring, but half of all start ups shut their doors within three years. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israeli-startups-parting-of-the-waze.premium- 1.533019?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C

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Publications

Israel life science industry towards a breakthrough decade In partnership with IATI -2012 Summary Report http://www.iati.co.il/files/files/Israel%20Life%20Science%20Industry%20- %20towards%20a%20breakthrough%20decade-%20IATI%202012%20Summary%20Report.pdf

Events

Biomed 2013 IATI Biomed Israel 2013 took place in June with 6,000 participants from 40 countries. TEVA CEO Dr. Jeremy Levin and President Obama’s Science Advisor Dr. Eric Lander were among the key industry leaders highlighting the impact of new technologies on the life sciences. http://www.iati.co.il/news-item/1296/iati-biomed-israel-2013-the-news-reports http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130612005981/en/IATI-BioMed-2013-Digital-Age- Revolutionizing-Life-Sciences

UK-Israel Top UK biomed executives arrive in Israel Delegation of British pharmaceutical companies, organizations participating in international biomed conference in Tel Aviv. 'Coupling of Israeli innovation with experienced British industry will be of enormous benefit to Israel companies,' says British ambassador http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4389882,00.html

Italy-Israel There’s a lot more cooperation going on between Italian and local biotech companies, says a top trade official from Rome. A slew of delegations from foreign countries were at the Biomed 2013 conference sponsored by Israel Advanced Technology Industries, an organization whose purpose is to enhance Israel’s high-tech and life science industries http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-israel-saved-italys-life-sciences-business/

Innovation Un-Conference 2013 - Round-Up Innovation Un-Conference 2013 drew a crowd of entrepreneurs, innovators and students to network and discuss the promotion of bright ideas http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/post_conference.aspx

Microsoft, GM, GE collaborate in Israeli Weekathon The Israeli development centres EMC, Texas Instruments, HP, Alcatel Lucent, and Sears are also collaborating on several projects http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000857008&fid=1725

Member State and International News

Member States

Germany –Israel

Deutsche Telekom incubator teams with Israeli accelerators Through the time and the junction, hub:raum will offer support and advice for Israeli start-ups seeking a foothold in Europe as an alternative to the US. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000852817&fid=1725

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JOINT CALLS FOR PROPOSALS –

Finland – Israel

Finland-Israel Call for Proposals Finland and Israel are jointly announcing FIT11, the eleventh Call for Proposals for joint R&D projects focusing on developing innovative products and applications in various technology areas . http://www.matimop.org.il/finland_call2013.html

France – Israel

Call for proposals “Maimonide-Israel” 2013 The Israeli-French High Council for Scientific & Technological Research has launched its new research programme “Maimonide-Israel” for the 2013-2015 period. The aim of this programme is to support the development of scientific and technological cooperation between French and Israeli researchers by establishing bilateral research networks http://fitscience.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/call-for-proposals-maimonide-israel-2013/

ENVI-MED Regional Programme : 2nd CALL For PROPOSALS The ENVI-Med Regional programme is a French cooperation initiative for countries in the Mediterranean Basin designed to encourage and strengthen high-level scientific and technological cooperation in the region as well as research networking on sustainable development and understanding the environmental processes of the Mediterranean Basin. In partnership with France, the programme is focused on Mediterranean rim countries, and contributes to the regional integration of their research http://www.mistrals-home.org/spip/spip.php?article235

German – Israel

German-Israeli Cooperation Programme in Cancer Research Call for Project Pre-Proposals As part of the German-Israeli Cooperation Programme (BMBF-MOST) framework in Cancer Research, the Israel Ministry of Science, Technology and Space (MOST) in coordination with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), invited German and Israeli scientists to submit joint pre-proposal research projects on all topics related to cancer research, except for clinical trials. http://most.gov.il/Information/Calls/Documents/kk%20cancer%20research%20germany%20201 3/cfp%20for%202014-FINAL.pdf

Catalonia – Israel

The strategic objectives of the call are industrial collaborative R&D projects meaning, inter alia, research, development and demonstration projects intended to develop new products, applications or processes to be commercialized in the global market. http://www.matimop.org.il/uploads/attachments/28360/catalonia_call_2.pdf

International

Jordan-Israel

Jordanian, Israeli students learn to save lives together First class in joint emergency medical programme at Ben Gurion University graduates; officials hope it will increase Israel, Arab cooperation in natural disasters, other regional emergencies. The programme received its funding from the Israeli Ministry for Regional Cooperation, MASHAV (Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation), the European Union Partnership for Peace Programme and private donors http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4391907,00.html

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India – Israel

Two new calls for proposals for funding for joint Indian-Israeli R&D projects:

1st Call for Proposals - Karnataka-Israel Industrial R&D Programme (KIRD) Under the 1 st Call for Proposals of the new Karnataka-Israel Industrial R&D Programme (KIRD), Israeli companies and Karnataka-based companies are invited to submit joint proposals for funding for industrial R&D projects in all technology fields. The deadline for the KIRD Phase I application – the Bilateral Cooperation Form – is September 17, 2013. For more information: www.matimop.org.il/karnataka_call1.html

Request for Proposals - India-Israel Initiative for Industrial R&D (i4RD) Under the June 2013 Request for Proposals of the India-Israel Initiative for Industrial R&D (i4RD), Israeli companies and companies located anywhere in India are invited submit joint proposals for funding for industrial R&D in all technology fields. The deadline for the i4RD Joint Application Form is October 15, 2013. For more information: www.matimop.org.il/i4rd_RFP_june2013.html

USA-Israel

Israel-Chicago partnership targets water resource innovations The University of Chicago and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will begin funding a series of ambitious research collaborations that apply the latest discoveries in nano-technology to create new materials and processes for making clean, fresh drinking water more plentiful and less expensive by 2020. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/Israel-Chicago-water.aspx

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