Table of Contents The Board of Governors...... 1

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

Institute Officers...... 11

The Weizmann Institute of Science...... 15

Faculty of Biochemistry...... 17 Faculty of Biochemistry...... 18 Biological Chemistry...... 20 Molecular Genetics...... 30 Plant Sciences...... 39 Biological Services...... 47 The Avron−Wilstätter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis...... 50 The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine...... 52 The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research...... 54 The Crown Human Genome Center...... 56 The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition...... 59 The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics...... 60 The Kekst Family Center for Medical Genetics...... 61 The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology...... 62 The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research...... 63 The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research...... 65 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research....66

Faculty of Biology...... 69 Faculty of Biology...... 70 Biological Regulation...... 72 Immunology...... 81 Molecular Cell Biology...... 89 Neurobiology...... 98 Veterinary Resources...... 104 The Norman and Helen Asher Center for Brain Imaging...... 106 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases...... 107 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences...... 109 The Carl and Micaela Einhorn−Dominic Center for Brain Research...... 110 The Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions...... 111 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research...... 112 The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders...... 113 The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging...... 114 The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research...... 115 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology...... 117 Table of Contents Faculty of Biology The Women's Health Research Center...... 119 The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy...... 120

Faculty of Chemistry...... 123 Faculty of Chemistry...... 124 Chemical Physics...... 128 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research...... 133 Materials and Interfaces...... 138 Organic Chemistry...... 143 Structural Biology...... 149 Solar Research Facilities Unit...... 154 Chemical Research Support...... 156 The Center for Energy Research...... 170 The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry...... 172 The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research....174 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Sciences...... 175 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design...... 177 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science...... 178 The Helen and Milton A.Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly...... 179 The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology...... 180 The Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center for Supramolecular Architecture...... 181 The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences...... 183 Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement...... 185

Faculty of Physics...... 187 Faculty of Physics...... 188 Condensed Matter Physics...... 189 Particle Physics...... 196 Physics of Complex Systems...... 204 Physics Services...... 211 The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics...... 213 Center for Experimental Physics...... 214 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics...... 215 The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research...... 217 The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics...... 220 The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics...... 222 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems...... 223

Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science...... 229 Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science...... 230 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics...... 231 Mathematics...... 239 Table of Contents Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science....246 The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics...... 247 The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems...... 248 The Prospective Institute for Biomatics...... 249

Feinberg Graduate School...... 251 Feinberg Graduate School...... 252 Science Teaching...... 316 Young@Science...... 327 The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center...... 331

Institute−Wide Centers...... 337 The Clore Center for Biological Physics...... 338 The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research...... 340 The J &R Center for Scientific Research...... 341 The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell...... 342 The Health and Sciences Center...... 344 The Center for New Scientists...... 345 The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research...... 346 The Center for Scientific Excellence...... 347

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs...... 349 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs...... 350 Academic Affairs Office...... 351 Appointments and Promotions...... 352 Awards and Honors...... 354 Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute...... 358 Summer Science Program for Students...... 367 Visiting Professors Program...... 369 Weizmann Memorial Lectures...... 370 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships...... 372 Research Grants and Projects Office...... 389 Visiting Scientists Office...... 390

Division of Information Systems...... 393

Division of Logistics and Research Services...... 407

The Amos de−Shalit Foundation...... 413 Table of Contents The Davidson Institute for Science Education...... 415

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd...... 425

Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet...... 427 The Board of Governors

Mandy Moross*, London, UK, Chair of the Board Lester Crown*, Chicago, IL, USA, Deputy Chair of the Board Robert J. Drake*, Wassenaar, The Netherlands, Deputy Chair of the Board Dame Vivien Duffield*, Geneva, Switzerland, Deputy Chair of the Board Prof. Yoram Groner*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, Deputy Chair of the Board Abraham Ben−Naftali*, Tel Aviv, Israel, Chair of the Executive Council Prof. Daniel Zajfman*, President, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel

Gary M. Abramson, N. Bethesda, MD, USA Pennie Abramson**, N. Bethesda, MD, USA Sally Leafman Appelbaum, Scottsdale, AZ, USA Prof. Ruth Arnon*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Prof. Zvi Artstein*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Helen S. Asher, Chicago, IL, USA Robert H. Asher*, Chicago, IL, USA David Assia, Tel Aviv, Israel Yehuda Assia*, Tel Aviv, Israel Prof. Sir John M. Ball, FRS, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Prof. David Baltimore, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA Prof. Allen J. Bard, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA Cathy Beck**, Toronto, Ont., Canada H. Thomas Beck*, Toronto, Ont., Canada Robert A. Belfer*, New York, NY, USA, ex−officio member Prof. Haim Ben−Shahar, Tel Aviv, Israel Dr. Emile Benassayag*, Paris, France Marshall Bennett, Northbrook, IL, USA Prof. Sir Michael V. Berry, FRS, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK David R. Bloom, Toronto, Ont., Canada Lawrence S. Blumberg, Esq.*, New York, NY, USA René Braginsky, Zurich, Switzerland Frances Brody, Los Angeles, CA, USA L. Yehuda Bronicki*, Yavne, Israel Stanley Chais*, Beverly Hills, CA, USA Joseph Ciechanover, Tel Aviv, Israel Doron Cohen*, Ramat−Gan, Israel Prof. Marvin L. Cohen, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Norman D. Cohen*, New York, NY, USA Samy Cohn*, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Prof. Paul J. Crutzen, Max−Planck−Institut für Chemie, Mainz, Germany Prof. Constantine M. Dafermos, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Leslie L. Dan, Scarborough, Ont., Canada Raoul de Picciotto, Monte Carlo, Monaco 2 The Board of Governors Helen Diller, Woodside, CA, USA Prof. Charles A. Dinarello, MD, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA Dr. Zvi Dinstein, Tel Aviv, Israel Ido Dissentshik*, Tel Aviv, Israel Sonnie Dockser, Bethesda, MD, USA Edly R. Dollar, Tel Aviv, Israel Prof. Jonathan M. Dorfan, SLAC, Menlo Park, CA, USA Prof. Israel Dostrovsky*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Prof. Sidney D. Drell, SLAC, Menlo Park, CA, USA Prof. Mildred S. Dresselhaus, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Prof. Aryeh Dvoretzky*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Julian Dwek**, London, UK Maurice M. Dwek*, Geneva, Switzerland Robert Equey, Chêne−Bougeries, Switzerland Michael Federmann*, Tel Aviv, Israel Prof. Mitchell J. Feigenbaum, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Prof. Sir Alan R. Fersht*, FRS, MRC Centre for Protein Engineering, Cambridge, UK Alan A. Fischer*, Larchmont, NY, USA Prof. Edmond H. Fischer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Prof. Michael E. Fisher, FRS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA Laura Flug**, New York, NY, USA Prof. Haim Garty**, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, Vice President, ex−officio member Moshe Gavish*, Tel Aviv, Israel Mauricio Gerson, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Martin S. Gerstel*, Jerusalem, Israel David Ginsburg*, Washington, DC, USA Prof. Michel E. Goldberg, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France Abraham M. Goldwasser*, Savyon, Israel Carol Gordon, Toronto, Ont., Canada Prof. Michael B. Green, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Yair Green**, Adv., Jerusalem, Israel Scott D. Greenberg, Lincolnshire, IL, USA Baroness Susan A. Greenfield, CBE, London, UK Prof. François Gros*, Académie des Sciences, Paris, France Joseph Gurwin, New York, NY, USA Wilhelm Haas, Bonn, Germany Joseph D. Hackmey*, London, UK Gideon J. Hamburger*, Ramat−Gan, Israel Prof. Haim Harari*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Shimshon Harel*, Herzliya Pituach, Israel Yossie Hollander*, Herzliya Pituach, Israel Prof. Sir Richard Timothy Hunt**, FRS, London, UK Ephraim Ilin, Tel Aviv, Israel Armando Jinich, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Dr. Yair Kadishay*, Ramat Hasharon, Israel The Board of Governors 3 Morris S. Kahn, Ramat−Gan, Israel Roberto Kaminitz, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Shelly B. Kamins, Esq., Bethesda, MD, USA Prof. Richard M. Karp, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Isaac Kaul*, Rishon LeZion, Israel James F. Kay, Toronto, Ont., Canada Gershon Kekst*, New York, NY, USA, Chair Emeritus Morris Kerzner, Toronto, Ont., Canada Helen L. Kimmel*, New York, NY, USA Martin S. Kimmel*, New York, NY, USA Donald Kirk**, Chicago, Illinois Derrick Kleeman*, Geneva, Switzerland Peter J. Kleeman*, London, UK Andrea Klepetar−Fallek, New York, NY, USA Prof. Sir Aaron Klug, FRS, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK Marvelle Koffler, Toronto, Ont., Canada Murray B. Koffler*, Toronto, Ont., Canada, Chair Emeritus Prof. Walter Kohn, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Alain Köstenbaum, Geneva, Switzerland Benny Landa, Rehovot, Israel Prof. Jean−Marie Lehn, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France Jonathan D. Leitersdorf*, New York, NY, USA Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Potomac, MD, USA Prof. Arnold J. Levine, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, NJ, USA Morton Levine, Delray Beach, FL, USA Barbara S. Levinson*, Palm Beach, FL, USA Prof. Albert J. Libchaber, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Prof. Charles M. Lieber, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Robert B. Machinist*, New York, NY, USA Israel Makov**, Carmei Yoseph, Israel Joshua Maor*, Ramat−Gan, Israel Dan Mayer*, Zug, Switzerland Rina Mayer, Tel Aviv, Israel Gurion Meltzer*, Tel Aviv, Israel Dan Meridor**, Jerusalem, Israel Dr. Leora Meridor*, Jerusalem, Israel Roselyn B. Meyer, Aventura, FL, USA Prof. David Mirelman*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Lord Parry A. Mitchell*, London, UK Ira Mondry**, Detroit, Michigan, USA Andrew R. Morse*, Harrison, NY, USA Lon Morton, Calabasas, CA, USA Shlomo Nehama, Tel Aviv, Israel Joseph G. Nissim*, Geneva, Switzerland Prof. Moshe Oren, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel 4 The Board of Governors Martin D. Paisner, CBE*, London, UK Prof. David Peleg*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex−officio member Chemi Peres, Herzliya, Israel Charles I. Petschek, New York, NY, USA Morton Pickman, Boca Raton, FL, USA Prof. Philip A. Pincus, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Prof. Alexander Pines, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Bruce G. Pollack, Armonk, NY, USA Moshe Porath*, Tel Aviv, Israel Dan Propper, Petah−Tiqua, Israel Prof. Alexander Rich, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Sir John H. Ritblat, London, UK Barrie D. Rose*, Toronto, Ont., Canada Prof. Jesse Roth, MD, FACP, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY, USA Lord Rothschild, GBE, London, UK Prof. Menachem Rubinstein*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex−officio member Prof. Bert Sakmann, Max−Planck−Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Heidelberg, Germany Pierre L. Schoenheimer, New York, NY, USA Sara L. Schupf, New York, NY, USA Modi Segal**, Herzeliya, Israel Prof. Michael Sela*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel David Shapell, Beverly Hills, CA, USA Daniel S. Shapiro, London, UK Barry Sherman, Weston, Ont., Canada The Honorable Sir David Sieff*, London, UK, Vice Chair of the Executive Council Karen A. Siem, London, UK Dr. Maxine F. Singer*, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA Dr. Jay A. Smith**, Toronto, Ont., Canada Gregg M. Steinberg, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA Rudolfine (Finni) Steindling, Vienna, Austria Luis E. Stillmann, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Lord Stone of Blackheath, London, UK S. Donald Sussman*, Greenwich, CT, USA Doron Tamir*, Tel Aviv, Israel Marvin Tanner, Saint−Laurent (Montreal), Quebec, Canada Evelyn Tenenbaum, New York, NY, USA David I. Teplow, Weston, MA, USA Theodore H. Teplow*, Cambridge, MA, USA Barry S. Townsley, CBE, London, UK Prof. Marc Van Montagu, Brussels, Belgium Dr. Yossi Vardi, Tel Aviv, Israel Dr. Harlan Waksal**, New York, NY, USA Prof. Hans A. Weidenmüller*, Max−Planck−Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany Prof. Charles Weissmann, MD, PhD, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA The Board of Governors 5 Dr. Albert Willner*, Coral Springs, FL, USA Dr. Herbert Winter*, Zurich, Switzerland Peter M. Wolff, London, UK The Rt. Hon. Lord Wolfson of Marylebone, FBA, London, UK Prof. Yosef Yarden, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Prof. Ada Yonath, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Prof. Dr. Hans F. Zacher, Max−Planck−Institut für ausländisches u. intern. Sozialrecht, München, Germany Jacques Zagury, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Dr. Felix Zandman, Malvern, PA, USA Henri Zimand, Monte Carlo, Monaco Lois Zoller, Chicago, IL, USA Uzi Zucker, New York, NY, USA Sharon Zuckerman, Willowdale, Ont., Canada

The Founding Chairperson

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

*Member of the Executive Council **New Member from November 2007

Governors Emeriti

Ayala Zacks Abramov, Jerusalem, Israel Sem Almaleh, Geneva, Switzerland Prof. Duilio Arigoni, ETH Hönggerberg, Zurich, Switzerland Prof. Fritz H. Bach, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Amnon S. Barness, New York, NY, USA Robert G. Begam*, Phoenix, AZ, USA Prof. Baruj Benacerraf, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Stuart A. Bernstein, Washington, DC, USA Marc Besen, Toorak, Victoria, Australia Albert Bildner, New York, NY, USA Gerald Blumberg, New York, NY, USA Paul Borman, Franklin, MI, USA Joseph Brender, Point Piper, NSW, Australia Edgar M. Bronfman, New York, NY, USA Hugh T. Cameron, Oakville, Ont., Canada Stanley S. Cohen, OBE, London, UK Prof. Mildred Cohn, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Sir Zelman Cowen, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Prof. Jean Dausset, Human Polymorphism Study Center, Paris, France David L. Dennis, Toronto, Ont., Canada Prof. Samuel Devons, Columbia University, Irvington, NY, USA 6 The Board of Governors Sir Harry Djanogly, CBE, London, UK Melvyn A. Dobrin, Westmount, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Prof. Gerald M. Edelman, The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA, USA Prof. Manfred Eigen, Max−Planck−Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Göttingen−Nikolausberg, Germany Prof. Gerald Estrin, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA Marshall S. Ezralow, Calabasas, CA, USA Prof. George Feher, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Sir David Frost, OBE, London, UK Herbert M. Gelfand, Los Angeles, CA, USA Prof. Maurice Goldhaber, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, Long Island, NY, USA Dr. Carlos Goldman, Caracas, Venezuela Dr. Jacob E. Goldman, Norwalk, CT, USA Richard N. Goldman, San Francisco, CA, USA Bram Goldsmith, Beverly Hills, CA, USA Richard F. Goodman, New York, NY, USA Joel Greisman, Don Mills, Ont., Canada Shlomo Grofman, Tel Aviv, Israel Dr. Niels Hansen, Bonn, Germany Yeheskiel Harmelech, Rehovot, Israel Dr. Hans−Hilger Haunschild, Bonn, Germany Hy Isenbaum, Toronto, Ont., Canada Philip M. Kaiser, Washington, DC, USA Prof. Ephraim Katchalski−Katzir, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Prof. Sir Hans L. Kornberg, FRS, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA Dov Lautman, Tel Aviv, Israel Prof. Joshua Lederberg, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Prof. Leon M. Lederman, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL, USA William Levine, Chicago, IL, USA André Marcus, Monte Carlo, Monaco Prof. Paul A. Marks, Memorial Sloan−Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA John J. Mason, Washington, DC, USA Prof. N. Avrion Mitchison, FRS, UCL Medical School, London, UK Henri M. Monod, Paris, France Prof. George D. Mostow, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA Jackie Rosenfeld, OBE, London, UK Dr. George Rosenkranz, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Prof. John Ross, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA Samuel Rothberg, Peoria, IL, USA Dr. Aser Rothstein, Guelph, Ont., Canada Rowland Schaefer, Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Prof. Harold A. Scheraga, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA Walter E. Schoenfeld, Seattle, WA, USA Jerome A. Siegel, New York, NY, USA William H. Singer, Tucson, AZ, USA The Board of Governors 7 Prof. Heinz A. Staab, Max−Planck−Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Heidelberg, Germany Stephen L. Stulman, New York, NY, USA Prof. Sir John M. Thomas, FRS, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Saul Waring, New Yoek, NY, USA Lord Weidenfeld of Chelsea, London, UK Adam Weis, Toorak, Victoria, Australia Alan B. Weissman, Greenwich, CT, USA Prof. Bernard Winicki, Neuilly/Seine, France Dr. Alejandro Zaffaroni, Mountain View, CA, USA 8 The Board of Governors The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee

Co−Chairs

Prof. Sir Alan R. Fersht, FRS, MRC Centre for Protein Engineering, Cambridge, UK Prof. Hans A. Weidenmüller, Max−Planck−Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany

Prof. Sir John M. Ball, FRS, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Prof. David Baltimore, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA Prof. Allen J. Bard, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA Prof. Sir Michael V. Berry, FRS, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Prof. Marvin L. Cohen, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Prof. Paul J. Crutzen, Max−Planck−Institut für Chemie, Mainz, Germany Prof. Constantine M. Dafermos, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Prof. Charles A. Dinarello, MD, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA Prof. Jonathan M. Dorfan, SLAC, Menlo Park, CA, USA Prof. Sidney D. Drell, SLAC, Menlo Park, CA, USA Prof. Mildred S. Dresselhaus, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Prof. Mitchell J. Feigenbaum, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Prof. Edmond H. Fischer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Prof. Michael E. Fisher, FRS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA Prof. Michael B. Green, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Prof. François Gros, Académie des Sciences, Paris, France Prof. Sir Richard Timothy(Tim) Hunt, FRS, London Research Institute, London, UK (from November 2007) Prof. Richard M. Karp, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Prof. Sir Aaron Klug, FRS, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK Prof. Walter Kohn, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Prof. Jean−Marie Lehn, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France Prof. Arnold J. Levine, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, NJ, USA Prof. Albert J. Libchaber, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Prof. Charles M. Lieber, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Mandy Moross, London, UK, ex−officio member Prof. Philip A. Pincus, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Prof. Alexander Pines, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Prof. Alexander Rich, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Prof. Bert Sakmann, Max−Planck−Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Heidelberg, Germany Dr. Maxine F. Singer, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA Prof. Marc Van Montagu, Brussels, Belgium Prof. Charles Weissmann, MD, PhD, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex−officio member 10 The Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee Institute Officers

President Professor Daniel Zajfman

Vice President Professor Haim Garty

Vice President for Administration and Finance Gad Kober

Vice President for Resource Development and Public Affairs Professor Israel Bar−Joseph

Vice President for Technology Transfer Professor Mordechai Sheves

Senior Advisor to the President for Information Systems Professor Yigal Burstein

Chair, Council of Professors Professor David Peleg

Chair, Scientific Council Professor Menachem Rubinstein

Vice Chair, Scientific Council Professor Ron Naaman

Advisory Committee to the President

Professor Zvi Artstein Professor Israel Bar−Joseph Professor Hadassa Degani (until November 2007) Professor Adi Kimchi (from December 2007) Professor Haim Garty Professor Benjamin Geiger Gad Kober Professor David Peleg Professor Yehiam Prior Professor Menachem Rubinstein Professor Mordechai Sheves Professor Ben−Zion Shilo Professor Yaron Silberberg 12 Institute Officers Professor Yosef Yarden

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

President – Robert A. Belfer Immediate Past President – Robert Asher Chairman – Professor Melvin Schwartz (deceased) Founding Chairman – Abraham Feinberg (deceased) Secretary and Treasurer – Andrew Morse Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School – Professor Yosef Yarden

Deans of the Faculties

Biochemistry Professor Ben−Zion Shilo

Biology Professor Benjamin Geiger

Chemistry Professor Yehiam Prior

Physics Professor Yaron Silberberg

Mathematics and Computer Science Professor Zvi Artstein

Senior Administrative Officers

Academic Secretary and Head, Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs Dr. Boaz Avron

Chief Legal Counsel Shulamit Geri

Head, Construction and Plant Maintenance Division Eliezer Elhadad

Head, Finance Division Osnat Wishnitzer Institute Officers 13 Head, Human Resources Division Vered Liverant Kessler

Head, Logistics and Research Services Division Asher Bar−on

Head, Procurement Division Nathan Shtark

Internal Auditor and Ombudsman Doron Yonai

Secretary of the Association Kelly Avidan

Resource Development and Public Affairs − Senior Officers

Director, Resource Development – Ronit Neaman−Anukov Director, Strategic Development – Gila Shmueli Head, Barbara and Morris Levinson Visitors Center – Navit Kopelis Head, Publications and Media Relations Department – Yivsam Azgad 14 Institute Officers The Weizmann Institute of Science

The Weizmann Institute of Science, one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary research centers, is located in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv on Israel’s coastal plain. Today, around 2500 scientists, postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. and M.Sc. students, and scientific, technical and administrative staff work at the Institute, where lush lawns and sub−tropical gardens serve as a backdrop to the cutting−edge research performed in its labs. In addition, visiting scientists and their families – over 655 from 30 countries in 2007 – and numerous participants in international scientific conferences and symposia are regularly hosted at the Institute, which also offers a wide range of cultural and educational activities to the public at large.

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

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

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

The Feinberg Graduate School was established in 1958, and the first PhD was conferred there in 1964. About 1000 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students are enrolled each year in studies covering the Institute’s 18 departments, which are grouped into five faculties: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics and Computer Science. To meet the challenges of modern research, a number of multidisciplinary centers have been created to allow scientists from completely different fields to work together in developing new approaches to everything from creating new diagnostic tools to revealing the mechanics of living cells to artificial intelligence. In keeping with Dr. Weizmann’s vision of Israel as a scientific world leader, the Institute continues to invest resources in ensuring the future of science: through the Science 16 The Weizmann Institute of Science Teaching Department, established in 1968; the Davidson Institute of Science Education, founded in 2001, and Young@Science, which offers science activities ranging from weekly after−school programs, to science camps, competitions and a science−mobile that brings hands−on science to schools. The Clore Garden of Science, which opened in 1999, is the world’s first completely interactive outdoor science museum, and it plays host to a widely popular science festival each spring on the Weizmann campus.

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

More than 70 years since the first labs were erected in the midst of bucolic orange groves, and over 50 since its official dedication, the Weizmann Institute, today more than ever, is at the forefront of global science. Faculty of Biochemistry

Dean: Ben−Zion Shilo The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Professor of Molecular Genetics

Ephraim Katchalski−Katzir, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor The Theodore R. Racoosin Professor of Biophysics 18 Faculty of Biochemistry

Faculty of Biochemistry

Dean: Ben−Zion Shilo The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Chair of Molecular Genetics

The faculty is comprised of three scientific departments, including Biological Chemistry, Molecular Genetics and Plant Sciences, as well as the Biological Services unit. A number of Research Centers operate within the different departments: Plant Sciences −− The Avron−Willsttter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis; The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research; the Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition. Molecular Genetics −− The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics; The Crown Human Genome Center; The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research, (headed by Prof. Yoram Groner in this Faculty), and the newly−established David &Fela Shapell Family Centre for Genetic Disorders Research. Biological Chemistry −− The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research. In addition, the Institute for Molecular Medicine, commemorating the late Y. Leon Benoziyo, is now operating under the auspices of the Faculty.

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

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

The department of Molecular Genetics focuses on the analysis of biological processes in whole organisms. The projects include analysis of neuronal functions and bone development in mice, and examination of the roles of micro−RNAs during embryonic and post−embryonic development. In Drosophila, processes of spermatogenesis, muscle fusion and attachment, and signaling during development are studied. Extensive work on yeast includes localization of transcripts, as well as systems analysis and microscopy−based screens for genome wide Faculty of Biochemistry 19 properties. Processes of cell death and cytokine signaling are also addressed. Genomic approaches are utilized to study processes such as olfaction.

The department of plant sciences examines a broad range of topics, from biophysical aspects of photosynthesis, to issues of recombination, innate immunity, leaf morphogenesis and application of metabolomic approaches, in combination with plant genetics.

Continuous progress in the Life Sciences is more and more dependent extensive cooperation between scientists of different expertise, as well as the ability to introduce modern equipment. During 2007 the facilities were expanded especially in the areas of new microscope facilities and mass spectroscopy. In order to maintain the vibrant scientific environment, we are constantly searching to recruit talented young scientists and continue to invest in the establishment of new facilities and the acquisition of new equipment. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dbiochem.shtml 20 Biological Chemistry

Biological Chemistry

Zvi Livneh, Head (until November 2007) The Maxwell Ellis Chair of Biomedical Research

Eitan Bibi, Head (from December 2007)

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

1. Protein structure, function, design and evolution

Ephraim Katchalski−Katzir and his colleagues are investigating molecular mechanisms of protein recognition by examining interactions between specific proteins and peptides selected from a random peptide library. In parallel they develop and apply a theoretical protein−protein recognition algorithm (docking). Gideon Schreiber and his coworkers study the basic physico−chemical principles governing protein−protein interactions, and how these relate to complex biological processes. The gained understanding is implemented in several medically relevant systems such as the binding of interferon to its receptor, as well as in algorithm development. Meir Wilchek and his group are studying the structure of avidin and its exceptionally high affinity to biotin. The avidin−biotin complex is being utilized for a variety of new biotechnological applications. Edward A. Bayer and his colleagues are studying the structure, architecture and biotechnological applications of the multi−enzyme cellulosome complex, its interactions with cellulose and other plant cell−wall polysaccharides, and the utilization of recombinant designer cellulosomes for enhanced decomposition of cellulosic substrates in the conversion of biomass to bioenergy. The group of Dan S. Tawfik is interested in the mechanism and evolution of proteins, and enzymes in particular. They perform laboratory evolution experiments aimed at understanding how new proteins evolve, and at the creation of novel enzymes with tailor−made activities.

2. Structure and function of ion channels, pumps, other transporters, viral envelope proteins, and photosynthesis proteins Biological Chemistry 21

Several groups are investigating proteins that form specific pores across the cell membrane. Eitan Reuveny is investigating the molecular properties of a group of neuronal K+ channels and their interaction with G−proteins. Yechiel Shai's group uses a multidisciplinary approach to study the insertion, assembly and function of membrane proteins involved in immune response (TCR, TLR), infectious diseases (host−defense peptides; i.e. antimicrobial and anticancer peptides), and viral envelopes (HIV/SIV gp41). These studies also led to the design of novel potential antimicrobial, anticancer, immunosuppressive, and antiviral drugs. Nuclear pore complexes, multi−protein structures, that transport macromolecules in and out of the nucleus, are being studied by Ziv Reich. His work utilizes biophysical methods such as atomic force microscopy. Haim Garty focuses on two themes in the regulation of ion transport, which participate in maintaining body salt and water balance. One is the epithelial Na+ channel, which mediates the aldosterone−dependent Na+ reabsorption in the kidney and intestine, and the other is a new group of tissue specific regulators of the Na+/K+ ATPase, the FXYD proteins. Steven J. D. Karlish and his colleagues are exploring the structure and organization of Na,K−ATPase, and its regulation by FXYD proteins. This ion pump plays a central role in maintaining Na and K gradients across the cell membrane and is involved in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. Another family of transport proteins, which extrude toxins from cells and hence pose a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy and antibiotic treatment, is being studied by Eitan Bibi. The groups of Steven J. D. Karlish and Eitan Bibi are also interested in solving membrane protein structures by X−ray crystallography. Other researchers are interested in photosynthesis and its relation to ion transport. Zippora Gromet−Elhanan is studying the rotary mechanism of the photosynthetic F0F1 ATP synthase, using genetically engineered hybrid bacterial/plant F1−core assemblies and single molecule analysis. Shmuel Malkin's research in photosynthesis concentrated on accomplishing an artificial model system for understanding the role of zeaxanthin in the protection against photodamage under high light intensity. The groups of Uri Pick and Ada Zamir are collaborating to elucidate the mechanisms by which the green alga Dunaliella copes with extreme changes in external salinity and with iron deprivation.

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

Studies related to this general problem in cell biology are being carried out in a number of laboratories. Eitan Bibi and his co−workers are studying the role of the signal recognition particle (SRP) and other cellular components in the biogenesis of prokaryotic membrane proteins. They seek to identify new components of the machinery, and to understand how ribosomes target and associate with the membrane, and how membrane protein synthesis is regulated. Zvulun Elazar is investigating intracellular protein traffic in eukaryotic systems. His work has led to the identification of new factors that couple transport vesicles to cytoskeletal elements. Delivery of lipids to the cell membrane, and their role in neuronal growth is being 22 Biological Chemistry studied by Anthony Futerman and his colleagues, with particular emphasis on related diseases such as Gaucher, Tay−Sachs, and Niemann−Pick disease. Together with I. Silman and J. Sussman he recently solved the structure of cerezyme, the enzyme given to Gaucher disease patients. In addition, he is working on mechanisms of ceramide signaling, and has characterized a gene family involved in regulating ceramide synthesis.

4. Signal transduction, and molecular pathogenesis

Several researchers in the department are interested in problems related to signal transduction, chemotaxis and pathogenesis. Michael Eisenbach’s group is investigating, at the molecular level, how bacteria navigate according to chemical cues (chemotaxis), and how human sperm cells are guided to the egg. Recently they found that the flagellar switch complex of E. coli contains fumarate reductase, which is important for all its functions. They also found that sperm guidance involves at least two steps: a long−range thermal guidance (thermotaxis) from the cooler sperm storage site in the female genital tract to the warmer fertilization site, and a short−range chemotaxis step to substances secreted from the egg. The group of David Wallach is studying mechanisms that control cell death and tissue damage, and involve the caspase cysteine−protease family, and transcription factors of the NF−kB family. They have cloned and characterized several proteins that participate in the induction of cell death and inflammation by receptors of the TNF/NGF family, and explore their mechanisms of action. Using transgenic mouse models, they currently focus on elucidating the contribution of genetic variations in these proteins to skin pathology, inflammatory disorders and cancer. Retrograde signaling complexes which govern neuronal growth and regeneration are being investigated by Michael Fainzilber and his co−workers. They have identified new targeting and scaffolding proteins that enable axon−cell body communication in neurons. David Mirelman and his co−workers are characterizing regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of virulence factors in the human intestinal protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica. Other studies, in collaboration with the group of Meir Wilchek, focus on the therapeutic properties of the biologically active garlic molecule Allicin. Yoram Shechter is exploring the mechanism of action of insulin, with emphasis on post−receptor defects in adipose and muscle tissues that lead to insulin−resistance, and are therefore relevant to type II diabetes and obesity in humans. In addition he has developed technologies to prolong the life−time of peptides and protein drugs in vivo, and a therapeutic approach for overcoming states of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. Ruth Miskin is studying the plasminogen activation system, and is utilizing transgenic animals to reveal biological roles of this system. Therapeutic and pathogenic signals of the cell membrane, in tumor cells that are subjected to hydrostatic pressure are being examined by Meir Shinitzky. In addition, he investigates the effect on differentiation in breast cancer cells and neuoronal cells of cyclic phosphates, signaling molecules that originate from phospholipid degradation. Ehud Shapiro' s group is using a high−level computer process description language, Stochastic Pi Calculis, to mathematically specify and simulate signal transduction Biological Chemistry 23 pathways.

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

Zvi Livneh and his coworkers are exploring the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and mutagenesis in mammals, and in particular translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) by specialized DNA polymerases, and the role of DNA repair in cancer susceptibility. Recently they discovered that TLS is regulated by p53 via p21 to maintain a low mutation load. They also discovered that reduced activity of the DNA repair enzyme OGG1 is a risk factor in lung and head and neck cancers. Two groups are studying mechanisms mediating regulation of gene expression. Rivka Dikstein and her associates are investigating the molecular mechanism of transcription regulation by TAFs, a highly conserved group of proteins that together with TBP (TATA−binding protein) constitutes the transcription initiation factor TFIID. Michael Walker and colleagues are investigating the regulation of specific gene expression in insulin−producing pancreatic beta cells, and how embryonic stem cells can be induced to develop efficiently into beta cells. Recent studies have revealed that activity of GPR40, a novel beta cell receptor, helps explain the important, yet poorly understood connection between obesity and diabetes.

6. Mechanisms of developmental regulation

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

7. Biolmolecular computers and computation−based cell lineage analysis

Ehud Shapiro and his team are investigating the engineering of computers made of biological molecules. They succeeded to construct a finite automaton made of DNA and enzymes, which is capable of sensing and diagnosing molecular disease symptoms, and in response releasing a drug−like molecule in a test−tube model system. In a different direction, advanced computational techniques combined with somatic mutation analysis are used for reconstructing cell lineage trees in cultured cells and in mice. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biological_Chemistry/ 24 Biological Chemistry Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Eitan Bibi, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Michael Eisenbach, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel The Jack and Simon Djanogly Professor of Biochemistry Anthony H. Futerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joseph Meyerhoff Professor of Biochemistry Haim Garty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professor of Biochemistry Steven J.D Karlish, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The William D. Smithburg Professor of Biochemistry Ephraim Katchalski−Katzir, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor The Theodore R. Racoosin Professor of Biophysics Zvi Livneh, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maxwell Ellis Professor of Biomedical Research David Mirelman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Besen−Brender Professor of Microbiology and Parasitology Yechiel Shai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold S. and Harriet B. Brady Professor of Cancer Rrsearch Yoram Shechter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Charles H. Hollenberg Professor of Diabetes and Metabolic Research David Wallach, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Professors Emeriti

S. Roy Caplan, Ph.D., University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa David Danon, Ph.D., University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland Carlos Gitler, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States Zippora Gromet−Elhanan, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (deceased December 2007) Ora Kedem, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Shmuel Malkin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Israel R. Miller, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Nathan Sharon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Meir Wilchek, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ada Zamir, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Biological Chemistry 25 Associate Professors

Ed Bayer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Professor of Bio−Organic Chemistry Rivka Dikstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Zvulun Elazar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michael Fainzilber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Chaya Professor in Molecular Neuroscience Uri Pick, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Charles and Louise Gartner Professor Ziv Reich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eitan Reuveny, Ph.D., Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, United States Gideon Schreiber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Dan Tawfik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michael Walker, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Marvin Myer and Jenny Cyker Professor of Diabetes Research

Senior Scientists

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

Senior Staff Scientists

Rivka Adar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Carol Asher, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Rina Barak, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Talia Miron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Daniel M. Tal, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Elena Bochkareva, Ph.D., Institute of Protein Research, Academy of the USSR, Pushchino, Russian Federation Adriana Katz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Tamar Paz−Elizur, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staffs Scientists

Elena Appel, Ph.D., Medical School, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Yael Fridmann Sirkis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tae Bong Kang, Ph.D., Kon−Kuk University, Chungju, Korea, Republic of Ruti Kapon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 26 Biological Chemistry Andrew Kovalenko, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yael Pewzner−Jung, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Gili Ben−Nissan, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Izhak Michaelevski, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Rehovot, Israel Reinat Nevo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ziv Sevilya, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel

Consultants

Diana Bach Igor Berezovsky, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Daniel Harari Halina Lis (left September 2007) Ruth Miskin Meir Shinitzky

Visiting Scientists

Hannah Alexander, University of Missouri−Columbia, MO, Colombia Stephen Alexander, University of Missouri−Columbia, MO, Colombia Barbara Costa, University of Turin, Italy Rosa Maria Garcia De Arias, University of Mexico, Mexico Liana Silva, University of Lisbonne, Portugal Nobuhiko Tokuriki, University of Osaka, Japan

Postdoctoral Fellows

Lee David Albee, Ph.D., Saint Louis University Gali Arad, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Anat Bahat, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Minerva Paola Barrios Ceballos, Institute of Experimental Biology Research, UG Shimon Bershtein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Konstantin Bogdanov, Tel−Aviv University, Israel Liana Casquinha Da Silva, Ph.D. Ofra Chen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Silvia Chuartzman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eytan Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galit Cohen−Ben−Lulu, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mirit Dahan−Fumbar, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yaacov Davidov, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Jianfang Du, Ph.D., Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Shirley Elias, M.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Biological Chemistry 27 Ephraim Fass, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maria Fuzesi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Leonid Gaidukov (Gaydukov), Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Anna Gakamsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Saar Golan, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Moshe Goldsmith, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rinkoo Devi Gupta, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Liat Haklai−Topper, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Katrin Hebel, Ph.D., Humboldt University Berlin Adrian Hugenmatter, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) Maya Huguenin, Ph.D. Elena Iavnilovitch, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Shachar Iwanir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Na'Aman Kam, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Einat Kapri−Pardes, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Yakov Krelin, Ben−Gurion University, Israel Yael Leitner−Dagan, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Michal Levy, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Lifshitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gregory Linshiz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Florence−Yeudith Maaravi, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Adi Mesika, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Izhak Michaelevski, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Reinat Nevo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gisu Oh, Wonkwang University Dilhan Oncel, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Rony Oren Benaroya, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Satheeshkumar Padikara Kutty, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai Adi Peleg, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Petel Galil, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Vladimir Potapov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Pravinkumar Purushothaman, Ph.D., School of Biotech, Madurai Kamaraj University Akhil Rajput, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Parameswaran Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dana Reichmann, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ida Rishal, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Laila C. Roisman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Saroj Shekhawat, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Naomi Siew, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University, Israel Misha Soskine, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Petro Starokadomskyy, Ph.D., Institute of Molecular biology &Genetics NASU Johnny Stiban, Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park Dror Tobi, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Nobuhiko Tokuriki, Ph.D., Osaka University, Japan Hailin Zheng, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 28 Biological Chemistry Research Students

Sheera Adar Livnat Afriat Nira Amar Liat Amir−Zilberstein Michael Anbar Leah Armon Tali Avnit−Sagi Keren Bahar Liat Bahari Anat Bahat Hagit Bar Nadav Bar Roy Bekerman Talya Belogus Rotem Ben Tov Perry Keren Ben Yaakov Tuval Ben Yehezkel Moran Bentzur Shimon Bershtein Yonathan Caspi Silvia G. Chuartzman Mati Cohen Tomer Cohen Ayelet Cooper Noam Diamant Elizabeta Dinitz Rofa Elfakess Racheli Erez Avner Fink Zohar Fridman Dan Frumkin Leonid Gaidukov (Gaydukov) Anna Gakamsky Kfir Gazit Binyamin Gil Lyubov (Luba) Ginzburg Michal Golan−Mashiach Bracha Halaf Liraz Harel Michal Harel Haim Haviv Ayal Hendel Lior Izhar Diego Jaitin Jaakov Kacher Maya Kahan Eyal Kalie Shai Kaplan Alon Karpol Ranit Kedmi Olga Khersonsky Jin Chul Kim Noga Dalia Kowalsman Sujoy Lahiri Elad Lavee Laviad Anat Lavi Itzkovitz Elena Levin Orna Liarzi Yael Lifshitz Karin Linnewiel−Hermoni Irina Lubarski Arik Makovitzki Elinor Malul Yonit Marcus−Perlman Guy Mlechkovich Natali Molotski Oren Moscovitz Shiri Moshitzky Ilit Noach Ekaterina Petrovich Ofer Rahat Akhil Rajput Ophir Rav−Hon Adi Raveh Dana Reichmann Peter Reuven Gabriela Ridner Inbal Riven Liat Rockah Erez Romi Yosef Rosenfeld Rona Sadja Gertner Neta Sal−Man Ruth Scherz−Shoval Yael Segal−Ruder Sigal Shachar Biological Chemistry 29 Saroj Shekhawat Elena Shvets Nadejda Sigal Michal Slutzki Shay Stern Einat Vitner Adam Wasserstrom Hilla Weidberg Nomy Wender Yael Wexler− Cohen Itamar Yadid Ganit Yarden Ido Yosef Dmitry Yudin Tatyana Zalogin Gabriel Zarbiv

Administrator

Maanit Zibziner 30 Molecular Genetics

Molecular Genetics

Yosef Shaul, Head The Oscar and Emma Getz Professor

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

A number of groups study the Drosophila model system from different aspects. The lab of Benny Shilo continued to focus on EGF receptor signaling in Drosophila. An intricate machinery for processing the activating ligands was uncovered. Interestingly, the amount of ligand that is secreted can be regulated by altering the intracellular compartment in which processing takes place. Once the ligand is secreted, distinct threshold responses are established. In a combination of experimental and computational work, a novel mechanism for creating such response thresholds was identified. In a different research avenue, novel insights into the mechanism of cell fusion during muscle development, and the involvement of the microfilament system in the process were uncovered.

Talila Volk's lab focuses on mechanisms controlling tissue formation and organogenesis in developing Drosophila. They found that a splicing−dependent mechanism, controlled by the RNA−binding protein HOW, is a critical step in the induction of terminal differentiation of tendon and glial cells. Moreover, HOW−dependent repression of mRNA levels is essential for mesoderm invagination and spreading and the relevant target mRNAs were identified. In addition, their research is directed to identify factors controlling muscles migration and adhesion towards tendon cells. They found that the extra cellular matrix protein Thrombospondin is essential for the specific adhesion of muscles with their corresponding tendon cell, a process that is regulated by a secreted growth factor DEgfl7. Eli Arama’s laboratory is primarily concerned with the molecular, cellular, and anatomical mechanisms that underlie caspase activation/apoptosis in Drosophila. Previously they showed that spermatids normally eliminate the majority of their cytoplasm and organelles in an apoptosis−like process that requires canonical cell death proteins, including caspases. These observations, as well as recent studies by other groups counter the dogma that cells expressing active caspases are doomed to die. Currently, a major effort in the lab is being focused on the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms that regulate caspase activation Molecular Genetics 31 during cellular remodeling of the sperm and investigate how caspases facilitate cell terminal differentiation.

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

Basic cellular processes are being approached from the molecular angle, both in mammalian cells and in yeasts by several groups. The lab of Jeff Gerst focuses on how cells establish and maintain polarity in order for directed growth and cell division to occur. They are using the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model system and have three major projects. The first examines the role of signaling pathways in the control of exocytosis at the level of membrane 32 Molecular Genetics fusion and studies the role of kinases and phosphatases in regulation of the exocytic apparatus. The second focuses on the role of SNARE−binding proteins in endosomal protein sorting and the onset of human diseases involving defects in lysosomal storage. The third examines the role of mRNA trafficking in the regulation of basic cellular processes (e.g. polarized cell growth, peroxisome biogenesis, mitochondrial function, cell cycle, and intracellular protein trafficking) Adi Kimchi’s group studies programmed cell death, by proceeding from single gene studies towards global network analysis. By studying DAP−kinase and its close family homologs, DRP−1 and ZIP−kinase, new mechanisms which control the less characterized modules of cell death including autophagy and programmed necrosis have been discovered. Studies on DAP5 protein highlighted the role of cap−independent translation under stress and relaxed conditions, and initial research on DAP1 revealed the existence of a new scaffold protein which is a suppressor of autophagy. The project on the global cell death network is based on a combinatorial knock down approach which measures the outcome of epistatic interactions between the network’s proteins (around 150). By running this new methodology they proved that compensatory switches between functional modules contribute to the network’s robustness, and that inter−modular connectivity occurs at multiple positions via positive or negative interactions. The lab of Ari Elson studies the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in regulating physiological processes. Their goals are to uncover detailed molecular−level mechanisms, by which specific phosphatases affect discrete physiological outcomes by dephosphorylating specific substrates. Their current studies focus on PTPs Epsilon and Alpha; they are using molecular, cellular, and whole−animal systems to uncover the role of these phosphatases in regulating malignant transformation, bone metabolism, and regulation of body mass/obesity. Chaim Kahana’s group investigates polyamines in regulating cellular proliferation. AzI, is a homolog of ODC, but unlike ODC has no enzymatic activity and undergoes ubiquitin dependent degradation. His group also studies the growth advantage this protein provides to cells. These two aspects are investigated in relation to the interaction ability of AzI with three types of a polyamine induced protein termed antizyme (Az) that act as negative regulators of ODC. Another aspect of investigation concernes the possible involvement of 20S proteasomes in mediating ubiquitin independent cellular degradation. Finally, the lab investigates the role polyamines exert in regulating cellular functions with emphasis on regulating cellular proliferation. The team of Yosef Shaul studies the basic cellular processes of transcription, protein stability and DNA−damage signaling. These processes are investigated also with respect to understanding the molecular basis of virus−host cell interactions, using the hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a model. They discovered the pathway of “degradation by default” of proteins that are partially or fully intrinsically unstructured (IUPs or IDPs). This pathway is executed by the 20S proteasomes both in vitro and in vivo. They also have found NQO1, an NADH regulated enzyme to play a role of 20S proteasome gatekeeper to block degradation by default. In a different research avenue they have identified a new signaling pathway whereby c−Abl, p73 and Yap respond to DNA damage insults.

Cytokine signaling is an additional studied theme. The lab of Leo Sachs continues their work on the cytokine mediated control of multiplication, differentiation and apoptosis of hematopoietic stem cells. In a recent study they showed that human cancers overexpress genes that are specific to a variety of normal human tissues. Michel Revel's group Molecular Genetics 33 investigates regenerative medicine approaches to the treatment of diseases which destroy the myelin sheaths around nerves, such as various neuropathies, Multiple Sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Efficient differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells into oligodendrocyte precursors (OPC) was achieved and used to treat the brain of shiverer mutant mice suffering from dysmyelination. A transcription factor ZBP99/Znf281 was found essential for expression of myelin genes in Schwann cells as well as in oligodendrocytes. A system allowing to study in vitro the migration of human OPC toward neurons and the subsequent myelination of axons was developed. He is involved in developing large scale culturing of human ES cells for cell therapy in clinical settings. They have obtained pancreatic islet cells that could be applied for the treatment of insulin−dependent diabetes. The lab of Menachem Rubinstein studies the role of several transcription factors in growth, differentiation, cell death and immune responses. They identified a heterodimeric complex of the transcription factors C/EBP−² and IRF−1 as a mediator of interferon−gamma immunomodulatory activities. Currently, the group studies the various functions of the C/EBP family of transcription factors. In particular, the role of C/EBP−² in tumor cell survival and pre−adipocyte differentiation. The group also studies the role of another family member – CHOP−10 in adipocyte cell death. Another research topic deals with regulation of IFN−± gene expression, trying to resolve the enigma of multi−gene family whose products have a practically identical function. Also, they continue the attempts to identify receptors of bereaved cytokines (the counterparts of orphan receptors).

A more systemic and computational approach is being taken by a number of groups. In the lab of Doron Lancet, whole−genome analyses and comparative genomics are used to decipher the evolution of olfactory receptors, the largest gene superfamily in the human genome. Genetic variation is studied as a tool for understanding multigenic diseases such as schizophrenia, as well as personal variations in the sense of smell. This is aided by advanced instrumentation for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by robotized mass spectrometry. The group also develops GeneCards, a worldwide used compendium of human genes, which allows one to better analyses human genome information. In the realm of Systems Biology, prebiotic molecular networks are studied as a means for understanding the emergence of life on earth. Such analyses are relevant both for solving the profound question of how life emerged, as well as to better understand present day life, e.g. synthetic lethality in cancer cells. The lab of Shmuel Pietrokovski studies the relations between protein sequence, structure and function. They pursue this goal by computational and experimental approaches. Computationally they develop methods to compare conserved protein sequence motifs, and to analyze protein structures. Intein protein−splicing domains and related domains are studied integratively by experimental and computational methods. They are examining the evolution, biochemical activity and cellular function of these ancient domains that are involved in various post−translational modifications in animals and microbes. In the lab of Naama Barkai they aim at deducing design principles of biological networks. The two main research programs include bioinformatics studies of large−scale data and modeling of relatively isolated subsystems. They recently extended their bioinformatics effort for comparative analysis of genome−wide transcription data between organisms, focusing on related yeast species. They classified in great details inter−species differences in gene expression pattern, and tried to identify the underlying genetic basis for these changes. In particular, they 34 Molecular Genetics identified a major re−wiring of the yeast transcription network, which is connected to the emergent of anaerobic growth capacity and characterized a connection between TATA−based regulation and evolvability of gene expression. The modeling studies focused on two system: the spindle assembly checkpoint and gradient detection during yeast mating. In both systems they characterized biological constraints that the respective system need to overcome thus limiting the possible designs of the underlying biological networks. A central challenge for living organisms is to execute intricate cellular programs in the face of environmental variations, genetic changes and the inherent noise of molecular processes. Tzachi Pilpel group aims at understanding such programs by deciphering the structure, function and evolution of regulatory networks that control them. We study these networks at the level of their structure and at the level of their function in higher−level processes and phenomena. At the structure level we decipher networks controlling transcription, translation, mRNA degradation and non−coding RNAs. At the higher functional level we study how entire processes and phenomena such as genetic backup, stress response, and evolutionary divergence of species, are regulated through the various gene expression levels. In our research we combine theory, computations, and experimental work.

In summary, the department combines structural genomic approaches with functional #34 studies. Moreover, the employed multiple model organisms, namely yeast, fly, mouse and human, removes the species barrier and set the stage of viewing a single biological process from different angels, thus benefiting from the various genetic and molecular tools that each system offers. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/molgen/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Yoram Groner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Dr. Barnet Berris Professor of Cancer Research Adi Kimchi, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel The Helena Rubinstein Professor in Cancer Research Doron Lancet, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Professor of Human Genomics Menachem Rubinstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Edna and Mickey Weiss Professor of Cytokines Research Yosef Shaul, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Oscar and Emma Getz Professor Ben−Zion Shilo, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Professor of Molecular Genetics Molecular Genetics 35 Professors Emeriti

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

Associate Professors

Naama Barkai, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Ari Elson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Jeffrey Gerst, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Chaim Kahana, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Jules J. Mallon Professor of Biochemistry Shmuel Pietrokovski, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Hermann and Lilly Schilling Foundation Professor Orly Reiner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Bernstein−Mason Professor of Neurochemistry Talila Volk, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Professor Sir Ernest B. Chain Professor

Senior Scientists

Eli Arama, Ph.D., Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Corinne S. Koshland Career Development Chair Eran Hornstein, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Career Development Chair Yitzhak Pilpel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Aser Rothstein Career Development Chair of Genetic Diseases Elazar Zelzer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Martha S. Sagon Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientists

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

Associate Staff Scientist

Edna Ben−Asher, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 36 Molecular Genetics Assistant Staff Scientists

Elena Ainbinder, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Shani Bialik, Ph.D., Division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States Alon Levy, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Tsviya Olender, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Nina Reuven, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tamar Sapir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ariel Werman, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Orna Dahan, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Vladimir Hurgin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tatyana Kogan, Ph.D., Moscow Medical Stomatology Institute (MMSI), Russian Federation (left December 2007)

Engineer

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

Consultants

Jacques S. Beckmann, Lausanne − CHUV, Switzerland Yael Esther Feinstein Rotkopf Ruth Gross−Isseroff Tsippi Iny Stein Na'aman Kam Sylvie Luria, Ashkelon Technology Incubator, Ashkelon, Israel Ron Shamir, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Michael Shmoish, Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Orit Shmueli, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel Clara Singer (left October 2007)

Visiting Scientists

Sheila Harroch, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France Shay Rotkopf, University of Vienna, Austria David Shafritz, A. Einstein College of Medicine, NY, U.S.A. Rafael Zidovetzki, University of California at Riverside, U.S.A. Molecular Genetics 37 Postdoctoral Fellows

Julia Adler, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Efrat Assa−Kunik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nurit Avraham, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yonatan Bilu, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Judith Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galina Gabriely, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noga Gadir, Ph.D., The Graduate Center of the City University of New Dan Gluck, Tel−Aviv University, Israel Arye Harel, Ph.D. David Hava, Ph.D., Free University Berlin Aron Inger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Joy Kahn, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yoav Lubelsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dima Lukatsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tal Melkman−Zehavi, Ph.D., Brandeis University Inbal Mor, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Sharon Reef, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dalia Rosin Grunewald, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ayelet Schlesinger − Arbiv, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galit Shohat, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shalom Guy Slutsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gil Stelzer, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Adina Weinberger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sarit Weissmann, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Keren Yacobi−Sharon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Daniela Zalcenstein (Nee Ama, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Yaarit Adamovich Daniela Bettina Amann−Zalcenstein Roy Amariglio Hamutal Arbel Efrat Assa−Kunik Omer Barad Omri Bauer Oren Ben−Ami Dan Ben−Zvi Dalia Berman−Golan Zohar Bloom Karen Rae Bone Antonio De Padua Castillo Flores Elik Chapnik Dorit Cohen Judith Cohen Bareket Dassa Avital Eisenberg Hadas Elhanany Idit Eshkar− Oren Anat Florentin Tali Garin Rita Gelin−Licht Indraneel Ghosh Boaz Gildor Eliezer Gilsohn Roni Golan − Lavi Shira Granot − Attas 38 Molecular Genetics Liora Haim Yehudit Hasin David Israeli Michal Izrael Daphna Joseph−Strauss Anna Kaplan Yosef Kaplan Vered Katz Alona Keren−Paz Amnon Koren Guy Landau Michal Lapidot Dan Levy Sagi Levy Noa Liberman Idit Livnat Yoav Lubelsky Mati Mann Lea Marash Jada (R'ada) Massarwa Ofir Meir Idan Menashe Amir Mitchell Ronit Nir Aia Oz Niv Pencovich Ziv Porat Noa Rappaport Liat Ravid Sharon Reef Eran Reem Adriana Reuveny Liat Rousso Noori Sivan Sapoznik Ofer Sarig Ayelet Schlesinger Michal Segal Ophir Shalem Tamar Shapira−Cohen Barak Shenhav Amir Shlomai Anat Shmueli Yishay Shoval Tal Sines Einat Sitbon Boris Slobodin Zohar Snapir Ilya Soifer Itay Tirosh Peter Tsvetkov Kfir Baruch Umansky Ilya Venger Bess Wayburn Nofar Woller Liat Yakir−Tamang Shaul Yogev Einat Zalckvar Peilin Zhang Gadi Zipor

Administrator

Lea Marom Plant Sciences 39

Plant Sciences

Gad Galili, Head The Bronfman Chair of Plant Science

Understanding how plants grow and react to the environment are central to our long−lasting endeavor to appreciate basic mechanisms that drive biological processes as well as to devising a rational approach to secure more food, and food of better quality. This is important as plants offer the world the main renewable resource of foods, building material and energy. Plants as multicellular organisms have developed highly sophisticated short and long−term adaptive mechanisms to the changing environment as a result of the simple fact that they cannot alter their location during environmental change. Thus, the research activities in the Department of Plant Sciences are centered around plant biology and its relation to the environment. Our model systems study the function and regulation of isolated genes and their interactive behavior in the context of the whole plant. To accomplish this we have developed extensive in−house genetic, genomic, bioinformatic, metabolomic and transgenic infrastructures that enable us to isolate novel genes by gene trapping, knockout or map−based cloning. With the help of bioinformatic analysis and our ability to transform whole plants, cloned genes are studied and manipulated in the context of the whole organism.

The recent discoveries of the DNA squences of the whole human genome as well as the genomes of few plant species revealed quite extensive similarity in many genes between these two organisms. This discovery supported earlier studies, showing extensive conservation of a number of processes operating in the cells of both organisms. This conservation has also opened a new avenue to utilize plants and plant research in the battle against human diseases. Research activities in our department are directed into utilizing plants to improve human health. The similarity between plants and human cells allow plant cells to serve as efficient cost−effective bioreactors for production of modern therapeutic drugs and vaccines to fight human diseases, and extensive research activities in our department are devoted to these processes. In addition, the unique ability of plants to harness the energy of light and transduce its energy to biologically useful forms is used in our department to develop novel methods, which use plant macromolecules in combination with light−mediated treatments to eradicate tumors in the human body.

Avigdor Scherz’s group studies the role of proteins in regulating this mechanism. Using spectroscopy and theoretical calculations of metal substituted bacteriochlorophylls he follows and investigates charge flow between atoms, groups and whole molecules. These studies provide insight to mechanisms that underlay chemical reactivity in biological and non−biological systems. Other metal susbtituted Bchl that have been recently synthesized by Scherz are used for vascular targeting photodynamic therapy of tumors and other diseases. 40 Plant Sciences The first of theses novel compound is now in phase II clinical trials against prostate cancer. Studies of quantitative structure activity relationships of the modified Bchls is in progress.

Marvin Edelman: In collaboration with Vladimir Sobolev, a structural bioinformatics approach is being developed for molecular recognition. Contact surface area and chemical properties of atoms are employed to predict amino acid side chain conformations on a protein backbone and the core residues involved in metal ligation and protein − protein complex formation. In collaboration with Autar Mattoo (Beltsville, USA), the regulation of photosynthetic protein complexes is studied using transgenic Spirodela to analyze photophosphorylation of chloroplast membrane proteins. Marvin Edelman’s group has successfully induced a tissue culture cycle (callus formation and plant regeneration) in Spirodela and developed an efficient transformation system that can deliver recombinant genes encoding pharmaceutical proteins into this plant in the fight against human disease. In collaboration with LemnaGene SA (Lyon, France), the Spirodela transformation system is being developed into an environmentally safe and secure monocot biotechnology platform for production of such pharmaceuticals.

Asaph Aharoni's group investigates regulatory networks controlling the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in the course of plant development and under stress conditions. New analytical and computational tools are currently being developed that allow extensive metabolic profiling of complex plant extracts and the integration of metabolic data with information derived from other levels of regulation such as the transcriptome. Apart from tools for metabolite detection, a large population of mutant tomato plants is generated in order to link a metabolic phenotype to genotypes in metabolic pathways of interest. One of the first targets of Asaph Aharoni's lab is to identify the regulatory genes compiling the networks co−ordinating activity of metabolic pathways (in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites) and fruit growth during tomato ripening. A second major activity in the lab is to decipher the regulatory networks that link primary (e.g. metabolism of amino acids) and secondary metabolism in the model plant Arabidopsis. A third major topic is associated with the formation of the plant surface, i.e. the cuticular layer that mediates the plants interaction with environment. Regulation of cuticle metabolism is investigated in vegetative tissues in Arabidopsis and tomato fruit exocarp tissue (i.e. peel). By performing the above mentioned studies, key genetic factors controlling metabolic pathways and co−ordinating their activity with plant development and stress response will be identified and characterized. Moreover, the knowledge acquired could assist in the production of plants with desired levels of health promoting compounds (as for example increased antioxidant activity) by means of classical breeding and/or genetic engineering.

Avihai Danon studies the regulation of gene expression by redox signals. In particular, he is investigating post−transcriptional regulation in the adaptation of plants to changing environments. Redox reactions of two proteins involve the transfer of electron(s) from one protein (the donor) to the other (the acceptor). His work implies that similarly to computers, the transfer of electrons from the donor to the acceptor can be used in biology as a flow of information. In plants, the redox signaling proteins participate in protection mechanisms against the accumulation of free radicals, and regulation of protein synthesis. Danon has Plant Sciences 41 found that regulatory proteins of the thioredoxin family exchange electrons along specific pathways in the soluble compartments of the cell. His studies suggest that in contrast to computer, the flow of electronic information in biology can take place also in solution by means of non−insulated routes. A moss (Physcomitrella patens) and an alga (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) are being developed as efficient bioreactors for therapeutic proteins. Danon’s group has found P. patens to express high levels of recombinant proteins and has isolated a number of targeting signals that enable an engineered routing of the recombinant proteins to specific intracellular compartments, thereby facilitating tight control of posttranslational modifications and maximizing protein extraction from the producing plants.

The features that distinguish plants from animals are not limited to photosynthesis. Plants are sessile, have rigid cell walls and have no fixed germ line. This means that their development differs radically from that found in animals. b>Yuval Eshed: To understand how variation between plants occurs through evolutionary processes, Yuval Eshed’s group study the mechanisms that shape plant organs of several unrelated species. All plants lateral organs such as leaves and floral organs are formed at the flanks of unique groups of organized cells called meristems. Organ formation is highly regulated in time and space partly through communication between the meristem and the already formed organs. Research in Yuval Eshed's lab focuses on the nature of such communication. Two types of communication are the focus of Yuval’s group. The juxtaposition of the upper and lower sides of leaves result in signaling inducing their expansion. And, the resulting asymmetric leaf signals back to the meristem to determine the position and timing of new leaf formation. Both types of signaling involve interactions between transcription regulators and micro RNAs that counteract their activities. Minor modifications in these relations account for some of the differences between the small Arabidopsis and large tomato leaves. Through the study of plant development, several new tools were developed that can be used in a wide array of applications. Methods to down or up regulate multiple genes in specific time and place should allow precise manipulations of endogenous or introduced traits without side effects associated with constitutive expression.

Jonathan Gressel (Emeritus): Transgenic crops as well as transgenic biocontrol agents are beginning to play an important part in the protection of plants from insect, disease, and weed problems. Jonathan Gressel’s group has recently demonstrated that engineering hypervirulence genes into biocontrol agents enhances their effectiveness in controlling weeds, and they are now stacking such genes to ascertain whether there is synergy. Often the crops or the biocontrol agents are closely related to weeds or to pathogens of crops (respectively), and there is a likelihood of transfer of genetic material to these relatives. He and his colleagues have been developing the framework for assessing the risks that this will happen on a case by case basis. More importantly, they are studying ways to use genetic engineering, to detect and prevent the transfer or to mitigate the effects of such transfer, when it occurs, as well as to bio−barcode transgenic organisms to facilitate detection. The group is actively developing crops, biocontrol agents and agrotechnologies to facilitate control of parasitic weeds, in part with colleagues at CIMMYT in Mexico and Kenya. They have developed a 42 Plant Sciences technology of seed application of small amounts of weed killer to herbicide−resistant mutant maize that kills the parasite, on average tripling yields in infested areas, which has recently been handed over to local seed companies for distribution to farmers.

Robert Fluhr: Cultivated plants are especially prone to disease but, importantly, plants (especially the wild relatives of cultivated plants) have inbuilt pathogen recognition molecules that are called resistance genes. If the genes are present the plant will recognize the pathogen in the early stages of infection and mount successful defense. Robert Fluhr's group used molecular genetic techniques to uncover the genes that are central for resistance to plant vascular diseases. It turns out that many other plant resistance genes and innate human resistance genes have common molecular features. Understanding their molecular architecture, structure−function relationships and evolution are crucial for planning rational approaches to plant−pathogen protection as well as furthering our understanding of human innate immunity. The rapid adaptive responses of plants to the biotic and abiotic environment dictate their success as organisms. One such response was shown in to include rapid activation of reactive oxygen species produced by NADPH oxidase and the participation of a special class of aldehyde oxidases (in collaboration with Moshe Sagi; Ben−Gurion University of the Negev). Important parallels have been drawn to human−based disease caused by mis−regulated reactive oxygen species produced by the same enzyme classes. Stress−related responses are multi−tiered and also affect alternative splicing. A LAMMER−type kinase conserved in humans and plants originally isolated in the lab as a kinase whose activity is modulated by the hormone ethylene was shown to localize to the nucleus and regulate alternative splicing of a particular subset of transcripts. Based on that result, important parallels and differences between plant and human alternative splicing could be drawn.

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

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

Plant growth requires continious re−medeling of its metabolic networks in response to various stresses imposed by the changing evnironment. This re−modeling is regulated by a number of different intra−cellular processes, one of which, called autophagy, has been implicated to protect plants against nutrient stresses. Yet, Gad Galili's group has recently Plant Sciences 43 shown that the autophagy process operates not only under nutrient stress, but also under normal plant growth, implying a broader function of this pathway.

Avraham Levy: Coping with the environment has both short and long−range implications. It has long been appreciated that even the basic plant genome architecture, which dictates the most fundamental aspect of plant biology can evolve rapidly Avraham Levy's group is studying the mechanisms contributing to this fluidity. This includes the effect of mobile genes on genome structure and expression, the effect and regulation of DNA repair and homologous recombination. These mechanisms are harnessed to develop new technologies for precise modification of the plant genome such as gene targeting, the homologous recombination between a genomic target and an introduced DNA sequence.

Bread wheat is a polyploid organism (2n=6x=42; genome BBAADD). Recently it was found by Moshe Feldman (Emeritus) and Avraham Levy’s groups that polyploidization (inter−specific or inter−generic hybridization followed by chromosome doubling) induces rapid cardinal genetic and epigenetic changes affecting non−coding as well as coding sequences. The mechanism involved in bringing about these changes as well as the biological significance are currently under investigation. One aspect of these changes is the instantaneous differentiation of the genetically related chromosomes of the different genomes. An interesting mechanism of epigenetic regulation is the transcriptional activation of retrotransposons. As a result of this activation neighbor genes can be silenced (by antisense−mediated silencing) or activated.

Moshe Feldman’s (Emeritus) group has recently developed a naturally modified wheat genome that facilitates hybrid wheat production. In addition, wild germplasm contains untapped useful genes that can be hybridized into the cultivated wheat. Special lines have been produced that facilitate the identification and mapping of useful qualitative and quantitative genes in wild wheat and transfer them to cultivated background.

The brief foray into the salient features of our research efforts show the integration of methodologies from genetics, physiology, biochemistry, structural botany, molecular biology and protein modeling. What has become clear, is that investigating plants not only provides important starting points for their improvement but as an organism their study presents fresh scientific viewpoints in general biology. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Plant_Sciences/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ilan Chet, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service until July 2007) Marvin Edelman, Ph.D., Brandeis University, Waltham, United States (on extension of service) 44 Plant Sciences The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professor of Agricultural Molecular Biology (until 14 December 2007) Robert Fluhr, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professor of Agricultural Molecular Biology (from 15 December 2007) Gad Galili, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Bronfman Professor of Plant Science Avraham Levy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Gilbert de Botton Professor of Plant Sciences Avigdor Scherz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Robert and Yadelle Sklare Professor in Biochemistry

Professors Emeriti

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

Associate Professor

Avihai Danon, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Tucson, United States The Henry and Bertha Benson Professor

Senior Scientists

Asaph Aharoni, Ph.D., Wagenigen University, Wagenigen, Netherlands Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Adolfo and Evelyn Blum Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Yuval Eshed, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Judith and Martin Freedman Career Development Chair Dror Noy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Staff Scientists

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Olga Davydov, Ph.D., Rsearch Institute for Essential Oil Plants, Crimea, Ukraine Plant Sciences 45 Ada Viterbo−Fainzilber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left July 2007)

Assistant Staff Scientist

Cathy Bessudo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Oksana Kerner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ilana Rogachev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Hadas Zehavi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Avital Adato, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel

Engineer

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

Consultants

Idan Ashur Alexander Brandis, Steba Labs, Rehovot, Israel Yeshaiahu Kleifeld (left February 2007) Eitan Millet, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Rafael Najmanovich (left March 2007) Eran Neumark, Steba Laboratories Ltd., Nes−Ziona, Israel Ilan Samish, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA (left March 2007)

Visiting Scientists

Liron Feldberg, Israel Inst. of Bio. Rese., Nes Ziona, Israel Alexandra Goz, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Kati Hanhineva, University of Kuopio, Finland Anat Izhaki, University of California at Davis, U.S.A. Theodore Muth, Brooklyn College, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Yariv Brotman, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Ilit Cohen−Ofri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Asa Eitan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rivka Elbaum, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 46 Plant Sciences Liron Even−Faitelson, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Alexander Goldshmidt, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Joanna Maria Grzyb, Ph.D., Jagiellonian University Yoav Herschkovitz, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Alex Keshet, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Hadas Ner−Gaon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Inbal Neta−Sharir, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel David Panikashvili, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Irena Pekker, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Efrat Rubinstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Meir Sagit, Ph.D. Jianxin Shi, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Silvia Slavikova, Ph.D., Institute of Cell Biology, Abroad Jebasingh Tennyson, Ph.D., Madurai Kamaraj University Shai Ufaz, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Eitan Winter, Ph.D., Oxford University Assaf Zemach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yehudit Zohar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Ruthie Angelovich Tamar Avin Wittenberg Shira Avital Eyal Blum Inbal Dangoor Idan Efroni Neta Filip−Granit Eran Goldberg Ruth Goldschmidt Alexander Goldshmidt Anna Hitrik Maxim Itkin Michal Kenan−Eichler Nardy Lampl−Saady Hadar Less Ronen Levy Michal Lieberman−Lazarovich Sergey Malitsky Shira Mintz Avishai Mor Hadas Ner−Gaon Efrat Rubinstein Dadi Segal Vered Tzin Gal Wittenberg Tamar Yifhar Assaf Zemach Yehudit Zohar

Administrator

Maanit Zibziner Biological Services 47

Biological Services

Chaim Kahana, Head The Jules J. Mallon Chair of Biochemistry

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

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

Most of our services are available to scientists from other academic institutions and to the industry. Public databases are freely accessible through the web.

During the last year we have replaced two old irradiation facilities were replaced with two state of the art irradiators that are designed for self−operation a feature that will result in saving manpower. In addition a new cell sorter was installed that will enable a much faster and more efficient cell separation. The Bacteriology unit was moved from its old temporary location to a new highly equipped facility.abilities. A new DAPSAS computer, which was installed last year, was activated. http://bip.weizmann.ac.il/serv.html 48 Biological Services Research Staff

Associate Professor

Chaim Kahana1, Ph.D., The Weizmann Institute of Science The Jules J. Mallon Professor of Biochemistry

Senior Staff Scientists

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

Associate Staff Scientists

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

Assistant Staff Scientists

Ghil Jona, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ron Ophir, Ph.D, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel (left January 2007) Bassem Ziadeh, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States

Junior Staff Scientist

Immanuel Blumenzweig, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Engineer

Marilyn Safran, M.Sc., Boston University, Boston, United States

Consultant

Leon Esterman (left December 2007) Biological Services 49 Visiting Scientist

Jerhard Posmek, Siemens Israel, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Ester Feldmesser, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rotem Sertchook, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Administrator

Dan Haik

1Department of Molecular Genetics 50 The Avron−Wilstätter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis

The Avron−Wilstätter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis

Avigdor Scherz, Director

The Robert and Yadelle Sklare Professor in Biochemistry

The Minerva Foundation, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ) and the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) established the Avron−Minerva center for Photosynthesis in 1995. The center was outset to promote research in the chemical, physical, technological and regulatory aspects of photosynthesis from the molecular to the global level. Importantly, the Minerva foundation has aided the global need for crops suitable to arid areas by establishing a high profile research in Israel in both at the fundamental and technological aspects of plant growth. To fulfil these goals the Minerva foundation has provided a generous gift for a new center in the HUJ, whose research aims include photosynthesis regulation. The new center was merged with the older, Wilstätter−Minerva center that was established earlier, in WIS, and originally aimed at understanding of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis.

The recent genomic revolution combined with the development of bio−informatics and proteomics, have opened a new frontier in the research of photosynthesis. It is possible now to integrate data from the genotype to the phenotype levels utilizing a multi−disciplinary array of methodologies that deal with a broad range of questions in order to understand the molecular foundation of the photosynthetic machinery as a whole, the clockwork of membrane and globular protein formation, assembly and communication and the related adaptation of the photosynthetic organism to the eco−system. Moreover, products and principle components of the photosynthetic machinery are now used for medicine (like in photodynamic therapy of cancer) and nutrition (carotenoids).

Such progress requires the establishment of research arena which enables integrative application of different disciplines to molecular, cellular and multi−cellular systems.

The activities of the Avron−Minerva center planed for coming years should implement and exploit these new developments. Thus, three major research lines have been selected: (1) photosynthetic protein complexes: Bio−synthesis, assembly into functional units, and cellular organization into supra−structures; (2) acclimation of photosynthetic organisms to environmental stress: (3) development of novel technologies such as photodynamic therapy of different diseases using chlorophylls or bacteriochlorophyll and light, and production of carotenoids derivatives. The principles discovered here are applied to other research fields as well. The Avron−Wilstätter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis 51

Following this rational, the center provides seed money for multidisciplinary research programs (1−3 years), international meetings and exchanges of German and Center's members. On the Israeli side, travel support is mainly provided to students and post−doc fellows. Research funds are limited to members of the center. Four new members have recently joined the center. 52 The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine

The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine

Ben−Zion Shilo, Director The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Chair of Molecular Genetics

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

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

While all the BIMM grants are aimed at supporting biomedical research, it is interesting to point out that they cover a wide range of disciplines, representing the multidisciplinary and collaborative environment of the Weizmann Institute. The different approaches include manipulation of model organisms, including mice, flies and even yeast, cell culture studies, and the elaborate biochemical manipulations of proteins.

In conclusion, the contribution of the Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine to the activities of the Life Science Faculties at the Weizmann Institute is enormous. To promote the continued impact, we will strive to maintain the balance between focused support of outstanding groups on the one hand, and broad support of equipment and facilities that will influence not only the work of these groups in particular, but also the capability of the Life Sciences in general. We also strive to maintain the balance between the support of established groups who are leaders in their fields, and the projects of outstanding young scientists who The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine 53 are at the initial stages of their independent career. These scientists are not only the promise for the future of the Weizmann Institute, but in many cases they are the source of original and novel ideas and approaches, that will bear fruit in the coming years. 54 The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research

The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research

Zvi Livneh, Director (until November 2007) The Maxwell Ellis Chair of Biomedical Research

Eitan Bibi, Director (from December 2007)

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

Scientific Aim

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

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

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

The Center was initially directed by Prof. Israel Pecht (1988−1994), followed by Prof. Michael Eisenbach (1994−1999), and Prof. Haim Garty (1999−2000). Since 1.1.2001 the director is Prof. Zvi Livneh from the Department of Biological Chemistry.

The administration of the Center

The director operates the Center with the help of an advisory scientific committee. Two The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research 55 members of this committee are from the Department of Biological Chemistry, and the third is from another department. Awards are made annually during January. The administrator of the department functions as the administrator of the Center, and secretarial help is provided by the Department. 56 The Crown Human Genome Center

The Crown Human Genome Center

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

The center was inaugurated in 1998 in order to advance genome research at the Weizmann Institute. The center addresses the challenges posed by the worldwide enormous progress in DNA sequencing of numerous genomes. This now includes besides human more than 1800 genomes of model organisms from all kingdoms; bacteria, plants, animals, eukaryotes, fungi, archaea and more. Some of these, like human, mouse, fish, cattle and tomato genomes are topics of inter−center collaborative research at Weizmann.

The Crown Center, in close collaboration with the Department of Biological Services, helped provide Weizmann scientists with the following infrastructure activities:

1. Large scale DNA sequencing of genomic segments. 2. DNA microarray technologies, including an Affymetrix instrument with photolithography−generated oligonucleotide arrays, which analyses mRNAs expression patterns or genomic mutations in thousands of genes from different species. In this scope, the GeneNote project, supported by the Abraham and Judith Goldwasser fund elucidated basic patterns of gene expression in human tissues over the entire genomic gamut of ~40,000 genes. 3. Computational genomics, including know−how on the utilization of the complete, diversely annotated human genome sequence, as well as other completed genomes, in terms of genomic maps and gene repositories. This includes access to external databases and internal data structures such as GeneCards and its affiliated databases. Most recently the GeneALaCart and GeneDecks facilities are being developed to enlarge the scope of GeneCards and exploit its wealth of annotations by providing batch queries and sophisticated analysis tools on sets of genes (e.g. those that result from the output of high throughput experiments).

In the past, Gene discovery projects, performed in collaboration with medical establishments throughout Israel, have so far led to the discovery of 7 novel genes that underlie human inherited diseases. These include a gene for a mental retardation, mucolipidosis 4, a gene for muscular dystrophy (HIBM), the PVT gene, whose mutations cause childhood sudden death, the USH3A gene that underlies a debilitating blindess−deafness condition and the CDA1 gene that causes an unusual hereditary anemia. Later on, a gene for male sterility, CatSper2 has been discovered. The Crown Human Genome Center 57 The Sequenom MassArray system for discovering and scoring human genetic variations (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms − SNPs) is highly successful, and was upgraded in 2006 to allow high SNP multiplexes for very efficient genotyping of hundreds of individuals. This technology is becoming a central topic of genomic research, aimed at understanding variations among individuals within a species. A multiple sclerosis pharmacogenetics project was carried out in collaboration with Teva Pharmaceutical Industry and the Technion, based on this instrumentation. Nearly thirty other collaborative projects aimed at understanding how small genetic variations culminate in causing diseases, from cancer to schizophrenia, were carried out of which half a dozen are ongoing. With the discovery of CNVs (Copy Number Variation) last year a whole new vista of genetic variation with dramatic implications for disease studies has been revealed. In line with this discovery the Crown Center has initiated a study to identify CNVs in association with specific anosmia.

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

More recently Synlet − Synthetic Lethality project has been initiated. The purpose of the project is to simulate double mutations within the GARD model aiming to obtain insight on the synthetic lethality phenomena. This is one of many links with the new realm of Systems Biology, and the Genome Center is thus in close interaction with the newly inaugurated Center for Systems Biology at Weizmann, directed by Prof. Eytan Domany.

In the near future the Center in collaboration of the Biological services unit will introduce the next generation DNA sequencing technology − (e.g. Solexa). This new technology is based on molecular cloning and parallel sequencing of thousands of genomic fragments, thus producing about Mega base of sequences per each run. Over a dozen scientists of the WIS have already expressed intention to use this technology most of whom have submitted material for sequence analysis via a pilot study at Illumina organized by the Crown Center team. These studies represent the various applications available by this new technology including bacterial genome sequencing, Chromatin Immuno−Precipitation DNA sequencing, microRNA sequencing and gene expression analysis.

The Crown Human Genome Center activities receives current support from the Crown Family and the Israel ministry of Science and Technology (National Knowledge Center for 58 The Crown Human Genome Center Genomics) and past support from a Magneton project of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Abraham and Judy Goldwasser Fund, Israel Science Foundation Grant − Sub−Contract of Hadassah Medical Center and Philip Morris External Research Program, Sub−Contract of Hadassah Medical Center. http://bioinformatics.weizmann.ac.il/genome_center/ The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition 59

The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition

Gad Galili, Director The Bronfman Chair of Plant Science

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

During the past year, the Center supported novel approaches for the production of nutritionally improved plants, and reducing crop plants losses caused by biotic and environmental stresses. In addition, the Center has continued to provide support for the exchange of scientists and for the participation of young scientists in international conferences that deal with plant productivity and nutrition. 60 The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics

The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics

Yosef Shaul, Director The Oscar and Emma Getz Chair

Forchheimer Center acts to support directly and indirectly research on the molecular genetics. The Center supports activities to provide the state of the art facilities and tools at both levels of institution and individual groups.

During 2007, the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center supported enlarging scientific services on campus and in the Department of Molecular Genetics, among them the laboratory for the production of transgenic and gene “knock−out” mice. The Center’s support has also led to the establishment of advanced facilities for DNA analysis and protein identification by mass spectrometry. This equipment enables the Institute’s molecular geneticists to perform genetic studies in vertebrate model organisms and to conduct functional studies on isolated genes and proteins. In addition, funds were allocated for ongoing projects which are innovative and very stimulating.

During the past year, the Center provided valuable assistance to the following scientific undertakings:

The Center supported some aspects of the research done in the following groups all study different aspects of molecular basis of development, cell growth and cancer:

1. Dr. Elazar Zelzer, who studies the genetic and developmental mechanisms that regulate bone development. 2. The research of Prof. Chaim Kahana on the metabolism of polyamines and their relevance to cancer was supported by the Center. 3. The Center supported also Prof. Ari Elson studies on the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in regulating physiological processes, to uncover detailed molecular−level mechanisms in normal and cancer cells.

The Center also provided partial supports to students for attending scientific workshops and meetings, to share their results with the international scientific communities. Forchheimer Center has established in the campus a repository of plasmids and vectors of wide interest. The Center continues to keep this collection updated to assist our scientists to use the state of the art tools. An updated list of available plasmids is posted on the Web, so that our researchers, upon request, have easy access to the repository. The Kekst Family Center for Medical Genetics 61

The Kekst Family Center for Medical Genetics

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

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

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

The activities of the Center are coordinated by a steering committee, comprised of Yoram Groner (Department of Molecular Genetics), Benjamin Geiger (Department of Molecular Cell Biology) and Ben−Zion Shilo (Department of Molecular Genetics). 62 The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology

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

Gad Galili, Director The Bronfman Chair of Plant Science

The Charles and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology supports basic research addressing important global challenges, such has hanger, malnutrition and sickness. It supports studies that aim at improving the understanding of biological processes in plants and the application of these studies for improving crops. Plants accumulate a large number of special metabolites, which help them tolerating various stresses, such as high light intensity and pathogen attacks. These metabolites are also important parts of the nutritional quality of plants because of their antioxidant activities and other health properties. This year, The Charles and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology supports research activities associated with understanding of the regulation of plant development, productivity and metabolism as well as support services such as cell culture and plant growth infrastructure. The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research 63

The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research

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

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

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

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

The main areas of support include:

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

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

• Supporting scientists who have submitted or resubmitted large, ambitious research plans to significant external granting agencies, to cover their research expenses for the interim period between submission and acceptance.

• Life Science Colloquia in the field of cancer research, to which distinguished scientists are invited to present an Institute−wide lecture on their research, and to spend a few days on campus for meetings and discussion with faculty and students. 64 The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research http://www.weizmann.ac.il/moross−icr/ The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research 65

The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research

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

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

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

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

The activities of the Center are coordinated by a steering committee, including Yoram Groner (Department of Molecular Genetics), Ori Peles (Department of Molecular Cell Biology), Ari Elson (Department of Molecular Genetics) and David Wallach (Department of Biological Chemistry). 66 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research

The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research

Gad Galili, Director The Bronfman Chair of Plant Science

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics supports basic research in plant sciences that focuses on plant growth and productivity. Its resources are directed toward the support of Weizmann Institute plant scientists as well as their ongoing research, purchase of scientific equipment, and support services such as cell culture and plant growth infrastructure. Research funded by the Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research, addresses and problems of the hungry, the needy, and the sick, and focuses its efforts on promoting the welfare of humankind, through improving human nutrition, human health and the environment. The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research 67 68 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research Faculty of Biology

Dean: Benjamin Geiger The Professor Erwin Neter Professor of Cell and Tumor Biology

Michael Sela, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor The W. Garfield Weston Professor of Immunology 70 Faculty of Biology

Faculty of Biology

Dean: Benjamin Geiger The Professor Erwin Neter Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology

The Faculty of Biology is one of two faculties of Life Sciences at the Institute. Originally, the sister Faculty of Biochemistry concentrated on research at the molecular level, whereas the Faculty of Biology focused on the cell and organism level. Although this distinction has many exceptions, the four scientific Departments of the Faculty of Biology dedicate their efforts to understanding biological processes in their normal and pathological settings. The efforts of two of our scientific departments are almost entirely oriented at organs or tissues. These are the Department of Neurobiology and the Department of Immunology, which concentrate on the nervous system and all aspects of the body's defense mechanisms, respectively. The research groups of the Department of Molecular Cell Biology are linked by a common interest in function and structure at the cellular level. Our youngest department, Biological Regulation, was established at the end of 1995 as part of a reorganization in the Life Sciences. A large variety of regulatory processes, including the transduction of biological signals at the cellular level and at the organism level is addressed by the Department's scientists.

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

The Faculty considers as its major aim to foster biological studies both at the organism and at Faculty of Biology 71 the molecular level, by using state of the art technologies. Accordingly, we are constantly streamlining services that help research groups generate animal models, including gene−knockout and transgenic animals. In parallel, we seek to enhance our research activities that use sophisticated imaging methods, including digital light microscopy, functional MRI and EEG, to follow the function of cells, internal organs, tumors and the brain. In anticipation of changes in the directions of biomedical research in the 21st century, the Faculty is encouraging research in the field of biological physics and systems biology, bringing together researchers trained in physics and in the life sciences.

Our other major challenge is to attract and recruit outstanding young scientists. In an age of constantly growing complexity of unanswered biological questions and ever increasing competition for discoveries, we consider it our shared responsibility to provide optimal conditions for the creativity of our promising junior faculty members.

Our only service Department, the facility for Preclinical Research, has recently undergone dramatic changes that bring the Weizmann Institute into the cutting edge of modern biological research. Both the new and the extensively renovated facilities host our laboratory animals under improved disease−free conditions and allow more efficient research of mammals. Of particular importance is the Facility for Genetically Modified Animals. This state of the art facility is providing Weizmann Institute researchers with a powerful timely tool for developing animal models of human diseases. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dbio.shtml 72 Biological Regulation

Biological Regulation

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

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

Nava Dekel: Studies in our laboratory are directed at identification and characterization of molecular events that regulate reproduction and early development. Of major interest is the control of the meiotic status of the mammalian oocyte. Attempts to disclose this issue include investigation of the gating mechanism of the gap junctions that mediate the communication of the inhibitory cAMP from the somatic cells of the ovarian follicle to the oocyte and the response of the ovarian gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) to gonadotropins. Search for complementary mechanisms that ensure the efficiency of a timely alteration between meiotic arrest and resumption of meiosis include cloning and characterization of an oocyte−specific PKA anchoring protein (AKAP) responsible for sequestration of this enzyme and its possible colocalization with the oocyte phosphodiesterase, PDE3A.

Potential downstream regulators that are subjected to the PKA−mediated cAMP action are examined and their hierarchy is explored. Specific interest is directed at the role of the anaphase−promoting complex (APC) in degradation of such proteins, in particular, those that participate in regulation of chromosome segregation. A list of ovarian and endometrial genes, the expression of which is upregulated in association with ovulation and implantation, respectively have been recently generated by suppression subtructive hybridization (SSH) and microarray analysis. Further attempts to characterize and identify the specific function of a selected group of these genes are presently performed. Our studies on implantation and early embryonal development are also directed at exploration of signals that control the extensive Biological Regulation 73 angiogenic response of the uterus to the implantic embryo and its possible association with Cx43 expression.

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

Lilach Gilboa: Our lab is focused on how the development and function of different cell types are coordinated to produce a functioning organ. As a model, we study the development of the ovary in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The ovary contains many somatic cell types, as well as germ line stem cells and their differentiating daughter cells, which form eggs.

One major project in the lab is to understand how somatic cells determines the number of primordial germ cells (PGC), the precursor cells for germ line stem cells. We have found that a special group of somatic cells repress PGC proliferation. Our preliminary results suggest that other somatic cells might produce a growth factor for PGCs. The rate of PGC division might therefore be determined by the relative effects of two somatic cell populations on PGCs.

A second major project in the lab concerns that differentiation of the somatic niches and how niche formation affects the establishment of adult germ line stem cells (GSCs) from their precursor cells, the PGCs. We have carried out a genetic screen to find new genes that affect niche formation and germ line stem cell maintenance. Our screen yielded known molecules that function in stem cell maintenance or differentiation, as well as novel regulators of both GSCs and the niche. In the next few years we will be studying these genes in the hope of getting a fuller picture of the complex relations between the stem cell and the niech.

Atan Gross: Our lab is primarily focused on studying regulatory mechanisms controlling the balance between cell life and death. In the first line of research, we are exploring the activities of the pro−apoptotic BID protein at the mitochondria by studying its interaction with a novel and uncharacterized protein named mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (Mtch2). We have 74 Biological Regulation recently revealed that Mtch2 is an important component of the BID−death pathway, and our future goals are to determine its exact function at the mitochondria and the importance of its function in−vivo using an Mtch2 conditional knockout mouse. In a second line of research, we are exploring the activities of BID in the response of cells to DNA damage. We have recently revealed that DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of BID by the ataxia−telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, and that this phosphorylation is important for cell cycle arrest at the S phase and for inhibition of apoptosis. Our future goals are to determine the mechanistic details of BID's activities in the DNA damage pathway, and to define the importance of these activities in−vivo using a BID knock−in mouse, in which the endogenous BID gene has been replaced with a gene that drives the expression of a non−phosphorylatable BID protein. In a third line of research, we are studying the role of the caspase proteases in the rat ovary during atresia (apoptosis) and ovulation. We have recently revealed that gonadotropins induce caspase activation in ovarian follicles and that this activation is coupled to steroid production via cytochrome P450scc at the mitochondria. Our future directions are to further explore the caspase−steroid linkage, and to determine its role and importance for atresia/ovulation in−vivo.

Moti Liscovitch: We are studying the molecular cell biology of caveolin−1 in human breast, colon and lung cancer cells. Specifically, we explore the role of caveolin−1 in mediating survival signaling of cancer cells that are denied matrix attachment or are exposed to genotoxic stress. In addition, we study the role of caveolin−1 and other constituents of lipid rafts in drug export, drug response and trafficking of multidrug transporters. Another topic of our research is the induction of caveolin−1/2 expression by PPAR−g ligands and its relation to PPAR−g−induced cell differentiation in colon cancer cells. In parallel studies we are trying to elucidate the functions of phospholipase D isozymes in yeast and mammalian cells by employing gene knockdown approaches and to identify molecular targets of phosphatidic acid, the lipid messenger product of phospholipase D. Finally, we are developing the novel Ligand Interaction Scan method for engineering ligand−regulatable recombinant proteins that would be useful in drug target validation and generation of ligand−sensitive transgenic organisms.

Ami Navon: In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, most proteins are degraded in an ATP−dependent manner. In eukaryotes ATP−dependent degradation is executed by the 26S proteasome, which hydrolyzes ubiquitin−conjugated and certain non−ubiquitinated polypeptides. Its primary function is the turnover of damaged or misfolded proteins. In addition, the proteasome affects the cell cycle and other processes through the degradation of regulatory components and transcription factors. The proteasome is important for immune system as well through processing of NFkB, a key factor in the inflammatory response, and in generating peptides used for MHC class I presentation. Furthermore, the proteasome plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson and ALS, presumably through its failure to degrade specific proteins, which form deleterious aggregates. Currently, our lab is investigating three aspects related to proteasomal degradation. The major effort of the lab is invested in understanding the molecular mechanism underlining the function of the proteasome regulatory ATPase complex, which is responsible for substrate recognition, unfolding and translocation into the 20S proteasome. In Biological Regulation 75 addition, we also study the significance of the N−linked−glycans removing enzyme PNGase, for the proteasome associated MHC class I antigen presentation. Recently, we became interested in the mechanistic reasons for the failure of the 26S proteasome to degrade certain substrates under specific physiological conditions. This may result in the accumulation of aggregated proteins and lead to degenerative diseases such as Parkinson and ALS. To address these scientific aims, we use an integrative approach of biochemistry, structural biology and cell biology.

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

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

Rony Seger: The characterization of the intracellular transmission of extracellular signals by seven distinct signaling pathways: four MAP Kinase cascades (ERK, JNK, p38 and BMK) two PI3K dependent cascades (AKT and S6K) and the PKA cascade. These studies included (i) identification of novel components, (ii) cross−talk between the distinct cascade, (iii) intracellular localization of components of the cascades, and are aimed to elucidate how the signaling network formed by these signaling cascade regulate gene expression, proliferation, and differentiation.

Alex Tsafriri: Ovulation in mammals is a preferable target for contraception and fertility regulation. We investigate two of the ovulatory processes: (i) Oocyte maturation, including the differential regulation and expression of phosphodiesterases in the germ cells and somatic compartments in the ovary; and the role of meiosis activating sterols (MAS). (ii) Follicular rupture at ovulation and the involvement of proteolytic cascades (plasmin activating system, and collagenases), eicosanoids and other paracrine regulators. In collaboration with Michal Neeman we examine the role of revascularization in uptake of transplanted ovarian fragments 76 Biological Regulation to allow restoration of fertility after chemo/radiotherapy.

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

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

Yosef Yarden: Growth factors enable clonal expansion and fixation of genetic aberrations by ensuring unlimited proliferation of transformed cells (tumor growth), attraction of blood vessels (angiogenesis) and colonization of new sites (metastasis). One of the best examples is provided by a group of polypeptides sharing an epidermal growth factor (EGF) motif. EGF−like peptides stimulate cells by binding to plasma membrane receptors of the EGFR/ErbB family, whose intracellular portions harbor enzymatic activity, a protein kinase with specificity to tyrosine residues. Several mechanisms elevate the tyrosine kinase activity of EGFR, thereby leading to malignant growth. They include a recently discovered cluster of mutations within the kinase domain of EGFR (in lung cancer), large deletions of extracellular Biological Regulation 77 and intracellular portions of the receptor (in glioblastomas and in various carcinomas), overexpression of EGFR (e.g., in head and neck cancer) and abnormally high levels of specific EGF−like peptides (e.g., in gastrointestinal cancer). The dependence of the respective tumors on EGFR signaling makes them vulnerable to a series of novel drugs that block signal transduction (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal anti−EGFR antibodies).

Once activated by growth factors, receptor tyrosine kinases simultaneously launch both positive signals, which lead to cell stimulation, and negative signals, which regulate the amplitude and duration of these positive signals. A delicate balance between positive and negative signals is critical for normal cellular homeostasis, and its disturbance is often implicated in disease development. Rapid internalization of ligand−receptor complexes usually terminates signaling by targeting receptors to intracellular degradation. The process is initiated at the cell surface by the recruitment of several adaptor proteins linking ErbB receptors to clathrin−coated regions of the plasma membrane. Endocytosis is accelerated by three E3 ubiquitin ligases called c−Cbl, AIP4 and Tal, and culminates in the degradation of active receptors in lysosomes. Two sorting events control receptor's fate: the first takes place at the entry into the clathrin−coated pit, and the other occurs when vesicles pinch into the lumen of a pre−lysosomal compartment called the multi−vesicular body. This late endosomal sorting is controlled by a complex of an E2−like molecule, the Tumor Suppressor Gene 101 (Tsg101) and an E3 ubiquitin ligase we named Tal. More recently, our interest in negatively−acting pathways led us to the investigation of the genetic program activated upon stimulation of EGFR/ErbB−1 and other receptor tyrosine kinases. Apart from the early−induced group of genes, we identified a large group of late−induced genes, which carry primarily regulatory roles. The group contains several transcriptional repressors, protein phosphatases, as well as an enzyme that cleaves certain messenger RNAs. Along with characterization of the integrative mechanism of signal desensitization, we concentrate on several late−induced genes, which seem to play important roles in the regulation of cell migration and invasiveness downstream to growth factor−activated MAPK pathways. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biological_Regulation/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Hadassa Degani, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook, United States The Fred and Andrea Fallek Professor of Breast Cancer Research Nava Dekel, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel The Philip M. Klutznick Professor of Developmental Biology Mordechai Liscovitch, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold L. Korda Professor of Biology Michal Neeman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Professor Yoram Salomon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Professor of Hormone Research 78 Biological Regulation Rony Seger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Yale S. Lewine and Ella Miller Lewine Professor for Cancer Research Yosef Yarden, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology

Professor Emeritus

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

Associate Professor

Atan Gross, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Armour Family Career Development Chair of Cancer Research (until November 2007)

Senior Scientists

Lilach Gilboa, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Ami Navon, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Incumbent of the Recanati Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Eldad Tzahor, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Gertrude and Philip Nollman Career Development Chair

Associate Staff Scientist

Batya Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Catherine Brami, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Hagit Niv, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel (left July 2007) Dalia Seger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (until January 2007)

Consultants

Joseph Friedman Irit Granot, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Ariel Hourvitz, Sheaba Medical Center, Tel−Hashomer, Israel Fortune Kohen Eran Neumark, Steba Labs, Rehovot, Israel

Intern

Nir Rubins, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Biological Regulation 79 Visiting Scientists

Tsipora Goldkorn, University of California at Davis, U.S.A. Monty Krieger, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., U.S.A. Judith Rozenman−Gurovi, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel Michael Sagads Shimon Weiss, UCLA, CA, U.S.A. Michael Zagadsky, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel Roman Zinovkin, Moscow State University, Russia

Postdoctoral Fellows

Ido Amit, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Fabio Antonioli, M.D., University of Bologna Idan Ashur, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tsipi Ben−Kasus, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University, Israel Shlomit Boguslavsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Erez Bublil, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Pradeep Chaluvally Raghavan, Ph.D., Amala Cancer Research Centre, Kerala, India Dana Chuderland, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maya Dadiani, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galit Eliyahu, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gilad Gibor, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Yulia Gnainsky, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Dorit Granot, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Menachem Katz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Wolfgang Koestler, Medical University of Vienna (MD degree) Alexander Konson, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University, Israel Moshit Lindzen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nathalie Machluf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galit Mazooz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yaron Mosesson, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eran Neumark, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Yehudit Posen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sunila Pradeep, Ph.D., Amala Cancer Research Centre, Kerala Chanan Rubin, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maria Shatz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yoav Shaul, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Esther Julia Witsch, Ph.D., Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin Natalie Yivgi−Ohana, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Research Students

Ido Amit Roi Avraham Avital Beer Ido Ben−Ami 80 Biological Regulation Sarit Bendetz−Nezer Dikla Berko Dana Chuderland Hadas Cohen Maya Dadiani Chetrit Yael David (Ben−basat) Iris Edry Judith Elbaz Galit Eliyahu Oran Erster Erez Eyal Yoav Gal Eran Gershon Itai Glinert Yaron Hassid Gideon Hen Iris Kamer Edith Kario Minjun Li Gila Lustig Noa Madar−Balakirski Michal Milgrom−Hoffman Yaron Mosesson Shmulik Motola Elisha Nathan Galia Oberkovitz Adi Pais Fresia Gilda Pareja Zea Gur Pines Vicki Plaks Dina Preise Gregory Jacques Ramniceanu Yitzhak Reizel Ariel Rinon Chanan Rubin Stav Sapoznik Liat Shachnai Maria Shatz Helena Sheikhet−Migalovich Ketty Shkolnik Eddy Solomon Gabi Tarcic Lilach Tencer Herschkovitz Libbat Tirosh Yael Chagit Tzuman Katrien Vandoorne Keren Yacobi Keren Ziv Yaara Zwang

Administrator

Rachel Benjamin Immunology 81

Immunology

Yair Reisner, Head The Henry H. Drake Professor of Immunology

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

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

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

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

R. Arnon studies focus on antigenicity and vaccine development: Epitope−based synthetic vaccines; as well as autoimmune diseases: Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, mechanisms of its suppression by basic copolymers of amino acids and relevance to multiple sclerosis (collaboration with M. Sela, R. Aharoni); Neurogenesis induced by copolymer I (with R. Aharoni); Exploitation of Copolymer I for additional application including inflammatory bowel diseases; Use of Cop1 in the prevention of transplant rejection (collaboration with M. Sela and R. Aharoni). In addition, she studies antigen−specific T−cells efficacy in cancer. 82 Immunology A. Ben−Nun demonstrated new primary target antigens (MOG, MOBP and OSP) in multiple sclerosis and their implications for pathogenic processes and immune−specific therapy; He studies multi−epitope/multi−antigen−directed, altered peptides−mediated, immune−specific therapy of ‘complex EAE’ associated with multiple pathogenic autoreactivities. The mechanisms of T cell modulation; T cell receptor and ligand interaction in autoimmune disease; Non−superantigenic bacterial toxins, T cell subsets and autoimmune diseases; Effect of encephalitogenic myelin−specific T cells and demyelinating antibodies on nerve conduction in the central nervous system in vitro and mechanisms of myelin/neuronal repair by adult stem cells.

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

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

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

Z. Eshhar pursues the Immuno−gene therapy of tumors by redirecting effector lymphocytes using chimeric receptors and focusing on human prostate and breast carcinoma models. The process of homing of the genetically engineered lymphocytes, their fate, as well as the optimal gene transfer procedure are studied and optimized. In parallel, the diversity of prostate cancer as reflected by its antigenicity, sensitivity to different therapeutic modalities Immunology 83 as well as aggressiveness is studied (in collaboration with Prof. E. Domany and Prof. A. Orr−Urtreger, Sourasky Medical Center).

S. Fuchs studies immunoregulation of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and the relation between myasthenia gravis and acetylcholine receptor (AChR); Structure, function and signal transduction of dopamine receptors and their presence in peripheral tissues in health and disease.

S. Jung investigates the in vivo origin and functional organization of the mononuclear phagocyte (MP) system, a body wide network of myeloid cells including macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as organ specific cell types such as bone osteoclasts and brain microglia. To study the differential functions of MP subsets in homeostasis and under pathogen challenge his research team uses the combined application of adoptive precursor cell transfers and conditional in vivo cell ablation in the intact organism. A particular focus is given to the host/pathogen interface at mucosal surfaces such as the respiratory and digestive tract.

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

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

E. Mozes studies, on the cellular−functional and on the molecular levels, the mechanisms underlying the down regulation of a) myasthenia gravis (MG) by an altered peptide ligand based on two myasthenogenic T cell epitopes of the human acetylcholine receptor and b) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by a peptide based on the CDR of a pathogenic anti−DNA autoantibody. The role of regulatory T cells, cytokines and chemokines, costimulatory molecules, various pathways of apoptosis and of molecules involved in signal transduction is investigated.

I. Pecht investigates the process of recognition performed by immunoreceptors and the mechanism of their signalling. Specifically how the coupling between these receptors' stimuli and cellular responses is initiated and controlled. The model employed for the latter process is that of mast cell response by secretion of inflammatory mediators and its Fcµ receptor 84 Immunology coupled cascade. T−cell antigen recognition is the main system where the immunological recognition processes are studied. In addition, the rather different problem of internal electron transfer in proteins is investigated.

Y. Reisner investigates a new approach for tolerance induction, using megadose stem−cell transplants to overcome MHC barriers in sublethally irradiated recipients; the mechanism(s) of tolerance induction by different veto cells is investigated; also human/mouse chimera are used to study the potential use of early embryonic kidney, pancreas and liver as a new source of transplantation.

I. Schechter investigates the regulation of stage specific genes during the life cycle of schistosome (the parasite causing bilharzia) by alternative splicing, a mechanism that generates structural diversity causing changes in gene function at different developmental stages, as well as the function of stage−specific proteins.

M. Sela collaborates with E. Mozes on mechanism of action of peptides inhibiting experimental myasthenia gravis, with R. Arnon on mechanism of action of Copolymer 1, a drug against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis, and on its use in prevention of transplant rejection and with Y. Yarden on monoclonal antibodies to ErbB2 and their respective B cell epitopes, their roles in potential anti−tumor strategy.

I. Shachar studies homing, maturation and function of immature B cells. In order to fully mature and to participate in the humoral response, immature B cells first migrate into specific areas in the spleen, where they mature, while their arrival to other compartments is restricted. Her research is focused on the mechanisms controlling homing of immature B cells to the spleen and the differentiation to mature B cells in this compartment. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/immunology/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ruth Arnon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Paul Ehrlich Professor of Immunology Avi Ben−Nun, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Professor Gideon Berke, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Isaac and Elsa Bourla Professor of Cancer Research Zelig Eshhar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Marshall and Renette Ezralow Professor of Chemical and Cellular Immunology Tsvee Lapidot, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Edith Arnoff Stein Professor in Stem Cell Research Yair Reisner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Immunology 85 The Henry H. Drake Professor of Immunology Michael Sela, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor The W. Garfield Weston Professor of Immunology

Professors Emeriti

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

Associate Professors

Ronen Alon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Linda Jacobs Professor in Immune and Stem Cell Research Lea Eisenbach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Georg F. Duckwitz Professor of Cancer Research Idit Shachar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel The Dr. Morton and Anne Kleiman Professor

Senior Scientists

Nir Friedman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Steffen Jung, Ph.D., Universitaet zu Koeln, Germany Incumbent of the Pauline Recanati Career Development Chair of Immunology Guy Shakhar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Senior Staff Scientist

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Tali Feferman, Ph.D., Macquarie University Sydney, Sydney, Australia Sara Feigelson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alexander Kalinkovich, Ph.D., Pirogov Moscow Medical Institute (PMMI), Russian Federation Orit Kollet, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Esther Lustig, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Elias Shezen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 86 Immunology Assistant Staff Scientists

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

Junior Staff Scientists

Revital Aricha, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Ayelet Dar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left May 2007)

Engineer

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

Consultants

Herzel Ben−Hur, Assaf Harofeh Hospital, Tzrifin, Israel Alain Berrebi, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot Sonia Berrih−Aknin, INSERM, Paris, France Benjamin Dekel, Sheba Medical Center, Tel−Hashomer, Israel Anat Elmann, Volcani Center, Beit Dagan, Israel (retired June 2007) Smadar Even Tov Friedman (left July 2007) Enrique Freud, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach−Tikva, Israel Amiela Globerson Hana Golan, Sheba Medical Center, Tel−Hashomer, Israel Valentin Grabovsky, Biokine Therapatics Ltd., Israel Felix Mor, Rabin Medical Center, Belinson Campus, Betach−Tikva, Israel Alpha Peled (left June 2007) Bilha Schechter Shoham Shivtiel Ard Alexander Shtabsky, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel−Aviv, Israel Asaf Spiegel Dvora Teitelbaum Ilan Volovitz

Interns

Michal Cohen Sfady, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Avia Herschkovitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left September 2007) Alexandra Zanin−Zhorov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left August 2007) Immunology 87 Visiting Scientists

Sonia Berrih−Aknin, Marie Lannelongue Hosp., Le Plessis Robinson, France Ole Farver, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen, Denmark Ittai Fattal, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel David Hagin, Ichilov Medical Ctr., Tel Aviv, Israel Eystein S. Husebye, University of Bergen, Norway David Issachar, Soreq Nuclear Center, Yavne, Israel Nicole Kerlero De Rosb, University of Auckland, New Zealand Riva Kovjazin, VAXIL Bio Therapeutics, Tel Aviv, Israel Keren Mahlab−Guri, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Viviane Ostrovsky, Kupat Holim Clalit, Israel Miriam Souroujon, Open University, Raanana, Israel Zev Sthoeger, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Orna Weller, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Scot Wherland, Washington State University , Seattle, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Lilach Agemy, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dorit Avrahami, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Hava Ben−David, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eike Christian Buss, M.D., Dept. of Internal Medicine V, Univ. of Heidelberg Sarit Freimann, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Smadar Gertel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gili Hart, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tanja Nicole Hartmann, University of Freiburg Itai Kela, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Guy Lapidot Tal, M.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Vered Lev−Goldman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Victoria Malina, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Renuka Menon, Ph.D., Cochin University of Science and Technology Reshmi Parameswaran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Chava Rozen, M.D., Tbilisi Medical University, Georgia Uri Sela, Ph.D.,M.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Charlotte Servais, Ph.D., Université Libre de Bruxelles Amir Sharabi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shoham Shivtiel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Asaf Spiegel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dalit Strauss−Ayali, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Melania Tesio, Ph.D., Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC) Alexandra Samira Vallon, UCBL1−ENS Lyon Eilon Woolf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 88 Immunology Research Students

Lilach Agemy Anna Aronovich Emilia Alina Barbu Hava Ben David Turgeman Inbal Binsky Tal Birnberg Dan Blat Jonathan Boxman Noam Cohen Michal Cohen− Sfady Vered Daniel Carmi Yaki Edelshtein Eran Elinav Anat Globerson Ofir Goldberger Yael Gore Liat Greenshtein Ira Gurevich Gili Hart Gil Hecht Helena Katchman Nathali Kaushansky Itai Kela Ki−Wook Kim Limor Landsman Kfir Lapid Assaf Lask Aya Ludin Neta Madar− Kella Efrat Makovitzki (Avraham) Amit Maliar Eugenia Manevich Yoav Manster Assaf Marcus Avihai Meiraz Oren Milstein Nathalie Moyal−Amsellem Ronit Pasvolsky Anita Sapoznikov Amir Schajnovitz Amir Sharabi Shoham Shivtiel Ziv Shulman Ilya Sotnikov Orna Tal Dalit Tchorsh Yaron Vagima Hen Varol Nir Waysbort Maya Yaskovich Gordin Lior Zangi Einat Zelman

Administrator

Pnina Carmi Molecular Cell Biology 89

Molecular Cell Biology

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

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

♦ growth regulation ♦ determination of cell fate and differentiation ♦ cell adhesion and movement ♦ intracellular trafficking • These studies include investigations into the mode of action of growth factors, and the nature of signals triggered by them in target cells. Cell growth regulation is also examined through explorations of tumor suppressor genes, such as p53, which inhibit cell proliferation and can drive cells toward differentiation or apoptosis, as well as through the characterization of growth−activating genes and signaling networks. • Our researchers also address the understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancerous transformation, either due to deregulated growth or to failure to undergo apoptosis. Advanced gene screening techniques and genetically modified experimental models are used to identify and characterize specific genes that are involved in normal and malignant growth. There is broad interest in the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion and motility, and their involvement in the regulation of cellular and embryonic morphogenesis, neuronal development, and in the spread of tumor metastases. Of special interest are proteins such as §−catenin, which plays a critical role in reinforcing cell−cell adhesions, as well as triggering gene expression. These studies include characterizing the mechanisms underlying adhesive interactions, the role of sugars in adhesive processes. Furthermore we investigate the identification of recognition molecules which mediate cell−cell interactions during nervous system development. Understanding of the process by which surface−associated adhesion molecules enable the cell to bind to the cytoskeleton, and the involvement of such adhesions in cell motility and signaling is thoroughly investigated. • Other interesting issues studied in our Department are concerned with developmental biology, and differentiation, processes are dealt with by using cutting edge technologies. This includes also the molecular genetics and evolution of genes involved in human diseases and myogenesis as a model system for investigating possible therapeutic potentials. • To understand the behavior of cells, it is important to add to the molecular level of 90 Molecular Cell Biology description an understanding on the level of systems biology. For this purpose, study of model organisms such as E. coli are useful for defining the design principles of biological circuits. Combined experimental and theoretical approaches allow one to define basic network motifs and their functions, as well as studying the role of evolution in shaping regulatory circuits in the cell. • Since these cellular processes involve groups of interacting factors, we are also interested in mathematical modeling and computational analysis of biochemical and gene circuitry in normal cells and their deregulation in cancer.

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

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

Avri Ben−Ze’ev studies the genes and cellular mechanisms involved in cancer. In focusing on §−catenin, a gene that is abnormally activated in colorectal and many other types of cancer, he has clarified the consequences of §−catenin hyperactivation in cancerous cells, and identified some of the signals unleashed by this gene in instances of malignancy. Homepage

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

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

Benjamin Geiger focuses mainly on the mechanisms responsible for communication between cells, both normal and cancerous. He is attempting to identify and trace the specific Molecular Cell Biology 91 molecular involved in intercellular recognition and communication, and to investigate the molecules and signaling processes which mediate such interactions. Homepage

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

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

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

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

Moshe Oren is studying the regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor and its relevance to cancer. Specific interests include the analysis of signal transduction pathways that modulate p53 activity in response to various stress signals, exploration of the molecular basis for the ability of p53 to elicit different cell fate changes in response to different triggers, the role of p53 in the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment, and (in 92 Molecular Cell Biology

collaboration with V. Rotter) the analysis of gain of function activities of cancer−associated p53 mutants. In addition, the group is studying the regulation and function of the Mdm2 oncoprotein, a major component of the p53 network. Homepage

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

Varda Rotter focuses on the p53 gene, which as a wild type protein plays a pivotal role in protecting cells from becoming cancerous, but when mutated or inactivated causes the accumulation of genetic instabilities, which in turn induces malignant transformation of cells. On the question of mutant p53 gain of function, which is central in her research, she is collaborating with Moshe Oren and Eytan Domany. As it is well accepted that malignant transformation is a stepwise process involving various defined gene signatures it is the challenge of her studies to discover which of these gene networks involve the p53 protein. Homepage

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

Gad Yagil continues to characterize special DNA motifs of eukaryotic gene promoters. A prevalence of these motifs in gene terminators is being found, with implications on a DNA unwinding function in gene transcription. In another direction, biocomplexity analysis was further developed and applied to genomic DNA. Homepage

Uri Nudel and David Yaffe are investigating the structure, evolution and function of products of the dystrophin gene, which is defective in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Gene inactivation techniques were used to study the function of Dp71, the major non−muscle product of the DMD gene, and its possible involvement in development and in learning capacity. Cloning and analysis of the homologous genes from sea urchin and drosophila have important implications with regard to the evolution of the DMD gene family and function of the DMD gene products. These studies showed a very impressive conservation during evolution of the structure of the DMD gene and its multiple products. Functional studies indicated a number of abnormalities associated with mutants of the Molecular Cell Biology 93 drosphila orthologue of the DMD gene, including defects in learning capacity. It is interesting to note that in humans, DMD is also often associated with cognitive impairments. Dr. Rachel Sarig, of the same group is also investigating the topic of adult stem cells and their potential application for cell therapy. Recent studies have indicated the prevalence and importance of adult stem cells in development, maintenance and regeneration of various tissues. Muscle progenitor cells are of special interest as an excellent, easy accessible cell type, with well−characterized markers and transcription factors associated with its various differentiation stages, thus offering a convenient model system. The team has isolated, from mouse skeletal muscle a population of slow adherent myogenic cells that can proliferate for extended periods, as suspended clusters of cells (myospheres). Myosphere cells express myogenic markers, and differentiate to muscle fibers both in vitro and in vivo. Cloned populations of these cells and of human myogenic cells are being examined for their plasticity and ability to transdifferentiate into other cell lineages. Preliminary results suggest that these cells can be reprogrammed into neuronal cells.

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

Dov Zipori focuses on the nature of the mesenchyme, primarily on the tendency of this tissue to generate cells in the stem state. Research in this laboratory is divided into three categories. The first is concerned with the molecular basis of stemness. The research team discovered that mesenchymal cells have promiscuous gene expression pattern in that they express genes of various lineage (e.g. T cell receptor components). The functional significance of this unexpected gene expression is a major subject for investigation in the laboratory. The second category relates to the regulation of stem cell self−renewal and differentiation. Previous studies of this research team suggested that the maintenance of the stem state is imposed by differentiation restraining molecules such as transforming growth factor ? superfamily members. The group recently showed that Toll−like receptor ligands convey signals that block mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation. The generality of this phenomenon and its mechanism are now being studied. The third category relates to the practical use of MSC. These cells are used as a therapeutic modality in animal models for human diseases including osteoarthritis and multiple myeloma. Homepage http://www.weizmann.ac.il/mcb/ 94 Molecular Cell Biology Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Avri Ben−Ze'ev, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Samuel Lunenfeld−Reuben Kunin Professor of Genetics Alexander D. Bershadsky, Ph.D., Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation The Joseph Moss Professor of Biomedical Research Eli Canaani, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Harry Kay Professor of Cancer Research Benjamin Geiger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Professor Erwin Neter Professor of Cell and Tumor Biology Zvi Kam, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Israel Pollak Professor of Biophysics Moshe Oren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Varda Rotter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Norman and Helen Asher Professor of Cancer Research Yehiel Zick, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Marte R. Gomez Professor of Photosynthesis

Professors Emeriti

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

Associate Professors

Uri Alon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Minerva Junior Research Group On Biological Computation Sima Lev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joyce and Ben B. Eisenberg Professor of Molecular Endocrinology and Cancer Research Elior Peles, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dov Zipori, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joe and Celia Weinstein Professor

Senior Scientist

Gil Levkowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Tauro Career Development Chair in Biomedical Research Molecular Cell Biology 95 Associate Staff Scientists

Janna Blechman, Ph.D., Moscow University, Moscow, Russian Federation Tatiana A. Rozovskaia, Ph.D., Institute of Molecular Biology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Konstantin Adamsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Anat Bren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Erez Dekel, Ph.D., Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Dan Michael, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Natalie Perzov, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Rachel Sarig, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Yael Aylon, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Rehovot, Israel Sigalit Boura−Halfon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Irina Lavelin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Avi Mayo, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yael Paran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Nina Raver Shapira, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Sabina Winograd−Katz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Consultants

Irina Issaeva (left December 2007) Helit Nabel−Rosen Uri Nudel Igor Shats

Intern

Nancy Gavert, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Arie Ben Yehuda, Hadassah Hebrew University Med. Ctr., Jerusalem, Israel Letizia Carramusa, Max Planck Inst., Stuttgart, Germany Janine Eckardt, Tech. University of Munich, Germany Malie Kedem, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel Yifat Levy, Ben Gurion University of The Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel Monica Lopez Garcia, Tech. University of Munich, Germany Jay Rosenheim, University of California at Davis, U.S.A. 96 Molecular Cell Biology Shmuel Rozenblatt, Tel−Aviv University, Israel Mordechai Segal David Sidransky, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, U.S.A. Gerard Wagemaker, Erasmus University , Rotterdam, Nederland

Postdoctoral Fellows

Sigal Alexander, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liat Amir−Zilberstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sharon Avkin−Nachum, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Cellina Cohen−Saidon, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Mark Eisenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liat Flaishon, Ph.D.,M.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nancy Gavert, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Irina Issaeva, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tomer Kalisky, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Michal Kandel−Kfir, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Elena Kartvelishvily, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Masha Khoutorsky, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Bose Skaria Kochupurakkal, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vladimir Kotala, Ph.D., Palacky University in Olomouc Ayelet Laronne, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Julieta Leyt Kachanovsky, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Chen Luxenburg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Revital Maor−Aloni, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University, Israel Satish Mishra, Ph.D., University of Lucknow, Lucknow Vered Morad, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Helit Nabel−Rosen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Paula Ofek, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Kira Orlovsky, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Nicole Paland, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology Gopal Pandi, Ph.D., Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) Diego Adolfo Peretti, Ph.D., National University of Cordoba, Argentina Tatyana Ponomariyov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ziv Porat, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Hila Rubin, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Liora Shahar−Shamgar, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Igor Shats, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ayelet Shmueli, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Einat Sitbon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ivo Spiegel, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Perry Stambolsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Xiaohu Tang, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sabina Winograd, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Alon Zaslaver, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Molecular Cell Biology 97 Research Students

Suha Abu−Amara−Naffar Vered Bar Avital Beck Amir Ben−Shmuel Niva Blum Shlomit Boguslavsky Nataliya Borodovsky Ran Brosh Yossi Buganim Alina Cholostoy Ariel Cohen Emiliano Cohen Nili Dahan Eran Eden Yael Eshed Konstantin Feinberg Nancy Gavert Naama Geva−Zatorsky Neev Golan Diana Gurevitch Yuval Hart Gil Hornung Ido Horresh Shalev Itzkovitz Eyal Kalo Nadav Kashtan Ira Kogan Ayelet Laronne Orly Laufman Efrat Lidor Chen Luxenburg Yossy Machluf Neri Minsky Neta Moskovitz Liat Nadav−Dagan Nurit Novak Yaara Ofir Yifat Peretz Meirav Pevsner−Fischer Shani Raveh Reut Shalgi Igor Shats Guy Shinar Ayelet Shmueli Ofer Shoshani Timor Shuster Ivo Spiegel Perry Stambolsky Yuval Tabach Yaron Vinik Yuliya Zilberman

Administrator

Pnina Carmi 98 Neurobiology

Neurobiology

Yadin Dudai, Head The Sara and Michael Sela Chair of Neurobiology

Research in Neuroscience in the Department of Neurobiology encompasses a wide variety of subjects, in areas including cellular and molecular biology, neuroanatomy, brain imaging (including functional magnetic resonance imaging; fMRI), physiology, pharmacology, psychophysics, and computational sciences. Nearly 20 groups of researchers carry out both independent studies and collaborative research with colleagues from within the Department and outside it.

The research of the various groups of the Department covers many topics, including:

• Analysis of the molecular and cellular basis of neuronal cell activity and synaptic function. • Imaging of neuronal activity underlying higher brain functions. • Tracing and characterization of neuronal communication profiles. • Characterization of the nervous system response to trauma and lesion; developing molecular and cellular therapeutic agents. • Determination of the underlying processes and mechanisms of vision, perception, learning, and memory in behaving rodents and primates. • Computer modeling of brain function.

In the Neurobiology Department, the structure, function, development, and plasticity of the nervous system are studied at various levels of analysis, using different types of cell and experimental animal models. The groups studying neuronal function at the molecular and cellular levels use mostly in vitro systems, ranging from non−neuronal and neuronal cell lines to primary neuronal and glial cells of cerebellar, hippocampal, and cortical origin. In many cases, the cells studied are transfected with genes of interest. These cell systems allow the study of the roles of various components of the nervous system, including cell surface membrane components, specific enzymes, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, growth factors, neuroreceptors, lipid components, ionic channels, and cytoskeletal constituents. Algorithms for synaptic plasticity between neurons, and the role of ion channels in synaptic input and information processing, are also being studied. Injury models of nerve lesion and oxidative stress paradigms are applied to examine the principles of neural regeneration, rescue from ischemia and stroke, and apoptotic cell death and senescence. Neurobiology 99 The groups studying the CNS at the system level are striving to understand the complex neuronal mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and sensory processing (vision, taste, smell), and to determine the relationship between brain and mind. Using track−tracing methods, the rules governing the interconnections in the visual cortex are being unraveled. Behavioral studies focus on principles of learning and consolidation, cortical information processing, learning disabilities, and addiction. Functional brain imaging of the human visual cortex is being studied by various techniques, including fMRI. Psychophysical approaches are being used to define processes involved in image segmentation, learning and memory skill acquisition, motor control, and language. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/neurobiology/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ehud Ahissar, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Helen and Sanford Diller Family Professor of Neurobiology Yadin Dudai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Sara and Michael Sela Professor of Neurobiology Irith Ginzburg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Sophie and Richard S. Richards Professor of Cancer Research Amiram Grinvald, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Helen Norman Asher Professor in Brain Research Rafi Malach, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Barbara and Morris Levinson Professor of Brain Research Dov Sagi, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The George Zlotowski Professor Michal Schwartz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maurice and Ilse Katz Professor of Neuroimmunology Menahem Segal, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States The Harry and Leona Levine Professor of Neurosciences Vivian I. Teichberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Louis and Florence Katz−Cohen Professor of Neuropharmacology Michail Tsodyks, Ph.D., L.D. Landau Institute of Theoretical Physics, Moscow, Russian Federation The Gerald and Hedy Oliven Professor in Brain Research Zvi Vogel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Ruth and Leonard Simon Professor of Cancer Research

Professors Emeriti

Yitzhak Koch, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Uriel Littauer, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 100 Neurobiology David Samuel, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Israel Silman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Izchak Z. Steinberg, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Ephraim Yavin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Professors

Shabtai Barash, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Noam Sobel, Ph.D., Stanford University, California, United States

Senior Scientists

Alon Chen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Philip Harris and Gerald Ronson Career Development Chair Ilan Lampl, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Carl and Frances Korn Career Development Chair in the Life Sciences Rony Paz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel Elad Schneidman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship Nachum Ulanovsky, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Abraham Zangen, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Incumbent of the Joseph and Celia Reskin Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientist

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Knarik Bagdasarian, Ph.D., Orbeli's Institute of Physiology of Armenian Academy of Science, Armenia Eduard Korkotian, Ph.D., University of Yerevan, Armenia

Special Contracts

Liora Cahalon, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Adela Juknat Geralnik, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina (left June 2007)

Engineers

Gil Albo, B.A., Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel Daniel Goldian, B.Sc., Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom Naama Rubin, M.Sc., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States Neurobiology 101 Consultants

Yael Adini Avraham Avital, The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezrael, Israel Nina A. Bauer, London Metropolitan University, London, UK Yoram Bonneh Elena Butovsky, Sourasky Hospital, Tel−Aviv, Israel Yossi Chalamish, Kibbutzim College of Education, Tel−Aviv, Israel Alexander Cooperman Shlomo Dukler Maya Galperin−Aizenberg, Asaf Ha'Rofeh Medical Center, Tzrifin, Israel Ana Geralnik, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Roman Gouzman, International Center of Enhancement ICELP, Tel−Aviv, Israel (left August 2007) Michael Gutnick, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Sebastian Haidarleu Yosef Kimhi Sharon Levisohn Daniel Levy, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Uri Polat Alan Yuval Sholto (left November 2007) Eduard Yakobov, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Shimon Amir, Concordia University , Montreal, Canada Linda Friedman, New York Inst. of Tech. (NYIT), U.S.A. David Hansel, University of Paris V (Descartes), France Shai Rahimipour, Scripps Rese. Inst., CA, U.S.A. Nava Rubin, NYU, Center for Neural Science, U.S.A. David Shore, McMaster University , Ont., Canada Noam Sobel, Princeton University , NJ, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

David B. Omer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Irena Bronshtein, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Thomas D. A. Deneux, Ph.D., Ecole Polytechnique Ianai Fishbein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dimitri Fisher, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eran Gershon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Guy Horev, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Doron Kabaso, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, USA Per Magne Knutsen, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ewa Agata Kozela, Ph.D., Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Acad of Sciences 102 Neurobiology Alex Loebel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Angela Matuzany−Ruban, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University, Israel Armenuhi Melikyan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shmuel Naaman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kazunori Ohashi, Ph.D., Kyushu Institute of technology Michael Okun, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Son Preminger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Asya Rolls, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Revital Shani−Hershkovich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Erika Toth, Ph.D., Semmelweis University of Medicine, Hungary Michael Tsoory, Ph.D., Haifa University, Israel Carmiya Vingerten Bar−Or, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Pawel Ryszard Zdunek, M.D., The Medical University of Warsaw Yaniv Ziv, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Hila Avidan David Backlash−Omer Omri Barak Jacob Blumenthal Michal Cardon Nitzan Censor Dror Cohen Eyal Cohen Sharona Cohen Katayun Cohen−Kashi Itzik Cooper Naomi Coslovsky Litichver Eran Dayan Evan Elliott Lior Fisch Ianai Fishbein Oren Forkosh Moshe Fried Orit Furman Efrat Furst Hagar Gelbard− Sagiv Roman Gersner Sharon Gilaie−Dotan Ilan Goldberg Leor Gruendlinger Sharon Haramati Jaime Heiss Miriam Ivenshitz Yonatan Katz Yael Klin Tali Kobilo−Moav Gilad Kunis Yael Kuperman Hadas Lapid Maya Lebow Dino Levy Gil Lewitus Tomer Livne Alex Loebel Rachel Ludmer Nicola Maggio Avi Mendelsohn Shmuel Naaman Adi Neufeld Uri Nili Yuval Nir Yaron Penn Maciej Dominik Pietr Sonne Preminger Limor Regev Asya Rolls Li−Raz Rom Noga Ron Avraham Saig Inbar Saraf−Sinik Eldi Schonfeld−Dado Neurobiology 103 Ravid Shechter Erez Simony Dekel Taliaz Yaara Yeshurun Chunxiu Yu Yaniv Ziv

Administrator

Michal Hirschberg 104 Veterinary Resources

Veterinary Resources

Alon Harmelin, Head

The Department of Veterinary Resources provides services and facilities to the life science faculties. The department has a staff of 55. Its activities include breeding and maintenance of laboratory animals and the operation of specialized facilities. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/vet/

Staff

Senior Staff Scientist

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Raya Eilam−Altstadter, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Rebecca Haffner−Krausz, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom

Assistant Staff Scientist

Vyacheslav Kalchenko, Ph.D., Chita State Medical Academy, Chita, Russian Federation

Veterinarians

Alon Harmelin, BVsc. MRCVS, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, School of Veterinary Medicine, R.S.A., Diplomate Eclam Ori Brenner, B.V.Sc., University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, School of Veterinary Medicine, Diplomate ACVP Natalya Dotsenko, D.V.M., Moscow Veterinary Academy Bella Finarov, D.V.M., Moscow Veterinary Academy Alina Maizenberg, D.V.M., Latvia, Riga Noa Stettner, D.V.M., Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot Veterinary Resources 105 Administrator

Kaduri Abudi 106 The Norman and Helen Asher Center for Brain Imaging

The Norman and Helen Asher Center for Brain Imaging

Yadin Dudai, Director The Sara and Michael Sela Chair of Neurobiology

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

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

With the physical facilities of the program now in place, and good progress towards the procurement of its major equipment, the Center's support of the f−MRI operations will enable the translation of the potential of the f−MRI into scientific reality by fostering inter−disciplinary research programs that combine several complementary approaches. The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases 107

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases

Menahem Segal, Director The Harry and Leona Levine Chair of Neurosciences

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

The mission of the Center will be achieved through several avenues:

A. The Center provides financial support to scientists of the Weizmann Institute, who are actively conducting research in this field, or are about to initiate Neurological Disease−oriented research. Grant applications submitted before the deadline of November 30, 2007, were evaluated by an ad−hoc committee, and the decisions and financial support was announced at the end of December, 2007. A total of 9 applications were funded for the year 2008. B. Emergency funds. These will be provided especially towards the end of the financial year, when money runs out and funds are needed to keep an ongoing operation. In this respect, funds will also be provided, in coordination with other Centers at the Institute, to allow scientists who applied to external granting agencies and failed, to keep working and produce sufficient preliminary results so as to better compete for these external sources next time. C. The BCND will promote interactions among WIS scientists, and between WIS scientists and medical leaders in Israeli Hospitals, aimed at expanding the knowledge relevant to Neurological Diseases. As part of this mission, the BCND organizes an annual symposium on emerging issues in Neurological Diseases. The First Benoziyo symposium on the Molecular Basis of Neurological Diseases took place on the 17th and 18th of October, 2004 at the Botnar Auditorium with 6 overseas participants and 18 Israelis. The 2nd Benoziyo symposium was held on the 25th of September, 2005, with two prominent scientists from abroad and 15 local scientists. The 3rd Benoziyo symposium took place on the 9th of September, 2007, and included scientists from 108 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases Israel and abroad. The 4th Benoziyo symposium is planned to take place on the 21st of September, 2008. These symposia contribute to the development of collaborative studies among scientists at the Weizmann and other research/medical institutions in Israel and abroad. D. The BCND provides financial assistance for students to participate in international meetings devoted to the study of neurological diseases. Applications for assistance will be accepted all year round.

Applications for support should include:

A. a 2−3 page summary of the proposed research, including objectives, methods, proposed experiments, preliminary results, proposed budget, selective references, and list of publications of the applicant for the past 5 years. B. Please provide a summary of all (i) current and (ii) pending support, (including subjects, funding agency, amounts, duration). Also include (iii) Institutional support for the past 5 years. C. The recipients of the BCND grants will acknowledge the support of the center on their publications. BCND will publish names of grant recipients on its web site. D. All applications should be submitted via e−mail + attachments. The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences 109

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences

Yadin Dudai, Director The Sara and Michael Sela Chair of Neurobiology

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences was established in 1978. Since its creation, this center has been geared toward the promotion and support of studies of the nervous system at molecular, cellular, and multicellular levels. The Benoziyo Center supports the research of scientists in a wide range of fields at the Weizmann Institute, allowing them to unravel structure−function−activity relationships in the brain and to understand the complex neuronal mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and sensory processing (vision, taste, smell), as well as the relationship between brain and mind. Much time, intellectual effort, and financial resources still need to be devoted to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, neurosignaling cascades, network patterns, memory, and cognitive psychophysics. Solving the molecular basis of human brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, is high on the list of priorities of the Benoziyo Center. The Center provides financial assistance to scientists initiating new projects and to some students in need of salaries. In addition, it provides a means for reknowned world neuroscientists to visit the Weizmann Institute, and supports travel of students to international or local Neuroscience meetings. 110 The Carl and Micaela Einhorn−Dominic Center for Brain Research

The Carl and Micaela Einhorn−Dominic Center for Brain Research

Yadin Dudai, Director The Sara and Michael Sela Chair of Neurobiology

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

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

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

In addition the Institute also hosted a number of eminent scientists from around the world, who gave lectures in our weekly Seminars. Visiting lecturers came to our campus from Freiburg University, The Hebrew University, Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, New York University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Bar−Ilan University, Brandeis University and Cornell University. The Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions 111

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

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

General Activities

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

The combination of "real time" optical imaging and single unit recording has enabled us to directly visualize the workings of neuronal assemblies, as well as the architecture and functioning of the mammalian cortex, in unprecedented detail. As a result, we can directly "see" how the brain works, and some longstanding questions related to perception and higher cognitive functions were resolved. 112 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research

Dov Zipori, Director The Joe and Celia Weinstein Chair

The Stem Cell Club, founded in 2004, at the Weizmann Institute included scientists from the Weizmann Institute as well as other Israeli Academic Centers. The Club organized “The First International Stem Cell Symposium”, 28th–29th November 2004 and the “Stem Cell Meeting”, 16th November 2005. Both of these meetings took place on campus. This activity was then followed by the formation of the Stem Cell Center in Establishment that provided support for several research groups at the Weizmann Institute leading the way to the initiative for the establishment of the Israel Stem Cell Society (ISCS). The Center contributed to allocation of major funds dedicated to the purchase of advanced cell analysis and imaging equipment. The establishment of the Helen and Martin Kimmel Stem Cell Research Institute in 2006 boosts stem cell activities: The Stem Cell Institute has undertaken the organization of the “International Stem Cell Meeting: Stem Cells and their Microenvironment”, in conjunction with the Israeli ILSI−BioMed, June 2007. This meeting has been a major event that attracted the majority of stem cell researchers in Israel. Leaders in the stem cell research field from America, Europe and Asia also participated in the meeting. The success of this first event encouraged the organizers of The Second International Stem Cell Meeting to maintain the structure of the event and to hold it along side the ILSI−BioMed, May 2008 in Tel Aviv. The Stem Cell Research Institute further leads an initiative to create, within the Weizmann Institute, a stem cell culture service and repository laboratory. The first steps for construction of the facility have already taken place. A Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of the Stem Cell Research Institute has been established and has provided research grants to groups belonging to different Departments and Faculties within the Weizmann Institute. This activity is now in its second year and according to the experience gained ,the SSC formulated instructions for grant applications. The call for applications will be issued each year with the deadline of November 1st and funding beginning the following January 1st. Instructions for application are provided below.

During 2008 the Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research will host several guest speakers and visiting scientists. The Institute will also host a local meeting of the ISCS devoted to presentations by young investigators. The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders 113

The Kirk Center for Childhood Cancer and Immunological Disorders

Benjamin Geiger, Director The Professor Erwin Neter Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology

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

At the Weizmann Institute of Science, investigations into these topics are particularly exciting, because of their potential to deepen our understanding of complex biological principles, thereby enabling the design of effective therapeutic approaches. To tackle these issues, Institute researchers combine rigorous molecular studies with an interdisciplinary slant, and with clinical collaborations. Taken together, these tactics form a promising approach to the challenges of understanding and treating disease, particularly those affecting our youngest and most defenseless citizens, and provide them with hope for the future.

To contribute to these important goals, the Kirk Center supports early stage, cutting−edge research related to childhood diseases and immunological disorders, enabling the purchase of vital instrumentation and covering the running costs of these exciting projects. In its first year of operation, the Center provided direct support to studies addressing acute childhood leukemia, fertility−related disorders and juvenile diabetes. It also helped to launch a new research program at the Weizmann Institute, enabling visualization of the interactions between cells of the immune system and their target cancer cells. The Center also initiates and promotes collaborative investigations and supports workshops and research conferences, bringing leading experts in the field to the Weizmann Institute campus. 114 The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging

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

Yair Reisner, Director The Henry H. Drake Professor of Immunology

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

To achieve its aims, the Center provides support for research performed at the Institute's department of Immunology and also contributes to certain activities in the field of gene targeting and transgenic animals, which constitute powerful tools for studying the molecular basis of the immune system as well as various disorders that are involved in the aging process. The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research 115

The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research

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

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

Highlights of these studies last year were as follows:

Prof. Tsvee Lapidot

To obtain the healthy stem cells for transplantation − either from a healthy donor or from the patient himself before or during treatment with chemotherapy − these cells must be 4 to come out of the marrow into the bloodstream (in other words, they must be ). To understand how this happens, we probed the turn of events in the bone marrow and found that stem cells in the marrow are freed into the blood via an aweigh"mechanism. The findings put a key protein into focus − SDF−1. This protein had previously been found by this and other research teams worldwide to anchor stem cells inside the marrow by activating adhesion molecules (molecules that serve as We now have found that SDF−1 must be degraded for stem cell mobilization to take place and uncovered the underlying degradation mechanism. This finding which was published this year in the prestigious journal Nature Immunology, Is not only important for the understanding of the biology of stem cell transplantation but it may also lead to improved collection of stem cells for clinical transplantations.

Prof. Dov Zipori

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

Prof. Yair Reisner

Clinical studies continue with the implementation of our new approach, making use of 'mega 116 The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research dose ' stem cell transplants , which enables the use of mismatched family members. Although we have adequately shown the efficacy of this approach in more than 300 patients, it must be analyzed properly, the same as for any new drug by formal multi−center clinical trials in Europe and in the USA, and we are presently in the middle of this important final step.

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

In addition, we are focusing our efforts on a new application of stem cell transplantation for patients with diseases that could be cured by transplantation but who are not at immediate risk from their disease and, therefore, should not be exposed to the current risky protocols. Thus, the challenge is how to overcome graft rejection following mild radiation or chemotherapy based protocols. To that end, based on encouraging results in the mouse model, we are currently developing new cell preparations which could be given in conjunction with the stem cells in order to facilitate engraftment of the latter cells under such safe conditions. The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology 117

The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology

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

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

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

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

Dr. Atan Gross − "BID: a master regulator of cell life and death decisions": Apoptosis is essential for both the development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Thus, defects in apoptosis contribute to a variety of diseases including cancer, AIDS, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and autoimmune disorders. Proteins in the BCL−2 family are critical regulators of the commitment to apoptosis, yet their cell death regulatory function remains a mystery. We have picked to focus our studies on BID, a pro−apoptotic member of this family. Mitochondria are a major site of action for BID, yet a detailed understanding of its actions at this organelle is lacking. We have recently found that in intact mitochondria prepared from apoptotic cells BID interacts with a novel, uncharacterized mitochondrial protein named Mtch2 that is related to a family of mitochondrial channels involved in energy metabolism. Most interestingly, knocking down the expression of Mtch2 sensitizes cells to BID−induced apoptosis. Thus, inhibiting/modulating the function of Mtch2 might be an important step in activating the mitochondrial apoptotic program. In a second line of research, we have found that BID is also localized to the nucleus and most surprisingly also plays a pro−survival role in the response of cells to DNA damage. We revealed that DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of BID by the DNA−repair kinase ATM, and that this phosphorylation is essential for cell cycle arrest and inhibition of apoptosis. Thus, BID is an excellent candidate to coordinate/balance between genotoxic stress responses and 118 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology apoptotic cell death. A better understanding of BID's function at the mitochondria and in the nucleus will most likely yield critical insights for manipulating the apoptotic and DNA repair processes in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

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

During vertebrate craniofacial development, progenitor cells derived from the mesoderm fuse together to form a myofiber, which is attached to a specific skeletal element derived from the cranial neural crest (CNC) in a highly coordinated manner. To investigate this exquisitely tuned process, we employ both mouse genetic models and the avian experimental system to explore the molecular crosstalk between CNC and mesoderm progenitor cells during vertebrate head development. Thus far, loss− and gain−of−function experiments in both mouse and avian models demonstrate that skeletal muscle patterning and differentiation in the head are precisely regulated by CNC cells (Rinon A, Lazar S, &Tzahor E, in preparation). Our studies on cardiac and skeletal muscle specification during vertebrate embryogenesis are expected to provide valuable and original insights that may contribute to our understanding of normal as well as pathological aspects of heart and craniofacial development. The Women's Health Research Center 119

The Women's Health Research Center

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

The Woman's Health Research Center is interested in promoting studies on gender −related physiology and disorder leading to specific pathologies. The center, focused on issues concerning fertility, cancer and osteoporosis, is trying to bridge between between basic research and clinical studies. The center supports basic research in ovarian function, such as the regulation of female germ cell development into an ovum, capable of fertilization and embryonic development. Any impairment in these processes may lead to infertility. Basic research in this area led to remarkable achievements in the development of assisted reproductive techniques and offers high hope improve human health through advances in stem cell research and therapeutic cloning. Another focus of the center are gender specific malignancies. It is well accepted that various cancer types are greatly dependent on hormonal control and thus better understanding of the relationship between gender specific tumors and hormones that may contribute to better diagnosis and therapy of such tumors. Support of the center of basic research on the structure and development of bones is directly pertaining to the development of osteoporosis and its potential cure. 120 The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy

The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy

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

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

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

The center is currently supporting a series of seminars organized by Prof. Dov Zipori on stem cell biology. The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy 121 122 The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy Faculty of Chemistry

Dean: Yehiam Prior The Sherman Professor of Physical Chemistry

Israel Dostrovsky, Ph.D. (University of London) Institute Professor The Agnes Spencer Professor of Physical Chemistry 124 Faculty of Chemistry

Faculty of Chemistry

Dean: Yehiam Prior The Sherman Professor of Physical Chemistry

Department of Chemical Physics

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

Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

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

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

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

The Solar Energy research is focused on all aspects of using concentrated solar light. It includes the development of new hybrid solar thermal systems, solar fuels, concentrated Faculty of Chemistry 125 photovoltaic systems and solar lasers. A technology transfer to the industry was initiated as a result of this work.

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

Department of Materials and Interfaces

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

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

Research in the Department of Organic Chemistry

The areas of research in the Department of Organic Chemistry include synthetic and mechanistic organic, inorganic and organometallic chemistry involving novel reactions for organic synthesis; syntheses of physiologically active compounds; polymeric reagents; bond activation studies; homogeneous catalysis by specifically designed metal complexes; selective oxidation catalysis by polyoxometalates; creation of organic films with desirable electronic and optical properties and the development of molecule−based technologies. Bioorganic chemistry includes the studies of plant antiviral agents; the molecular mechanism of action of rhodopsin; artificial ion carriers and molecular sensors. Biological chemistry includes studies on structure, function, and mode of action of biologically active peptides and proteins; thermophilic enzymes; enzymes involved in DNA repair, DNA and RNA processing; and studies of ordered, compact states of nucleic acids. Methods for very accurate ab initio calculations of molecular properties are being developed and applied. 126 Faculty of Chemistry Department of Structural Biology

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

The elucidation of the relations between structure and function of key components in main biological pathways is one of the generalized goals of the research conducted in the Department. One such pathway is the translation of the genetic code from DNA to proteins. A highlight in recent years has been the continued progress in determination of different structures of the ribosome and their complexes with substrate analogues, cofactors, chaperones or antibiotics. These most significant achievements crown the titanic efforts of tens of years of research aimed at elucidating the structure and mechanism of action of ribosomes which are the principal protein synthesis machinery of the cell. Additional research in this area includes structural studies on transcription factors and their DNA targets, tRNA synthetases and their complexes with various substrates, and helicases that unwind RNA Work is also being carried out on chaperones and enzymes that catalyze disulfide bridge formation. These factors assist protein folding which constitutes one of the last 'steps' in the pathway from DNA to functional proteins. The physical principles of protein folding and other biomolecular self−assembly processes (such as protein−protein and protein−DNA recognition) are investigated by using a variety of computational and theoretical tools.

Structural and dynamical aspects of enzyme and protein function and recognition constitute another focal point of activity. Examples are studies on the mechanism of acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme in the transmission of nerve impulses, on proteins regulating membrane−fusion and virus entry into the cell and on metalloproteins. Antibody−antigen recognition is studied using NMR and the tools of molecular biology to unravel the energetic contributions of single interactions, and through antibodies interacting with monolayer and crystal surfaces.

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

The X−ray and NMR facilities are now state−of−the−art. A major upgrade in the electron microscopy facility has also taken place with the addition of two high resolution transmission Faculty of Chemistry 127 electron microscopes, an environmental field emission scanning electron microscope, and a high−resolution SEM. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/chemistry/ 128 Chemical Physics

Chemical Physics

Shimon Vega, Head The Joseph and Marian Robbins Chair

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

Lasers and their interaction with matter are being studied both theoretically and experimentally. Light−matter interactions (quantum optics) and their applications for quantum information are being investigated theoretically by Gershon Kurizki in periodic structures, cavities, cold atom gases and condensates. Ilya Averbukh and Yehiam Prior study, both theoretically and experimentally, various aspects of nonlinear optical interactions, including excitation and detection of atomic and molecular wavepackets prepared by shaped femtosecond pulses, nonlinear optical interactions under the tip of a scanning near−field optical microscope, femtosecond laser material processing and molecular alignment and orientation by strong laser fields, atom optics and atom lithography applications. Moshe Shapiro is investigating, theoretically and experimentally, the coherent control of chemical reactions and the purification by optical means of racemic mixtures of optical isomers and the construction of decoherence−free spaces for quantum computation. David J. Tannor is studying, theoretically, femtosecond control of chemical reactions, optimal control of laser cooling, design of pulse shapes for quantum computation, and dissipative quantum mechanics.

Ron Naaman is investigating the use of molecules as components in electronic devices and sensors. This includes studying the electronic properties of organized thin molecular films and investigating information transfer through them. Gilad Haran uses fluroescence and Raman microspectroscopy to probe single−molecule dynamics, and studies processes ranging from protein folding to adsorbate diffusion on nanoparticles

Eli Pollak is developing new methods for the computation of real time quantum dynamics in complex systems. Applications include ab−initio chemistry, surface scattering, electron transfer, photoinduced processes and more. The fluorescence quenching by electron transfer assisted by diffusion and spin conversion in radical ion pairs as well as for triplet production and annihilation are being studied by Anatoly I. Burshtein within the original integral encounter theory, beyond the rate concept. The complexity in nature and the scaling and geometry of turbulence advection are being investigated by Itamar Procaccia and Victor Lvov. Fractal growth patterns were studied using iterated conformal maps, thus solving some old open problems. Recent research considered fracture of material and drag reduction in Chemical Physics 129 turbulent flows. The physics of motion of the active cytoskeleton and of membranes and cells is developed and its coupling to cell metabolism is investigated by Nir Gov.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) and double resonance spectroscopic (ENDOR) techniques are developed and applied by Daniella Goldfarb for the characterization of metal active sites in porous inorganic catalysts and metalloenzymes and for the study of the formation mechanism of the mesostructured mesoporus materials. New multidimensional methods of analysis in solution, solid−state and imaging magnetic resonance are also being developed by Lucio Frydman and his group, for the investigation of metabolism, of biomolecular structures and for dynamic elucidations. NMR methods are also used by Zeev Luz to investigate ordering and dynamics processes in condensed phases. Molecular motion at the solvent−surface interface inside mesoporous materials is studied and new experimental approaches for improving solid state proton−NMR are developed and tested in terms of bimodal Floquet theory by Shimon Vega. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/chemphys/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ilya Averbukh, Ph.D., USSR Academy of Science Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation The Patricia Elman Bildner Professor of Solid State Chemistry Lucio Frydman, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Daniella Goldfarb, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Erich Klieger Professor of Chemical Physics Gershon Kurizki, Ph.D., University of New Mexico The George W. Dunne Professor of Chemical Physics Ron Naaman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Aryeh and Mintzi Katzman Professor Eli Pollak, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Sam and Ayala Zacks Professor Yehiam Prior, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Sherman Professor of Physical Chemistry Itamar Procaccia, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professor of Chemical Physics Moshe Shapiro, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Jacques Mimran Professor David Joshua Tannor, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, United States The Hermann Mayer Professor Shimon Vega, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professor 130 Chemical Physics Professor Emeritus

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

Associate Professor

Gilad Haran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientist

Nir Gov, Ph.D., Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Incumbent of the Alvin and Gertrude Levine Career Development Chair of Cancer Research

Senior Staff Scientist

Peter Stern, Ph.D., The City University of New York, United States

Associate Staff Scientists

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

Assistant Staff Scientists

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

Special Contract

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

Engineer

Naomi Raz, M.Sc., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Consultants

Eshel Ben−Yaakov, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Eran Bouchbinder, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Anatoly Burshtein Einat Frishman Raphael Poupko Chemical Physics 131 Detlef Reichert, University of halle, Germany Sengupta Santanu Mordechay Segev, Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Stefano Boccaletti, Nat. Inst. of App. Optics, Firenze, Italy Roberto Cao, University of Havana, Cuba Agneta Caragheorgheopo, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania Uriel Frisch, Observatoire de Nice, France Ari Gafni, University of Michigan, U.S.A. G.E. Hentschel, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. Antonio F. Herrera, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain Anatoly Ivanov, Volgograd State University, Russia Albert Libchaber, Rockfeller University , NY, U.S.A. Perunthiruthy Madhu, TIFR, Mumbai, India Igor Mazets, Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Michael Mundt, University of Bayreuth, Germany Arnold Raitsimring, University of Arizona, U.S.A. Santanu Sengupta, CSIC, Madrid, Spain Hava Siegelman, University of Mass., Amherst, U.S.A. Ioannis Thanopoulos, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Postdoctoral Fellows

Rangeet Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science, India Eran Bouchbinder, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Erez Boukobza, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jens Clausen, Ph.D., Friedrich−Schiller−Universität Jena Sean Wesley Derrickson, Ph.D., University of Houston Noam Erez, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Inbal Friedler, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yair Goldfarb, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Bat Ami Gotliv, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ting Shek Lo, Ph.D., The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jeremy Moix, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology Vijayasarathi Nagarajan, Ph.D., University of Leipzig Mahir Ertekin Ocak, University of Chicago Sefi Raz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maria Rodriguez Martinez, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris Nurith Schupper, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Boaz Shapira, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Joerg−Elmar Willem Tatchen, Ph.D., Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf Alexander Veksler, Ph.D., Ben−Gurion University, Israel Ling Wang, Ph.D., Fudan University, China 132 Chemical Physics Adam Isaac Winkleman, Ph.D., Harvard University Xuechun Yu, Peking University Alexander Zakrassov, Ph.D., Technion, Israel

Research Students

Tal Amitay− Rosen Tali Aqua Oshrit Arviv David Avisar Noam Ben−Eliezer Eyal Benisaac Eran Bouchbinder Erez Boukobza Eyal Capua Yossi Cohen Sharly Fleischer Marc Florent Zeev Fradkin Inbal Friedler Maayan Gal Erez Gershnabel Vladislav Gladkikh Yair Goldfarb Goren Gordon Michal Gordon− Grosman Tal Honig Royi Kaufmann Gregory Kopnov Edan Lerner Michal Leskes Tal Markus Mor Mishkovsky Moshe Naoz Yuri Paskover Dana Peled Alexey Potapov Marina Radoul Ido Regev Oleksii Rudenko Sharon Ruthstein Andrey Shalit Boaz Shapira Timur Shegai Eilon Sherman Roie Shlomovitz Yoav Shrot Assaf Tal Mark Vilensky Kaiyin Zhang Guy Ziv Jacques Zylberg

Administrator

Varda Katzir Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 133

Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Dan Yakir, Head

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Biogeochemistry: Plant−atmosphere interactions; Environmental influence on the exchange of trace gases and energy between land ecosystem and the atmosphere; Climatic influence on 134 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research the natural abundance of carbon; oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in CO2, H2O and organic materials; Scaling biological processes from cellular to global scales. (Principal investigator: Dan Yakir)

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

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

Geophysics: Dynamics of the solid Earth. Applying computer modeling and experiments to processes of geological plate movements from the grain to the global scales; Brittle and chemical compaction; experiments and models of pressure solution; granular dynamics; flow and initiation of landslides. (Principal investigator: Einat Aharonov)

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

• Electricity production • Energy storage • Energy transportation

This includes the development of new solar thermal systems; solar derived ‘clean’ fuels; concentrated photovoltaic systems; high temperature receivers; novel solar optical systems; high temperature water splitting; high temperature catalytic processes. (Principal investigator: Jacob Karni)

Home Page: www.weizmann.ac.il/ESER/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Brian Berkowitz, D.Sc., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Sam Zuckerberg Professor Israel Dostrovsky, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom Institute Professor The Agnes Spencer Professor of Physical Chemistry Dan Yakir, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem at Rehovot, Rehovot, Israel Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 135 Professors Emeriti

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

Associate Professors

Jacob Karni, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States Yinon Rudich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Aldo Shemesh, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Barry Rymer Family Professor

Senior Scientists

Einat Aharonov, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States Incumbent of the Anna and Maurice Boukstein Career Development Chair Hezi Gildor, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Career Development Chair Ilan Koren, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Incumbent of the Benjamin H. Swig and Jack D. Weiler Career Development Chair

Associate Staff Scientists

Irina Vishnevetsky, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Ruth Yam, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Ishai Dror, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Regina Katsman, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Eyal Rotenberg, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Robert Nathan Katz, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego

Engineer

Ruth M.J. Benmair, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Yosef Ashkenazy, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel Joel Moshe Avidor (left December 2007) Israel Carmi 136 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Erick Fredj, Jerusalem College of technology, Jerusalem, Israel Eli Galanti, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Ellen Graber, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel Moshe Israeli, Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (deceased February 2007) Emanuel Mazor Tamar Moise Harvey Scher Bruno Yaron, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Yeonghee Ahn, Dong−A University , Busan, Korea Abraham Kogan, Technion, Haifa, Israel Alex Kostinski, Tech. University of Michigan, U.S.A. Eli Tsiperman, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Ali Abo−Riziq, Ph.D., University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Luis David Aimola, Ph.D., Universidade de Sao Paulo Orit Altaratz Stollar, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Alon Angert, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Alexandra Chudnovsky, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Oren Levy, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Kadmiel Maseyk, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jacob Silverman, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Karen Gabriele Elke Willbrand, Ph.D., Universite Paris 7

Research Students

Yury Alioshin Rotem Bar−Or Yuval Ben Ami Eliyahu Biton Elad Dinar Gidon Fridman Ilia Gelfand Liran Goren Maxime Gouet−Kaplan Nili Greenberg Hanna Klein Leehee Laronne Ben−Itzhak Nataliya Makedonska Hanita Ovdat Naama Raz Yaseef Shira Rubin Keren Stimler Ilya Taraniuk Miriam Trainic Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 137 Administrator

Hila Shochat 138 Materials and Interfaces

Materials and Interfaces

Reshef Tenne, Head (until March 2007) The Drake Family Professor in Nanotechnology

David Cahen, Head (from April 2007) The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Professor in Energy Research

The Department of Materials and Interfaces of the Weizmann Institute of Science is an interdisciplinary scientific unit composed of (bio)physicists, chemists and (bio)materials researchers. A common theme of much of the research done in the department is the design of materials from elementary units with unique, pre−designed functionality. A complementary effort involves the understanding of the functionality of various materials, based on their supra−molecular or, in the case of non−molecular materials, collective architecture. In addition to new insights in how materials properties can be understood from their atomic, molecular, macromolecular and over−all composition and structure, this strategy permits us to explore new materials and materials combinations. In several cases potential applications are part of the research goals.

Some recent accomplishments include:

• Self−assembly of inhomogeneous and charged membranes with application to rafts in biological cells; elastic interactions and orientations of cells in gels and applications to biomaterials • Inter−molecular and molecule−substrate collective interactions in molecular monolayers adsorbed on a semiconducting substrate were identified and explained theoretically. • Molecular device structures of sufficiently high quality, in terms of the molecular monolayers, were made so that doping the layers could demonstrated for the first time. • Extension of constructive nanolithography into the micrometer−millimeter dimension range has been demonstrated. • Novel quasi−amorphous piezo−electric films were produced and their unique structure and properties studied. • Spontaneous enantio−selective polymerization of racemic amino acids into homochiral peptides in water, thin films and crystals was accomplished; its relevance to the origin of biochirogenesis was hypothesized. • Hydrated ions confined to nanometer films were shown to behave like molecular ball−bearings; they are thought to be the underlying friction−reducing element in lubrication of living organisms Materials and Interfaces 139 • The microstructure−property relationship of dentin viewed as a hollow tube reinforced composite was explored by nanoindentation. • Genetic circuit elements were constructed in vitro by engineering transcriptional activation and repression cascades, in which the protein product of each stage is the input required to drive or block the following stage. • New nanotubes from noble metals and from various layered compounds have been synthesized. • The adhesion energy of an indvidual carbon nanotube to a polymer matrix and organic liquids was determined. • The mechanical behavior of individual carbon and inorganic nanotubes was studied. • Chemisorption of cyanide moieties onto a CdSe nanoparticle surface was shown to increase the quantum confinement of the exciton wavefunction and hence to enhance their optical properties. • A rational pathway for antimalaria drug design was proposed based on quinoline adsorption to malaria pigment crystals. • The relationship between superconductivity and the size of lead nanoparticles was determined; dating of archeological lead artifacts using the superconductivity of this metal was undertaken. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/materials/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

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

Professors Emeriti

Zeev Alexandrowicz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Joseph Jagur−Grodzinski, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Meir Lahav, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Leslie Leiserowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 140 Materials and Interfaces Moshe Levy, Ph.D., State University of New York, Syracuse, United States Joost Manassen, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam Shimon Reich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Michael Elbaum, Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, United States Gary Hodes, Ph.D., Queen's University of Belfast Igor Lubomirsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Roy Bar−Ziv, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Beracha Foundation Career Development Chair Ernesto Joselevich, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Dr. Victor L. Erlich Career Development Chair Leeor Kronik, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Incumbent of the Delta Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientists

Rivka Maoz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alexander Vaskevich, Ph.D., Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys, Moscow, Russian Federation Isabelle Weissbuch, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientist

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

Assistant Staff Scientists

Nir Kampf, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Alla Milner, Ph.D., National Polytechnical University, Kharkov, Ukraine Ilya Zon, Ph.D., Academy of Science USSR, Moscow, Russian Federation

Engineer

Baruch Ittah, M.Sc., Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel

Consultants

Tatyana Bendikov Haim Grunbaum, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Valery Kaplan Materials and Interfaces 141 Haim Leader, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness−Ziona, Israel Gideon Levin Zeev Porat, Nuclear Research Center, Negev, Israel (left May 2007) Lev Rapoport, Holon Institute of Technology, Honon, Israel Meir Redlich, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Haim Tobias, Nuclear Research Centre, Negev, Israel (left August 2007) Ana Yaron Albu Ella Zak, Nanomaterials Ltd, Rehovot, Israel Daniel Ziskind, Private Clinic, Jerusalem

Visiting Scientists

David Andelman, Tel−Aviv University, Israel Lothar Houben, Juelich Center, Germany Ze'ev Porat, Negev Nuclear Rese., Beer Sheva, Israel Achim Scholl, University of Wurzburg, Germany Tamar Seideman, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A. Fredrik Srahn, University of Uppsala, Sweden Haim Tobias, Negev Nuclear Rese., Beer Sheva, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Thorsten Auth, Ph.D., University of Cologne, Germany Maya Bar Sadan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tatyana Bendikov, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Robert Charles Brewster, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles Amnon Buxboim, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liraz Chai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Devasish Chowdhury, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Yaron Cohen, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Rumi De, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science Leonard Deepak Francis, JNCASR Racheli Gabai−Malka, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Miryam Greenstein, Bar−Ilan University, Israel Roni Antoine Illos, Ben−Gurion University, Israel Nagapriya Kavoori Sethumadhava, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science Ronen Kopito, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gilad Lando, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Iftach Nevo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maria Osipova, Ph.D., Institute of Problem of Chemical Physics RAS Miles G. Page, Ph.D., University of Sydney Tali Sehayek, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oliver Seitz, Ph.D., Versailles University Gabriel Shemer, Tel−Aviv University, Israel Xiaomeng Sui, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Science 142 Materials and Interfaces Research Students

Maya Bar Sadan Aviad Baram Tsevi Beatus Amnon Buxboim Yaron Caspi Liraz Chai David Ehre Anna Faingold Ori Gidron Olga Guliamov Rotem Har−Lavan Ariel Ismach Ifat Kaplan−Ashiri Tanya Karakouz Sari Katz Michael Kokotov Ronen Kopito Frieda Kopnov Anna Kossoy Ronen Kreizman Noa Lachman Adi Makmal Rachel Malka Noa Marom Amir Natan Doron Nave Olivia Niitsoo Lior Nissim Dikla Raz−Ben Aroush Izhar Ron Irina Rubinstein Adi Salomon Lior Segev Tali Sehayek Jasmine Seror Hagay Shpaisman Gilad Silbert Ronit Snir Sarah Sultan Ofer Tevet Allon Weiner Inna Wiesel Noga Yaakov Omer Yaffe Assaf Zeira

Administrator

Yehudit Rousso Organic Chemistry 143

Organic Chemistry

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

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

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

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

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

The computational chemistry group of Jan (Gershom) Martin is engaged both in the development of highly accurate ab initio computational thermochemistry methods (W1 and W2 theory) and in the methodology and applications of density functional theory, with a particular focus on organometallic reaction mechanisms relevant to homogenous catalysis. Theoretical vibrational spectroscopy beyond the harmonic approximation and basis set 144 Organic Chemistry development (the SDB−cc−pVnZ basis sets) are subsidiary research interests.

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

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

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

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

Chemical, biological and clinical studies of modulatory peptides including immunomodulator Organic Chemistry 145 antibacterial anticancer and neuroactive compounds are being carried out by Mati Fridkin. Novel technologies for drug delivery and stabilization have been developed and applied to several proteins (e.g. insulin, growth hormone, interferon), peptides (e.g. GnRH ,exendin ) and small molecules ( antibiotics and anticancer drugs ). The clinical−pharmaceutical potential of several compounds are being evaluated. A novel approach toward Fe− chelation in relation to neuroprotection is being developed. En route to anti−Alzheimer and anti−Parkinson drugs.

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

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

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

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Gershom (Jan) Martin, Ph.D., University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium The Margaret Thatcher Professor of Chemistry David Milstein, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 146 Organic Chemistry The Israel Matz Professor of Organic Chemistry Abraham Minsky, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Professor T. Reichstein Professor Ronny Neumann, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Rebecca and Israel Sieff Professor of Organic Chemistry Abraham Shanzer, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Charlotsville, United States The Siegfried and Irma Ullmann Professor Mordechai Sheves, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Ephraim Katzir−Rao Makineni Professor of Chemistry Joseph Sperling, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Hilda Pomeraniec Memorial Professor of Organic Chemistry

Professors Emeriti

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

Senior Scientists

Michael Bendikov, Ph.D., Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Incumbent of the Recanati Career Development Chair of Energy Research Boris Rybtchinski, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Abraham and Jennie Fialkow Career Development Chair Milko Van Der Boom, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Minerva Junior Research Group on Molecular Materials and Interface Design Incumbent of the Dewey David Stone and Harry Levine Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientist

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Irena Efremenko, Ph.D., Kazakh National Academy of Science, Alma−Ata, Russian Federation Edward E. Korshin, Ph.D., Kazan State University, Russian Federation Moshe Peretz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Organic Chemistry 147 Assistant Staff Scientists

Yaniv Barda, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Galina Melman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left June 2007) Yana Sheynin, Ph.D., Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation

Consultants

Virginia Buchner Shlomo Dukler Amihai Eisenstadt (left December 2007) Edi Goichberg, Insight Biogharmacenticals, Rehovot, Israel Alfred Hessner, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel (left December 2007) Amiram Hirshfeld Yitzhak Ittah, Synthos Ltd., Israel Boris Kraiz Michal Lahav Mahesh Menon (left April 2007) Edna Schechtman, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel David Segev, Segev Labs Ltd, Israel

Visiting Scientist

Tarkeshwar Gupta, Indian Inst. of Sci., Bangalore, India

Postdoctoral Fellows

Eyal Ben−Ari, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Berchansky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gunanathan Chidambaram, Ph.D., Bhavnagar University Mario De Bruyn, Ph.D., Belgium Tamar Eliash, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Joseph Englander, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Edi Goihberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galina Golubkov, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Adina Haimov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Stephan Werner Kohl, Technical University Berlin, Dept. of Chemistry Jean−Francois C. M. Lamere, Ph.D., Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse Mao Li, Ph.D., Institute of Chemistry Tushar Kanti Maiti, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India Rajasingh Paramasivan, University of Kerala, Kerala Abhimanyu Sevakram Paraskar, Ph.D., Pune Univesity Asit Patra, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur Thomas Schaub, Ph.D., University of Karlsruhe Maxym Vasylyev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 148 Organic Chemistry Madhu Vedichi, Ph.D., University of Hyderabad Haim Weissman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Marc Altman Hila Azoulay Eyal Ben−Ari Irit Ben−Avraham Olena Branytska Irakliy Ebralidze Joseph Englander Jessica Ettedgui Moran Feller Galit Fridman−Marueli Adina Haimov Berith Isaac Eyal Kamhi Amir Karton Jenny Kolsenik Marina Konorty Elizaveta Kossoy Vered Lev−Goldman Noam Levi Anat Milo Michael Montag Leila Motiei Emanuel Perugia Elena Poverenov Hiyam Salem Leonid Schwartsburd Yamit Sharaabi Nelia Shechter Elijah Shirman Tanya Shirman Maria Shoshan Alona Ustinov Yair Wijsboom Natalia Zamoshchik Nathan Moise Zauberman Olena Zenkina

Administrator

Tiki Rosen Structural Biology 149

Structural Biology

Zippora Shakked, Head The Helena Rubinstein Professor of Structural Biology

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

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

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

Studies on the relationships between organic and mineral components and between structure, function and mechanical properties of mineralized tissues including bone, teeth, shells and many others, are performed over the whole range of hierarchical organizations. The 150 Structural Biology development of new techniques in Archeological Chemistry provides information about human life conditions and technologies in prehistoric times.

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

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

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

Professors Emeriti

Henryk Eisenberg, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Wolfie Traub, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom Edward Trifonov, Ph.D., Moscow Physico−Technical Institute, Russian Federation

Associate Professors

Deborah Fass, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States Mark Safro, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow, Russian Federation The Lee and William Abramowitz Professor of Macromolecular Biophysics Irit Sagi, Ph.D., Georgetown University, Washington, United States The Maurizio Pontecorvo Professor Structural Biology 151 Senior Scientists

Koby Levy, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship Incumbent of the Lilian and George Lyttle Career Development Chair Itay Rousso, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Robert Edward and Roselyn Rich Manson Career Development Chair

Senior Staff Scientist

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Shira Albeck, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Anat Bashan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Elisabetta Boaretto, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Orly Dym, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Naama Kessler, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yoav Peleg, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Assistant Staff Scientists

Harry Mark Greenblatt, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Haim Rozenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tzvia Selzer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ella Zimmerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientist

Tamar Auerbach Nevo, Ph.D., Free University, Berlin, Germany

Consultants

Ilana Agmon Muszkat Alexander Yacov Ashani Felix Frolow, Tel Aviv University, Ramat−Aviv, Tel−Aviv Michal Harel Maggie Kessler, Banner Chemicals Ltd., UK Ron Shahar Israel Silman Dmitry Tworowski, Biona Biotechnology Research Company, Rehovot, Israel Oren Zimhony (left October 2007) 152 Structural Biology Intern

Inna Solomonov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Yang Daiwen, University of Singapore, Singapore Julie Forman Kay, University of Toronto, Canada Ruth Gross, Hebrew University , Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel Osnat Herzberg, University of Maryland, U.S.A. Robert Janowski, University of Hamburg, Germany Michael Levitt, Stanford University, U.S.A. Fred Naider, CUNY, Staten Island, Island Peter Rez, University of Arizona, U.S.A. Agnes Toth, Hungarian Academic of Science, Budapest, Hungary Ehud Weiss, Bar−Ilan University, Israel Oren Zimhony, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Gal Dela, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Milana Frenkel−Morgenstern, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Derk Joester, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland Yakov Kipnis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Netta Lev−Tov Chattah, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yurong Ma, Ph.D., Peking University Claude Nathalie Nogues, Ph.D., CNRS, France Revital Nossin Manor, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Niv Papo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noemi Rosa Rebollo Franco, University of California Santa Barbara Osnat Rosen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Sagi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Luana Scheffer, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Dalit Shental, Tel−Aviv University, Israel Oded Suad, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Marianna Tsvitov, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Yechun Xu, Ph.D., Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China

Research Students

Barak Akabayov Sabine Ruth Akabayov Maya Amit Maya Bar Meir Max Barak David Baram Adi Behar−Eliyahu Avi Ben Shimon Boris Brumshtein Chen Davidovich Structural Biology 153 Amir Eldar Igal Finarov Gabriel Frank Ziv Frankenstein Dafna Geblinger Micha Gladnikoff Moran Grossman Racheli Gueta (Fachima) Nimrod Heldman Yakov Kipnis Malka Kitayner Liron Klipcan Konstantin Kogan Nitzan Kol Avital Levy−Lior Julia Mahamid Orna Man Inbal Mermershtain Amit Mor Adi Moseri Eran Noah Orly Noivirt Fabio Nudelman Ilona Nudelman Aviv Paz Yael Politi Erez Pyetan Lior Regev Osnat Rosen Gabriel Rosenblum Noa Rubin Luana Scheffer Einat Schnur−Goldberg Netta Sela−Passwell Liat Shimon Oded Suad Oren Tchaicheeyan Elvira Vitu Tzvia Zeev Ben−Mordehai Roy Ziblat

Administrator

Tiki Rosen 154 Solar Research Facilities Unit

Solar Research Facilities Unit

Jacob Karni, Scientist−in−Charge

Michael Epstein, Head

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

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

Research Projects Conducted at the Solar Research Facilities Unit

Our goal is to explore solar−driven thermal and chemical processes, enabling power production, fuel alternatives, long−term storage and convenient transportation options. Work at WIS is diverse and evolves based on the scientists’ vision and imagination. At present, our research programs address the following topics:

1. Electricity production – developing cost effective ways for environmentally clean, solar−driven electricity production. The scientists involved in this program are Jacob Karni and Michael Epstein. 2. Hydrogen production – WIS scientists work on several methods to produce hydrogen (a clean and efficient fuel) using solar energy. These methods include: (i) hydrocarbon reforming, (ii) methane decomposition, and (iii) solar thermal−electrochemical dissociation of water at high temperatures. The scientists involved in these programs Solar Research Facilities Unit 155 are Abraham Kogan, Michael Epstein, Alexander Berman and Jacob Karni. 3. Biomass gasification – developing means to use solar energy to convert biomass (such as organic waste) to fuel. The scientists involved in this program are Roman Adinberg, Michael Epstein and Jacob Karni. 4. Developing of high temperature stable catalyst for steam reforming of methane. The scientists involved are alexander Berman, Rakesh Kumar Karn, Michael Epstein and Jacob Karni. 5. Solar reduction of metal oxides, for example, the production of zinc from zinc oxide, for developing a clean process to provide zinc for fuel cells and for the production of hydrogen. The scientists involved in this program are Michael Epstein, Irina Vishnevetsky, Tareq Abu−Hamed and Jacob Karni. 6. Developing of heat storage in a phase change material (PCM) medium. Scientists involved are Roman Adinberg and Michael Epstein. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/ESER/People/Karni/research−kar.html

Staff

Associate Professor

Jacob Karni 1, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States

Associate Staff Scientist

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

Engineers

Rami Ben−Zvi, M.Sc., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Michael Epstein, B.A., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Doron Lieberman, M.Sc., Ben−Gurion Univesity of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel

Consultant

Moshe Israeli, Technion − Israel Institute of Technology (deceased February 2007)

1Department of Envionmental Sciences and Energy Research 156 Chemical Research Support

Chemical Research Support

Brian Berkowitz, Head The Sam Zuckerberg Chair

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

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

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

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

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

The center of the unit is a class 10,000 clean room complex, including facilities for optical and electron beam lithography, a mask aligner MA−6, and a dry etching ICP apparatus. The facility has, in addition, apparatus for thermal and electron beam evaporation of metallic and dielectric films. It has a confocal optical microscope, and equipment for characterization of surfaces (wettability/contact angle, a Rudolf ellipsometer, a surface profiler−Dektak 3ST). A chemical hood inside the clean rooms provides capabilities for a broad range of chemical manipulations.

In order to advance research towards implementation of biologically active molecules as integral components in inorganic devices, the center includes a Nano Bio lab. The Nano Bio team aid physicists and chemists in the design and performance of their research involving biological molecules. In addition, the Nano bio lab provides the means to perform experiments and produce pre−designed biological molecules using basic molecular biology and biochemical techniques. The lab is equipped with a variety of centrifuges, gel Chemical Research Support 157 electrophoresis apparatus of nucleic acids and proteins, an AKTA basic FPLC protein purification apparatus, a PCR machine, NanoDrop and GeneQuant spectrophotometers, gel imagining apparatus, equipment for bacterial growth including a sonicator, etc. A workstation for 32P and 35S radioactive work is also available.

Computational Chemistry Unit (Person in Charge: Mark Iron)

State−of−the−art software packages can be used to accurately calculate molecular properties. Many of these properties mirror those that can be measured experimentally. Through informed choice of methodology, the results of calculations can be used to predict molecular features, interpret experimental data and understand molecular effects and behavior.

We use commercial software packages (such as Gaussian03) to calculate electronic structure, molecular properties and molecular mechanisms using ab−initio, Density Functional Theory (DFT), semi empiric and force field methods. More specifically, the following information can be retrieved from electronic structure calculations:

Reaction Mechanisms

• The characterization of organic and organometallic reactions is one of the most common goals of computational chemistry. Relative energies for products, transition states and intermediates can be computed to give the researcher insight into a reaction pathway.

Electronic Properties

• Atomic charges • Molecular orbitals • Ionisation (oxidation) potentials

Vibrational Properties

• Infrared (IR) frequencies and intensities • Raman frequencies

Kinetics and Thermochemistry

• Reaction kinetics (calculations of rate constants) • Reaction thermochemistry • Solvent effects

Future services:

• Single−Molecule electronic transport calculations. 158 Chemical Research Support Computational Chemistry Unit Website

Electron Microscopy Unit (Administrative Manager: Orna Yeger)

The staff of the Electron Microscopy Unit provides analytical services to all of the departments of the Weizmann Institute and other institutes, and helps scientists to carry out their own research using the units equipment. The unit provides on−the−spot practical training in electron microscopy and sample preparation.

For general applications, there are three high resolution (HR) scanning electron microscopes (SEM), ESEM FEI, ULTRA−55 ZEISS and a SUPRA−55 VP ZEISS with a new nanomanipulator and Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC) imaging system. The ESEM and the SUPRA microscopes are equipped with EDS systems for elemental analysis. There is a high resolution TEM microscope Tecnai F−30 FEI for materials science applications (resolution of 1.7A), equipped with a double tilt holder. Attached to this 300kV microscope there is a post column Gatan Imaging mFilter (GIF) which enables EELS measurements (electron energy loss spectra) and elemental mapping at nanometer scale. An additional TEM for materials science, CM−120 PHILIPS, is equipped with EDS for elemental analysis. For special applications there is a NOVA 600 FEI dual beam microscope, including a focused ion beam (FIB) column and a SEM column. This microscope has excellent HR imaging, nano−scale patterning (material deposit or etch) and timesaving sample cross−sectioning for TEM analysis, using an advanced Omniprobe micromanipulator. The NOVA FIB/SEM is suitable for both materials and biology studies. For samples of biological interest there are three more TEMs, TECNAI T−12 FEI, TECNAI F−20 FEI and CM−12 PHILIPS. The TEMs are suitable for low−temperature applications and they are equipped with digital slow−scan cameras (CCDs) for low−dose work. The newest cryo−capable TEM, TECNAI F−20 FEI, also includes a computer−controlled sample stage and high−resolution 4k x 4k CCD camera (TVIPS), for automated tomographic applications.

In addition, various pieces of auxiliary equipment for sample preparation are available in the unit. These include polishing apparatus, dimpling and ion milling machines, sputter, and physical evaporation apparatus, a critical point dryer, and several ultramicrotomes. The EM unit is also equipped for conventional as well as low−temperature preparation of biological samples and immuno−labeling. There is equipment for cryo−applications such as high−pressure freezing, cryo−plunging, freeze substitution and cryo−sectioning.

Image processing facilities include Unix workstations, and several Macintosh and PC computers, with advanced software for image analysis, 3−D reconstruction and visualization. A laser optical bench allows for quantitative analysis of negatives, and there is one high−resolution scanner for digitization of images.

Electron Microscopy Unit Website Chemical Research Support 159

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) (Person in Charge: Lev Weiner)

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

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

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

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

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

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

The unit provides research services for scientists who develop new materials or devices with special physical properties. The investigation in the Unit is based on Quantum Design's Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS2) which is amplified with various additional devices and systems. The MPMS2 provides DC (direct current) and AC (alternative current) magnetic measurements. It involves:

1. Temperature Control System provides precision control of the sample temperature in the range 1.8 to 350 K. 2. Magnet Control System provides magnetic fields from zero to positive and negative 1 T. The superconducting magnet can be operated in either persistent or non−persistent modes, and several charging option can be selected by the user. 3. Superconducting SQUID Amplifier System (SQUID detector) provides reset circuitry, auto−ranging capability, a highly balanced second−derivative sample coil array and environment magnetic influence protection. 4. Sample Handling System. Ability to step the sample smoothly through the detection coil without transmitting undue mechanical vibration to the SQUID. It allows for 160 Chemical Research Support varied scan lengths and options. 5. Computer Operating System (upgraded in 2004). All operated features of the MPMS and external devices are under automated computer control including individual functions and measurement sequences.

The MPMS has expanded by Kethley's and SRS's external devices which together with Manual Insertion Utility Probe are organized in: 6. DC resistivity and Hall effect measurements System provides 4−probes and van der Pauw electric transport measurement in direct current range from 0.1 pA to 5 mA 7. AC conductivity measurements System provides electric transport measurement in alternative current ranges: amplitude from 2 pA to 5 mA, frequency range from 1 mHz to 100 kHz.

In the near future the MPMS will be expanded to include: 8. Reciprocating Sample Option (RSO) employs small−amplitude, periodic displacement (down to 0.5 mm) of a sample inside MPMS' second−order gradiometer. High sensitivity: absolute: 10−8 emu, relative: 5x10−9 emu at field: 0−1 T and low frequency: 0.5 to 4.0 Hz. 9. Continuous Low Temperature Control (CLTC)/Temperature Sweep Mode provides sweep with definite rate: 0.001 − 10 K/min, continuous operation below, upper and over 4.2 K (over 45 hours at 1.8 K), and temperature stability of +/−0.005K in the whole of temperature range. 10. Fiberoptic Sample Holder (FOSH) allows user to illuminate a sample with an external light source during magnetic measurements.

Mass−Spectrometry and Chemical Analysis (Person in Charge: Arye Tishbee)

The Chemical Analysis Laboratory, provides training, consultation and method development for measurement, separation, purification, and isolation of a wide range of Organic compounds by Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, High−Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Amino Acids, Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry, RAMAN ,Micro RAMAN, Infra Red (IR), Micro IR spectroscopy, and Rapid Kinetics monitoring using Stopped Flow instrument.

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

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

The Micro RAMAN unit provides micro Raman measurements, using 780 nm and or 633nm laser excitation, magnification range from x5 to x100, for a verity of samples, including temperature controlled stage with operating range of − 200 to + 500°C. Chemical Research Support 161 Available equipment : Renishaw Micro Raman Imaging Microscope Controlled via a PC base software, with temperature control, moving xyz stage, dual lasers 633 and 780nm, and Grams 2c spectral manipulation software.

The IR unit provides standard IR measurements

Available equipment: Nicolet IFS − 66. Controlled by PC based OPUS spectral software

The Micro IR unit provides micro IR Transmission and reflection measurements

Available equipment: VECTOR 22 FT−IR instrument attached to an IR/Optical Microscope. IRscope II, with Transmission and reflection, measurement modes. 15X IR Objective Measured Area: 20 µm Minimum. Mid Range MCT detector 7000−600 cm−1.

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

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

The Mass Spectrometry Unit provides mass spectra for the determination of molecular weights and structure elucidation of organic compounds up to 4000AMU including labile metal complexes, and for Peptides and proteins up approx. 40,000AMU Detection limit approx. 50 pg.

Analyses of complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds up to 1000 AMU with system peak matching and library search and MS/MS capability. Detection Limit approx. 10pg.

Available equipment: HPLC − MS Micromass ZMD 4000 Mass Spectrometer equipped with ESI and APCI probes for Electrospray and APCI analysis.Connected to a MassLynx data station. UPLC − MS Micromass Q−TOF Premier, Quadrupole Time Of Flight High Resolution Mass Spectrometer equipped with ESI for Electrospray analysis. Connected to a Masslynx data station.High Sensitivity GCQ Polaris Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer with MS/MS capabilities for volatile compound, connected to Xcalibur data station equipped with NIST Library search capabilities.

The Amino Acid Analyzer Unit provides qualitative and quantitative Analysis of protein and peptide hydrolyzates. Detection Rage of 100−3000 pmoles, using OPA and FMOC pre column derivatization, monitoring at UV, using reverse phase separation. Detection range of 5 − 3000 pmole using AccQ.Tag pre column derivatization and monitoring Fluorescent emission. 162 Chemical Research Support Available equipment : Waters PicoTag Work Station for gas phase Hydrolysis Hewlet Packard 1090 HPLC equipped with Diode array Detector and autoinjector with a PC based Chemstation database, utilizing Amino Quant chemistry for the analysis. Waters 2690 Alliance HPLC equipped with fluorescence and Diode Array detectors and autoinjector , utilizing AccQ.Tag and or Pico Tag chemistries for the analysis of Hydrolizates and some physiological Amino acids.

The Atomic Absorption unit provides Analysis for a verity of elements in sensitivity of few mg/L depending on the analyte, a wide range of lamps is available for different elements. Both Flame and Graphite Oven atomizers are available.

Available equipment : Perkin Elmer 5100 atomic absorption unit equipped with HGA Graphite furnace, and PC based gem software to control the instrument.

Molecular Modeling Unit (Person in Charge: Miriam Eisenstein)

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

MolFit Website

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (People in Charge: Peter Bendel and Tali Scherf)

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Unit comprises five High−Resolution NMR spectrometers ranging from 250−800 MHz, as well as a 400 MHz widebore spectrometer and a horizontal bore Biospec system used mainly for imaging.

The low−field NMR instrument (Bruker DPX−250) is used primarily for routine identification and standard work with small organic molecules. Equipped with the QNP (5 mm) probe for 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P measurements.

The Bruker Avance DRX−400 spectrometer includes seven different probes (5 and 10 mm). The selective 1H dedicated (5 mm) probe (high sensitive); a QNP (5 mm) probe, switchable by computer for 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P nuclei; a BB (5 mm) broad band probe; a TBI (5 mm) Inverse with Z−gradient; a TXI (5 mm) Inverse(triple−channel) with Z−gradient; a BB (10 mm) multinuclear probe covering the range 107Ag to 31P; a BB (10 mm) low−frequency probe Chemical Research Support 163 (39K −193Ir). It mainly serves scientists in the Department of Organic Chemistry.

A new Bruker AV−500 spectrometer was recently installed at the Institute. It also serves mainly scientists in the Department of Organic Chemistry and provides a modern facility for their analyses. This instrument has three channels and is equipped with four uniqe probes: a micro, 2.5mm Triple−Resonance Inverse TXI probe,(1H, 13C, 15N) equipped with Z−gradients; a 5mm multinuclear, Broad Band probe in the low frequency range (BBO), 109Ag to 31P,equipped with an automatic tuning and matching (ATM) as well as Z−gradients; a 5mm Inverse Triple−resonance probehead in multinuclear version, TBI (1H, 31P, BB) with Z−gradient. The BB range is 109Ag−31P; a 5mm multinuclear (109Ag−31P) Inverse probe (BBI) that includes z−gradient, an automatic tuning and matching (ATM) as well as a special tuning for 103Rh.

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

The 800 MHz high−resolution spectrometer (Bruker, DRX Avance−800) provides access to the highest magnetic field currently available of commercial spectrometers, enabling state−of−the−art high−resolution experiments for macromolecular structure determination. The accessories include a multi−nuclear TXI probe with z gradient ( 15N, 13C, 1H, 5mm), a multi−nuclear QXI probe with x, y and z gradients ( 15N, 13C, 31P, 1H, 5mm), and two solid−state MAS probes covering both low and high multi−nuclear frequency ranges.

In addition, a Bruker 400−Avance III widebore spectrometer is used for NMR microscopic imaging. Spectroscopic capabilities include 1H and broad band multi nuclei probes and an automatic QNP probe, switchable by computer. Imaging is provided by two systems: a microscopy probe includes actively shielded gradients (up to 200 G/cm) with 5 mm rf coils for 1H, 1H/ 13C and 1H/ 31P. A mini−imaging probe with actively shielded gradients (up to 150 G/cm) includes several 1H RF coils, with diameters between 4 and 30 mm. The spectrometer is used mainly for research in biology and for non−invasive physiological and metabolic measurements of small samples.

The Biospec laboratory contains an NMR spectrometer (Bruker) based on a 4.7 Tesla magnet with a 30 cm horizontal bore. The system was upgraded during 1996 to the "Advance DBX" version with fully broadband dual−channel operation, self−shielded gradients and an assortment of resonators and surface coils with active coil detuning for crossed−coil operation. The system performs NMR spectroscopy and imaging experiments on animals, plant systems and other large and heterogeneous samples and specimens. It is being used by researchers from the Chemistry and Biology faculties for investigating tumors implanted in mice, models for angiogenesis of tumor blood vessels, spinal cord vessels, spinal cord damage and its treatment in rats, and characterizing flow and transport in three−dimensional 164 Chemical Research Support porous media and rock fracture models.

Since March 2007, an additional horizontal−bore imaging spectrometer (Bruker Avance−II 94/20) was installed in the new 'Mamtak' (Center for Preclinical Research) building. The magnet has a field strength of 9.4T and an accessible bore of 20 cm.

High−Resolution NMR Website

MRI− Tips and Bugs

Organic Synthesis Unit (Person in Charge: Veronica Frydman)

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

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

This unit offers assistance in the modeling of the solar optics systems connected with the main research around the utilization of concentrated solar energy at high temperatures. In this range we have a remarkable experience in the development of the non−imaging secondary optics devices. As example, we designed a new optical feature, which was added as a 75 m2 reflector attached to the Solar Tower at 49 m above ground level. Using this reflector, about one megawatt of concentrated sunlight can be beamed down onto a ground target. This is a unique feature exists only at the Weizmann Institute. We also designed the biggest solar energy concentrator in the World, which was also built, according to our design, at the Weizmann Institute. Both the tower reflector and the big concentrator are currently used in various researches that are recognized as between the most advanced solar researches in the World. We have also capabilities to design small energy concentrators, providing big light energy concentration, which can be used for various chemical processes, studied in the Faculty laboratories, which need high temperatures. These concentrators will use the solar energy with an appropriate optical system from the Institute's solar facilities, or, in laboratory, using an adequate light source as simulator of energy. Also we can offer assistance in conceiving mathematical models for various chemical processes that are in study by the scientists from the Faculty in order to complete and finish their research work. This means that we can provide consultation and development of methods for solving the various mathematical models and, eventually, the mathematical optimization of the results. Chemical Research Support 165

Spectroscopy Unit (Person in Charge: Leonid Konstantinovski)

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

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

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

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

Surface Analysis Unit (Person in Charge: Sidney Cohen)

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

The Ultrahigh Vacuum Unit is a multifaceted system for surface analyses at pressures below 10−9 torr. The main analysis chamber includes a Kratos Axis HS photoelectron spectrometer, which detects elements and determines their chemical state on the surface at depths up to 3 nm with sensitivity of 0.1%. The system includes an ultraviolet lamp for valence band measurements, monochromator for high resolution work, ion gun for sputtering the surface, and flood gun for insulating samples. In addition, an electron gun for performing electron energy loss spectroscopy has been installed. A second vacuum chamber attached to the analysis chamber contains a VG Low Energy Electron Diffractometer to determine the surface crystalline state.

The Scanned Probe Microscopy Unit contains three separate scanning tunneling/scanning force microscopes (Digital Instruments Nanoscope, NT−MDT P47/LS and NTEGRA) that 166 Chemical Research Support enable determination of surface topography and mechanical and electrical properties at resolutions ranging from tens of microns down to atomic scale. Liquid cells,heated/cooled stages, and a gas inlet allow working in different media and under controlled temperature and humidity.

Surface Analysis Unit Website

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

The X−ray Crystallography Laboratory of the Weizmann Institute is both a service and user facility. It is well equipped for the single crystal diffraction experiments needed for structural biology and chemistry research. We apply a variety of experimental methods to these investigations.

Since each crystal is unique, we tailor each experiment to the individual sample and offer expertise in the following areas:

1. Air sensitive crystals 2. Unusually small crystals 3. Low−temperature data collection 4. Disorder or twinning 5. Absolute structure determinations, including all−light atom structures 6. Database searches

A structure determination of molecular crystals will typically involve the following:

1. Crystal Sample inspection under the polarizing microscope 2. Determination of unit cell parameters, crystal system and space group 3. Structure solution and refinement 4. Creation of tables in CIF and other formats 5. Publication−ready molecular and packing plots

The measurements of organic and organometallic materials are performed using a Nonius KappaCCD diffractometer mounted on a FR590 generator Mo radiation. Measurements may also be performed on a Nonius Mach3 Kappa diffractometer mounted on a FR590 generator with Cu radiation. Inorganic materials are measured on a Rigaku AFC5R 4 circle diffractometer mounted on a Rigaku RU300 rotating anode. Measurements may be performed at either LN or ambient temperatures Low temperature has many benefits for X−ray structure determination, including better quality data in less time than room−temperature work and the ability to handle highly reactive compounds with minimal fuss. We typically collect data at 120K, but on occasion, destructive phase transitions force data collection at higher temperatures Chemical Research Support 167 For the Structural Biologists, the X−ray laboratory is a user facility. Macromolecular crystallographic measurements are made on two R−Axis IV++ systems. The image plate detectors are mounted on RU−H3R Rigaku rotating anode generators equipped with Osmic confocal focusing mirrors. One of these systems is outfitted with a 2−theta stage allowing high resolution data collection. Both systems are equipped with Oxford cryostream cooling systems for LN, low−temperature measurements. Also available in the laboratory are light−microscopes for sample inspection and mounting as well as a digital camera for crystal photography. Training is available for users, so that they can perform their own experiments.

X−Ray and Light Scattering (Person in Charge: Ellen J. Wachtel)

The aim of the laboratory for X−ray and light scattering is the structural characterization of both natural (organic and inorganic) and synthetic materials in a variety of forms and aggregational states and in a variety of environments. These materials include powders, thin films, dilute solutions, dispersions, microemulsions, liquid crystals, fibres and fibrous tissues, polymer composites.

X−ray diffractometry is a non−destructive, powerful yet simple technique capable of obtaining information on the structure of a material at the atomic level. Crystalline or semi−crystalline powders and thin films may be studied. Our instrumentation includes a Rigaku D−Max/B horizontal goniometer fitted with a diffracted beam graphite monochrometer , and a Rigaku RU200 rotating anode X−ray generator (12kW) with Cu target. Data acquisition is computer controlled and data analysis is performed on a separate platform with Jade5.0 software.Search/match protocols use the Powder DIffraction FIle of the ICDD (International Center for Diffraction Data) on CD−Rom.

Small angle and wide angle X−ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS) cameras are available on an Elliott GX6 rotating anode generator (3kW) with copper target. Sample temperature may be controlled between 0 to 200°C, and 7kG and 13kG rare earth permanent magnets are used for alignment of macromolecules. Data acquisition is via a linear position sensitive detector of the delay line type with computer interface or imaging plates. Software is provided for calculating Guinier fits and Patterson−like functions and for determining structure factors. Simple modeling programs are also available.

The light scattering apparatus consists of a Spectra Physics argon ion laser; goniometer and index matching bath; temperature controller (5−40°C); photomultiplier tube selected for photon counting; Brookhaven Instruments correlator 2030AT and software for calculation of hydrodynamic size distributions via the inverse Laplace transform (CONTIN algorithm).The instrumentation is used to characterize the hydrodynamic size and/or molecular weight of biological macromeolecules in aqueous solution; of synthetic polymers in organic solvents; of micellar or liposomal preparations; and of microemulsions. 168 Chemical Research Support In March 2006 the laboratory will take delivery of two theta−theta diffractometers: the sealed tube generator−based ULTIMA III (Rigaku) and the rotating anode generator−based TTRAXS III (Rigaku). These instruments will add significant new capabilities: texture determination using pole figure measurements; measurement of residual stress; measurement in inert environment; variable temperature control; capillary sample holders; thin film reflectivity. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Chemical_Services/

Staff

Professor

Brian Berkowitz1, D.Sc., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Sam Zuckerberg Professor

Senior Research Fellow

Arye Tishbee, Ph.D., University of Houston, Houston, United States

Senior Staff Scientists

Peter Bendel, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook, United States Hagai Cohen, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Sidney Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Miriam Eisenstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Konstantin Gartsman, Ph.D., Physical Technical Institute, Russian Federation Eugenia Klein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Leonid Konstantinovski, Ph.D., Rostov University, Rostov on Don, Russian Federation Ronit Popovitz−Biro, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Akiba Segal, Ph.D., Jassy University, Romania Linda J.W. Shimon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Vera Shinder, Ph.D., Moscow University, Biochemical Institute, Academy of Science Ellen Wachtel, Ph.D., Yale University, New Haven, United States Lev Weiner, Ph.D., Institute of Catalysis, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Sharon G. Wolf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Staff Scientists

Shirley Daube, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene, United States Yishay (Isai) Feldman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Veronica Frydman, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Grigorii Leitus, Ph.D., Metallurgy Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Tali Scherf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Chemical Research Support 169 Eyal Shimoni, Ph.D., ETH, Zurich, Switzerland

Assistant Staff Scientists

Yoav Barak, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Arkady Bitler, Ph.D., Leningrad State University, Leningrad, Russian Federation Revital Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left February 2007) Yael Diskin Posner, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Mark Alan Iron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ayelet Vilan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Palle Von Huth, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineer

Alexander Yoffe, M.Sc., University of Tashkent, Russian Federation

Administrator

Hila Shochat

1Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 170 The Center for Energy Research

The Center for Energy Research

Jacob Karni, Director

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

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

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

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

Solar fuels

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

High temperature receivers

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

Novel solar optical systems

The goal of this project is to achieve peak solar concentrations above 20,000 in solar central receiver systems. This goal will be achieved by closed loop continuous tracking of the sun by The Center for Energy Research 171 heliostats, improved imaging optics and new concepts of nonimaging optics. High peak solar concentration will improve the performance of existing solar thermal systems, and will allow in the future achieving higher temperatures with the newly developed solar receivers.

Solar−pumped lasers

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

Technology transfer to industry

The following major activities took place during last year:

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

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

An industrial consortium based on cooperation between Israeli and European organizations was established under the Fourth Framework Program of the European Union. The goal of this organization is to develop advanced solar−assisted systems that will use synthesis gas obtained by solar reforming to operate gas turbines and fuel cells. 172 The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry

The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry

Lucio Frydman, Director

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

During the 2005/2006 period the Center supported the design, upgrade and purchase of the following scientific equipment:

1. A solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magic angle spinning probe capable of operating at spinning frequency of 30 kHz was repaired and upgraded. This renovated probe is an integral part of our departmental 600MHz Solid State NMR Spectrometer and will enable the detection of two and three dimensional proton NMR spectra supporting structural study of organic polycrystalline solids (Prof. Shimon Vega, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI).

2. The software required to run an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) system was purchased. So far, this EIS system was not computerized, which hindered severely its effective use in research. With the new software the system is now fully computerized and operational (Prof. Israel Rubinstein, Dept. Material and Interfaces, PI).

3. A freeze quench electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) attachment was purchased for mechanistic investigations of enzymatic reaction. It is attached to a rapid mixing apparatus and allows to quench" reaction mixtures at times of 10 msec and above. The frozen mixture is injected into an EPR tubes such that reaction intermediates are trapped as the reaction proceed and can be further characterize by various EPR techniques (Prof. Daniella Goldfarb, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI).

4. An OPO laser covering the entire visible range from 200 nm to 2.5 micrometers, was purchased. The laser is now part of an operating cavity ring down (CRD) spectrometer. This new spectrometer is used to derive the optical properties like complex refractive indices, from particles relevant to the atmosphere (Prof. Yinon Rudich, Dept. Environmental Sciences, PI).

5. An imaging system for the study of coherent controlled photoemission from surfaces and surfaces covered with organized organic layers, was purchased. This imaging system consists of a microchannel plate, a phosphorous screen and the relevant The Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry 173 electronics (Prof. Ron Naaman, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI).

6. Two lasers were purchased for single−molecule setups: one operating at 532 nm and one at 650 nm. These two lasers are used for experiments where molecules are optically excited through a microscope and their fluorescence is detected on ultrasensitive detectors, either a camera or a photodiode (Prof. Gilad Haran, Dept. Chemical Physics, PI). 174 The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research

The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research

Yehiam Prior, Director The Sherman Professor of Physical Chemistry

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

The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of excellent research in the fields of materials and magnetic resonance at the Weizmann Institute. Both fields represent to date spear points of technologically advanced interdisciplinary research, encompassing topics ranging from medicine to physics, through chemistry and biology. Large investments are required in infrastructure and instrumentation, including support for the personnel responsible for the laboratories. This is the main focus of the Ilse Katz Institute. In addition, the Ilse Katz Institute encourages and supports young investigators committed to advanced research in any field of materials and magnetic resonance. The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Sciences 175

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Sciences

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

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

The achievements of the archaeological community of this country over the last 80 years have contributed enormously to the overall knowledge of past human culture. The last 40 years have, however, witnessed a shift in the way archaeological research is practiced. There is an increasing use of the scientific method, along with a dependence on more and more sophisticated analytical capabilities. This trend in turn has exasperated a situation that exists in Israel, and almost all western countries, namely that archaeologists are educated in the faculties of humanities, yet the practice of archaeology in many respects is most suited to the natural sciences.

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

In 2006 a formal agreement was signed by the presidents of the Weizmann Institute and Bar Ilan University to conduct joint research and teaching in the field of archaeological science. Three archaeological scientists now perform most of their research at the Institute and most of their teaching at Bar Ilan university. From 2007 a new undergraduate program will enable students at Bar Ilan University to obtain bachelors degrees in archaeology and chemistry, biology or geography. Post graduate students (M.Sc and Ph.D.) perform their research at the Kimmel Center. Students starting a Ph.D. in archaeological science who do not have a background in natural sciences or archaeology, spend their first year studying the necessary courses. The remaining 4 years are devoted to research and some course work.

The Center's resources are used primarily for fellowships and modest research funds for post graduate students. 176 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Sciences Some of the research topics currently being investigated are the structure and preservation of charcoal from archaeological sites, the study of minerals that form as a result of exposure to high temperatures as a means of deciphering past activities involving high temperatures, and the development of computerized approaches to characterizing the typologies of ceramic vessels (with Prof Uzy Smilansky). Each summer the Kimmel Center students and staff spend several weeks in the field. An on−site laboratory is operated. Current sites being studied in Israel include Tel Dor, Tel es Safi, Tel Megiddo and Kebara Cave.

The Center also supports the maintenance and upgrading of the technological infrastructure required for archaeological research at the Institute. The main campus facilities currently used for archaeological research, include the Radiocarbon Laboratory, 3−dimensional typology laboratory, a laboratory for archaeometallurgical research, electron microscope facilities for imaging and elemental analyses, Raman and infrared vibrational spectrometers, and thermogravimetric and CHNO analysers. The Center also supports scientific exchanges with foreign scientists, and holds weekly meetings and seminars for scientific communication. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/kimmel−arch/home.html The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design 177

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design

David Milstein, Director The Israel Matz Chair of Organic Chemistry

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

The Center deals currently with the following topics:

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

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

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

The design and synthesis of biomimetic transition−metal coordination compounds

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

Development and application of theoretical calculations of molecular properties and computational studies of the reactivity of organic and organometallic molecules. 178 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science

Reshef Tenne, Director The Drake Family Professor in Nanotechnology

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

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

Highlights of the scientific activities during this year: The mechanical properties of individual WS2 nanotubes were further investigated. This work suggests numerous applications for such nanotubes, especially in high strength nanocomposites (R. Tenne). Cell−free genetic circuit elements were constructed in a transcription−translation extract. For this purpose transcriptional activation and repression cascades were engineered, in which the protein product of each stage is the input required to drive or block the following stage (R. Bar−Ziv). A new microfluidic−based 1D solid made of an array of water droplets in oil with attenuated sound velocity was discovered and physically characterized (R. Bar−Ziv). A new carbon nanotube based nanoelectromechanical device was fabricated and its quantum mechanical current oscillations measured (E. Joselevich). The Helen and Milton A.Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly 179

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

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

The Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly, established in 1988, aims at encouraging research at the molecular level on frontier scientific problems concerning the assembly of biological macromolecules into functionally active intracellular units and organelles. The center is supporting the following aspects of bio−macromolecular structural research: nucleic−acids and protein expression purification, crystallization, crystallographic data collection at international state−of−the−art facilities, computing stations and visualization units. It also shares responsibility for various functions of the chemical and biological services. In addition, it provides the means for key inter−departmental common facilities.

Funds are being divided into the following categories:

1. Purchasing, installation, and development of state−of−the−art sophisticated equipment to be used for the investigation of structural aspects of life sciences. Examples are cryo and ambient−temperature X−ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, cryo and ambient−temperature EM imaging and time−resolved experiments at the micro−second limits. This includes also the upgrading, maintenance and repair of the existing instrumentation on a regular basis and by emergency calls.

2. The biocrystallographic laboratory: a common facility for large scale preparations of sensitive biological materials in purity allowing high performance of crystallographic analysis and/or NMR studies.

3. Funding selected programs of an outstanding quality, albeit premature and/or risky to be funded by the common agencies.

4. Assisting the first steps of young scientists as well as of more experienced new comers.

5. Providing means for the organization of conferences, seminars, courses and symposia dealing with aspects of structural biology. Assisting short and long term visits of leading scientific figures as well as post doctoral fellows. Facilitating the attendance of graduate students in workshops and advanced courses, carried out in Israel and/or abroad. The center also stimulates interactions with worldwide experts with specific skills in the area of structural biology. 180 The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology

The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology

Zippora Shakked, Director The Helena Rubinstein Professor of Structural Biology

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

A significant part of the funds are allocated for the maintenance of the laboratory for biological structure determination. Support was also given to Chemical and Biological Services. The Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center for Supramolecular Architecture 181

The Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center for Supramolecular Architecture

Reshef Tenne, Director (until June 2007) The Drake Family Professor in Nanotechnology

David Cahen, Director (from July 2007) The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Chair in Energy Research

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

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

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

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

The Centre organizes or participates in joint meetings, especially student−organized ones, schools, and more formal conferences. The 7th student workshop on Materials"was held jointly with a Minerva school on 29 May – 2 June, 2007 in Berlin.

Often the centre joins forces with other centres and foundations so as to able to spread its resources. Thus, at times there are activities jointly with the Minerva Centers for Micro/Nanoscale Particles and Films as Tailored Biomaterial Interfaces at Bar−Ilan University and the Stadler Minerva Center for Mesoscale Macromolecular Engineering at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, such as a mini−workshop for finishing Israeli PhD students on "Nano−, Macro− and Supra−Molecular Materials and Phenomena" that was held September 18/19, 2007 near Rehovot.

The Centre aided a Minerva School on Molecular Effects in Electronic Materials and Devices"held April 29 − May 4, 2007 in Zefat (Safed), Israel. 182 The Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center for Supramolecular Architecture http://www.weizmann.ac.il/minerva−supra/ The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences 183

The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences

Dan Yakir, Director

The Center began operating in 1993. Its main goals are to promote, coordinate, and support research on the environment in the Institute in general, and in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research in particular.

In recent years the Center supported the acquisition and upgrading of equipment needed for a wide spectrum state of the art environmental sciences research. This included the purchase of computing system needed for large scale climate and geophysical modeling; instrumentation for a new field research station in a unique semi−arid forest ecosystem at the edge of the Negev desert; gas analysis unit for stable isotopic analyses of ocean sediments used in paleo−climate reconstructions; purchase of components needed to upgrade research instruments in laboratories of the Department of Environmental Science and Energy Research.

The Center supported the absorption of a new senior scientist in the field of Physical Oceanography. And support for existing research groups in Environmental Sciences was made by awarding several Post−doc Fellowships.

In the past year, the Center focused also on promoting international scientific interactions between Institute scientists and prominent scientists in other major research centers around the world. This activity aims to provide opportunities for discussion, teaching and training associated with issues that are at the cutting−edge of global environmental research. This effort brought to the Institute over the past year guests from places that included Harvard, NASA−Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Toronto, Duke University, Columbia University, University of Maine, University of Arizona, Max Plank Institute, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris. Visiting Scientists were involved in special Workshops, Colloquia, and Seminars.

In the framework of promoting International cooperation in Environmental Sciences the Center supported two workshops convened in 2004: “The 1st Annual Weizmann Geodynamics Workshop: New results on fracture, faulting and brittle deformation of rocks”, and “Workshop on Marine optics and ocean biogeochemistry”. In addition, the Center supported the establishment of a new Distinguished Lecture Series In Environmental Sciences”.

The Center continued its support for Negev Planning: Environmental Reserves, Urban Complexes, Production areas and Interconnected Scenery Roads. In this project environmental planning emphasizing natural heritage assets of the Central Negev were 184 The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences planned and presented to the Government for implementation during the Negev planning for year 2020. A detailed file is prepared for the submission to the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Other supported activities include advising on development of Mitzpe−Ramon as an ecological city, and multi−layer GIS base of air photographs, geology, biology, satellite images, water resources, nature reserves for environmental master for selected areas of ecological and environmental interest.

The Center will continue to allocate funds for the acquisition of new equipment, for individual research projects, and to promote scientific interactions between scientists, post docs and students in the institutes and in other international Centers of Environmental Research. Applications for individual research projects, small equipment and international interactions can be made at any time. Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement 185

Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement

Perlman Institute of Chemical Sciences 186 Additional Institutes that have contributed to Scientific Advancement Faculty of Physics

Dean: Yaron Silberberg The Harry Weinrebe Professor of Laser Physics

Haim Harari, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor The Annenberg Professor of High Energy Physics 188 Faculty of Physics

Faculty of Physics

Dean: Yaron Silberberg The Harry Weinrebe Chair of Laser Physics

The Faculty of Physics consists of three departments: Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Department of Particle Physics. In addition, a unit of Physical Services support the experimental groups. The research in the faculty is conducted by 42 faculty members, about 130 graduate students and about 40 post doctoral fellows and visitors.

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

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

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

The faculty hosts The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics, The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research, The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems, The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics, and the Center for Experimental Physics. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/dphys.shtml Condensed Matter Physics 189

Condensed Matter Physics

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

Research in our department covers a broad range of subjects in condensed matter physics and in astrophysics. It can be broadly divided into three main groups: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics and Theoretical Astrophysics.

Experimental Condensed Matter Physics:

The group consists of five faculty members whose research interests include transport in low−dimensional systems, interacting electrons in high magnetic fields, scanning probe measurements, optical spectroscopy and superconductivity. An important part of this activity is conducted within the Braun center for sub−micron research, which provides state of the art fabrication and measurements facility. The experimental activities in more details are:

Israel Bar−Joseph: − Optical spectroscopy of interacting electrons in high magnetic field (with V. Umansky and Hadas Shtrikman). − Near field spectroscopy of neutral and charged excitons (with M. Rappaport, V. Umansky and Hadas Shtrikman). − Transport through nano−particles and molecules (with A. Yacoby and J. Sperling).

Mordehai Heiblum: − Controlled dephasing of electrons –‘Which Path’ type Experiments (with D. Mahalu, V. Umansky and H. Shtrikman). − Statistics of fractional charges in the fractional quantum Hall effect regime (with V. Umansky and D. Mahalu). − Phase measurements of Electrons (with D. Mahalu and H. Shtrikman). − Growth of High Purity Semiconductors by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (with V. Umansky).

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

Amir Yacoby: − Electrostatic imaging of the local electronic properties of a two−dimensional electron gas 190 Condensed Matter Physics (with D. Mahalu and H. Shtrikman). − Transport in quantum wires.(with V. Umansky).

Eli Zeldov: − High−temperature superconductivity. − Vortex dynamics. − Vortex matter phase transitions. − Magneto−optical imaging.

Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics:

This research direction in the department includes six theorists and focuses on theory of low−dimensional systems, covering a broad range of research areas such as correlated electrons, dephasing phenomena, quantum noise, field theory in condensed matter, the fractional quantum Hall effect and large N interacting matrix model. The theoretical activities in more details are:

Alexander Finkelstein: − Metal−insulator transition in two dimensional electron systems; large N approach − Highly correlated electrons; superconductivity near the quantum critical points. − Spintronics devices for spin manipulations.

Yuval Gefen: − Non−equilibrium and quantum noise. − Electron−electron interactions in finite quantum systems. − Tunneling of fractionally charged quasi−particles − Spin effects in quantum dots and mesoscopic conductors − this is related to the emerging field of Spintronics. − Berry phase and geometric effects in mesoscopic systems, including dissipative and "effects. This has important implications in the fast developiong field of quantum computing.

Joe Imry: − Electronic dephasing in mesoscopic systems (with Y. Levinson). − Low−temperature dephasing, the special effects of low energy (e.g. two−level) modes (with Z. Ovadyahu and A. Schiller, HU). − Effects of interaction on localization, on single−electron resonances and A−B interferometers (ABI) . Theory of the effect of external radiation and interactions on the ABI (with A. Aharony and O. Entin−Wohlman, TAU and BGU). − Mesoscopic superconductivity, including very small grains (with Y. Levinson and Y. Oreg). − Quantum noise and shot noise (with Y. Levinson).

Shimon Levit: − Large N interacting matrix models. − Statistics of quasiparticle and quasihole levels in small interacting disordered systems − quantum dots. Condensed Matter Physics 191 − Controlled decoherence in mesoscopic systems. − Coupled dephasor−dephasee pairs. − Non classical light − squeezed photons, nano−optics, microcavities. − Semiconductor optics with non classical light

Yuval Oreg: − Disordered superconductors in low dimension. − Field−theory in condensed matter. − Luttinger liquids and multi−channel Kondo effect. − Many body effects in nano−scale systems (e.g small quantum dots).

Ady Stern: − The fractional quantum hall effect. − Coulomb drag in low dimensional systems. − Transport in novel materials (e.g., p−wave superconductors).

Theoretical Astrophysics:

This research direction in the department consists of four members who study a range of problems in astrophysics such as black holes, modified Newtonian dynamics, Gamma ray burst and high energy astrophysics. The activities in astrophysics in more details are:

Tal Alexander: − Super−massive black holes in galactic centers. − Gravitational lensing effects in the Galactic Center. − Stellar dynamics and tidal effects near a black hole.

Moti Milgrom: − Underlying theories for the modified dynamics. − Black holes at the center of galaxies − High energy astrophysics. − Phenomenology of galaxy dynamics. − Quark Stars (with V. Usov).

Vladimir Usov: − Explosion Induced by Gamma−Ray Bursters (with M. Milgrom). − Quark Stars (with M. Milgrom). − Physical processes in relativistic electron−positron plasma. − Physical processes in very strong magnetic fields. − The theory of nonthermal radiation from compact astronomical objects (pulsars, white dwarfs, gamma−ray bursters, etc.). − Hydrodynamics and high−energy physics of colliding stellar winds in binary systems. 192 Condensed Matter Physics

Eli Waxman: − High energy astrophysics. − Gamma−ray bursts: origin and underlying physics. − Ultra−high energy cosmic−rays. − High energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources. − Non−thermal processes in the inter−galactic medium. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/condmat/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Israel Bar−Joseph, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Jane and Otto Morningstar Professor of Physics Alexander Finkelstein, Ph.D., Landau Institue, Moscow, Russian Federation The Charles and David Wolfson Professor of Theoretical Physics Yuval Gefen, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel The Isabelle and Samuel Friedman Professor of Theoretical Physics Mordehai Heiblum, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Alex and Ida Sussman Professor of Submicron Electronics Shimon Levit, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harry Kweller and Kathleen Kweller Professor of Condensed Matter Physics Mordehai Milgrom, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Isidor I. Rabi Professor of Physics Adi Stern, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Vladimir Usov, Ph.D., Space Research Institute, Moscoe, Russian Federation Eli Waxman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Eli Zeldov, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The David and Inez Myers Professor

Professor Emeritus

Yoseph Imry, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Max Planck Professor of Quantum Physics

Associate Professors

Yuval Oreg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Louis and Ida Rich Career Development Chair (until November 2007) Dan Shahar, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States Amir Yacoby, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left June 2007) Condensed Matter Physics 193 Senior Scientists

Tal Alexander, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Incumbent of the William Z. and Eda Bess Novick Career Development Chair Ehud Altman, Ph.D., Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Avishay Gal−Yam, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Senior Staff Scientists

Hadas Shtrikman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Vladimir Y. Umansky, Ph.D., Academy of Science of the USSR, Leningrad, Russian Federation

Associate Staff Scientist

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

Assistant Staff Scientist

Jens Martin, Ph.D., universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany (left August 2007)

Engineers

Michael Fourmansky Diana Mahalu, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Olga Raslin, M.Sc., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Michael Shneiderman, M.Sc., University of Tashkent, Russian Federation Nahum Stern, M.Sc., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Amnon Aharony, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel Ora Entin, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Yigal Gat, Rabin Medical Center, Petach−Tikva, Israel Denis Golosov, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left August 2007) Konstantin Kikoin, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel (left June 2007) Yehoshua Levinson Yigal Meir, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel Shay Yehoshua Zucker, Tel Aviv University, Ramat−Aviv, Tel−Aviv, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Alexey G. Aksenov, Moscow Inst. of Phys. &Tech., Russia Tatyana Baturina, Inst. of Cancer Research, London, UK 194 Condensed Matter Physics Stephanie Curnoe, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John, Canada Dafne Guetta, Observatorio Astrofisico Arcetri, Firenze, Italy Bertrand Halperin, Harvard University , MA, U.S.A. Mikhail Kiselev, ICTP − Int. Ctr. Theo. Phys., Trieste, Italy Marcin Kurpas, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Alexander Mirlin, University of Karlsruhe, (TKM), Germany Valerij Petkun, Semiconductor Physics Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania Nikoly Pilyugin, Moscow State University, Russia Anatoly Shabad, Russian Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia Petr Silvestrov, University of Ruhr, bochum, Germany Algirdas Suziedelis, Semiconductor Physics Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania Felix Von Oppen, Free Univ., Berlin, Germany Brent Wacaser, University of Lund, Sweden Przemyslaw Zagrajek, Polish Acad. of Sci.. Warsaw, Poland

Postdoctoral Fellows

Aveek Bid, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science Sourin Das, Ph.D., Harish−Chandra Research Institute Eytan Grosfeld, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Beena Kalisky, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Pradip Khatua, IIT Kanpur Andrey Kretinin, Ph.D., University of Exeter Gabor Kupi, Ph.D., Eotvos Lorand University Budapest Zhuo Li, Ph.D., Nanjing University, China Izhar Neder, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nathaniel A. Obadia, Ph.D., Universite de Tours, France Alessandro Romito, Ph.D., Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy Georg Schwiete, Ph.D., Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruhr−Uni Bochum Swati Soman, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Hadar Steinberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Basile Verdene, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michele Zaffalon, Ph.D., University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Research Students

Ariel Amir Nurit Avraham Hamutal Bary−Soroker Haim Beidenkopf Rafi Bistrizer Michal Bregman Ran Budnik Tali Dadosh Emanuele Dalla Torre Merav Dolev Amit Finkler Eran Ginossar Sarah Goldberg Yoav Gordin Lilach Goren Eran Grinvald Eytan Grosfeld Avraham Guttman Condensed Matter Physics 195 Tal Hazak−Verdene Roni Ilan Boaz Katz Doron Kushnir Dganit Meidan Karen Michaeli Izhar Neder Nissim Ofek Maoz Ovadia Hagai Perets Itay Rabinak Amir Sagiv Yehonathan Segev Eran Sela Vadim Shpitalnik Hadar Steinberg Michael Stern Basile Verdene Oren Zarchin

Administrator

Tomer Hansen 196 Particle Physics

Particle Physics

Itzhak Tserruya, Head The Samuel Sebba Chair of Pure and Applied Physics

The Department of Particle Physics is composed of several groups which have inter−related research directions.

In Experimental Physics, we have groups in Heavy Ions, High Energy Physics, Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, Plasma Physics and Radiation Detection. In Theoretical Physics, we have activities in Field Theory, Many Body Theory, Particle Physics and Quantum Mechanics.

The Department has a total of 14 tenured faculty members, 8 experimentalists and 6 theorists. We also have 1 professor on extension of service and 12 professor emeriti.

Experimental Physics

Heavy Ions: the PHENIX and CERES Experiments

Led by Itzhak Tserruya, the group includes also Zeev Fraenkel and Ilia Ravinovich. The main activity of the group is focused on the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. RHIC is dedicated to the study of QCD and in particular high density QCD via heavy−ion collisions at energies up to s NN= 200 GeV. PHENIX was designed to measure all potential signatures of the phase transition leading to deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration expected to take place in these collisions. As part of its contribution to the PHENIX detector, the group is responsible for the innermost set of pad chambers, called PC1, that are essential elements of the charged particle tracking system. The group is particularly interested on the measurement of low−mass vector mesons, via their decay into electron−positron pairs, which are sensitive probes of chiral symmetry restoration. The group has recently developed a novel Hadron Blind Detector (HBD) as an upgrade of the PHENIX detector for the measurement of low−mass electron pairs at RHIC. After a comprehensive RDphase, the HBD has been constructed and installed in the PHENIX set−up for an engeneering run in 2007.

The CERES/NA45 (Cherenkov Ring Electron Spectrometer) experiment is devoted to studying the production of low−mass electron−positron pairs in heavy−ion collisions at the CERN SPS. The analysis of data taken with an upgraded spectrometer in order to elucidate the intriguing excess of low−mass pairs previously observed by CERES in central Pb−Au Particle Physics 197 collisions, has been completed.

High Energy Physics: ATLAS, OPAL, ZEUS

The group which includes Giora Mikenberg, Ehud Duchovni, Eilam Gross and Daniel Lellouch, is mainly involved now in the preparations for the ATLAS experiment that will start collecting data in 2008 at the LHC, situated at CERN Geneva. The hardware contribution of the group to the experiment includes a major part of the forward muon trigger system based on the TGC technology which was developed at Weizmann. The analysis topics in which the group is engaged are mainly the search for a light Higgs boson and searches for physics beyond the Standard model: supersymmetric particles and black holes in particular. The group participated in the OPAL experiment at the LEP collider and is still analyzing some of the data.

The group led by Uri Karshon and including also Yehuda Eisenberg, participates in the ZEUS experiment run at the HERA accelerator which provides e−p collisions at the DESY laboratory in Hamburg. The group is specifically involved in the analysis of the production of heavy quarks (charm and beauty), the measurement of the gluon density in the proton and the study of the photon structure, in particular its charm content.

Molecular Ion Quantum Dynamics

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

Nuclear Physics

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

A new developing activity is the initiative to work with radioactive beams in Israel. Such nuclear structure and astrophysics measurements may become possible in the near future with the commencement of construction of the high−current, 40 MeV deuteron accelerator, 198 Particle Physics SARAF, at Soreq. The possibilities with the SARAF are strongly coupled to planned activities at the next−generation, SPIRAL−II facility at GANIL(France),to utilize light radioactive like 14O, 15O, 18Ne and 6He for basic research in nuclear astrophysics of explosive phenomena (see above) and neutrino physics . This part is in collaboration with Dr.Dan Berkovits (Soreq Nuclear Research Centre).

Plasma Physics

Led by Yitzhak Maron, the Plasma Laboratory investigates nonequilibrium plasmas under high energy−density and their interaction with strong, pulsed electric and magnetic fields. The investigations include time−dependent, 3D spatially−resolved measurements of fundamental plasma properties, ion dynamics, and the generated electric and magnetic fields in plasmas under high current densities. The research is particularly based on the development of novel spectroscopic methods of high spectral, temporal, and spatial resolutions that span over the visible−UV, VUV, and X−ray bands, combined with detailed atomic physics modeling and magnetohydrodynamic computations. The theoretical calculations allow for modeling the effects of plasma density, radiation transport, and oscillating fields on the atomic level populations and spectral line shapes in dense plasmas. Applications are pursued in the fields of inertial confinement fusion, Z−pinch physics, laser−produced plasmas, high−current switching, X−ray sources, and space physics, with implications to X−ray lasers, X−ray lithography, and high−resolution X−ray photography.

Radiation Detection

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

Theoretical Physics

Field Theory

The work of Ofer Aharony involves field theories, string theories, and the recently discovered relations between them along the lines of the AdS/CFT correspondence. Particular interest is in the study of string theory duals for non−conformal field theories like QCD, in understanding non−gravitational non−local field theories (such as string theories"and in Particle Physics 199 finding a general non−perturbative definition for string theory / M theory.

The work of Micha Berkooz includes String Theories, Gravity, Field Theories, and their interplay. It currently focuses on non−perturbative aspects of these theories such as basic non−perturbative definitions of String Theory/Gravity, UV/IR relations, strong coupling phase transitions, strongly coupled string theories, string theories without gravity, black holes, the quantum behavior at singularities of spacetime, and the cosmological constant. Another interest is in phenomenological aspects of String theory in particular in the astro−particle context.

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

The work of Yitzhak Frishman includes various subjects in non−Abelian gauge theories, perturbative and non−perturbative. In a recent work, with John Ellis,the spectrum of exotic baryons in two−dimensional QCD is discussed together with various other properties. Two−dimensional QCD provides overall support to the chiral−soliton picture for the structure of normal and exotic baryons in four dimensions.

Nuclear Theory

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

Particle Physics

Led by Yossi Nir, subjects include flavor at the LHC; phenomenology and flavor issues in supersymmetric theories; particle cosmology, especially leptogenesis; CP violation, especially in B decays.

Quantum Mechanics

The work of Shmuel Gurvitz includes multi−dimensional tunneling; quantum measurement and decoherence; Zeno effect; quantum transport in mesoscopic systems; deep inelastic scattering in nuclei, especially near the N = Z line and in connection with even−even ground state systematics. 200 Particle Physics http://www.weizmann.ac.il/particle/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Amos Breskin, Dr. Ing., University of Grenoble, France The Walter P. Reuther Professor of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Shmuel Gurvitz, Ph.D., Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russian Federation Haim Harari, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor The Annenberg Professor of High Energy Physics Michael W. Kirson, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States (on extension of service) The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Professor Yitzhak Maron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Stephen and Mary Meadow Professor of Laser Photochemistry Giora Mikenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lady Davis Professor of Experimental Physics Yosef Nir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Amos de Shalit Professor of Theoretical Physics Itzhak Tserruya, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Samuel Sebba Professor of Pure and Applied Physics Daniel Zajfman, D.Sc., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Simon Weinstock Professor of Astrophysics

Professors Emeriti

Abraham E. Blaugrund, Ph.D., State University of Utrecht Yehuda Eisenberg, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States Zeev Fraenkel, Ph.D., Columbia University, New York, United States Yitzhak Frishman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Gvirol Goldring, Ph.D., University of London, London, United Kingdom Uri Karshon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Moshe Kugler, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Harry J. Lipkin, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States Avraham S. Rinat, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam Igal Talmi, Dr. Sc. Nat., E.T.H., Zurich, Switzerland Zeev Vager, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Zeev Zinamon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Particle Physics 201 Associate Professors

Ofer Aharony, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Micha Berkooz, Ph.D., Rutgers University, Piscataway, United States Ehud Duchovni, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Doron Gepner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eilam Gross, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michael Hass, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Murray B. Koffler Professor

Senior Staff Scientists

Vladimir Fisher, Ph.D., Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, Moscow, Russian Federation Daniel Lellouch, Ph.D., University of Paris VI, Paris, France Ilia Ravinovich, Ph.D., Yerevan Physics Institute, Armenia

Associate Staff Scientists

Vladimir Bernshtam, Ph.D., Donetsk State University, Donetsk, Ukraine Eyal Kroupp, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Sergei Shchemelinin, Ph.D., Leningrad University (left September 2007) Alexander Starobinets, Ph.D., The Institute of High Current Electronics, Russian Federation

Special Contracts

Rebehan Maria Darcy, Ph.D., National University of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland Jun Miyamoto, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States Vladimir Smakhtin, Ph.D., Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Leonid Weingarten, Ph.D., ivanovo State Universtiy, Ivanovo, Russian Federation

Engineer

Donald Hochman, Ph.D., SUNY, Stony Brook, United States

Consultants

Yosef Babichenko, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Rachel Chechik Eli Cheifetz, El−Mol Technologies Ltd., Rehovot, Israel (left May 2007) Amnon Fisher, Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Amnon Fruchtman, Center for Technology Education, Holon, Israel Amit Giveon, The Hebrew University of Jerusaelm, Jerusalem (left October 2007) Lev Gregorian, Philips Medical Systems Technologies, Haifa, Israel 202 Particle Physics Yuval Grossman, Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (left August 2007) Marek Karliner, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Edmond Klodzh, IDF Barak Kol, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yakov Krasik, Technion − Israel Institute of technology, Haifa, Israel Yuri Krichevets, Micro Component ltd., Migdal HaEmek, Israel Eran Nardi, Nahal Soreq, Yavne, Israel (left September 2007) David Salzmann Yael Shadmi, Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Jacob Sonnenschein, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Leonid Weissman, Soreq Nuclear Center, Yavne, Israel (until May 2007)

Visiting Scientists

Michel Fabre, University of Paris XI− Orsay, France Dan Keren, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Poonam Mehta, Hari−Chandra Inst., Allahabad, India Murray Peshkin, Argonne Nat. Lab., IL, U.S.A. Vladimir Peskov, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden Daniel Robles Llana, University of Utrecht, Nederland Michele Rosin, DESY, Hamburg, Germany Dirk Shwalm, Max Planck Inst., Heildelberg, Germany Andrea Soddu, Nat. University of Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan

Postdoctoral Fellows

Henrik Buhr, Ph.D., Ruprecht−Karls−Universität Heidelberg Sanjay Kumar Chamoli, Ph.D., Panjab University, Chandigarh Tathagata Dasgupta, Ph.D., University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Igor Giller, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Masanori Hanada, Ph.D., Department of Physics, Kyoto University Amit Klier, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vivek Kumar, Ph.D., Department of Physics, Panjab University, India Satabhisa Mukhopadhyay−Dasgupt, Ph.D., Rutgers University, USA Michele Rosin, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison Mikael Edvin Johan Smedback, Ph.D., Uppsala University Severino Tessarin, Ph.D., Trinity College Dublin Tomer Volansky, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Yaron Emanuel Antebi Ofer Aviv Marco Cortesi Adi Diner (Naaman) Guy Engelhard Tsviki Hirsh Tamar Kashti Zohar Komargodski Particle Physics 203 Alexandre Kozlov Uri Lev Alexey Lyashenko Arie Melamed−Katz Maxim Naglis Dmitry Osin Assaf Patir Dori Reichmann Boaz Rubinstein Deepali Sharma Yoni Toker Tomer Volansky Itamar Yaakov

Administrator

Kobi Ben−Shmuel 204 Physics of Complex Systems

Physics of Complex Systems

Gregory Falkovich, Head

Elisha Moses is an experimentalist studying Neuro−Physics: We are interested in experimental investigation of physical aspects in the brain. At present we are pursing three main directions. Information flow. We construct living linear neural networks under our microscope that allow us to follow precisely the propagation of information along a biological Shannon−like information channel. Both one−dimensional and two−dimensional hippocampal cultures are studied using both optical and electric detection. Using a novel application of percolation theory, we obtain quantitative biological information about the connectivity of the living neural network. Interaction of neurons with electromagnetism. We stimulate neurons using a non−invasive method, both in human brains and in cultured dishes, by applying a strong and short magnetic pulse. Applications to synchrony in the brain and the study of aspects of Schizophrenia offer a fascinating perspective.

Joel Stavans' group is currently engaged in studies of the interaction of proteins and DNA using single−molecule techniques, and the behavior of genetic networks in bacterial cells. Research on protein−DNA interactions is currently focused on the properties of homologous recombination. These studies are conducted using a variety of fluorescence techniques including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) at the ensemble and single−pair level. The group is also characterizing and modelling the properties of the dynamical response of small genetic networks in bacterial cells, in both large populations and single cells. Experiments are currently being carried out on (a) the SOS response, elicited as a result of genome damage and (b) small RNA−controlled networks.

Victor Steinberg's group is studying nonlinear dynamics in various systems. This year they worked on several projects: (i) Elastic turbulence and Batchelor regime of mixing in dilute polymer solutions; (ii) Single polymer dynamics and conformations in a random flow; (iii) Convective turbulence in SF6 near its gas−liquid critical point; (iv) Further development of new acoustic detection technique of vorticity distribution in turbulent flows and its application for turbulent drag reduction; (v) Hydrodynamics of complex fluids in micro−channels: flows of polymer solutions, solutions of vesicles; (vi) Vesicle dynamics in shear and elongation flows, technology of production of uniform size vesicles.

Eytan Domany's research turned in the last few years towards problems in Biology and Bioinformatics, with emphasis on development and application of methods for the visualization and analysis of data from high thoughput experiments. Computers play a central Physics of Complex Systems 205 role in nearly all aspects of the group's work. Clustering and a variety of other techniques are used to study biological data − in particular, expression profiles obtained from DNA microarrays. We collaborate with several Weizmann research groups from the Life Sciences, as well as with laboratories at other Israeli institutions and hospitals, and also with groups from the US, Switzerland, France and Italy on analysis of their gene expression data. Our main interest is in analysis of data obtained from several kinds of cancer. Our activities range from rigorous mathematical work on searching for binding sites of transcription factors, through development of novel tools and their algorithmic implementation, to their application to analyze data obtained by our collaborating labs. A certain level of activity in Statistical Mechanics is maintained; for example, the structure of the low temperature phase of short−range spin glasses and properties of Hidden Markov processes are among the topics studied.

Gregory Falkovich studies systems far from equilibrium, in particular, turbulence. His main interest on a fundamental side is in symmetries. He studies anomalies i.e. breakdown of symmetries that do not disappear when symmetry−breaking factor goes to zero. With collaborators in France and Italy, he discovered new emerging symmetries like conformal invariance in inverse turbulent cascades and now tries to incorporate this in turbulence theory. His group also works on multifractal measures far from equilibrium. On a practical side he is working on the quantitative theory of rain initiation in turbulent warm clouds and on the way waves affect the distribution of floaters on water surface.

David Mukamel's group is active in the general area of statistical physics. In particular extensive studies of collective phenomena far from thermal equilibrium have been carried out. Models corresponding to phase separation, wetting and roughening transitions, and coarsening processes have been introduced and studied. Equilibrium collective phenomena are also investigated in various contexts. The denaturation and unzipping phase transitions of DNA molecules have been analyzed. Peculiar phenomena which are characteristic of systems with long range interactions (such as gravitational systems) have also been investigated.

In Uzy Smilansky's group, research on Quantum Chaos evolves around the following topics: Quantum graphs − spectral statistics, scattering and trace formulae. The morphology of nodal lines of billiards wave functions and the number of nodal domains are investigated, with two aims: To establish a criterion of quantum chaos, and to determine the extent by which knowledge of the nodal set determines the billiard shape. We have still some interest in the following subjects: Conditions for hyperbolicity for billiards on surfaces with constant curvatures. Quantization of billiards in homogeneous magnetic fields, and the density of exterior and interior edge states. The classical and quantum spectral duality.

Nir Davidson's group develops new techniques for laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms. They are studying new optical traps that are based on repulsive light forces, in which spontaneous emission of photons is suppressed. Such traps provide long atomic coherence times and hence enable extremely accurate spectroscopic and dynamical measurements, including observation of chaotic motion of ultra−cold atoms in optical . They are also conducting experiments in a Bose−Einstein condensate including measurements of its 206 Physics of Complex Systems zero−temperature excitation spectra its ground state properties and its coherence.

Asher A. Friesem and his group are conducting basic investigations on non−conventional elements based on diffractive and planar optics, on the resonance behavior of grating−waveguide structures, on the performance of special phase elements inside laser cavities, and on new optical architectures for a variety of applications. These investigations are leading to new laser configurations, highly advanced optical arrangements for displays, high−speed electro−optic devices and special biological and chemical sensors.

Yaron Silberberg and his group are studying ultrafast and nonlinear optics. Using femtosecond optical pulses, they study how the shape of these pulses affects the interaction between the light and atoms or molecules. In particular, the group investigates how shaped pulses can be used in nonlinear laser spectroscopy. Shaping also affect nonclassical sources of light, and shaping of single photon sources has been demonstrated. In another effort, the group investigates nonlinear microscopy − using femtosecond pulses in biological microscopy. The group has developed a new type of microscope based on third−harmonic generation and it tests it on various types of biological specimens. Finally, the group also works on soliton physics, and continues its studies of discrete solitons in waveguide arrays.

Adam Schwimmer continued to study various aspects of Quantum Field Theory and String theory and their interrelation. In particular the group studied the relation between Conformal Field Theories appearing on the boundary of AdS type space−times and the String Theory description in the bulk. The role played by the stringy Solitons ( in holographic theories was elucidated.

Tsvi Tlusty and his group deal with modeling living information systems, their molecular components and the way they evolve. A central question in this field is the impact of the inherent molecular recognition noise on the design of information channels. We examine this question in the contexts of the genetic code and the transcription regulatory network (with Uri Alon). A specific example that is currently considered is the circuitry that controls the p53 tumor−suppressor (with Tzachi Pilpel). On a more microscopic scale, we examine the actual physical forces that act during molecular recognition and suggest that the structure of certain bio−recognizers has evolved to optimize the quality of detection. The suggested design principles are considered as possible engines that could drive the evolution of biological information systems. Other research activities include modeling 2D neural networks in terms of percolating random graphs (with Elisha Moses) and the theory of particle−laden microfluidic flow (with Roy Bar−Ziv).

Dan Oron and his group are studying nonlinear dynamics in nanocrystals using ultrafast time−resolved techniques as well as quasi−continuous−wave energy− and frequency− resolved methods. Much of the research effort is aimed towards utilizing the unique resonant properties of semiconducting and metallic nanoparticles towards applications as nonbleaching contrast agents in bioimaging. The group also studies the fundamental aspects of exciton−exciton interctions in multicomponent semiconductor quantum dots. Physics of Complex Systems 207

Roee Ozeri's group uses laser cooled and trapped ions for quantum information, quantum optics and quantum metrology experimental studies. In particular we focus on the quantum information aspects of ion−photon interactions. The coupling of an ion−qubit to the elecro−magnetic vacuum through spontaneous photon scattering is studied as a generic model for quantum noise. The decoherence induced as well as active methods to correct for it through quantum feedback are explored.

Nirit Dudovich's group studies basic phenomena in strong field light−matter interactions. In particular, the group focuses on the generation and measurement of attoseconds pulses (1 attosecond is 10−18 seconds). The advent of time resolved measurements with attosecond resolution opens new fields in which the observation of fast electronic dynamics can be attained. The group develops new approaches to observe highly nonlinear interactions and to manipulate their evolution in time and space. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/complex/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Eytan Domany, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States The Henry J. Leir Professorial Professor Gregory Falkovich, Ph.D., Novosibirsk State University Elisha Moses, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel David Mukamel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold J. and Marion F. Green Professor Yaron Silberberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harry Weinrebe Professor of Laser Physics Uzy Smilansky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Wolfgang Gentner Professor of Nuclear Physics Joel Stavans, Ph.D., University of Chicago, United States Victor Steinberg, Ph.D., Laboratory of Critical Phenomena, Moscow, Russian Federation (on extension of service) The Harry de Jur Professor of Applied Physics

Professors Emeriti

Asher Friesem, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States Adam Schwimmer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 208 Physics of Complex Systems Associate Professor

Nir Davidson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Peter and Carola Kleeman Professor of Optical Sciences

Senior Scientists

Nirit Dudovich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dan Oron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Roee Ozeri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tsvi Tlusty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship

Engineers

Rostyslav Baron, Ph.D., Institute of Low Temperatures, Kharkov's, Russian Federation Yuri Burnishev, Ph.D., Ural Branch of the USSR Academy of Science, Russian Federation

Consultants

Rakos Attila Liat Ein Dor, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel (left February 2007) Itzhak Fouxon, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Asher Friesem Michael Golub, ExPlay Ltd., Herzliya, Israel Yariv Kafri, Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Ido Kanter, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Yossi Kedmi (left June 2007) Shlomi Kotler, JustAsk, Ra'anana (left May 2007) Avraham Peled, Shaar Menashe Mental Health Center, Israel (left March 2007) Eliezer Rabinovici, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left June 2007) Shahar Seifer, Independent Shmuel Starobinets, Israel Aircraft Int., Tel−Aviv, Israel Shimon Yankielowicz, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Michael Aizenman, Princeton University , NJ, U.S.A. Michael Chertkov, Los Alamos Nat. Lab., NM, U.S.A. Jean−Pierre Eckmann, University of Geneva, Switzerland Martin Evans, University of Edinburgh, Scotland Haye Hinrichsen, Free Univ., Berlin, Germany David Kutasov, University of Chicago, Il, U.S.A. Gunter Schutz, HLRZ, Julich, Germany Physics of Complex Systems 209 Konstantin Turitsyn, Landau Inst.., Moscow, Russia Guenter Von Gehlen, University of Bonn, Germany Norman Zabusky, Rutgers University , NJ, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Jacob Bock Axelsen, Ph.D., Niels Bohr Institute David Ben−Shlomo, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Barry Dov Bruner, Ph.D., University of Toronto Choeng Ryul Choi, Kyunghee University Julien Samuel Kevin Deschamps, Ph.D., IRPHE Eugene Frumker, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Leore Grosman, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Iztok Hace, Ph.D., University of Ljubljana Nestor Zenon Handzy, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University Yair Horesh, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Kavita Jain, Ph.D., Tata Institute Yonggun Jun, University of Pittsburgh Nava Levit−Binnun, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yonggang Liu, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences Marco Martins Afonso, Ph.D., Department of Physics − University of Genova Stefano Musacchio, Ph.D., University of Turin Madhavan Unni Perincherry Kulappar, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science Vaibhav Shridhar Prabhudesai, Ph.D., Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Attila Gabor Rakos, Ph.D., Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest Noam Shental, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Jordi Soriano−Fradera, Ph.D., University of Barcelona

Research Students

Itai Afek Nitzan Akerman Amnon Amir Amit Aronovitch Assaf Avidan Ram Band Nir Bar−Gill Ilan Breskin Yaron Bromberg Navit Dori Vardit Eckhouse Yehonatan Elon Moti Fridman Eugene Frumker Hilah Gal Sergiy Gerashchenko Yinnon Glickman Tzahi Itzhak Grunzweig Shimshon Jacobi Vasiliy Kantsler Tsvi Katchalski Ori Katz Yoav Lahini Adam Lampert Nava Levit−Binnun Adam Mani Adi Natan Shiri Nitzan− Meshner Idan Oren Rami Pugatch 210 Physics of Complex Systems Assaf Rotem Eitan Rowen Hillel Rubinstein Yoav Sagi Yonatan Savir Dror Shafir Tal Shay Michal Sheffer Liran Shimshi Haim Suchowski Eran Tal Shuki Vardi Marija Vucelja Amit Zeisel Or Zuk

Administrator

Israel Gonen Physics Services 211

Physics Services

Amos Breskin, Head The Walter P. Reuther Professor of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy

The Physics Services, comprising of five different units, offers advanced services in particle accelerators, electronics, data acquisition, vacuum and cryogenics, thin films and mechanical workshop. These units provide services to the scientific groups throughout the institute as well as to various external users. The structure of the Physics Services is:

1. Accelerator Laboratory (Prof. M. Hass, in charge) Operation of the 14 MV Pelletron accelerator and the 2 MV VDG accelerator

2. Electronics and Data Acquisition (Dr. L. Levinson, in charge) DAQ solutions to research problems Electronics design and construction Repair of sophisticated electronic instruments Real−time DAQ software

3. UHV, cryogenics and thin films (Dr. M. Rappaport, in charge) Consultation and design for experimental systems Thin films deposition: evaporation, sputtering, electron−gun, rolling

4. Data acquisition (Dr. E. Segre, in charge) Consultation and design of on−line data acquisition, image processing, etc...

5. Mechanics workshop (Y. Asher, in charge) http://www.weizmann.ac.il/physics/services.html

Staff

Professor

Amos Breskin11, Dr. Ing., University of Grenoble, France The Walter P. Reuther Professor of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy 212 Physics Services Senior Staff Scientists

Oded Heber, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Lorne Levinson, Ph.D., Brown University, Providence, United States Michael Rappaport, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States

Assistant Staff Scientist

Enrico Segre, Ph.D., University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Engineer

Alexander Roich, M.Sc., Technological Institute for Electricity and Communication, Tashkent

Administrator

Kobi Ben−Shmuel

1Department of Particle Physics The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics 213

The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics

Eli Waxman, Director

The Benoziyo Center for Astrophysics promotes research in theoretical and experimental astrophysics, cosmology and related topics in the Weizmann Institute of Science. It supports research in these fields, collaborations with academic institutions in Israel and abroad, and the training of young researchers. 214 Center for Experimental Physics

Center for Experimental Physics

Yaron Silberberg, Director

The Harry Weinrebe Chair of Laser Physics

The Center for Experimental Physics was established in 2002. The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high−level research in all areas of experimental physics. The Center supports experimental efforts through human−contact activities, such as hosting experimental physicists visiting from abroad and post−doctoral trainees working with different experimental groups in the Institute. The Center also supports, partially or fully, small topical meetings and workshops. It also supplies partial help for the purchase and maintenance of special experimental equipment.

The research in Experimental Physics at the Weizmann Institute ranges from the most basic aspects of particle physics, usually carried in major facilities abroad, through experimental studies, at the Faculty laboratories, of basic material properties such as semiconductors and superconductors; of atomic, molecular, plasma and optical physics, to interdisciplinary studies of the physics of biological systems. The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics 215

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics

Giora Mikenberg, Director The Lady Davis Chair of Experimental Physics

Although the universe in which we live looks very complex, with a large variety of different molecules and forces that binds them together, it is commonly assumed that shortly after the moment of creation the universe was a much simpler place. In particular, it is believed that only a single (unified) force existed. During the expansion of the universe its temperature dropped and the unified force was split into the four forces we know today (gravitation, nuclear, electromagnetic and the weak force which drives the radioactive decay). First viable models of the unification concept were suggested about 25 years ago and were experimentally confirmed some 15 years ago. A major consolidation of this concept was later done at LEP, the Large Electron Positron accelerator situated at CERN. Virtually all of the present knowledge about the fundamental particles and their interaction is included in a model named 'Standard Model. In spite of its spectacular success and its incredible predictive power, the Standard Model cannot be the ultimate theory of particles and their interactions. Few fundamental measurements are still to be done and few crucial questions are still to be answered. The following projects that are supported by the Benoziyo center, address some of the more fundamental aspects of the Standard Model.

The ATLAS Project at the LHC Accelerator

The ATLAS team of the Weizmann Institute completed the construction and installation of all the 2600 TGC chambers that had to be prepared for the ATLAS experiment in Geneva. The failure rate during the installation of the 8 TGC wheels has been less than 0.1%, owing to the high quality and stringent tests of the detectors constructed in Israel.

The team continued working on preparations for physics analysis using simulated data. The activity is now in few directions: In Higgs boson studies an important progress was achieved in the study of ATLAS sensitivity to light Higgs bosons. The identification of ?−leptons in this region is crucial and an important tool for this study which is expected to be used by the whole collaboration was developed [3].

In the search or Supersymmetric particles a study of a very unique case which combines the physics with the detector design has been initiated [4] and another one, concerning one of the less understood scenarios was completed [5]. The physics team has also started to look into the possibility that the LHC will become a black−hole factory and preliminary results were already shown in conferences. 216 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics The Physics of Heavy Ions: the PHENIX Experiment

The main activity of the Heavy Ion group at the Weizmann Institute is centered on the PHENIX Experiment at BNL. The PHENIX Experiment deals mainly with the study of a new state of matter called Quark−Gluon Plasma. This particular state characterizes the Universe a few microseconds after the Big−Bang. The Weizmann Heavy Ion Group is mainly involved in the detection of low mass electron−positron pairs which will follow very interesting results obtained by the group in previous experiments. For this reason, and under the leadership of the Weizmann Group, a new "Hadron Blind Detector" is being developed and constructed at Weizmann for the PHENIX experiment. This detector will be installed during 2006.

1. The first−level trigger of ATLAS / J. Haller incl. D. Lellouch, L. Levinson, G. Mikenberg S. Tarem, ATL−COM−DAQ−2005−043. 2. The Certification of ATLAS Thin Gap Chambers Produced in Israel and China. E. Etzion, L. Levinson, G. Mikenberg, Y Rozen /ATL−MUON−2005−002; ATL−COM−MUON−2004−021; CERN−ATL−COM−MUON−2004−02. 3. An Alternative Algorithm for Fast Tau Identification within ATLAS , Eilam Gross, E G; Zivkovic, L/ATL−PHYS−INT−2005−003; ATL−COM−PHYS−2005−049. 4. Can ATLAS avoid missing the long lived stau? , Tarem, S; Bressler, S; Duchovni, E; Levinson, L/ATL−PHYS−PUB−2005−022; ATL−COM−PHYS−2005−051. 5. Search for RPV SUSY Through its Purely Hadronic Decay Modes With Low Luminosity , Duchovni, E; Melamed−Katz, A/ATL−PHYS−PUB−2005−025; ATL−COM−PHYS−2005−019. 6. Tserruya, "Quark Matter 2005: Experimental Conference Summary" Nucl. Phys. A (in press). I. 7. I. Tserruya, "Report on the Hadron Blind Detector for the PHENIX Detector" Nucl. Instr. Meth (in press). 8. I. Tserruya, "Cherenkov Counters in Heavy ion Physics" Nucl. Instr. Meth. A553, 196 (2005). 9. Z. Fraenkel et al., including I. Tserruya, "A Hadron Blind Detector for the PHENIX Experiment at RHIC" Nucl. Instr. Meth. A546, 466 (2005). The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research 217

The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research

Mordehai Heiblum, Director The Alex and Ida Sussman Professor of Submicron Electronics

Research activities at the Center are concentrated on fabrication and investigation of small semiconductor structures. The energy spectrum, interactions, and dynamics of electrons in these structures are strongly affected by the reduced dimensions. The structures are grown by state−of−the−art molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), patterned using very high resolution electron beam writing system and processed using advanced techniques.

Research at the Center is conducted by a staff of approximately 30 people, organized in three scientific groups (headed by Israel Bar−Joseph, Moty Heiblum, and Amir Yacoby), and a highly skilled professional team. Major research activities are directed toward studying the transport properties of electrons and holes in a large parameter range: from DC to microwave frequencies, from a temperature of a few milliKelvin above absolute zero to room temperature, and from zero to extremely high magnetic fields. Another research effort is directed toward studying the optical properties, with continuous waves or with short optical pulses, of two−dimensional electron gas and of highly excited one−dimensional wires. An important facet of the research at the Center is the development of new confining structures and the fabrication of very pure material.

The activity at the Center also involves application−oriented research. The Center was also chosen to be a Large Scale Facility by the European Union, receiving resources to host many scientists from Europe for periods up to three months.

Here are some of the scientific projects conducted by the different groups:

Controlled Dephasing of Electrons (which path experiments)

By observing with a sensitive detector the path an electron chooses to take interference of the electronic waves vanishes. A biased Quantum Point Contact (QPC) in close proximity to an Aharonov−Bohm ring interferometer induces dephasing (destruction of interference) and is easily controlled by the QPC. Phase detection as well as current detection are being exploited. Recently, an edge state, in the quantum Hall effect regime was employed as a ‘which path’ detector, leading to total dephasing of a two path interferometer. Moreover, by employing a simple cross−correlation measurement between the detector and the interferometer, the phase information was recovered. [Izhar Neder, Diana Mahalu, H. Shtrikman, Vladimir Umansky, and Moty Heiblum]. 218 The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research

Statistics and charge of Fractional Charges

The charge of the quasiparticles in the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) regime had been predicted to be a fraction of the electronic charge. Via shot noise measurements this charge was measured in the FQHE regime at a filling factor 1/3 and was found to be e/3 as predicted. More recently charges e/5 and e/7 were measured at filling factors 2/5 and 3/7, respectively. However, at extremely low temperatures, spontaneous bunching takes place and charges e/3, 2e/5, 3e/7 were found at filling factors 1/3, 2/5, 3/7 respectively. [Yunchul Chung (Post Doc), Vladimir Umansky, Diana Mahalu, and Moty Heiblum].

Coherence and Phase Measurements in Mesoscopic Systems

An interferometer functioning in the IQHE regime, based on edge states transport, was constructed. It is an electronic analog of the optical Mach−Zehnder interferometer. It has a high sensitivity and high visibility (~62%), and is going to be a useful tool to study coherent effects under extremely high magnetic fields. Unexpected behavior was observed with the interference pattern exhibiting strong lobe structure as function of injection energy (instead of a monotonic type behavior) [Izhar Neder, Diana Mahalu, Vladimir Umansky and Moty Heiblum]

Local Thermodynamic Probing of the two Dimensional Electron and Hole Gases

We use a single electron tarnsistor as a local electrostatic probe to study the underlying spatial structure of the metal insulator transition (MIT) in two dimensions (2D). Our local compressibility measurements reveal a striking microscopic evolution from a continuous liquid phase to a discrete insulating phase. In contrast to the continuous compressible phase, the new discrete phase consists of microscopic charge configurations that are surrounded by the liquid phase and are compressible only at discrete values of the local density. The discrete phase appears already on the metallic side of the MIT and when the density is lowered its volume increases on account of the continuous phase. The individual charge configurations, that comprise the discrete phase, are found to interact via quantum mechanical tunneling and via mutual Coulomb interaction. (Shahal Ilani, Ph.D. student, Katya Teitelbaum, Ms.c. student, Diana Mahalu, Hadas Shtrikman, and Amir Yacoby).

Tunneling Spectroscopy of One Dimensional Conductors

We have studied experimentally the tunneling conductance of a 1D wire in two different geometry's using the cleaved edge overgrowrth method. The first consists of tunneling between two parallel 1D wires that are separated by a 6nm barrier. Conservation of energy and momentum in the tunneling process restricts current flow to very specific values of the relative voltage between the wires and external magnetic field. We will show that our measurements provide a direct way of measuring the detailed dispersion relation, E(k), of the electrons in the wires. In the second geometry we have measured the low temperature conductance of a one−dimensional island embedded in a single mode quantum wire. The The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research 219 tunneling is through a single state of the island. Our results show that while the resonance line shape fits the derivative of the Fermi function the intrinsic line width decreases in a power law fashion as the temperature is reduced. This behavior agrees quantitatively with Furasaki's model for resonant tunneling in a Luttinger liquid. (Ophir Auslaender, Ph. D. student, Vladimir Umansky, and Amir Yacoby).

Near field spectroscopy of semiconductor quantum wells

We have measured the near−field photoluminescence (PL) of semiconductor quantum wells at low temperatures. We used the PL lines of the neutral and negatively charged excitons as a measure for the local quantum well width and the local charge, respectively. We found the formation of elongated charged stripes along the [10] crystal orientation, which are arranged in a quasi−periodic structure. We also investigated the behavior of the fluctuations in the quantum well width. We found that these seemingly random well−width fluctuations actually exhibit well−defined order −−− strong long−range correlations appearing laterally, in the plane of the QW, as well as vertically, between QWs grown one on top of the other. We show that these fluctuations are correlated with the commonly found mound structure on the surface. (Y. Yayon, Ph.D student, M. Rappaport, V. Umansky and I. Bar−Joseph)

Transport through nano−particles and a single organic molecule

We launched a new research program aiming at investigating transport through nano−objects: metal or semiconductor nano−clusters and organic molecules. An important step in realizing this object is finding a reliable technique of contacting these very small objects. We have introduced novel approaches for both forming a nano−gap and for attaching electrical contacts to the nano−object. The main idea in the nano−gap formation is to control the gap size with sub−nanometer precision using a structure grown by molecular−beam epitaxy. Using this approach we have demonstrated the formation of 5−50 nm gaps. In addressing the issue of contacting a single molecule we have used gold clusters to form a dimmer structure, in which a single organic molecule is connected in each end to a gold cluster. We have succeeded in trapping the dimmer between metal electrodes and measured electrical transport at low temperatures. (R. Krahne, post−doctorant fellow, T. Dadosh and Y. Gordin, Ph. D students, H. Shtrikman, A. Yacoby, J. Sperling and I. Bar−Joseph). http://www.weizmann.ac.il/smc/ 220 The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics

The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics

Eli Waxman, Director

The Albert Einstein MINERVA Center for Theoretical Physics was established in 1980 with the generous donation of an endowment fund from the Bundes Ministerium f?r Forschung und Technologie (BMFT) of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the joint committee for German Israeli Scientific Cooperation (Minerva). The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high level research in theoretical physics, while promoting cooperation among German and Israeli theorists. The Center supports human contact activities, such as theoretical physicists visiting from abroad and consultants working with different theory groups in the Institute. The Center also supports, partially or fully, small topical meetings and workshops. Naturally, most of the activity of the Center is related to research projects based at the Faculty of Physics, but considerable support has also been lent to appropriate projects in the Faculty of Chemistry and, to a lesser extent, in the Faculty of Mathematics. The support from the Center plays an important role in almost all the research in theoretical physics at the Institute.

Visiting Theoretical Physicists

During 2007 we supported 31 visitors who came to the Institute to collaborate and to give lectures. The visitors came from Germany (6), United States (13), France (5), UK (2), The Netherlands (1), Canada (1), Russia (1), Italy (1), and India(1).

The Advisors (Associate Membership) Program

The advisors are theoretical physicists, with appointments in other academic institutes in Israel, who come to the Weizmann Institute for up to 1 day per week for part or the whole of the academic year. They collaborate with scientists from the Weizmann Institute and give lectures here. Much joint work results.

In 2007, four advisors were in the Department of Condensed Matter Physics, eight in the Department of Particle Physics, and four in the Department of Complex Systems. The advisors for Condensed Matter Physics were Prof. Amnon Aharony, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Prof. Ora Entin−Wohlman, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev; Dr. Konstantin Kikoin, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev; and Prof. Yigal Meir, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev. The advisors for Particle Physics were Dr. Yosef Babichenko; Prof. Amit Giveon, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Prof. Marek Karliner, Tel Aviv The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics 221 University; Prof. Barak Kol, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Prof. Yael Shadmi, Technion; Prof. Yaron Oz, Tel Aviv University; Prof. Jacob Sonnenschein, Tel Aviv University, and Prof. Shmuel Elitzur, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The advisors for Complex Systems were Prof. Shimon Yankielowicz, Tel Aviv University , Dr. Yariv Kafri, Technion, Prof. Eliezer Rabinovici, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Prof. Ido Kanter, Bar−Ilan University.

Center supported conferences (2007):

Physics at the LHC School – Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 31.12.06 – 04.01.07

The quantum world in real time – is it accessible – Safed, Israel, 24.06.07 – 29.06.07

Safed workshop on Cooling and thermodynamics of quantum systems – Safed, Israel, 26.08.07 – 31.08.07

Turbulence and Mixing – Eilat, Israel, 03.11.07 − 08.11.07

Dynamics &Spectra of Complex Systems Mathematical &Physics Days at WIS – Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 16.12.07 – 19.12.07

Einstein Colloquia

In celebration of Einstein's Annum Mirabilis centennial, a special series of physics colloquia, the Colloquia"was initiated and supported by the center. The colloquia were given by distinguished physicists, describing recent progress in research related to Einstein's great contributions of 1905.

Eberhard Bodenschatz (MPI, Göttingen) "Lagrangian Properties of Fluid Turbulence"

Bernard Derrida (Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris) and Large Deviations in Non−Equilibrium Systems"

Jim Eisenstein (Caltech, USA) the Quantum Hall Effect: Novel Collective States of Electrons in Two Dimensions"

Yakov Bekenstein ( Hebrew University, Jerusalem) Holes, Everyday Physics and the Holographic Universe"

Edward Shuryak (SUNY, Stony Brook) Einsteinian Gravity to Understand Strongly Coupled QCD http://www.weizmann.ac.il/physics/einstein_physics.html 222 The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics

The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics

Mordehai Heiblum, Director The Alex and Ida Sussman Professor of Submicron Electronics

The Maurice and Gabriella Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics was established in 2001. Fueled by the success of the research on Mesoscopic Physics, the main goal of this center is to promote theoretical and experimental research in Nanophysics at WIS. This is done by funding student and postdoc fellowships, and by supporting physics students who travel to workshops and schools in this field. An important priority of the center is enhancing the collaboration between nano−physicists at WIS and their peers abroad. The center provides funds for visitors and for organizing workshops in this field. The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 223

The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems

Itamar Procaccia, Director The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Chair of Chemical Physics

The Center was established jointly by the Technion and the Weizmann Institute. It maintains strong links with the Max Planck Institute for Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden. The Center supports the activities of three groups at the Weizmann Institute, in addition to a variety of exchanges, workshops, schools and seminars.

The main subjects covered by the Center in the last few years were:

Hydrodynamics, Turbulence and Pattern Formation−Theory

1. Turbulence. Our research in the last few years concentrated on understanding the universality of turbulence, with a focus on the exponents that characterize the scaling properties of correlation functions and structure functions. We had three major lines of progress, in each of which we have achieved significant results. First, anomalous scaling was related to the existence of Preserved Structures"which remain invariant (on the average) on the background of the turbulent flow. Such invariant functions are responsible for the observed anomalous exponents that were mysterious for decades to turbulence researchers. Now we can identify them as eigenfunctions of eigenvalue 1 of appropriate operators. Second, we have presented a systematic and accurate approach to peeling off anisotoropic contributions from turbulent statistical objects. We showed how each isotropic sector exhibits its own set of anomalous exponents which are universal. This way we have settled long standing issues related to the decay of aniostropy as a function of length scale and Reynolds number. Finally we have addressed the problem of drag reduction in turbulence by polymeric additives, and proposed a rather complete theory of this mysterious phenomenon. In particular we explained the universal Drag Reduction"(MDR) asymptote, and offered explanation to the non−universal cross over back to Newtonian behavior. The theory provides an explanation to the common aspects and to the differences in drag reduction by flexible and rodlike polymers.

2. Fractal Grourth. We considered Laplacian growth and Diffusion Limited Aggregates (DLA). By constructing conformal maps from the unit circle to the fractal patterns we obtained dynamical equations for the conformal maps, allowing us to solve for the interesting patterns that evolve in these systems. We understood completely Laplacian dynamics and developed a theory of DLA which is able to predict all the multifractal properties from first principles. In particular we have offered a convergent calculation 224 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems of the fractal dimension of DLA, settling a long standing question whether it is fractal or not (it is).

In the last year we have developed the dynamics of conformal maps to problems of fracture of brittle materials. We have solved the quasi−static fracture problem and are making progress in dynamic fracture. We have offered novel methods to analyze the roughening of fractured interfaces, and begun to explore the physics of plasticity and its implications on fracture.

Hydrodynamics, Turbulence, and Pattern Formation−Experimental

During the past years the main progress has been made on the following projects:

1. Elastic turbulence and Batchelor regime of mixing in dilute polymer solutions. The central subject in the laboratory during this period was the investigation of various aspects of hydrodynamics of polymer solutions. Significant progress has been made in our understanding of the role of elastic stresses in hydrodynamics of polymer solutions. Statistics of global (torque and injected power) and local (velocity and velocity gradient fields) characteristics of the elastic turbulence in a flow of a polymer solution between two disks was experimentally investigated. Analogy with a small scale fast dynamo in magneto−hydrodynamics and with a passive scalar turbulent advection in the Batchelor regime was used to explain the experimentally observed statistical properties, flow structure, and scaling of the elastic turbulence. Dependence of properties of elastic turbulence on polymer concentration was studied in detail. Next step in this project was to study turbulent mixing of very viscous fluids by adding polymers. We studied mixing in curved channels of macroscopic size (3mm side size in cross−section) and in a micro channel of 100 micron side size cross−section. It turned out that these studies have besides obvious importance for application also rather important implications in our basic understanding of chaotic mixing. Indeed, it was demonstrated that mixing due to elastic turbulence is an ideal system to study the Batchelor regime of mixing. The latter is a rare example of the model of dynamics of a passive scalar in a turbulent flow, for which the analytical solution was obtained. Mixing due to elastic turbulence regime provided quantitative verification of theoretical predictions and further initiated theoretical activity to quantitatively understand the results. 2. Single polymer dynamics and conformations in a random flow. Single polymer dynamics and statistics of conformation were studied in shear and random flows. Coil−stretch transition in polymer conformation in a random flow was identified and characterized. Dependence of the coil−stretch transition on polymer concentration and molecular weight are studied, and also the degree of polymer stretching in a random flow on its closeness to a wall. New fluorescent labeling technique with quantum dots is developing in the lab in order to conduct experiments on a single polymer in various flows to measure end−to−end vector that is used in a theoretical model. Further experiments on synthetic polymer molecules are in progress. The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 225 3. Hydrodynamics of complex fluids in micro−channels. Dynamics of vesicles and rheology of vesicle solutions are realistic models for blood flow. Different regimes in dynamics of a single vesicle in shear flow that appears between two disks and in micro−channels were quantitatively studied. It was demonstrated that in tank−treading regime a vesicle dynamics in a wide range of vesicle deformations is described quantitatively well by the recently developed theoretical model. On the other hand, a transition from tank−treading to tumbling regime occurred rather differently from what expected. First, a new regime of vesicle trembling at lower shear rates was identified when both vesicle inclination angle and shape deformation were oscillated. Second, these shape deformations persisted also in the tumbling regime. Recently, hydrodynamics of concentrated solution of vesicles was studied by measurements of its global (pressure drop as a function of discharge in a micro−channel flow) and local (dynamics of a single vesicle) properties. Strong fluctuations in vesicle inclination angle due to vesicle interaction via flow (up to two orders of magnitude larger than thermal noise) were observed and studied specifically in a case of two vesicles interaction. Investigation of dynamics in other flows such as elongation and random flows is currently on the way. Finally, we are going to identify rheology of vesicle solution to compare it with empirical constitutive equations used for blood rheology. Similar research we are planning to perform for solution of worm−like micelles and any other fluids that show visco−elastic properties. 4. Further development of new acoustic detection technique of vorticity distribution in turbulent flows and its application for turbulent drag reduction. During the last several years we developed a new sound scattering technique for measurements of velocity and vorticity fields in a turbulent flow. We use this technique together with Laser Doppler and particle image velocimetry methods, hot−wire anemometry, precise measurement of torque, and pressure fluctuations to study turbulent drag reduction. The latter problem we study in von Karman swirling flow between two counter−rotating disks of water or water−sugar solutions with different concentration of PAAm 18M molecular weight. 5. Convective turbulence in SF6 near its gas−liquid critical point. Turbulent convection was studied in a gas SF6 near the gas−liquid critical point. This unique system provides us an opportunity to reach extremely large Raleigh numbers (up to 1015) and to study the Pr dependence over an extremely wide range (up to 500) in the same system. The existence of the critical fluctuations provided us the possibility to perform laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements of the velocity field in a rather wide range of the closeness to the critical point. Using this novel technique developed in our laboratory, we studied statistical properties of the velocity field in a wide range of Re and Pr numbers. Together with the local temperature and global heat transfer and temperature and velocity profile measurements it provided us complete information about convective turbulence. A surprising outcome of theses studies was a very weak influence of strong non−Boussinesq effect on global and local scaling properties of convective turbulence. 226 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems Quantum Chaos − Theory

The main problem in chaos"is to reveal the quantum mechanical implications of classical chaos. Chaotic dynamics − a generic property in classical physics, leave universal fingerprints in quantum physics, which are unraveled by the on going research in Chaos"The results are relevant and applicable in Mesoscopics, Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear physics. As a matter of fact, chaos"appears in all problems where wave propagation is studied in the short wavelength limit. Thus, chaos"is also studied in acoustics, electromagnetic propagation, cavities etc. The observation which brought chaos"to the focal point of modern theoretical physics, was the intimate connection between the distributions and statistics of many quantum observables, and the underlying classical dynamics. More precisely, it was found that the predictions of random matrix theory, a minimum−information statistical approach, accurately reproduce the properties of simple quantum systems, as long as the underlying classical dynamics is chaotic. In this way, the ergodicity which is the hallmark of classical chaos is extended into the quantum domain. In our recent research we contributed to this effort along the following lines:

1. Quantum graphs. In the quest for the simplest quantum systems which display spectral fluctuations which are reproduce by random matrix theory, we proposed quantum graphs, for which an exact trace formula exists, and the dynamics"was shown to be mixing. An extensive test of the spectra of simple graphs have shown an excellent reproduction of various statistical measures derived from random matrix theory. Moreover, the derivation of spectral correlation functions can be reduced to the solution of combinatorial problems. With this insight, the applicability of random matrix theory for graphs was theoretically established to better degree than hitherto achieved in any other system. Various other problems of interest, such as isospectrality (which relates to the question− "one hear the shape of a graph?"quantum irreversibility (dephasing) and nodal structures of wave functions on graphs are also studied. Recently we introduced a method to construct graphs which are isospectral but are not congtuent. 2. The statistics and structure of nodal domains. Real wave functions (in 2d for simplicity) vanish along lines which separate domains where the wave function has a constant sign. The properties of the sets of nodal lines and nodal domains are sensitive to the underlying classical dynamics. We revived the interest in this aspect of chaos"by introducing a new statistical measure for the distribution of the number of nodal domains. We derived the universal features of this distribution for quantum integrable problems, and conjectured its behavior for chaotic ones. 3. Can one count the shape of a drum? We study the sequences obtained by counting the number of nodal domains of wave functions ordered by increasing energies. We have shown that these sequences of integers store geometric information on the shape of the boundary of the Moreover, we conjectured and verified the conjecture numerically that these sequences resolve isospectral ambiguities. Recently we proved the validity of the conjecture for a certain class of isospectral graphs. The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 227 228 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Dean: Zvi Artstein The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

Aryeh Dvoretzky, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor 230 Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Dean: Zvi Artstein The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science consists of two departments: the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. The research is spread over many areas in mathematics, applied mathematics, and computer science.

There are no clear−cut lines separating the different areas, and many projects span more than one of them. The research itself ranges from abstract and very theoretical considerations within mathematics and computer science, through using and applying mathematics and computer science in other sciences, including Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and the Social Sciences. It is not easy to divide the faculty members into well identified research groups, as there is a large overlap in research interests and expertise, an overlap that in turn contributes to the strength of the Faculty. Thus, the best way to see what is done in the Faculty is to read the research summaries provided in our Faculty brochure for each of the departments and for each individual scientist.

The Faculty also hosts the The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, The John von Neumann Minerva Center for Verification of Reactive Systems, The Prospective Institute for Biomatics and the Moross Laboratory for Vision Research and Robotics. http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/ Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 231

Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Ronen Basri, Head (until September 2007)

Uriel Feige, Head (from October 2007) The Lawrence G. Horowitz Professor

Research in computer science encompasses theoretical studies on the foundations of computer science, experimental aspects of computer science, computer vision and robotics, machine learning and statistical data analysis, and the study of information processing by biological systems, theoretical biology and bio−informatics. On the theoretical side, topics include computational complexity, cryptography, algorithms, distributed computing, methods for system verification, specification and development, logics of programs, combinatorics and number theory, combinatorial games, information retrieval, and numerical analysis. Experimental research includes the development of concurrent languages, visual languages, and programming environments. The study of vision, robotics, and motor control includes both theoretical and experimental components. We have expanded our activity at the interface of biology and computation by adding a program in bio−informatics, and studying computations by biological machinery and modeling and analysis of biological systems.

Research in applied mathematics includes two main themes. The first is the basic study of applied mathematics and the development of new mathematical tools of general applicability in science and engineering. The second theme is the use of mathematical techniques to elucidate phenomena of interest in the natural sciences, such as biology, medicine, and physics.

Complexity theory deals with classifying computational problems by the amount of computational resources they require, in particular the number of processing steps and the memory required for their solution. One recent focus is on the complexity of approximation, that is, investigating whether efficient approximation algorithms exist for problems that are inherently complex. Some problems were found to exhibit a threshold phenomenon: for a particular ratio of approximation there is a transition from inefficient to efficient approximation. Other work establishes lower bounds on the complexity of models of computation, including Boolean circuits, communication complexity, and length of proofs.

Cryptography deals with methods for protecting the privacy, integrity, and functionality of computer and communication systems. The research activities on the area range from providing firm foundations to the construction of such methods to providing actual constructions for specific needs. Correspondingly, research in Cryptography ranges from very abstract (or theoretical) to very applied (or concrete). The full range of these activities is 232 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics represented in the Department of Computer Science at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Recent directions include the design and analysis of practical cryptosystems, the development of session−key generation based on passwords, the study of new types of zero−knowledge proofs and of the complexity of secure function evaluation.

Randomness: Finding methods that allow a deterministic process to simulate randomness, and using randomness for solving computational problems, including computer communication applications, and protecting privacy in information exchange over computer networks.

Program verification: Research on the automatic verification of computer systems, including digital circuit design, reactive and real−time systems, and reactive systems. Current research includes the synthesis of reactive modules, automatic verification of multi−process systems, and specification methods that combine transition systems with temporal logic.

System specification: Research on languages for the modeling and simulation of complex reactive systems. Work focuses on visual formalisms, based on topological and geometric constructs. It includes the semantics and implementation of Statecharts, an object−oriented version of Statecharts, and a new language for inter−object message specification, called LSC's (live sequence charts). Related work is on the layout of diagrams, such as undirected graphs and blob/window hierarchies.

Distributed computing and communication networks: Work in this area includes the design of efficient communication patterns and efficient transmission of information between sites in a network.

Vision: Object recognition: developing methods for recognizing objects, such as faces or cars, from their images.

Aids for the visually impaired: Using computer vision methods to help the visually impaired.

Visually guided navigation: using vision to guide mobile robots and robotic arms to reach a desired position.

Video analysis and application: using video analysis to handle and manipulate information from multiple video cameras imaging the same scene (either simultaneously or at different times). Video enhancement, video indexing and browsing (e.g., over the internet), compression (for storage and transmission), video−based surveillance and monitoring, and multi−media applications.

Motor control and robotics: Movement control in biological and robotic systems: studying the processes of motion planning and control in biological systems and the strategies employed by the brain in the planning, execution and control of multi−joint movements and different motor tasks, such as reaching, pointing, grasping and drawing. Studies of movement generation in flexible biological and robotic arms. Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 233 Motor learning and adaptation: Investigating the rules that govern skill acquisition and learning in humans, and developing learning algorithms and architectures for robotic systems.

Movement disorders research: In collaboration with neurologists we investigate and characterize the motor impairments manifested in neglect patients, Parkinson's disease patients and other movement disorders.

Machine learning and statistical data analysis: development and theoretical analysis of algorithms to perform various data analysis tasks including clustering classification and regression, specifically in high dimensional settings.

Scientific computing: Developing new efficient methods for solving equations that appear in many natural problems. Solving the mathematical equations that describe natural phenomena in physics, chemistry, and other branches of science, is often a formidable computation task. We are involved in developing more efficient computational methods with possible applications in diverse areas, such as fluid dynamics, medical imaging, image processing, astrophysics, and others. One major direction is the development of hierarchical methods that approximate the problem in space and time simultaneously on several resolution levels. Another direction is the analytic estimation of the errors caused in the computation by discrete computer calculations, and developing methods for controlling such errors.

Dynamical systems, partial differential equations and applications: We develop and use dynamical systems approach and PDE tools to analyze nonlinear evolution equations which arise in diverse fields of interest. The applications include fluid mechanics, geophysics, chemical reactions, combustion theory, nonlinear fiber optics, lasers, elasticity, biological models and control theory. Our research lies at the interface between rigorous applied analysis and physical applications. Current projects that deal with finite dimensional systems include studying the motion of particles in optical traps (billiards), various aspects of mixing in fluid flows, models that arise in nonlinear optics and the dynamics of certain models in biology. Some of these projects contribute to the understanding of basic underlying structures of nonlinear Hamiltonian systems. Projects which deal with infinite dimensional systems include the study of complex nonlinear phenomena, such as turbulent flows and the long−term behavior (global attractors) to nonlinear dissipative partial differential systems, such as the Navier−Stokes equations, reaction−diffusion systems and other related systems. The dynamics of such dissipative nonlinear PDE models involves a wide spectrum of temporal and spatial scales. This often makes it prohibitively expensive computationally. We approach this challenging problem by developing reliable reduced approximate PDE models, which are possible to implement computationally and to be validated rigorously, for the relevant spatial and temporal scales.

Bioinformatics and computational biology: The recent sequencing projects provide us with all the basic blocks"of life, including a nearly complete description of all of the genes. The next challenge is to unravel how these parts interact and assemble into larger cellular machines, capable of carrying out increasingly complex functions. Our research activities address this challenge by developing computational frameworks that model complex biological systems, 234 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics through integration of heterogeneous sources of biological data. Recent directions include development of: models of transcriptional control that incorporate transcription factors, DNA sequences, transcription degradation, binding competition and synergy; models of translational control through microRNA−RNA interactions; models of chromatin structure through nucleosome positions, post−translational histone modifications, and chromosomal expression domains. Applications of these models that are currently being pursued include understanding pattern formation during development and understanding control of gene expression during the cell cycle. The underlying computational techniques and algorithms are statistical in nature, including general tools from Machine Learning and probabilistic graphical models.

Biomolecular computers: Engineering of computers made of biological molecules. A programmable, autonomous computer made of DNA and enzymes, capable of sensing and diagnosing molecular disease symptoms, and in response releasing a drug−like molecule, was demonstrated in vitro. The next challenge is demonstrating the operation of the computer in a living cell.

Cell lineage analysis and its applications: We developed a method for reconstructing cell lineage trees based on the detection and analysis of somatic mutations, and now explore its application to cell lineage analysis in mice as well as its application to the analysis of the development of cancer.

Biological modeling: We are involved in several efforts of modeling and analyzing complex biological systems. We view this as reverse engineering, and use techniques from systems and software engineering, including visual formalisms, such as statecharts and LSCs, advanced model executability techniques, such as smart play−out, reactive animation, and verification. In particular, we have been working on cell fate determination in C. elegans and on T cell development in the thymus. We are currently working on pancreatic cell development, and on lymphocytes in the lymph node. A particularly interesting aspect of the work is the use of verification techniques to prove the consistency between proposed mechanistic models of behavior and laboratory observations.

Olfaction: Our work on the synthesis and communication of odors and on the analysis of eNose signals for olfaction continues. We have worked on predicting the actual response of a biological olfaction receptor (I7) from eNose experiments, and are now looking into the possibility of extending these results to odor perception space, possibly using advanced imaging and sensing techniques. http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/ Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 235 Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ronen Basri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Uriel Feige, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lawrence G. Horowitz Professor Tamar Flash, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The Dr. Hymie Moross Professor Oded Goldreich, Ph.D., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Meyer W. Weisgal Professor Shafrira Goldwasser, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States David Harel, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The William Sussman Professor of Mathematics Michal Irani, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Moni Naor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Judith Kleeman Professor David Peleg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Norman D. Cohen Professor of Computer Sciences Ran Raz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Adi Shamir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Paul and Marlene Borman Professor of Applied Mathematics Ehud Shapiro, Ph.D., Yale University, New Haven, United States The Harry Weinrebe Professor of Computer Science and Biology Edriss S. Titi, Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington, United States Shimon Ullman, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The Ruth and Samy Cohn Professor of Computer Sciences

Professors Emeriti

Ari Ben−Menahem, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States Achi Brandt, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Aviezri S. Fraenkel, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, United States Amir Pnueli, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Irit Dinur, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Daniel Michelson, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Omer Reingold, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Vered Rom−Kedar, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States The Estrin Family Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 236 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Senior Scientists

Robert Krauthgamer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow Boaz Nadler, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Eran Segal, Ph.D., Stanford University, Stanford, United States Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Soretta and Henry Shapiro Career Development Chair Amos Tanay, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow

Assistant Staff Scientists

Meirav Galun, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dorit Ron, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Adina Weinberger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Hila Amir−Kroll, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineers

Yorram Kalef, M.Sc., Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Rehovot, Israel Leah Mory, M.Sc., Weizmann Institute of Technology

Consultants

Amir Benbenishty−Shpilka, Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Yaron Caspi, FuturEyes, Ness−Ziona, USA Nathan Dinar (left September 2007) Felix Polyakov Boaz Trakhtenbrot, Tel Aviv University, Ramat−Aviv, Tel−Aviv, Israel (left May 2007)

Visiting Scientists

Sanjeev Arora, Princeton University , NJ, U.S.A. Daniel Freedman, Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (RPI), U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Boris Epshtein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jason Friedman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tal Hassner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shalev Itzkovitz, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 237 Yael Kalai Tauman, Ph.D., MIT Guy Kindler, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Leonid Kontorovich, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University Uri Maoz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Felix Polyakov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Milena Radnovic, Ph.D., Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade, Abroad Fabio Antonio Ramos Tavares, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Alex Rav−Acha, Ph.D., The Hebrew University Liam Roditty, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Hovav Shacham, Ph.D., Stanford University Ariel Tankus, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Yoram Yekutieli, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Research Students

Ayelet Akselrod−Ballin Sharon Alpert Mica Arie−Nachimson Yoram Atir Avi Barliya Barak Blumenfeld Oren Boiman Michael Dinerstein Roman Dovgard Zeev Dvir Yuval Emek Boris Epshtein Yair Field Jason Friedman Darya Frolova Ronit Fuchs Ariel Gabizon Yaara Goldschmidt Lena Gorelick Ronen Gradwohl Refael Haddad Iftach Haitner Daniel Harari Ya'akov Hoch Aron Inger Erez Kantor Noam Kaplan Leonid Karlinsky Irena Kemelmacher−Shlizerm Michael Kertesz Michal Kiwkowitz Orit Kliper Dan Kushnir Boris Levant Dan Levi Gregory Linshiz Jasmine Linshiz Shai Litvak Noam Livne Shachar Lovett Roy Malka Shahar Maoz Or Meir Tal Moran Dana Moshkovitz Lior Noy Asaf Nussboim Marina Ousov−Fridin Anna Rapoport Yaniv Sa'Ar Tali Sadka Avital Sadovski−Sadot Ilia Safro Bernard Sarel Itai Segall Gil Segev Yaakov Setty Eli Shechtman Eli Shlizerman Eliezer Shochat 238 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Denis Simakov Eran Tromer Amir Yehudayoff Danny Zeevi Ido Zelman

Administrator

Raanan Michael Mathematics 239

Mathematics

Sergei Yakovenko, Head The Gershon Kekst Professor

The principal research interests of the Department lie in the three general areas of Analysis (understood in the broadest sense, including applications), Geometry and Algebra.

Topics covered in Analysis include operator and matrix theory, function theory on the plane, graphs and Riemann surfaces, spectral theory, several aspects of probability, and some applications of statistics, linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations, harmonic analysis, dynamical systems, control theory in its various manifestations, optimization, game theory and mathematical economics, approximation and complexity of functions, numerical analysis, singularity theory, and robotics.

The areas of Geometry studied at the Department are the structure of finite and infinite dimensional spaces, geometric aspects of random walks and percolation, real analytic geometry and o−minimal structures, topology of singular holomorphic foliations.

The direction of Algebra includes some aspects of algebraic geometry, non−Archimedian analytic spaces, representation theory, quantum groups, combinatorics, number theory, automorphic forms, ring theory, and enveloping algebras. Although the approach taken is primarily that of pure mathematics, some of the research leans toward possible applications. Listed below is a sample of some of the specific topics that the department's members have pursued lately or are involved in now.

Algebraic Geometry: Study has been started of so called algebraic varieties and analytic spaces over the field of one element. These objects originate in non−Archimedean analytic geometry, are related to tropical geometry, and encode a skeletal structure of algebraic varieties and non−Archimedean analytic spaces.

Analytic theory of ordinary differential equations: An explicit semialgebraic upper bound for the oscillarion of solutions of Fuchsian systems with real spectra of all residues was achieved; this bound is double exponential in the number of singularities and the dimension.

A research monograph ``Lectures on Analytic Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations'', was published, which is at the same time a graduate textbook.

A general finiteness result for zeros of pseudo−Abelian integrals was achieved for perturbation of non−Hamiltonian (Darbouxian) integrable systems. This is the first result of 240 Mathematics such type, generalizing Varchenko−Khovanskii theorem for integrals over transcendental curves.

Deep relations between the Hilbert's problem (as well as another closely connected one − Poincare's Center−Focus problem) and several fields in Classical and modern Analysis and Algebra have been found. Among them Generalized Moments, Several Complex variables, Composition Algebra and D−modules. These promising relations are now investigated.

Analytic and real algebraic geometry: Polynomials associated with geometric objects (smooth manifolds and convex sets) are studied. The volume of a tubular neighborhood of a manufold, as a function of the radius of the manifold, is one example of such a polynomial. Special functions appear naturally in this study. Interesting relations are discovered. In particular, distribution of zeros of such polinomials is investigated for some manifolds.

The Maxwell problem (the question about the number of equilibrium points for the electrostatic field created by three charges) was advanced and an upper bound 12 was achieved (the conjectured number is 4 and previous results were in the range of thousands).

A new demonstration of the Gromov theorem was achieved.

Automorphic forms: On the one hand, joint work is finishing up on lower bounds for automorphic L−functions at the edge of the critical strip; on the other, we are seeing how these results fit into the general scheme of bounds for these L−functions.

Banach spaces: The geometry of finite and infinite dimensional normed spaces and maps between them is investigated. A topic of particular interest is classification problems in the class of Banach spaces under Lipschitz and uniform homeomorphisms, and under Lipschitz and uniform quotient maps. Another main subject is tight embedding results, particularly for finite dimensional subspaces and subsets of Lp.

Combinatorics: The study of various permutation statistics on the symmetric groups and on related groups continues. New refinements and extensions of MacMahon's classical equidistribution theorem are found, relating that sub−area of Enumerative Combinatorics to the sub−area of Shape−Avoiding Permutations.

Differential and integral operators: The well−known asymptotic formulas for the Heat Kernel on the Heisenberg Group (for small time) are not uniform near the conjugate line. In particular the power laws are different for generic points and conjugate points. We establish an integral formula whose Laplace asymptotics clearly show how the asymptotic law is deformed as one approaches the conjugate line. The sub−Riemannian nature of the geometry dictates application of the Hamiltonian formalism (on the cotangent bundle) rather than the more conventional approach involving connections on the tangent bundle. Explicit formulas for wave kernels of degenerate hyperbolic and elliptic operators are obtained, using Laplace transformation and sophisticated inversion formulas for products of confluent hypergeometric functions. The resulting formulas involve hypergeometric functions of rational functions of Mathematics 241 the arguments.

Game theory and mathematical economics: Costs of time and negotiations were incorporated into a dynamic system leading to the Nash bargaining solution for cooperative games. A strategic model of financial markets, in which a central bank determines interest rates and creates money, is developed. Nash equilibria for the price−taking agents are studied. As the number of individual agents increases, the price making strategic behavior becomes indistinguishable from that of price takers, a−la Walrasian models.

Dynamical systems: Coupled slow and fast ordinary differential equations were examined via singular perturbations analysis. Attention was paid to the structure of switching between manifolds of equilibria of the fast motion. Invariant measures of multi−valued dynamics were characterized.

Modeling biological system: How long does it take in average for a random particle to escape from a sphere with a small hole? this question is at the basis of many problems related to chemical reactions in microstructures. In particular, it is possible to redefine the forward binding rate constant in confined geometry. Applications go from dendritic spine and synapses, to the analysis of noise in photoreceptors.

Operator theory and Matrix Function theory: A simple connection between homogeneous Riccati equations and finite dimensional reproducing kernel Krein spaces that was established earlier, was exploited to to study the zero distribution of a class of matrix polynomials and a class of bitangential interpolation problems in the extended Schur class of meromorphic matrix valued functions with a finite number of poles in the domain of interest.

The investigation of inverse problems for canonical integral and differential system continued. In particular, parameterization of the set of all solutions to an inverse asymptotic scattering problem was studied and some earlier results of M. G. Krein and F. Melik−Adamyan were extended. Connections to inverse input impedance and input scattering problems were also established. Significant progress was made on a monograph devoted to the theory of $J$−contractive and $J$−inner matrix valued functions and their applications.

Optimization and control: The control of coupled slow and fast motions was examined. The model is of singular perturbations with, possibly, measure−valued variables representing the limit of the fast variables. Design of switching modes between manifolds of equilibria or invariant measures of the fast dynamics were examined. The possibility to ignite impulses of the slow dynamics was demonstrated. The limit occupational measures of controlled dynamics were examined utilizing general convexification techniques.

Partial Differential Equations and global analysis: Influence of small noise on dynamical systems on Riemannian compact manifolds can be studied using the asymptotic of the probability density function. As the noise goes to zero, the ground state solution gets concentrated on the subsets of the recurrent set of the dynamical system, where the topological pressure (formulated as a variational problem) is achieved. 242 Mathematics

Probability and geometry: Several subjects relating probability and geometry of sets in finite dimensional space or in discrete structures are investigated. These include problems pertaining to Statistical Physics; in particular, percolation, random walks on diverse eometrical structures, motion in random media, the study of convex sets in high dimensional Euclidean space, as well as the study of random matrices. Also studied are various aspects of stochastic analysis and filtering theory.

Representation theory and related topics: This concerns the representation theory of algebraic groups, enveloping algebras and quantum groups −− specifically, at present, the determination of semi−invariants for parabolic subalgebras, the analysis and quantization of hypersurface orbital varieties and the decomposition of Demazure crystals and their module theory.

Another direction is the representation theory of classical Lie superalgebras and related vertex algebras. Specifically, a criterion of simplicity of vacuum module was conjectured and it was proven for simple Lie algebras and some Lie superalgebras. This was applied to study of W−algebras. Vacuum Shapovalov−Kac determinant for Virasoro and Neveu−Schwarz algebras was computed.

For both associative and Lie algebras with polynomial identities, the study of their codimension growth is continued, via the applications of the representation theory of the Symmetric groups. The Vershik−Kerov representation theory of the infinite symmetric group, together with Probability and with the Theory of Symmetric Functions, are applied to the study of combinatorial identities.

Spectral theory of differential operators: The Dirichlet Laplacian in a class of narrow planar domains is considered. The asymptotic behaviour of its spectrum is studied when the width of the domain tends to zero. It is shown that this behaviour is determined, up to the second term of asymptotics, by the germ of the function defining the shape of domain, at its maximal point. Applications to the spectrum of thin waveguides are given. http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Zvi Artstein, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Hettie H. Heineman Professor of Mathematics Itai Benjamini, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Vladimir Berkovich, Ph.D., Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation The Matthew B. Rosenhaus Professor Aryeh Dvoretzky, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor Mathematics 243 Stephen Gelbart, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States The Nicki and J. Ira Harris Professor Anthony Joseph, Ph.D., University of Oxford, United Kingdom The Donald Frey Professor Yakar Kannai, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Erica and Ludwig Jesselson Professor of Theoretical Mathematics Victor Katsnelson, Ph.D., Kharkov University, Kharkov, Ukraine The Ruth and Sylvia Shogam Professor Amitai Regev, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Herman P. Taubman Professor of Mathematics Gideon Schechtman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The William Petschek Professor of Mathematics Sergei Yakovenko, Ph.D., Institute of Control Science, Moscow, Russian Federation The Gershon Kekst Professor Yosef Yomdin, Ph.D., Novosibirsk State University, Russian Federation The Moshe Porath Professor of Mathematics Ofer Zeitouni, Ph.D., Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

Professors Emeriti

Harry Dym, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States Michael Solomyak, Ph.D., University of Leningrad, Russian Federation

Senior Scientists

Maria Gorelik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Frances and Max Hersh Career Development Chair David Holcman, Ph.D., Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris VI, France Incumbent of the Madeleine Haas Russell Career Development Chair Gady Kozma, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Dimitri Novikov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Yevgenia Apartsin, Bar−Ilan University Yosef Bernstein, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Vladimir Hinich, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel Elena Litsyn, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva, Israel Anna Melnikov, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel Shahar Nevo, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Andrei Reznikov, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Eitan Sayag, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Boaz Tsaban, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Victor Zalgaller 244 Mathematics Visiting Scientists

Damir Arov, S. Ukrainian University , Odessa, Ukraine Fred Brauer, University of British Columbia, Canada Vladimir Derkach, Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine Lubomir Gavrilov, University of Toulouse III, France Vladimir Golubyatnikov, Russian Acad. of Sci., Novosibirsk, Russia Anne Henke, University of Oxford, UK Luc Ilusie, University of Paris Sud, Orsay, France Victor Ivrii, University of Toronto, Canada William B. Johnson, Texas AMUniversity, U.S.A. Victor Kac, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., U.S.A. Thomas Lorenz, University of Heidelberg, Germany Leonid Makar−Limanov, Wayne State University, U.S.A. Pierre Milman, University of Toronto, Canada Boris Mityagin, Ohio State University, U.S.A. Nikolai Mnev, Steklov Institute of Mathematics at St.Petersburg, Russia Alexander Panov, Samara State University, Russia Iulia Pop, Cuza University , Iasi, Romania Sasa Rakovic, ETH, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland Joachim Rosenmuller, University of Bielefeld, Germany Lev Sakhnovich, Courant Institute of Mathematics, USA Marshall Slemrod, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, U.S.A. Boris Shapiro, Stockholm University, Sweden Boris Solomyak, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A. Oxana Yakimova, Independent University of Moscow, Russia Henryk Zoladek, Warsaw University, Poland

Postdoctoral Fellows

Gil Alon, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Armin Biess, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Pavel Chigansky, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Yoel Feler, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Crystal Hoyt, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley Elena Kireeva, Ph.D., Moscow Pedagogical State University Aryeh Kontorovich, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, USA Adi Shraibman, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Lyubomyr Zdomskyy, Ivan Franko Lviv National University

Research Students

Avraham (Rami) Aizenbud Gideon Amir Dan Bernstein Gal Binyamini Ido Bright Dominik Reinhard Freche Mathematics 245 Dmitry Gourevitch Ori Gurel−Gurevich Dvir Haviv Polyxeni Lamprou Jasmine Linshiz Roni haim Machluf Emanuel Milman Shifra Reif Niv Moshe Sarig Eric Shelef Arkadi Taflia Ariel Yadin Gal Zahavi

Administrator

Raanan Michael 246 The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science

The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science

Zvi Artstein, Director The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

The endowment of the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science secures financial support for the entire spectrum of research activities of the Faculty, and related research at the Institute; it enables our scientists to expand existing projects or pursue new initiatives in areas which seem to hold great potential for future development.

One significant aim of the Belfer Institute is to support visits to the Institute campus of the best talents in mathematics and computer science, including short−term visiting lecturers, as well as longer−term researchers, both from Israel and abroad. Another aim of the Institute is to support workshops and conferences organized by Faculty scientists and taking place on or off campus. Parts of the funds of the Center are used to purchase computing equipment, such as personal computers, servers and communication equipment, thus updating and improving our ability to communicate with the world at large and to carry out our computerized research with state−of−the−art means. Occasionally, the Institute provides salary support to distinguished students and post doctoral fellows.

The Center plans to initiate activities that do not normally fall under the day−to−day activities of the Faculty, such as visits of groups of scientists to work on joint projects not necessarily represented by current efforts of the Faculty, and advanced courses to be given by outsiders whose fields are not necessarily represented within the Faculty. We hope thereby to enhance our visibility and to attract more outstanding students, thus contributing the overall quality and impact of our work.

In the 2007 fiscal year, the Belfer Institute sponsored many programs and projects. Here we list the main ones only: The 2007 Pekeris Lecture, delivered by Prof. Steven Smale of the University of California at Berkeley, "the Mathematics of Vision"Support for several scientific meetings, including Worshop on Representation Theory of Lie Algebraic Systems; Workshop on Set Theory and its Applications; Students Probability Day; 8th International Symposium on Quantitative Feedback. Support for a range of Faculty Seminars including the program of Distinguished Lecture Series. Direct support for scientists including salary support for several students. Travel support for the doctoral students. Support for a long list of guests, including: Avraham Soffer, Eitan Tadmor, Victor Ivrii, Nathanael Berestycki, and others. Support for system administrators, providing computer backup, maintenance and troubleshooting. Support for new equipment (mostly workstations for students), continual upgrading of communication equipment and ongoing supplies. Continued support to the Faculty Library including enriching our book collection. The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics 247

The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics

Zvi Artstein, Director The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

The Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics finances support for across−the−board activities within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. Most of the fund is divided up and given to the two department heads to supplement their regular budgets. For further details and the description of activities in the Departments, please see the corersponding scientific descriptions. 248 The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems

The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems

David Harel, Director The William Sussman Professorial Chair in Mathematics

The John von Neumann Center was established in December 1997, thanks to a generous endowment from the ministry for Science and Technology (BMFT) of the Federal Republic of Germany, through Minerva, the joint committee for German−Israeli cooperation. Prof. Amir Pnueli was director until March 31, 2005, and Prof. Harel took over on April 1, 2005. The title of the center also changed somewhat.

The mission of the center is to advance and promote the state of the art of developing complex reactive systems, mainly through the processes of specification (modeling) and analysis.

Our research concentrates on visual formalisms and supporting tools for modeling, and on powerful simulation and analysis methods, including verification. We emphasize both intra−object and inter−object approaches, using state−based and scenario−based languages and methodologies (e.g., statecharts and live sequence charts). We also work on related topics, such as layout of graphs and GUI−based programming.

Throughout, the relationship between our work and accepted standards, such as the UML, is carefully maintained and extended. We also cultivate joint work with industry and case studies, so that our work does not result in academic advances only.

We also work quite heavily on several application areas, first and foremost amongst them is biological modeling, using similar techniques taken from reactive system development. Others include service−oriented computing, tactical simulators and health care processes. The Prospective Institute for Biomatics 249

The Prospective Institute for Biomatics

Zvi Artstein, Director The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

The Prospective Institute for Biomatics promotes the understanding of Biology via the Mathematical and Computer Science approach. The Center has supported collaborative work in the area, carrying out computations and the establishment of a wet laboratory for our biomaticians. 250 The Prospective Institute for Biomatics Feinberg Graduate School

Dean: Yosef Yarden The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology 252 Feinberg Graduate School

Feinberg Graduate School

Dean: Yosef Yarden The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Chair of Molecular Cell Biology

Founded in 1958, the Feinberg Graduate School serves as a training ground for future generations of creative researchers and scientific leaders. The student body also contributes to the atmosphere of intellectual stimulation and challenge at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Operating under charters granted by both the State of Israel and by the Board of Regents of the State of New York, the Feinberg Graduate School confers Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in the Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Science Teaching. A total of 300 new students were accepted during the academic year 2006/2007(October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007); of these students, 142 were accepted to the M.Sc. program and 158 to the Ph.D. program.

The Graduate Studies Program

Admission to the Graduate School is based upon a student's previous academic record, and letters of recommendation from former teachers. In addition, there may be a personal interview with faculty members or a requirement to pass an international exam (e.g., GRE).

Once accepted, the student is exposed to a wide range of activities, including lecture courses, teaching laboratories, and individually guided study. The extensive facilities of the Weizmann Institute, including the central computer system, are available to all students. The Institute's senior staff forms the teaching faculty. With a Ph.D. student−teacher ratio of approximately 3:1, each student receives considerable individual attention.

Feinberg Graduate School students are required to attend courses and undertake an independent research project at the Weizmann Institute. This project is supervised by their faculty advisor and by a small committee of experts in the relevant field who examine the research proposal, evaluate its feasibility, and monitor the progress of the student. Finally, the student submits a thesis for an evaluation; when approved, the appropriate degree is granted by the Scientific Council of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Multidisciplinary programs of study have been instituted in Biological Physics, Molecular and Structural Biology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (with separate tracks for Biology and for Mathematics &Computer Science). Special programs are also available in Energy and Environment, and in Archeological Sciences. Feinberg Graduate School 253

Policy

The scientific and educational policy of the Feinberg Graduate School is directed toward the promotion of academic excellence. Emphasis is placed on maintaining a high level of instruction, with particular attention given to exceptionally bright and creative students. These are encouraged to enroll in a special program leading directly to the Ph.D. degree (without the need to submit a Master's thesis). Feinberg School students may be allowed to take special combinations of courses and to participate in summer schools, workshops, and conferences, both in Israel and abroad. In addition, the regular curriculum is enriched by the inclusion of prominent visiting scientists who teach at the School.

A distinguishing feature of the School is its practical approach to teaching, with a strong emphasis on laboratory work. Teaching laboratories in the Life Sciences and in Physics ensure that new students acquire skills in basic experimental procedures. A large number of more advanced courses in laboratory techniques are offered as well. To expose new students to as wide a variety of research projects as possible, the School conducts a rotation program that enables first year M.Sc. students to spend three ten−week periods in different Institute laboratories. This enables them to make informed decisions regarding the research area in which they wish to specialize.

The official language of instruction at the Feinberg Graduate School is English, which enables foreign students to take part in all the School's programs. This, as well as the inclusion of foreign visiting scientists in the teaching program, contributes to an international atmosphere.

Financial Support

As a matter of policy, students accepted to the School receive a scholarship covering tuition and living expenses. The scholarships are supported by the following funds: (a) the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation; (b) the Levi Eshkol Fellowships, administered by the Israel Ministry of Science and Technology; (c) the Clore Scholars Program; (d) the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education in Israel; (e) the Adams Fellowships Foundation; and (f) the Azrieli Fellows Program. In addition, there are approximately 300 individual supporters whose generosity sponsors the studies of graduate students at the School.

For many years, the Feinberg Graduate School has been the recipient of financial support from the United States Government through the Agency for International Development (USAID), within the framework of the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. The 2006/2007 USAID grant was $900,000. AID funds are used to purchase a significant portion of the scientific equipment and literature needed by students for their advanced research projects. 254 Feinberg Graduate School

Structure

The Feinberg Graduate School's academic activities are conducted and supervised by Boards of Studies in Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences and Science Teaching. Those who head the Boards of Studies, together with the Head of the Postdoctoral Fellowships Program and the Dean, form the Steering Committee of the School. A student representative participates in deliberations of the Steering Committee when relevant topics are discussed.

Heads of Boards of Studies:

Prof. Gilad Haran – Chemical Sciences Prof. Nir Orion – Science Teaching Prof. Shimon Levit – Physical Sciences Prof. Elior Peles – Life Sciences Prof. Ran Raz (co−Chair)– Mathematics and Computer Science Prof. Omer Reingold (co−Chair) Mathematics and Computer Science

Director and Academic Secretary:

Dr. Ami Shalit

Fields of study and multidisciplinary programs include:

Mathematical Sciences:

• Mathematics • Computer Science and Applied Mathematics • Bioinformatics: Mathematics and Computer Science track

Physical Sciences:

• Physics • Applied Physics • Biological Physics

Chemical Sciences:

• Chemistry (Physical, Theoretical, Molecular, Materials Science, Nanosciences, Environmental Sciences) • Structural and Molecular Biology • Computational Chemistry Feinberg Graduate School 255

Life Sciences:

• Biology (Cell, Molecular, Neurobiology, Immunology, Plant Sciences, Biological Regulation, Molecular Genetics) • Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Science Teaching:

• Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Biology

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

A Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, headed by Prof. Michal Irani, is also administered by the Graduate School. The Program currently includes 250 trainees (about one third of them are foreign), and provides about sixty donor−funded stipends per year for postdoctoral fellows. These stipends are awarded for periods which run from 1−3 years. In addition, the Graduate School helps administer the prestigious Koshland Scholars Program for distinguished postdoctoral fellows. A significant number of other postdoctoral fellowships are available through grants that are administered by individual scientists.

Ongoing Programs

Efforts are made to attract the best Israeli students to the Feinberg Graduate School by conducting open−house days, student−targeted seminars, and a summer program for prospective students. This is facilitated by the School's presence on the Internet, where a wealth of information is available (http://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/). The School encourages the admission of qualified foreign students from around the world. The number of foreign students at the Graduate School in 2006/2007 was 61, some of them from developing countries.

Services to Society

The Feinberg Graduate School bears academic and administrative responsibility for four other educational programs: the Science Teaching Department, Young@Science, and the Aharon Katzir Center.

The Science Teaching Department, headed by Prof. Avraham Hofstein, is responsible for the development of curricula for primary and secondary schools, with special emphasis on curriculum implementation. The Department hosts a variety of in−service training programs and seminars in mathematics, physics, chemistry, the environment, computer science, and the life sciences. These activities have earned it national and international recognition (for details, 256 Feinberg Graduate School see the section on the Science Teaching Department). http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/current/feinberg_degrees.html http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/current/Scholarship.html http://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/ Feinberg Graduate School 257 Ph.D. Degree Recipients − Graduation Ceremony 2007

Name Title of Thesis Advisor/s Depatrment

Ovadia Abed Preparative manipulation of Prof. Israel Materials and gold nanoparticles by Rubinstein Interfaces reversible binding to a Prof. Abraham polymeric solid support Shanzer

Lilach Agemy Variation in the response of Prof. Zelig Immunology prostate cancer to Eshhar radiotherapy

Barak Akabayov Structural dynamics insights Prof. Irit Sagi Structural Biology into the selective catalysis of the RNA helicase DbpA

Sabine Ruth Structure determination of the Prof. Jacob Structural Biology Akabayov IFN alpha2/IFNAR2−EC Anglister complex by multidimensional NMR techniques

Ayelet Multiscale Multi−channel 3D Prof. Ronen Computer Science Akselrod−Ballin Segmentation and Basri and Applied Classification of MRI Mathematics

Liat Amir−Zilberstein Differential regulation of Prof. Rivka Biological NF−kB target genes by Dikstein Chemistry transcription elongation factors

Ido Amit Transcriptional and Prof. Yosef Biological post−transcriptional Yarden Regulation constraints define the outcome of growth factor receptor signaling

Mariana Samha Babor Analysis and prediction of Prof. Meir Plant Sciences metal binding sites in Edelman apoproteins Dr. Vladimir Sobolev

David From single neurons to Prof. Amiram Neurobiology Backlash−Omer coherent neuronal assemblies Grinvald

Emilia Alina Barbu Desensitization of mast cells' Prof. Israel Immunology 258 Feinberg Graduate School

response to the FceRI Pecht stimulus

Hava Ben David The mechanism/s by which a Prof. Edna Immunology Turgeman dual altered peptide ligand Mozes immunomodulates the Prof. Michael autoimmune responses Sela associated with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis

Dafna Ben−Eli Tsafrir SPIN: a novel method for Prof. Eytan Physics of exploratory analysis of Domany Complex Systems multidimensional data. Application to the study of colon cancer

Dan Bernstein Mahonian statistics on Prof. Amitai Mathematics non−Weyl groups Regev

Shimon Bershtein Understanding the underlying Prof. Dan Biological mechanisms of random Tawfik Chemistry genetic drift by experimental evolution

Eyal Blum Transient transcriptional Dr. Yuval Plant Sciences changes orchestrate shape, Eshed size and metabolic content of arabidopsis leaves

Eran Bouchbinder Dynamic deformation and Prof. Itamar Chemical Physics fracture of disordered media: Procaccia roughness, instabilities and plasticity

Erez Boukobza Thermodynamics of quantum Prof. David Chemical Physics systems: application to Tannor light−matter interactions

Olena Branytska Applications of Prof. Ronny Organic Chemistry polyoxometalate catalysts in Neumann organic synthesis

Ilan Breskin Connectivity in living neural Prof. Elisha Physics of networks Moses Complex Systems Feinberg Graduate School 259

Ilit Cohen−Ofri Charcoal preservation in the Prof. Steve Structural Biology archaeological record Weiner

Oded Danziger Mutational analysis of Prof. Amnon Structural Biology allostery in the Chaperonin Horovitz GroEL

Roman Dovgard Efficient holistic image Prof. Shimon Computer Science synthesis using linear Ullman and Applied constraints Prof. Ronen Mathematics Basri

Galit Eliyahu Choline metabolism in breast Prof. Hadassa Biological cancer Degani Regulation

Simon Emmanuel Transport and phase Prof. Brian Environmental separation in porous media: Berkowitz Sciences and implications for hydrothermal Energy Research systems

Joseph Englander Structure and differentiation Prof. Abraham Organic Chemistry in bacterial communities of Minsky undomesticated bacillus subtilis

Boris Epshtein representation for Prof. Shimon Computer Science recognition: fragment Ullman and Applied hierarchies and semantic Mathematics features

Smadar Even−Tov Embryonic pig pancreas as a Prof. Yair Immunology Friedman new source for islet Reisner transplantation in diabetes: the choice between teratoma, normal growth and immunogenicity

Ephraim Fass Dynamics of LC3 labeled Prof. Zvulun Biological autophagosomes in Elazar Chemistry mammalian cells

Ester Feldmesser Studies on genes involved in Prof. Doron Molecular Genetics olfaction Lancet

Neta Filip−Granit Investigation of Prof. Avigdor Plant Sciences photosynthetic cofactors Scherz 260 Feinberg Graduate School

utilizing monolayers Dr. Milko Van Der Boom

Dana Fisman Theoretical foundations of Prof. Amir Computer Science industrial−oriented temporal Pnueli and Applied logics Mathematics

Milana Development of Prof. Shmuel Molecular Genetics Frenkel−Morgenstern computational and statistical Pietrokovski tools for protein function and structure prediction

Inbal Friedler Controlling nonlinear optical Prof. Gershon Chemical Physics interactions and Kurizki photo−photon entanglement by electromagnetic fields

Jason Friedman Features of human grasping Prof. Tamar Computer Science Flash and Applied Mathematics

Eugene Frumker Dynamic femtosecond pulse Prof. Yaron Physics of shaping and measurements Silberberg Complex Systems

Galina Gabriely Involvement of COPl and Prof. Jeffrey Molecular Genetics Vsm1in vacuolar protein Gerst sorting

Anna Gakamsky Gradient sensing mechanism Prof. Michael Biological and behavioral response of Eisenbach Chemistry mammalian sperm chemotaxis

Yonatan Ganor Glutamate Receptor Prof. Vivian Neurobiology Immunity and Autoimmunity Teichberg in Physiological Neuro−Immune Interactions and Autoimmune−Mediated Epilepsy

Nancy Gavert Novel target genes of the Prof. Avri Ben Molecular Cell beta−catenin−LEF/TCF −Zeev Biology signaling complex: their role in colon cancer

Eran Gershon Molecular characterization of Prof. Nava Biological Feinberg Graduate School 261

the ovulatory process Dekel Regulation

Indraneel Ghosh PAFAH1b1, functional Prof. Orly Molecular Genetics analysis of the subunits Reiner

Edi Goihberg Thermostability study of Prof. Yigal Organic Chemistry closely related alcohol Burstein dehydrogenases and their chimeric enzyme constructs

Ilan Goldberg Large scale functional Prof. Rafael Neurobiology organization of the human Malach cortex: from sensory perception to cognition

Dorit Granot Fibroblast labeling for in vivo Prof. Michal Biological detection by magnetic Neeman Regulation resonance imaging

Tal Hassner Building 3D shapes from Prof. Ronen Computer Science parts Basri and Applied Mathematics

Guy Hed Statistical mechanics of Prof. Sam Materials and bilayers, gel and spin glasses Safran Interfaces

Tzippi Hershko E2F1 pathways to apoptosis Prof. Doron Molecular Cell Ginsberg Biology Prof. Moshe Oren

Clovis Hopman Dissipatonal stellar processes Dr. Tal Condensed Matter near massive black holes Alexander Physics

Irina Issaeva Biological functions of the Prof. Eli Molecular Cell ALR protein: purification of Canaani Biology the ALR protein complex and characterization of cells with ALR knockdown

Shalev Itzkovitz Design principles of complex Prof. Uri Alon Molecular Cell networks Biology

Shachar Iwanir Expression, function and Prof. Eitan Biological roles of the G−protein gated, Reuveny Chemistry inwardly−rectifying 262 Feinberg Graduate School

potassium (GIRK) channel in pancreatic islet cells

Andreas Johansson Resistive processes Prof. Dan Condensed Matter suppressing Shahar Physics superconductivity in one−and two−dimensional disordered superconductors

Daphna Spore germination in Prof. Naama Molecular Genetics Joseph−Strauss Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Barkai global gene expression Prof. Giora patterns and cell cycle Simchen landmarks

Ron Kafri Mechanisms and regulation Prof. Doron Molecular Genetics of genetic buffering and the Lancet evolution of genetic Dr. Yitzhak redundancy Pilpel

Na'aman Kam Formal Modeling of C. Prof. Amir Computer Science elegans vulval development: Pnueli and Applied a scenario based approach Prof. Irun Mathematics Robert Cohen

Helena Katchman Embryonic pig liver as a new Prof. Yair Immunology source for transplantation: the Reisner choice between teratoma, growth potential and immunogenicity

Oksana Kerner The contribution of small Prof. Avigdor Plant Sciences amino acids at the D1/D2 Scherz interface to the functional flexibility and temperature of the photosystem II reaction center

Mira Kipnis Inquiring the inquiry Prof. Avi Science Teaching laboratory in high school Hofstein chemistry

Hanna Klein A study of chemical reactions Prof. Jacob Environmental and heat transfer in a Karni Sciences and particle−seeded high Energy Research temperature solar receiver Feinberg Graduate School 263

Per Magne Knutsen Behaviors of the rat vibrissal Prof. Ehud Neurobiology system : object localization Ahissar and 3D−kinematics

Noga Protein−Protein interactions Prof. Gideon Biological Kozer−Gourevich in crowded solutions Schreiber Chemistry

Yosef Yehuda Kuttner Solvent effects on protein Prof. Gilad Chemical Physics association Haran Prof. Gideon Schreiber

Ayelet Laronne Examination of T cell Prof. Dov Molecular Cell behavior in murine models Zipori Biology for multiple myeloma, and of Prof. Nechama the effects of the Haran−Ghera erythropoietin hormone

Nissan Lev−Tov Algorithms for geometric Prof. David Computer Science optimization problems in Peleg and Applied wireless networks Mathematics

Nava Levit−Binnun Probing a cognitive network Prof. Elisha Physics of in the brain with and without Moses Complex Systems schizophrenia using transcranial magnetic stimulation

Yael Lifshitz Purification of isoforms of Prof. Haim Biological Na,K−ATPase expressed in Garty Chemistry Pichia Pastoris. Functional Prof. Steven interactions with Karlish phospholemman (FXYD1)

Alex Loebel Principles of Synaptic and Prof. Michael Neurobiology Ensemble Communication in Tsodyks the Neo−Cortex

Yoav Lubelsky The complex and intricate Prof. Yosef Molecular Genetics mechanisms regulating the Shaul RFX1 gene expression

Chen Luxenburg Molecular and structural Prof. Benjamin Molecular Cell mechanisms of osteoclast Geiger Biology adhesion Prof. Lia Addadi 264 Feinberg Graduate School

Alexander Margolin Synthesis of inorganic Prof. Reshef Materials and fullerene−like nanoparticles Tenne Interfaces

Kadmiel Maseyk Ecophysiological and Prof. Dan Yakir Environmental phenological aspects of Pinus Sciences and halepensis in an Energy Research arid−mediterranean environment

Ofer Melamed The role of Prof. Henry Neurobiology activity−dependent synapses Markram in the neocortex

Idan Menashe Genetic analysis of human Prof. Doron Molecular Genetics olfactory threshold variation Lancet

Keren Mevorat Factors controlling Prof. Mordechai Organic Chemistry Kaplan chromophore−protein Sheves interactions in retinal proteins

Neri Minsky Novel mechanisms of gene Prof. Moshe Molecular Cell expression regulation in the Oren Biology P53 tumor suppressor pathway

Vered Morad Mesenchymal stem cells: Prof. Dov Molecular Cell differentiation, hematopoietic Zipori Biology support and possible application in cell and gene therapy for osteoarthritis

Roni Mualem Junior High School physics: Prof. Science Teaching developing, implementing Bat−Sheva and studying a problem Eylon solving strategy for qualitative explanation of phenomena

Shmuel Naaman Dynamic properties of the Prof. Amiram Neurobiology primary visual cortex Grinvald

Liat Nadav−Dagan Characterization of cellular, Prof. Benjamin Molecular Cell molecular and clinical Geiger Biology diversity in sub−populations Dr. Ben−Zion of multiple−myeloma cells Katz Feinberg Graduate School 265

Izhar Neder Manipulations of electron Prof. Mordehai Condensed Matter interference in the quantum Heiblum Physics Hall effect regime

Hadas Ner−Gaon Alternative splicing in plants Prof. Robert Plant Sciences Fluhr

Eran Ofek Rigorous analysis of Prof. Uriel Computer Science heuristics for NP−hard Feige and Applied problems Mathematics

Hanita Ovdat Pore−scale study of Prof. Brian Environmental immiscible displacement Berkowitz Sciences and under combined capillary, Energy Research viscous and gravity effects

Yakov Paz The mechanisim of iron Prof. Uri Pick Biological acquisition in Dunaliella Chemistry salina

Irena Pekker Involvement of Auxin Dr. Yuval Plant Sciences response factors in Eshed establishment of plant organ asymmetry

Naama Peshes Expression and function of Prof. Gideon Immunology the death receptor Fas Berke (CD95) in tumors

Felix Polyakov Motion primitives and Prof. Tamar Computer Science invariants in monkey Flash and Applied scribbling movements: Mathematics analysis and mathematical modeling of movement kinematics and neural activities

Yehudit Posen Application of the Prof. Yoram Biological bacteriochlorophyll−based Salomon Regulation photoswitch in manipulation of redox−sensitive signaling pathways

Vladimir Potapov Protein−protein recognition: Prof. Meir Plant Sciences analysis and prediction using Edelman surface complementarity 266 Feinberg Graduate School

Erez Pyetan Ribosomal crystallography: Prof. Ada Structural Biology Antibiotics and trigger factor Yonath binding

Kikkeri Raghavendra Biomimetic vibrio Prof. Abraham Organic Chemistry siderophores analogs as ferric Shanzer and lanthanid chelators

Akhil Rajput Novel interacting proteins Prof. David Biological and modifications of Wallach Chemistry caspase−8

Guy Raz Beyond the standard model: Prof. Yosef Nir Particle Physics from the GUT scale to the B scale

Sharon Reef Structural and functional Prof. Adi Molecular Genetics characterization of a novel Kimchi short form of p19ARF protein, which induces autophagic cell death

Dana Reichmann The molecular architecture of Prof. Gideon Biological protein−protein binding sites Schreiber Chemistry

Peter Renkel Searching for new physics Prof. Ehud Particle Physics with the ATLAS and OPAL Duchovni detectors

Adriana Reuveny Involvement of the RNA Prof. Talila Molecular Genetics binding protein "HOW" in Volk the regulation of midline glial number in Drosophila

Inbal Riven Gating of G−protein coupled Prof. Eitan Biological K+ channels elucidated by Reuveny Chemistry fluorescence based approaches

Osnat Rosen Suggested mechanism for Prof. Jacob Structural Biology HIV−1 phenotype switch and Anglister breadth neutralization of antibodies revealed by NMR structure of HIV−1 V3 peptides Feinberg Graduate School 267

Chanan Rubin EGFR signaling: roles for Prof. Yosef Biological sprouty and deubiquitinating Yarden Regulation enzymes

Kelly Sackett Analysis of the HIV mediated Prof. Yechiel Biological fusion process through Shai Chemistry structural and functional characterization of its proposed intermediates

Rona Sadja Gertner Mechanism of G Prof. Eitan Biological betha−gamma mediated Reuveny Chemistry GIRK channel gating

Amir Sagiv Physics of Gamma−Ray Prof. Eli Condensed Matter Bursts Shock Waves − The Waxman Physics Structure of magnetic field in relativistic collisionless shocks and relativistic radiation−mediated shocks

Neta Sal−Man Characterization the Prof. Yechiel Biological parameters involved in the Shai Chemistry oligomerization of transmembrane domains of integral membrane proteins

Adi Salomon A different view of charge Prof. David Materials and transport through alkyl chain Cahen Interfaces monolayers

Luana Scheffer Structural characterization of Prof. Lia Structural Biology cholesterol−rich domains in Addadi membranes using molecular recognition by antibodies

Ayelet Schlesinger Regulation of the levels of Prof. Ben−Zion Molecular Genetics Spitz, the Drosophila EGFR Shilo ligand, by ER retention and intracellular trafficking

Aya Schneider Mor Paleoclimate study of the Prof. Aldo Environmental southern ocean using diatom Shemesh Sciences and stable isotopes from deep−sea Energy Research sedimentary records for the last 660,000 years 268 Feinberg Graduate School

Hadas Schori An insight into the cellular Prof. Michal Neurobiology control of T and Schwartz B−cell−dependent protective autoimmunity

Uri Sela Regulation of autoreactive Prof. Edna Immunology T−cell functions associated Mozes with SLE in the context of ECM by a peptide based on the CDR1 of an anti−DNA autoantibody

Sagit Regulation of rat oocyte Prof. Nava Biological Sela−Abramovich maturation Dekel Regulation

Boaz Shapira Spatial encoding in nuclear Prof. Lucio Chemical Physics magnetic resonance Frydman spectroscopy: new tools for the chemical and life sciences

Igor Shats Understanding deregulated Prof. Varda Molecular Cell transcription in cancer: role Rotter Biology of p53, p16, and myocardin

Yoav Shaul ERK1c, a human Prof. Rony Biological alternatively spliced isoform Seger Regulation of ERK1: regulation, localization and function

Saroj Shekhawat Evaluation of the roles of Prof. Ziv Reich Biological ran−binding proteins 1−3 in Chemistry nucleocytoplasmic transport and mitotic control in mammalian cells

Liran Shimshi Intra−cavity phase−locking Prof. Asher A. Physics of and coherent addition of Friesem Complex Systems lasers Prof. Nir Davidson

Shoham Shivtiel The CD45 phosphatase, a Prof. Tsvee Immunology master regulator of Lapidot bone−marrow retention, development and motility of immature and maturing leukocytes Feinberg Graduate School 269

Hagai Shorer NSF functions as a key Prof. Zvulun Biological regulator of membrane Elazar Chemistry trafficking during amino acid deprivation

Alexander Sigal Widespread cell cycle Prof. Uri Alon Molecular Cell dependence and persistent Biology memory of nuclear proteins: results from single cell dynamic proteomics

Roy Sirkis Ddi1p, a cellular protein with Prof. Deborah Structural Biology a retroviral protease fold Fass

Einat Sitbon Structural and functional Prof. Shmuel Molecular Genetics aspects of protein sequence Pietrokovski motifs

Shay Soffer Physics and Industry: projects Prof. Science Teaching based learning combined with Bat−Sheva systematic Inventive thinking Eylon

Ilya Sotnikov Heparanase and T−cells: Prof. Irun Immunology mutual regulation Robert Cohen

Ivo Spiegel Novel cell−adhesion Prof. Elior Peles Molecular Cell molecules in the peripheral Biology nervous system: the role of nectin−like molecules in myelination

Hadar Steinberg A study of one dimensional Prof. Amir Condensed Matter electron systems by Yacoby Physics momentum resolved tunneling

Oded Suad Structural studies of mutated Prof. Zippora Structural Biology forms of the p53 Shaked tumor−suppressor protein

Xiaohu Tang Dissecting the function of Prof. Varda Molecular Cell p53 in cellular senescence by Rotter Biology identification and characterization of p53 target genes 270 Feinberg Graduate School

Michael Temkin Local approach to certain Prof. Vladimir Mathematics problems of analytic and Berkovich birational geometries

Lilach Tencer Molecular mechanisms of Prof. Mordechai Biological Herschkovitz caveolin−1 induction by Liscovitch Regulation PPAR−Gamma ligands in human cancer cells

Eran Tromer Hardware−based Prof. Adi Computer Science cryptanalysis Shamir and Applied Mathematics

Basile Verdene Microscopic investigation of Prof. Amir Condensed Matter the different phases in Yacoby Physics two−dimensional electron systems

Ilan Volovitz Manipulating immunity to Prof. Lea Immunology self in autoimmunity and Eisenbach tumor immunotherapy Prof. Irun Robert Cohen

Keren Yacobi Exploring the role of Prof. Atan Biological caspase−3 and its mode of Gross Regulation regulation in the rat ovary Prof. Alexander Tsafriri

Ronen Zaidel−Bar Development of cell−matrix Prof. Benjamin Molecular Cell adhesions and their regulation Geiger Biology by mechanical force and tyrosine phosphorylation

Peilin Zhang Differentiation of myelinating Prof. Michel Molecular Genetics oligodendrocytes from Revel embryonic stem cells: effect of interleukin−6 type cytokine

Lidija Zivkovic Higgs boson searches at Prof. Ehud Particle Physics OPAL (LEP), ATLAS (LHC) Duchovni and ILC Prof. Eilam Gross Feinberg Graduate School 271 M.Sc. Degree Recipients − Graduation Ceremony 2007 Name Advisor/s Field of Study Depatrment

Yaarit Adamovich Prof. Yosef Shaul Life Sciences Molecular Genetics

Yishai Admanit Prof. Ehud Mathematics and Computer Science and Shapiro Computer Applied Mathematics Dr. Eran Segal Science

Livnat Afriat Prof. Dan Tawfik Life Sciences Biological Chemistry

Nitzan Akerman Prof. Amir Physical Condensed Matter Physics Yacoby Sciences

Hamutal Arbel Prof. Reshef Life Sciences Materials and Interfaces Tenne

Mica Prof. Ronen Basri Mathematics and Computer Science and Arie−Nachimson Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Leah Armon Prof. Rony Seger Life Sciences Biological Regulation Prof. Abraham Amsterdam

Tamar Avin Prof. Idit Shachar Life Sciences Immunology Wittenberg

Keren Bahar Prof. Michael Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Walker

Ram Band Prof. Uzy Physical Physics of Complex Smilansky Sciences Systems

Amir Bar Prof. David Physical Physics of Complex Mukamel Sciences Systems

Carmel Bar Dr. Eldad Tzahor Life Sciences Biological Regulation

Nadav Bar Prof. Rivka Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Dikstein

Kfir Barhum Prof. Oded Mathematics and Computer Science and Goldreich Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Gilad Barkan Prof. Ronen Basri Mathematics and Computer Science and 272 Feinberg Graduate School

Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Tamar Basis Prof. Nir Orion Science Science Teaching Teaching

Avital Beck Prof. Yehiel Zick Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology

Shimrit Ben Zaken Prof. Yoram Life Sciences Biological Regulation Salomon

Einat Ben−Ari Prof. Abraham Chemical Organic Chemistry Minsky Sciences

Moran Bentzur Prof. Deborah Life Sciences Structural Biology Fass

Hilla Besserglick Prof. Varda Rotter Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology

Inbal Binsky Prof. Idit Shachar Life Sciences Immunology

Gal Binyamini Prof. Anthony Mathematics and Mathematics Joseph Computer Science

Pinchas Birnbaum Prof. David Harel Life Sciences Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Dan Blat Prof. Matityahu Life Sciences Organic Chemistry Fridkin

Ido Bright Prof. Tamar Flash Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Shay Bukshpan Prof. Michal Life Sciences Neurobiology Schwartz

Elik Chapnik Dr. Eldad Tzahor Life Sciences Biological Regulation

Merav Cohen Prof. Varda Rotter Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology

Sharona Cohen Prof. Nir Life Sciences Physics of Complex Davidson Systems Prof. Asher A. Friesem

Ayelet Cooper Life Sciences Neurobiology Feinberg Graduate School 273

Dr. Abraham Zangen

Itzik Cooper Prof. Vivian Life Sciences Neurobiology Teichberg

Emanuele Dalla Dr. Ehud Altman Physical Condensed Matter Physics Torre Sciences

Yael David Dr. Ami Navon Life Sciences Biological Regulation (Ben−basat)

Chen Davidovich Prof. Ada Yonath Chemical Structural Biology Sciences

Hanan Drobiner Prof. Moshe Oren Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology

Gil Ebel Prof. Mordechai Science Science Teaching Ben−Ari Teaching

Yaki Edelshtein Prof. Yair Reisner Life Sciences Immunology

Idan Efroni Dr. Yuval Eshed Life Sciences Plant Sciences

Dickla Elbaz Dr. Anat Yarden Science Science Teaching Teaching

Amir Eldar Prof. Zippora Chemical Structural Biology Shaked Sciences

Shani Eliyahu Prof. Israel Chemical Materials and Interfaces Rubinstein Sciences

Yehonatan Elon Prof. Uzy Physical Physics of Complex Smilansky Sciences Systems

Sharon Epstein Prof. Anthony Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Futerman

Yair Field Dr. Eran Segal Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Amit Finkler Prof. Eli Zeldov Physical Condensed Matter Physics Prof. Amir Sciences Yacoby

Erez Shaul Garty Life Sciences Biological Chemistry 274 Feinberg Graduate School

Prof. Eitan Reuveny

Dafna Geblinger Prof. Lia Addadi Chemical Structural Biology Prof. Benjamin Sciences Geiger

Ori Gidron Dr. Milko Van Chemical Organic Chemistry Der Boom Sciences

Sharon Gilad Prof. Shimon Life Sciences Computer Science and Ullman Applied Mathematics

Tomer Gilad Prof. Shmuel Physical Particle Physics Gurvitz Sciences

Hadar Gilary Prof. Ed Bayer Life Sciences Biological Chemistry

Eran Goldstein Prof. Yehiam Physical Chemical Physics Prior Sciences

Liat Greenshtein Dr. Steffen Jung Life Sciences Immunology

Eran Grinvald Prof. Asher A. Physical Condensed Matter Physics Friesem Sciences

Moran Grossman Prof. Ada Yonath Chemical Structural Biology Prof. Matityahu Sciences Fridkin

Amos Gutnick Dr. Gil Levkowitz Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology

Avraham Guttman Prof. Israel Physical Condensed Matter Physics Bar−Joseph Sciences

Liora Guy Prof. Eitan Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Reuveny

Sharon Haramati Prof. Yadin Dudai Life Sciences Neurobiology

Michal Harel Prof. Gideon Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Schreiber

Yuval Hart Dr. Ehud Altman Physical Condensed Matter Physics Sciences

Yehonatan Hertzberg Prof. Nir Physical Physics of Complex Davidson Sciences Systems Feinberg Graduate School 275

Tal Honig Prof. David Cahen Chemical Materials and Interfaces Prof. Mordechai Sciences Sheves

Roey Izkovsky Prof. Itai Mathematics and Mathematics Benjamini Computer Science

Jacob Kagan Prof. Yehoshua Physical Physics of Complex Levinson Sciences Systems

Maya Kahan Prof. Ehud Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Shapiro

David Kantorovich Dr. Ernesto Chemical Materials and Interfaces Joselevich Sciences

Sergey Kapishnikov Prof. Leslie Chemical Materials and Interfaces Leiserowitz Sciences

Guy Kaufman Prof. Yadin Dudai Life Sciences Neurobiology

Ranit Kedmi Prof. Rivka Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Dikstein

Michal Kiwkowitz Prof. Shimon Mathematics and Computer Science and Ullman Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Ofir Korazim Prof. Yechiel Shai Life Sciences Biological Chemistry

Mark Koudritsky Prof. Eytan Physical Physics of Complex Domany Sciences Systems

Gilad Kunis Prof. Michal Life Sciences Neurobiology Schwartz

Noa Lachman Prof. Daniel Chemical Materials and Interfaces Wagner Sciences

Kfir Lapid Prof. Tsvee Life Sciences Immunology Lapidot

Michal Leskes Prof. Shimon Chemical Chemical Physics Vega Sciences

Noa Liberman Prof. Adi Kimchi Life Sciences Molecular Genetics 276 Feinberg Graduate School

Rachel Ludmer Prof. Yadin Dudai Life Sciences Neurobiology

Adam Mani Prof. Joel Stavans Physical Physics of Complex Sciences Systems

Hillel Maoz Prof. Moni Naor Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Iris Margalit Prof. David Chemical Biological Chemistry Mirelman Sciences

Naama Margalit Prof. Yoram Life Sciences Biological Regulation Salomon

Noa Marom Dr. Leeor Kronik Chemical Materials and Interfaces Sciences

Anat Marom (Lasri) Prof. Edna Mozes Life Sciences Immunology

Yaron Meirovich Prof. Tamar Flash Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Victoria Meltser Prof. Yosef Shaul Life Sciences Molecular Genetics

Ron Merom Prof. David Harel Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Guy Nesher Prof. David Cahen Chemical Materials and Interfaces Sciences

Nour Nijem Prof. Igor Chemical Materials and Interfaces Lubomirsky Sciences

Maria Notkin Prof. Avi Hofstein Science Science Teaching Dr. Rachel Teaching Mamlok−Naaman

Yossef Oren Prof. Adi Shamir Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Einav Oron Prof. Amiram Life Sciences Neurobiology Grinvald Feinberg Graduate School 277

Maoz Ovadia Prof. Dan Shahar Physical Condensed Matter Physics Sciences

Tomer Peled Prof. Ronen Basri Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Merav Persky Prof. David Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Mirelman

Ekaterina Petrovich Prof. Haim Garty Life Sciences Biological Chemistry

Gur Pines Prof. Yosef Life Sciences Biological Regulation Yarden

Ayala Raanan Prof. Mordehai Physical Condensed Matter Physics Heiblum Sciences

Itay Rabinak Prof. Shimon Physical Condensed Matter Physics Levit Sciences

Barak Raveh Prof. Gideon Mathematics and Computer Science and Schreiber Computer Applied Mathematics Prof. Ronen Basri Science

Ido Regev Prof. Itamar Physical Chemical Physics Procaccia Sciences

Shifra Reif Dr. Maria Gorelik Mathematics and Mathematics Computer Science

Michal Reiss Prof. Rony Seger Life Sciences Biological Regulation

Yitzhak Reizel Prof. Nava Dekel Life Sciences Biological Regulation

Liat Rockah Prof. Dan Tawfik Life Sciences Biological Chemistry

Hillel Rubinstein Prof. Daniel Physical Particle Physics Zajfman Sciences

Dima Ruinskiy Prof. Adi Shamir Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Moti Sabban Dr. Yuval Eshed Life Sciences Plant Sciences

Tali Sadka Dr. Eran Segal 278 Feinberg Graduate School

Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Einat Prof. Jeffrey Gerst Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Safran−Abargel

Lea Sananes Prof. Ben−Zion Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Shilo Dr. Eyal Schejter

Niv Moshe Sarig Prof. Yosef Mathematics and Mathematics Yomdin Computer Science

Yonatan Savir Dr. Tsvi Tlusty Physical Physics of Complex Sciences Systems

Eldi Schonfeld−Dado Prof. Ephraim Life Sciences Neurobiology Yavin

Yonathan Prof. David Physical Physics of Complex Schwarzkopf Mukamel Sciences Systems

Yevgenia Segal Prof. Jacob Chemical Structural Biology Anglister Sciences

Itai Segall Prof. David Harel Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Gil Segev Prof. Moni Naor Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Dror Shafir Prof. Daniel Physical Particle Physics Zajfman Sciences

Shahar Shahmoon Dr. Eran Segal Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Ophir Shalem Dr. Yitzhak Pilpel Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Dr. Eran Segal

Andrey Shalit Prof. Yehiam Chemical Chemical Physics Prior Sciences Feinberg Graduate School 279

Ravid Shechter Prof. Michal Life Sciences Neurobiology Schwartz

Or Sheffet Prof. Oded Mathematics and Computer Science and Goldreich Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Roie Shlomovitz Dr. Nir Gov Physical Chemical Physics Sciences

Shira Siemion Prof. Eitan Bibi Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Prof. Dan Tawfik

Gilad Silbert Prof. Jacob Klein Chemical Materials and Interfaces Sciences

Haim Suchowski Prof. Yaron Physical Physics of Complex Silberberg Sciences Systems

Arbel D. Tadmor Dr. Tsvi Tlusty Physical Physics of Complex Sciences Systems

Orna Tal Prof. Yair Reisner Life Sciences Immunology

Dekel Taliaz Dr. Abraham Life Sciences Neurobiology Zangen

Gabi Tarcic Prof. Yosef Life Sciences Biological Regulation Yarden

Hagai Tavori Prof. Lea Life Sciences Immunology Eisenbach

Maria Tkachev Prof. Shimon Chemical Chemical Physics Vega Sciences

Leanne Toube Prof. Zvi Livneh Life Sciences Biological Chemistry

Gilad Tsur Prof. Oded Mathematics and Computer Science and Goldreich Computer Applied Mathematics Science

Yaara Unger Prof. Joel Stavans Life Sciences Physics of Complex Systems

Shlomo Urbach Prof. Eytan Mathematics and Physics of Complex Domany Computer Systems 280 Feinberg Graduate School

Science

Yelena Vachutinsky Prof. Matityahu Chemical Organic Chemistry Fridkin Sciences Prof. Yoram Shechter

Maida Vartanian Dr. Milko Van Chemical Organic Chemistry Der Boom Sciences

Nir Waysbort Prof. Yair Reisner Life Sciences Immunology

Adi Wilf Prof. Michal Life Sciences Neurobiology Schwartz Dr. Abraham Zangen

Gal Wittenberg Prof. Avihai Life Sciences Plant Sciences Danon

Itamar Yaakov Prof. Ofer Physical Particle Physics Aharony Sciences Prof. Micha Berkooz

Danny Zeevi Prof. Joel Stavans Mathematics and Physics of Complex Computer Systems Science Feinberg Graduate School 281 Prizes for Ph.D. and M.Sc. Students 2007

The John F. Kennedy Prize

Recipients Advisors Department

Ido Amit Prof. Yosef Yarden Biological Regulation

Adi Salomon Prof. David Cahen Materials and Interfaces

Eli Shechtman Prof. Michal Irani Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Alexander Sigal Prof. Uri Alon Molecular Cell Biology

The Dimitris N. Chorafas Prize (Candidate)

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Eran Sela Prof. Yuval Oreg Condensed Matter Physics

The Elchanan E. Bondi Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Ayelet Baram−Tsabari Dr. Anat Yarden Science Teaching

The Dov Elad Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Simon Emmanuel Prof. Brian Berkowitz Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

The Gad Resheff Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Emanuel Milman Prof. Gideon Schechtman Mathematics 282 Feinberg Graduate School

The Giora Yoel Yashinski Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Or Zuk Prof. Eytan Domany Physics of Complex Systems

The Daniel Brenner Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Orna Man Prof. Joel Sussman Structural Biology Dr. Yitzhak Pilpel

The Lady Anne Chain Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Sharon Reef Prof. Adi Kimchi Molecular Genetics

The Esther Hellinger Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Boaz Shapira Prof. Lucio Frydman Chemical Physics

The Haim Holtzman Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Erez Boukobza Prof. David Tannor Chemical Physics

The Menashe Milo Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department

Marija Vucelja Prof. Gregory Falkovich Physics of Complex Systems Feinberg Graduate School 283

The Dean's Prize for Ph.D. Students

Recipients Advisors Department

Inbal Friedler Prof. Gershon Kurizki Chemical Physics

Shalev Itzkovitz Prof. Uri Alon Molecular Cell Biology

Amos Korman Prof. David Peleg Computer Science and Applied Prof. Shay Kutten Mathematics

Nava Levit−Binnun Prof. Elisha Moses Physics of Complex Systems

Sharon Ruthstein Prof. Daniella Goldfarb Chemical Physics

Ruth Scherz−Shoval Prof. Zvulun Elazar Biological Chemistry

The Dean's Prize for M.Sc. Students

Recipients Advisors Department

Michal Ayalon Prof. Ruhama Even Science Teaching

Dan Blat Prof. Matityahu Fridkin Organic Chemistry

Emanuele Dalla Torre Dr. Ehud Altman Condensed Matter Physics

Chen Davidovich Prof. Ada Yonath Structural Biology

Noa Liberman Prof. Adi Kimchi Molecular Genetics

Barak Raveh Prof. Gideon Schreiber Computer Science and Applied Prof. Ronen Basri Mathematics

Gil Segev Prof. Moni Naor Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Ravid Shechter Prof. Michal Schwartz Neurobiology

Arbel D. Tadmor Dr. Tsvi Tlusty Physics of Complex Systems

Leanne Toube Prof. Zvi Livneh Biological Chemistry 284 Feinberg Graduate School Post Doctoral Fellowships for 2007

The David Aftalion Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Research

Cellina Cohen−Saidon Molecular Cell Biology

Niv Papo Structural Biology

The Edith and Edward F. Anixter Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ida Rishal Biological Chemistry

The Jean−Jacques Berreby Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurobiology and Brain Research

Yechun Xu Structural Biology

The Dov Biegun Postdoctoral Fellowship

Yoel Feler Mathematics

The Sir Charles Clore Postdoctoral Fellowships

Gil Alon Mathematics

Michal Armoni Science Teaching

Mark Eisenberg Molecular Cell Biology

Liat Flaishon Molecular Cell Biology

Beena Kalisky Condensed Matter Physics

Yael Leitner−Dagan Biological Chemistry

Helit Nabel−Rosen Molecular Cell Biology

Michael Okun Neurobiology

Eitan Sayag Mathematics Feinberg Graduate School 285

Ayelet Schlesinger − Arbiv Molecular Genetics

Hezi Shaked Biological Chemistry

Galit Shohat Molecular Genetics

Jacob Silverman Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Gil Stelzer Molecular Genetics

The Curwen−Lowy Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Nestor Zenon Handzy Physics of Complex Systems

The Gina and Leon Fromer Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship

Tal Melkman−Zehavi Molecular Genetics

The Dr. Adele Gecht Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Research

Ewa Agata Kozela Neurobiology

The Goldberg Family Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Research

Alexander Konson Biological Regulation

The Harold and Jean Grossman Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research

Wolfgang Koestler Biological Regulation

The Arthur Kaplan Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ali Abo−Riziq Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 286 Feinberg Graduate School

The Edmond I. and Lillian S. Kaufmann Postdoctoral Fellowship

Yurong Ma Structural Biology

The Koshland Scholars Program

Barry Dov Bruner Physics of Complex Systems

Guy Kindler Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Hovav Shacham Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Boaz Tsaban Mathematics

The Dr. Saul and Rose Mackoff Postdoctoral Fellowship

Hila Rubin Molecular Cell Biology

The Sadie, Moses and Harry Marks Postdoctoral Fellowship

Rumi De Materials and Interfaces

The Pacific Theatres Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships

Miles G. Page Materials and Interfaces

Diego Adolfo Peretti Molecular Cell Biology

Maria Rodriguez Martinez Chemical Physics

Adam Isaac Winkleman Chemical Physics

The Louis L. and Anita M. Perlman Postdoctoral Fellowship

Shalev Itzkovitz Feinberg Graduate School 287

Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

The Dr. Robert G. Picard Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physics and/or Electronics

Kavita Jain Physics of Complex Systems

The Hughes and Sheila Potiker Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autoimmune Disease Research

Adi Peleg Biological Chemistry

The Stephen M. Reich Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research

Moshit Lindzen Biological Regulation

The Helena Rubinstein Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences and Cancer Research

Naomi Siew Biological Chemistry

The Sara Lee Schupf Women and Science Fellowship

Orit Altaratz Stollar Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

The Golda and Dr. Yehiel Shwartzman and Sara &Haim Medvedi Families Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dimitri Fisher Neurobiology

The Marcus and Lily Sieff Postdoctoral Fellowship

Alon Angert Environmental Sciences and 288 Feinberg Graduate School

Energy Research

The Norman Sosnow Postdoctoral Fellowship

Mikael Edvin Johan Smedback Particle Physics

The Ann Abrams Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

David Panikashvili Plant Sciences

The Anne Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Aveek Bid Condensed Matter Physics

The Dewey David Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ariel Tankus Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

The Harry K. Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Georg Schwiete Condensed Matter Physics

The Hugh David Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ling Wang Chemical Physics

The Reva G. Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Nurith Schupper Chemical Physics Feinberg Graduate School 289 UNESCO and Israeli Council for Higher Education Postdoctoral Fellowship

Elena Kireeva Mathematics

Lyubomyr Zdomskyy Mathematics

The Weizmann Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship in Electronics Research

Leore Grosman Physics of Complex Systems

The Phil Zacharia Postdoctoral Fellowship

Severino Tessarin Particle Physics

The Aron Zandman Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic Chemistry

Rotem Sertchook Biological Services 290 Feinberg Graduate School

Scholarship Awards

Ph.D. Scholarships in Perpetuity

The Jacques and Gisella Anavy Scholarship Established in 1983 by Jacques and Gisella Anavy, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recipient: Eugenia Manevich, Department of Immunology The Dr. Christian B. Anfinsen Scholarship Established in 1974 in Dr. Anfinsen's honor by the Washington Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Washington, DC Recipient: Kfir Lapid, Department of Immunology The Eda and Leon Asseo Scholarship Established in 1988 by Eda Asseo, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Avital Beer, Department of Biological Regulation The Jacob and Sonia Hager Axelrad Endowed Doctoral Scholarship Fund in Cancer Research Established in 1999 through a bequest of Sonia Hager Axelrad, New York Recipients: Ran Brosh, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Dana Chuderland, Department of Biological Regulation; Marco Cortesi, Department of Particle Physics; Dan Levy, Department of Molecular Genetics; Shani Raveh, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Eran Reem, Department of Molecular Genetics The Thomas Ayers Scholarship in Energy Research Established in 1994 by Thomas Ayers, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Liran Goren, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Lillian Baker Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Lillian Baker, Hallandale, Florida Recipient: Itai Afek, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Florence and Theodore Baumritter Scholarship Fund for Russian Students Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Baumritter, Boca Raton, Florida Recipient: Livnat Afriat, Department of Biological Chemistry The J. Myron and Zachary Michael Bay Scholarship Established in 1979 by Jerry Adler and friends, The Magen David Wine Corporation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Eyal Capua, Department of Chemical Physics The Bayer Corporation Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1996 by the Bayer Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Recipient: Suha Naffar−Abu−Amara, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Becker Family Fund Scholarship Established in 1975 through a bequest of Louis Becker, New York Recipient: Moran Feller, Department of Organic Chemistry The Mollie Freeman Becker Scholarship Established in 1971 by Mrs. Samuel Becker, Newton, Massachusetts Recipient: Ariel Amir, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Shlomo Beilitz Scholarship Feinberg Graduate School 291 Established in 1979 through a bequest of Shlomo Beilitz, Ra'anana, Israel Recipient: Tali Aqua, Department of Chemical Physics The Abraham Berman Scholarship Established in 1966 through a bequest of Abraham Berman, South Africa Recipient: Avital Sadovski−Sadot, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Joseph W. and Emily J. Bernstein Scholarship Established in 1990 by the Amber Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Keren Ben−Yaakov, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dr. Henri H. Birnbaum Scholarship Established in 1979 through a bequest of Dr. Henri H. Birnbaum, New York Recipient: Maya Bar Sadan, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Abraham H. Blank Scholarship Established in 1979 by Myron Blank, Des Moines, Iowa Recipient: Iyad Dkeidek, Department of Science Teaching The Benjamin M. Bloch Memorial Scholarship Established in 1959 by the Faculty of the Weizmann Institute of Science Recipient: Tamar Avin−Wittenberg, Department of Plant Sciences The Alex and Yudas (Yetta) Bloom Scholarship Established in 1971 by Philip Bloom, New York Recipient: Gili Hart, Department of Immunology The Alan I. Bluestein Scholarship Established in 1990 by Milton J. Bluestein, Palm Beach, Florida Recipient: Tali Dadosh, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Alejandro y Dinorah Margounato Blum Scholarship Established in 1986 by the Leon and Elena Blum Foundation, Montevideo, Uruguay Recipient: Amit Aronovitch, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Joseph Brainin and Sally Brainin Scholarship Established in 1967 in honor of Joseph and Sally Brainin by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Nissim Ofek, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Melva and Martin Bucksbaum Scholarship for Biomedical/Cardiovascular Research Established in 1996 in honor of Melva Bucksbaum and in memory of her husband Martin by family and friends, Des Moines, Iowa Recipient: Libbat Tirosh, Department of Biological Regulation The Professor Arthur Charlesby Fund for Doctoral Student Scholarships Established in 2001 by Irene Charlesby, Swindon, UK, in memory of her husband Recipient: David Ehre, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Dr. Rebecca Chutick and Dr. Lillian Chutick Doctoral Scholarship Fund for Soviet Immigrant Students Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Rebecca Chutick, New York Recipients: Liora Bialer, Department of Science Teaching; Shlomit Boguslavsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Boris Brumshtein, Department of Structural Biology; Racheli Fachima−Gueta, Department of Structural Biology; Yehudit Hasin, Department of Molecular Genetics; Itamar Yadid, Department of Biological Chemistry 292 Feinberg Graduate School The Isidore and Theresa Cohen Scholarship Established in 1973 by the Israel, Theresa, and Ronald Cohen Charitable Trust, Cape Town, South Africa Recipient: Talya Belogus, Department of Biological Chemistry The Judith and Norman D. Cohen Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2005 by Judith and Norman Cohen, New York Recipient: Niva Blum, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Sam Cohen Windhoek Scholarships Established in 1981 by the Sam Cohen Trust, Namibia, South Africa Recipients: Tsevi Beatus, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Maya Dadiani−Chetrit, Department of Biological Regulation; Navit Dori, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Roman Dovgard, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Rofa Elfakess, Department of Biological Chemistry; Yuval Emek, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Ronen Gradwohl, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Gila Lustig, Department of Biological Regulation The Frank Considine Scholarship in Geophysics Established in 2000 in honor of Frank Considine by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Na'ama Raz−Yaseef, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Leo A. and Sarah G. Copin Scholarship Fund Established in 1994 through a bequest of Sarah Copin, Palm Beach, Florida Recipient: Tali Avnit−Sagi, Department of Biological Chemistry The Cowen Semester Scholarship in Molecular Biology, In Memory of Belle and Leonard Cowen and Sylvia and Irving Schwartz Established in 1996 by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Cowen, Tenafly, New Jersey, in memory of their parents Recipient: Leah Armon, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dan Danciger Scholarship Established in 1960 by the Dan Danciger Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri Recipient: Moran Feller, Department of Organic Chemistry The Joseph and Sadie Danciger Scholarships Established in 1960 by the Sadie Danciger Trust and the Joseph and Sadie Danciger Fund, Kansas City, Missouri Recipients: Sharon Ruthstein, Department of Chemical Physics; Tal Sines, Department of Molecular Genetics; Zohar Snapir, Department of Molecular Genetics The Amos and Hortense Deinard Memorial Scholarship Established in 1989 through a bequest of Hortense H. Deinard, Minneapolis, Minnesora Recipient: Maya Kahan, Department of Biological Chemistry The Jack and Simon Djanogly Scholarships Established in 1971 by Sir Harry Djanogly, London, UK Recipients: Silvia Chuartzman, Department of Biological Chemistry; Aron Inger, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Pearl and Morris Dry Scholarship Established in 1966 by Sidney Dry, Chicago, Illinois Feinberg Graduate School 293 Recipient: Maya Bar, Department of Structural Biology The Dr. Yehuda and Leah Dubowski Scholarship Established in 1988 by Leah Dubowski, Kiryat Ono, Israel Recipient: Hadar Less, Department of Plant Sciences The Florence Edelman Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1987 through a bequest of Florence Edelman, New York Recipient: Yair Haim Wijsboom, Department of Organic Chemistry The Dr. Joshua and Helene Ehrlich Memorial Scholarship Established in 1987 through a bequest of Helene Ehrlich, Miami, Florida Recipient: Itay Tirosh, Department of Molecular Genetics The Leon and Kathe Fallek Scholarships Established in 1974 by Fred S. Fallek, New York Recipients: Michal Lieberman−Lazarovich, Department of Plant Sciences; Assaf Zemach, Department of Plant Sciences The Dr. Eugene I. and Charlotte Falstein Graduate Scholarship Established in 1997 by Charlotte R. Falstein, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Elvira Vitu, Department of Structural Biology The Belle and Philip Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York Recipient: Lior Zangi, Department of Immunology The Lillian Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York Recipient: Adam Wasserstrom, Department of Biological Chemistry The Shirley and Judge Wilfred Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York Recipient: Omer Barad, Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Judith Schneider and Dr. E. Richard Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Belle S. Meller, New York Recipient: Liat Bahari, Department of Biological Chemistry The Harold Feinstein and Bess Rae C. Feinstein Scholarship Fund for Soviet Students Established in 1990 through a bequest of Bess Rae C. Feinstein, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Eli Shlizerman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Meyer Feldman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1973 through a bequest of Meyer Feldman, Tucson, Arizona Recipient: Anat Shmueli, Department of Molecular Genetics The Joel Fellner and Gisella Schreiber Fellner and Ernest Ludwig Mannheimer and Arabella Weiss Mannheimer Scholarship Fund Established in 1983 by the Leopold and Clara M. Fellner Charitable Foundation, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Rofa Elfakess, Department of Biological Chemistry The Joseph E. and Rose Fisher Scholarship Established in 1978 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Fisher, Canton, Ohio Recipient: Michal Kenan−Eichler, Department of Plant Sciences The Rita Friedell and Donald Fiterman Scholarship Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Morlan Fiterman, Highland Park, Illinois 294 Feinberg Graduate School Recipient: Inbal Dangoor, Department of Plant Sciences The Stephen W. Fleck Scholarship Fund Established in 1995 through a bequest of Herta Fleck, New York Recipient: Amir Shlomai, Department of Molecular Genetics The Alexander and Lilly Foldes Memorial Scholarship Established in 1981 through a bequest of Lilly Foldes, New York Recipient: Leonid Karlinsky, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Joseph F. and Clara Ford Foundation Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1989 by the Joseph F. and Clara Ford Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Avital Levy−Lior, Department of Structural Biology The Harry and Lillian Frankel Scholarship Established in 1959 through a bequest of Lillian Frankel, Shawnee Mission, Kansas Recipient: Ido Ben−Ami, MD, Department of Biological Regulation The Malcolm Fraser Scholarship in Medical Biology Established in 1987 in honor of Malcolm Fraser by the Australian Association for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Victoria, Australia Recipient: Limor Landsman, Department of Immunology The Samuel R. and Anna E. Friedman Scholarship Established in 1970 by the S.R. Friedman Charitable Trust, Palm Springs, California Recipient: Asaf Nussboim, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Margot and Alfred Furth−Regina Fleischer Scholarship in Chemistry Established in 1992 through a bequest of Regina Fleischer, and by Alfred Furth, New York, in memory of his wife, Margot Recipient: Eyal Kamhi, Department of Organic Chemistry The Rita Gehl Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1999 by Rita Gehl, London, UK Recipient: Noa Madar−Balakirski, Department of Biological Regulation The Bessie and Barnet Ginsburg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1971 by the Bessie and Barnet Ginsburg Memorial Foundation, Westhampton Beach, New York Recipient: Aron Inger, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Israel, Sara and L. Chester Glaser Scholarship Established in 1975 through a bequest of L. Chester Glaser, New York Recipient: Ido Zelman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Yasha Gluzman Scholarship Established in 1998 by Ilan Gluzman, Nutley, New Jersey Recipient: Bareket Dassa, Department of Molecular Genetics The Goldberg−Guild Scholarships Established in 1984 by Bernard Goldberg, Hallandale, Florida, and by Irwin C. Guild, Palm Beach, Florida Recipients: Tal Amitay−Rosen, Department of Chemical Physics; Avital Beck, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Liora Bialer, Department of Science Teaching; Moran Feller, Department of Organic Chemistry; Ariel Ismach, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Erez Kantor, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Shulamit Kapon, Department of Science Teaching; Zohar Snapir, Department of Molecular Feinberg Graduate School 295 Genetics; Michal Tabach, Department of Science Teaching The Dr. Anna Goldfeder Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Anna Goldfeder, New York Recipient: Oran Erster, Department of Biological Regulation The J. Barney and Pauline Goldhar Foundation Scholarship Established in 1982 in honor of Paul and Gella Rothstein by Mr. and Mrs. J. Barney Goldhar, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Eyal Kamhi, Department of Organic Chemistry The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Scholarship Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goldman, San Francisco, California Recipient: Yuri Alioshin, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Phillip and Beverly Goldstick Scholarship Established in 1980 by Phillip C. Goldstick, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Talya Belogus, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dorothy and Maurice Gordon Scholarship Established in 1968 by Centrose Associates, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Nissim Ofek, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Harold J. and Marion Green Scholarship Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Green, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Adi Behar−Eliyahu, Department of Structural Biology The Linda, Tal and Akiva Gross Endowment Fund, in Memory of Heinrich Gross Established by Dr. Akiva Gross, Glencoe, Illinois, in memory of his father, Heinrich Recipient: Moran Feller, Department of Organic Chemistry The Nandor F. Gross Scholarship Established in 1982 through a bequest of Kalman Gross, New York Recipient: Inbal Dangoor, Department of Plant Sciences The Leanora, Judith and Samson Gruber Memorial Scholarship Established in 1998 by Mr. and Mrs. Irving M. Gruber, New York, and named in memory of their son and their daughter Recipient: Dan Kushnir, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Scholarship Established in 1979 by the Isidore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Potomac, Maryland Recipient: Yael Segal−Ruder, Department of Biological Chemistry The Herbert Leiser Harband Memorial Scholarship Established in 1976 through bequests of Dorothea and Julius Harband, San Francisco, California, in memory of their beloved son Recipient: Dvir Haviv, Department of Mathematics The Gertrude and Benjamin R. Harris Scholarship Established in 1989 through bequests of Gertrude and Benjamin R. Harris, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Ronit Nir, Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Esther Hellinger Memorial Scholarship Established in 1986 through a bequest of Dr. Esther Hellinger, London, UK Recipient: Gila Lustig, Department of Biological Regulation 296 Feinberg Graduate School The Otto and Mary Hersch Scholarships Established in 1988 through a bequest of Mary Hersch, New York Recipients: Itai Afek, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Rafi Bistrizer, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Guy Engelhard, Department of Particle Physics; Eugene Frumker, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Yehonatan Elon, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Luta and Ludwig Heusinger Scholarships Established in 1993 through a bequest of Dr. Ludwig Heusinger, Kfar Shmaryahu, Israel Recipient: Sharly Fleischer, Department of Chemical Physics The Fay and Harry Hoffman Scholarship Established in 1982 by Harry Hoffman, family and friends, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Maya Bar Sadan, Department of Materials and Interfaces The William T. Hogan and Winifred T. Hogan Scholarship Established in 1997 by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 714, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Ya'ara Goldschmidt, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Lawrence Horowitz Scholarship Established in 1979 by Lawrence G. Horowitz, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recipient: Keren Ben−Yaakov, Department of Biological Cheimstry The Anna Hurwitz Scholarship Established in 1984 by Allan Hurwitz, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Lior Zangi, Department of Immunology The John F. Kennedy Memorial Fund Scholarships Established in 1965 by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, Rehovot, Israel Recipients: Tali Aqua, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Ran Budnik, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Gabriel A. Frank, Department of Structural Biology; Sarah Goldberg, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Eran Ginossar, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Eran Grinvald, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Yoav Gordin, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Lena Gorelick, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Amir Karton, Department of Organic Chemistry; Noga Dalia Kowalsman, Department of Biological Chemistry; Eli Shechtman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Tal Shay, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Ravid Shechter, Department of Neurobiology; Guy Shinar, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Eliezer Shochat, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Malcolm Kingsberg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 through a bequest of Malcolm Kingsberg, New York Recipient: Asaf Nussboim, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Jeannine Klueger Scholarship Established in 1991 by Seraphina Klueger−Kraus, Dusseldorf, Germany, in memory of her daughter Recipient: David Baram, Department of Structural Biology The Neil David Konheim Memorial Scholarship Established in 1985 by George Konheim, Beverly Hills, California Feinberg Graduate School 297 Recipient: Itamar Yadid, Department of Biological Chemistry The Richard Koret Scholarship Established in 1968 by the trustees of the Richard Koret Foundation, New York Recipient: Itay Tirosh, Department of Molecular Genetics The Joseph Korodi Memorial Scholarship Established in 1993 by Emmy Singer Korodi, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Yaara Zwang, Department of Biological Regulation The Samuel and Ronnie Kraut Fund for Scholarships in the Life Sciences Established in 1988 by Ricky Kraut through bequests of her parents, Samuel and Ronnie Kraut, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Recipient: Jaakov Kacher, Department of Biological Chemistry The Lillian Hellman Kugler Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1995 through the Saerree K. and Louis P. Fiedler Family Fund, Deerfield, Illinois Recipient: Anat Globerson, Department of Immunology The Robert Alan Kuniansky Memorial Scholarship Established in 1978 by Max L. and Helen Kuniansky, Atlanta, Georgia Recipient: Alona Keren−Paz, Department of Molecular Genetics The Liselotte and Richard Laster Endowed Doctoral Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 2001 by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Laster, Chappaqua, New York Recipient: Lior Fisch, Department of Neurobiology The Harold J. Lawn, M.D. Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 by Dr. Harold J. Lawn, St. Paul, Minnesota Recipients: Vered Bar, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Zeev Dvir, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Tamar Eisenmann, Department of Science Teaching; Eyal Kalie, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dr. Sophie N. Leschin Scholarship Fund Established in 1985 through a bequest of Dr. Sophie N. Leschin, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Inbal Dangoor, Department of Plant Sciences The Eudyce H. Levin Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1984 by Wallace "Bud" Levin, North Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Alona Keren−Paz, Department of Molecular Genetics The Irena and Morris Goldstein and Stefan Joram Lewari Memorial Scholarship Established in 1988 through a bequest of Irena Lewari, Cape Town, South Africa Recipient: Avi Barliya, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Morris I. Lewisohn Scholarship Established in 1976 through a bequest of Morris I. Lewisohn, Teaneck, New Jersey Recipient: Haim Beidenkopf, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Dorothy and Elias Lieberman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 by the Elias Lieberman Memorial Foundation, Jamaica, New York Recipient: Gal Zahavi, Department of Mathematics The Sally and Jerome Lipper Scholarship Fund for Young Immigrants Established in 1993 by the Kenneth and Evelyn Lipper Foundation, New York Recipient: Nathali Kaushansky, Department of Immunology The Samuel and Eleanor London Scholarship 298 Feinberg Graduate School Established in 1986 through a bequest of Eleanor J. London, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Liat Bahari, Department of Biological Chemistry The Meyer Loomstein Scholarship Established in 1982 by Meyer Loomstein, Hollywood, Florida Recipient: Iris Edry, Department of Biological Regulation The Lou and Miriam Ludwig Scholarship Established in 1974 through a bequest of Louis Ludwig, New York Recipient: Talya Belogus, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dr. Saul and Rose Mackoff Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2002 through a bequest of Dr. Saul Mackoff, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Meir Max Barak, Department of Structural Biology The Henry and Louis Malakoff Scholarship Fund, New Rochelle, New York Established in 1991 by Rebecca Malakoff, Brooklyn, New York Recipient: Avihai Meiraz, Department of Immunology The Rixi Markus Scholarships in Memory of Eugenia, Ignacy and Herbert Alfred Heller Established in 1995 through a bequest of Rixi Markus, MBE, London, UK Recipients: Iftach Haitner, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Yoav Gal, Department of Biological Regulation The Rodolfo May Scholarships Established in 2000 through a bequest of Rodolfo May, Montevideo, Uruguay Recipients: Gil Hornung, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Maayan Gal, Department of Chemical Physics The Nora Menasce Scholarships in Cancer Research Established in 2002 through a bequest of Nora Menasce, Milan, Italy Recipients: Sigal Shachar, Department of Biological Chemistry; Ran Brosh, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Martin and Dianne Mendoza Scholarship Established in 1991 in honor of Martin and Dianne Mendoza by friends and admirers, London, UK Recipient: Adam Wasserstrom, Department of Biological Chemistry The Leo Meyer Scholarship Established in 1965 through a bequest of Leo Meyer, San Francisco, California Recipient: Ronit Nir, Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Bert Migicovsky Scholarship Established in 1990 by the Ottawa Jewish Community, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Marc Altman, Department of Organic Chemistry The Minzer Family Fund Scholarship Established in 1978 by Margaret and Sol Minzer, Dallas, Texas Recipient: Gal Wittenberg, Department of Plant Sciences The Paul and Felicia Muskat Scholarship Fund Established in 1984 through a bequest of Paul Muskat, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipients: Jaakov Kacher, Department of Biological Chemistry; Yael Segal−Ruder, Department of Biological Chemistry The Inez P. and David N. Myers Scholarship Established in 1981 by the David and Inez Myers Scholarship Fund, Cleveland, Ohio Feinberg Graduate School 299 Recipient: Assaf Rotem, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Gertrude and Valentin Nathan Scholarship Fund Established in 1997 through a bequest of Gertrude Nathan, New York Recipients: Liora Bialer, Department of Science Teaching; Boris Brumshtein, Department of Structural Biology; Racheli Fachima−Gueta, Department of Structural Biology; Itamar Yadid, Department of Biological Chemistry The Fanny Fletcher and Meyer Naxon Memorial Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1985 through a bequest of Meyer Naxon, Beverly Hills, California Recipients: Oran Erster, Department of Biological Regulation; Zohar Snapir, Department of Molecular Genetics The Clara and Bela B. Nevai Scholarship Established in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Bela B. Nevai, Dobbs Ferry, New York Recipient: Elisha Nathan, Department of Biological Regulation The Dr. Louis B. and Rose M. Newman Scholarship Established in 1971 by Dr. and Mrs. Louis B. Newman, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Ido Ben−Ami, MD, Department of Biological Regulation The Cemach Oiserman Scholarship Fund Established in 1979 through Yehuda Assia, Geneva, Switzerland Recipient: Avi Mendelsohn, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Oskar Oliven Memorial Scholarship Established in 2003 through bequests of Gerald and Hedy Oliven, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Leehee Laronne Ben−Itzhak, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Dora Ostre Memorial Scholarships Established in 1987 through a bequest of Dr. Sprinzl Weizenblatt, Asheville, North Carolina Recipients: Hilah Gal, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Tal Sines, Department of Molecular Genetics; Yair Haim Wijsboom, Department of Organic Chemistry The Edith and Henry Plessner Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Edith Plessner, New York Recipient: Eli Shlizerman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The David and Janet Polak Scholarship Established in 1997 by Mr. and Mrs. David Polak, Beverly Hills, California Recipient: Aron Inger, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Rose Lee and Marvin Pomerantz Scholarship Established in 1998 by Rose Lee and Marvin Pomerantz and friends, Des Moines, Iowa Recipient: Hava Ben David Turgeman, Department of Immunology The Alfred Prager Scholarship Established in 1970 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science and through a bequest of Alfred Auerbach, New York Recipient: Oren Ben−Ami, Department of Molecular Genetics The Theodore R. and Edlyn Racoosin Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through bequests of Theodore and Edlyn Racoosin, New York Recipients: Amnon Amir, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Tal Birnberg, Department of Immunology; Carmit Cohen, Department of Science Teaching; Iyad M. 300 Feinberg Graduate School Dkeidek, Department of Science Teaching; Ariel Gabizon, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Goren Gordon, Department of Chemical Physics; Ronen Gradwohl, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Haim Haviv, Department of Biological Chemistry; Ya'akov Hoch, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Ron Izhar, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Limor Landsman, Department of Immunology; Orly Laufman, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Boris Levant, Department of Mathematics; Vered Lev−Goldman, Department of Organic Chemistry; Dan Levi, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Gil Lewitus, Department of Neurobiology; Orna Liarzi, Department of Biological Chemistry; Alexey Lyashenko, Department of Particle Physics; Lior Noy, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Reut Shalgi, Department of Molecular Genetics; Nadejda Sigal, Department of Biological Chemistry The Hirsch and Braine Raskin Foundation Scholarships Established in 1970 by the Hirsch and Braine Raskin Foundation, New York Recipients: Efrat Furst, Department of Neurobiology; Ido Horresh, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Leonid Gaydukov, Department of Biological Chemistry The Harry, Lillian and Sylvan Ray Memorial Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1997 by Dr. M.L. Ray, Dallas, Texas Recipients: Omri Bauer, Department of Molecular Genetics; Naama Geva−Zatorsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Reiter Family Scholarship Established in 1984 by the Reiter Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Gili Hart, Department of Immunology The Harry and Mildred Remis Scholarship Established in 1973 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Remis, Peabody, Massachusetts Recipient: Maya Bar Sadan, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Charles G. and Belle Reskin Doctoral Graduate Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1997 through a bequest of Charles Reskin, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Jonathan Caspi, Department of Biological Chemistry The Burton and Sylvia "Sibby" Richards Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2001 by Mr. Burton Richards, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania Recipient: Hagar Gelbard−Sagiv, Department of Neurobiology The Lillian L. Rolde Memorial Scholarship Established in 1981 by L. Robert Rolde, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Moran Bentzur, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dorothy and Irving Rom Scholarship Established in 1990 by the Irving and Dorothy Rom Charitable Trust, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Assaf Marcus, Department of Immunology The Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Scholarship Established in 1990 by Ben and Esther Rosenbloom, Baltimore, Maryland Recipient: Hana Berger, Department of Science Teaching The Dr. Arnold Rosenblum Scholarship in Theoretical Physics Established in 1992 by Dorothy Rosenblum, Brooklyn, New York Recipient: Tamar Kashti, Department of Particle Physics The Anna and Leo Rosner Scholarship Feinberg Graduate School 301 Established in 1986 by the Leo Rosner Endowment Fund, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Gal Zahavi, Department of Mathematics The Celia and Nelson Rostow Scholarship Established in 1990 through a bequest of Nelson Rostow, New Haven, Connecticut Recipient: Iris Edry, Department of Biological Regulation The David and Eleanore Rukin Scholarship Established in 1981 by the David and Eleanore Rukin Philanthropic Foundation, Saddle River, New Jersey Recipient: Niva Blum, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Rymer Family Scholarship Established in 1989 by the Barry Rymer Trust, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Itay Tirosh, Department of Molecular Genetics The Sylvia and Aaron Scheinfeld Scholarship Established in 1977 by Mrs. Aaron Scheinfeld, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Nathali Kaushansky, Department of Immunology The Harry and Mae Schetzen and Prof. Martin Schetzen Scholarship Established in 1979 by Mrs. Mae Schetzen, New York Recipient: Yuval Emek, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Leon and Lily Schidlow Scholarship Fund Established in 1999 by Sr. and Sra. Leon Schidlow, Bosques de las Lomas, Mexico Recipient: Avital Eisenberg, Department of Molecular Genetics The Harriet Schiller Scholarships Established in 2000 through a bequest of Harriet Schiller, Teaneck, New Jersey Recipients: Barak Blumenfeld, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Karen Rae Bone, Department of Molecular Genetics The Max Schoenfeld Scholarship Established in 1976 by Walter E. Schoenfeld, Seattle, Washington Recipient: Nataliya Borodovsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Rudolph Schoenheimer Memorial Scholarship Established in 1968 by Fritz Schoenheimer, New York Recipient: Dorit Cohen, Department of Molecular Genetics The Stuart and Sarah Schulman Scholarship Fund Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Schulman, Boca Raton, Florida Recipient: Ido Zelman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Eugene and Lenore Schupak Endowed Doctoral Scholarship in Genetics Established in 1997 by the Schupak Family Foundation, Scottsdale, Arizona Recipient: Roni Golan−Lavi, Department of Molecular Genetics The David and Pauline Segal Scholarship Established in 1999 by George and Joan Segal, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Nitzan Censor, Department of Neurobiology The Bernard and Bernice Dorothy Segall Scholarship Fund Established in 2006 through a bequest of Bernice Dorothy Segall, New York Recipients: Ayelet Katzir, Department of Biological Chemistry; Elijah Shirman, Department of Organic Chemistry; Hilla Weidberg, Department of Biological Chemistry The Simon and Frieda Senderowicz−Perel Graduate Student Research Fund 302 Feinberg Graduate School Established in 1999 through a bequest of Lea Senderowicz, Zurich, Switzerland Recipient: Liraz Chai, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Max and Lena Sharp Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1972 by the Max and Lena Sharp Scholarship Fund, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Liat Shachnai, Department of Biological Regulation The Lily Sieff Doctoral Scholarship Established in 1998 by Helen and Martin Kimmel, New York Recipient: Elad Dinar, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Hon. Sir David Sieff Doctoral Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 2000 by family and friends, UK Foundation of the Weizmann Institute of Science Recipient: Moshe Fried, Department of Neurobiology The Irving I. Singer Foundation Scholarship Established in 1974 by the Irving I. Singer Foundation, New York Recipient: Adam Wasserstrom, Department of Biological Chemistry The Paula and Ernest Sommers Scholarship Established 2001 by Ernest Sommers, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Anat Shmueli, Department of Molecular Genetics The Blanche and Max Steig Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Blanche Steig, New York Recipient: Eyal Cohen, Department of Neurobiology The Oscar H. Stern Memorial Scholarship Established in 1976 through a bequest of Oscar H. Stern, New York Recipient: Edith Kario, Department of Biological Regulation The Roy L. Swarzman Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1990 by Matthew Bucksbaum, Marvin Pomerantz and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Isaacson, Des Moines, Iowa Recipient: Maxime Gouet−Kaplan, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1985 by the Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute, Zurich, Switzerland Recipient: Ziv Porat, Department of Molecular Genetics The Armin and Etel (Angyal) Szolovits Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2001 through bequests of Armin and Etel Szolovits, Hollywood, California Recipient: Ariel Cohen, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Isaac H. Taylor Scholarship Established in 1972 by Isaac H. Taylor, Ellicott City, Maryland Recipient: Dror Cohen, Department of Neurobiology The Samara Jan Turkel Scholarship Fund for Autoimmune Diseases Established in 1995 by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bach, New York, in memory of their granddaughter Recipient: Neta Kella−Madar, Department of Immunology The Frances L. Urban Scholarship Feinberg Graduate School 303 Established in 1978 through a bequest of Miriam B. Urban, Palo Alto, California Recipient: Mati Cohen, Department of Biological Chemistry The Guido Franklin van D. Memorial Scholarship Established in 2000 through a bequest of Hilda van D., Riehen, Switzerland Recipient: Arie Melamed−Katz, Department of Particle Physics The Minnie and Arthur Vare Scholarship Established in 1968 by the Minnie and Arthur Vare Foundation, New York Recipient: Iris Edry, Department of Biological Regulation The Raoul Wallenberg Scholarship Established in 1980 by the Swedish Committee and the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science Recipient: Nissim Ofek, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The George Wasserman Foundation/Janice Wasserman Goldsten Scholarship Established in 1994 by the George Wasserman Foundation and by Janice Wasserman Goldsten, Washington, D.C. Recipient: Lior Zangi, Department of Immunology The Paul and Greta Weinberger Scholarships Established in 1995 through a bequest of Paul Weinberger, New York Recipient: Dori Reichman, Department of Particle Physics The Erwin and Claire Weiner Scholarship Established in 1973 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Naomi Coslovsky Litichver, Department of Neurobiology The Celeste and Joseph Weingarten Memorial Scholarship Established in 1987 by Nancy Weingarten and friends, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Hadar Less, Department of Plant Sciences The William W. Wilkow Scholarship Fund Established in 1987 by Mrs. William W. Wilkow, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Itzik Cooper, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Albert and Blanche Willner Scholarship for Russian Students Established in 1993 by Dr. and Mrs. Albert Willner, Delray Beach, Florida Recipient: Anna Kaplan, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Ruth Ann and Sam Wolfson Scholarship Established in 1996 by Ruth Ann and Sam Wolfson, Dallas, Texas Recipient: Yishay Shoval, Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Arthur Yarman and Gertrude Yarman Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 through a bequest of Gertrude Yarman, Miami, Florida Recipients: Ronen Levy, Department of Plant Sciences; Tal Markus, Department of Chemical Physics; Yehonathan Segev, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Milton Young Scholarship Established in 1983 by the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, New York Recipient: Tal Sines, Department of Molecular Genetics The Samuel Zonne Scholarships Established in 1980 through a bequest of Samuel Zonne, Minneapolis, Minnesota Recipients: Moshe Fried, Department of Neurobiology; Adi Neufeld, Department of 304 Feinberg Graduate School Neurobiology; Lior Noy, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Annual and Semester Ph.D. Scholarships

Anonymous Scholarship in Alzheimer's Disease Established in 2006 by an anomymous donor, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Recipient: Evan Elliott, Neurobiology The CAMBR Foundation Doctoral Scholarships Established in 2006 by Mr. Allen Skolnick, Lynbrook, New York Recipients: Olga Guliamov, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Amnon Koren, Department of Molecular Genetics The Fanny Denes Scholarship Established in 1969 by Dr. George Denes, Zurich, Switzerland, in memory of his mother, Fanny Recipient: Anat Milo, Department of Organic Chemistry The Daniel Falkner Scholarship Established in 2001 by Daniel Falkner, London, UK Recipient: Lior Izhar, Department of Biological Chemistry The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Scholarships Established in 1997 by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, San Francisco, California Recipients: Anna Aronovich, Department of Immunology; Igal Finarov, Department of Structural Biology; Zeev Fradkin, Department of Chemical Physics;Galit Fridman−Marueli, Department of Organic Chemistry; Michal Kenan−Eichler, Department of Plant Sciences; Yamit Sharaabi, Department of Organic Chemistry The Carol and Allan Gordon Scholarship Fund in Women's Health Research Established in 1997 in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Allan Gordon by friends and supporters, Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Hadas Cohen, Department of Biological Regulation The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation Scholarship for Russian Students Established in 1996 by the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, New York Recipient: Roman Gersner, Department of Neurobiology The Joseph Meyerhoff Scholarships Established in 1983 through the Joseph Meyerhoff Fund and the Rebecca Meyerhoff Fund, Baltimore, Maryland Recipients: Nataliya Borodovsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Darya Frolova, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Abraham and Sonia Rochlin Foundation Scholarship Established in 1995 by the Abraham and Sonia Rochlin Foundation, Reno, Nevada Recipient: Tiruwork Mulat, Department of Science Teaching The James M. Senor Memorial Scholarship Fund in Perpetuity Established in 1986 by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Noa Madar−Balakirski, Department of Biological Regulation The Herman de Stern−Stiftung Scholarship Established in 2007 by the Herman de Stern−Stiftung, Jerusalem, Israel Feinberg Graduate School 305 Recipient: Dalia Berman−Golan, Department of Molecular Genetics The Zantker Charitable Foundation Scholarship Established in 1993 by the Zantker Charitable Foundation, Lexington, Kentucky Recipient: Liat Rousso Noori, Department of Molecular Genetics

Honorary Scholarships

The Hanan Bar−On Memorial Scholarship Established in 2003 by the Weizmann Institute of Science in honor and in memory of Hanan Bar−On, former Vice−President of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Recipient: Yifat Peretz, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Midori Goto Scholarship Established in 1990 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Keren Ben−Yaakov, Department of Biological Chemistry The Elliott Gould Research Scholarship Established in 1989 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Hen Varol, Department of Immunology The Lilly Hamlisch Memorial Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1987 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York, in memory of Marvin Hamlisch's mother Recipient: Stav Sapoznik, Department of Biological Regulation The Richard M. Hornreich Scholarship in Physics Established in 1996 by the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, and family and friends in Israel and abroad, in memory of Prof. Richard Hornreich Recipient: Marija Vucelja, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Shirley Maclaine Scholarship in Viral Immunology Established in 1988 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Roni Golan−Lavi, Department of Molecular Genetics The Shlomo Mintz Scholarship Established in 1982 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Rami Pugatch, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Barbara Walters Scholarship Established in 1990 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Orna Man, Department of Structural Biology

M.Sc. Scholarships in Perpetuity

The I.W. Abel Scholarship Established in 2002 by the United Steelworkers of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Recipient: Tal Ben Moshe, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 306 Feinberg Graduate School The Henrietta and Jack Abrams Scholarship Established in 1988 by Henrietta Abrams, Lauderhill, Florida Recipient: Moshe Ben−David, Department of Structural Biology The Egle Forti Ancona Scholarship in Perpetuity (The Dana Fund) Established in 1993 through a bequest of Mrs. Egle Forti, Rome, Italy Recipient: Einat Zelman, Department of Immunology The Harvey and Sandy Angell Master's Scholarship for Research for the Benefit of Children Established in 2001 by Harvey and Sandy Angell, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Tamar Scharf, Department of Science Teaching The Arizona Women and Science Scholarship Established in 1996 by Arizona Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Recipient: Liat Elboim, Department of Immunology The Israel W. and Fannie Backe Scholarship Fund Established in 1987 through a bequest of Fannie Backe, Worcester, Massachusetts Recipient: Moshe Ben−David, Department of Structural Biology The Bendit Foundation Scholarship Established in 2000 by Dr. and Mrs. Emile Bendit and the Bendit Foundation, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland Recipient: Ilit Shlezak, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Abraham Berman Scholarship Established in 1966 through a bequest of Abraham Berman, South Africa Recipient: Jonathan Berson, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Carolyn and Marvin Birger Scholarship Established in 2000 by Marvin Birger, Palm Beach, Florida Recipient: Eli Ezrielev, Department of Neurobiology The Louis C. and Edith B. Blumberg Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 by the Louis Blumberg Foundation, Southfield, Michigan Recipient: Emanuele Dalla Torre, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Irena−Ida Bogdanowicz Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Irena−Ida Bogdanowicz, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Matan Field, Department of Particle Physics The Dr. Louis D. Boshes and Natalie A. Boshes Endowed Master's Scholarship Established in 2005 through a bequest of Dr. Louis and Natalie Boshes, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Ehud Eilon, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Harold and Harriet Brady Master's Scholarship Established through a bequest of Harriet Brady, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Amir Eldar, Department of Structural Biology The Joan and William J. Brodsky Scholarship in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy in Perpetuity Established in 1995 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Sarit Migdal, Department of Biological Regulation The Adele S. and Abraham Browner Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 1999 through a bequest of Adele Browner, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Einat Zelman, Department of Immunology The Caspe Family Scholarship Feinberg Graduate School 307 Established in 2000 by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Caspe and the Caspe Family Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa Recipient: Ben Gradus, Department of Molecular Genetics The Helen and Harry Hans Davis Memorial Scholarship Established in 2002 through a bequest of Helen J. Davis, Wyncote, Pennsylvania Recipient: Yonit Hochberg, Department of Particle Physics The Kitty Waas Dekker, Simon Waas and Rosette Dekker Scholarship Established in 1998 through a bequest of Rosette Dekker, United Kingdom Recipient: Asaf Kleinbort, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Detroit Scholarship Fund for Soviet Students Established in 1992 by friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Detroit, Michigan Recipient: Rachel Magid, Department of Molecular Genetics The Alan Dixon Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1995 by the Hon. Alan J. Dixon, St. Louis, Missouri Recipient: Temima Schnitzer, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Bella and Hyman Eisenbaum Scholarship Established in 1994 through the Bella Eisenbaum Trust, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Eldad Marom, Department of Organic Chemistry The Alex Elovic Memorial Scholarship Established in 1996 through a bequest of Bernat Elovic, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Tom Ran, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Louis E. Emerman Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 1999 by the Saul and Devorah Sherman Fund, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Efrat Shema, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Charles I. and Fanny Engelstein Endowment Fund Established in 1995 through a bequest of Fanny Engelstein, New York Recipient: Amir Monovich, Department of Biological Regulation The Harold Feinstein and Bess Rae C. Feinstein Scholarship Fund for Soviet Students Established in 1990 through a bequest of Bess Rae C. Feinstein, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Matan Mussel, Department of Particle Physics The Aaron and Zlata Fish Memorial Bursary Established in 1980 by Mr. and Mrs. Abe Fish, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Zohar Noy, Department of Chemical Physics The Sonia Floomberg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1998 through a bequest of Sonia Floomberg, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recipient: Eliran Reuven, Department of Immunology The Joyce and Joseph J. Freed Family Scholarship Established in 1995 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Freed, Wheeling, Illinois Recipient: Idan Oren, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Yeheshkel and Fruma Freedman Education Fund Established in 2001 through a bequest of Isaac Freedman, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Merav Parter, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Helen and Charles Friedman Scholarship Fund Established in l986 by Helen and Charles Friedman, Paradise Valley, Arizona Recipient: Michal Rabani, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 308 Feinberg Graduate School The William F. Fuerst Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 through a bequest of Madeleine Fuerst, New York Recipient: Sharon Reikhav, Department of Plant Sciences The Naomi and Morris Futorian Scholarship Established in 1994 by Naomi Futorian, Northbrook, Illinois Recipient: Jonathan Ronen, Department of Mathematics The Prof. Eugene Gadol Scholarship Established in 2004 through a bequest of Prof. Eugene Gadol, Vienna, Austria Recipient: Guy Rozenzweig, Department of Particle Physics The Leo and Frances Gallin Scholarship Established in 1994 by Leo and Frances Gallin, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Orly Salama−Alber, Department of Biological Chemistry The Florence Gambino Scholarship Established 2000 through a bequest of Florence Gambino, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Temima Schnitzer, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Morris and Rose Goldman Scholarship Established in 1996 by Mrs. Rose Goldman, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Tsafrir Yedid Am, Department of Chemical Physics The Samuel L. and Rebecca R. Goldstein Bursary Established in 1977 through a bequest of Samuel Goldstein, Lynn, Massachusetts Recipient: Omer Ziv, Department of Biological Chemistry The Ethel and Anne Gordon Scholarship Established in 1990 through a bequest of Ethel Y. Gordon, New York Recipient: Nir Zohar, Department of Chemical Physics The Helena F. and Jacob Y. Gordon Scholarship Established in 1973 by Mrs. Jacob Y. Gordon, Newton, Massachusetts Recipient: Noga Karp, Department of Immunology The Salomon and Augusta Gottfried Scholarship Established in 1997 by Kurt and Sorel Gottfried, Ithaca, New York, in memory of his parents Recipient: Ori Cohavi, Department of Biological Chemistry The Scott David Greenberg Scholarship for Physics Research Established in 2001 by Scott D. Greenberg, Buffalo Grove, Illinois Recipient: Gilad Gotesman, Department of Chemical Physics The Harry and Isadore Gudelsky Memorial Bursary Established in 1974 by the Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Potomac, Maryland Recipient: Amir Gelman, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Haas Family Scholarship for Scientific Research Established in 2007 by Dr. and Mrs. David J. Haas, Suffern, NY Recipient: Michal Goldschmidt, Department of Structural Biology The Dr− Ing. Jerzy Hanowski Scholarship Established in 1992 through a bequest of Lola Hanowski, Aachen, Germany Recipient: Dana Vuzman, Department of Organic Chemistry The Harry Julius Harris Scholarship Feinberg Graduate School 309 Established in 1997 through a bequest of Dorothy Harris and by Anne Ingber, New York Recipient: Michal Breker, Department of Immunology The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1997 by friends and supporters, Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Ilinois Recipient: Elad Ganmor, Department of Neurobiology The Carylon and Julius L. Hemmelstein Scholarship Established in 2001 by the Carylon Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Sivan Barnees, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Otto and Mary Hersch Scholarships Established in 1988 through a bequest of Mary Hersch, New York Recipients: Raz Alon, Department of Particle Physics; Nir Auerbach, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Assaf Carmi, Department of Particle Physics; Matan Field, Department of Particle Physics; Kfir Blum, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Luta and Ludwig Heusinger Scholarships Established in 1993 through a bequest of Dr. Ludwig Heusinger, Kfar Shmaryahu, Israel Recipient: David Adjiashvili, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Benjamin S. Hornstein Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 through a bequest of Benjamin S. Hornstein, New York Recipient: Eldad Marom, Department of Organic Chemistry The Charles S. Dunn and Irene Hossman Bursary Established in 1972 by Lottie I. Hossman, Hickory Hills, Illinois Recipient: Zohar Noy, Department of Chemical Physics The Fanny E. and Lewis J. Isaacs Scholarship Established in 1989 through the Fanny E. Isaacs Living Trust, Glencoe, Illinois Recipient: Michal Rabani, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Thomas and Ruth Isackson Memorial Scholarship Awards Established in 1992 through a bequest of Ruth Isackson, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Sharon Reikhav, Department of Plant Sciences The Benjamin Kaufman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1995 by Nathan Jacobs, New York Recipient: Ifat Musseri, Department of Neurobiology The Udi Khazam Memorial Scholarship Established in 1996 by the Khazam Family, London, UK and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recipient: Roy Har−Tsvii, Department of Chemical Physics The Leon Kole Memorial Bursary Established in 1982 by Isabelle Kole Stein and children, Hollywood, Florida Recipient: Mark Koudritsky, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Arthur Konviser Memorial Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 2007 by Dr. Eudice Goldberg, family and friends, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Dana Rabinovich, Department of Molecular Genetics The Frank Korrick Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Francis Charles Korrick, Sydney, Australia 310 Feinberg Graduate School Recipient: Dario Breitel, Department of Plant Sciences The Esther B. and Milton J. Krainin Master's Scholarship Established in 2006 by Dr. Milton J. Krainin, Atlanta, Georgia Recipient: Adi Lakritz, Department of Neurobiology The Margaret S. Kramer Scholarship Established in 1999 by Margaret S. Kramer, Palm Beach, Florida Recipient: Nitzan Adam, Department of Immunology The David and Pola Kuppermann Scholarship Fund Established in 2000 through a bequest of Pola Kuppermann, Flushing, New York Recipient: Efrat Shema, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Alexander E. Langsam Memorial Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 by Florence Langsam, Rockville, Maryland Recipient: Libby Kosolapov, Department of Biological Chemistry The Susan Lazarus Perpetual Scholarship Fund in Cancer Research Established in 1985 by Charles and Ruth Lazarus, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in memory of their daughter, Susan Recipient: Omer Ziv, Department of Biological Chemistry The Anne P. Lederer Master's Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1998 by the Anne P. Lederer Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yifat Ben−Ami, Department of Neurobiology The Philmore A. and Judith Leemon Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1997 by Philmore A. and Judith Leemon, Las Vegas, Nevada Recipient: Ifat Musseri, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Aaron M. Lefkovits Scholarship Fund Bursary Established in 1986 by Dr. Aaron Lefkovits, Memphis, Tennessee Recipient: Noga Karp, Department of Immunology The Chaim Michel and Chaya Freyda Levine Scholarship, Established by their Son, Jules Lawren Established in 1995 through a bequest of Jules Lawren, New York Recipient: Nir Zohar, Department of Chemical Physics The Leyfell Family Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 by Mr. and Mrs. Aleksander Leyfell, Cambridge, Massachusetts Recipient: Daniel Ben−Halevy, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Abe Lisan Educational Grant Bursary Established in 1974 through a bequest of Abe Lisan, Glenside, Pennsylvania Recipient: Lior Harpaz, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Josef and Avraham (Avi) Isser Luchfeld Memorial Bursary Established in 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Josef Luchfeld, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recipient: Sarit Migdal, Department of Biological Regulation The Alexander and Mary Margolis and Bernard A. Margolis Perpetual Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Bernard A. Margolis, Brooklyn, New York Recipient: Amir Gelman, Department of Biological Chemistry The Ben and Ruth Marks Scholarship Established in 1990 by Ben and Ruth Marks, North Miami Beach, Florida Feinberg Graduate School 311 Recipient: Dana Vuzman, Department of Organic Chemistry The Paula Marshall Bursary Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Marshall, Downsview, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Eldad Marom, Department of Organic Chemistry The Joory Mashal Bursary Established in 1981 by Joory and Doreen Mashal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recipient: Zohar Noy, Department of Chemical Physics The Samuel Mayer Bursary Established in 1973 by Elsie Mayer, Santa Monica, California Recipient: Michal Rabani, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Joseph and Mable E. Meites Scholarship Fund Established in 1983 by Joseph and Mable E. Meites, Okemos, Michigan Recipient: Talia Harris, Department of Chemical Physics The Paul and Felicia Muskat Bursary Established in 1984 through a bequest of Paul Muskat, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Alon Rubin, Department of Neurobiology The Gertrude and Valentin Nathan Scholarship Fund Established in 1997 through a bequest of Gertrude Nathan, New York Recipient: Yonatan Hovav, Department of Chemical Physics The Harold Paul Novick Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Samson Novick, New York Recipient: Mark Koudritsky, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Walter Pancoe Scholarship Established in 1992 by Walter Pancoe, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Dario Breitel, Department of Plant Sciences The Gertrude and Ivar Philipson Bursary Established in 1961 through bequests of Gertrude and Ivar Philipson, Stockholm, Sweden Recipient: Dana Bezalel, Department of Neurobiology The Rona and David Radler/Sun−Times Scholarship for Biomedical Research Established in 2002 in honor of F. David Radler by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Eilon Sharon, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Anna and Max Resnick Scholarship Established in 1996 by Howard Resnick, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Omer Ziv, Department of Biological Chemistry The Prof. David Rittenberg Memorial Bursary Established in 1971 in memory of her husband by Mrs. S. Rittenberg and friends, New York Recipient: Nir Zohar, Department of Chemical Physics The Paul and Gabriella Rosenbaum Scholarship in Biology Established in 1999 by the Paul and Gabriella Rosenbaum Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Dan Ben−Zvi, Department of Molecular Genetics The Sara Rottenberg Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1994 by Sophie Kalina, New York Recipient: Temima Schnitzer, Department of Physics of Complex Systems 312 Feinberg Graduate School The Dr. Alexander Salamon Memorial Endowment Fund Established in 2006 by Lilly Salcman, Julie Salamon, and Dr. Suzanne Salamon, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts Recipient: Sivan Cohen, Department of Immunology The Bernard and Edith Samers Scholarship for Cancer Research Established in 1997 in honor and in memory of Bernard Samers, former Executive Vice−President, American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Shalom Madar, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Marvin Sands Endowed Master's Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 in honor of Marvin Sands by South Florida Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Recipient: Nir Flurman, Department of Biological Chemistry The Elsie Olin and Philip D. Sang Scholarship Established in 1995 by Elsie Olin Sang, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Nadav Samet, Department of Mathematics The Jerome D. and Beverly Scheer Scholarship Established in 1991 by Jerome D. and Beverly Scheer, Potomac, Maryland Recipient: Yael Shahar, Department of Biological Regulation The Alice and Lewis Schimberg Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 by Alice Schimberg, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Eli Ezrielev, Department of Neurobiology The Henry and Soretta Shapiro Master's Scholarship Established in 1996 by the Soretta and Henry Shapiro Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Adi Sagiv, Department of Immunology The Sabina D. and Benjamin Shapiro Scholarship Fund Established in 1999 through a bequest of Sabina D. Shapiro, New York Recipient: Yael Shahar, Department of Biological Regulation The Ruth and Leonard Simon Scholarship in Leukemia/Cancer Research Established in 1999 by Mrs. Ruth Simon, Wilmette, Illinois Recipient: Sarit Michalovici, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Rochelle and Harold Simpson Scholarship Established in 2002 by Harold and Rochelle Simpson, Delray Beach, Florida Recipient: Idan Milo, Department of Immunology The Rachel and Arnold Smith Endowed Master's Scholarship Established in 1996 by Rachel and Arnold Smith, Phoenix and Paradise Valley, Arizona Recipient: Ifat Musseri, Department of Neurobiology The Sabine and Jeremy Smouha Scholarship Established in 2007 by Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Smouha, London, UK Recipient: Eynat Dellus, Department of Biological Chemistry The Elias and Hilda Sofaer Scholarship Established in 1994 by Michael Sofaer, London, UK Recipient: Elena Smolensky, Department of Organic Chemistry The Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Solomon Bursary Established in 1982 by Dr. Jonathan G. Solomon, Hampton, Virginia, in honor of his Feinberg Graduate School 313 parents Recipient: Ohad Silbert, Department of Particle Physics The Paula and Ernest Sommers Scholarship Established in 2001 by Ernest Sommers, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Ifat Musseri, Department of Neurobiology The Sylvia and Leonard Sorkin Scholarship Established in 1997 through a bequest of Leonard Sorkin, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Reut Shema, Department of Neurobiology The Keren Sotskover Scholarship Established in 1992 through bequests of Eliezer and Genia (Chaine) Sotskover, Ramat Gan, Israel Recipient: Nir Flurman, Department of Biological Chemistry The Hazel and David Spatz Scholarship Established in 2000 by the Spatz Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Elena Smolensky, Department of Organic Chemistry The Blanche and Max Steig Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Blanche Steig, New York Recipient: Efrat Shema, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Gabriel Armand Stein Scholarship Fund Established in 1991 by Paul Stein, Jackson Heights, New York, in memory of his son Recipient: Ariel Biller, Department of Organic Chemistry The Nachman Syrkin and Mendel Osnos Scholarship Established in 1999 by Drs. Morton G. and Zivia Wurtele, Berkeley, California Recipient: Gillat Kol, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Armin and Etel (Angyal) Szolovits Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 through bequests of Armin and Etel Szolovits, Hollywood, California Recipient: Nofar Woller, Department of Molecular Genetics The Harry M. Tobe Memorial Bursary Established in 1981 by Dr. Barry A. Tobe, Downsview, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Erez Geron, Department of Immunology The Ann Turman Bursary Established in 1987 by Ann E.K. Turman, Great Barrington, Massachusetts Recipient: Ohad Silbert, Department of Particle Physics The Werner and Daughter Renee Usansky Memorial Bursary Established in 1982 by Sra. Sara Z. de Usansky, Buenos Aires, Argentina Recipient: Tamar Zil−Bar, Department of Neurobiology The Rose and Ben N. Vollen Scholarship Established in 1993 through a bequest of Ben Vollen, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yifat Ben−Ami, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Edgar Weil Memorial Bursary Established in 1975 by an anonymous donor, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Jonathan Berson, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Paul and Greta Weinberger Scholarships Established in 1995 through a bequest of Paul Weinberger, New York Recipient: Ofer Vitells, Department of Particle Physics 314 Feinberg Graduate School The Joe and Celia Weinstein Scholarship Established in 1995 by Major Max and Sylvia Shulman, New York Recipient: Efrat Shema, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Dr. Lee Franklin Weinstock Leadership Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Lee Franklin Weinstock, Detroit, Michigan Recipient: Hadar Sinvani, Department of Biological Chemistry The Sarah Werch Research Scholarship Fund Established in 1994 by the Solomon Carl Werch Trust, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yael Getz, Department of Biological Chemistry The J. Stanley Weyman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1998 by Anne Weyman, London, UK Recipient: Elad Shtilerman, Department of Chemical Physics The Rose Weyman Memorial Bursary Established in 1987 by Stanley Weyman, London, UK Recipient: Irit Shachrai, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Pauline Whiteman Scholarship Fund Established in 2005 through a bequest of Pauline Whiteman, San Francisco, California Recipient: Shira Mintzer, Department of Biological Chemistry The Ruth Ann and Sam Wolfson Endowment for the Cure of Alzheimer's Disease Established in 2001 by Sam Wolfson, Dallas, Texas Recipient: Yifat Ben−Ami, Department of Neurobiology The Women of Vision Scholarship Fund in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Established in 1996 by friends and supporters, Florida Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, North Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Efrat Shema, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Dr. Arthur Yarman and Gertrude Yarman Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 through a bequest of Gertrude Yarman, Miami, Florida Recipient: Ophir Shalem, Department of Molecular Genetics The Yitzhak Fund (Heath Trust) Scholarship Established in 1992 through the offices of Martin Paisner, London, UK Recipients: Yanina Braginski, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Alik Demishtein, Department of Biological Chemistry; Klim Efremenko, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Milton Young Memorial Bursary Established in 1980 by friends of Milton Young, New York Recipient: Yael Shahar, Department of Biological Regulation The Louis and Celia Zeibell and Ida Zeibell Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1995 by Jack Zeibell, Forest Park, Illinois Recipient: Tamar Scharf, Department of Science Teaching The Ronald Zemell Memorial Master's Scholarship in Immunology or Biomedical Research Established in 2001 by Dr. and Mrs. David S. Papermaster, Bloomfield, Connecticut Recipient: Yael Klionsky, Department of Immunology The William N. Zinn Endowed Master's Scholarship Established in 2003 by Robert Zinn, Houston, Texas, and Natalie Zinn Haar, Cambridge, Massachusetts Feinberg Graduate School 315 Recipient: Elad Lavee Laviad, Department of Biological Chemistry The Lillian and Samuel L. Zuckerman Bursary Established in 1959 in honor of their parents' golden wedding anniversary by the Zuckerman family, New York Recipient: Nadav Samet, Department of Mathematics

Annual and Semester M.Sc. Scholarships

The Leon David Asseo Foundation Scholarships Established in 2003 by the Leon David Asseo Foundation, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Tomer Itkin, Department of Immunology The Tamara Harlap Scholarships Established in 2006 by Tamara Harlap, Herzliya, Israel Recipients: Revital Bazinin, Department of Organic Chemistry; Irit Shachrai, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Jorge Kassel Scholarship in the Earth Sciences Established in 1990 by Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Kassel, Naucalpan, Mexico Recipient: Leon Peters, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Sam and Amelia Kopai Scholarship Established in 2004 through a bequest of Amelia Kopai, Victoria, Australia Recipient: Leehod Baruch, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Scholarship Loan Funds

The Ralph and Shirley Coff Scholarship Loan Fund Established in 1983 through a bequest of Ralph Coff, New York The Bennitt Mandell Memorial Revolving Loan Fund Established in 1991 through the Bennitt Mandell Charitable Remainder Unitrust, Miami Beach, Florida 316 Science Teaching

Science Teaching

Avi Hofstein, Head

The Department is composed of groups working in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, life sciences, and science and technology for junior−high school. In all these areas there are extensive research and development projects, aimed at (1) studying science and mathematics learning and teaching and their development, (2) producing and implementing improved and up−to−date learning and teaching materials that integrate the use of modern technologies, and (3) providing professional development for teachers, all over Israel. Work is based on an underlying philosophy that considers curriculum development and implementation, teacher professional development, research and evaluation as interrelated and continuous long−term activities. Research studies focus on cognitive, socio−cultural and affective aspects of learning, teaching and learning to teach science and mathematics, using various research methodologies: quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods.

The department operates three national centers for science teachers: physics, chemistry (until September,2007), and junior high school science and technology − specializing in the development of leadership among science teachers and in continuous professional development for science teachers using research−based models.

Mathematics Group Ruhama Even, Head

Below is a short description of this group's main projects:

The CompuMath (MatiMachshev) Project: Innovative approaches to teaching mathematics in junior−high school, based on a continuous use of technological tools for investigating problem situations. The research focuses on learning processes and studying habits.

The Heterogeneous Classes (Kulam) Project: Innovative approaches to teaching mathematics in junior high school (grades 7−8) to accommodate the needs of several student sub−populations in the same classroom.

Math for All" (the Shay Program) Project: This comprehensive RDproject started in 1992 with the development of materials for non−mathematically oriented students toward their matriculation (bagrut) requirements, based on informal sense−making and graphical methods. This project includes research aimed at uncovering, understanding and harnessing student Science Teaching 317 capabilities (rather than describing their failures). Lately, this area of study expanded to include: a) research on successful high school students of Ethiopian origin, in order to identify components of success beyond the traditional explanation of "natural" abilities; b) research on the impact of technologies on students with difficulties in mathematics in 7th grade, and c) design, implementation and evaluation of a model for in−school guidance in deprived areas.

The MathComp (Machshavatika) Project: student workbooks for grades 7−12, using the capabilities of Computer Algebra Systems (CAS), accompanied by textbooks for teacher education. The research focuses on task design, changes that CAS brings to the mathematical environment of teachers, symbol sense with a symbolic−graphic system, and technological discourse on operative knowledge.

The Elementary Math Project (Chugim): Development and implementation of mathematical investigations for elementary school students.

Professionalization of Elementary School Teachers: Development and implementation of courses for elementary school teachers as part of a national project to professionalize the teaching of elementary school mathematics.

Teachers and PD providers' knowledge and development: This comprehensive RDproject started almost two decades ago and later became part of MANOR activities. It focuses on examining and developing teacher subject matter knowledge, teacher knowledge and understanding of students' talk and action, and PD providers' work, learning, education and development.

Evaluation of elementary school mathematics curricula: This evaluation study of six curriculum projects for grades 1−2 was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and was completed in December 2006.

Practices of mathematics teaching in different contexts: This research examines the role played by the context in determining the enacted curriculum, teaching practices and ways of offering mathematics to learners.

Physics Group Bat−Sheva Eylon, Head

The group carries out research, development and implementation activities to advance the teaching of physics in grades 7−12. The activities aim to enhance the learning of the basic syllabus by all the students and to provide special programs and activities for excellent and underachieving students. A central objective of the group is the long term professional development of the community of physics teachers in Israel. The Group operates an internet site for students (ALEPH.) Teachers use the site to run activities offered through the teacher site (see below). Current activities include: 318 Science Teaching Curriculum development and assessment methods for the new syllabus: In 2007 we have completed several units on the topic of "radiation and matter" and a revision of the mechanics course. The courses are accompanied by educational resources for students and teachers and include innovative formats for problem−solving activities, inquiry laboratories and computerized materials. We developed a new portfolio−based format for on−going assessment of laboratory work for the matriculation that would encourage the use of investigations and inquiry labs.

Modules for enhancing physics learning: These modules supplement the regular teaching: a. Knowledge integration modules support students in relating different aspects of their learning experiences (e.g. connecting lab work and theory); b. Problem−solving modules foster self−monitoring skills in physics learning (e.g. analysis of mistakes, preparation to tests, diagnosis of test solutions). Currently the Group prepares and implements web−based test preparation modules aimed at organizing students' knowledge and developing awareness of common misconceptions, in Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism. c. Contemporary physics modules using exemplary lectures. We have been researching how practicing physicists explain contemporary topics and how to support learning from such lectures by students and teachers. Instructional and design studies investigate the learning processes and the attainment of the goals targeted by these modules. We received an ISF grant to study of the effects of self−diagnosis tasks on learning from physics problem solving.

Out−of−School programs for excellent and interested students: Two programs are developed in collaboration with the Chais School at the Davidson Institute of Science Education and are conducted in regional classes: a. "Physics and Industry" is a 2−year program operating since 1999. It is a collaborative project with the Electro−optics Industries. Presently it is implemented also with excellent students from low socio−economic backgrounds. A comprehensive study on the program was completed this year. "Soft and Biological Matter" is a new 3−year interdisciplinary program intended for high school chemistry and physics students. It is being developed in collaboration with other groups in the department and Weizmann Institute scientists.

The professional development of teachers is pursued mainly through the National Center for Physics Teachers run by the Group which is responsible for coordinating the professional development of physics teachers throughout Israel. The center focuses on the establishment of teacher leadership, publishes a journal for physics teachers, runs an annual conference and a variety of teacher seminars, designs and collects resource materials for the teaching of physics and runs a variety of projects (e.g. the "photo−contest" for students, analysis of the matriculation exams.) The Center runs an interactive didactic internet site for teachers. The site is used extensively by the teachers. The Group conducts studies on professional development of teachers and change in their practice. This year, we completed a three year study on an "evidence−based" approach to teacher development as part of a collaborative project with King's college in the UK. Additional studies explore models for collaborative action research workshops for high school physics teachers, and methods for integrating the study of content and pedagogy in pre−service training of physics teachers. Science Teaching 319 Earth and Environmental Sciences Group Nir Orion, Head

The Group is involved in curriculum development, implementation and evaluation involving students from kindergarten to high school. The curriculum materials are developed for a variety of learning environments: the laboratory, the outdoors, the computer and the classroom.

Ongoing projects include: Development of new curriculum materials for the senior high school;

Development of new curriculum materials for junior high school;

Development of new curriculum materials for elementary school;

The introduction of the outdoors as a an integral and central learning environment of the science curricula;

Intervention projects in elementary and junior high schools in order to introduce new strategies, methods and emphasis of teaching the science curricula;

Studying how to develop environmental insights among K−12 students;

Development of practical and effective ways and techniques for using science education as a tool to close social gaps and cultural differences;

Development of practical and effective ways to use the computer as a distance learning tool;

Development of practical and effective ways and techniques to lead changes among teachers;

Chemistry Group Avi Hofstein, Head

The Group is engaged in all facets of chemistry curriculum development, implementation and evaluation. In recent years, few textbooks and other learning materials were developed, in order to address the goals of the new chemistry curriculum in Israel. In order to disseminate innovative ideas in chemistry education, the group emphasizes the professional development of chemistry teachers in general and professional development of leading teachers in particular. The group is involved in several research studies focusing on chemical literacy, student understanding of concepts, and learning in the laboratory (development, implementation and assessment of inquiry−based chemistry experiments).The group is involved in a three years collaborative project with several European ( titled PARSEL in the capacity of PF6) nations aiming at popularization of science and in making science more relevant to the student. 320 Science Teaching In regard to curriculum development the group published two units for 11th grade students; "Chemistry is in us" and Relationships and bonding in the world of material. The chemistry group started developing a unit for 12th grade students titled "Environmental Chemistry".

The Chemistry Group undertakes action research in order to gain greater insight regarding the implementation of the chemistry curriculum and to learn more about the work of chemistry teachers in their classrooms. In addition, the Chemistry Group has developed and implemented methods for assessing student achievement in about 100 schools all over Israel.

The Chemistry Group runs a National Center for Chemistry Teachers (until September, 2007). The main goals of this center are: (1) Enhancing the Content Knowledge, (2) enhancing the Pedagogical Content Knowledge Creating a Leadership, and (3) establishing a core of chemistry teachers. The main activities focus on: (1) Conducting leadership workshops for chemistry teachers, (2) maintaining a journal for chemistry teachers, (organizing meetings and conferences, and (3) running an interactive website.

A Center for the liaison with the chemical industry in Israel has been established. The main goal of this Center is to provide instructional materials related to the applications of chemistry to industries. These materials include films and booklets that help in the planning and conducting of educational field trips to industrial sites in Israel. The Center operates a website containing a collection of pedagogical ideas relating the chemistry class to industry in order to make chemistry more relevant to students. In addition, the center is initiating the execution of small−scale industrial projects conducted by high school chemistry students (MEYZAM), which become part of the students' final matriculation examination in chemistry.

Computer Science Group Mordechai Ben−Ari, Head

The main focus of our research is on the use of visualization and animation in teaching computer science, in particular on the acceptance of these systems by teachers and on their contribution to students' learning. We are working on the Jeliot program animation system in collaboration with the University of Joensuu in Finland.

We also work on the following topics: (a) the development of learning materials (textbooks and software tools) for concurrent and distributed computation; (b) research on difficulties in learning the concept of nondeterminism; (c) evaluation of the Computer Science Unplugged activities on the attitudes of middle school children.

Science and Technology in Junior−High School Group Bat−Sheva Eylon, Head

The Group continues to run the National Teacher Center for Science and Technology in JHS. This center addresses all the relevant teachers (~4500) in the country, supports the regional teacher frameworks, and educates teacher leaders. It is an interdisciplinary center and relates to the main science education disciplines. The Center runs a web site, publishes a teacher Science Teaching 321 journal, runs an annual conference for about 400 teachers, publishes various guides for leader teachers, and coordinates activities for supporting national initiatives for the teachers. In 2007 the leadership courses focused on initiatives to increase the participation of girls in science and to promote the use of strategies for developing scientific learning and inquiry skills.

The following are some additional activities that were carried out in 2007: The Fourth annual Ilan Ramon Olympiad: This annual science competition for JHS classes is carried out through the Center's website and culminates with a conference in which the winning students present their projects. The competition is carried out in collaboration with the youth activities center. In 2007, 1500 students from 160 Hebrew and Arabic schools participated in the Olympiad.

Advancing the teaching of physics in JHS: In 2006−2007 a new method for teaching students how to construct explanations and predictions in the topic of "interactions, forces and motion" was introduced to about 900 teachers in various workshops and meetings. A PhD investigating the method was completed in 2007.

Promoters of Excellence in JHS: This initiative is run in collaboration with the Society for Excellence through Education (SEE), and the Davidson Institute of Science Education. It is concerned with the development of a new function in schools − "an excellence promoter" responsible for leading the activities concerned with advancing excellent students and school excellence. In 2007, a second course for promoters of excellence was completed we science teachers. We we carried out a design study on this course sponsored by the Initiative for Applied Education Research of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Israel Ministry of Education, and the Rothschild Foundation (Yad Hanadiv).

International activities: The "LSS − Learning Skills for Science" program has been adopted and farther developed for the British educational system as part of their "Science for the Scientists" and "Science for the Citizens" curriculum. It is published by the Nuffield Curriculum and has been implemented in about 1000 schools in Britain with our involvement in training the leading teachers and in the evaluation of the program. The Group participated also in the collaborative research project of the department with King's College in developing the "evidence−based" model for professional development of teachers. Another international activity involved the adoption of the"Blue Planet" program as an exemplary program by UNESCO (see the Earth and Environmental Sciences" Group).

Scientific Literacy Activities: The Group completed the design of 120 activities for developing scientific literacy skills in the physical sciences and in earth and environmental sciences. These activities are now being published by the ministry of education and will serve as resources for supporting the development of literacy in schools. 322 Science Teaching Life Sciences Group Anat Yarden, Head

The group's major objective is to establish means to bridge between the dynamics of biological discoveries and the biology that is taught in junior− and senior−high schools in Israel. Towards this objective the group developed a concept, which was adopted nation wide, to learn biology using scientific research articles that were adapted to the knowledge level of high−school biology students. We recently were able to show that learning biology using the adapted research articles promotes high school students' engagement with the subject matter, students' ability to integrate knowledge they acquired while learning other biological topics, as well as develop students' inquiry thinking skills.

Another way of adapting authentic scientific practices for the high school biology students is to use internet−based bioinformatics tools. A learning unit, which includes interactive activities, based on genome databases, was developed in order to teach high−school biology majors basic ideas in genetics. The environment is aimed at giving high−school biology students a feel for how scientists work in the field, as it exposes them to some of the tools and resources currently available in experimental molecular biology. We recently were able to show that when students participate in the simulation of authentic genetics research and use the bioinformatics tools provided within the learning environment, they expand their understanding of the relationships between molecular mechanisms and traits, and refine their understanding of certain genetic concepts

In line with our major objective, we recently developed learning materials in genetic engineering for high−school biotechnology majors. In these materials the main methods which are currently practiced in contemporary molecular biology laboratories are outlined alongside their possible applications. The unit is accompanied with interactive animations, which enable to view the molecular processes involved as well as practice problem solving activities on−line.

Most high schools are not equipped with the modern facilities that would enable carrying out laboratory experiments in molecular biology. Thus, we recently designed and enacted modern experiments in molecular biology that can be carried out by high−school biology students and teachers in the laboratories of the Davidson Institute of Science Education, in the framework of The Center for Inquiry Labs, Nechmad project (in collaboration with the Davidson Institute).

The group has also developed a strategy whereby the topic of the living cell is introduced together with the biological processes, which are studied at a more concrete level in junior−high school, rather than as an independent topic, as is common practice worldwide. We are currently observing the practical aspects of implementing the living−cell topic as a longitudinal axis in junior−high schools.

A novel methodology to identify students' interests was recently developed by the group. We use children's self−generated questions sent to Ask−A−Scientist internet sites as an indication Science Teaching 323 of their scientific interests. Analysis of more than 10,000 questions sent to both national and international internet sites indicated that the popularity of certain topics varies with age and gender. Significant differences were found between children's spontaneous (intrinsically motivated) and school−related (extrinsically motivated) interests. This methodology extends the context in which children's interests can be investigated and may play an important role in improving existing curricula to meet the students' needs.

Interdisciplinary Science Group David Fortus, Head

The group, which brings together faculty and students from a range of scientific disciplines, studies the development of scientific practices and core scientific ideas that are fundamental across all scientific disciplines, develops curriculum that coordinates across the disciplines, and investigates the ways different school and class settings influence students' motivation to engage in after−school science activities, formal and non−formal. The majority of the group's work is funded by the US−based National Science Foundation (NSF) and by the Asher and Jeannette Alhadeff Research Award.

The MoDeLS project (Modeling Designs for Learning Science) is developing and investigating an empirically−supported learning progression for scientific modeling in elementary and middle schools, in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science. It is also developing a framework for guiding the development and validation of learning progressions in general. The project is a joint endeavor with Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University. The goals of the project are to provide an empirically−supported learning progression A) develop a better understanding of the role modeling should and can play in developing scientific literacy.

The IQWST project (Investigating and Questioning our World through Science and Technology) aims to develop and test the next generation of inquiry−based science curricula for middle schools. The curriculum includes 12 units, 4 in each year, 3 in each of the following disciplines: physics, chemistry, life science, and earth science. The project collaborates with science educators, scientists, psychologists, and literacy experts from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Campaign−Urbana, Teachers College at Columbia University, and Project 2061 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The curriculum will be published by Glencoe/McGraw−Hill.

The DGOA project (Data Gathering, Organization, and Analysis) investigates how to develop students' skills in generating and working with evidence across various disciplines and what is the meta−knowledge associated with these skills.

The CMLeS project (Continuing Motivation to Learn Science) investigates the differences between the ways elementary and middle conventional schools, open schools, democratic schools, and anthroposophic schools foster student motivation to continue engaging in science−related activities after school. 324 Science Teaching The National Teacher Centers

The Department runs National Teacher Centers in mathematics, physics, chemistry (until 2007), science and technology in junior high school (in collaboration with Tel Aviv University), and computer science (in collaboration with the Technion in Haifa).

The aim of the Centers is to provide a framework to support teacher development. The main activities include:

Education and advancement of professional leadership of teachers. Support and counseling to regional professional development programs. Development of a professional teacher community. Providing of resource databases. Research and evaluation. http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/menu/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Bat Sheva Eylon, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Chief Justice Bora Laskin Professor of Science Teaching Avi Hofstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Professors Emeriti

Maxim Bruckheimer, Ph.D., Southampton University Uri Ganiel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Associate Professors

Abraham Arcavi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lester B. Pearson Professor Mordechai Ben−Ari, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Ruhama Even, Ph.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States Nir Orion, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

David Fortus, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States Anat Yarden, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Helena Rubinstein Career Development Chair Edit Yerushalmi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Science Teaching 325 Senior Staff Scientists

Alex Friedlander, Ph.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States Rachel Mamlok−Naaman, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel Zahava Scherz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Staff Scientist

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

Assistant Staff Scientist

Ron Blonder, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Science Education Staff

Ilana Hopfeld, PhD., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Shelly Livne, PhD., Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel Naomi Robinson, MA., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Adi Rosen, MA., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yetty Varon, MA., Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel Nurit Zehavi, PhD., Weizmann Institute of Science, Isreal (left September 2007)

Consultants

Noah Dana−Picard, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel (left August 2007) Hanna Goldring Rina Hershkowitz (left June 2007) Ornit Spektor−Levi, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Jacov Gujski, Kibbutz Seminar, Ashodod, Israel Michael Savin Yoel Shwartz, University of Michigan, U.S.A. Shay Soffer, El −Op, Nes Ziona, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Michal Armoni, Ph.D., Tel−Aviv University, Israel Elisheva Cohen, Ph.D., Bar−Ilan University, Israel Eilat Hasson, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Guy Hed, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mira Kipnis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Shwartz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 326 Science Teaching Research Students

Zvi Arica Michal Ayalon Ayelet Baram−Tsabari Ronit Ben−Bassat Levy Hana Berger Liora Bialer Carmit Cohen Rachel Cohen Iyad Dkeidek Tamar Eisenmann Osnat Eldar Hedda Falk Orna Fallik Marcel Frailich Hadas Gelbart Shulamit Kapon Dvora Katchevich Mira Kipnis Tamar Levy Nahum Daphna Mandler Roni Mualem Tiruwork Mulat Shay Soffer Michal Stolarsky Michal Tabach Dorit Taitelbaum Dana Vedder−Weiss Hagit Yarden Malka Yayon

Administrator

Mali Karni Young@Science 327

Young@Science

Zvi Paltiel, Director

Extracurricular science activities for youth have been operating at the Weizmann Institute of Science since the early 1960's, based on the pioneering work of the late Professor Amos de−Shalit. They are aimed at promoting the enthusiasm and interest of school students in science and scientific thinking. Young@Science (then The Youth Activities Section) was founded in 1972, and since then the activities have been constantly developing and expanding. Most of its programs are held at the Institute's Amos de−Shalit Youth Science Center which includes the Laub International Science Youth Village and laboratories. Some Young@Science programs receive support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science.

The Laub International Science Youth Village, a dormitory facility with 12 units that accommodates up to 80 people, a clubhouse, office, and the village square, adds another dimension to the activities. Besides giving participants in all the summer programs modern accommodations, the youth village allows Young@Science to develop multi−day programs for students from all over Israel.

Young@Science draws heavily on the cooperation of The Weizmann Institute's scientific community. The involvement of scientists and research students in all the programs provides school students with the unique indispensable experience of interacting with active scientists.

In recent years, 2006 included, Young@Science activities have expanded significantly both in terms of the number and variety of programs, and the individual participation. 2006 (September 2005−August 2006) the programs offered by Young@Science and the number of their participants were as follows:

Science Clubs

Weekly Science Clubs: Afternoon courses in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computers, astronomy, aerodynamics and space research − 693 students.

Math−by−Mail: A nationwide project via mail aimed at math enthusiasts in grades 3−10 − 888 students. Math−by−Mail English edition drew 400 Canadian students.

Summer Science Residential Programs in which the participants work in actual research laboratories, two or three in a laboratory with a mentor: The Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute − 67 students. 328 Young@Science The Amos De−Shalit Summer Science Workshop − 15 students.

Science Camps for Underprivileged Pupils − "Univ. Within Reach." And ISEF one week each – 44 students. Other one week camp for students from northern Israel were arranged during the 2006 Lebanon war (July and August 2006) were attended by 139 students.

Zutta camp − one week mini−project camp for 10th graders – 21 students.

Former SSSR Student camp – 2 4−day camps for high school students from the former Soviet Union – 68 students in total.

Competitions in Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics

Prof. Joseph Gillis Mathematics Olympiad − 97 high school students.

Junior High School Mathematics Olympiad − 613 middle school students.

Codeguru, a software and computer science competition was arranged in conjunction with a few organizations including the companies Aladdin and IBM. 220 students took part in this 2−stage competition.

Codeguru Extreme, a computer science team tournament team for high school students – 33 students.

Physics Tournament team competition for 11th and 12th graders − 191 students, teams from Canada, UK and USA included.

Science Days

Adventures in Science with advanced science single or multi−day class programs for 10th, 11th and 12th graders. These programs are introducing topics in the frontiers of science in physics, chemistry and biology: One−day programs − 172 classes, (4,960 students) multi−day programs − 37 classes. (1063 students).

Morning One−day Courses for Junior high−school classes in topics including waves, energy, motion and the senses including a visit to the Garden of Science − 216 classes (6,600 students).

Science Mobile − a large van fitted with science exhibits and models of Garden of Science exhibits which carries instructors and their programs to outlying schools and communities − 249 classes (9,003 students). In addition the science mobile traveled in northern Israel all through the July−August 2006 war, bringing science demonstration to hundreds adults and students in their shelters. Young@Science 329 "Young Researcher" − a project to nurture young scientists. 10th grade students are accepted for a 3 year project. Starting with an overview of modern science (10th grade), to getting involved in research projects (11th grade) and working on an individual science project under the supervision of a scientist. 110 students in total participated in the program this year.

Popular Science Lectures

The 2nd annual Katzir−Makineni lectures – 2 lectures attended by 650 students on−campus and few additional hundreds by remote live web casting to 3 sites across the country.

The Amos De−Shalit Popular Science Lectures − Series of 3 lectures by prominent Weizmann Inst. scientists open to the public − 500 students.

Solar Eclipse event lectures and observation was attended by ~1,500 adults and school students on March 29th.

Science Café meetings in which scientists discussed their research field drew attendance of 370 mostly adult participants.

Astronomy Club – In 6 on− and 2 off−campus Astronomy Club meetings lectures about astronomy and astrophysics were followed by naked eye and telescope star gazing. (attendance: 228 adults and students).

Research Project Youth Conference – A one−day conference for high school students who submitted their research work to the Ministry of Education as part of their matriculation duties.38 students presented their science and technology projects in 4 parallel sessions.

Attendance in Foreign Programs

London International Youth Science Forum – 5 high school student delegation attended this annual science camp in London along with more than 250 from over 50 countries.

Space Camp Turkey – 34 middle school students from schools all over Israel attended our 3 delegations to the one week program at the SCT out of Izmir, Turkey. 4of them won the Ilan Ramon Space Competition arranged by the National Middle School Science Teachers Center.

Korea Science Festival and the Intl. Science and Engineering Camp (ISEC−2006) – 6 high school students and graduates operated the Israeli booth of the Korea Science Festival in Seoul (August 2006) and demonstrated to its visitors selected physics of electricity and magnetism, heat, pressure and energy demonstrations.. The students then moved on to Pohang were they took part in the ISEC 2006 camp along with students from other countries such as the USA, Australia, Japan, China, Singapore and Korea. 330 Young@Science Stockholm International Youth Science Forum is a one week symposium of selected high school graduates, held in conjunction with the Nobel Prize ceremonies. 1 student participated in this forum.

The Clore Garden of Science is an outdoor science museum open to the public, which emerged from Young@Science.

Staff

Dr. Zvi Paltiel, Director Dr. Felix Laub Batya Levy The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center 331

The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center

Yosef Yarden, Director The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Chair of Molecular Cell Biology

The Aharon Katzir−Katchalski Center of the Weizmann Institute of Science was established in 1972, following the tragic death of Aharon Katzir−Katchalski at the hands of terrorists. The Center, set up as a living memorial to him, is administered through a Board of Trustees supported by an International Advisory Committee.

The Center promotes activities in physical biology and macromolecular science and in such other areas of science that fall within the wide−ranging interests of Aharon Katzir−Katchalski. The Center furthers international scientific cooperation through the organization of scientific meetings and the exchange of scientists. Of particular concern to the Center is the impact of scientific and technological advances on human society.

The Board of Trustee is presently composed of: E. Katchalski−Katzir, Chairperson; Y. Yarden, Director (Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School, ex officio); and additional officers of the Weizmann Institute of Science (ex officio): Prof. Daniel Zajfman, President; G. Kober Vice−President for Administration &Finance; B. Geiger, Dean of the Faculty of Biology; and B. Shilo, Dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry. Additional members are: R. Arnon, M. Eisenbach, U.Z. Littauer, Z. Livneh, M. Sela, J.L. Sussman, and I.Z. Steinberg.

The International Advisory Committee is composed of: M. Eigen, Chairperson; A. Engstrom, J, Gross, F. Jacob, E. Kellenberger, J.C. Kendrew, A. Kornberg, D. Koshland, M. Kotani, J. Lederberg, S. Lederberg, F. Oosawa, I. Prigogine, A. Rich, W. Rosenblith, F.O. Schmitt, A.K. Solomon, J. Wyman.

The Director of the Center is the Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School, ex officio. The Dean can appoint an advisory committee which is currently headed by Prof.E.Bibi, The administrative coordinator is Y. Givoli

The Aharon Katzir−Katchalski Center has for many years been the recipient of financial support from various Foundations including the B. de Rothschild Fund for the Advancement of Science in Israel. 332 The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center Activities

The Annual Katzir−Katchalski Conference

These conferences are held annually, alternately in Israel and abroad. To date 22 conferences have been held. The latest were:

1990: 17th, Molecular Control of Development−Growth Differentiation and Malignancy, Ein Gedi, Israel Chairperson: L. Sachs, Israel

1990: 18th, From Receptor to Cell Response−Physiology and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Sud, Italy Chairpersons: D. Corda (Italy) and M. Shinitzky (Israel)

1991: 19th, Plant Bioenergetics and Ion Translocation, Rehovot, Israel Chairperson: Z. Gromet−Elhanan, Israel

1992: 20th, In the Crucible of the Scientific Revolution−A Special Symposium Dedicated to Aharon Katzir−Katchalski Twenty Years After His Death Chairpersons: O. Kedem and J. Jortner, Israel

1993: 21st, Applications of Membranes in Industry, Rehovot, Israel Chairperson: O. Kedem, Israel

1994: 22nd, Plant Molecular Biology−Biotechnology and Environment, Max−Planck−Institute, Koln, Germany Chairpersons: R. Fluhr, I. Chet (Israel), J. Schell (Germany)

1996: 23rd, International Conference on Environmental Impact of Polymeric Material. Chairperson: D. Vofsi

1996: 24th, Bioinformatics−Structure. Chairperson: J. Sussman

1997: 25th annual meeting the Dawn of Life to the End of Days" 25th Annual Convention im Memory of Aharon Katzir. The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center 333

1998: 26th annual meeting Based Technology (POC 98) Chairpersons: A. Warshavsky, M. Fridkin

1999: 27th Cellular Implications or Redox Signaling Chairpersons: C. Gitler, A. Danon

2004: 28th The COP signalosome, the proteasome and e−IF3 at the interface between signaling and proteolysis M. Glickman, Technion

2005: 29th Molecular Perspective on Protein−Protein Interactions G. Schreiber,Israel

2006: 30th Optical of Biomolecular Dynamics II G. Haran,Israel

The Annual Katzir−Katchalski Lecture on Biological Foundations and Human Behavior

These lectures, endowed by Mr. S. Stulman of New York, have been held in Rehovot since 1975. To date 19 lectures have been delivered. The latest were:

1988:13th, Arthur Kornberg (Stanford University, Stanford), Understanding Life as Chemistry; Initiation of DNA Replication at the Origin of the Chromosome

1989: 14th, George Klein (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm), I:The Neoplastic Microevolution a; II:The Neoplastic Microevolution b; III: The Role of Viral Transformation and Oncogene Activation by Chromosomal Translocation in the Genesis of B−Cell Derived Tumors

1990: 15th, Jean−Pierre Changeux (Institut Pasteur, Paris), Communications in the Nervous System: From Molecules to Cognitive Functions; Molecular Biology of Synapse Development

1992: 16th , Nicole Le Douarin (Coll?ge de France, Paris),The Development of the Nervous System Analyzed in the Avian Model; Alternative Methods for Inducing Immunological Tolerance

1992: 17th, Daniel E. Koshland (University of California, Berkeley), Transformation of 334 The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center Information Across Membranes in Biological Systems

1993: 18th, Amos Tversky (Stanford University) Rationality of Cognitive Illusion; A New Approach to Subjective Probability

1994: 19th, Joshua Jortner (President, The Isrel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Te Challenge of the Structure−Function Relation in Photosynthesis.

1996: 20th, Aaron Klug, F.R.S. (President Royal Society, London) Protein Designs for the Regulaiton of Gene Expression

1997: 21st, Charles Weissmann (University of Zurich) Prion Protein in Health and Disease

1998: 22nd, Prof. Judah Folkman (Harvard Medical School) New Directions in Angiogenesis Research. Do Vascular Endothelial Cells Control Organ and Tissue Size?

2000: 23rd, Prof. Miroslav Radman (Universite Paris−V, France) Molecular and Population Genetics of Evolution. Fidelity of Biosynthetic Processes: Mechanistic and Medical Aspects.

2003: 24rd, Prof. Daniel Kahneman (Princeton University and The Hebrew Univesity of Jerusalem): Intuition and Rationality.

2004: 25th, Prof. David Baltimore, (California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California): The Many Faces of NF−kB

2005: 26th, Prof. Roald Hoffmann, (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY): Honesty to the singular object: Some reflections on ethics, narrative, and science.

Katzir−Katchalski Travel Grants

Travel grants are provided to graduate students working within the areas of the Center's interests, to facilitate their participation in courses, schools, and workshops abroad. Students from all Israeli institutions of higher learning are eligible.

The program has been in operation since 1976. 48 such grants were awarded in 2007.

Special Activities

The Center assists with the organization of scientific meetings that fall within its scope. The latest were:

1987: 9th International Biophysics Congress Chaiperson: H. Eisenberg, Israel The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center 335

1988: 2nd International Congress of Plant Molecular Biology Chairperson: M. Edelman, Israel

1991: The 13th Edmond de Rothschild School in Molecular Biophysics: Chemotaxis of Cells and Unicellular Organisms Chairperson: M. Eisenbach, Israel

1995: Israeli−Hungarian Conference: Plants and the Environment Chairperson: A. Zamir, Israel

2005: 29th Molecular Perspectives on Protein−Protein Interactions Chairperson: G. Schreiber, Israel

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/katzir/contentE/index.html 336 The Aharon Katzir−Katchalsky Center Institute−Wide Centers 338 The Clore Center for Biological Physics

The Clore Center for Biological Physics

Benjamin Geiger, Director The Professor Erwin Neter Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology

The Clore Center was launched in 2001, with the primary objective of initiating and supporting research activities in the emerging field of biological physics. Under the Center's patronage, biologists, chemists, computer scientists, and physicists study and collaborate together, in a variety of fundamental issues in biology and develop new approaches in which to address them.

Over the years a large group of Weizmann Institute scientists have been associated with the Center's activities. This includes members of the Faculties of Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics. The projects supported by the Clore Center encompassed a wide spectrum of studies, ranging from the investigation of cell division, migration and adhesion, single molecule studies, analysis of protein folding, stem cell bioinformatics, the development of novel embryonic and adult stem cells, gene discovery screens, automated microscopy and many others. In addition, the Center provids support for the purchase and development of novel equipment.

Over the past year, the Clore Center has supported a record number of research projects focusing on diverse biological systems. The steering committee of the Clore Center was impressed with the number and quality of the applications sent to her, and approved for funding 14 projects.

The research funded addresses the following the following topics:

• Stem cell biology • Functional brain imaging • Non invasive brain stimultion • Design of bioreactive surfaces • Proteomic technology • Force−induced processes during development • Computational approaches for lineage tracking • Protein conformation predictions • Membrane dynamics, and its modeling • Novels bioinformatic approaches • Mechanics of biological nanostructures • Modeling of brain activity • Development of combined bioimaging techniques • Development of algorithms for bioimaging The Clore Center for Biological Physics 339 We look forward to the success of these exciting projects.

Equipment: For some of the above−mentioned projects, equipment support was provided. As in previous years, the Center is looking for partners, including Weizmann's administration, other Centers and individual researchers, for the funding of specific items.

Seminars and research visits: In 2006/7 The Clore Center continued, successfully, the special series of monthly seminars (The "Clore Seminars"), in which we combined lectures given by senior and junior researchers from the Weizmann Institute and various universities both from within Israel and from abroad. The Center is initiating the invitation of leading researchers and collaborators to the Weizmann Institute. During the visits, the guests will not only deliver lectures but will also meet with students and Postdoctoral Fellows. These Seminars will continue in 2008. To increase the attendence of physicists in these meetings − and respond to the needs of students, working in the biology−physics interface, we have moved the seminars to the Physics building, and asked a group of students to organize it. This new format is highly successful and attractive.

Bio−imaging initiative: There is an increasing need for the establishment of a strong infrastructure and research support as well services in the field of bio−imaging (mainly light and electron microscopy and MRI). Development of imaging software, establishment of a library of imaging programs and facility providing help and guidance will be established. Towards this goal we have just recruited a computer scientist, who will provide help in converting algorithm, developed at the Weizmann Institute, into accessible imaging software. 340 The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research

The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research

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

The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research promotes forefront research of human diseases at the molecular level. Studies addressing biochemical mechanisms that underlie the major threats to human health, such as cardiovascular defects, cancer and infectious diseases will be supported by the Center. In addition to investment in major instrumentation, individual grants are awarded in two categories:

1. Start−up support − during the first three years after joining the Institute, selected investigators receive support for start−up and seed money, allowing for later applications to external granting agencies.

2. A significant portion of the Center's resources supports research into the development of experimental models of human diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Grants are generally based on applications to external grant foundations that have received ratings of very good or better but received insufficient funding to carry out the project. The J &R Center for Scientific Research 341

The J &R Center for Scientific Research

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

This Center funds a broad spectrum of research activities as well as the purchase of new instruments. On the order of ten internal grants per year are allocated; in many cases, the grants are leveraged by other funding provided by the individual scientist, Department or Dean. 342 The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell

The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell

Eytan Domany, Director The Henry J. Leir Professorial Chair

The Center for Systems Biology was launched in 2003. The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high−level research in Systems Biology, a new and exciting area of highly interdisciplinary scientific investigation, based on intensive collaboration between medical researchers, biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists. To understand life at the system level, it is necessary to study biology on all scales, ranging from the molecular , via the cellular all the way to that of the multicellular organism. The research goals supported by the Center are

• To elucidate the design principles of biological networks • To create new experimental and computational technologies • To apply these techniques to the study of cancer and other diseases • To devise new methods for modeling network−based biological activity

To help reach these goals, the Center will support purchase of scientific equipment, award research grants, research fellowships, organize and sponsor symposia and meetings, support student participation in conferences abroad and maintain a visitor program aimed at attracting high level researchers to visit the Weizmann Institute for short as well as long durations.

Research Fellowships: Two fellowships, of 10,000$ each, are awarded for Ph D students and post−doctoral Fellows.

Symposia: All Weizmann Faculty are invited to submit proposals for one or two day Symposia on subjects that are relevant to Systems Biology, by email to [email protected]

Seminars: Monthly seminars are held under joint sponsorship of the Center and BigRoc, usually on the last Monday of each month.

Student travel grants: The Center for Systems Biology is awarding travel fellowships for Weizmann students who present papers/posters at conferences abroad. Awards will match funds provided by the student's advisor but will not exceed $500. Advisors who wish to apply for this award should send a letter (hard copy) and email to [email protected] listing the students name, degree of studies, the subject of his/her research, title of talk, name and date of the conference, an estimate of the travel costs and the source of the travel The Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell 343 allocation (which is supplemented by the contribution of the Center). http://www.weizmann.ac.il/centers/system_biology.html 344 The Health and Sciences Center

The Health and Sciences Center

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

The Health Sciences Center promotes forefront research addressing causes, mechanisms and treatment methods of human diseases and other threats to human health. The Center for New Scientists 345

The Center for New Scientists

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

This Center provides startup funding for new scientists. The allocation is provided in conjunction with startup monies granted by the Department and the Dean. Each year, approximately seven new scientists join the Institute and their startup funds cover the costs of laboratory supplies and instruments, postdocs, graduate students and other personnel during their first three years at the Institute. During that period, the new scientists are encouraged to apply to external grant agencies for their future research support. 346 The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research

The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research

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

The Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research was established in 2006. Its purpose is to support innovative initiatives that are deemed by the Institute's management to be at the cutting edge of biomedical science, and where philanthropic support can make an essential contribution. Funds will be directed toward recruitment of new scientists, purchase of scientific equipment, refurbishment or upgrade of laboratories, research grants, graduate student scholarships, or any other relevant investment in the support and advancement of science at the Institute. The Center for Scientific Excellence 347

The Center for Scientific Excellence

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

This Center supports activities at the Institute in all areas of research, on the basis of scientific excellence and needs. Scientists can apply for interim support by the Center for bridging funds or support of special programs. In addition, the Center supports research equipment and startup funds for new scientists. 348 The Center for Scientific Excellence Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Head: Boaz Avron Academic Secretary 350 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Boaz Avron Academic Secretary and Head, Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

The Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs includes:

• The Academic Affairs Office • The Research Grants and Projects Office • The Visiting Scientists Office

The head of the Directorate is directly subordinated to the President and carries the overall responsibility for the proper functioning and administration of the Offices included in the Directorate. Academic Affairs Office 351

Academic Affairs Office

Esti Krieger, Head

The Academic Affairs Office assists the Academic Secretary in the performance of his duties.

The Office’s principle responsibilities include the administration and follow−up of the:

1. Appointments and Promotions Committees of (i) the Life Sciences Faculties (ii) the Scientific Council (dealing with both non−tenured scientific personnel as well as Staff Scientists) , and (iii) the Council of Professors (dealing with scientific personnel tenured appointments and promotions to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor). 2. Administration of appointments of Deans, Department heads, Institute heads and Center heads and internal academic administrative committees. 3. Appointments of external academic consultants and interns. 4. Annual Scientific Academic Advisory Committees (SAAC) reviews. 5. All regulations pertaining to the academic life at the Institute. 6. Scientific Council meetings and meetings of its various Committees. 7. President’s Advisory Committee meetings. 8. Non tenured academic staff (i.e., scientific personnel as well as staff scientists) appointments and their extensions as relevant, as well as the Staff Scientists Tenure Committee. 9. Academic Grants allocations. 10. Extension of Service Committee. 11. New Immigrants Funding Support. 12. Visiting Professorships Program. 13. Summer Student’s Program. 14. Weizmann Lectures Series. 15. Annual disclosures of Academic Staff.

The Academic Affairs Office publishes annually:

• Scientific Activities • Current Research Activities 352 Appointments and Promotions Appointments and Promotions

Appointments

To the Rank of Professor

Ofer Zeitouni – Mathematics

To the Rank of Associate Professor

Irit Dinur Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

To the Rank of Senior Scientist

Nirit Dudovich – Physics of Complex Systems Nir Friedman – Immunology Avishay Gal−Yam – Condensed Matter Physics Lilach Gilboa – Biological Regulation Robert Krauthgamer – Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Dror Noy – Plant Sciences Dan Oron – Physics of Complex Systems Roee Ozeri – Physics of Complex Systems Rony Paz Neurobiology Michal Sharon Biological Chemistry Amos Tanay Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Nachum Ulanovsky – Neurobiology

To the Rank of Associate Staff Scientist

Adriana Katz – Biological Chemistry Eyal Kroupp – Particle physics

To the Rank of Assistant Staff Scientist

Yaniv Barda – Organic Chemistry Amos Bardea – Physical Chemistry Yael Diskin Posner – Chemical Research Support Akiva Feintuch – Chemical Physics Mark Alan Iron – Chemical Research Supoort Tae Bong Kang – Biological Chemistry Adina Weinberger – Computer Science and Applied Mathemtics Ariel Werman – Molecular Genetics Ella Zimmerman – Structural Biology Appointments and Promotions 353 To the Rank of Junior Staff Scientist

Revital Aricha – Immunology Gili Ben−Nissan – Biological Chemistry Immanuel Blumenzweig – Biological Services Sigalit Boura−Halfon – Molecular Cell Biology Orna Dahan – Molecular Genetics Oksana Kerner – Plant Sciences Izhak Michaelevski – Biological Chemistry Reinat Nevo – Biological Chemistry Hagit Niv – Biological Regulation Sabina Winograd−Katz – Molecular Cell Biology

Promotions

To the Rank of Professor

Ehud Ahissar – Neurobiology Bat Sheva Eylon – Science Teaching Michal Irani – Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Zvi Kam – Molecular Cell Biology Rony Seger – Biological Regulation Yoram Shechter – Biological Chemistry Ady Stern – Condensed Matter Physics

To the Rank of Associate Professor

Atan Gross – Biological Regulation Yuval Oreg – Condensed Matter Physics

To the Rank of Senior Scientist

Edit Yerushalmi – Science Teaching

To the Rank of Senior Staff Scientist

Rina Aharoni – Immunology

To the Rank of Associate Staff Scientist

Tali Feferman – Immunology Veronica Frydman – Chemical Research Support Edna Furman−Haran – Biological Services Tamar Paz−Elizur – Biological Chemistry Elias Shezen – Immunology 354 Awards and Honors Eyal Shimoni – Chemical Research Support Ada Viterbo−Fainzilber – Plant Science

To the Rank of Assistant Staff Scientist

Yoav Barak – Chemical Research Support Rina Falb – Immunology Ruti Kapon – Biological Chemistry Haim Rozenberg – Structural Biology Palle Von Huth – Chemical Research Support

Awards and Honors

Awards

Allon Fellowships

The Allon Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding young researchers by the Council for Higher Education. In 2007 the incumbents were:

Asaph Aharoni Plant Sciences Ehud Altman Condensed Matter Physics Eli Arama Molecular Genetics Alon Chen Neurobiology Eran Hornstein Molecular Genetics Robert Krauthgamer Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Dan Oron Physics of Complex Systems Eran Segal Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Amos Tanay Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Center for Complexity Science Fellowships

The Center for Complexity Sciences was established in 2001. It is aimed at promoting the Science of Complexity which integrates disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology. In 2007 the incumbents were:

Koby Levy Structural Biology Elad Schneidman Neurobiology Tsvi Tlusty Physics of Complex Systems

Minerva Junior Research Group

Minerva Junior Research Group are run at Israeli universities and research institutions and are headed by young junior researchers who have demonstrated that they are capable of Awards and Honors 355 qualifying themselves for key positions in research. In general, the groups run for five years and are devoted to innovative and promising areas of mutual interest to research in Germany and Israel. In 2007 the incumbents were:

on Biological Computation Uri Alon Molecular Cell Biology on Molecular Materials and Interface Design Milko Van Der Boom Organic Chemistry

Ministry for Immigrant Absorption Fellowships

The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption maintains several programs to aid in the absorption of new immigrants holding a Ph.D. in the Higher Education Institutions of Israel. During the calendar year of 2007, the following number of fellowships were in efect in the Weizmann Institute of Science: 5 Fellowship for initial absorption of new immigrant researcher, 1 Gileadi Fellowship and 30 Kamea Fellowships.

Institutional Awards

The Sir Charles Clore Prize for Outstanding Appointment as Senior Scientist in the Experimental Sciences was established in 1981 by Mrs. Vivien Clore Duffield, Geneva. The 2007 prize was awarded to Dr. Nir Friedman, Department of Immunology.

The Gruber Award fo a newly appointed researcher. The 2007 prize was awarded to Dr. Elad Schneidman, Neurobiology.

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Award for Innovative Investigation was extablished in 2007. The Kimmel Award is a distinction bestowed annually on one Weizmann Institute researcher. The award consists of a substantial research grant ($1 million allocated as $200,000 annually over a five year period) and is intended for a researcher who is in the forefront of leadership in his/her area of research. The recipient of the award in addition to significant past achievements is judged to be in a position to reach new heights of scientific achievement in his/her broad area of research within the coming five year period as well as to provide scientific leadership to a group of younger investigators. The 2007 prize was awarded to Prof. Naama Barkai, Molecular Genetics.

The Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research was established in 1998. The award is given once in two years to an internationally distinguished scientist, medical researcher, or physician, who has made highly significant contributions to the understanding of the causes and mechanisms of cancer, or to its diagnostics and therapy. The candidate should be affiliated with a research or medical institution, and should be engaged full−time in scientific or clinical activity at the time of this award. In alternate years the award is given to a Weizmann Institute researchers, who has made highly significant contributions to the understanding of the causes and mechanisms of cancer. The 2006−2007 prize was awarded to 356 Awards and Honors Prof. Steven A. Rosenberg, National Cancer Institute.

The Wolgin Prize for Scientific Excellence was established in 2005. The prize is awarded to a scientist who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in research, who has been reviewed by an international committee. The 2007 prize was awarded to Prof. Dan Tawfik, Biological Chemistry.

Scientific Council Awards

The Morris L. Levinson Prizes were established in 1982 by Mr. Morris L. Levinson, New York. The Physics Prize for 2007 was awarded to Prof. Ofer Aharony, Department of Particle Physics, for his achievements in the study of string theory, field theory, and the relation between the two. In particular, for his contributed significantly to the understanding of the theory of the strong interactions. The Mathematics Prize in 2007 was awarded to Prof. Omer Reingold, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, for his work in Complexity Theory on Finding a Deterministic Logarithmic−Space Algorithm for Connectivity in Undirected Graphs. The Biology Prize in 2007 was awarded to Dr. Yitzhak Pilpel, Department of Molecular Genetics, for his research on processes controlling gene expression under different environments, genetic variations and stochastic phenomena .

The Scientific Council Prize in Chemical Research. In 2007, the Prize was awarded to Dr. Hezi Gildor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research, for his research on Sub−Mesoscale Stirring and Mixing in the Ocean Investigated by HF Coastal Radar.

The Maxine Singer Prize to Outstanding Staff Scientists was established in 1991. In 2007, the Prize was awarded to Dr. Rina Barak, Department of Biological Chemistry, for her thoughtfully and meticulously carrying out original, hard, and thorough studies, which have made much impact on her research field. For being a superb experimentalist having the combination of skilled hands and logical thinking. For being a source of assistance and encouragement to students and postdocs in the group and to Dr. Shirley Daube, Department of Chemical Research Support, for her outstanding service to the Nano−Bio laboratory and important contributions to the development of new techniques in the field of nano−biotechnology.

Honors

Awarded to Weizmann Institute Academic Staff

Dr. Tal Alexander – Awarded the Krill Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research Prof. Ruth Arnon – Awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Ben−Gurion University of the Negev Prof. Ruth Arnon – Reelected as the Vice President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Prof. Naama Barkai – Elected as an EMBO Member Prof. Avi Ben−Nun – Recipient of a Humboldt Research Award from the Awards and Honors 357 Max−Planck−Institut fur Neurobiology Prof. Brian Berkowitz – Elected as a Fellow of the Geological Society of America DR. Eran Bouchbinder – Invited to participate as a student delegate at the 46th Annual International Achievement Summit, Washington, USA Prof. Yadin Dudai – Awarded the Eduardo De Robertis Medal of the Argentinean Society for Neuroscience Prof. Marvin Edelman – Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Israeli Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Prof. Michael Eisenbach – Elected as the President of the Israel Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Prof. Aviezri S. Fraenkel – Recipient of an "Honorary Citizen distinction" from the Municipality of Rehovot Prof. Daniella Goldfarb – Awarded the Distinguished Bruker Prize by Royal Society of Chemistry Dr. Maria Gorelik – Awarded the Levitzki Prize in Algebra from the Israel Mathematical Union Prof. David Harel – Recipient of a Doctor Laurea Honoris Causa from University of Milano−Bicocca Prof. David Harel – Elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS; Section on Information, Computing, and Communication) Mr. Ariel Ismach (in the group of Dr. Ernesto Joselevich) – Awarded the Israel Chemical Society Prize for Outstanding Ph.D. Students Dr. Ernesto Joselevich – Awarded the Israel Chemical Society Excellent Young Scientist Prize Ms. Ifat Kaplan−Ashiri (in the group of Prof. Reshef Tenne) – Awarded the Israel Chemical Society Prize for Outstanding Ph.D. Student Prof. Ora Kedem – Awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Twente, The Netherlands Prof. Adi Kimchi – Awarded the "Teva Founders Prize" for breakthrough achievements in cancer genetics Prof. Jacob Klein – Awarded the Kolthoff Prize by the Technion Mr. Ronen Kopito (in the group of Prof. Michael Elbaum – Recipient of the Lev Margulis Award Dr. Ilan Koren – Recipient of the Environmental Research Letters (ERL) Outstanding Paper Award by IOP Publishing, UK Prof. Doron Lancet – Elected to the Council of HUGO (Human Genome Organization) Ms. Michal Leskes (in the group of Prof. Shimon Vega) – Recipient of the Wolf Foundation Fellowship for Excellent Ph.D. Students Prof. Yitzhak Maron – Recipient of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society Award for Plasma Science and Applications, USA Prof. David Milstein – Recipient of the ACS Award in Organometallic Chemistry sponsored by the Dow Chemical Foundation Prof. Ron Naaman – Lectureship Award Winner of the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry of the Chemical Society of Japan 358 Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute Dr. Boaz Nadler – Awarded the Kowalski Prize in Chemometrics (together with Prof. Ronald Coifman, Yale University, USA) Prof. Michal Neeman – Elected as a Fellow of the ISMRM (International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine), USA Prof. Moshe Oren – Elected as a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, USA Prof. Israel Pecht – Elected as an Honorary Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Prof. Itamar Procaccia – Recipient of the National Decoration Onorificenza della Stella Della Solidarita (OSSI), Italiana, for outstanding scientific achievements Ms. Sharon Ruthstein (in the group of Prof. Daniella Goldfarb – Awarded the JEOL (Serving Advanced Technology) Student Lecture Prize ESR Group Conference Oxford University Dr. Eran Segal – Awarded the Overton Prize from the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB), USA Dr. Eran Segal – Recipient of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator Award Prof. Michael Sela – Elected as a Foreign Member, French National Academy of Medicine Prof. Ehud Shapiro – Elected as the first incumbent of the France Telecom − Orange Excellence Chair for Interdisciplinary Studies of the Paris "Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire" FTO/CRI Prof. Moshe Shapiro – Recipient of the Willis E. Lamb Award for Laser Science and Quantum Optics Prof. Nathan Sharon – Elected as an Honorary Member of the Croatian Biochemical Society Prof. Dan Tawfik – Awarded the Weizmann Prize from the Tel−Aviv Municipality Prof. David Wallach – Elected as Councilor of the International Cytokine Society (ICS), USA Prof. Yosef Yarden – Elected as a Member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Prof. Yosef Yarden – Recipient of the EMET Prize in Bio−Chemistry awarded by the A.M.N. Foundation Prof. Ada Yonath – Awarded the Paul Ehrlich− and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize Prof. Ada Yonath – Recipient of the Wolf Prize in Chemistry Prof. Ada Yonath – Elected to deliver the XXXVII Linus Pauling Lectureship and recipient of a Gold Medal from Stanford University, USA Dr. Abraham Zangen – Recipient of the Medical Futures Innovation Award in the field of "Mental Health and Neuroscience" awarded by Medical Futures, UK Prof. Eli Zeldov – Elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society

Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute

Doctors of Philosophy Honoris Causa

2007 Arie Lova Eliav Christiane Nüsslein−Volhard Avram Hershko Jehuda Reinharz Eric R. Kandel Amos Oz Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute 359

2006 Yevgeny Arye Morris Kahn Joseph Gurwin Jeanne Nissim Prof. Herbert Jäckle Amos Oz

2005 L. Yehuda Bronicki Justice Dalia Dorner Prof. Charles A. Dinarello, MD Prof. Joshua Jortner Sir Harry Djanogly, CBE

2004 Robert A. Belfer Prof. Richard M. Karp Justice Miriam Ben−Porat Senator Mitch McConnell Stanley Chais Ohad Naharin Prof. Sir Alan R. Fersht, FRS

2003 Eli Amir Prof. Mildred S. Dresselhaus Prof. Allen J. Bard Alan Fischer Prof. Sir Michael V. Berry Prof. Albert J. Libchaber

2002 Dr. Rita R. Colwell Joshua Maor Abraham M. Goldwasser Hubert S. Markl Dani Karavan Theodore H. Teplow

2001 Robert H. Asher Rabbi Abraham E. Firer Lawrence S. Blumberg Arnold J. Levine William M. Davidson Maxime Schwartz Sidney D. Drell Alice Shalvi Maurizio M. Dwek Evelyn Tenenbaum

2000 Yehuda Amichai Raoul de Picciotto Erica Drake Mayer Wolf Bernhard Servatius Lea Nikel

1999 Shulamit Aloni Helmut Kohl Akito Arima Riccardo Muti Nella Benoziyo Bert Sakmann Maks Birnbach Leon Schidlow Stuart Eizenstat Naomi Shemer 360 Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute

1998 David D. Baltimore Manfred D. Moross Edith Cresson Alexandra Poljakoff−Mayber Jean−Marie Lehn Albert Willner

1997 Josef Burg Walter Kohn Shoshana Damari Sara Mayer Martin S. Kimmel Robert Neter

1996 Ted Arison Orna Porat Berthold Beitz Hans Zacher Sir Aaron Klug

1995 Gershon Kekst Maxine Singer Melvin Schwartz S. Donald Sussman

1994 Y. Leon Benoziyo Rowland Schaefer Samy Cohn Ezer Weizman Eli Hurvitz Alejandro Zaffaroni Simone Mallah

1993 George S. Hammond Charles Mérieux James Heineman Shalom Rosenfeld Ilse Katz The Hon. David Sieff

1992 Norman D. Cohen Alexander Rich Jack D. Dinitz Harry Zvi Tabor The Baroness Thatcher of Martha Laub Kesteven

1991 Azaria Alon Uzia Galil H. Thomas Beck Lilian Hertzberg Hurbert Curien Dan Mayer Jean Dausset Hans A. Weidenmüller Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute 361 1990 Lester Crown Maurice Goldschleger Adolf Ebner N. Avrion Mitchison Henry Gestetner Sir David C. Phillips Abraham Ginzburg Yizhar Smilanski

1989 Aharon Barak John Polyani Baruj Benacerraf Heinz F. Riesenhuber Robert W. Kasten

1988 Mildred Cohn Israel Pollak Pierre−Gilles de Gennes Earl R. Stadman Chaim Gvati Lord Wolfson Francois Mitterand

1987 Victor Brailovsky Sir James Lighthill Ilona Feher George P. Schultz Martin D. Kamen Meir Shamgar Helen Kimmelman (Kimmel) Frank H. Westheimer

1986 Teddy Kollek Moshe Porath Leo Picard Bernard Pullman

1985 Ayala Zacks Abramov Samuel W. Lewis Vivien Clore Duffield Charles Lubin Francois Gros Benjamin Mazar Hans Hilger Haunschild Vladimir Prelog Chaim Herzog Ronald Reagan Niels K. Jerne Steven Weinberg James F. Kay Richard von Weizsacker

1984 Abraham Harman Frank Press Ludwig Jesselson John Ross Daniel Koshland Heinz Staab Yitzhak Navon Lewis Thomas

1983 Mordecai Ardon Zubin Mehta Raymond Aron Francis H. Ruddle 362 Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute Ezra Danin Andrei Dimitrievich Sakharov Ernest I. Japhet

1982 Yehuda Assia Elvin A. Kabat Haim Cohen Alfred Kastler Regina Feigl Severo Ochoa Francois Jacob Shmuel Sambursky

1981 Angel Faivovich

1980 Rudolf M. Bloch Ephraim Urbach Jimmy Carter Veit Wyler Morris L. Levinson

1979 Sir Derek Barton Derrick Kleeman Menachem Begin Hermann Mayer Josef Cohn Joseph Meyerhoff Aryeh Dvoretzky Sol Spiegelman Sir Bernard Katz

1978 Hans A. Bethe Rita Levi−Montalcini Aage Bohr Abraham Levin Adolpho Bloch Marshall W. Nirenberg

1977 Marc Chagall Harold Wilson Henry Kissinger

1976 Maurice Boukstein Murray B. Koffler Paul J. Flory Artur Rubinstein Gerhard Herzberg Ada Sereni Ephraim Katzir Simone Veil

1975 Arnold R. Meyer

1973 Willy Brandt Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute 363 1964 Meyer W. Weisgal

Honorary Fellows of the Weizmann Institute

1974 Harold L. Perlman

1972 David Ginsburg David Nachmansohn Sir Hans A. Krebs Harold Weill André M. Lwoff

1971 Golda Meir Otto E. Passman Sydney Goldstein

1970 William Benton Hubert H. Humphrey Leonard Bernstein Miriam Sacher

1969 Christian B. Anfinsen Theodore R. Racoosin Walworth Barbour Abram L. Sachar Ernst D. Bergmann Philip D. Sang Sir Charles Clore Gershom Scholem Manfred Eigen Zalman Shazar John C. Kendrew Axel C. Springer Gerhard Herzberg Robert B. Woodward

1968 Lester B. Pearson Harry S. Truman

1967 Shmuel Joseph Agnon Leopold Rusicka Ludwig Erhard Lord (Marcus) Sieff of Brimpton David Rittenberg

1966 Konrad Adenauer Abraham Feinberg Abba Eban Harry Levine

1965 Walter J. Bär Arthur Kornberg Wolfgang Gentner Richard Meinhertzhagen 364 Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute

1964 Richard Kronstein

1963 Herbert H. Lehman John F. Kennedy

1962 Saul Adler Lord Rothschild Carl J. Burckhardt Harry Sacher Nahum Goldmann Victor Weisskopf James G. McDonald Vera Weizmann Heinrich G. Ritzel

1961 Max F. Perutz Edgar Salin Tadeus Reichstein Jerome B. Wiesner

1960 Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Dewey David Stone Bernard A. Houssay Hugo A. T. Theorell Theodor von Karman Axel Wenner−Gren

1959 Jean L. A. Brachet Jonas Salk Lord Marks of Broughton Sir Isaac Wolfson, Bart. Giulio Racah

1958 Felix Bloch J. Robert Oppenheimer Sir Christopher Ingold Harold C. Urey

1957 Isidor I. Rabi

1956 Louis Lipsky Arthur Stoll

1955 Pierre Mendes−France Rebecca D. Sieff Lord (Israel) Sieff of Brimpton

1954 Patrick M. S. Blackett Adlai Stevenson Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute 365 1953 Niels Bohr Linus C. Pauling Sir Ernst B. Chain Francis Peyton−Rous Herman F. Mark Sir Robert Robinson

1952 David Sarnoff

Weizmann Awards in the Sciences and Humanities

2005 Ricardo Lagos Escobar Barbara Levinson

2004 Marcos Moshinsky Irving Harris

2003 Friede Springer Wim Kok

1999 Helen Asher

1997 Abba Eban Lord Rothschild David Ginsburg

1995 Veit Wyler Reimer Lüst

1994 Erhard Busek

1992 Ezer Weizman Mostafa Khalil

1991 Kirk Douglas

1990 Carlos Salinas de Gortari Brian Mulroney

1989 Heinz A. Staab 366 Honorary degrees and Awards bestowed by the Institute 1987 Jacques Chirac Hermann Mayer Gottlieb Hammer

1985 Bram Goldsmith Alain Poher Charles Mérieux Margaret Thatcher Robert Parienti

1984 Harold Hill

1983 Henry Jackson

1979 Danny Kaye

1971 Theodore R. Racoosin

1970 Max Candiotty Anne Stone Lee Levine

1969 Josef Cohn

1968 Walter P. Reuther Robert I. Wishnick

1967 Joseph Brainin Miriam Sacher Bernard A. Houssay

1966 David Sarnoff Rebecca D. Sieff Lord (Israel) Sieff of Brimpton Summer Science Program for Students 367 Summer Science Program for Students

Emma and Oscar Getz Summer Science Program for Israeli Students

The Emma and Oscar Getz Summer Science Program for Israeli Students was established in 2001 and is supported by patrons of the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. Throughout their lifetimes, Chicago industrialist Oscar Getz and his wife Emma, were well−known for their dedication to the arts at home, in Washington, D.C. and in London. Although Oscar Getz died in 1983 and Emma in 1966, they are linked in perpetuity to research and education at the Weizmann Institute of Science through a Professorial Chair, a summer scholarship program, as well as through support of other projects endowed in their names by the Getz Foundation.

Participants designate the research preferences of their choice from a list of current projects. These choices are then matched, by a scientific coordinator, with ongoing research teams at the Institute. The students work under the supervision of a scientific personnel member and spend between 10 weeks to 4 months, during their summer holidays, working on the research project to which they have been assigned.

In 2007 the Participants were:

Sivan Abramovitch, Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Eldad Assa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Liran Ben Yaakov, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva Netanel Ben Shitrit, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva Miriam Brook, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Gershon Celniker, Technion−Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Oren Cohen, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv Zohar Goren, Bar−Ilan University, Ramat−Gan Matan Hofree, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Yoav Len, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Michael Levant, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv Ohad Levinkron, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva Ayelet Mor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Jacob Ofek, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv David Rakhmilevitch, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva Fabian Schvartzman, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva Tamar Shlapobersky, Haifa University, Haifa Mor Verbin, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv Ohad Vonshak, Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva

Karyn Kupcinet International Science School

The Karyn Kupcinet International Science School was established in 1971 in memory of 368 Summer Science Program for Students Karyn Kupcinet by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Kupcinet of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Academic Secretary's office organizes and runs the program.

Participants designate the research preferences of their choice from a list of current projects. These choices are then matched, by a scientific coordinator, with ongoing research teams at the Institute. The students work under the guidance of a scientific personnel member and spend between 10 weeks to 4 months, during their summer holidays, working on the research project to which they have been assigned. A few students from the Southern Hemisphere attend during the winter months, coinciding with these students' university holidays.

The overseas participants are given opportunities to tour Israel, to participate in various social activities and, of course, to interact with the other summer students and graduate students and staff from the Institute.

In 2007 the Participants were:

Thangabalan Aruneshwar, Loyola College, India Tolga Bagci, Bilkent University, Turkey Arkarup Bandyopadhyay, University of Delhi, Delhi, India Erkan Bayir, Bilken University, Turkey Gilad Ben−Shach, McGill University, Canada Ahmet Kerem Bingol, Middle East Tech University, Turkey Mark Censor, Touro College, USA Insup Choi, Handong Global University, Korea Leora David, Brown University, USA Eytan Debbi, Yale University, USA Elissa Dunn, Yale University, USA Hal Emmer, University of Pennsylvannia, USA Carlos Augusto Eraso, University of Cauca, Columbia South America Michael Garfinkle, McGill University, Canada Konstantin Golubev, Moscow State University, Russia Eran Hodis, Boston University, USA Thomas Holst, Stockholm University, Sweden Sydney Levine, Yale University, USA Mathew Morantz, Concordia University, USA Evan Nagler, Brandeis University, USA Ramona Piticia, University of Bucharest, Romania Nathaniel Roth, Yale University, USA Tamar Rubin, McGill University, Canada Ricardo Schidlow, Tufts University, USA Olga Sergueeva, Saint Petersburg University, Russia Nathan Stall, McGill University, Canada Elliot Steinberger, Yeshiva University, USA Evelyn Tang, Yale, USA Cathleen Tausch, Freie University, Berlin, Germany Visiting Professors Program 369 Avi Ziskind, Princeton University, USA

Visiting Professors Program

The Visiting Professorships are made available to suitable candidates from all countries. They are intended for outstanding scientists from institutions of higher learning and research institutions, who have achieved appropriate recognition in their fields of activity and who hold the rank of Full Professor (or an equivalent rank) in their home institutions.

Visiting Professors in 2007 were as follows:

The Morris Belkin Visiting Professorship

Prof. David Hansel, University of Paris V, France

The Joseph Meyerhoff Visiting Professorship

Prof. Shimon Amir, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada Prof. Jean−Pierre Eckmann, University of Geneva, Switzerland Prof. Vladimir Golubyatnikov, Russian Academic of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia Prof. Dirk Shwalm, Max Planck Institute, Heidelberg, Germany

The Erna and Jakob Michael Visiting Professorship

Prof. Eli Tsiperman, Harvard Medical School, MA, USA Prof. Gerard Wagemaker, Harvard University, MA., USA Prof. Shimon Weiss, University of California, CA, USA Prof. Rafael Zidovetzki, University of California at Riverside, USA

The Rosi and Max Varon Visiting Professorships

Prof. Tsipora Goldkorn, University of California at Davis, USA Prof. Peter Rez, University of Arizona, USA

The Weston Visiting Professorships

Prof. David Andelman, Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv, Israel Prof. Sanjeev Arora, Princeton University, NJ., USA Prof. Michael Chertkov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM., USA Prof. David Kutasov, University of Chicago, IL., USA Prof. Albert Libchaber, Rockefeller, NY., USA Prof. Boris Mityagin, Ohio State University, USA Prof. Vladimir Peskov, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden Prof. Avraham Soffer, Rutgers University, NJ., USA 370 Weizmann Memorial Lectures Prof. Norman Zabusky, Rutgers University, NJ, USA

Weizmann Memorial Lectures

The "Weizmann Annual Lectures" program is the most prestigious lectureship program at the Weizmann Institute of Science and commemorates the name of the founder of the Institute, Dr. Chaim Weizmann.

The Weizmann Lecturers are selected by an internal committee from among the proposals for potential lecturers which are made by the members of the Institute's Scientific Council, the body representing all professors at the Institute.

The lectures are intended to review the state of the art and the newest developments of the particular field chosen. The series usually consists of two lectures, which are open to the Institute's faculty and staff and to the community at large. The first talk is usually aimed for anyone interested in science while the second lecture is mainly aimed for scientists at the Weizmann Institute as well as from other Higher Education Institutions in Israel.

List of past Weizmann Memorial Lecturers

2007 Prof. Prof. Hillel Furstenberg (Mathematics) 2006 Prof. Robert P. Kirshner (Astrophysics) 2005 Prof. Paul Alivisatos (Chemistry) 2004 Prof. Louis H. Miller (Life Sciences) 2003 Prof. Albert J. Libchaber (Physics) 2002 Prof. Susan Solomon (Environmental Sciences) 2001 Prof. Michael Rabin (Mathematics) 2000 Prof. Andrew Wyllie (Molecular Biology) 1999 Prof. Jacob N. Israelachvili (Chemistry) 1998 Prof. Steven Chu (Physics) 1997 Prof. James A. Yorke (Mathematics) 1996 Prof. James E. Rothman (Biology) 1995 Prof. Paul B. Sigler (Chemistry) 1994 Prof. D. J. Gross (Particle Physics) 1993 Prof. E. H. Fischer (Biochemistry) 1992 Prof. D. Knuth (Computer Science) 1991 Prof. A. Eschenmoser (Chemistry) 1990 Prof. B. I. Halperin (Physics) 1989 Prof. P. Leder (Molecular Genetics) 1986 Prof. R. N. Zare (Chemistry) 1985 Prof. C. Rubbia (Physics) 1984 Prof. P. D. Boyer (Biochemistry) 1983 Prof. C. Weissman (Biology) 1982 Prof. J. Keller (Mathematics) Weizmann Memorial Lectures 371 1981 Prof. E. M. Shoemaker (Planetary Sciences) 1980 Prof. P. F. De Gennes (Chemistry) 1979 Prof. D. H. Hubel (Neurobiology) 1978 Prof. H. A. Bethe (Physics) 1977 Prof. P. Berg (Biochemistry Genetic Engineering) 1975 Prof. E. Katzir (Fermentation Biochemical Engineering) Prof. Hans L. Kornberg (Regulation of Microbial Metabolism) 1974 Prof. W. W. Lipscomb (Chemistry Crystallography) 1973 Prof. D. Gabor (Holography) 1972 Prof. D. Koshland (Biochemistry) 1971 Prof. S. L. Washburn (Anthropology) 1967 Prof. G. Wald (Biology) 1966 Prof. M. M. Schiffer (Pure Mathematics) 1965 Prof. A. Kornberg (Biochemistry) 1964 Prof. F. Hoyle (Astrophysics) 1963 Prof. R. Woodward (Organic Chemistry) 1962 Prof. W. Rosenblith (Biophysics) 1961 Prof. M. Perutz (Chemistry) 1960 Prof. S. Chandrasekhar (Applied Mathematics) 1959 Prof. J. Brachet (Biology) 1958 Prof. Sir Christopher Ingold (Chemistry) 1957 Prof. I. I. Rabi (Physics) 1955 Prof. E. Chain (Biochemistry) 1954 Prof. P. M. S. Blackett (Physics, Mathematics) 1953 Prof. Sir Robert Robinson (Organic Chemistry) http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities/current/Chairs.html 372 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships

Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships

Professorial Chairs

The Lee and William Abramowitz Chair of Macromolecular Biophysics Established in 1978 through the bequest of Mr. Abramowitz, Leominster, MA Incumbent Professor Mark Safro, Department of Structural Biology The Annenberg Chair of High Energy Physics Established in 1967 by Mrs. Enid A. Haupt, New York, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Moses L. Annenberg Incumbent Professor Haim Harari, Department of Particle Physics The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Chair Established in 1995 by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Applebaum, Troy, Michigan Incumbent Professor Avi Ben−Nun, Department of Immunology The Norman and Helen Asher Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Asher, Chicago Incumbent Professor Varda Rotter, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Helen Norman Asher Chair in Brain Research Established in 1993 by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Asher, Chicago Incumbent Professor Amiram Grinvald, Department of Neurobiology The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1982 by the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Foundation, Stamford, CT Incumbent Professor Amnon Horovitz, Department of Structural Biology The Henry and Bertha Benson Chair Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Benson, Montreal Incumbent Professor Avihai Danon, Department of Plant Sciences The Bernstein−Mason Chair of Neurochemistry Established in 1985 by Stuart A. Bernstein and John J. Mason, Washington, DC Incumbent Professor Orly Reiner, Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Barnet Berris Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1981 by the Physicians' Committee, Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Yoram Groner, Department of Molecular Genetics The Besen−Brender Chair of Microbiology and Parasitology Established in 1981 by Marc Besen, Melbourne, and Joseph Brender, Sydney Incumbent Professor David Mirelman, Department of Biological Chemistry The Patricia Elman Bildner Chair of Solid State Chemistry Established in 1973 by Albert C. Bildner, New York Incumbent Professor Ilya Averbukh, Department of Chemical Physics The Paul and Marlene Borman Chair of Applied Mathematics Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 373 Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Borman, Detroit, and their friends and associates Incumbent Professor Adi Shamir, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Gilbert de Botton Chair of Plant Sciences Established in 1981 by Mr. de Botton and friends, Zurich and New York Incumbent Professor Avraham Levy, Department of Plant Sciences The Isaac and Elsa Bourla Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1979 by bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Bourla, Paris Incumbent Professor Gideon Berke, Department of Immunology The Harold S. and Harriet B. Brady Chair of Cancer Rrsearch Established in 1982 by Mrs. Brady and the late Mr. Brady, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yechiel Shai, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dr. Walter and Dr. Trude Borchardt Chair of Structural Biology Established in 2001 by the estate of Dr. Trude Borchardt, New York, NY Incumbent Professor Stephen Weiner, Department of Structural Biology The Bronfman Chair of Plant Science Established in 1979 by Joseph E. Seagram and Sons, Inc., New York Incumbent Professor Gad Galili, Department of Plant Sciences The Rudy Bruner Chair of Science Teaching Established in 1970 by Mrs. Martha Bruner, New York, and Zelon Ltd., Israel The Professor Sir Ernest B. Chain Chair Established in 1980 by his friends, London Incumbent Professor Talila Volk, Department of Molecular Genetics The Chaya Chair in Molecular Neuroscience Established in 2006 by an anonymous donor, Switzerland Incumbent Professor Michael Fainzilber, Department of Biological Chemistry The Norman D. Cohen Chair of Computer Sciences Established in 1971 by Mr. Cohen, New York Incumbent Professor David Peleg, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Ruth and Samy Cohn Chair of Computer Sciences Established in 1984 by close Israeli friends of Mr. and Mrs. Cohn, Rio de Janeiro Incumbent Professor Shimon Ullman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Marvin Myer and Jenny Cyker Chair of Diabetes Research Established in 1971 by Mr. Cyker, Boston Incumbent Professor Michael Walker, Department of Biological Chemistry The Sadie and Joseph Danciger Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1967 by the Sadie Danciger Trust, Kansas City The Lady Davis Chair of Experimental Physics Established in 1972 by the Eldee Foundation, Montreal, through Bernard M. Bloomfield and Major Louis M. Bloomfield, Q.C. Incumbent Professor Giora Mikenberg, Department of Particle Physics The Harry de Jur Chair of Applied Physics Established in 1982 by the Harry de Jur Foundation, New York 374 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships Incumbent Professor Victor Steinberg, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Amos de Shalit Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1976 Incumbent Professor Yosef Nir, Department of Particle Physics The Helen and Sanford Diller Family Chair of Neurobiology Established in 2001 by Helen and Sanford Diller, San Francisco, CA Incumbent Professor Ehud Ahissar, Department of Neurobiology The Jack and Simon Djanogly Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1980 by Sir Harry Djanogly, CBE, London Incumbent Professor Michael Eisenbach, Department of Biological Chemistry The Henry H. Drake Chair of Immunology Established in 1998 by Mrs. Erica Drake, New York Incumbent Professor Yair Reisner, Department of Immunology The Drake Family Chair of Nanotechnology Established in 2005 by Mrs. Erica Drake of New York and Mr. Robert J. Drake, the Netherlands Incumbent Professor Reshef Tenne, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Georg F. Duckwitz Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1975 by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany Incumbent Professor Lea Eisenbach, Department of Immunology The George W. Dunne Chair of Chemical Physics Established in 1971 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Gershon Kurizki, Department of Chemical Physics The Paul Ehrlich Chair of Immunology Established in 1979 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Ruth Arnon, Department of Immunology The Joyce and Ben B. Eisenberg Chair of Molecular Endocrinology and Cancer Research Established in 1984 by the Ben B. Eisenberg Charitable Fund, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Sima Lev, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Maxwell Ellis Chair of Biomedical Research Established in 1997 through the bequest of Mr. Ellis, London Incumbent Professor Zvi Livneh, Department of Biological Chemistry The Estrin Family Chair of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Established in 2000 by Judith Estrin and William Carrico, Profs. Thelma and Gerald Estrin, California Incumbent Professor Vered Rom−Kedar, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Marshall and Renette Ezralow Chair of Chemical and Cellular Immunology Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Ezralow, Beverly Hills Incumbent Professor Zelig Eshhar, Department of Immunology The Fred and Andrea Fallek Chair of Breast Cancer Research Established in 2000 by Mrs. Andrea Klepetar Fallek, New York Incumbent Professor Hadassa Degani, Department of Biological Regulation The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Chair Established in 1992 by the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Chicago Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 375 Incumbent Professor Michael W. Kirson, Department of Particle Physics The Donald Frey Chair Established in 1988 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Anthony Joseph, Department of Mathematics The Isabelle and Samuel Friedman Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1979 by the bequests of Mr. and Mrs. Friedman, San Francisco Incumbent Professor Yuval Gefen, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Charles and Louise Gartner Chair Established in 1993 by Mrs. Louise Gartner, Dallas Incumbent Professor Uri Pick, Department of Biological Chemistry The Wolfgang Gentner Chair of Nuclear Physics Established in 1982 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science in honor of the late Professor Gentner, Heidelberg Incumbent Professor Uzy Smilansky, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Oscar and Emma Getz Chair Established in 1993 by Mrs. Emma Getz, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yosef Shaul, Department of Molecular Genetics The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Chair of Molecular Cell Biology Established in 2001 by the Jacob E. Goldenberg Foundation, Minneapolis, MN Incumbent Professor Yosef Yarden, Department of Biological Regulation The Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Chair of Applied Mathematics Established in 1982 by Mr. amd Mrs. Goldsmith, Los Angeles The Marte R. Gomez Chair of Photosynthesis Established in 1985 by the Mexican Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Yehiel Zick, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Dorothy and Patrick Gorman Chair Established in 1966 by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Washington, DC Incumbent Professor Lia Addadi, Department of Structural Biology The William B. Graham Chair of Pharmacology Established in 1978 by his friends and associates, Chicago The Harold J. and Marion F. Green Chair Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Green, Chicago Incumbent Professor David Mukamel, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Marc R. Gutwirth Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1967 in memory of Professor Gutwirth by his mother, Mrs. Regina Gutwirth, New York, and his wife, Gloria The Nicki and J. Ira Harris Chair Established in 1988 by Mr. Harris and his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Stephen Gelbart, Department of Mathematics The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics Established in 1989 by James Heineman, Heineman Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Zvi Artstein, Department of Mathematics The Charles H. Hollenberg Chair of Diabetes and Metabolic Research Established in 1985 by his friends and associates, Toronto 376 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships Incumbent Professor Yoram Shechter, Department of Biological Chemistry The Lawrence G. Horowitz Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1985 by Mr. Horowitz and his family, Philadelphia Incumbent Professor Uriel Feige, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Linda Jacobs Chair in Immune and Stem Cell Research Established in 2006 by Mr. Michael Jacobs, London, UK Incumbent Professor Ronen Alon, Department of Immunology The Erica and Ludwig Jesselson Chair of Theoretical Mathematics Established in 1985 by Erica and Ludwig Jesselson, New York Incumbent Professor Yakar Kannai, Department of Mathematics The Maurice and Ilse Katz Chair of Neuroimmunology Established in 1990 by Mrs. Ilse Katz, Geneva Incumbent Professor Michal Schwartz, Department of Neurobiology The Louis and Florence Katz−Cohen Chair of Neuropharmacology Established in 1984 Incumbent Professor Vivian I. Teichberg, Department of Neurobiology The Aryeh and Mintzi Katzman Chair Established in 1992 by The Carylon Foundation, Chicago Incumbent Professor Ron Naaman, Department of Chemical Physics The Harry Kay Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1985 by the Harry Kay Foundation, Minneapolis Incumbent Professor Eli Canaani, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Gershon Kekst Chair Established in 2002 by The Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Sergei Yakovenko, Department of Mathematics The Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Chair Established in 1987 by Mr. Kimmel, New York Incumbent Professor Ada Yonath, Department of Structural Biology The Peter and Carola Kleeman Chair of Optical Sciences Established in 1980 by Mr. Derrick Kleeman, London Incumbent Professor Nir Davidson, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Hella and Derrick Kleeman Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1979 by Mr. Derrick Kleeman, London Incumbent Professor Haim Garty, Department of Biological Chemistry The Judith Kleeman Chair Established in 1981 by Mr. Derrick Kleeman, London Incumbent Professor Moni Naor, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Dr. Morton and Anne Kleiman Chair Established in 1993 by Dr. and Mrs. Morton Kleiman, Chicago Incumbent Professor Idit Shachar, Department of Immunology The Erich Klieger Chair of Chemical Physics Established in 2006 by Mrs. Ingeborg Klieger, Berlin Incumbent Professor Daniella Goldfarb, Department of Chemical Physics Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 377 The Philip M. Klutznick Chair of Developmental Biology Established in 1967 by their friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Nava Dekel, Department of Biological Regulation The Murray B. Koffler Chair Established in 1993 in honor of Mr. Murray Koffler by The Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Michael Hass, Department of Particle Physics The Harold L. Korda Chair of Biology Established in 1974 by the Harold L. Korda Foundation, Inc., New York Incumbent Professor Mordechai Liscovitch, Department of Biological Regulation The Richard Kronstein Chair of Theoretical Magnetism Established in 1977 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Zurich The Charles and Charlotte Krown Chair of Medicinal Chemistry Established in 1985 by Mr. Charles Krown, Los Angeles The Samuel Lunenfeld−Reuben Kunin Chair of Genetics Established in 1973 by Mr. Lunenfeld, Lausanne, and Mr. Kunin, Blonay, Switzerland Incumbent Professor Avri Ben−Ze'ev, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Harry Kweller and Kathleen Kweller Chair of Condensed Matter Physics Established in 1984 by the estate of the late Mr. Kweller, London Incumbent Professor Shimon Levit, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Chief Justice Bora Laskin Chair of Science Teaching Established in 1984 in honor of the late Canadian Chief Justice by his friends and associates in Canada Incumbent Professor Bat Sheva Eylon, Department of Science Teaching The Henry J. Leir Professorial Chair Established in 1999 by the estate of Henry J. Leir of New York Incumbent Professor Eytan Domany, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Harry and Leona Levine Chair of Neurosciences Established in 1986 by Mrs. Harry Levine, Cambridge, MA Incumbent Professor Menahem Segal, Department of Neurobiology The Barbara and Morris Levinson Chair of Brain Research Established in 2005 by the Morris L. Levinson Foundation, Palm Beach, Florida Incumbent Professor Rafi Malach, Department of Neurobiology The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Chair of Chemical Physics Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Levinson, New York Incumbent Professor Itamar Procaccia, Department of Chemical Physics The Yale S. Lewine and Ella Miller Lewine Chair for Cancer Research Established in 2006 Established in 2006 through the estate of Yale S. Lewine and Ella Miller Lewine, Vintura, California Incumbent Professor Rony Seger, Department of Biological Regulation The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Chair of Molecular Genetics Established in 2001 by Cecil Lewis, England and Switzerland Incumbent Professor Ben−Zion Shilo, Department of Molecular Genetics The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Chair of Hormone Research 378 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships Established in 1982 by Mr. Lubin, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yoram Salomon, Department of Biological Regulation The Ephraim Katzir−Rao Makineni Chair of Chemistry Established in 2001 by Rao Makineni, Los Angeles, CA Incumbent Professor Mordechai Sheves, Department of Organic Chemistry The Jules J. Mallon Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1972 by the Malakoff Foundation, Minneapolis Incumbent Professor Chaim Kahana, Department of Molecular Genetics The Hermann Mark Chair of Polymer Physics Established in 1986 by the American, Austrian, European and German Committees for the Weizmann Institute of Science, in honor of Prof. Mark Incumbent Professor Jacob Klein, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Israel Matz Chair of Organic Chemistry Established in 1966 by the Alice Matz Goodman Endowment Fund, New York Incumbent Professor David Milstein, Department of Organic Chemistry The Helen and Morris Mauerberger Chair Established in 1982 by the Mauerberger Foundation Fund, Capetown Incumbent Professor Michal Neeman, Department of Biological Regulation The Hermann Mayer Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. Mayer, Paris Incumbent Professor David Joshua Tannor, Department of Chemical Physics The Stephen and Mary Meadow Chair of Laser Photochemistry Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Meadow, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Yitzhak Maron, Department of Particle Physics The Otto Meyerhof Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1968 by the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany, in memory of the founder of molecular biology in born Hannover Incumbent Professor Leo Sachs, Department of Molecular Genetics The Joseph Meyerhoff Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1971 by Mr. Meyerhoff, Baltimore Incumbent Professor Anthony H. Futerman, Department of Biological Chemistry The Jacques Mimran Chair Established in 1980 by Jean−Claude Mimran, Paris Incumbent Professor Moshe Shapiro, Department of Chemical Physics The Jane and Otto Morningstar Chair of Physics Established in 2000 by Mrs. Jane Morningstar, Boca Raton Incumbent Professor Israel Bar−Joseph, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Dr. Hymie Moross Chair Established in 1981 by Manfred D. Moross, London, in memory of his father Incumbent Professor Tamar Flash, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Joseph Moss Chair of Biomedical Research Established in 1981 in memory of his parents, Jacob and Molly Moskowitz, Chicago Incumbent Professor Alexander D. Bershadsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The David and Inez Myers Chair Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 379 Established in 2000 by Mrs. Inez P. Myers, Cleveland Incumbent Professor Eli Zeldov, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Professor Erwin Neter Chair of Cell and Tumor Biology Established in 1986 by Robert and Idi Neter Incumbent Professor Benjamin Geiger, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Livio Norzi Chair Established in 2000 by the late Livio Norzi of Italy Incumbent Professor Daniel Hanoch Wagner, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Olin−Sang Chair of Leukemia Research Established in 1969 in memory of Ida K. and Louis B. Olin and Etta and Jacob Sang by their families and friends, Chicago The Gerald and Hedy Oliven Chair in Brain Research Established in 2003 by the estate of Gerald Oliven, Los Angeles, CA Incumbent Professor Michail Tsodyks, Department of Neurobiology The Joseph and Ruth Owades Chair of Chemistry Established in 1999 by Joseph Owades of Sonoma, California Incumbent Professor Jacob Anglister, Department of Structural Biology The Lester B. Pearson Chair Established in 1968 by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Abraham Arcavi, Department of Science Teaching The William Petschek Chair of Mathematics Established in 1985 by his family, Scarsdale, NY Incumbent Professor Gideon Schechtman, Department of Mathematics The Morton and Gladys Pickman Chair in Structural Biology Established in 2002 Morton and Gladys Pickman of Boca Raton, FL Incumbent Professor Joel Sussman, Department of Structural Biology The Max Planck Chair of Quantum Physics Established in 1988 by the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Yoseph Imry, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Israel Pollak Chair of Biophysics Established in 1981 by the Edit and Israel Pollak Foundation, Israel Incumbent Professor Zvi Kam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Hilda Pomeraniec Memorial Chair of Organic Chemistry Established in 1961 by Dr. J. Pomeraniec, Vence, France, in memory of his wife Incumbent Professor Joseph Sperling, Department of Organic Chemistry The Maurizio Pontecorvo Chair Established in 2005 by Dr. Clotilde Pontecorvo Incumbent Professor Irit Sagi, Department of Structural Biology The Moshe Porath Chair of Mathematics Established in 1990 by The Weizmann Institute of Science in honor of Moshe Porath, Tel−Aviv Incumbent Professor Yosef Yomdin, Department of Mathematics The Isidor I. Rabi Chair of Physics Established in 1988 by an anonymous donor Incumbent Professor Mordehai Milgrom, Department of Condensed Matter Physics 380 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships The Theodore R. Racoosin Chair of Biophysics Established in 1962 by Mr. Racoosin, New York Incumbent Professor Ephraim Katchalski−Katzir, Department of Biological Chemistry The Professor T. Reichstein Chair Established in 1989 by the Swiss Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Abraham Minsky, Department of Organic Chemistry The Robert W. Reneker Chair of Industrial Chemistry Established in 1976 by his friends and associates, Chicago The Walter P. Reuther Chair of Research in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Established in 1968 by the United Automobile Workers of America Incumbent Professor Amos Breskin, Department of Particle Physics The Sophie and Richard S. Richards Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1997 through the bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Richards, New York and Paris Incumbent Professor Irith Ginzburg, Department of Neurobiology The Heinrich G. Ritzel Chair of Immunology Established in 1976 by the European Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Zurich The Joseph and Marian Robbins Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. Robbins, the Robbins family and friends, Chicago Incumbent Professor Shimon Vega, Department of Chemical Physics The Matthew B. Rosenhaus Chair Established in 1984 by the Sarah and Matthew Rosenhaus Peace Foundation, Inc., Morristown, NJ Incumbent Professor Vladimir Berkovich, Department of Mathematics The Helena Rubinstein Chair in Cancer Research Established in 1994 by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Adi Kimchi, Department of Molecular Genetics The Helena Rubinstein Chair of Structural Biology Established in 1985 by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Zippora Shakked, Department of Structural Biology The Barry Rymer Family Chair Established in 1987 by the Barry Rymer Charitable Trust, Chicago Incumbent Professor Aldo Shemesh, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Chair in Energy Research Established in 2002 by Mr. Rowland Schaefer of Pembroke Pines, Florida Incumbent Professor David Cahen, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Hermann and Lilly Schilling Foundation Chair Established in 1993 by the Herman and Lily Schilling Foundation for Medicine, Germany Incumbent Professor Shmuel Pietrokovski, Department of Molecular Genetics The Samuel Sebba Chair of Pure and Applied Physics Established in 1972 by Mr. Sebba, London Incumbent Professor Itzhak Tserruya, Department of Particle Physics The Sara and Michael Sela Chair of Neurobiology Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 381 Established in 1982 by their friends in Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, The United Kingdom and the United States Incumbent Professor Yadin Dudai, Department of Neurobiology The Sherman Chair of Physical Chemistry Established in 1966 by the trustees of the Sherman Charitable Foundation in memory of Harry and Abe Sherman of South Wales Incumbent Professor Yehiam Prior, Department of Chemical Physics The Ruth and Sylvia Shogam Chair Established in 1998 in memory of Benjamin, Sarah and Dr. Isador Shogam Incumbent Professor Victor Katsnelson, Department of Mathematics The Rebecca and Israel Sieff Chair of Organic Chemistry Established in 1960 in honor of the founders of the Daniel Sieff Institute Incumbent Professor Ronny Neumann, Department of Organic Chemistry The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel and Freda and Edward M. Siegel Chair of Virology Established in 1979 by the Titan Industrial Corp., New York The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Chair of Human Genomics Established in 1998 by Ralph and Lois Silver, Chicago, Illinois Incumbent Professor Doron Lancet, Department of Molecular Genetics The Ruth and Leonard Simon Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Simon, Chicago Incumbent Professor Zvi Vogel, Department of Neurobiology The Robert and Yadelle Sklare Chair in Biochemistry Established in 2002 Robert and Yadelle Sklare of Chicago, IL Incumbent Professor Avigdor Scherz, Department of Plant Sciences The William D. Smithburg Chair of Biochemistry Established in 1986 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Steven J.D Karlish, Department of Biological Chemistry The Elias Sourasky Chair Established in 1992 by Dr. Jaime P. Constantiner, Mexico The Agnes Spencer Chair of Physical Chemistry Established in 1965 by the Agnes Spencer Trust, London Incumbent Professor Israel Dostrovsky, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Edith Arnoff Stein Chair in Stem Cell Research Established in 2006 by Edith and Martin Stein, Roca Raton, FL Incumbent Professor Tsvee Lapidot, Department of Immunology The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Chair Established in 1992 by Mr. Manfred Steinfeld, Chicago Incumbent Professor Samuel Safran, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Adlai E. Stevenson III Chair of Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology Established in 1972 by his friends and associates, Chicago The William Sussman Chair of Mathematics Established in 1992 by S. Donald Sussman, New York Incumbent Professor David Harel, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 382 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships The Max and Anne Tanenbaum Chair of Nuclear Physics Established in 1976 by Mr. and Mrs. Tanenbaum, Toronto The Alex and Ida Sussman Chair of Submicron Electronics Established in 2000 by S. Donald Sussman, New York Incumbent Professor Moty Heiblum, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Herman P. Taubman Chair of Mathematics Established in 1961 in memory of the late Mr. Taubman, Tulsa, by his family Incumbent Professor Amitai Regev, Department of Mathematics The Margaret Thatcher Chair of Chemistry Established in 1985 by the Weizmann Institute Foundation of the United Kingdom Incumbent Professor Gershom (Jan) Martin, Department of Organic Chemistry The Siegfried and Irma Ullmann Chair Established in 1991 by Mrs. Irma Ullmann, New York Incumbent Professor Abraham Shanzer, Department of Organic Chemistry The Sir Siegmund Warburg Chair of Agricultural Molecular Biology Established in 1983 by a special fund of the Stifterverband fuer die Deutsche Wissenschaft Incumbent Professor Marvin Edelman, Department of Plant Sciences (until 14 December 2007) Incumbent Professor Robert Fluhr, Department of Plant Sciences (from 15 December 2007) The Harry Weinrebe Chair of Computer Science and Biology Established in 2005 by the Dorset Foundation, UK Incumbent Professor Ehud Shapiro, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Harry Weinrebe Chair of Laser Physics Established in 2003 by the Dorset Foundation, UK Incumbent Professor Yaron Silberberg, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Joe and Celia Weinstein Chair Established in 1993 by Major and Mrs. Max Shulman, New York Incumbent Professor Dov Zipori, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Simon Weinstock Chair of Astrophysics Established in 2000 by Lord Weinstock, London Incumbent Professor Daniel Zajfman, Department of Particle Physics The Meyer W. Weisgal Chair Established in 1979 by Arthur B. Krim, William S. Paley, Raphael Recanati, George Sagan, and Robert I. Wishnick, New York Incumbent Professor Oded Goldreich, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Renee and Jay Weiss Chair Established in 1987 by Mr. Weiss, Miami The Edna and Mickey Weiss Chair of Cytokines Research Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, Los Angeles Incumbent Professor Menachem Rubinstein, Department of Molecular Genetics The W. Garfield Weston Chair of Immunology Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 383 Established in 1966 by the Garfield Weston Foundation Israeli Trust, London Incumbent Professor Michael Sela, Department of Immunology The Bee Wiggs Chair of Molecular Biology Established in 1983 by Mr. Irving Wiggs, San Marino, CA The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Chair of Bio−Organic Chemistry Established in 1985 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Ed Bayer, Department of Biological Chemistry The Charles and David Wolfson Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1965 by the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, London Incumbent Professor Alexander Finkelstein, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Sam and Ayala Zacks Chair Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Zacks, Toronto Incumbent Professor Eli Pollak, Department of Chemical Physics The George Zlotowski Chair Established in 2001 by Gertrude Zlotowski Incumbent Professor Dov Sagi, Department of Neurobiology The Sam Zuckerberg Chair Established in 2002 by Roy J. Zuckerberg Family Foundation, New York Incumbent Professor Brian Berkowitz, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Career Development Chairs

The Armour Family Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1989 by Mr. Robert N. Armour, Greenwich, Connecticut Incumbent Dr. Atan Gross, Department of Biological Regulation The Graham and Rhona Beck Career Development Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. and Mrs. Beck, South Africa The Beracha Foundation Career Development Chair Established in 1978 by the Beracha Foundation, Geneva Incumbent Dr. Roy Bar−Ziv, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Elaine Blond Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by Mrs. Blond, London The Adolfo and Evelyn Blum Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1979 by bequest of Mr. Blum, New York Incumbent Dr. Asaph Aharoni, Department of Plant Sciences The Anna and Maurice Boukstein Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by family and friends of the late Mr. Boukstein, New York Incumbent Dr. Einat Aharonov, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Delta Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by Delta Textiles, Tel−Aviv Incumbent Dr. Leeor Kronik, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Arye Dissentshik Career Development Chair Established in 1978 by the Association of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science in 384 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships Israel The Dr. Victor L. Erlich Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by bequest of Dr. Erlich, New York Incumbent Dr. Ernesto Joselevich, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Abraham and Jennie Fialkow Career Development Chair Established in 1990 by Lawrence Fialkow, New York Incumbent Dr. Boris Rybtchinski, Department of Organic Chemistry The Judith and Martin Freedman Career Development Chair Established in 1988 by Mrs. Judy and Gary Freedman, Beverly Hills, California Incumbent Dr. Yuval Eshed, Department of Plant Sciences The Jack and Florence Goodman Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Jack Goodman, Winnetka, Illinois The Walter and Elise Haas Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, San Francisco The Frances and Max Hersh Career Development Chair Established in 2002 by bequest of Frances and Max Hersh of, Florida Incumbent Dr. Maria Gorelik, Department of Mathematics The Henry Kaplan Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1987 by Mrs. Henry S. Kaplan, Stanford, California The Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Kimmelman, New York Incumbent Dr. Eran Hornstein, Department of Molecular Genetics The Carl and Frances Korn Career Development Chair in the Life Sciences Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Korn, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Ilan Lampl, Department of Neurobiology The Corinne S. Koshland Career Development Chair Established in 1978 by Dr. Dan E. Koshland, Jr. and Mr. Dan E. Koshland, Sr., Berkeley, California Incumbent Dr. Eli Arama, Department of Molecular Genetics The Daniel E. Koshland Sr. Career Development Chair Established in 1996 by Professor Daniel E. Koshland Jr. of, Berkeley, California Incumbent Dr. Yoav Soen, Department of Biological Chemistry The Jacob and Alphonse Laniado Career Development Chair of Industrial and Energy Research Established in 1983 by the estate of Jacob Laniado, Montreal The Alvin and Gertrude Levine Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1994 by Alvin and Gertrude Levine, Los Angeles, California Incumbent Dr. Nir Gov, Department of Chemical Physics The Dewey David Stone and Harry Levine Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by the Stone Charitable Foundation, Inc., Shoreham, Massachusetts, Max Coffman, Brockton, Massachusetts and Friends of Mr. Stone and Mr. Levine Incumbent Dr. Milko Van Der Boom, Department of Organic Chemistry The Lilian and George Lyttle Career Development Chair Established in 1985 by Mrs. Helen Kimmelman, New York Incumbent Dr. Koby Levy, Department of Structural Biology Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 385 The Robert Edward and Roselyn Rich Manson Career Development Chair Established in 1982 in their memory, by Norman and Sandra Rich, West Liberty, IA, and Martin and Barbara Rich, Davenport, Iowa Incumbent Dr. Itay Rousso, Department of Structural Biology The Gertrude and Philip Nollman Career Development Chair Established in 1992 by Debra Gallagher, Irvine, California Incumbent Dr. Eldad Tzahor, Department of Biological Regulation The William Z. and Eda Bess Novick Career Development Chair Established in 1993 by the American Committee in honor of Eda Bess and William Z. Novick, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Tal Alexander, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Recanati Career Development Chair of Energy Research Established in 1978 by the Recanati Family, Israel Incumbent Dr. Michael Bendikov, Department of Organic Chemistry The Pauline Recanati Career Development Chair of Immunology Established in 1980 by the Ralli Foundation, Geneva Incumbent Dr. Steffen Jung, Department of Immunology The Recanati Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1978 by the Recanati Family, Israel Incumbent Dr. Ami Navon, Department of Biological Regulation The Joseph and Celia Reskin Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Charles Reskin, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Abraham Zangen, Department of Neurobiology The Louis and Ida Rich Career Development Chair Established in 1982 by Norman Rich, Martin Rich and Roselyn Rich Manson, West Liberty and Davenport, Iowa Incumbent Dr. Yuval Oreg, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Philip Harris and Gerald Ronson Career Development Chair Established in 1986 by Mr. Harris and Mr. Ronson, London Incumbent Dr. Alon Chen, Department of Neurobiology The Aser Rothstein Career Development Chair of Genetic Diseases Established in 1987 by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Toronto and the Dysautonomia Fund of Canada Incumbent Dr. Yitzhak Pilpel, Department of Molecular Genetics The Helena Rubinstein Career Development Chair Established in 1981 by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York Incumbent Dr. Anat Yarden, Department of Science Teaching The Madeleine Haas Russell Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Mrs. Madeleine Haas Russell, San Francisco Incumbent Dr. David Holcman, Department of Mathematics The Martha S. Sagon Career Development Chair Established in 1992 by Martha Sagon, Washington DC Incumbent Dr. Elazar Zelzer, Department of Molecular Genetics The Rowland and Sylvia Schaefer Career Development Chair Established in 1989 by Rowland Schaefer, Miami, Florida 386 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships Incumbent Dr. Hezi Gildor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Soretta and Henry Shapiro Career Development Chair Established in 1992 by Mr. Henry Shapiro, Chicago Incumbent Dr. Eran Segal, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Tauro Career Development Chair in Biomedical Research Established in 1986 by the Tauro Stiftung, Switzerland Incumbent Dr. Gil Levkowitz, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Benjamin H. Swig and Jack D. Weiler Career Development Chair Established in 1988 by Mr. Melvin M. Swig, San Francisco, and Mr. Jack D. Weiler, New−York Incumbent Dr. Ilan Koren, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Staff Fellowships

The Ludo Altenhaus Memorial Fellowship Established in 1976 by bequest of Dr. George Altenhaus, Worcester, Massachusetts The Joseph C. and Esther Foster Research Fellowship Established by the Joseph C. and Esther Foster Foundation, Inc., Boston The Peter R. Friedman Research Fellowship for Physicians Eestablished in memory of Dr. Leon A. Friedman, New York The Meir and Jeanette Friedman Research Fellowship Established by bequest of Mr. Friedman, Forest City, Iowa The Samuel A. Goldsmith Research Fellowship Established in 1968 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Hettie Heineman Research Fellowships Established in 1975 by the Heineman Foundation, New York The Fanny and Samuel Kay Research Fellowship Established in 1972 by James F. Kay and Irving, Jack and Wilfred Posluns, Toronto The Abraham and Sarah Krumbein Fellowship Established in 1971 by Mr. Krumbein, New York The Ann Landers Research Fellowship Established in 1981 by the Chicago Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Michael and Audrey Sacher Research Fellowship Established in 1961 by Mr and Mrs. Sacher, London The Dr. Leopold J. Schwarz and Margarete Schwarz Memorial Cancer Research Fellowship Established in 1961 by bequest of Dr. Schwarz, San Francisco The C.P. Scott Research Fellowship Established in 1959 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sacher, London, in memory of C.P. Scott, editor of the Manchester Guardian The Herbert Sidebotham Research Fellowship Established by the late Harry Sacher, London, in memory of Herbert Sidebotham

Visiting Fellowships Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships 387 The Joseph Brainin Fellowship Established in 1967 by the Meier Segals Foundation, Montreal The Morris Belkin Visiting Professorship Established in 1995 by Mrs. Helen Belkin, Canada The Charpak/Vered Visiting Fellowship Established in 1996 in honor of Dr. Georges Charpak by Sara and Zeev Vered and their friends, Ottawa, for the exchange of Israeli and Canadian Scientists The Federal Republic of Germany Through the Minerva Gesellschaft für die Forschung m.b.H., awards annually a number of fellowships for the exchange of Israeli and German scientists The Heineman Exchange Fellowship Established in 1972 by the Minna James Heineman Stiftung, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany, in memory of Dr. Konrad Adenauer The Institute of Biochemical Research−Fundacion Campomar (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Exchange Fellowships Established in 1985 The Joseph Meyerhoff Visiting Professorship Established in 1979 by the Joseph Meyerhoff Fund, Baltimore The Erna and Jakob Michael Visiting Professorship at the Weizmann Institute of Science Established by Mr. and Mrs. Michael, New York The Michael Sela Exchange Program in Immunology Established by the Mount Sinai Hospital in association with the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Toronto The Dr. Gordon M. Shrum Fund Exchange Fellowship Established in 1981 by the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science The Sieff Research Fellowships Program for Physicians Established in 1986 in honor of Lord Sieff of Brimpton by the American Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science The Rosie and Max Varon Visiting Professorships Established in 1986 by an anonymous U.S. donor and the estate of Dorothy Greif−Valsecchi, Paris The Garfield Weston Visiting Scholar Program Established in 1999 by Mr. Garry H. Weston , London The Weizmann Institute−Evanston Hospital Exchange Fellowships Established in 1980 by Harold L. Perlman, Chicago, and the Ambrose and Gladys Bowyer Foundation, Chicago The Weizmann Institute−Imperial College of Science and Technology Exchange Fellowship Established in 1981 by Marks and Spencer, London The Weizmann Institute−Johns Hopkins University Exchange Fellowships Established in 1982 The Sir Siegmund Warburg Visiting Professorship Established by the Sir Siegmund Warburg−Weizmann Trust, London The Weizmann Institute−University of Wisconsin Exchange Fellowships Established in 1979 by Harold L. Perlman, Chicago. 388 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDC's and Fellowships Various Committees for the Weizmann Institute abroad also provide fellowships from time to time. Research Grants and Projects Office 389

Research Grants and Projects Office

Igal Nevo, Head

The principal aims of the Research Grants and Projects Office (RGP) are:

• Collecting and distributing information on sources of funds, both in Israel and abroad. • Providing guidance, advice, and administrative services to academic staff members in all that concerns the submission of requests for research grants to (external and internal) funding sources. • Negotiating and authorizing the contractual relationship with funding sources. • Monitoring the follow−up and assuring adherence to the timetables of the different sponsored research projects.

During the Academic Year 06/07 Institute researchers were active in over 1,200 research projects, totaling a gross external research income of over $50 million.

Sources of approved funding for research grants were geographically distributed between: Israel (over $20 million), Europe (over $15 million), the USA (over $10 million) and Bi−national and International sources (over $4 million).

The top sources providing external research grant support for research were the Israel Science Foundation, the European Union Framework Programme, research programs originating with the German government as well as research support programs of the Israel Ministry for Science and Technology. 390 Visiting Scientists Office

Visiting Scientists Office

Liza Leibowitz, Head

This office deals with the non−scientific aspects of a researcher's visit to the Institute, especially when the visits last for a prolonged period. Prior to arrival, an informative guide is sent to the future visitor; accommodation, when available, is reserved. Before arrival, visitors are invited to consult detailed information that is available online on matters such as visas, schooling, purchasing or importing of a vehicle, customs, health insurance, public transportation. Visitors are encouraged to contact the office staff, even prior to their arrival, for any additional advice or assistance, which may be required. Help is extended to enable visitors to concentrate on research as much as possible, unhindered by administrative matters.

While on campus, visitors are informed about social and cultural events at the Institute, Jewish Holidays and so forth.

In 2007, the Institute hosted 655 visiting scientists who came from 30 different countries. Visiting Scientists Office 391 392 Visiting Scientists Office Division of Information Systems

Yigal Burstein

Senior Advisor to the President on Information Systems

The Division of Information Systems, located in the new Dr. Karl and Leila Ribstein Center for Information Technology, provides networking, communications, data processing, library and internet services to Institute scientists, students and administrators. It oversees the smooth implementation of an integrated computing environment, as well as maintaining the infrastructure upon which these information technology services are delivered. The role of fast communication (data, voice and picture) facilities is constantly expanding, with ever−increasing demand for easy multi−platform access, to facilitate the retrieval and free flow of continually updated information.

The Division consists of five related departments:

• the Computing Center • the Libraries • the Department of Data Processing • the Internet Services Unit • the Telecommunication Services Unit

The homepage of the Division of Information Systems is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/infsys_home.html

The Computing Center (WICC) Aviva Greenman, Head

The Weizmann Institute Computing Center strives to provide an advanced and efficient communications and computing environment for the Institute's faculty, students and staff. The Institute is a member of the Inter University Computing Center, (IUCC) popularly known by its Hebrew Acronym MACHBA http://www.machba.ac.il. The eight member universities share technology and services, to the benefit of all. From the smallest personal computer to powerful multi−processor servers, WICC supports and facilitates the campus computing and communications infrastructure, together with providing the network−intensive applications necessary for the pursuit and advancement of science at the Weizmann Institute.

Fully backed−up Open Enterprise Server, Linux, Unix and Macintosh file and print systems are now available for the thousands of personal computers at the Institute. Support is provided for approximately 4000 personal computers running Windows, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems. Currently, about 60 new personal computers are installed on campus 394 Division of Information Systems each month. WICC continues to make an IBM mainframe available for administrative data processing, although it is being phased out.

During the last year we initiated several major projects and integrated new technologies into our system:

• The upgrade to the communications infrastructure began in March 2006, and was completed toward the end of the year. The old ATM backbone was replaced by a fully redundant 10 Gb network in the core and in the main buildings, and we now allow a dedicated 1 Gb bandwidth to every workstation on campus. The new network is based on state−of−the−art networking technologies, and enables complete integration of the security policies of the campus. The entire Weizmann network, starting at our connection to the Machba network and including almost the entire remaining network, is fully redundant. • The UNIX Group oversaw the implementation, integration and administration of HPC (high−performance clusters) in various scientific departments. The DAPSAS (DNA sequence) server was upgraded from Compaq Tru64 to a Linux 64−bit 4 CPU server with 20 terabytes of storage. NAGIOS and Ganglia management systems were implemented to ease the monitoring of this scientific cluster. In the Mathematics department an SGI cluster with 80 cores was also added. • The UNIX Group integrated the Tripwire security tool on critical servers, (Oracle servers, mail servers, library servers, web servers) which provides auditing and control by detecting changes across the IT infrastructure. • The Uptime health−checking and resource utilization tool was implemented on critical servers in the Computing Center and Mathematics department. • The Tivoli Storage Management backup system was upgraded and now runs on Linux servers. The backup procedure has been enhanced to allow faster processing by storing backed−up data on both disks and on faster and higher capacity LTO4 tapes. • The UNIX group also created a dedicated High Performance Cluster based on Linux servers at WICC. Scientists are invited to add their own servers to that cluster so that all the computing resources of the High Performance Cluster can be shared. In this way we can achieve the best performance from the computing resources. Job management of the cluster is based on SGE (Sun Grid Engine) job management technology. • The UNIX Group implemented Oracle Collaboration Suite as the new mail server platform to replace our old mail servers. As of the end of 2007 there are about 1000 registered users in Oracle Collaboration Suite. Email migration of the rest of Weizmann community is continuing. The NotifyLink mobile server was installed to provide wireless access and management of Email, Calendar, Contacts and Tasks. • The security system for the Institute network continues to be upgraded with the latest available technologies. We have improved and expanded our Firewall and Intrusion Detection and prevention systems. We have enhanced our state of the art anti−virus/anti−spam system, which monitors and filters all incoming mail and have added several new levels of anti−spam protection. We continue to improve our security systems, balanced by scientific needs. We continue to add new technologies Division of Information Systems 395 to protect our network and resources. We also have completed the implementation of full high availability for all the security systems. This will insure continuous operation of all the systems and will minimize, if not totally eliminate, maintenance downtimes. • We continue to support the recent releases of the Macintosh OS X operating system, including OSX 10.5, as well as the new Intel Macintosh platform. All new machines come with our supported software installed. We support several solutions for Windows on the Macintosh and are developing a more rigorous backup system for the Macintosh. At this point, the Macintosh OSX system is widely used and supported in the Institute, although we continue to support the older system as needed. • The HP EVA 5000 Storage Array was replaced by an EMC CX3−40 Storage Array, and all the data stored on the HP storage was moved to the EMC system. This was a coordinated effort involved migrating data from servers running AIX, Linux, Solaris and Windows operating systems. The Storage Area Network infrastructure was upgraded by replacing the two 32−port Brocade Fibre Channel switches with a 144−port Cisco 9509 Storage Director. • The Meta−Directory has been expanded to manage and synchronize the identities of our users on a wide range of systems, including the new eTafnit ERP system and the new Biological Services DAPSAS server. • Another directory connected to the meta−directory contains the contact information for all staff members. This is used by the Internet Services Unit for its own purposes. This contact information can also be accessed by a convenient application at http://uinfo.weizmann.ac.il. • On an ongoing basis, we continue to update the CD ROMs (containing our supported software) that we prepare and distribute to our authorized PC dealers. The dealers use these CD ROMs to install our computing environment on PCs they sell to the Institute. These PCs are then delivered directly to the end user, ready to be hooked up to our network. Our supported software can also be installed from a menu on PCs which is already connected to our campus network. This is enabled by a product called Zen for Desktops. Today we keep images of most of the standard PCs supported by the Computing Center and, instead of installing or re−installing Windows on user PCs from Microsoft distribution CDs, we re−image them via the network. In most cases, in 6−8 minutes we have a new copy of Windows up and running. • Administrative PCs: For 2007, the Weizmann Institute again selected a single PC and a single dealer for administrative PCs for the period of one year. Not only did standardizing on a single PC allow us to negotiate a fair price with the vendor, it also led to increased satisfaction from the user standpoint and labor savings from the standpoint of the Computing Center. From our standpoint, standardizing on a single administrative PC allows us to utilize a standard "image" for the PC. If, at any time, there is a problem with the current copy of the system on the computer, we can ask the user to restart the computer and a fresh copy of the system will be downloaded over the network. • Similarly we have selected a new, up−to−date hardware configuration for PCs which should satisfy the needs of most scientific departments. 396 Division of Information Systems • We have upgraded our range of supported Windows software, not only to improve service or security but also in preparation for supporting Windows Vista. We also plan to make needed changes in our server infrastructure to support Vista. We are tracking adoption of Vista by like institutions and plan to support it in the coming year. • The tape backup library has been expanded; today a single backup library holds all the backed−up data of the Institute (with copies of the data kept outside of the Computing Center). In 2008, we plan to set up a Disaster Recovery site at Ben Gurion University. We have purchased an additional EMC CX3−20 storage array, servers and fiber channel switches and are setting up this DRP system initially in the Computing Center.

The home page of the Computing Center is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/CC/

The Libraries Ilana Pollack, Chief Librarian

The Libraries are responsible for acquiring, collecting, processing, distributing, and storing all printed material (books, journals, patents, articles, etc.) needed by the Institute faculty and staff, as well as for purchasing, licensing, implementing, maintaining, and ensuring online access to digital resources such as electronic journals/series, databases, etc. The Library staff provides users with up−to−date techniques for locating and using library material for searching the Library's online catalog, supports the Institute's personnel with sophisticated use of online electronic resources as well as performs intermediated scientific literature searches upon request.

The Libraries are comprised of approximately 245,000 books and bound volumes of periodicals, 261 current periodical subscriptions in printed form or in combined printed and electronic form, several electronic databases, and access to aggregators of electronic collections. We also maintain a constantly growing collection of several thousands electronic journals. A considerable portion of the electronic journals' and databases' collection is a result of MALMAD* consortium agreements.

The Institute's Archives, housed in the Wix Library building, document the history of the Weizmann Institute and its scientific, educational, and cultural contributions to the world of scientific endeavor, from its beginnings to the present day.

Innovations during the past year include the following achievements:

• The library Backfiles collection is "going digital". This year the Institute's management allocated a special budget for a one−time purchase of electronic archival collections of scientific journals, with perpetual access rights. To achieve this end we were involved in fruitful negotiations with several publishers or vendors, occasionally in conjunction with the Israeli university libraries' consortium (MALMAD). ROI considerations have been part of our purchase decisions. As a result, several electronic journal archives have already been purchased. Division of Information Systems 397 • The electronic journal titles of the purchased archival collections, as well as their coverage years, have been incorporated into our Electronic Journals Management System (TDnet). The Library's staff is still busy with the ongoing process of updating the data and coverage years also in OPAC (our Library Catalog). • During the year, we enhanced the Electronic Journals Management System (TDNet) by: ♦ Inserting a JCR image to allow immediate connection to the specific journal's Impact Factor. ♦ Adding to the system's main page the Self Archiving Policy link and additional links for searching electronic journals (our Library Catalog, as well as the ULE −Israel Union List of Electronic journals). • Several electronic book packages containing several thousands of books were also purchased this year. A new Electronic Book Management System was developed similar to the Electronic Journals Management System, enabling simple and user−friendly searches for e−books according to titles (in addition to just searching the Publishers' homepages). We have added the e−books search option link to: ♦ The Electronic Journals Management System's main page, as a separate option, and as a combination with the journals' search. The e−books' titles are accompanied by a book image icon to differentiate them from those of journals. ♦ Our E−books' webpage, with a direct link to the Electronic Books Management System. • The e−books publishers have also provided us with MARC format records in order to enable us to upload the electronic book files to our OPAC. This allows searching according to all parameters (not just by title) i.e., author, title, keyword, publisher, etc. The staff is doing its utmost to improve the catalog data display of the uploaded records. We are carefully checking the uploaded records that are being gradually incorporated into the system, as this innovative process requires many complex tests. • The library Internal Services module was expanded to include the new service for purchase of book/series and journals from departments' budgets and projects. Suitable forms were prepared with the assistance of the Data Processing Unit. Since June, the forms continue to arrive at the Library for further processing. • We have been notified that the Library Headquarters offices and the thousands of bound archive journal volumes currently located at the Wix Central Library building will be relocated. In September 2007, the major portion of the main hall's collection was transferred to a temporary inaccessible storage on campus, while a small part was transferred to the Faculty Libraries. All Library staff (including temporary staff and using overtime hours) participated in the planning, checking, measuring, marking, and supervising the collections' physical transfer. The computerized systems were then updated to reflect the new location of the transferred journal and book titles. The staff is currently doing its utmost to provide the required material from external resources. • The Libraries staff, with the help of temporary staff, has been engaged in ongoing projects concerning the remaining Wix Library collections, which include checking 398 Division of Information Systems each of the journal titles and book collections, according to professional criteria, as to their future fate. • A selected team has been engaged in constructing a new Libraries web site, while emphasizing a new modern concept, contents and graphics. The Institute's Internet Services Unit is constructing the web's graphic design. The new site is under construction. • A new tool for managing and processing references, REFWORKS (in addition to EndNote), has been purchased, and added to our website, to help scientists and students organize their bibliographies. • Aleph 500 version 18, the new library managing system version has been installed by Ex−Libris and the Computer Center's UNIX group on a newly purchased server. We are still involved in the process of converting the files from the previous version. • The Institute's Archives has transferred thousands of document archival boxes of several Institute departments to an external archival storage. This project entailed meticulous preparatory work, setting criteria for weeding and transfer, preparing inventory lists, writing procedures, and reorganization at the Institute's Archives' premises.

The home page of the Libraries is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/WIS−library/home.htm

The Department of Data Processing Rachel Kazmirsky, Head

The Department of Data Processing is responsible for the development and maintenance of data systems for the use of Institute scientists and administrators. All systems have been, and are currently being, developed in accordance with the Internet/Intranet technology, in which a client−user is connected to an Internet web server via multi−platform−compatible web browser software. In such an environment the client is not bound by any specific desktop platform, and can communicate freely with any international Internet or local Intranet site. Within this structure, Oracle Development Tools serves as the department's vehicle for all current and new systems.

In the past year we have been engaged in the following projects:

• The entire financial and logistics systems computer applications, which until now had been programmed by Sapiens and maintained by Data Processing, were transferred to eTafnit, a product of Matrix, who will be supporting the application. As a result of this migration, the Institute's mainframe computer is being phased out. • The extremely successful Internal Services project, which has been running smoothly in production for over nine years, is constantly being upgraded and expanded. This web−enabled system, which monitors all in−house transfer of goods and services, has had a campus−wide impact on internal campus communication. Its current roster of approximately one hundred services provides an on−line catalogue of items available from various Institute departments (providers), and a user−friendly interface for placing, processing, and tracking internal orders. Most importantly, the Division of Information Systems 399 system automatically debits and credits the department budgets or projects for these transactions. New services added to the system during the past year include: ♦ Book purchase, ♦ Immuno Histochemistry− antibodies, ♦ Journal/Series Purchase, ♦ Laser Capture Microscope, ♦ Peptide Synthesis, ♦ RNAi Project. • The Oracle ERP Applications−based Human Resources software package has been in production for seven years, and the system has been instrumental in centralizing all of the human resources information and activities of the Institute, as well as providing, at long last, a single updated source of tabular information to be accessed by the entire campus. The Oracle Human Resources module serves as the single source of information for most of the Institute's online services, including LDAP, Internal Services, Feinberg Graduate School, and the future Portal−designed web sites. For the first time, department administrators are able to access the application and produce reports on their own which include all relevant information about their department members. In addition, the Safety and Environmental Compliance Unit can now also access relevant information in order to maintain the highest standards of safety on campus.

Additional modules and reports, which help systematize the Institute's organizational structure, are added regularly according to requests by the Division of Human Resources. At this point the HR data base serves as a basis for campus−wide salary computations, the creation of individual employee information files, individually authorized entrance to campus buildings, and many other procedures that had been performed manually until now. The system also enables total internet web−based interfacing with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat and other widely−used applications.

The integration the Academic Affairs Office into the larger Oracle data base has been completed. This new, comprehensive system monitors all administrative aspects of the scientific community, including sabbaticals, appointments, and organizational structure. Improvements and additions are implemented upon request. • The Feinberg Graduate School (FGS) system, which has successfully been in production for almost seven years, enables students to register for laboratory time according to availability, to view their grade scores on−line via the web, to register on line for equipment and rooms, on−line registration for rotations and post−docs, course evaluation and scheduling, and an improved archive of graduate students. In order for students to view their grades, they must first award a grade to the lecturer of the course, and to the course itself. A complete menu of on−line interaction among students, lecturers, and the administration includes the automatic production of student cards, on−line questionnaires, a dynamic exchange and updating of grant reports, and the tracking of student and alumni awards. 400 Division of Information Systems A new service, PAC (Ph.D. Approval Committee) has been added to the system to assist the committee which awards Ph.D. degrees. It includes information on the committee members, dates and scheduling, candidate status, and oversees the smooth passage of all relevant forms and evaluations.

Other recent enhancements include improved logistical options and flexibility for the FGS staff, computerized systems for student and lecturers' salaries and student attendance, complete computerization of admissions procedures, early registration for exams, a grant system for outstanding women scientists, a follow−up system for Feinberg graduates (coordinated with the Ministry of the Interior), an improved travel system for students, registration of visiting students, automatic production of reports, and a greatly improved group email system which allows for sending announcements/instructions/reminders/reports to specific population groups as needed. • A new system for the Davidson Institute of Science Education has been developed, which monitors the continuing education programs, attendance of teachers as well as the general population, professional counselors and general programming at the Institute. The system also produces reports which are targeted for specific sectors of the education profession. • In addition, the department maintains important systems whose development is complete. These include: ♦ LIMS − Laboratory Information Management System, requested by the new Israel Structural Proteomics Center housed on the Weizmann campus and run by Weizmann scientists. Researchers submit targets (DNA or purified protein) for cloning and expression of the target genes and purification, crystallization and 3D structure determination of the target proteins. The new system tracks all of the scientific stages along the way: from primers, PCR experimentation, cloning, mini−prep, expression, production and purification, to crystallization and 3D structure. ♦ Total Computerization of the Mathematics Library: loans and returns, inventory control, overdue fines and reports. ♦ Administrative Assemblies Management System for the Department of Resource Development: enables group visitor tracking, flight information, tours and events scheduling, nametags, place cards, and all other aspects of important group assemblies at the Institute. ♦ The system for the Visiting Scientists Office, which monitors the many details associated with visitor housing and tenure. ♦ A touch−screen system for the Levinson Visitors' Center that funnels information automatically to the Department of Resource Development. ♦ The Telephones Financial Management system. ♦ The young@science system, which monitors after−school science activities offered by the Institute to Rehovot children. A new addition to this system manages a multifaceted program of organized school outings to the Clore Science Park. The same system also manages all activities in the Garden of Science. Division of Information Systems 401 ♦ The IACUC (International Animal Care and Use Committee) system, which enables scientists to submit applications for veterinary resources via the Internet, replacing the previous email/telephone system. This is one of the department's most successful smaller systems, and since it went into production in November of 2002, a wide array of new features is added every year. ♦ The system to monitor the working hours of the private Security Service the Institute has employed. ♦ A Safety Services system, which monitors reports submitted by Heads of Research Groups about the levels of their biological, chemical and radiations hazards/data, student exposure, and vaccinations. ♦ The transportation system, which enables the ordering of transportation services and movement of goods via the campus Intranet. ♦ A Lab Manager system (an html product, using Oracle APEX), for management of materials and orders for labs at Weizmann. This product in currently in production at fourteen different laboratories. ♦ A management system for controlling the schedule of the Wix and Ebner auditoriums.

Data Processing is moving steadily toward its goal of a completely web−enabled environment, using a variety of cutting−edge tools to build the most integrated applications possible.

The Home Page of the Department of Data Processing is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/DP/

The Internet Services Unit Malka Cymbalista, Head

Since its inception in 1999, the Internet Services Unit has played an integral role in the Division's principal goal of improved communications and the dissemination of information. While the Internet Services unit maintains the Institute's central web servers, its primary function is the creation of departmental web sites, as well as individually customized applications.

As the focus of web sites has shifted from static web pages to dynamic interactive ones, the unit has made great progress in this area. Together with the division's Computing Center and Data Processing Unit, Internet Services is concentrating on integrating the Human Resources database with the dynamic resources of the web, making even the smallest change in the data immediately visible and retrievable via the Internet. In the last year, Photos of Weizmann Personnel has been added as a new resource available on the web.

The Internet Services unit is continuing to rewrite applications so that all HR data is retrieved from the LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server, which has been designated as the sole source of all Human Resources data at Weizmann. This ensures that all Human Resources data at Weizmann originates from the same source and is therefore totally uniform. 402 Division of Information Systems • The unit continues to create web sites for any scientist who is interested in this service. These sites are created in a way that allows the scientists themselves (or their students) to easily update their data, and to take real advantage of the web's capabilities. We have built automatic systems for a picture gallery, for a group calendar and for group announcements. In addition, there is now a simple way to upload files and display information about presentations, which are given by group members at group meetings. • During the past year, the Internet Services Unit has written applications for several conferences that allow abstract submission via the web. Since the abstracts are submitted electronically, it becomes a simple task to create a book of all the abstracts, which can either remain on line or be printed. • At the request of the Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs, the Internet Unit has created an on−line system to manage the Minerva−Weizmann Projects program. Information about the projects is displayed on line, enabling young German researchers who are interested in coming to Weizmann to learn more about working with the scientists involved in the project. • The Internet Unit has created an on−line system for room reservations for the Department of Biological Chemistry, making it easy to see which rooms are available and schedule events accordingly.

These new projects join the highly successful on−line Directory, the Integrated Calendar, the Email Distribution System and the Interactive Campus Map as important steps toward making the Weizmann web site a dynamic reflection of a particularly multi−faceted campus.

Because the Weizmann web site is often the initial contact between the Institute and the outside world, the Internet Services unit has an important role to play in terms of public relations, as well as its official role as a disseminator of information. By managing a continually evolving web site, ensuring the rapid flow of up−to−date information via a professional and efficient interface, the unit helps the Institute put its best face forward at all times.

The home page of the Internet Services Unit is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/IU/

The Telecommunications Services Unit Achicam Rosen, Head

The Telecommunications Services unit provides and maintains all telephone communications on the Institute campus.

The hub of its activity is the central switchboard installation, managed by four operators and one supervisor. The switchboard is a "Coral" product of Tadiran, supporting over 3,000 extensions throughout the campus. It has been recently upgraded to version 15, allowing for IP−telephony and Softphone. The Telephone Communications Services unit is responsible for the smooth functioning, maintenance, and (the constant) transfer of these lines, as well as the addition of new extensions as needed. Division of Information Systems 403 The unit works closely with Bezeq, and is also responsible for implementing the infrastructure necessary for remote (off−campus) connections to the Institute's computer network, such as ISDN and fast Internet ADSL lines. This includes international connections as well, in conjunction with the various Israeli international telephone service providers. International telephone service is provided either directly, or via an international calling card.

The unit oversees and maintains all cellular telephone activity on campus, together with the local cellular service providers. To date, there are over 300 cellular phones under the management of the Telecommunications Services unit.

We have completed a comprehensive mapping of all the telephone cables on campus, radiating from the central switchboard to every single structure with a telephone. This information is an invaluable tool in maintaining the smooth running of the Institute's extensive telephone system, and enables the most efficient use of this cable network when installing new phones.

The unit works tirelessly to provide and maintain the most efficient service possible in all areas of communication on the Institute campus that pertain to telephones.

The home page of the Telecommunications Services Unit is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/telecomm/ http://www.weizmann.ac.il/homepage/pages/infsys_home.html

Research Staff

Professor Emeritus

Yigal Burstein1, Ph.D., The Weizmann Institute of Science

Senior Staff Scientist

Morton F. Taragin, Ph.D., George Washington University, Washington, United States

Engineers

Aviva Greenman, M.Sc., The Weizmann Institute of Science Shlomit Afgin, B.Sc., Ben−Gurion University of the Negev Camille Botaz, M.Sc., University of Bucharest, Romania Yehezkel Bialik, B.Sc., Yeshiva University Stephen Druck, B.A., Cornell University 404 Division of Information Systems Issak Kopp, M.Sc., Novocherkassk Polytechnic Institute Boris Lourie, Ph.D., The Weizmann Institute of Science Iris Mersel, M.Sc., Tomsk University, Tomsk, and M.Sc., Moscow University, Moscow Jerry Mersel, B.Sc., Hunter College, NY

1Department of Organic Chemistry Division of Information Systems 405 406 Division of Information Systems Division of Logistics and Research Services

Asher Bar−on, Head

The division consists of highly skilled technicians and engineers, grouped into professional working units.

The division provides support to the Weizmann Institute's research program, based on an inter−departmental charging system. The division is also in charge of the Security and Fire Department of the Institute.

Precision Instrument and Engineering Workshop Avi Einhorn, Head

The workshop consists of a group of highly skilled technicians able to construct laboratory equipment from a wide range of materials. The workshop’s machinery is designed to accommodate the demands of modern research laboratories, lathes, milling machines, sanders, drills and all other necessary equipment.

2006 marked a special year for this workshop. We purchased a number of new lathes and milling machines which will enable us to work more efficiently and precisely. These machines are replacing older and worn out machines.

Other facilities used by this workshop and the Physics Instrumentation Workshop are: raw material warehouse, CNC milling machine, welding shop, sheet metal shop and a small tinker shop allowing scientists and students to do some of their own work under the supervision of an experienced technician.

The design of the instruments is drawn up either by the scientist/student working in conjunction with the technicians or through the Instruments Design Unit using advanced CAD/CAM technologies.

The workshop produces and stocks a large range of Perspex appliances mainly for the use of the Biology faculties.

Instrument Design Unit Benny Pasmantirer, Head

The Instrument Design Unit, a team of skilled engineers, designs prototypes of versatile laboratory instruments according to specific research needs. Innovative solutions to technical problems that arose during the design process are worked out by the team in conjunction with the requesting scientist. 408 Division of Logistics and Research Services

The design process is implemented using parametric software, which simulates the assembly as a solid on the screen, allowing quick changes until the final product is realized.

The team accompanies the manufacturing process of the prototype from the workshops of the Weizmann Institute (Precision Instrument and Engineering Workshop and Instrumentation Workshop, Physics) through its installation and finally to its successful operation in the laboratory.

Physics Instrumentation Workshop Shlomo Asayag, Head

This unit's vast capabilities and experience enable it to produce custom made instruments for all the research laboratories in the Institute.

Available to the skilled technicians are lathes and milling machines that allow high precision metalwork in the range of 1mm−2000mm. The workshop is fully equipped with drills, sanders, guillotines and all other necessary equipment needed to produce instruments of such high precision and quality.

Here too we revamped this year old machines with new more accurate and easier to use ones.

Our technicians are able to produce equipment from plans drawn up after meetings and discussions with scientists or students. The Instruments Design Unit using CAD/CAM programs is available as well to the facility for the creation of technical plans for scientific instruments to be produced in the workshop.

Scientific Glassblowing Unit Yossi Novema, Head

Provides services for scientific research in the campus including advice and design of special glassware.

Creation and modification of pyrex and quartz glass laboratory instruments.

Scientific Instruments Maintenance Oded Sharabi, Head

This unit specializes in the repair and maintenance of laboratory equipment. The unit is divided into two main sections: centrifuges and small lab equipment. The centrifuge team repairs and maintains all types of centrifuges in the Institute: floor, tabletop, cooled, ultra etc. They also repair lyophilizes.

Small lab equipment such as Pipetman/ Pipetaid, stirrers, mechanical balances, hot plates, shakers and electrophoresis cells are repaired and revamped by the small lab equipment team. Division of Logistics and Research Services 409

Warehouses Unit Israel Lerner, Head

This year we recruited a young and dynamic manager for the warehouses unit. He comes with vast experience and so far has proved himself a man of action, changes and great capabilities.

We recently merged the chemical warehouse and general warehouse into one unit. This combination has already cut down on administrative staff and allowed us to utilize the vast experience of the warehouses staff to build an efficient warehouse system by which we expect to be able to serve our customers even better. In the coming year we will be inaugurating the new logistics system which is part of the large scale upgrade presently underway at the Institute. This system will allow us to manage the warehouses much more efficiently.

In both warehouses we have cut back on stock with small turnover and have moved certain items to specific departments that only they order. Cleaning items are now managed by the cleaning department, technical items used only by the technical department have been transferred to the technical department's warehouse. Office supplies which for the past year have been successfully outsourced through the internet have also been removed from the warehouses. In this way we have streamlined our services enabling us to concentrate on service, price and quality.

We are continuing our policy of updating our stock allowing us to keep up with the ever−changing demands of modern research.

Moving Services Ehud Idan, Head

This service is responsible for all handling and moving all goods within the campus, from the campus and to the campus. Besides regular distribution of items/requests from the different warehouses to the Institute departments, this team has vast experience in moving delicate/heavy/bulky equipment, (e.g. centrifuges, hoods, freezers, optical tables) from place to place.

The unit is also responsible for cleaning out basements, labs and offices and often makes use of special cranes and handling equipment.

At the disposal of the unit are three medium sized trucks with loading ramps, a forklift and numerous carts of different types and sizes.

A limited amount of storage space is available, which can be used by special request. 410 Division of Logistics and Research Services

Photography Laboratories Shalom Nidam, Head

Documentation of experiments, often live, at Institute laboratories, professional photography, developing and processing of photographs.

Video − shooting and editing. Digital photography, screening of photos, computerized photo processing and producing CD ROM discs. We recently purchased a digital video camera and digital editing equipment, which increased our support capabilities for the scientific staff.

Recently an advanced archiving program was purchased allowing us to digitally archive the tens of thousands of historic and important photos we have collected over the years. We also purchased an advanced scanner enabling us to rapidly scan documents like those in the Weizmann archives in preparation for their transfer to the new archive program.

Publishing, Duplication and Printing Unit Natan Kronenberg, Head

Printing, duplication and publishing all scientific work produced at the Institute, assisting in the preparation of materials for various forms as well as large format posters of scientific publications and presentations using new advanced digital duplicating machines for color prints.

Educational booklets and flyers of various types are also produced for many departments especially The Davidson Institute of Science Education and young@science.

Graphics Department Haya Yoskovitch, Head

From the initial idea to the final product

The Graphics Department at the Weizmann Institute of Science, housed in the Goldsmith−Maltz Building, was established in 1975 to supply the graphic requirements of all the scientists, technical workers and administrative staff.

From a nucleus of two, using pencils, rulers, letter−sets, rapidographs and similar old−fashioned equipment, we have now grown to a very respectable staff of ten.

Sharing our knowledge is important; whether it be through volunteering our educational services to the Institute retirees, or one−on−ones and small group instruction for specific programs. Special workshops, (such as Adobe Acrobat) offering basic information needed by the majority of our scientists, students and staff, are also organized.

Using updated multimedia technology, powerful computers, scanners, high−quality printers, Division of Logistics and Research Services 411 digital recorders, video cameras, and the latest computer programs available on the market; we provide state of the art designs according to the specifications and requirements of our clientele. This year we continued investing in more powerful computers for graphics allowing us to keep up with the continual advance of graphics programs.

Security Department Moshe Gat, Head

The Security Department is in charge of all internal security, including fire alarm systems, fire−extinguishing equipment and security alarm systems. They are also involved in assisting social events at the Institute. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/RSD/

Engineers and Laboratories Staff

Asher Bar−on, MSM, Boston University and Ben−Gurion University of the Negev, Beer−Sheva Israel Lerner, B.Sc. Shenkar College, Tel−Aviv Lilia Goffer, M.Sc., Polytechnic Institute, Chelabinsk Rafael Michaeli, B.Sc., Open University, Tel−Aviv Benjamin Pasmantirer, B.Sc., Tel Aviv University, Tel−Aviv Gedalia Perlman, M.Sc., Polytechnical University, Leningrad 412 Division of Logistics and Research Services The Amos de−Shalit Foundation

Haim Harari, Chairman The Annenberg Professor of High Energy Physics

The Foundation bearing the name of Amos de−Shalit was formally established in 1974 on the fifth anniversary of his death. A living memorial to the founder and first head of the Weizmann Institute's Department of Nuclear Physics, and later of its Department of Science Teaching, the Foundation's main goal is to foster an increased awareness of the role of science among young Israelis.

This year's activities included:

The Annual Amos de−Shalit Science Workshop − This intensive on−campus residential two−week summer program, organized by the Young@Science Department, is for the best, most outstanding Israeli high−school students. Participants work in actual research laboratories, two or three in a laboratory with a mentor. The Foundation grants scholarships to selected students in this program.

The Amos de−Shalit Popular Science Lectures − A series of three lectures by prominent Weizmann Institute scientists open to the public was organized by the Young@Science Department − 600 people participated, mostly high school students.

The Amos de−Shalit Prize for Excellence in the Teaching of Physics − To motivate teachers, a prize in physics was established in the name of Amos de−Shalit. The 2007 prize was not yet awarded.

The Annual Amos de−Shalit Summer School in Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences − The Institute's Amos de−Shalit Foundation offers annual summer schools in physics, chemistry and life sciences for outstanding undergraduate students studying at Israeli universities entering their third year of studies: This year a one−week program was held for students in the life sciences and a two−week program for students in physics and chemistry. Forty six students participated.

Science Festival: The Foundation sponsored two activities within the framework of the Festival (1) a panel discussion by prominent Weizmann Institute professors. This year's topic, "Small is Beautiful," addressed nanotechnology −− from nanoelectronics to nanobiotechnology. It attracted an audience of about 300. (2) The "Three−Minute Science" competition, held in conjunction with the British Council, in which students from the Feinberg Graduate School competed to give concise and captivating presentations on scientific topics. This attracted an audience of 650. 414 The Amos de−Shalit Foundation The Davidson Institute for Science Education

Haim Harari, Chairman of the Board The Annenberg Professor of High Energy Physics

Yehuda Ben−Hur, Ph.D., Managing Director

The Davidson Institute of Science Education aspires to nurture the scientific, mathematical, and technological education of students, teachers, and the public at large, in Israel and abroad. The Davidson Institute is located on the campus of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot. It was established in November 2001, with a large endowment gift from William Davidson from Detroit.

The Davidson Institute is a direct continuation and an expansion of the Weizmann Institute's activities in the field of science education, initiated in the early 1960's by the late Professor Amos De Shalit. It complements the research, curriculum development and preparation of teaching materials performed at the Department of Science Teaching.

The Davidson Institute of Science Education is committed to promoting the science education and literacy for teachers, students and the general public on both national and international levels. Institute's various programs are structured according to centers and projects that specialize in different aspects of science, technology, and mathematics education. Many of these activities are conducted in cooperation with the Department of Science Teaching and under its academic supervision.

The Davidson Institute's small campus, within the Weizmann institute, houses a number of educational units, including the National Headquarters of PERACH (Tutorial Project), three National Teachers' Centers (the National Teachers' Centers for Physics, Computer Science and the National Teachers' Center for Science and Technology), the Center for Developing Teaching Staffs (Pisgah) of Rehovot, and the unit for producing and publishing learning materials in science, technology, and mathematics.

The Davidson Institute has considerably broadened its activities during the academic year of 2007. Existing projects have been expanded and several new projects were initiated: Chais Family School of Contemporary Science opened its gates to outstanding and particularly interested high school students, thanks to the generous donation of the Chais Family. The CAMP project for youth at risk has been adapted for underachieving students at junior high school level and now stands alone as KAMATZ program. At the same time, the number of participants in other various activities has been constantly increasing.

The Davidson Institute is designed to become the umbrella institution of all the educational "field activities" of the Weizmann Institute. It is planned to merge with the Clore garden of 416 The Davidson Institute for Science Education science, the National Headquarters of PERACH (Tutorial Project) and Young@Science, which will all become an integral part of the larger Davidson Institute of Science Education − an educational division of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Teachers' Professional Development

The Center for Teachers' Training and professional development in Science, Technology, and Mathematics Head of program: Dr. Miri Kesner

The Teachers' Training Center promotes scientific, technological, and mathematical education in schools ranging in student age from kindergarten to high school. A variety of in−service training courses for teachers are conducted in order to encourage successful implementation of curricular materials, integration of innovative teaching methods and learning strategies, and enrichment of the learning environment. A wide range of annual and summer teacher courses are offered in addition to workshops, conferences, and one−day meetings, during the academic year.

During the school year 2006−2007 around 80 in−service training courses and 10 one−day conferences were offered, in which more than 4000 teachers participated. Most of the courses take place at the Davidson Institute of Science Education campus, although some are conducted in schools or in other regions of the country. The Center's activities are being monitored by a steering committee, which brings together science education experts from the Davidson Institute and the Department of Science teaching at the WIS, and delegates from Ministry of Education.

Some of the Center's programs are as follows:

Brain research, substances, drugs and addiction − Science Education The project offers in−service training courses and conferences for teachers on brain research and the effects of substances such as drugs and medications on humans. The courses and conferences present current scientific knowledge about the brain, drug use and addiction, and support the design of activities aimed at improving teachers' and students' knowledge regarding this subject. These special activities are then incorporated into school life through learning activities, prevention programs, or special−topic days.

The Center for Integrating Out−of−School Learning into the School Curriculum The center develops instructional materials, guides science teaching staffs, and supports schools, with the goal of integrating out−of−school learning environments into the school curriculum. One national teacher's conference which included plenary lectures, workshops, and poster session was organized in 2007, with the participation of 200 teachers. In addition, the center provided support programs for two elementary schools that implement out−of−school environments and conducted 2 courses for kindergarten and elementary schools teachers. The Davidson Institute for Science Education 417 "SHLAV1": A project for the Advancement of Low Achievers in Mathematics The SHLAV project for advancing low achievers in mathematics at the secondary school level aims at improving the quality of mathematics teaching in low−track mathematics classes. Quality teaching is viewed as the key for increasing the number of students who pass the Matriculation Exam in mathematics, especially in the peripheral and low−income areas of Israel, and for promoting equity in the mathematical education offered to Israeli students.

During 2007 the SHLAV project has shifted from a pilot phase to an extended mode of work. It is currently being carried out in ten secondary schools.

Program for Promoting Excellence in Science Education In order to address the special needs of outstanding students, and to give priority to the issue of excellence in the school system, a group of leading junior high−school science teachers from around the country − "promoters of excellence" − is being trained over a 2−years period. During the 2007 academic year, the second "promoters of excellence" training course ended. Teachers graduating this training in December 2007 are planned to be integrated in schools during 2007/8 academic year. The third course has recently started its first year, and this time it includes both science and mathematics teachers.

Conferences The Davidson Institute hosts numerous conferences and seminars for thousands of science and mathematics teachers as well as for other educators. These events include, among others, conferences for middle school teachers, organized by the National Teachers Center of Science and Technology and conferences for high−school teachers in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, organized by the relevant National Teachers' Centers. In addition, two special days for all teachers from Rehovot region were organized during 2006−7, with the cooperation of Rehovot's Pisga center. Central themes of these events were issues of "Science in Society", such as 'Food in modern times and its influence on human health' and 'Different approaches to human health'.

Formal Science and Mathematics Education

This area of activities addresses students at the secondary school level, as an integral part of their formal science and mathematics school curricula.

"NECHMAD2"− Advanced laboratory research activities for high−school students Head of program: Dr. Hannah Margel

The Center for Inquiry Labs (NECHMAD) was established in order to enable high−school teachers and students to conduct modern and advanced inquiry experiments in science on topics connected to their respective curricula and with the use of state−of−the art equipment. The Center trains high−school science teachers to carry out these experiments through active experience. The teachers are then invited to conduct these experiments with their students at the Davidson Institute's laboratories. 418 The Davidson Institute for Science Education This year, the Center successfully performed various experiments and programs in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences.

During 2006/2007 school year, NECHMAD program hosted nearly 114 schools from all over the country, e.g. 160 teachers, 360 classes and approx. 9,000 students.

"KATOM3"− Preparing the teachers and students for education in the digital era by providing them with lap−top computers Head of program: Avi Bernstein

KATOM is an educational experiment whose goal is to investigate the effects of integrating lap−top computers (or any other future technical appliance) into activities of a class, as well as paving the way for adopting advanced teaching and learning methods. The program was initiated in 2004, providing portable computers to teachers and students in five 7th grade classes, mostly from Ministry of Education's central district. The program has significantly expanded since then, and is currently being implemented in five municipalities (Yavne, Rosh Ha'ain , Migdal Ha'Emek, Tel−Aviv Yaffo and Kfar Saba) encompassing 6 junior high schools, 22 classes and all in all, involves about 600 students accompanied by 120 teachers.

Teachers in these schools participate in a teachers' development program, focusing on the new educational process and changes it requires from all parties involved − teachers, students, parents and the local authorities. They are introduced to new and different computer−based environments and programs, as well as to the rapid changes caused by the use of Internet and its applications into the Educational system. The Davidson Institute's staff supports school teachers and administration throughout all stages of the process, providing assistance in solving technical and educational problems and encouraging all parties to share their problems, strategies, and dilemmas regarding the new educational experience.

In order to study the effects of this intervention, a process of control and feedback is being applied as an essential part of the experiment, thus enabling appropriate adjustments based on data collection analysis. At the same time, pace of the program's expansion is being evaluated. In addition, efforts are focused on establishment of 'KATOM Community', emphasizing the changes required for closing the digital gap. These involve re−structuring the KATOM Website, issuing a new bi−monthly newsletter, initiating joint activities between schools using advanced communication techniques and creating the structure for collaboration of resources.

The Chais Family School of Contemporary Science Head of program: Dr. Roni Mualem

The Chais Family School, operating within the formal educational system, attempts to provide an answer for outstanding students interested in expanding their knowledge beyond the level taught in schools, by discovering the latest advancements and developments in the fields of science and technology. Meeting the highest level of standards, the school offers courses of study in modern sciences, reinforced by both the professional staff and the The Davidson Institute for Science Education 419 advanced laboratories of the Davidson Institute of Science Education. Carried out in the framework of regional classes, all courses are eligible to academic credit towards the National Matriculation Exams, depending on the particular course of study.

Five courses were offered by the Chais School in the academic year (2006/2007). The courses of study, as well as the teaching materials were developed by the Davidson Institute of Science Education in strong collaboration with the Department of Science Teaching at the Weizmann Institute and, in some cases, in collaboration with outside organizations such as Hemda in Tel Aviv and El−Op Industries. The teaching is performed in the Chais Family Building at the Davidson Institute's campus.

The unique courses of study offered by the Chais School include:

• "MOACH4"(Computational Science) − an interdisciplinary program, designed for outstanding mathematics and physics high school students, preparing for the highest level (5 units) of matriculation examinations • Physics and Industry − program that introduces high school students majoring in physics to the world of industries with its abundance of knowledge • Computer Science, Academia and Industry − program based on meetings with leading, computer science researchers and experts in the field of industrial development • Physics of Music and the Music of Physics − interdisciplinary program introducing psychological, historical, philosophical and technological aspects of the connection between physical principles and the world of music • Earth and Environmental Sciences − course taught in a variety of surroundings: laboratories, computers, field trips and classrooms, based mostly on active participation in natural surroundings

Altogether, more than 400 students took part in the various courses of the Chais School in the past academic year. Plans for 2007/8 include continuation and expansion of School's spectrum of activities both by offering new courses and by accommodating more students in existing programs. Three new courses are being developed at present and will be offered in the second semester of the 2007/8 academic year: (1) Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology; (2) Surface physics and advanced materials; (3) Energy and Environment

Informal Science Education Activities

Head of program: Dr. Oved Kedem

"C.A.M.P.5 Davidson" − Empowering Youth at Risk through Science Education The purpose of this project is to establish science activities for high−school−age students who have dropped out of the formal educational system. The program provides not only science skills and knowledge, but also uses science education as a tool to empower and affect the behavior and the self−image of the participants. 420 The Davidson Institute for Science Education In the framework of the project, 15−18−year−old boys and girls participate in a 4−hour science course with their social leader, once a week. The courses focus on special scientific topics such as "Science and Music", "Science of Toys", "The environment and me ", "The Art of Measurement" "Astronomy and Space Exploration" and "Light, Color, Shadows and Photography", which attract and challenge the interest of the participants.

In the course of the academic year 2007, around 60 boys and girls from the towns of Lod, Rehovot, Rishon−LeZion, Nes−Ziona, Yehud, Gedera, and Ramle took part in the program, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the local municipalities.

"KAMATZ"6 − Science activities for underachieving students Encouraged by the success of CAMP, in December 2006, the Davidson Institute launched a similar program for middle school students, 12−14 years old, to prevent them from giving up and dropping out later on. Geared to children at the bottom third of their classes who are underachieving but not necessarily less talented than their peers, KAMATZ program was initiated in five towns: Ashdod, Kiryat Malachi, Nes Ziona, Sderot and Rishon LeZion.

Each group is led by a team of three instructors. Part of them are university students in fields of science and engineering who participate in the national "PERACH" mentoring program, through which they receive modest stipends toward their tuition fees. Members of the Davidson Institute staff carefully train, support, and guide the instructors, and provide supervision throughout the program season.

At the conclusion of the year, the young students present their individual and group projects in a "Science Fair" for parents, teachers, and peers.

The influence of this program on the students' performance in school is currently investigated by a Ph.D. student from the Department of Science Teaching of the Weizmann Institute.

Science for the general public Head of program: Dr. Zahava Scherz

The program encourages 'science literacy for all' as a life−long learning experience, by introducing the general public to cutting−edge scientific research in a popular manner.

"Meetings at the Frontiers of Science" − a series of lectures in popular science The lectures introduce the frontiers of science and their influence on medicine, industry, environment, and other aspects of our lives, to the general public. Lecturers are scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science who discuss various issues in their fields by means of demonstrations and examples taken from daily life and by revealing the associated difficulties, risks, and moral problems related to them. The series take place at the Davidson Institute campus, in Hemda Science Eeducation center in Tel−Aviv, and from 2007 also in the city of Herzliya. The program is divided into two academic semesters (Fall and Spring), each including four or five courses covering different aspects of a broad scientific field. Each The Davidson Institute for Science Education 421 course consists of eight to ten 2−hour lectures, given once a week. The series attract a mixed audience of all ages (14−85). The 2007 Spring semester attracted 220 participants for a series of five courses, and a similar number of people are currently participating in the 2007/8 Fall semester.

Debates: Bioethics Issues In 2007, 3 topic evenings dealing with different issues of Bioethics were organized at the Davidson Institute, drawing audience from various parts of the country and from different sectors of the society. These discussions brought together 2−3 leading experts who presented different perspectives on Bioethics, which were then followed by a panel discussion with audience comments and active participation.

International Activities Head of program: Dr. Zahava Scherz

The International Leading Science Teachers' Program utilizes the experience and expertise of the Davidson Institute in the area of professional development of teachers, in order to promote science education towards excellence on an international level. The program promotes innovation in science education in Israel and abroad by establishing an international science teaching leadership and collaborative projects affiliated with the Davidson Institute of Science Education and the Department of Science Teaching at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Schwartz Family International Leading Science Teacher Seminar In this framework, international summer seminars for leading science teachers from Israel and abroad are conducted annually. The seminars are sponsored by Mrs. Sheila Schwartz from Phoenix, Arizona and the family, who made it possible. These intensive, 9 day seminars, which take place on campus of the Davidson Institute in Rehovot, represent a unique opportunity for science teachers from different countries to experience hands−on scientific research in advanced laboratories at the Weizmann Institute and to learn about new curriculum materials and innovations in science education. Participating teachers also experience advanced laboratories for school students and plan collaborative projects with their colleagues.

The pilot seminar program was initiated in summer 2005 for teachers from Ramaz High School in New York. Based on its success, the 1st Schwartz Family International Leading Science Teachers' Seminar took place in July 2006 at the Davidson Institute, and was successively followed by the 2nd Schwartz Family International Leading Science Teachers' Seminar in summer 2007.

So far, summer seminars brought together 60 leading teachers from USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Singapore and Israel. Evaluation indicated a great satisfaction among the participants, who expressed unanimous enthusiasm. 422 The Davidson Institute for Science Education Future plans include a 3rd International Seminar in summer 2008, as well as expansion of the program to other fields of science (mathematics and computer science), additional school levels (junior high school), and additional countries. Also, plans are being made for short teacher workshops abroad during the academic year 2008, as requested by last years' participants.

Connections with Science Education Institutions around the world The Davidson Institute maintains close connections with various science education institutions around the world. These activities include, among others, hosting a large number of delegations, including teachers, government officials, and educators from different countries, the distribution of the EMBL journal 'Science in School', video conferences, and many other collaboration activities. http://davidson.weizmann.ac.il

1 "SHLAV" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for Improvement of Mathematics Learning. "Shlav" also means 'level' in Hebrew. 2"NECHMAD" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for the Inquiry Labs at the Davidson Institute. "NECHMAD" also means 'lovely' in Hebrew 3"KATOM" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for the Computer for Every Class, Student and Teacher. 4"Moach" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Computational Science". "Moach" also means 'brain' in Hebrew. 5"CAMP" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for Active Science Community. 6"KAMATZ" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Young Science Groups".

Institute Staff

Haim Harari, Prof., Chairman of the Board Yehuda Ben−Hur, Ph.D., Managing Director Avi Bernstein, Head of the KATOM Computer Project Oved Kedem, Ph.D., Director of Educational Projects Miri Kesner, Ph.D., Head of the Center for Teachers' Training in Science, Technology, and Mathematics Hana Margel, Ph.D., Head of the NECHMAD Project (Youth Investigators in the Davidson Institute) Roni Mualem, Head of the 'Chais Family School of Contemporary Science' Project Zahava Scherz, Ph.D., Director of Science and Education Communication Shuli Zaharoni, Administrator The Davidson Institute for Science Education 423 424 The Davidson Institute for Science Education Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd.

Prof. Mudi Sheves, Chairman

Mr. Amir Naiberg, CEO

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. functions as the technology transfer arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Yeda initiates and promotes the transfer of research findings and innovative technologies developed by Institute scientists to the global marketplace.

Yeda exclusively markets and commercializes the Weizmann Institute's intellectual property and generates income to support further research and education. Yeda's main mission is to allow society to benefit from discoveries made at the Institute.

Yeda performs the following activities:

• Identifies and assesses research projects with commercial potential • Protects the intellectual property of the Institute and its scientists • Supports early stage applicative projects • Licenses the Institute's inventions and technologies to industry • Channels funding from industry to research projects

During 2003−2007 Yeda filed almost 300 new patent applications, signed more than 550 agreements and established 22 new companies around technologies that emerged from the Institute.

Additional information on the business opportunities offered by Yeda, can be found at: http://www.YedaRnD.com Tel: 972 (0) 8 947 0617 Fax: 972 (0) 8 947 0739 SMS: 972 (0) 8 9366874 e−mail: e−mail: [email protected] 426 Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet

Current Research Activities on the Internet

The full text of the above mentioned publication may be found on the Internet (the World Wide Web) at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Current_Research

You may search for any word or phrase, by using the online SEARCH option.

Keyword Search for Institute Researchers of the Internet

A specialty search engine has been designed which will return further to a Keyword(s) of your choice, a table of contact details for Weizmann Institute researchers' whose activities are relevant to provided search keyword(s). The contact details table returned is complied further to an automatic search that scans the following available online sources:

• Current research activities entry • Publications • Research grants and projects information • Weizmann institute researchers homepages

The search engine may be found at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/scisearch/scisearch.html

Scientific Activities on the Internet

The full text of this publication may be found on the Internet (the World Wide Web) at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/Scientific_Activities

You may search for any word or phrase, by using the online SEARCH option.

Study, Training and Research Opportunities

Interested in Study, Training or Research Opportunities at the Weizmann Institute of Science? Visit our Researcher’s Mobility Portal at the following URL: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/acadaff/RMP/ 428 Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet