The Weizmann Institute of Science

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ScientificScientific ActivitiesActivities The Weizmann Institute of Science

2005 Scientific Activities 2005

Rehovot, Israel Edited, Designed and Typeset by Aviva Ovadia

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We wish to thank all the secretarial staff who worked on this project, without whose help this publication would not be possible.

Printed in Israel By Publishing Department Weizmann Institute of Science

ISSN 0083-7849 Contents

Board of Governors vii Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee xv Officers of the Weizmann Institute xvii Weizmann Institute of Science xix

Faculty of Biochemistry

Faculty of Biochemistry - Overview 3 Biological Chemistry 5 Molecular Genetics 15 Plant Sciences 25 Biological Services 33 Avron-Wilstätter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis 35 Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine 37 Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research 39 Crown Human Genome Center 41 Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition 43 Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics 45 Kekst Family Center for Medical Genetics 47 Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology 49 M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research 53 David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research 55 Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research 57

Faculty of Biology

Faculty of Biology - Overview 61 Biological Regulation 63 Immunology 71 Molecular Cell Biology 79 Neurobiology 95 Veterinary Resources 101 Helen and Norman Asher Center for Human Brain Imaging 103 Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases 105 Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurosciences 107 Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Institute for Brain Research 109 Murray H. and Meyer Grodetsky Center for Research of Higher Brain Functions 111 Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging 113 Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research 115 Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology 117

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Women's Health Research Center 121 Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy 123

Faculty of Chemistry

Faculty of Chemistry - Overview 127 Chemical Physics 131 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 137 Materials and Interfaces 141 Organic Chemistry 147 Structural Biology 153 Solar Research Facilities Unit 159 Chemical Research Support 161 Center for Energy Research 175 Fritz Haber Center for Physical Chemistry 177 Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research 179 Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science 181 Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design 183 Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science 185 Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly 187 Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology 189 Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Minerva Center for Supramolecular Architecture 191 Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences 193 Faculty of Physics

Faculty of Physics - Overview 197 Condensed Matter Physics 199 Particle Physics 207 Physics of Complex Systems 215 Physics Services 221 Center for Experimental Physics 223 Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics 225 Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research 229 Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics 233 Maurice and Gabriella Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics 235 Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems 237

Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science - Overview 243 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 245 Mathematics 253 Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science 259 Ida Cohen Center for Mathematics 261 John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems 263 v

Feinberg Graduate School

Feinberg Graduate School 267 Science Teaching 327 Young@Science 337 Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Center 341

Institute-Wide Centers

Clore Center for Biological Physics 347 Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research 349 J&R Center for Scientific Research 351 Center for New Scientists 353 Center for Scientific Excellence 355 Prospective Center for Systems Biology 357

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs - Overview 361 Academic Affairs Office 362 Appointments and Promotions 363 Awards 365 Honors 366 Summer Science Programs for Students 375 Visiting Professors Program 377 Weizmann Memorial Lectures 378 Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDCs and Fellowships 380 Research Grants and Projects Office 397 Visiting Scientists Office 398

Division of Information Systems 399 Division of Logistics and Research Services 411

Amos de-Shalit Foundation 417 Davidson Institute for Science Education 419 Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. 429

Weizmann Institute Activities on the Internet Current Research Activities 431 Keyword Search for Institute Researchers 431 Scientific Activities 431

The Board of Governors

Stuart E. Eizenstat***, Washington, DC, USA, Chair of the Board (until November 2005) Mandy Moross*, London, UK, Chair of the Board (from November 2005) H. Thomas Beck*, Toronto, Ont, Canada, Deputy Chair of the Board Lawrence S. Blumberg, Esq.*, New York, NY, USA, Deputy Chair of the Board (until November 2005) 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 (from November 2005) Prof. Yoram Groner*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, Deputy Chair of the Board S. Donald Sussman*, Greenwich, CT, USA, Deputy Chair of the Board Abraham Ben-Naftali*, Tel Aviv, Israel, Chair of the Executive Council Oded Aboodi***, New York, NY, USA (until November 2005) Ayala Zacks Abramov, Jerusalem, Israel Gary M. Abramson, N. Bethesda, MD, USA Sem Almaleh, Geneva, Switzerland 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, ex-officio member (also elected member) David Assia, Or-Yehuda, 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 Robert G. Begam*, Phoenix, AZ, USA Robert A. Belfer, New York, NY, USA Prof. Haim Ben-Shahar, Tel Aviv, Israel Dr. Emile Benassayag**, Paris, France Marshall Bennett, Northbrook, IL, USA

*Member of the Executive Council **Member of the Executive Council from November 2005 ***Member of the Executive Council until November 2005

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Prof. Sir Michael V. Berry, FRS, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Maks L. Birnbach*, 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 Prof. Ilan Chet*, President, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel 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 Sir Ronald Cohen, London, UK Prof. Mildred Cohn, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Samy Cohn*, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Prof. Paul J. Crutzen, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Mainz, Germany Dr. Hubert Curien, Paris, France (deceased February 6, 2005) Prof. Constantine M. Dafermos, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Leslie L. Dan, Scarborough, Ont, Canada The Hon. Mrs. Janet de Botton, CBE, London, UK Raoul de Picciotto, Monte Carlo, Monaco Meir de Shalit, Herzliya Pituach, Israel 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 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 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 Michael R. Forman, Los Angeles, CA, USA Moshe Gavish*, Tel Aviv, Israel

*Member of the Executive Council ix

Dr. Martin L. Gecht, Chicago, IL, USA (deceased January 3, 2005) Mauricio Gerson, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Martin S. Gerstel*, Jerusalem, Israel David Ginsburg*, Washington, DC, USA Françoise Glasberg, Paris, France (until November 2005) Prof. Michel E. Goldberg, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France Bram Goldsmith, Beverly Hills, CA, USA Abraham M. Goldwasser*, Savyon, Israel Carol Gordon, Toronto, Ont, Canada Prof. Michael B. Green, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK 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 Ephraim Ilin***, Tel Aviv, Israel Armando Jinich, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Dr. Yair Kadishay*, Ramat Hasharon, 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 Morris Kerzner, Toronto, Ont, Canada Helen L. Kimmel*, New York, NY, USA Martin S. Kimmel*, New York, NY, USA 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 Prof. Walter Kohn, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

*Member of the Executive Council **Member of the Executive Council from November 2005 ***Member of the Executive Council until November 2005 x

Arthur B. Konviser*, Toronto, Ont, Canada (deceased June 22, 2005) Prof. Daniel E. Koshland, Jr., University of California, Berkeley, 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 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 Robert B. Machinist*, New York, NY, USA Joshua Maor*, Ramat-Gan, Israel Dan Mayer*, Zug, Switzerland Rina Mayer, Tel Aviv, Israel Gurion Meltzer*, Tel Aviv, 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 Andrew R. Morse*, Harrison, NY, USA Lon Morton, Calabasas, CA, USA (from November 2005) Shlomo Nehama, Tel Aviv, Israel (from November 2005) Prof. Yosef Nir*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex-officio member Joseph G. Nissim*, Geneva, Switzerland Prof. Moshe Oren, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel Dr. Joseph L. Owades, Sonoma, CA, USA (deceased December 16, 2005) Martin D. Paisner, CBE*, London, UK 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 Jeannette Pomeraniec, London, UK (deceased July 20, 2005) Moshe Porath*, Tel Aviv, Israel Prof. Yehiam Prior*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex-officio member Dan Propper, Petah-Tiqua, Israel Eitan Raff, Tel Aviv, Israel (until November 2005) Prof. Alexander Rich, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA Sir John H. Ritblat, London, UK

*Member of the Executive Council **Member of the Executive Council from November 2005 xi

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 Joseph Roubache, Paris, France Prof. Samuel A. Safran*, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex-officio member Prof. Bert Sakmann, Max-Planck-Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Heidelberg, Germany Rowland Schaefer, Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Leon Schidlow*, Sierra Vertientes, D.F., Mexico Pierre L. Schoenheimer, New York, NY, USA (from November 2005) Sara L. Schupf, New York, NY, USA 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 Brian J. Steck, Toronto, Ont, Canada Luis E. Stillmann, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Lord Stone of Blackheath, London, UK Doron Tamir, Tel Aviv, Israel Marvin Tanner, Saint-Laurent (Montreal), Quebec, Canada Evelyn Tenenbaum, Bal Harbour, FL, USA David I. Teplow, Weston, MA, USA Theodore H. Teplow*, Cambridge, MA, USA Jack L. Terpins, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Barry S. Townsley, CBE*, London, UK Prof. Marc Van Montagu, Brussels, Belgium Dr. Yossi Vardi, Tel Aviv, Israel Saul Waring, 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 Dr. Albert Willner*, Delray Beach, 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

*Member of the Executive Council xii

Jacques Zagury, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Dr. Felix Zandman, Malvern, PA, USA Eugene M. Zemsky, Chicago, IL, USA Henri Zimand, Monte Carlo, Monaco Uzi Zucker*, New York, NY, USA Roy J. Zuckerberg, New York, NY, USA Sharon Zuckerman, Willowdale, Ont, Canada

The Founding Chairperson

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

Governors Emeriti

Prof. Duilio Arigoni, ETH Hönggerberg, Zurich, Switzerland Prof. Fritz H. Bach, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Amnon S. Barness, New York, NY, 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 Dr. Elkan R. Blout, Cambridge, MA, 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 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 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

*Member of the Executive Council xiii

Herbert M. Gelfand, Los Angeles, CA, USA Henny Gestetner, OBE, London, UK (deceased November 16, 2005) Françoise Glasberg, Paris, France (from November 2005) Dr. Amnon Goldenberg, Tel Aviv, Israel (deceased June 21, 2005) 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 Richard F. Goodman, New York, NY, USA Joel Greisman, Don Mills, Ont, Canada Shlomo Grofman, Tel Aviv, Israel Dr. George S. Hammond, Portland, OR, USA (deceased October 5, 2005) 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 Teddy Kollek, Jerusalem, Israel Prof. Arthur Kornberg, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA Prof. Sir Hans L. Kornberg, FRS, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA Martha Laub, Wilrijk-Antwerpen, Belgium 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 Cecil Lewis, Geneva, Switzerland (deceased July 28, 2005) 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, Toronto, Ont, Canada Barry Rymer, Alpharetta, GA, USA Prof. Harold A. Scheraga, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA Walter E. Schoenfeld, Seattle, WA, USA Prof. Melvin Schwartz, Ketchum, ID, USA Jerome A. Siegel, New York, NY, USA xiv

William H. Singer, Tucson, AZ, USA 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 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 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. Ilan Chet, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, ex-officio member Prof. Marvin L. Cohen, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Prof. Mildred Cohn, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 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. 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. Daniel E. Koshland, Jr., University of California, Berkeley, 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 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

Institute Officers

President Advisory Committee to the President Professor Ilan Chet Professor Zvi Artstein Professor Haim Garty Vice President Professor Benjamin Geiger Professor Samuel Safran Gad Kober Amy Matchen (until May 2005) Vice President for Administration and Proessor Yosef Nir Finance Professor Yehiam Prior Gad Kober Professor Samuel Safran Professor Mordechai Sheves Vice President for International Affairs and Professor Ben-Zion Shilo Public Relations Professor Yaron Silberberg Amy Matchen (until May 2005) Professor Yosef Yarden The Feinberg Graduate School Vice President for Technology Transfer (chartered by the New York State Board of Professor Haim Garty Regents) President Senior Advisor to the President on Robert A. Belfer Information Systems Professor Yigal Burstein Immediate Past President Robert Asher Chair, Council of Professors Chairman Professor Yosef Nir Professor Melvin Schwartz

Chair, Scientific Council Founding Chairman Professor Yehiam Prior Abraham Feinberg (deceased) Secretary and Treasurer Vice Chair, Scientific Council Andrew Morse Professor Menachem Rubinstein Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School Professor Yosef Yarden

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Deans of the Faculties Head, Division of Logistics and Research Services Biochemistry Asher Bar-on Professor Ben-Zion Shilo Secretary of the Association Biology Ilana Eisen Professor Benjamin Geiger Chief Legal Counsel Chemistry Shulamit Geri Professor Mordechai Sheves Internal Auditor Physics Doron Yonai Professor Yaron Silberberg Senior Advisor to the President Mathematics and Computer Science Arie Zehavi Professor Zvi Artstein

Senior Administrative Officers Division of International Affairs and Public Relations Academic Secretary and Head, Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs Head, Division of International Affairs and Dr. Boaz Avron Public Relations Amalia Waxman (from July 2005) Head, Construction and Physical Plant Maintenance Division Head, Publications and Media Relations Eliezer Elhadad Department Yivsam Azgad Head, Finance Division Osnat Wishnitzer Head, Hospitality and Events Navit Kopelis Head, Human Resources Division Vered Liverant Kessler Director, Strategic Development Gila Shmueli 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 500 from 29 countries in 2005 – 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 biochemistry, 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

xix xx 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 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

Ilan Chet, Ph.D. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Institute Professor

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

Faculty of Biochemistry

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

The Faculty of Biochemistry consists of three departments: Biological Chemistry, Molecular Genetics and Plant Sciences. The Faculty is also responsible for the activities of the Biological Services Department. 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 newly established Institute for Molecular Medicine, commemorating the late Y. Leon Benoziyo, is now operating under the auspices of the Faculty.

The faculty is comprised of three scientific departments, including Biological Chemistry, Molecular Genetics and Plant Sciences, as well as the Biological Services unit.

Members of the Faculty conduct investigations covering a wide range of research programs One of the more exciting aspects of modern biological research, which is characterizing the post genome era, is that basic questions at the molecular level can be studied in very diverse systems and the findings can become relevant also to other systems. For instance, the results obtained from the identification of genes involved in the development of an organ or a specific tissue in plants are frequently found to have similarities in mammalian systems. The characterization of proteins involved in membrane transporters and how they discriminate between a wide range of molecules may contribute in the rational design of novel therapies for human malignancies.

The completion of the sequencing of the human genome as well as that of the genomes of other organisms represents a major scientific achievement and members of our Faculty have continued to significantly contribute to this worldwide effort. One of the challenges undertaken is to assign a function to specific genes isolated from human genetic diseases or other sorts of human pathologies and the use of knockout mice is very beneficial.

3 4 Faculty of Biochemistry

Furthermore, findings on the mechanisms of DNA repair are shedding new light on their connection to the incidence of malignancies in populations exposed to mutagenic substances.

The availability of the complete Arabidopsis plant genome is also revolutionizing research. Plant genomes show a great degree of plasticity, so that the genetic variance within any one plant species can be much greater than anything encountered within animal species. Members of the Faculty have unraveled part of the reason for this rapid genomic evolution which is due to the unique dynamic process of polyploidization. Another exciting area of investigation is the genome organization of plant defense ‘sentinels’ and trying to understand how they facilitate the plants adaptability to a changing pathogen environment. It has repeatedly demonstrated that finding answers in the molecular biology of plant cells contributes to that of more complex systems such as mammalian cells.

Continuous progress in the Life Sciences is more and more dependent on the ability to introduce modern equipment as well as the to increase the cooperation between scientists of different expertise. During 2005 the facilities were expanded especially in the areas of new microscope facilities, mass spectroscopy for small molecules and a micro CT for monitoring bone development.

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. Biological Chemistry

Zvi Livneh, Head The Maxwell Ellis Professor of Biomedical Research

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 much overlapping interests and inter-group cooperation. Current research activities evolve around the following six foci of interest:

1. Protein structure, function, design and evolution

E. 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). G. 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. M. 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. E. 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. The group of D. 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

Several groups are investigating proteins that form specific pores across the cell membrane. E. Reuveny is investigating the molecular properties of a group of neuronal K+ channels and their interaction with G-proteins. Y. Shai's group uses a

5 6 Biological Chemistry

multidisciplinary approach to study the principles of the insertion, assembly and function of membrane proteins involved in infectious diseases, mainly host-defense peptides (antimicrobial and anticancer peptides), and viral envelope proteins (HIV/SIV gp41). These studies also led to the design of novel antimicrobial, anticancer and antiviral drugs. Nuclear pore complexes, multi-protein structures that transport macromolecules in and out of the nucleus, are being studied by Z. Reich. His work utilizes biophysical methods such as atomic force microscopy. H. 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. S. 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 esssential 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 E. Bibi. Other researchers are interested in photosynthesis and its relation to ion transport. Z. 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. S. 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 U. Pick and A. 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. E. Bibi and his co-workers are studying the role of the signal recognition particle (SRP) and other cellular components in the biogenesis of prokaryotic membrane proteins. They seek to identify new components of the machinery, and to understanding how ribosomes target and associate with the membrane, and how membrane protein synthesis is regulated. Z. Elazar is investigating intracellular protein traffic in eukaryotic systems. His work has led to the identification of new factors that couple transport vesicles to cytoskeletal elements. Delivery of lipids to the cell membrane and their role in neuronal growth is being studied by A. 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. Biological Chemistry 7

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. They found that phosphorylation and acetylation, which activate the excitatory response regulator of chemotaxis in E. coli, are linked and co-regulated. 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 D. Wallach is studying mechanisms that control cell death, and involve the caspase cysteine-protease family, and transcription factors of the NF-κ B family. They have cloned and characterized several proteins that participate in the mechanism and regulation of signaling for cell death and inflammation by receptors of the TNF/NGF family. Their studies on the function of these proteins, using transgenic mouse models, are currently focused on elucidating the contribution of these proteins to skin pathology. 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. D. 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 M. Wilchek, focus on the therapeutic properties of the biologically active garlic molecule Allicin. Y. 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 therefore connected to Diabetes type II and obesity in humans. In addition he 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 NIDDM patients. R. 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 are being examined by M. Shinitzky in tumor cells subjected to hydrostatic pressure. 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. E. Shapiro's group is using a high-level computer process description language, Stochastic Pi Calculis, to mathematically specify and simulate signal transduction pathways. The overall goal of I. Chet's research is to understand molecular mechanisms by which opportunistic plant symbionts, with Trichoderma harzianum strains as the model organisms, induce resistance to various plant pathogens.

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

Z. Livneh and his co-workers are exploring the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and mutagenesis. They study DNA polymerases that are specialized in replicating damaged DNA with the concomitant production of mutations, as well as the role of DNA repair in human cancer susceptibility. Recently they discovered that reduced 8 Biological Chemistry

activity of the DNA repair enzyme OGG1 is a risk factor in lung cancer, and that the combination of smoking and reduced OGG1 activity causes extra-susceptibility to this disease. Two groups are studying mechanisms mediating regulation of gene expression. R. 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. M. Walker and colleagues are studying regulation of specific gene expression in the insulin- producing pancreatic beta cell. Recent studies have revealed that activity of a novel beta cell receptor, GPR40 helps explain the important, yet poorly understood connection between obesity and diabetes.

6. Biolmolecular computers and computation-based cell lineage analysis

E. 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/

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Ilan Chet, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor 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 Biological Chemistry 9

Yechiel Shai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold S. and Harriet B. Brady Professor of Cancer Rrsearch 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 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

Associate Professors

Ed Bayer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Eitan Bibi, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 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 Incumbent of the Daniel E. Koshland Sr. Career Development Chair (until November 2005) 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 Incumbent of the Abraham and Jennie Fialkow Career Development Chair (until November 2005) Eitan Reuveny, Ph.D., Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, United States Gideon Schreiber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Yoram Shechter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Charles H. Hollenberg Professor of Diabetes and Metabolic Research Michael Walker, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Marvin Myer and Jenny Cyker Professor of Diabetes Research

Senior Scientist

Dan Tawfik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Elaine Blond Career Development Chair 10 Biological Chemistry

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 Scientist

Elena Bochkareva, Ph.D., Institute of Protein Research, Academy of the USSR, Pushchino, Russian Federation

Assistant Staff Scientists

Elena Appel, Ph.D., Medical School, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Tamar Paz-Elizur, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yael Pewzner-Jung, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Ada Viterbo-Fainzilber, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Swetlana Adamsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yoav Barak, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ruti Kapon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Special Contract

Asael Herman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left May 2005)

Consultants

Diana Bach Amir Braunstein, ImmunoBar Ltd., Tel-Aviv, Israel Dean E. Brenner, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI., USA Dov Gefel, Barzilai Hospital, Ashkelon, Israel Alexander Heifetz, Predix Pharmacenticals Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel (left April 2005) Ron Kasher, Faculty of Agriculture, Solid and Wather Sciences, Israel Halina Lis Ruth Miskin Biological Chemistry 11

Visiting Scientists

Moshe Balass Nicholas Harper, University of Leicester, UK Rose Johnstone, McGill University , Montreal, Canada Roni Kasher, Hebrew University , Rehovot, Israel Haichun Pan, Shandong University, PR China Jiangke Yang, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, PR China Laiqun Zhang, Beijing Normal University, PR China

Postdoctoral Fellows

Noga Alagem, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gil Amitai, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Xiaohui An, Ph.D., Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China Gali Arad, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Fabian Arditti, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Katya Arnold, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Adam Ben-Shem, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yakov Blumenstein, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yariv Brotman, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Eytan Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shay Covo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mirit Dahan-Fumbar, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Fridmann-Sirkis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Moshe Goldsmith, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tanya Goncharov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kay Gottschalk, Ph.D., Technical University of Munich, Germany Stephen Gould, Ph.D., University of Nottingham, United Kingdom Elena Grimberg, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Shlomit Hanz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Elena Iavnilovitch, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Hanna Jaaro, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Marina Jmoudiak, M.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Tae Bong Kang, Ph.D., Konkuk University, Korea Irene Kholmyansky, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Jonathan Eric Kohn, Ph.D., University of California Santa Barbara Andrey Kovalenko, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oded Lewinson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yan Li, Ph.D., Shandong Agricultural University, China Adi Mesika, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Izhak Michaelevski, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel David Nakar, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Reinat Nevo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rony Oren Benaroya, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 12 Biological Chemistry

Sergio Peisajovich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tal Peleg - Shulmam, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Eran Perlson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Parameswaran Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Merav Revach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Avi Rimler, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Ayala Saul, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Ziv Sevilya, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Hagit Shapiro, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michal Shoresh, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Nobuhiko Tokuriki, Ph.D., Osaka University, Japan Wangxia Wang, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Jianshe Yan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Laiqun Zhang, Ph.D., China agriculture University, China

Research Students

Sheera Adar Nira Amar Liat Amir-Zilberstein Michael Anbar Gali Arad Sharon Avkin Dorit Avrahami Liat Bahari Anat Bahat Reut Bartoov Roy Bekerman Talya Belogus Keren Ben Yaakov Tehila Ben-Moshe Efrat Ben-Zeev Shimon Bershtein Yonathan Caspi Silvia G. Chuartzman Eytan Cohen Mati Cohen Galit Cohen-Ben-Lulu Shay Covo Noam Diamant Elizabeta Dinitz Yudin Dmitry Asa Eitan Rofa Elfakess Ephraim Fass Dan Frumkin Maria Gabriella Fuzesi Anna Gakamsky Leonid Gaydukov Kfir Gazit Doron Gerber Binyamin Gil Lyubov (Luba) Ginzburg Michal Golan-Mashiach Tanya Goncharov Shlomit Hanz Liraz Harel Haim Haviv Ayal Hendel Shachar Iwanir Lior Izhar Diego Jaitin Jin-Hyuk Jung Jaakov Kacher Eyal Kalie Shai Kaplan Alon Karpol Olga Khersonsky Jin Chul Kim Biological Chemistry 13

Noga Dalia Kowalsman Noga Kozer G. Sujoy Lahiri Premkumar Lakshmanane Anat Lavi Itzkovitz Elena Levin Oded Lewinson Orna Liarzi Yael Lifshitz Moshit Lindzen Irina Lubarski Arik Arie Makovitzki Elinor Malul Adi Mesika Bracha Naim Ilit Noach Niv Papo Yakov Paz Avishay Pelah Eran Perlson Ofer Rahat Akhil Rajput Parameswaran Ramakrishnan Ophir Rav-Hon Adi Raveh Dana Reichmann Merav Revach Gabriela Ridner Inbal Riven Peter Rohac Laila Catalina Roisman Cintia Roodveldt Kelly SackettR ona Sadja Gertner Neta Sal-Man Ruth Scherz-Shoval Yael Segal-Ruder Hagit Shapiro Saroj Shekhawat Hagai Shorer Elena Shvets Nadejda Sigal Indranil Sinha Selena Trajkovic-Bodennec Tal Varsano Roberto Ventrella Adam Wasserstrom Hilla Weidberg Nomy Wender Yael Wexler- Cohen Itamar Yadid Jianshe Yan Ganit Yarden Ido Yosef

Administrator

Maanit Zibziner

Molecular Genetics

Adi Kimchi, Head The Helena Rubinstein Chair in Cancer Research

The Department of Molecular Genetics focuses on molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying basic biological processes occurring either in the context of the entire organism or at the level of single cells. A wide range of biological problems are being addressed in the fields of development, cell biology, and human/mouse genetics, and on the structure, expression, stability and function of proteins. Additionally, the fields of bioinformatics and computational biology, which are being developed in the department, provide powerful genome wide approaches to address some of these biological issues.

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, during embryonic development of Drosophila. In the past year they have discovered that a splicing-dependent mechanism is a critical step in the induction of terminal differentiation of tendon and glial cells, and that this step is mediated by the RNA-binding protein HOW in both cell types. The molecular basis for this process is currently being analyzed. In addition, their research is directed to identify factors controlling muscles migration and adhesion towards tendon cells. In this direction they discovered that the extra cellular matrix protein Thrombospondin is essential for the specific adhesion of muscles with their corresponding tendon cell.

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 intramembr anous 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

15 16 Molecular Genetics 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 in vitro transfected cells and in vivo genetically modified mouse models.

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 for the study of these processes in eukaryotic cells and have three major projects. The first examines the role of signaling pathways in the control of exocytosis at the level of membrane fusion and studies the role of kinases and phosphatases in regulation of the exocytic apparatus. The second focuses on the role of SNARE-binding proteins in endosomal protein sorting and the onset of human diseases involving defects in lysosomal storage. The third examines the role of mRNA trafficking in polarity establishment and secretion. Programmed cell death, is another fundamental process in cell biology which is being studied in the lab of Adi Kimchi, by proceeding from ‘single gene’ study towards global network analysis in mammalian cell systems. During the last year, the lab extended the study of the individual pro-death DAP proteins by identifying interacting proteins, specific substrates and upstream regulators, as part of the efforts to construct the network topology around these genetically selected genes and to understand their cellular function. The DAP-kinase Knockout mice which were analyzed for their in vivo stress responses established a role for this gene in ER stress where it functions as a switch in the apoptotic/autophagic cell death junction. The group has recently developed a new methodology that assesses the dynamics of cell death networks by measuring the functional weight of individual nodes, via single and double silencing perturbations, using RNA interference. 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 PTP Epsilon; they are using molecular, cellular, and whole-animal systems to uncover the role of this PTP in regulating malignant transformation, myelination, and bone metabolism. Molecular Genetics 17

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 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 studies the differentiation of the cells producing the myelin sheaths around nerves, with the aim of developing ways to stimulate the regeneration of myelin in neurological diseases such as neuropathies and Multiple Sclerosis. A transcription factor, Zinc binding factor ZBP99, was shown to be required for the expression of the Myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene in Schwann cells, and IL6RIL6 (a recombinant cytokine resulting from the fusion of IL-6 to its soluble receptor) stimulates the binding of ZBP99 to the MPZ promoter chromatin thereby enhancing myelin synthesis. The differentiation of Embryonic Stems (ES) cells into mature oligodendrocytes with an extended network of branches was similarly shown to be stimulated by IL6RIL6. The lab of Menachem Rubinstein studies the role of several transcription factors in growth, differentiation, cell death and immune responses. In the past, they identified a heterodimeric complex of the transcription factors C/EBP-β 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 factor s. In particular, the role of C/EBP-β 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-α 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).

Work by the lab of Chaim Kahana dissects the regulation of intracellular polyamines. Antizyme inhibitor (AzI), a protein that displays high homology to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) but which retains no enzymatic activity is extensively investigated. This investigation is conducted in two directions; the first aiming at exploring the molecular mechanism responsible for its rapid degradation (in comparison to the degradation of ODC), the second concerns the growth advantage this protein provides to cells. Another aspect of investigation is the revelation of the polyamine transport system. This aspect is investigated in yeast and recently also in mammalian cells. The last aspect concernes the possible involvement of 20S proteasomes in mediating ubiquitin independent cellular degradation. Work by the lab of Yosef Shaul focuses on 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. They have recently described a novel pathway of protein degradation that is active in parallel to the conventional ubiquitin system. This pathway which does not require protein modification is executed by the 20S proteasomes and inhibited by NQO1, an NADH regulated enzyme that plays a role of 20S proteasome gatekeeper.

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. Further developments of GeneCards, a widely used compendium of human 18 Molecular Genetics genes allow one (among others) to better analyses microarray expression data. In the realm of Systems Biology, prebiotic molecular networks are studied as a means for understanding the emergence of life on earth. 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 exa mining 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 are trying to deduce 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 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. In the lab of Tzachi Pilpel they continued their research on various mechanisms and processes related to gene expression regulation. They studied experimentally the noise spectrum in protein expression of dozens yeast genes in multiple growth conditions and discovered that stress-related genes display particularly "noisy" expression whereby the same genes in different genetically identical cells in a population may be expressed to various different degrees. Their studies on mammalian anti-sense control has culminated in experimental verification of their initial predictions about the involvement of such non-coding RNAs in the p53-mdm2 switch. In parallel they began to explore translation regulatory signals in open reading frame sequences and found extensive regulatory signals that are modulated in different orthologous genes in various yeast species in a way that likely explains differences in their metabolic preferences. They continued their work on genetic backup circuits and discovered that hubs in the protein network tend to have a backup protection more frequently than lowly connected proteins.

Altogether the department combines structural genomic approaches with functional "post- genomic" studies. Moreover, the work with multiple model organisms (i.e., yeast, fly, mouse and human) removes the species barrier and offers the opportunity to study a single biological process in several systems, thus benefiting from the various genetic and molecular tools that each system provides. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/molgen/ Molecular Genetics 19

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 Michel Revel, Ph.D., University of Strasbourg, France (on extension of service) The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel and Freda and Edward M. Siegel Professor of Virology Menachem Rubinstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Edna and Mickey Weiss Professor of Cytokines Research Leo Sachs, Ph.D., University of Cabmridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (on extension of service) The Otto Meyerhof Professor of Molecular Biology 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

Professors Emeriti

Alvin M. Kaye, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States (deceased October 2005) Ernest Winocour, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Associate Professors

Naama Barkai, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Soretta and Henry Shapiro Career Development Chair (until November 2005) 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 Incumbent of the Philip Harris and Gerald Ronson Career Development Chair (until November 2005) Orly Reiner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Bernstein-Mason Professor of Neurochemistry 20 Molecular Genetics

Rabi Simantov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Andre Lwoff Professor of Neurogenetics Talila Volk, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Professor Sir Ernest B. Chain Professor

Senior Scientists

Yitzhak Pilpel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Center for Complexity Science Fellowship 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

Assistant Staff Scientists

Elena Ainbinder, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Stella Aronov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Nili Avidan, Ph.D., Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, United States (left July 2005) Shani Bialik, Ph.D., Division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States Devrim Gozuacik, Ph.D., Universite de Paris-Sud XI, Paris, France Tsviya Olender, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tamar Sapir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Liora Strichman-Almashanu, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Junior Staff Scientists

Levana Ben-Simchon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left March 2005) Sven Bergmann, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left April 2005) Merav Yarmus, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left December 2005) Molecular Genetics 21

Engineer

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

Consultants

Avshalom Elitzur, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Ruth Gross-Isseroff, Geha Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel David Horn, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Tsippora Iny Stein Ron Shamir, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Michael Shmoish, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Orit Shmueli, The Agricultural Research Organization of Israel, Bet Dagan Davidi Shoseyov, Hadassa Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel (left September 2005) Clara Singer Dalia Somjen, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel (left August 2005)

Visiting Scientists

David Israeli, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel Jason Levy, University of Ottawa, Canada David Shafritz, A. Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Julia Adler, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ben Alkahe, Ph.D.,M.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Stella Aronov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gad Asher, Ph.D.,M.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Elise Balse, Ph.D., Louis Pasteur University Yonatan Bilu, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel David Bonfil, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Arik Cooper, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Frederic Coquelle, Ph.D., Paris-Sud University, France Gilgi Friedlander-Malik, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gabriel Gerlitz, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Dan Gottlieb, M.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Dan Gottlieb, M.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Devrim Gozuacik, Ph.D., Paris XI University, France Tzvika Hartman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vladimir Hurgin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jan Hendrik Ihmels, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel David Israeli, M.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Joy Kahn, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 22 Molecular Genetics

Alon Levy, Ph.D.,M.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Gustavo Javier Melen, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Argentina Zohar Mukamel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Avital Regev, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Nina Reuven, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tamar Sapir, 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 Liora Strichman-Almashanu, Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, USA Hila Toledano-Katchalski, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gloria Volohonsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Adina Weinberger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sarit Weissmann, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ariel Werman, M.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Merav Yarmus, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Research Students

Daniela Bettina Amann Roy Amariglio Gad Asher Efrat Assa-Kunik Daniela Bar-El Omri Bauer Dalia Berman-Golan Antonio De Padua Castillo Flores Ron Chen Dorit Cohen Arik Cooper Bareket Dassa Zohar Dor Mukamel Avital Eisenberg Avigdor Eldar Idit Eshkar- Oren Ofer Fainaru Ester Feldmesser Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern Gilgi Friedlander Galina Gabriely Tali Garin Amos Gdalyahu Rita Gelin-Licht Indraneel Ghosh Eliezer Gilsohn Roni Golan - Lavi Shira Granot - Attas Yaron Gruper Liora Haim Shay Hantisteanu Yehudit Hasin Vladimir Hurgin Jan Hendrik Ihmels Michal Izrael Daphna Joseph-Strauss Ron Kafri Amnon Koren Judith Kraut Michal Lapidot Dan Levy Sagi Levy Idit Livnat Yoav Lubelsky Lea Marash Jada (R'ada) Massarwa Ofir Meir Idan Menashe Amir Mitchell Amir Mitchell Molecular Genetics 23

Helit Nabel-Rozen Alona Neimark Ronit Nir Ziv Porat Sharon Reef Eran Reem Adriana Reuveny Micah Robinson Shany Ron Dalia Rosin-Grunewald Sivan Sapoznik Ofer Sarig Ayelet Schlesinger Uri Shahar Tamar Shapira-Cohen Barak Shenhav Amir Shlomai Anat Shmueli Galit Shohat Yishay Shoval Tal Sines Einat Sitbon Zohar Snapir Arul Subramanian Zohar Tiran Itay Tirosh Rachel Tsruya Peter Tsvetkov Gloria Volohonsky Bess Wayburn Eilon Woolf Liat Yakir-Tamang Shaul Yogev Einat Zalckvar Pei Lin Zhang Gadi Zipor

Administrator

Lea Marom

Plant Sciences

Gad Galili, Head The Bronfman Professor 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-

25 26 Plant Sciences biological systems. Other metal susbtituted Bchl that have been recently synthesized by Scherz are used for vascular targeting photodynamic therapy of tumors and other diseases. The first of theses novel compound is now in phase II clinical trials against prostate cancer. Studies of quantitative structure activity 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 coordinating 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 Plant Sciences 27 against the accumulation of free radicals, and regulation of protein synthesis. Danon has found that regulatory proteins of the thioredoxin family exchange electrons along specific pathways in the soluble compartments of the cell. His studies suggest that 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.

Gideon Grafi's group showed that cellular de-differentiation has ramifications in chromatin structure. Dedifferentiation was accompanied by reorganization of specific chromosomal domain, modifications of histone H3 and redistribution of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). Retinoblastoma protein was found to regulate the formation of heterochromatin sub domains, at least partly, via interaction with HP1.

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 28 Plant Sciences 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 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 Sciences 29

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 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 "outsider" organism their study presents fresh scientific viewpoints in general biology. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Plant_Sciences/ 30 Plant Sciences

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Marvin Edelman, Ph.D., Brandeis University, Waltham, United States (on extension of service) The Sir Siegmund Warburg Professor of Agricultural Molecular Biology Robert Fluhr, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Gad Galili, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Bronfman Professor of Plant Science 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 Professors

Avihai Danon, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Tucson, United States Gideon Grafi, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel (until October 2005) Avraham Levy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Gilbert de Botton Professor of Plant Sciences

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

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 Plant Sciences 31

Assistant Staff Scientists

Cathy Bessudo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Olga Davydov, Ph.D., Rsearch Institute for Essential Oil Plants, Crimea, Ukraine Ron Vunsh, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left March 2005)

Junior Staff Scientist

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

Special Contract

Sergey Gerzon, M.Sc., Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

Engineer

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

Consultants

Varda Belkin, Steba Laboratories Ltd., Rehovot, Israel Hagit Ben Meir, "Eden", Rehovot, Israel (left October 2005) Alexander Brandis, Steba Labs, Rehovot, Israel Gideon Grafi, The Volcani Center, Beth-Dagan, Israel (from November 2005) Alexander Heifetz, Predix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ramat-Gan, Israel (left April 2005) Eitan Millet, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Julia Vilensky, Veterinary Clinic, Rishon-Lezion, Israel

Visiting Scientists

John Alvarez, Monash University, Australia Yariv Brotman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Hani Al-Ahmad, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Olubukola O. Babalola, Ph.D., University of IBADAN, Nigeria Aaron Fait, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yoav Herschkovitz, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Katz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Levitan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel David Panikashvili, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Ilana Rogachev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 32 Plant Sciences

Meir Sagit, Ph.D. Hezi Shaked, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Silvia Slavikova, Ph.D., Institute of Cell Biology, Abroad Roie Yerushalmi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Hani Al-Ahmad Ruthie Angelovich Shira Avital Sharon Ayal Mariana Babor Eyal Blum Ofra Chen Inbal Dangoor Eyal Emmanuel Eran Eyal Aaron Fait Neta Filip Granit Rina Glozman Eran Goldberg Ruth Goldschmidt Alexander Goldshmidt Hege Hvattum Divon Maxim Itkin Michal Kenan-Eichler Oksana Kerner Nardy Lampl-Saady Hadar Less Alexander Levitan Laurence Libs Michal Lieberman Hadas Ner-Gaon Irena Pekker Vladimir Potapov Efrat Rubinstein Ilan Samish Dadi Segal Hezi Shaked Asya Stepansky Sarit Weissmann Elizabeth Yehuda Roie Yerushalmi Assaf Zemach Yehudit Zohar

Administrator Maanit Zibziner

Biological Services

Chaim Kahana, Head The Jules J. Mallon Professor 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

33 34 Biological Services

Research Staff

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 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

Shirley Horn-Saban, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ghil Jona, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ron Ophir, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Rehovot, Israel Bassem Ziadeh, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States

Engineer

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

Consultant

Leon Esterman

1Department of Molecular Genetics 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.

35 36 The Avron-Wilstätter Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis

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. The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine

Ben-Zion Shilo, Director The Hilda and Cecil Lewis Professor of Molecular Genetics

The full budget of the Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine (BIMM) which became available during the fiscal year 2003/2004 has made possible a wide range of activities within this Institute. The Benoziyo Institute provides a lifeline to the Life Sciences at the Weizmann Institute in terms of prioritizing and supporting outstanding high caliber research projects which focus on Molecular Medicine. In parallel, we are able to purchase top of the line equipment which facilitates these studies.

In 2004/2005, the Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute of Molecular Medicine continued the previous year’s support of the work of several research groups, covering a number of research areas, including autoimmune diseases, stem cell differentiation and its relationship to cancer, defects in brain development; and viral diseases. In addition, the support of several new projects was also initiated: nerve injury and regeneration; artherosclerosis and heart infarcts; the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy; and signaling between cells during embryonic development.

While all these grants directly support 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, mostly mice but also flies, cell culture studies, and the elaborate biochemical manipulations of proteins.

In addition to the direct support of research activities of selected groups, the Benoziyo Institute promotes biomedical research throughout the Weizmann Institute by participating in the purchase of sophisticated scientific equipment, which will serve many groups in their varied research projects.

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.

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

37 38 The Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular Medicine

Sciences in general. We also strive to maintain the balance between the support of established groups who are leaders in their fields, and the projects of outstanding young scientists who are at the initial stages of their independent career. 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. The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research

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

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.

39 40 The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research

The administration of the Center

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

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

The center has been 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 various genomes. This now includes a whole array of genomes of higher organisms, such as human, mouse, rat, dog, chicken and fish, as well as numerous model genomes, such as those of numerous bacteria and yeasts, the nematode C. Elegans and the Drosophila fruitfly. Also, plant genomes, e.g. that of Arabidopsis, are topics of inter-center collaborative research at Weizmann.

The Crown Center, in close collaboration with the Department of Biological Services, helps provide Weizmann scientists with the following infrastructure activities: 1) Large scale DNA sequencing of genomic segments, including the identification and purchase of genomic clones. 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 is aimed to discover the 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.

The Sequenom MassArray system for discovering and scoring human genetic variations (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms - SNPs) is highly successful, and has been upgraded in 2003 to allow pooling 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 has been initiated through Yeda with Teva Pharmaceutical Industry and the Technion, based on this instrumentation. Nearly a dozen other collaborative projects are aimed at understanding how small genetic variations culminate in causing diseases, from cancer to schizophrenia, are also ongoing.

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 gene, mucolipidosis 4, a gene for muscular dystrophy (HIBM), the PVT gene, whose mutations cause childhood heart failure, the USH3A gene that underlies a debilitating blidness-deafness condition and the CDA1 gene that causes

41 42 The Crown Human Genome Center an unusual hereditary anemia. Last year, a gene for male sterility, CatSper2 has been discovered. 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. 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 the analogy to biochemical networks. 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.

The Crown Human Genome Center activities receives support from the Crown Family, the Abraham and Judy Goldwasser Fund, the Israel ministry of Science and Technology (National Knowledge Center for Genomics) and from a Magneton project of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Home page: http://bioinfo.weizmann.ac.il/genome_center/ The Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition

Gad Galili, Director The Bronfman Professor 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 nutrition.

The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics

Adi Kimchi, Director The Helena Rubinstein Professor of Cancer Research

The functions of the center, which was established by the Forchheimer foundation of New York in January 1982, are to promote Molecular Genetics in general, and recombinant DNA technologies in particular, and to probe into the molecular mechanisms of life processes using cutting edge strategies of genetic engineering.

During 2005, a significant part of the Forchheimer Center’s support has been dedicated to enlarging scientific services on campus, 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, the Forchheimer Center’s critical support advances research into molecular genetics by allocating funds for promising and innovative projects, and by enabling the purchase of needed instrumentation. During the past year, the Center provided valuable assistance to the following scientific undertakings:

1. Under the auspices of the Center, we provided support to Dr. Elazar (Eli) Zelzer, who focuses on the genetic and developmental mechanisms that regulate bone development. Dr. Zelzer joined the Department of Molecular Genetics as a young faculty member. The support helped him to purchase the necessary scientific equipment necessary for the establishment of his new laboratory, and also enabled him to bring to the Weizmann Institute from abroad, the various transgenic and "knock-out" mice colonies which he utilizes in his research.

2. The Forchheimer center also supported Prof. Yosef Shaul, to advance his studies on protein degradation and DNA damage signaling.

3. In addition the Center also helped Prof. Shmuel Pietrokovski, in a study which combines computational and biochemical- based approaches to investigate how a protein’s sequence determines its structure and function.

45 46 The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics

The Center also helped in the purchase of new equipment for the recently-renovated Meyer Building. This instrumentation was critical to the recent expansion of the Department of Molecular Genetics into the third floor of that Building. In addition, Forchheimer Center support continues to be put toward expansion of the centralized plasmid collection, increasing its usefulness to Institute scientists. An updated list of available plasmids is posted on the Web, so that our researchers, upon request, have easy access to both established and newly-available expression vectors. The Kekst Family Center for Medical Genetics

Yoram Groner, Director The Dr. Barnet Berris Professor 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. Funds are allocated to support the 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).

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

Gad Galili, Director The Bronfman Professor of Plant Science

The Charles and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology supports research directed at solving problems in plant growth and productivity, 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 (called secondary 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. Dr. Asaph Aharoni of the department of Plant Sciences is studying the control of production of secondary metabolites and is also developing modern technology to identify these compounds. The major organ of crop plants that is used as food is the seed, and therefore understanding the biological processes of seed development, and how seeds adjust their metabolism for efficient production of sugars, oil and protein is of particular interest for basic sciences and their agronomical adaptations. The group of Prof. Gad Galili of the Department of Plant Sciences utilizes modern molecular and metabolic profiling approaches to study how do seeds regulate their metabolism in accordance with regulating their development. Modern molecular research in plants, which are based on genetic engineering and functional genomics approaches, is translated into agronomical food production through the use of transgenic plants, namely plants containing genetically engineered genes in their genomes. Along with the development of such genetically engineered transgenic plants, parallel gold standard "safety" methods should be established to prevent the transfer of the genetically engineered genes from cultivated crops to wild plant relatives. The group of Prof. Jonathan Gressel of the Department of Plant Sciences is developing a novel approach to significantly prevent the transfer of the genetically engineered genes from cultivated to wild plant relatives on the basis of expressing specific sets of gene combinations. The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin center supported this year research programs associated with the above issues as follows: 1. Regulation of metabolic pathways and its coordination with development in plant biology. 2. Metabolic networks regulating the transition of plant seeds from the stage of reserves accumulation to desiccation and subsequent germination. 3. Safely enhancing agricultural productivity with transgenic crops.

49 50 The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology

Metabolic Networks Regulating the Transition of Plant Seeds from the Stage of Reserves Accumulation to Dessication and Subsequent Germination (Gad Galili, Aaron Fait and Ruthie Angelovici)

Seed maturation is characterized by the switch from a maternal to filial metabolic regulation, a process that is dedicated to reserves synthesis and is coupled with the initiation of a nutrient uptake from the canopy. Maturing seeds of some plant species also gain photosynthetic capacity, which elevates the internal O2 levels and lead to a partial relief of low oxygen conditions and ameliorates the energy status. At the metabolic level, the relatively O2-poor stage of reserves accumulation initiates by a transient stimulation of anaerobic metabolism and continues with a switch from energy-costly to energy-saving sugar metabolism. As opposed the seed maturation, the process of seed germination is associated with degradation and mobilization of the reserves that were accumulating during seed maturation and subsequent preparation for efficient growth of the seedlings.

Despite the biotechnological importance of plant seeds as the major food sources worldwide, and the biological importance of plant seeds in the plant life cycle, very little is known about the metabolic networks that regulate seed development and germination. To address this, we analyzed the metabolic status of seeds of the model plant Arabidopsis through all of these stages, using several distinct methods. The period or reserve accumulation was associated with a significant reduction of most sugars, organic acids and amino acids, signifying their efficient incorporation into reserves. Yet, the content of fumarate and succinate were significantly elevated at this period, implying a specific role for these metabolites. This period was also associated with elevation of mRNA levels of distinct metabolism-associated genes. The transition from the period of reserve accumulation to seed desiccation was associated with a major re-program of the metabolic status, resulting in significant accumulation of distinct glucose-derived sugars, organic acids, nitrogen-rich amino acids as well as metabolites of the shikimate pathway. Imbibition of seeds for three days at 4oC in the dark (vernalization period) was associated with increases of distinct intermediates of sugar metabolism, distinct precursors of secondary metabolism and redox-related compounds and decreases in other metabolites, including trehalose and γ -amino butyric acid. The subsequent early germination stage (prior to radicle protrusion) was associated with a boost in the levels of many metabolites as well as major changes in mRNA levels associated with physiological and metabolic processes, as determined by a bioinformatics approach. Our results imply that the metabolic preparation of seeds for germination initiates already during seed desiccation and continues by distinct re-programs of metabolism during the vernalization and very early germination periods to enable efficient seedling establishment.

Genetic Regulation of Metabolic Pathways and its Co-Ordination with Development in Plant Biology (Asaph Aharoni and Ilana Rogachev)

Plants produce several thousands of substances or metabolites which help them in building themselves and cope with changing environmental conditions. The production of these chemicals in cells is effected through a step-by-step process called a metabolic pathway. In order to form thousands of substances, a plant cell (or any other cell) will activate a large number of pathways simultaneously, resulting in a huge network of pathways. Nowadays, it is The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology 51 clear that the activity of these pathways is very intensely co-coordinated with developmental programs. One out of many examples for such kind of coordination in plant biology is the development and ripening of fleshy fruit (e.g. tomato fruit). This process entails a developmental program related to fruit growth that is very tightly synchronized with activation of metabolic pathways that provide the fruit, at a precise stage of development, its characteristic color, aroma, flavor and texture. The main activity of our laboratory is to identify the network of proteins that control metabolism-development crossroads. By doing so, we will unravel the genetic regulation of basic plant biological processes such as fruit ripening. On the applied side, understanding the mechanisms controlling these pathways and the interaction with developmental programs will assist in breeding plants with desired levels of for example plant derived nutrition- and health-promoting compounds such as antioxidants.

A main request to pursue this promising research direction is to develop the non-trivial capability to rapidly and reproducibly detect, quantify, and, in some cases, identify a large number of metabolites from plants. In her work, Dr. Ilana Rogachev is setting-up multiple analytical platforms that allow extensive metabolic profiling of plant extracts. These include several high-end instruments combining chromatography with mass-spectrometry techniques that permit a wide coverage of the plant metabolic repertoire. Purchasing the required instruments as for example a Gas-Chromatograph Mass-Spectrometer (GC-MS) and operating them was financially supported by the Plant Science department. In parallel, mutant populations are also generated, as for example in tomato, that could be screened using the facility described above for plant lines with altered metabolic profiles. At this stage of Ilana's work (approximately a year), a few methodologies for the metabolic profiling of plant extracts have been established and validated. In the coming year we are expected to utilize these different approaches for answering biological questions regarding metabolic changes in different plant genotypes generated by the different research projects in the laboratory. This approach will finally result in the discovery of key genes that mediate the activity of metabolic pathways in coordination with developmental programs in plants.

Safely enhancing agricultural productivity with transgenic crops (Jonathan Gressel)

Transgenic crops have proven to be excellent at increasing agricultural productivity, in the field while requiring far less pesticides (corn, cotton, etc. with the Bt gene killing insects) or have been environmentally friendly (using glyphosate resistant soybeans and corn, to use glyphosate, an innocuous herbicide to allow planting crops in erosion preventing stubble). Such eco-friendly and cost-effective approaches are problematic with crops that have wild or weedy relatives living in close proximity. It is undesirable to have genes flow from the crops into such relatives, especially if the genes could confer a competitive advantage on the relatives, causing them to be "superweeds". Prof. Jonathan Gressel, in the Plant Sciences Department developed a concept of how to transgenically mitigate the effect of such inevitable gene flow. He proposed to add plant genes of choice (insect and disease resistance, herbicide resistance) with genes that are good or neutral for the crop but would be deleterious for the wild relative. Then graduate student Hani Al-Ahmad took up this idea and demonstrated its efficacy in the laboratory and greenhouse, with a lab model system (tobacco) and a truly agricultural model (oilseed rape or canola) with the related weed, wild mustard. He attached a dwarfing gene to a gene herbicide resistance and engineered the tandem genes into both crops. 52 The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology

Thus, wherever the gene of choice goes, the dwarfing gene followed. When the transgenic tobacco or oilseed rape were cultivated alone, they were far more productive than the untransformed. This well-known phenomenon was the basis for the green revolution – dwarf plants invest less energy in making stems, the energy goes into making seed. He demonstrated (in a series of six peer-reviewed publications) that when the transgenic crop fertilized wild relatives, and the offspring had to compete with tall siblings, the dwarf siblings were totally non-productive and did not even produce flowers. Thus, even though there is gene leakiness to the wild, the offspring cannot establish because they cannot compete with the wild relatives.

With (then) graduate student Sarit Weissmann, and colleagues, they showed that there is sporadic natural gene flow from wheat to wild species in a closely related genus. They have derived a method that should prevent such transgene flow, by transforming wheat directly near a chromosome that will prevent gene flow between such species.

The findings allowed the group to propose how such techniques could be used for other crops with related weeds, or even to mitigate gene flow to other varieties of the same crop, as well as from crops grown for special purposes such as phytoremediation. The M.D. Moross Institute for Cancer Research

Yoram Groner, Director The Dr. Barnet Berris Professor 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. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/moross-icr/

The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research

Yoram Groner, Director The Dr. Barnet Berris Professor 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 (FGMA). Funds are also allocated to facilitate research activities in FGMA and to the purchase of new equipment with the aim of upgrading the technical infrastructure of FGMA.

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).

The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research

Gad Galili, Director The Bronfman Professor of Plant Science

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics supports research in plant sciences that focuses on solving problems both of 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. In keeping with the charter of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, 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.

Crop productivity is also strongly dependent on the efficiency of plants to capture energy from the sun and translate it into a build up of organic carbon, by the process of photosynthesis. This is regulated by compound processes, which take place in several intra-cellular locations and are regulated by redox signaling cascades. Understanding the mechanisms of redox signaling cascades and their interactive functions in different intra-cellular organelles is of significant importance for understanding how plants grow and how do they regulate photosynthesis. The group of Prof. Avihai Danon of the Department of Plant Sciences is studying the regulation and importance of redox signaling cascades in different intracellular organelles, using modern molecular, microscopic and functional genomics approaches.

The process of photosynthesis is quite complex, involving the capture of light energy via electron transport through specific molecules termed chlorophylls. Prof. Avigdor Scherz of the Department of Plant Sciences is studying the compound biochemical and physical aspects of this process.

Scientific reports on the progress of the above two studies follows. In addition to research grants for these two projects, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center’s income was used to fund scientific support staff, infrastructure and supplies.

Robert and Yadelle Sklare professorial Chair In Biochemistry (Prof. Avigdor Scherz)

During the last years we have been searching for definitions and molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis acclimatization, particularly that of solar energy conversion into useful

57 58 The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics Research chemical energy, to ambient temperatures. Adjustment of catalytic activity in response to diverse temperatures is fundamental to life on earth. A critical example is provided by photosynthesis where solar energy is converted into electro-chemical potential that drives oxygen and biomass generation, as well as carbon dioxide consumption, right through the temperature spectrum from frigid Antarctica to scalding hot springs. The energy conversion comprises concerted mobilization of electrons and protons upon photo-excitation of reaction center protein complexes. Following physico-chemical paradigms, the rates of imperative steps in this process were predicted to increase exponentially with the temperature, providing very different yields at the physiological temperatures of mesophiles and exteremophiles. In contrast, here we show meticulous adjustment of the energy conversion resulting in similar rates and yields at those temperatures, and unveil the underlying molecular details. Native fluorescing chlorophylls were utilized as activity reporters in intact cells. The key players in the temperature adjustment are a hitherto unrecognized protein cavity and adjacent packing motif that jointly impart crucial localized flexibility to the reaction center proteins. Mutations that increase residue bulkiness within the packing motif of mesophiles promote thermophilic behavior. The novel biomechanical mechanism accounts for the slowing of the catalytic reaction above physiological temperatures that appears contradictory to the Arrhenius paradigm. It also provides new guidelines for researching and manipulating acclimatization of enzymes to diverse habitats. At the same time it exposes novel elements of potential significance for regulating structure-activity relationships in both globular and membrane proteins.

Unique Features of Redox Regulation in Plant Organelles (Avihai Danon and Alexander Levitan)

Redox reactions of two proteins involve the transfer of electron(s) from one protein (the donor) to the other (the acceptor). Similarly to computers, the transfer of electrons from the donor to the acceptor can be used in biology as a flow of information. In contrast to computer, however, the flow of electronic information in biology can take place also in solution by means of non- insulated routes. The redox signaling proteins that facilitate the flow of biological information have been shown to function in systems as simple as bacteria and as complex as humans, where they are involved in regulation of cell proliferation. In plants, the redox signaling proteins participate in protection mechanisms against the accumulation of free radicals, and regulation of protein synthesis.

In our laboratory, we have isolated a unique class of redox signaling proteins and are currently studying the means by which these proteins influence the plant. Alex has been studying how one such protein is delivered to its unique location within the cell; how does the protein redox status change; and how does this protein respond to the transfer of the plant from darkness to light. In his work Alex combines different scientific methodologies ranging from biochemistry to functional genomics. We believe that elucidating how these proteins operate in plants is critical to our understanding of how plants fight the accumulation of free radicals or control protein synthesis, and may enable the use of this type of biological flow of electronic information in invention of novel devices. 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

Faculty of Biology

Dean: Benjamin Geiger The Erwin Neter Professor 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 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

61 62 Faculty of Biology 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. 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 different in vitro and in vivo systems: namely, biochemical, molecular biology, and physiological methods in tissue cultures, organs and whole animals. We also focus on developing non-invasive imaging technology by the utilization of optical means, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). Since changes in the regulation of such processes are a cause for many human diseases (cancer, infertility, heart failure, stroke etc.), we further apply our results to develop new modes of treatment, such as photodynamic cancer therapy, and drugs for pharmacological intervention.

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 angiogenic response of the uterus to the implantic embryo and its possible association with Cx43 expression.

63 64 Biological Regulation

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 chemotherapy. 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.

Atan Gross: Our lab is primarily focused on characterizing the role of the pro-death BID protein in cell life and death decisions. In the first line of research, we are exploring its activities at the mitochondria by studying its interaction with a novel and uncharacterized protein named mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (Mtch2). We have 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 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 therefore to determine the mechanistic details of its 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. 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 Biological Regulation 65 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 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. 66 Biological Regulation

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 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 Biological Regulation 67 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 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/ 68 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 Yoram Salomon, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Professor of Hormone Research Alexander Tsafriri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Herman and Lily Schilling Foundation Professor Yosef Yarden, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology

Associate Professor

Rony Seger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientists

Atan Gross, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Armour Family Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Ami Navon, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel 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

Assistant Staff Scientist

Edna Haran Furman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Catherine Brami, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Galia Maik-Rachline, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dalia Seger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Biological Regulation 69

Special Contract

Gal Gur, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (left October 2005)

Consultants

Fortune Cohen Joseph Friedman, Kupat Holim, Petach-Tikva, Israel Eliezer Girsh, American Medical Center, Rishon Lezion, Israel (left October 2005) Irit Granot, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Ariel Hourvitz, Sheaba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel Jaakov Lavie, Proteoptics Ltd., Haifa, Israel Yael Rosen (left February 2005)

Visiting Scientists

Yuval Bar Yosef, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel Tamar Gottesman, Wolfson Hospital, Yaffo, Israel Yoav Yinon, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Idan Ashur, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ami Citri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yulia Gnainsky, Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Gal Gur-Shachar, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yael Kalma, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shlomi Lazar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Galia Maik-Rachline, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nimrod Maril, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eran Neumark, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Hagit Niv, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Michal Ortal-Schwartz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shlomo Oved, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Julia Penso, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Dana Ravid, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Keren Shtiegman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Joachim Troost, University of Mainz, Germany Seunghee Yoon, Ph.D., Korea University, Korea

Research Students

Ido Amit Avital Beer Sarit Bendetz-Nezer Dekla Berko 70 Biological Regulation

Xiumei Cao Dana Chuderland Ami Citri Miriam Cohen-Kandli Maya Dadiani Chetrit Iris Edry Judith Elbaz Galit Eliyahu Oran Erster Yoav Gal Eran Gershon Itai Glinert Dorit Granot Michal Grinberg-Fuchs Yaron Hassid Ronit Hirsch Tomer Israely Iris Kamer Edith Kario Menachem Katz Bose S. Kochupurakkal Gila Lustig Galia Maik-Rachline Galit Mazooz Yaron Mosesson Shmulik Motola Elisha Nathan Galia Oberkovitz Shlomo Oved Adi Pais Vicki Plaks Yehudit Posen Dina Preise Dana Ravid Ariel Rinon Chanan Rubin Sagit Sela-Abramovich Maria Shatz Yoav Shaul Helena Sheikhet-Migalovich Liora Shiftan Ketty Shkolnik Keren Shtiegman Lilach Tencer Herschkovitz Libbat Tirosh Yael Chagit Tzuman Keren Yacobi Keren Ziv Yaara Zwang

Administrator

Rachel Benjamin Immunology

Zelig Eshhar, Head (until July 2005) The Marshaal and Renette Ezralow Professor of Chemical and Cellular Immunology

Yair Reisner, Head (from August 2005) 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

71 72 Immunology

(collaboration with M. Sela and R. Aharoni). In addition, she studies antigen-specific T-cells efficacy in cancer.

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

G. Berke investigated the regulation of tumor immunity emphasizing tumor escape from immune attack. Along this line, he has addressed the regulation of expression and function of the death receptor Fas and its Ligand in tumors. He studied the binding to and activation of tumor specific T lymphocytes by tetrameric MHC – peptide complexes and showed direct activation of the lymphocytes by the bound tetramers. He developed a novel procedure to determine tumor cell susceptibility to anticancer drugs. Finally, he provided 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 Immunology 73 as reflected by its antigenicity, sensitivity to different therapeutic modalities 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 Fc receptor coupled cascade. T-cell antigen recognition is the main system where the immunological recognition 74 Immunology 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 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 The Marshall and Renette Ezralow Professor of Chemical and Cellular Immunology Edna Mozes, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Heinrich G. Ritzel Professor of Immunology Yair Reisner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 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 Immunology 75

Professors Emeriti

Irun R. Cohen, Ph.D., Northwestern University Medical School Michael Feldman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (deceased March 2005) Sara Fuchs, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Nechama Haran-Ghera, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Roald Nezlin, MD., Ph.D., 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 Avi Ben-Nun, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Professor Lea Eisenbach, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Georg F. Duckwitz Professor of Cancer Research Tsvee Lapidot, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Idit Shachar, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Senior Scientist

Steffen Jung, Ph.D., Universitaet zu Koeln, Germany Yigal Allon Fellow Incumbent of the Pauline Recanati Career Development Chair of Immunology

Associate Staff Scientists

Rina Aharoni, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Liora Cahalon, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Sara W. Feigelson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Alexander Kalinkovich, Ph.D., Pirogov Moscow Medical Institute (PMMI), Russian Federation Esther Lustig, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staffs Scientists

Tamar Ben-Yedida, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (until April 2005) Anat Faber Elmann, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left December 2005) Tali Feferman, Ph.D., Macquarie University Sydney, Sydney, Australia Dmitry Gakamsky, Ph.D., Institute of Physics, Minsk, Belarus 76 Immunology

Orit Kollet, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Shlomit Reich-Zeliger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Elias Shezen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Rina Falb, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Polina Goichberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Engineer

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

Consultants

Bejamin Almog, Souraski Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel Tamar Ben-Yedida, BiondVax Pharmaceuticals, Rehovot, Israel (from May 2005) Alain Berrebi Alexander Brill, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel (left September 2005) Sahar Elhanan (left September 2005) Karmi Geler-Bernstein, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel (left January 2005) Amiela Globerson Rinat Goren Valentin Grabovsky, Biokine Therapatics Ltd., Israel Iris Hecht (retired January 2005) Yonatan Leor, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel Yotvat Marmor, IDF, Israel Felix Mor, Rabin Medical Center, Belinson Campus, Betach-Tikva, Israel Alpha Peled Yael Pewzner-Jung Bilha Schechter Alexander Shtabsky, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel Dvora Teitelbaum

Visiting Scientists

Yaacov Adar, Israel Inst. of Bio. Rese., Nes Ziona, Israel Hava Azulai, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Sonia Berrih-Aknin, Marie Lannelongue Hosp., Le Plessis Robinson, France Michal Dekel, Ichilov Medical Ctr., Tel Aviv, Israel Ole Farver, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen, Denmark Kalman Filonovsky, Assaf Harofe Hospital, Zrifin, Israel Nicole Kerlero De Rosb, University of Auckland, New Zealand Amos Neheman, Carmel Medical Center, Israel Immunology 77

Miriam Souroujon, Open University, Raanana, Israel Merav Toledano, Ichilov Hosp., Israel Scot Wherland, Washington State University, Seattle, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Revital Aricha (Geffen), Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Dorit Avrahami, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Aruna Venkataratnam Badiga, Ph.D., Bharathidasan University, India Shirly Becker- Herman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ayelet Dar, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Benjamin Dekel, M.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noam Erez, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Doron Gerber, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rinat Goren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Guy Lapidot Tal, M.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yifat Levy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Renuka Menon, Ph.D., Cochin University of Science and Technology Annalisa Michal Miglioli, M.D., Universita Di Bologna, Italy Shlomit Reich-Zeliger, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liora Shiftan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel David Stepensky, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Eilon Woolf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexandra Zanin-Zhorov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Jakub Abramson Lilach Agemy Shraga Aviner Efrat Avraham Emilia-Alina Barbu Hava Ben David Turgeman Tal Birnberg Michal Cohen Vered Daniel Carmi Ayelet Dar Eran Elinav Smadar Even-Tov Friedman Liat Flaishon Lilach Friedman Ofir Goldberger Yael Gore Gili Hart Gil Hecht Joy Kahn Helena Katchman Nathali Kaushansky Itai Kela Limor Landsman Neta Madar Victoria Malina Eugenia Manevich Assaf Marcus Avihai Meiraz Oren Milstein Dinorah Morvinski Nathalie Moyal-Amsellem Ronit Pasvolsky Naama Peshes Limor Regev 78 Immunology

Sarit Samira Anita Sapoznikov Uri Sela Revital Shamri Amir Sharabi Shoham Shivtiel Ilya Sotnikov Asaf Spiegel Diana Starlets David Steiner Dalit Tchorsh Yaron Vagima Ilan Volovitz Lior Zangi Alexandra Zanin-Zhorov Ming-Chao Zhong

Administrator

Pnina Carmi Molecular Cell Biology

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

The molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying cell proliferation, differentiation, dynamics, and death, and their involvement in embryonic development, and cancer are the primary topics of interest of the Department. These include studies on the mode of action of growth factors and the nature of signals triggered by them in target cells. Growth regulation is also approached through the study of either tumor suppressors, such as p53, which inhibit cell proliferation and can drive cells towards differentiation or apoptosis or the characterization of growth-activating genes and signaling networks. These studies also address the basis for cancerous transformation either due to deregulated growth or to failure to undergo apoptosis. Advanced gene screening techniques and the study of genetically modified experimental animals are used to identify and characterize specific genes which are involved in normal and malignant growth. In addition, there is broad interest in the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion and motility and in their involvement in the regulation of cellular and embryonic morphogenesis as well as in the spread of tumor metastases. These studies include characterization of the mechanism of adhesive interaction, the role of sugars in adhesive processes, cell-cell interactions in the nervous system, the binding of surface-associated adhesion molecules to the cytoskeleton and the involvement of cytoskeleton-bound adhesions in cell motility and signaling. Recently, we have also addressed questions in development using the zebrafish as vertebrate model organism for the study of the dopaminergic (DA) neural specification. Adaptation of this experimental model is expected to open new direction in development at large. The scope of topics is outlined below.

1. The regulation of cell growth and death

Cell proliferation and programmed cell death is studied by several research groups in the department.

The group of Moshe Oren is studying the role of the p53 tumor suppressor protein in the regulation of growth inhibition and cell death induced by genome damage and by oncogenic stimuli. They have shown that p53 can mediate cell death by transactivating the transcription of target genes, as well as by transactivation-independent mechanisms. Present studies address the analysis of factors that favor selective transactivation of pro- apoptotic genes, thereby favoring the choice of apoptosis over cell cycle arrest in response to p53 activation. Cross-talk between p53 and other cancer-associated pathways is also being explored.

79 80 Molecular Cell Biology

David Givol's group is using DNA microarrays to analyze global gene expression in experimental systems related to p53, cancer and stem cells. They analyzed several cell lines with inducible p53 to understand its function as a transcription factor. They showed a distinction between direct and secondary targets of p53. They analyzed differences between cell lines that do, or do not undergo p53-dependent apoptosis. This allowed detection of Apaf-1 as a direct target of p53. Apaf-1 is central to the apoptosis process by complexing with cytochrome C and Caspas-9 to form the apoptosome which activates caspases. They showed that p53 may cooperate with Zac-1 in transactivation of Apaf-1. They also analyzed the transcription profile of the inhibition of p53-driven apoptosis by IL-6 and other factors. In this study they could demonstrate that the transcription activity of p53 is not impaired significantly by IL-6 and the inhibition of apoptosis is due to IL-6 activated genes which somehow inhibit apoptotic activity downstream, in-spite of induced expression of the p53 apoptotic pathway. The p53 homologue gene p73, is known to activate p53 target genes but nevertheless is not involved in tumor suppression as p53. Rather its importance is in brain developmental processes. They compared the transcription profile of induced p73 with that of induced p53, and were able to show that p73 and p53 activate both common and distinct genes. The distinct p73 activated genes are being explored for their importance in development. They were shown to be direct targets of p73 by chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Recently they analyzed the effect of UV irradiation on keratinocytes as a model for development of skin cancer. The results show several aspects of DNA damage, DNA repair and apoptosis as important steps in skin cancer formation. They are using now gene expression profile to compare stem cells from different sources for common and distinct genes between human embryonic stem cells (ESC), hematopoietic and epidermis stem cells. It is assumed that the genes which are common to stem cells from various origins are important for their stemness. They show that ESC gene expression is more complex than that of adult tissues. Upon differentiation many ESC gene are down- regulated whereas the target tissue genes are up-regulated. They propose that this is related to the pluripotency of ESC.

Apoptosis in the mammalian ovary is studied by the group of Abraham Amsterdam, with a special emphasis on the selection of the dominant follicle and regression of the corpus luteum. The investigation is focused on the complex crosstalk between hormones, growth factors, the extracellular matrix, oncogenes, survival genes and tumor suppressor genes which determine cell fate. The lab explores the role of cell-cell contacts, intracellular communication and organization and expression of the cytoskeleton, both during differentiation and apoptosis of granulosa cells, which comprise the main bulk of the ovarian follicle. Most recently Amsterdam's group is investigating the modulation of gene expression in these ovarian follicular cells stimulated by gonadotropins, the major regulants of folliculogenesis, in order to identify novel genes involved in the control of reproduction. They found that expression of a novel apoptotic repressor (ARC) which could protect mitochondrial destruction is elevated following gonadotropin stimulation and that granzyme like proteins, normally reside in T cytotoxic lymphocyte and natural killer cells, are expressed and activated in granulosa cells. Thus the apoptotic signals could bypass mitochondrial signalling for Molecular Cell Biology 81 apoptosis, which can preserve their steroidogenic activity until complete cell destruction.

Another project of the Amsterdam's group is investigating novel markers for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and creating in vitro and in vivo models for ovarian cancer by injection of the cancer cells into the ovary. Two major aspects are investigated: a) Combined chemotherapy such as cisplatin and theophylline which were found to synergize in inducing apoptosis in the cancer cells, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. b) The suppressive effect of short polypeptides, corresponding to sites on laminin α and α chains, on tumor development and metastasis. This tumor regression involves down regulation of the oncogene mdm2 and the survival gene BCL2. c) Most recently they found using DNA microarrays that gonadotropic hormones elevate dramatically the expression of tyrosine kinase growth factors and their receptors, elevate the activity of specific oncogenes and tumor markers and attenuate the expression of tumor suppressor genes. The group has discovered that specific novel EFG like growth factors, namely Epiregulin (Ep) and Amphiregulin (Ar) were the growth factors that were elevated most dramatically by gonadotropic hormones. These growth factors could be activated by metaloproteinases of the ADAMs family. While ADAMs expression was down regulated concomitantly with upregulation of Ep and Ar in normal ovarian cells. Their activity was not altered in SV40 transformed ovarian cells. This would suggest that Ep and Ar have no autocrine activity in normal cells, in contrast to transformed cells where they may serve as a catalizator of ovarian neoplastic transformation. All in all excess of gonadotropin in the circulation in menopausal women and fertile women in the case of treatment with exogeneous gonadotropins to stimulate their cycle and the ovulatory process (IVF patients), may elevate the risk for ovarian, breast and other types of cancers.

Mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow regulate hemopoietic stem cell renewal, adhesion, migration, differentiation and death. The group of Dov Zipori is studying these processes using in vivo and in vitro models with the aim of delineating the role of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)β superfamily in the regulation of hematopoiesis. One such member, activin A, was found to be a negative regulator of B lymphocyte generation. The mode by which activin A affects its target cells involved antagonism with interleukin (IL)-6. Since multiple myeloma cells strictly depend for their survival, IL-6 signaling, it was anticipated that activin A could be a useful means to combat this incurable human disease. Studies performed by Dov Zipori, in collaboration with Nehama Haran-Ghera, from the Department of Immunology, indicate that mesenchymal cells, genetically modified to overexpress activin A, may be used as a therapeutic modality for multiple myeloma, in an animal models system. These experiments overcame the complications of systemic administration of activin A.

Since little is known on molecules specific to the mesenchyme that mediate stromal cell functions, the research group of Dov Zipori in now involved in a gene discovery effort aimed at identifying novel proteins that account for the biological activities of mesenchymal cells. An unexpected finding related to this gene discovery effort was that the T cell receptor (TCR) complex, expected to be expressed by T lymphocytes only, is 82 Molecular Cell Biology

found in mesenchymal cells: primary mesenchyme, as well as mesenchymal cell clones, express T cell receptor (TCR)β mRNAs, lacking the variable region. Immunological and genetic evidence support the expression of a corresponding TCRβ protein. Additionally, mRNAs encoding TCR complex components including CD3 and pTα chain are present. The level of expression of the mesenchymal TCR, by mesenchymal cell clones, correlated with growth properties and tendency to form tumors, implying association of mesenchymal TCR with cell growth control. This unexpected gene expression pattern seems to be part of a general phenomenon related to stem cell plasticity: Stem cells express a large number of genes, at a low level, and are thus in a “stand by” state, ready to assume differentiation to many directions, without the need to activate silenced genes.

2. The genetic basis for cancer

p53, the tumor suppressor gene that functions as the "guardian of the genome" plays a pivotal role in "sensing" damaged DNA and in regulating critical decisions of whether a cell should repair the damaged DNA or undergo apoptosis. Mutant p53 has lost these activities and thus permits the proliferation of cells which carry damaged DNA, eventually leading to their malignant transformation into cancerous cells. The research in Varda Rotter's laboratory focuses on two main issues: the deciphering of the function of wild type p53 in the normal cell, and the understanding of how mutant p53 acts in tumor cells. The combined results obtained from these two complementary research directions shed light on the basic mechanism of malignant transformation and suggests possible new approaches for cancer therapy that involve p53-dependent gene replacement. It is well possible that in addition of p53 being associated with the initial steps of recognizing damaged DNA; p53 also takes part in the DNA repair process itself. It appears that following genotoxic stress p53 functions as a modulator that determines the pattern of BER activity and apoptosis in a cell cycle specific manner. Interestingly, involvement of p53 in BER is independent of the transcriptional activity of the p53 molecule. A relationship between p53 and the maintenance of genomic integrity is also suggested by the physical interaction between p53 and the Werner (WRN) helicase. Mutations in WRN are responsible for the Werner syndrome, a human disorder resembling premature aging. It is believed that WRN prevents premature aging by reducing the incidence of certain types of genomic damage.

The groups of Oren and Rotter are also studying the effect of p53 mutations on the cellular response to chemotherapy. They have shown that particular human cancer- associated p53 mutations give rise to a protein that can inhibit the killing of tumor cells by certain anti-cancer drugs. The group of Varda Rotter have shown that the ability of mutant p53 to block apoptosis is dependent on its transcriptional activity. A core domain mutant p53 (143 Val to Ala) in which two N-terminal residues (22,23) essential for transactivation were also mutated (Leu to Glu and Trp to Ser, respectively), was examined. While p53 containing the core mutation only, efficiently interfered with drug- induced apoptosis, further modification at the N-terminus abolished this blocking activity. In addition, wild-type p53, mutated in the N-terminus (22,23), was unable to induce apoptosis by itself. Nevertheless, it synergized with drugs in the induction of apoptosis. This suggests that the integrity of the N-terminus is essential for both the Molecular Cell Biology 83 activity of wild-type p53 in apoptosis and for mutant p53 mediated block of drug- induced apoptosis. Thus supporting the notion that core p53 mutants act via a mechanism of "gain of function". A related direction of studies is the mechanism of cancer promotion by the mdm2 oncogene. Oren's group have found that mdm2 can block p53-mediated apoptosis, and thereby prevent cancer cells from being killed. They are presently studying the regulation of Mdm2 function by cancer-related stress signaling pathways. They are also exploring additional molecular targets of Mdm2, which are distinct from p53. In addition, they are investigating the involvement of p53 in the cross-talk between tumor cells and their surrounding non-tumorous stroma.

Eli Canaani's laboratory is studying the molecular basis for human infant acute leukemia. This neoplasm is triggered by a series of chromosome translocations resulting in the fusion of the ALL-1 gene to each of a variety of partner genes. One of the major projects was the application of DNA microarrays technology to identify targets for the leukemogenic ALL-1 fusion proteins. Such Analysis was recently completed, showing that acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and myeloblastic (AML) leukemias with ALL-1 rearrangements have unique transcription profiles involving genes associated with cancer. Moreover, in collaboration with Eitan Domany's group, application of statistical methodologies enabled subclassification of these leukemias into groups with distinct expression patterns. In a second major project we have recently shown that the normal ALL-1 protein is a histone methyltransferase and assembles a very large multiprotein complex of around 30 proteins. Most of these proteins are components of known complexes involved in chromatin alterations, transcription inhibition, or RNA processing. The assembled complex is subsequently recruited to promoters of target genes.

The research in Avri Ben-Ze'ev's group focuses on the integration between signaling by cell-cell adhesion and the regulation of gene expression and its disruption in tumor cells. They study molecules of the armadillo family of proteins, in particular β -catenin, since this unique molecule has a dual role in the cell. On the one hand, it is a pivotal component of cell-cell adhesions linking transmembrane adhesion receptors of the cadherin family to the cytoskeleton. In addition, β -catenin is a major component of the Wnt signaling pathway that regulates developmental processes, and its aberrant activation is common in colorectal cancer, melanoma, breast cancer and a variety of other cancers. The oncogenic activity of β -catenin is believed to result from constitutive activation of its target genes thereby leading to overt cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Consistent with this view, the Ben-Ze'ev lab found that a key regulator of the proliferative stage in the cell cycle, cyclin D1, is a target gene of the β -catenin signaling pathway and its expression is enhanced in colon cancer cells. Another effort of the Ben-Ze'ev lab is directed towards identifying novel target genes of the β -catenin pathway that might be involved in its oncogenic activity and development of model systems of human colon cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Such studies revealed that by modulating colon cancer cell culture density, it is possible to mimic the changes in β - catenin signaling and E-cadherin localization in human colorectal cancer tissue. Sparse cultures of colon cancer cells resemble the invasive phenotype in colon cancer tissue 84 Molecular Cell Biology

with strong nuclear localization and signaling by β -catenin, but no E-cadherin expression. E-cadherin transcription in such cells is inhibited by Slug, a novel β -catenin target gene. Dense cultures of colon cancer cells, on the other hand, mimic the central differentiated part of tumors with membranal localization of β -catenin and E-cadherin, but no β -catenin signaling, or Slug expression. Such cells express high levels of junctional E-cadherin. Additional studies from the Ben-Ze’ev lab have identified several other novel β -catenin target genes that contribute to the development of the invasive and metastatic phenotype of colon cancer cells. Among them, Nr-CAM and L1-CAM, are cell adhesion receptor that were previously described only in the brain. The Ben-Ze'ev lab found that Nr-CAM is expressed in human melanoma at an advanced stage, but not in melanocytes and both Nr-CAM and L1 are prevalent in human colorectal cancer tissue, but not in normal colon tissue. Expression of Nr-CAM in fibroblasts conferred tumorigenesis and enhanced motility, and therefore Nr-CAM appears to be a key component in tumor development that involves aberrant β -catenin activation. L1-CAM expression was also detected in human colorectal cancer tissue, but only in a subpopulation of invasive cells at the malignant front of tumors together with the metalloproteinase ADAM10 that is involved in the cleavage and shedding of the L1 extracellular domain. L1 and Nr-CAM may therefore represent an example of how cancer cells induce genes used in normal cellular processes and utilize them opportunistically to enhance cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The mechanisms by which these Ig-CAM cell adhesion molecules promote human colorectal cancer invasion are currently under investigation.

The heterogeneity and self renewal properties of tumor cells is being analyzed in David Givol’s lab by fractionation of patients’ leukemia, or glioblstoma tumor cells according to defined biomarkers. They find that a small population (2-10%) of the tumor cells bear stem cells markers of the tissue of origin of the tumor. This “cancer stem cells” fraction is isolated and compared for gene expression with the rest of the tumor cells to identify new unique targets for cancer.

3. Quantitative analysis of cell structure and dynamics

The cytoskeleton is anchored in the cell membrane at multiple sites, especially in regions of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions via a battery of transmembrane receptors and cytoplasmic cytoskeletal proteins. To characterize the molecular interactions and complexity in these regions, Zvi Kam and Benjamin Geiger have developed and applied digital microscopic approaches, which provide quantitative information about the distribution and dynamics of different adhesion- and cytoskeleton-associated molecules and characterized their inter-relationships. These studies indicated that adhesion sites are highly diversified at the molecular level, with respect to their composition, dynamics and signaling capabilities. Using different mathematical approaches for image segmentation and clustering they have been able to define new molecular sub-domains within cell-matrix adhesions, involved in the extension of adhesions or in their turn-over, and determine their specific roles in such processes as cell motility and assembly of the cytoskeleton. Zvi Kam had further developed novel Molecular Cell Biology 85

tools for multidimensional microscopy that enables to simultaneously detect and analyze spatial and temporal changes in the 3-dimensional distribution of multiple molecules in cells and embryos. An automated version of such microscope is currently used by the Kam-Geiger team for a genome-wide screening for genes encoding new components of adhesion sites or new modulators of cell motility. Similar experimental approach is also applied for screening of libraries of small molecules that can affect cell migration and adhesion.

4. Control of gene expression

The group of Moshe Oren is studying the regulation of p53 protein stability, which is the major mechanism responsible for the in vivo modulation of p53 function. They found that the proteolytic degradation of p53, which occurs through the ubiquitin/ proteasome pathway, is largely controlled by the Mdm2 protein (product of the mdm2 oncogene). Mdm2 acts as a ubiquitin ligase for p53. The ability of Mdm2 to promote p53 degradation is controlled by phosphorylation events occurring on both p53 and Mdm2. Moreover, the activation of p53 by β -catenin is mediated by another important tumor suppressor protein, known as ARF. Additional factors that control the ubiquitination of p53, as well as additional targets for ubiquitination by Mdm2, are presently being explored. Further work is aimed at understanding how the activity of p53 as a sequence-specific transcription factor is controlled, as well as investigating the involvement of p53 in the regulation of microRNA expression.

Gad Yagil is using computers to analyze special DNA sequences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. Special binary DNA sequences are found to be highly over- represented in human chromosomes 14 and 21 as well as in other sequenced genomes. Evidence that these special sequences serve as DNA unwinding centers controlling gene expression rates has been brought. In another direction, a formal approach to biocomplexity has been formulated and applied to the analysis of biopattern specification.

The laboratory of Uri Alon uses a combined experimental and theoretical approach to reverse-engineer genetic regulation circuits. Using the bacterium Escherichia coli as a model system, they have developed GFP-based methods for assaying gene expression on a genomic scale. The aim is to develop the concepts and algorithms needed to map the regulation circuitry of an entire cell in terms of modular multi-gene systems and subsystems and their interactions. The circuit diagrams are then tested experimentally using bacterial genetic methods. Current projects also aim at experimentally and theoretically mapping protein circuitry in mammalian cells, using a novel proteomics living-cell array.

In order to understand the building blocks of complex networks, work in the Alon lab defined 'network motifs': these are patterns of connections that occur many times throughout the network, at numbers that are significantly higher than in suitably randomized 'control' networks. It was found that the transcription network of E. coli is built of three types of network motifs. Each motif was found to have a unique role in 86 Molecular Cell Biology

information processing, such as filtering fluctuations in external stimuli or generating temporal expression patterns. The same motifs were then found in the transcription network of yeast, as well as in higher organisms. Much of the experimental work in the lab is focused on understanding the function of the network motifs using accurate kinetic gene expression measurements and theoretical models. Intriguingly, network motifs are also found in other biological networks, such as the neuron synaptic connection network of C. elegans. Similar motifs in transcription and neuronal networks may reflect similar design aimed at information processing between sensory and motor components.

5. Transmembrane signaling by cytokines and growth factors

Yehiel Zick's group investigates insulin resistance Failure of target cells to respond to insulin, a state known as insulin-resistance, is a major cause for pathological manifestations associated with diabetes- an ever-increasing "epidemic of the 21st century". Yehiel Zick's group investigates the role of Ser/Thr phosphorylation as a molecular basis of insulin resistance. These studies revealed that agents that induce insulin resistance such as TNFα, exploit phosphorylation-based negative feedback control mechanisms, otherwise utilized by insulin itself, to uncouple the insulin receptor (IR) from downstream effector proteins such as the IRS proteins, and thereby terminate insulin signal transduction. These studies implicate PKCζ and its downstream targets IKKβ as potential IRS kinases. These results may lead to potential pharmacological interventions in disease states where this mechanism can be the underlying cause of insulin resistance, such as the prevalent form of obesity-induced diabetes.

To study the temporal and spatial communication of IRK with downstream effectors, attempts were made to identify novel elements involved in regulating IR trafficking. It was found that IR endocytosis occurs independent of phosphorylation of the IRS proteins, however, actin, ECM molecules, and annexin-II are key candidate players in regulating insulin receptor trafficking.

Galectin-8 A second aspect of Zick's group work involves studies of galectins, with a special emphasis on galectin-8, a secreted, surface-expressed mammalian lectin cloned by this group. The studies revealed that immobilized galectin-8 promotes cell adhesion, spreading, and migration, by forming protein-sugar complexes with integrins. Adhesion to galectin-8 triggers integrin-mediated signaling cascades including Tyr phosphorylation of FAK, Paxillin and P130cas; and activation of a Rho-family GTPases, MAPK and PI3K cascades. In contrast, soluble galectin-8 forms complexes with integrins and fibronectin that negatively regulate cell adhesion. Such a mechanism allows local signals emitted by secreted galectin-8 to specify territories available for cell adhesion and migration. Due to its dual effects on the adhesive properties of the cells and its association with fibronectin, galectin-8 might be considered as a novel type of a matricellular protein.

Secreted Galectin-8 induces the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) p21 and p27 and negatively regulates cellular growth. Studies in progress are Molecular Cell Biology 87

aimed at identifying the cell surface receptor that mediates the growth-inhibitory effects of soluble galectin-8.

6. Cell adhesion and adhesion-dependent signaling

Several groups in the department investigate the structure, dynamics and signaling properties of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesions. In Benjamin Geiger's laboratory, the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly of adhesion sites and their role in the organization of the cytoskeleton are investigated. The Group is specifically studying the involvement, in adhesive interactions, of tyrosine phosphorylation events, mechanical perturbation, cellular contractility and migration as well as the adhesion-dependent activation of diverse signaling and oncogenic pathways. Together with Lia Addadi (Structural Biology) the Geiger group addresses the earliest stages inadhesive surface recognition. They demonstrated that adhesion consists of a fast and apparently direct step of surface recognition, mediated by hyaluronan, followed by more stable interactions, mediated via transmembrane receptors of the integrin family. The assembly of integrin-mediated adhesion during cell migration was shown to involve the sequential recruitment of several adhesion-associated proteins, followed by cytoskeletal interactions, induces by local contractile activity. Using micro- and nano-patterned adhesive surfaces the nature of local and global factors regulating the adhesive interactions is investigated. The roles of specific molecular constituents of matrix adhesions, as well as of local tyrosine phosphorylation of adhesion sites are studies using specific knock-out and RNA-inactivated cells, as well as the application of inhibitors to different signaling pathways. Cell adhesion is also studied in unique cellular systems, where cell-matrix or cell-cell adhesion have a particularly important physiological role, such as migrating endothelial cells, bone-resorbing osteoclasts, cadherin-associated cells and the various cellular components of the outflow pathway in the eye, whose malfunction is involved in the development of glaucoma.

The group of Alexander Bershadsky is studying interplay between cell signaling, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Formation of integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesions (focal adhesions) depends on coordinated activity of the cytoskeletal systems that is in turn regulated by small G-proteins of Rho family. Studies of Bershadsky group showed that a formin homology protein mDia1, a major target of Rho A, is indispensable for the focal adhesion formation, and at the same time strongly affects microtubule dynamics. These results shed a new light on the mechanisms of cross talk between microtubules and focal adhesions. Studying the interrelationship between cell- cell adhesions formation and cell motility revealed that a cytoplasmic partner of adhesion receptor cadherin known as p120 catenin (p120ctn) can control cell motility by activating Rho family G-proteins, Rac and Cdc42, which in turn activate actin polymerization, lamellipodia and filopodia formation and cell migration. p120ctn was shown to localize to the dynamic actin arrays assembled in lamellipodia and associated with motile endocytotic vesicles. Overexpression of p120ctn led to increase in the velocity of these vesicles, while reduction of p120ctn level by corresponding RNAi - diminished the vesicle velocity. Moreover, correlation was found between p120ctn level and the cell migration activity. Thus, p120ctn may function as a link between cell-cell 88 Molecular Cell Biology

junction formation and cell motility regulation.

Yehiel Zick's group has shown that galectin-8, a secreted mammalian lectin, promotes cell adhesion, spreading, and migration, by forming protein-sugar complexes with integrins. Affinity chromatography over immobilized galectin-8 revealed that a major galectin-8 binding-protein is alpha3beta1 integrin. Furthermore, endogenous galectin-8, secreted from 1299 cells, forms complexes with alpha3beta1 integrin. These findings suggest that galectin-8 is a novel matricellular integrin binding-protein that modulates interactions of integrins with the extracellular matrix and thus regulates cell adhesion and cell survival. Accordingly, adhesion to immobilized galectin-8 triggers integrin- mediated signaling cascades including Tyr phosphorylation of FAK, Paxillin and P130cas; and activation of a Rho-family GTPases, MAPK and PI3K cascades. In contrast, soluble galectin-8 forms complexes with integrins and fibronectin that negatively regulate cell adhesion. Such a mechanism allows local signals emitted by secreted galectin-8 to specify territories available for cell adhesion and migration. Due to its dual effects on the adhesive properties of the cells and its association with fibronectin, galectin-8 might be considered as a novel type of a matricellular protein that regulates cell adhesion and growth. Indeed, secreted Galectin-8 induces the expression of cyclin- dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) p21 and p27 and negatively regulates cellular growth. Studies in progress are aimed at identifying the cell surface receptor that mediates the growth-inhibitory effects of soluble galectin-8.

The laboratory of Elior Peles focuses on several molecular aspects of myelinated axons, myelinating glial cells, and neuron-glia communication. The reciprocal interactions between neurons and glial cells are crucial for many aspects of neuronal development. These interactions modulate fundamental processes that are required for the correct wiring of nerve cells and are involved in the coordinated differentiation of axons and myelin-forming cells. This lab is studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of myelinated nerves. They study neuron-glia interactions that are mediated by the Caspr proteins, a family of novel cell recognition molecules, which link axons to their myelinated glial cells. These studies include characterization of the role of the different Caspr proteins during development using microscopic localization, identification of the molecular targets of these proteins that couple them to the axonal cytoskeleton, development of transgenic and knock-out animal models and the use of C. elegans as a genetic model to study the role of two Caspr-like proteins in cell-cell interactions.

7. Molecular genetics of human diseases

Analysis of the structure, evolution and function of products of the dystrophin gene, which is defective in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is carried out by the group of Uri Nudel and David Yaffe. Gene inactivation techniques are used to study the function of Dp71, the major non-muscle product of the DMD gene, and its possible involvement in development and 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. Molecular Cell Biology 89

Additional studies are directed towards the prenatal diagnosis of DMD on the basis of dystrophin expression in amniotic fluid and chorionic villi cells, and a project related to muscle stem cells, the stability of the differentiated state and trans differentiation. The possible application of some of the findings for DMD gene therapy is being investigated.

In the laboratory of David Givol, a mouse model for achondroplasia was generated by introducing the human mutation (glycine 380 to arginine) into the mouse FGFR3 by a "knock-in" approach using gene targeting. This resulted in dwarf mice that share many features with human dwarfism. David Givol's group found that the FGFR3 locus is sensitive to the presence of neomycin selection marker (Neo) after gene targeting. Neo caused improper RNA expression and functional inactivation of the gene. Mice homozygous with targeted FGFR3 behaved like FGFR3 knockout phenotype with bone overgrowth due to the lack of properly spliced RNA. This bone overgrowth can be inhibited by constitutively active MEK1 indicating that regulation of bone growth by FGFR3 is mediated by the MAPK pathway. Transgenic mice with overexpression of MEK1 show achondroplastic phenotype, similar to the mutant FGFR3 (collaboration). Removal of Neo by Cre/lox recombination resulted in regain of FGFR3 mutant function and dwarfism.

8. Mechanism of cellular patterning and specification

The group of Gil Levkowitz is utilizing zebrafish as vertebrate model organism for dopaminergic (DA) neural specification. These neurons are implicated in several neurological-psychiatric illnesses and are specifically lost in Parkinson's disease. The group is taking advantage of the amenability of zebrafish to genetic manipulations to identify molecules that instruct immature DA neurons to survive and communicate with specific brain areas. Recently, Gil Levkowitz and co-workers have undertaken a genetic approach, that resulted in the molecular characterization of a zebrafish mutant, denoted too few (tof), in which the number of DA neurons is significantly reduced. tof's DA deficiency was due to a recessive mutation in the gene encoding for the Fezl zinc finger (ZF)- containing protein. tof/fezl was identified as an essential component in a novel pathway controlling the development of monoaminergic (dopaminergic and serotonergic) neurons in vertebrates. Currently, the Levkowitz group is attempting to identify the molecular mechanism that underlie the too few/fezl gene. The group is also undertaking forward and reverse genetics approaches to identify additional physiological signals and tissue interactions that control fate decisions, migration, survival and target innervations of DA neurons. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/mcb/ 90 Molecular Cell Biology

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Abraham Amsterdam, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Joyce and Ben B. Eisenberg Professor of Molecular Endocrinology and Cancer Research Avri Ben-Ze'ev, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Samuel Lunenfeld-Reuben Kunin Professor of Genetics 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 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

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 Alexander D. Bershadsky, Ph.D., Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation The Joseph Moss Professor of Biomedical Research Doron Ginsberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (left October 2005) Incumbent of the Recanati Career Development Chair of Cancer Research (until October 2005) Zvi Kam, Ph.D., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Israel Pollak Professor of Biophysics Uri Nudel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Elias Sourasky Professor 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 Molecular Cell Biology 91

Senior Scientist

Gil Levkowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Tauro Career Development Chair in Biomedical Research

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 Staffs Scientists

Konstantin Adamsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Anat Bren, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dan Michael (Michalovitz), 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 Scientist

Irina Lavelin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Consultant

Jair Bar, Scheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Galit Ben Shushan, Shalvata Hospita, Israel Ido Ben-Ami, Assaf Harofe Hospital, Zrifin, Israel Amir Cooper, Assaf Harofe Hospital, Zrifin, Israel Monica Corada, Inst. Mario Negri, Milano, Italy Alexander Damalas, Regina Elena Cancer Inst., Roma, Italy Wolfram Liebermeister, Max Planck Inst., Berlin, Germany Ido Nachmany, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel Dan Piestun, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel David Sidransky, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, USA Barry Trink, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, USA 92 Molecular Cell Biology

Postdoctoral Fellows

Yael Aylon, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Sigalit Boura-Halfon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Damian Brockschnieder, Ph.D., University of Hamburg, Germany Letizia Carramusa, Ph.D., University of Palermo, Italy Marie Chaussepied, Ph.D., Universite Denis Diderot, France Jacob (Kobi) Cohen, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Miriam Cohen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yossi Cohen, M.D., Hadasa Jerusalem College, Israel Cellina Cohen-Saidon, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Alexandros Damalas, Ph.D. Erez Dekel, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Neta Erez, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liat Flaishon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sarit Freimann, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, 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 Irina Lavelin, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Wolfram Liebermeister, Ph.D., Inst. of Biophysics, Humboldt University Berlin Revital Maor-Aloni, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Ron Milo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Michael Milyavsky, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Helit Nabel-Rosen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Mirjam Nordling, M.D., Karolinska Institutet, Sweden Kira Orlovsky, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Reshmi Parameswaran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yael Paran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dan Piestun, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Beatriz Galit Piestun (Neves), Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Shirley Polager-Modan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tatyana Ponomariyov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Nina Raver-Shapira, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Nir Shani, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Lilach Weisz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sabina Winograd, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Research Students

Suha Abu-Amara-Naffar Katya Arnold Vered Bar Ido Ben-Ami Niva Blum Shlomit Boguslavsky Molecular Cell Biology 93

Yossi Buganim Ariel Cohen Miriam Cohen Noam Erez Yael Eshed Konstantin Feinberg Nancy Gavert Naama Geva-Zatorsky Inna Grosheva Diana Gurevitch Avia Herschkovitz Tzippi Hershko Navit Hever Gil Hornung Ido Horresh Irina Issaeva Shalev Itzkovitz Shiraz Kalir Eyal Kalo Anna Kaplan Nadav Kashtan Ira Kogan Elad Landau Smadar Lapter-Gertel Ayelet Laronne Efrat Lidor Chen Luxenburg Yossy Machluf Shmuel Mangan Ron Milo Michael Milyavsky Neri Minsky Vered Morad Neta Moskovitz Liat Nadav Yaara Ofir Reshmi Parameswaran Meirav Pevsner-Fischer Shirley Polager Shani Raveh Nitzan Rosenfeld Reut Shalgi Nir Shani Igor Shats Guy Shinar Ayelet Shmueli Timor Shuster Alexander Sigal Ivo Spiegel Perry Stambolsky Yuval Tabach Xiaohu Tang Liat Topper Haklai Lilach Weisz Ronen Zaidel-Bar Amir Zalcenstein Alon Zaslaver Yuliya Zilberman Baruch Zimerman

Administrator

Pnina Carmi

Neurobiology

Yadin Dudai, Head The Sara and Michael Sela Professor 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.

95 96 Neurobiology

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

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 Rafael Malach, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Barbara and Morris Levinson Professorial Professor in 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 The Ruth and Leonard Simon Professor of Cancer Research Ephraim Yavin, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (on extension of service) The Bee Wiggs Professor of Molecular Biology Neurobiology 97

Professors Emeriti

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

Associate Professors

Ehud Ahissar, Ph.D., Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The Helen and Sanford Diller Family Professor of Neurobiology Shabtai Barash, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Sima Lev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Helena Rubinstein Career Development Chair (until November 2005)

Senior Scientists

Alon Chen, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Ilan Lampl, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Incumbent of the Carl and Frances Korn Career Development Chair in the Life Sciences 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 Contract

Adela Juknat Geralnik, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Engineers

Daniel Goldian, B.Sc., Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom Naama Rubin, M.Sc., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States 98 Neurobiology

Consultants

Yael Adini Yaacov Ashani Yoram Bonneh Annette Brand Alexander Cooperman Ilya Fleidervish, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Michael Gutnick, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Sebastian Haiderleu Jonathan Kipnis, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA (left August 2005) Faina Kuperstein (left July 2005) Gennady Landa, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Mia Levite (left April 2005) Daniel Levy, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Uri Nevo (left September 2005) Uri Polat Revital Shani Oren Shriki, Israel Arts and Science Academy, Jerusalem, Israel Eduard Yakobov, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Anna Katharina Braun, University of Mageburg, Germany Linda Friedman, Seton Hall University , NJ, USA Kalanit Grill-Spector, Stanford University, USA Etan Markus, University of Conneticut, Storrs, CT, USA Nava Rubin, NYU, Center for Neural Science, USA Adolfo Talpalar

Postdoctoral Fellows

Irit Akirav, Ph.D., Haifa University, Israel Avraham Avital, Ph.D., Haifa University, Israel Yoram Bonneh, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oleg Butovsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Yossi Chalamish, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Dori Derdikman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dan Drai, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Mark Eisenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ittai Flascher, Ph.D., University of Connecticut Sharon Furman, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Matthieu Guitton, Ph.D., Universite Montpellier I, France Shiraz Kalir, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Neurobiology 99

Rachel Katz-Brull, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jonathan Kipnis, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Devorah Matas, 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 Roy Mukamel, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Andrey Nikiforov, Ph.D., Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences Sree Kumar Ramachandran, Ph.D., Mahatma Gandhi University, India Revital Shani-Hershkovich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oren Shriki, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Jimmy Stehberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Debora Steiner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Sterkin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Marcin Szwed, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sidegonde Thippeswamy, Ph.D., Gulbarga University, Gulbarga Erika Toth, Ph.D., Semmelweis University of Medicine, Hungary Pawel Ryszard Zdunek, M.D., The Medical University of Warsaw

Research Students

Roee Atlas Hila Avidan David Backlash-Omer Sharon Bakalash Omri Barak Dmitry Bibichkov Jacob Blumenthal Elena Butovsky Oleg Butovsky Nitzan Censor Emiliano Cohen Katayun Cohen-Kashi Naomi Coslovsky Litichver Nili Dahan Eran Dayan Dori Derdikman Mark Eisenberg Evan Elliott Lior Fisch Ianai Fishbein Moshe Fried Orit Furman Efrat Furst Yonatan Ganor Hagar Gelbard Roman Gersner Sharon Gilaie-Dotan Ilan Goldberg Jaime Heiss Miriam Ivenshitz Mikhail Katkov Yonatan Katz Yael Klin Per Magne Knutsen Tali Kobilo-Moav Maria Korman Yael Kuperman Orly Laufman Dino Levy Gil Lewitus Vladimir Litvakla Alex Loebel Nicola Maggio Ofer Melamed 100 Neurobiology

Avi Mendelsohn Yael Minai Roy Mukamel Shmuel Naaman Uri Nili Yuval Nir Yaron Penn Maciej Pietr Yair Pilpel Sonne Preminger Joseline Priya Ratnam Asya Rolls Li-Raz Rom Noga Ron Avraham Saig Ester Miriam Schallmach Tamar Debora Schirman - Hildeshei Hadas Schori Iftach Shaked Amalia Shalom Gothilf Revital Shani-Hershkovich Erez Simony Ronen Sosnik Jimmy Stehberg Debora Steiner Anna Sterkin Marcin Szwed Xiaolan Wang Yin Wang Chunxiu Yu Yaniv Ziv

Administrator

Michal Hirschberg 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 Scientist

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

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 Bella Finarov, D.V.M., Moscow Veterinary Academy, Moscow Alina Maizenberg, D.V.M., Latvia, Riga Noa Stettner, D.V.M., Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot

Administrator

Kaduri Abudi

101

The Helen and Norman Asher Center for Human Brain Imaging

Yadin Dudai, Director The Sara and Michael Sela Professor 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.

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Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases

Menahem Segal, Head 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 December 1, 2005, will be evaluated by an ad-hoc committee, and the decisions and financial support will be announced by the end of December, 2005. Specific instructions for application are listed below (*).

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

105 106 Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases

two prominent scientists from abroad and 15 local scientists. These symposia contributed 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

Yadin Dudai, Director The Sara and Michael Sela Professor 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.

107

The Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Institute for Brain Research

Yadin Dudai, Director The Sara and Michael Sela Professor 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.

109

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.

111

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

Zelig Eshhar, Director (until July 2005) The Marshaal and Renette Ezralow Professor of Chemical and Cellular Immunology

Yair Reisner, Director (from August 2005) The Henry H. Drake Professor of Immunology

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.

113

The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research

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

The center supports the research of Prof. Tsvee Lapidot, Prof. Dov Zipori and Prof. Yair Reisner, dedicated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Highlights of these studies last year were as follows:

Prof. Tsvee Lapidot

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

Prof. Dov Zipori

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

115 116 The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research

Prof. Yair Reisner

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

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

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

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.

Designed by Prof. Shmuel Shaltiel, who was the first Director of the Center, 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:

Prof. Moti Liscovitch ($34,500) – "Rafts and Caveolae: Platforms for Launching Signaling Cascades and Plasma Membrane Terminals for Drug Transport": Our work is directed towards understanding the cell and molecular biology of phospholipase D and its role(s) in control of cell growth, differentiation and function. We have been studying the cellular and molecular physiology of eukaryotic phospholipase D isozymes, including their localization, mechanisms of activation and possible functions. Currently, we are engaged in identification and cloning of a second yeast phospholipase D gene; we study the differential localization of mammalian phospholipase D isozymes in specific membrane microdomains; we investigate the possible role of phospholipase D2 in caveolae-mediated endocytosis and signaling; and we explore the action(s) and target(s) of phosphatidic acid as a mediator of specific cellular events.

A second, related subject involves the role of caveolin in cancer multidrug resistance. Multidrug resistance severely impairs the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. Several protein transporters that mediate drug export have been identified, but additional adaptations appear to be necessary for a full-fledged drug resistance. We have recently shown that caveolae and the caveolar coat protein caveolin are dramatically up-regulated in multidrug resistant cancer cells and that the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein is localized in caveolae-like domains. We are

117 118 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology studying the possible involvement of caveolin-dependent mechanisms in mediating drug resistance and the impact of high caveolin expression on the phenotypic transformation of multidrug resistant cancer cells. In addition, studies are underway aimed to elucidate the molecular basis for targeting P-glycoprotein, a multispan integral membrane protein, to caveolae-like domains.

Dr. Atan Gross ($10,000) – "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 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.

Eldad Tzahor ($10,000) – "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 The Willner Family Center for Vascular Biology 119 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.

Ami Navon ($10,000) – Prior work establishes that: a) proteasomes are the source of most peptides presented to the immune system on MHC-class l molecules, and thus the proteasome plays a key role in immune surveillance against viruses and cancer; b) the critical event in triggering the inflammatory response, the activation of the transcription factor NFkB, requires both proteasome-mediated destruction of its inhibitor, IkB, and proteolytic processing of its 105kDa precursor; and c) the muscle atrophy that accompanies denervation, sepsis, or cancer is due primarily to excessive protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Understanding how cells selectively degrade abnormal proteins is also of special relevance to many genetic diseases where mutant proteins are rapidly degraded (e.g. CFTR in cystic fibrosis) or fail to be degraded and accumulate in a ubiquitinated form associated with proteasomes (e.g. Huntington’s disease and related disorders). Thus, our study of the mechanistic aspects of ATP-dependent protein breakdown should provide insight into the molecular mechanism underlying these diseases. It is our hope that these studies will help facilitate the development of therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, muscular degeneration, cancer and other diseases associated with the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

The Women's Health Research Center

Varda Rotter, Director The Norman and Helen Asher Professor 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.

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The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy

Varda Rotter, Director The Norman and Helen Asher Professor of Cancer Rsearch

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.

123

Faculty of Chemistry

Dean: Mordechai Sheves The Ephraim Katzir-Rao Makineni Professor of Chemistry

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

Faculty of Chemistry

Dean: Mordechai Sheves The Ephraim Katzir-Rao Makineni Professor of 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.

127 128 Faculty of Chemistry

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

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

Department of Materials and Interfaces

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

Some recent accomplishments include: charged polyelectrolyte molecules tethered to surfaces (polymer brushes) were shown to result in ultra small friction coefficients typical of living systems. 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. Spontaneous enantio-selective polymerization of polypeptides inside crystals was accomplished and its relevance to the origin of life was hypothesized. Self-assembly of chains that can branch and form networks with branching points (junctions) in gels, wormlike micelles, dipolar fluids, and microemulsions has been theoretically studied. The mechanism of membrane fusion and formation of the nuclear pore complex in eukaryotic nucleus has been elucidated. Extension of the constructive nanolithography into the micrometer-millimeter dimension range has been demonstrated. New nanotubes from noble metals and from various layered compounds have been synthesized. New strategies towards the realization of molecular transistors were contemplated. Novel quasi-amorphous piezo-electric films were produced and their unique structure and properties studied. The mechanical behavior of individual carbon and inorganic nanotubes was studied offering numerous applications. 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. Chemisorption of cyanide moieties onto CdSe nanoparticles surface was shown to increase the quantum confinement of the exciton wavefunction and hence to enhance theire optical properties. Electronic mapping of the cross section of polycrystalline n-CdS/p-CdTe solar cells was performed and a model explaining their high efficiency was proposed. Faculty of Chemistry 129

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.

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 also in complex with 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. Ribosomes are giant 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 structure of DNA and of DNA-protein complexes. 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.

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 130 Faculty of Chemistry and virus entry into the cell and on metalloproteins. Antibody-antigen recognition is studied using NMR and the tools of molecular biology to unravel the energetic contributions of single interactions, and through antibodies interacting with monolayer and crystal surfaces.

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

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

Shimon Vega, Head The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professor

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 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.

131 132 Chemical Physics

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. Microimaging, solid-phase and liquid-state NMR techniques are also being developed for the investigation of metabolism, of new materials and of biological structure and dynamics by Lucio Frydman. 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 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 Shimon Vega, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professor

Professor Emeritus

Zeev Luz, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Chemical Physics 133

Associate Professor

Gilad Haran, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Benjamin H. Swig and Jack D. Weiler Career Development Chair (until November 2005)

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

Mark Keil, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, California, United States Abraham Kofman, Ph.D., Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Alexander Milner, Ph.D., Ukrainian Academy of Science, Ukraine

Assistant Staff Scientists

Shifra Kababya, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Anna Pomyalov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 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

Anatoly Burshtein Aaron Joseph Gilboa (left January 2005) Reuven Ianconescu, Scopus Network Technologies, Rosh Haayn, Israel (left March 2005) Yonathan Japha, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Raphael Poupko Avraham Rosenberg (left August 2005) Josi Rosenfeld (left May 2005) Lian Yu, Vulcany Center, Beit Dagan, Israel 134 Chemical Physics

Visiting Scientists

Eshel Ben Jacob, Tel-Aviv University, Israel G.E. Hentschel, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, USA Anatoly Ivanov, Volgograd State University, Russia Nikita Lukzen, Inst. of Tomography , Novosibirsk, Russia Perunthiruthy Madhu, TIFR, Mumbai, India Yrii Abramovich Makhnovskii, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia Igor Mazets, Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Nandakumar Patincharath, University of Stuttgart, Germany Arnold Raitsimring, University of Arizona, USA Santanu Sengupta, CSIC, Madrid, Spain Trina Valencich, University of Montana, Missoula, USA Norman Zabusky, Rutgers University , NJ, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Reit Artzi-Gerlitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Arie Bar-Haim, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Rangeet Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science, India Ilan Degani, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rodislav Driben, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Adina Golombek, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, USA Supratim Guha Ray, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Changjin Hu, Ph.D., University of Science and Technology of China, China Ariel Kaplan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Frank Kramer, Ph.D., Technische Universitat Munchen Ting Shek Lo, Ph.D., The Chinese University of Hong Kong Eva Maria Martin Fierro, Ph.D., University of La Laguna Kuppala Venkata Narasimhulu, Ph.D., India Arun Ranganathan A., Ph.D., Agriculture Faculty, Israel Sefi Raz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dvira Segal, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Shlomo Sklarz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Veksler, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Hongmei Wang, Ph.D., The Chinese academy of sciences, China Ling Wang, Ph.D., Fudan University, China

Research Students

Tal Amitay- Rosen Reit Artzi-Gerlitz Debbie Baute Ido Ben-Dayan Eran Bouchbinder Erez Boukobza Eyal Capua Raanan Carmieli Sharly Fleischer Zeev Fradkin Chemical Physics 135

Inbal Friedler Vladislav Gladkikh Yair Goldfarb Goren Gordon Supratim Guha Ray Royi Kaufmann Gregory Kopnov Yosef Yehuda Kuttner Mor Mishkovsky Moshe Naoz Iftach Nevo Yuri Paskover Dana Peled Alexey Potapov Marina Radoul Oleksii Rudenko Sharon Ruthstein Boaz Shapira Timur Shegai Eilon Sherman Assaf Tal Mark Vilensky Kaiyin Zhang Guy Ziv

Administrator

Varda Katzir

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 the

137 138 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 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) http://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 139

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

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

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 Eli Galanti, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ellen Graber, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel Emanuel Mazor Harvey Scher Bruno Yaron, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel Jacob Yeheskel, Nuclear Research Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel 140 Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

Visiting Scientists

Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto, Canada Ellen Graber, Vulcani Center, Beit Dagan, Israel Rakesh Karn, Banaras Hindu University ,Varanasi, India Yoram Kaufman, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA Abraham Kogan, Technion, Haifa, Israel Jae Il Lee, Korea Ocean & Rese. Dev. Inst., Ansan, Korea Amos Nur, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Royi Sayag, Harvard University , MA, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Tareq Abu Hamed, Ph.D., Gazi University, Turkey Nurit Agam, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Alon Angert, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Regina Katsman, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Tamar Moise, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Elza Nelkenbaum, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Michael Rosenfeld, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Jacob Silverman, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Leonid Sokoletsky, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Dana Yaron-Marcovich, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Research Students

Yury Alioshin Elad Dinar Simon Emmanuel Alla Falkovich Gidon Fridman Ilia Gelfand Liran Goren Hanna Klein Leehee Laronne Ben-Itzhak Kadmiel Maseyk Hanita Ovdat Naama Raz Yaseef Aya Schneider Mor Olga Singurindy Ilya Taraniuk

Administrator

Neomi Baumann Materials and Interfaces

Reshef Tenne, Head The Drake Family Professor in Nanotechnology

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. 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 for numerous applications.

Some recent accomplishments include: The rehological properties of water confined between two close (< 2.5 nm) mica surfaces was shown to defy conventional wisdom and remain a Newtonian fluid. 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. Spontaneous enantio-selective polymerization of polypeptides inside crystals was accomplished and its relevance to the origin of life was hypothesized. Self-assembly of chains that can form networks with branching points (junctions) in gels, wormlike micelles, dipolar fluids, and microemulsions has been theoretically studied. A rational pathway for antimalaria drug design has been proposed based on quinoline adsorption to malaria pigment crystals. The mechanism of plant infection by agrobacterium was elucidated. Extention of the constructive nanolithography into the micrometer-millimeter dimension range has been demonstrated. New nanotubes from noble metals and from various layered compounds have been synthesized. The adhesion energy of an indvidual carbon nanotubes to a polymer matrix and organic liquids was determined. New strategies towards the realization of molecular transistors were contemplated. Novel quasi-amorphous piezo-electric films were produced and their unique structure and properties studied. The mechanical behavior of individual carbon and inorganic nanotubes was studied offering numerous applications. 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. Chemisorption of cyanide moieties onto CdSe nanoparticles surface was shown to increase the quantum confinement of the exciton wavefunction modifying their optical properties. Electronic mapping of the cross section of polycrystalline n-CdS/p-CdTe solar cells was performed and a model explaining their high efficiency was proposed. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/materials/

141 142 Materials and Interfaces

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 Shimon Reich, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Robert W. Reneker Professor of Industrial Chemistry 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 in 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 Moshe Levy, Ph.D., State University of New York, Syracuse, United States Joost Manassen, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam

Associate Professors

Michael Elbaum, Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, United States Gary Hodes, Ph.D., Queen's University of Belfast

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 Igor Lubomirsky, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Career Development Chair Materials and Interfaces 143

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

Junior Staff Scientist

Asa Barber, Ph.D., Univeristy of London, London, United Kingdom (left October 2005)

Engineer

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

Consultants

Olga Girshevitz Haim Grunbaum, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Haim Leader, Israel institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel Gideon Levin Jose Geraldo Nery Lev Rapoport, Holon Institute of Technology, Honon, Israel Ana Yaron Albu Ella Zak, Nanomaterials Ltd, Rehovot, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Julian Barejdo, University of North Texas, Forth Worth, USA Ilka Bischofs, Max Planck Inst., Postdam, Germany Antoine Kahn, Princeton University , NJ, USA Jianmin Li, Nanyang Tech. University, Singapore Sylvia Piperno, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 144 Materials and Interfaces

Boris Rozenberg, Russian Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia Baruch Vainas, Soreq Nuclear Center, Yavne, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Thorsten Auth, Ph.D., University of Cologne, Germany Tatyana Bendikov, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Devasish Chowdhury, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Rumi De, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science Rivka Elbaum, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Daphna Frenkiel-Krispin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tao He, Ph.D., Institute of Chemistry, The Chinese Academy, China Nir Kampf, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Aurelie Lachish-Zalait, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Luqi Liu, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Alexander Margolin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Jose Geraldo Nery, Ph.D., Univ. of Sao-Paulo & Santa Barbara, USA Sven Ruhle, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Oliver Seitz, Ph.D., Versailles University Zvi Tlusty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Rachel Turgeman, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Amir Zalcenstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Assaf Zemel, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Ella Zimmerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Ovadia Abed Tali Aqua Maya Bar Sadan Aviad Baram Tsevi Beatus Amnon Buxboim Yaron Caspi Liraz Chai David Ehre Ran Eliash Jamal Ghabboun Olga Guliamov Guy Hed Ariel Ismach Ifat Kaplan-Ashiri Sari Katz Ronen Kopito Frieda Kopnov Anna Kossoy Aurelie Lachish-Zalait Adi Makmal Rachel Malka Alexander Margolin Doron Nave Lior Nissim Dikla Raz-Ben Aroush Izhar Ron Irina Rubinsein Sven Ruhle Adi Salomon Shaibal Kanti Sarkar Christoph Schuffenhauer Materials and Interfaces 145

Lior Segev Tali Sehayek Hagay Shpaisman Ronit Snir Inna Solomonov Sarah Sultan Meni Wanunu Shira Yochelis Gov-Ary Assaf Zeira

Administrator

Yehudit Rousso

Organic Chemistry

David Milstein, Head (until September 2005) The Israel Matz Professor of Organic Chemistry

Ronny Neumann, Head (from October 2005) 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.

147 148 Organic Chemistry

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 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 Organic Chemistry 149 temperature in microorganisms, is investigated. Structural elements conferring thermal stability were identified and analyzed employing genetic engineering methods.

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

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

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

The group of Yossi Sperling is studying the structure and function in pre-mRNA processing of supraspliceosomes. These huge macromolecular assemblies contain, in addition to pre- mRNAs, all known components required 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.

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Yigal Burstein, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Malignant Diseases Research 150 Organic Chemistry

Matityahu Fridkin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Lester B. Pearson Professor of Protein Research 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 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 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 Milko Van Der Boom, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Yigal Allon Fellow 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 Organic Chemistry 151

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

Assistant Staff Scientist

Galina Melman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Yana Sheynin, Ph.D., Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation

Consultants

Herzel Ben-Hur, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel Ofer Blum, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Virginia Buchner Shlomo Dukler Amihai Eisenstadt, Teva, Petach-Tikva, Israel Alfred Hessner, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Amiram Hirshfeld Yitzhak Ittah, Synthos Ltd., Israel Edna Schechtman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel David Segev, Segev Labs Ltd, Israel Irina Zeltser (left July 2005) Oren Zimhony, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Daniel A. Boese, University of Cambridge, UK Edward Rosenberg, University of Montana, Missoula, USA Yosef Scolnik, Citramed, Ashkelon, Israel Yaakov Yavin, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Postdoctoral Fellows

Itsik Bar-Nahum, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Gunanathan Chidambaram, Ph.D., Bhavnagar University Sara Cohen-Krausz, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Mario De Bruyn, Ph.D., Belgium Tamar Eliash, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 152 Organic Chemistry

Christian Frech, Ph.D., Department of Inorganic Chemistry University of Zu Mark Gandelman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sylvain Gatard, Ph.D., University Bordeaux I, France Tarkeshwar Gupta, Ph.D., DDU Gorakhpur University Ravi Hegde, Ph.D., University of Mysore, India Yongdong Jin, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Vladimir Kogan, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Akkisani Ravikumar Reddy, Ph.D., Sri Krishnadevaraya University Rotem Sertchook, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Atindra Shukla, Ph.D., Bhavngar University, India Alexander Tarnopolsky, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Maxym Vasylyev, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sanjio Shankarrao Zade, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Guoyan Zhang, Institute of Chemistry,Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Jing Zhang, Nanjing University, China Hailin Zheng, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Marc Altman Itsik Bar-Nahum Eyal Ben-AriI rit Ben-Avraham Olena Branytska Keren Carmi Tali Dadosh David Dangoor Irakliy Ebralidze Joseph Englander Moran Feller Galit Fridman-Marueli Edi Goichberg Adina Haimov Mark Alan Iron Berith Isaac Eyal Kamhi Amir Karton Gideon Kass Marina Konorty Elizaveta Kossoy Vered Lev-Goldman Galia Maayan David Margulies Gal Meiri Keren Mevorat Kaplan Anat Milo Michael Montag Emanuel Perugia Elena Poverenov Kikkeri Raghavendra Hiyam Salem Yamit Sharaabi Maria Shoshan Dorit Sloboda Rozner Maxym Vasylyev Yair Wijsboom Galit Yahalom Uri Zadok Nathan Moise Zauberman Olena Zenkina Hailin Zheng Tatiana Zubkov

Administrator

Tiki Rosen Structural Biology

Amnon Horovitz, Head The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Biochemistry

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.

153 154 Structural Biology

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

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

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 L 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

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 Professorial Professor Structural Biology 155

Senior Scientists

Deborah Fass, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States 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 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

Arkady Bitler, Ph.D., Leningrad State University, Leningrad, Russian Federation Harry-Mark Greenblatt, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Brenda Mester, Ph.D., University de la Republica, Uruguay Dror Noy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Junior Staff Scientists

Maggie Kessler, Ph.D., University of North London, United Kingdom (until September 2005) Haim Rozenberg, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Ilana Agmon Muszkat Alexander Ben Zion Amarant, Prospec Technogene, Nes-Ziona, Israel Rina Arad-Yellin, Semorex, Park Rabin, Nes-Ziona, Israel Arkadi Bitler, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (retired February 2005) Simone Botti, Biostrx Ltd., Ramat-Gan, Israel Maggie Kessler, Banner Chemicals Ltd., Runcorn, UK (from October 2005) Ron Unger, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel 156 Structural Biology

Visiting Scientists

Harvey Goldberg, University of Western Ontario, London Ont., Canada Ruth Gross, Hebrew University , Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel Osnat Herzberg, University of Maryland, USA John Moult, University of Maryland, USA Fred Naider, CUNY, Staten Island, Island Ron Shahar, Hebrew University , Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel Emanuel Yakobson, Sheba Medical Ctr., Tel Hashomer, Israel

Postdoctoral Fellows

Tamar Auerbach, Ph.D., Free University Berlin Emanuel Blumenzweig, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Yael Diskin Posner, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Einav Gross, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Derk Joester, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland Premkumar Lakshmanane, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ilan Levy, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Claude Nogues, Ph.D., CNRS, France Dror Noy, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Niv Papo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Dalia Rivenzon-Segal, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Remo Rohs, Ph.D., Freie University, Germany Yael Sagi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Avraham Samson, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Tzvia Selzer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ruth Shahack-Gross, Ph.D., Washington Art & Sciences, USA Inna Solomonov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eli Sone, Ph.D., Northwestern University, USA Marianna Tsvitov, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Yechun Xu, Ph.D., Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China

Research Students

Barak Akabayov Maya Amit Maya Bar Meir Max Barak David Baram Adi Behar-Eliyahu Avi Ben Shimon Zohar Biron Boris Brumshtein Ilit Cohen-Opri Oded Danziger Rivka Elbaum Racheli Fachima Igal Finarov Gabriel Frank Micha Gladnikoff Einav Gross Nimrod Heldman Structural Biology 157

Yakov Kipnis Malka Kitayner Olga Kogan-Kotik Nitzan Kol Avital Levy-Lior Orna Man Inbal Mermershtain Adi Moseri Eran Noah Orly Noivirt Fabio Nudelman Aviv Paz Yael Politi Erez Pyetan Sabine Quadt Lior Regev Osnat Rosen Gabriel Rosenblum Noa Rubin Avraham Olivier Samson Luana Scheffer Netta Sela-Passwell Liat Shimon Roy Sirkis Ariel Solomon Oded Suad Elvira Vitu Raz Zarivach Paul Zaslansky Tzvia Zeev Ben-Mordehai Roy Ziblat

Administrator

Tiki Rosen

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 78× 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

159 160 Solar Research Facilities Unit

dissociation of water at high temperatures. The scientists involved in these programs are Abraham Kogan, Michael Epstein, Alexander Berman and Jacob Karni. 3. Biomass gasification – developing means to use solar energy to convert biomass (such as organic waste) to fuel. The scientists involved in this program are Roman Adinberg, Michael Epstein and Jacob Karni. 4. Developing of high temperature stable catalyst for steam reforming of methane. The scientists involved are alexander Berman, Rakesh Kumar Karn, Michael Epstein and Jacob Karni. 5. Solar reduction of metal oxides, for example, the production of zinc from zinc oxide, for developing a clean process to provide zinc for fuel cells and for the production of hydrogen. The scientists involved in this program are Michael Epstein, Irina Vishnevetsky, Tareq Abu-Hamed and Jacob Karni. 6. Developing of heat storage in a phase change material (PCM) medium. Scientists involved are Roman Adinberg and Michael Epstein.

Staff

Professor

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

Associate Staff Scientists

Roman Adinberg, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Alexander Berman, Ph.D., Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation (until October 2005)

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

Alexander Berman (from November 2005)

Postdoctoral Fellow

Rakesh Kumar Karn, Ph.D., Banaras Hindu University, India

1Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Department of Chemical Research Support

Brian Berkowitz, Head The Sam Zuckerberg Professor

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 Chemical Services and its mode of operation is 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 electrophoresis apparatus of nucleic acids and proteins, an AKTA basic FPLC protein purification apparatus, a PCR

161 162 Department of Chemical Research Support 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.

Electron Microscopy Unit (Person in Charge: Konstantin Gartsman)

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 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: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Chemical_Research_Support/EM_Unit/

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 Department of Chemical Research Support 163 radicals and paramagnetic ions in solid state and in solution are available for a wide range of temperatures.

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

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

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

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

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

The unit provides research services for scientists 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 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. 164 Department of Chemical Research Support

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. Department of Chemical Research Support 165

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.

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 166 Department of Chemical Research Support

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: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Chemical_Research_Support/molfit/

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 (39K -193Ir). It mainly serves scientists in the Department of Organic Chemistry. Department of Chemical Research Support 167

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-DMX 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 microimaging probe with actively shielded gradients (up to 20 G/cm) includes a 5 cm birdcage 1H coil and is used for imaging samples of 5 mm-3 cm (including small mice). NMR measurements can be performed with cardiac or respiratory gating. The spectrometer is used mainly for research in biology 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 168 Department of Chemical Research Support in rats, and characterizing flow and transport in three-dimensional porous media and rock fracture models.

High-Resolution NMR Website: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Chemical_Research_Support/highres_NMR/

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.

Radiocarbon and Cosmogenic Isotopes Laboratory (Person in Charge: Elisabetta Boaretto)

The laboratory activity is focused on environmental and archaeological research using radiocarbon and other cosmogenic isotopes (Tritium, 10Be and 26Al). The facility is equipped with three Liquid Scintillation Counters 1220 Quantulus for tritium and radiocarbon dating. For mg size carbon samples, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) analysis is used. The samples are sent abroad.

For radiocarbon dating the lab is particularly involved in finding independent methods to assure the quality of the sample material prior to dating. Infrared spectroscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy are used for monitoring the purity of the material after pre-treatment. The laboratory has much expertise characterizing charcoal, bone collagen, wood and parchment. As the field context and preservational states of the samples are very important, many of the studies also involve field work.

Cosmogenic isotopes, such as Beryllium-10 and Aluminum-26 are applied for provenance/ mining studies on flint tools from Palaeolithic caves to determine the exposure history of the raw material.

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 Department of Chemical Research Support 169

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.

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 170 Department of Chemical Research Support 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 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: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Chemical_Research_Support/surflab/

X-Ray Crystallography (Person in Charge: Linda 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 Department of Chemical Research Support 171 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.

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 172 Department of Chemical Research Support 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.

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_Research_Support/

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

1Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Department of Chemical Research Support 173

Associate Staff Scientists

Elisabetta Boaretto, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Shirley Daube, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene, United States Yishay (Isai) Feldman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Tali Scherf, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Assistant Staffs Scientists

Veronica Frydman, Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Grigorii Leitus, Ph.D., Metallurgy Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation Eyal Shimoni, Ph.D., ETH, Zurich, Switzerland

Engineer

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

Consultant

Yuri Rosenberg, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (left September 2005)

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ayelet Vilan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

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.

175 176 The Center for Energy Research

Novel solar optical systems

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

Solar-pumped lasers

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

Technology transfer to industry

The following major activities took place during last year:

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

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

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

Shimon Vega, Director The Joseph and Marian Robbins Professor

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.

In 2004/2005 the Center supported the design and purchase of the following scientific equipment:

1. An imaging system was developed and built for measuring the angular distribution of photoelectrons ejected from surfaces covered with organized organic layer.

2. A hardware fluorescence correlator was purchased to serve as the heart of a fluorescence correlation spectrometer in order to detect on-line correlation functions from time- dependent fluctuating fluorescence signals.

3. A thermal gradient diffusion cloud chamber was upgraded to measure the efficiency of aerosol activation to cloud droplets.

4. A cooling system for EPR measurements at cryogenic temperatures was purchased and installed in the X-band continuous wave (CW) EPR spectrometer.

5. Necessary equipment for setting up a new protein purification laboratory was acquired.

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The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research

Mordechai Sheves, Director The Ephraim Katzir-Rao Makineni Professor of 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.

179

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science

Stephen Weiner, Director Dr. Walter and Dr. Trude Borchardt Professor of Structural Biology

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

The achievements of the archaeological community of this country over the last 80 years have contributed enormously to the overall knowledge of past human culture. The last 40 years have, however, witnessed a shift in the way archaeological research is practised. There is an increasing use of the scientific method, along with a dependence on more and more sophisticated analytical capabilities. 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 for the forseeable future being the training of students at the PhD level in both the natural sciences and archaeology. In November 1997, the Center was formally established in a newly renovated building on the campus designed by the famous architect, Mendelsohn.

The Center's resources are used primarily for fellowships and modest research funds for 5 to 6 PhD students. The special PhD program involves one year devoted entirely to studies, usually in archaeology if the student has a background in the natural sciences or vica versa. The remaining 4 years are devoted to research and some course work.

Some of the research topics currently being investigated are domestication of wheat using both modern and ancient DNA, characterizing the genetics of a small group of Chalcolithic humans also using ancient DNA, 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

181 182 The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science approaches to characterizing the typologies of ceramic vessels. Each summer the Kimmel Center students and staff spend several weeks in the field at Tel Dor as part of an ongoing project to better understand the archaeology of this important site through the materials. An on-site laboratory is operated.

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, an ancient DNA laboratory, a laboratory for archaeometallurgical research, electron microscope facilities for imaging and elemental analyses, Raman and infrared vibrational spectrometers, and the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry beam line in the Pelletron accelerator. 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

David Milstein, Director The Israel Matz Professor of Organic Chemistry

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design was established in November 2000. It 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 with the following topics:

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

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

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

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

183

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Nanoscale Science

Reshef Tenne, Director

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: A method for the oriented growth of single wall carbon nanotubes along the atomic steps of a sapphire crystal was developed. The Frontier Orbital Theory and the Woodward Hoffman rules were used to explain the difference in the chemical reactivity of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The force required to separate a carbon nanotube from a solid polymer matrix and organic liquids has been measured by performing reproducible nanopullout experiments using atomic force microscopy. Nanotubes made of gold and palladium nanoparticles were synthesized by using porous alumina membrane as a template. New inorganic nanotubes were synthesized like those of Cs2O. The mechanical properties of indvidual WS2 nanotubes were determined. This work suggests numerous applications for such nanotubes, especially in high strength nanocomposites. 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.

185

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

Ada E. Yonath, Director The Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professor

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, 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.

187

The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Center for Structural Biology

Amnon Horovitz, Director The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Biochemistry

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.

189

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

Reshef Tenne, Director

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

The activity comprises experimental and theoretical studies in the field of structure and function of thin organic films, and other soft architectures (such as micelles, vesicles and membranes) related to the material sciences, as well as inorganic-organic nanocomposites and mesoporous materials.

The Center supports collaborative studies among German and Israeli scientists, in general, and of young scholars, in particular. This is done by holding joint seminars, winter schools, and short exchange visits of graduate and post-doctoral students.

A 5th student workshop on the theme “Advances in Materials and Interfaces”, took place in Naurod, Germany in 9-11 April 2003.

The 6th student workshop “Molecular Based Devices” will be held at the Weizmann Institute, 6-8 March 2005.

191

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

193 194 The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences planning emphasizing natural heritage assets of the Central Negev were 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. 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

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. The research in the faculty is conducted by 42 faculty members, about 80 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 combines studies of solid state and semiconductor physics, superconductors, plasma, radiation detection physics, nuclear 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 in Hamburg. This activity is carried out by some 20 experimental groups operating within the faculty, most of which established and developed during the last decade. The faculty is now engaged in plans to extend its activity in optics and laser physics, and to enter 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 this exciting direction 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.

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Condensed Matter Physics

Israel Bar-Joseph, Head The Jane and Otto Morningstar Professor of Physics

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).

Moty 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.

199 200 Condensed Matter Physics

Amir Yacoby: - Electrostatic imaging of the local electronic properties of a two-dimensional electron gas (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 "environmental" 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). Condensed Matter Physics 201

Shimon Levit: - Large N interacting matrix models. - Statistics of quasiparticle and quasihole levels in small interacting disordered systems - quantum dots. - 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. 202 Condensed Matter Physics

- 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.

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 Yoseph Imry, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Max Planck Professor of Quantum Physics 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 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

Associate Professors

Ady Stern, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Amir Yacoby, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Condensed Matter Physics 203

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 Yuval Oreg , Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Louis and Ida Rich Career Development Chair Dan Shahar, Ph.D., Princeton University, Princeton, United States Incumbent of the Corinne S. Koshland Career Development Chair

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

Engineers

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, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Yakir Aharonov, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ora Entin, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Denis Golosov, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Michael Golub, ExPlay Ltd., Herzeliya, Israel Grzegorz Jung, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel Konstantin Kikoin, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Yehoshua Levinson Yigal Meir, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Daniel Portnoy (left February 2005) Elad Shopen, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Shay Yehoshua Zuker, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel 204 Condensed Matter Physics

Visiting Scientists

Alexey G. Aksenov, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Russia Yaroslav Blanter, Tech. University of Delft, Nederland Yunchul Chung, Nat. University , Pusan, Korea Moshe Elitzur, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA Soenke Groth, University of Heidelberg, Germany Simon Jeol, JEOL, Paris, France Igor Karnaukhov, Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine Mikhail Kiselev, University of Wurzburg, Germany Alexander Palevski, University of Tel - Aviv, Israel Valerij Petkun, Semiconductor Physics Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania Nikoly Pilyugin, Moscow State University, Russia Baruch Rosenstein, Nat. Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan Janusz Sadowski, University of Regensburg, Germany Sujit Sarkar, Max Planck Inst., Dresden, Germany Maxim Tcheremissine, University of Karlsruhe, (TKM), Germany Felix Von Oppen, Free University Berlin, Germany

Postdoctoral Fellows

Michal Avinun-Kalish, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sourin Das, Ph.D., Harish-Chandra Research Institute Daniel Greenbaum, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology Beena Kalisky, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Beena Kalisky, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Zhuo Li, Ph.D., Nanjing University, China Alon Marcus , Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Eros Mariani, Ph.D., University of Hamburg, Germany Zoltan Adam Nemeth, Ph.D., Eotvos University, Budapest Nathaniel A. Obadia, Ph.D., Universite de Tours, France Paulina Plochocka, Ph.D., Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University, Poland Alessandro Romito, Ph.D., Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy Georg Schwiete, Ph.D., Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruhr-Uni Bochum Arkady Shechter, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Swati Soman, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Michele Zaffalon, Ph.D., University of Groningen, The Netherlands Shay (Yehoshua) Zucker, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel

Research Students

Hamutal Bary-Soroker Ariel Amir Michal Avinun-Kalish Nurit Avraham Gilad Barak Haim Beidenkopf Rafi Bistrizer Ran Budnik Condensed Matter Physics 205

Merav Dolev andra Elisabetta Foletti Eran Ginossar Sarah Goldberg Yoav Gordin Lilach Goren Eytan Grosfeld Javier Groshaus Tal Hazak-Verdene Clovis Hopman Andreas Johansson Boaz Katz Uri Keshet Maxim Khodas Dganit Meidan Izhar Neder Nissim Ofek Einat Peled Hagai Perets Amir Sagiv Yehonathan Segev Eran Sela Arkady Shechter Hadar Steinberg Michael Stern Basile Verdene Oren Zarchin

Administrator

Tomer Hansen

Particle Physics

Itzhak Tserruya, Head The Samuel Sebba Professorial Professor 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 16 tenured faculty members, 9 experimentalists and 7 theorists. We also have 1 professor on extension of service and 11 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 sN N = 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 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 R&D phase, the HBD is now under construction with installation foreseen in 2006.

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 collisions, is near completion.

207 208 Particle Physics

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 2007 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 we use 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 7Be(p,γγ )8B and 3He(4He, )7Be cross sections that are essential for understanding the issues of solar-neutrino oscillations and mass and connected to Big-Bang Nuclear-Synthesis. Nuclear astrophysics experiments are also planned for the near future at REX-ISOLDE.

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, SARAF, at Soreq. (In collaboration with Dr. Dan Berkovits). Particle Physics 209

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 modelling 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 "little string theories") and in 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. 210 Particle Physics

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 our latest work, with John Ellis, we discuss the spectrum of exotic baryons in two-dimensional QCD, and 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.

Many Body Theory

Michael Kirson works on nuclear models, within the general framework of interacting many- body systems, and on applications of algebraic methods to the study of simplified models of strongly-interacting many-body systems. Recent work has concentrated on systematics of nuclear masses and radii and their implications for nuclear structure.

Particle Physics

Led by Yossi Nir, subjects include phenomenology of supersymmetric theories; grand unification; CP violation, especially in B decays; neutrino masses and oscillations; baryogenesis and leptogenesis.

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. 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 Yitzhak Frishman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Amos de Shalit Professor of Theoretical Physics Particle Physics 211

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 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 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

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 Shaul Hanany, Ph.D., Columbia University, New York, United States Michael Hass, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Murray B. Koffler Professor 212 Particle Physics

Senior Staff Scientists

Rachel Chechik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 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 Sergei Shchemelinin, Ph.D., Leningrad University Alexander Starobinets, Ph.D., The Institute of High Current Electronics, Russian Federation

Special Contracts

Vladimir Smakhtin, Ph.D., Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Leonid Weingarten, Ph.D., ivanovo State Universtiy, Ivanovo, Russian Federation

Engineers

Eliahu Elias, B.A., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Donald Hochman, Ph.D., SUNY, Stony Brook, United States

Consultants

Ron Arad, Center for Nuclear Research, Nahal Soreq, Yavne, Israel Yosef Babichenko Eli Cheifetz, El-Mol Technologies Ltd., Rehovot, Israel Shmuel Elitzur, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Amnon Fisher, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Dimitry Fisher, Nahal Soreq, Yavne, Israel Amnon Fruchtman, Center for Technology Education, Holon, Israel Amit Giveon, The Hebrew University of Jerusaelm, Jerusalem Yuval Grossman, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Leib Kishinevsky Yakov Krasik, Technion - Israel Institute of technology, Haifa, Israel Yael Shadmi, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Jacob Sonnenschein, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Natan Weiss, ELRA, Ashdod, Israel Particle Physics 213

Visiting Scientists

Itzhak Ben-Itzhak, Kansas State University , Manhattan, KS, USA Daniella Bigatti, Cath. University of Louvain, Belgium Victor Granatstein, University of Maryland, USA Germano Guedes, University of Feira de Santana, Brazil Christiaan Hofman, Rutgers University , NJ, USA Boris Kovalchuk, Inst. of High Current Electronics, Tomsk, Russia Ernesto Lozano-Telleche, University Autonoma, Madrid, Spain Liat Maoz, University of Amsterdam, Nederland Poonam Mehta, Hari-Chandra Inst., Allahabad, India Alexander Milov, Suny at Stony Brook, NY, USA Daniel Savin, Columbia University , NYC, USA Lev Shekhtman, Budker Inst. for Nuc. Phys., Novosibirsk, Russia Alexander Tanklevsky, CERN, Euro. Org. For Nuclear Rese., Geneva, Switzerland Xavier Urbain, Cath. University of Louvain, Belgium Leonid Vainshtein, Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia Leonid Weissman, University of Conneticut, Storrs, CT, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Ildar Almiev, Ph.D., University of Oxford Sreenivasa Nara Sing Bondili, Ph.D., TIFR, Mumbai University, India Sanjay Kumar Chamoli, Ph.D., Panjab University, Chandigarh Alexander Cherlin, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Konstantin Chirko, Ph.D., Technion, Israel Tathagata Dasgupta, Ph.D., University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Ramy Doron, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Anand Kumar Dubey, Ph.D., Institute of Physics, India Igor Giller, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Lev Gregorian, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Eyal Kroupp, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Matthew Lightwood, Ph.D., University College London, United Kingdom Satabhisa Mukhopadhyay-Dasgupt, Ph.D., Rutgers University, USA Iftach Nevo, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Shesansu Sekhar Pal, Ph.D., Utkal University, India Andrea Soddu, Ph.D., University of Virginia Lakshmi Soundara Pandian, Ph.D., Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai Evgeny Stambulchik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Hengda Zhang, Ph.D., China Academy of Machinery Science & Technology, China

Research Students

Yaron Emanuel Antebi Ofer Aviv Alexander Cherlin Adi Diner (Naaman) 214 Particle Physics

Guy Engelhard Tamar Kashti Alexandre Kozlov Uri Lev Alexey Lyashenko Arie Melamed-Katz Dirk Michael Moermann Maxim Naglis Dmitry Osin Assaf Patir Guy Raz Dori Reichmann Peter Renkel Ilan Sagiv Deepali Sharma Jonathan Toker Konstantin Tsigutkin Tomer Volansky Lidija Zivkovic

Administrator

Kobi Ben-Shmuel 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Bio-Imaging: We employ both Optical Brain Imaging and Wet Scanning Electron Microscopy to image the activity and growth of neurons.

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 has focused on (a) the physics of recombination (b), on the interaction of long DNA molecules and proteins associated with the bacterial chromosome or nucleoid. These studies are conducted using single-molecule elasticity techniques as well as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) at the ensemble and single-pair level. The group is also characterizing 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) the lambda phage genetic network, one of the paradigms of computation in molecular biology.

Tsvi Tlusty and his group are exploring biological systems within the framework of theoretical physics. The main focus of the group is the investigation of molecular codes in terms of stochastic mapping that is optimized via evolution to minimize the impact of errors. A molecular coding theory has been developed and applied to the universal genetic code and to the transcription network. The latter system has been treated as a map between the transcription proteins and the DNA sites they bind, and the theoretical model was supported by a bioinformatic survey. The group is also pursuing a coding theory for protein-protein

215 216 Physics of Complex Systems recognition processes, for example antibody-antigen interactions in the immune system. Another biological question that is related to the general theme of evolutionary optimization is the design of the transcription-translation to maximize fitness. The group is collaborating with the Joel Stavans' group in analyzing genetic recombination as a stochastic molecular computation.

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, micro-emulsion near its consolute critical point.

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 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 data (gene expression, array CGH, SNP-chips). 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 and estimating the robustness of outcome predictors, 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 anomalies i.e. breakdown of symmetries that do not disappear when symmetry-breaking factor goes to zero and in the multi-fractal measures. He is also interested in relating conformal geometry of random contours to turbulence. On a practical side he is working on the quantitative theory of rain initiation in turbulent warm clouds.

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. Physics of Complex Systems 217

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 "billiards". They are also conducting experiments in a Bose-Einstein condensate including measurements of its zero-temperature excitation spectra its ground state properties and its coherence.

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, and 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 the nonlinear microscopy - using femtosecond pules 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 ("D-branes") in holographic theories was elucidated. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/complex/ 218 Physics of Complex Systems

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 Adam Schwimmer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Ruth Epstein Recu Professor of Theoretical Physics 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 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 The Harry de Jur Professor of Applied Physics

Professors Emeriti

Ephraim H Frei, Ph.D., University of Vienna, Austria Asher A. Friesem, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States

Associate Professor

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

Senior Scientist

Tsvi Tlusty, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Special Contract

Michael Meyklyar, Ph.D., State Institute of Applied Optics, Kazan, Russian Federation

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 Physics of Complex Systems 219

Consultants

Itzhak Fouxon, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Michael Golub, ExPlay Ltd., Herzeliya, Israel Yariv Kafri, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Daniel Kandel, KLA-Temcor, Migdal H'aemek, Israel (left March 2005) Ido Kanter, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel Yossi Kedmi Dan Oron, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Avraham Peled, Shaar Menashe Mental Health Center, Israel Eliezer Rabinovici, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (left August 2005) Shimon Yankielowicz, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Michael Aizenman, Princeton University , NJ, USA Jean-Pierre Eckmann, University of Geneva, Switzerland Martin Evans, University of Edinburgh, Scotland Eva Jonsson David Kutasov, University of Chicago, Il, USA Leonid Piterbarg, University of Southern California, LA, USA Konstantin Turitsyn, Landau Inst.., Moscow, Russia

Postdoctoral Fellows

Jacob Bock Axelsen, Ph.D., Niels Bohr Institute Roman Brinzanik, Ph.D., Physics Department, Free University Berlin Teodor Burghelea, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Barak Dayan, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Liat Ein-Dor, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Ofer Feinerman, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Alexander Fouxon, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Iztok Hace, Ph.D., University of Ljubljana Nestor Zenon Handzy, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University Amiel Ishaaya, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kavita Jain, Ph.D., Tata Institute Enrique Lacalle Alvarez, Ph.D., Spain Yonggang Liu, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences Daniel Mandelik, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Avi Pe'er, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Thomas Polack, Ph.D., Ecole Polytechnique, France Attila Gabor Rakos, Ph.D., Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest Anat Reiner Benaim, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Dror Sagi, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel 220 Physics of Complex Systems

Idit Saragusti, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Shahar Seifer, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Noam Shental, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Jordi Soriano-Fradera, Ph.D., University of Barcelona Juan Diego Urbina, Ph.D., Germany Yanbang Wang, Ph.D., Chines Academy of Science, Beijing

Research Students

Itai Afek Amnon Amir Roee Amit Mikkel Andersen Nir Bar-Gill Dafna Ben-Eli Tsafrir David Biron Ilan Breskin Yaron Bromberg Teodor Burghelea Yochay Danziger Barak Dayan Navit Dori Vardit Eckhouse Leon Eisen Ofer Feinerman Eugene Frumker Hilah Gal Sergiy Gerashchenko Tzahi Grunzweig Amiel Ishaaya Shimshon Jacobi Vasiliy Kantsler Tsvi Katchalski Nadav Katz Erel Levine Nava Levit-Binnun Daniel Mandelik Adi Natan Dan Oron Avi Pe'er Rami Pugatch Assaf Rotem Eitan Rowen Dror Sagi Shahar Seifer Tal Shay Liran Shimshi Eran Tal Shuki Vardi Marija Vucelja Or Zuk

Administrator

Israel Gonen Physics Services

Daniel Zajfman, Head The Simon Weinstock Professor of Astrophysics

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

Daniel Zajfman1, D.Sc., Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The Simon Weinstock Professor of Astrophysics

1Department of Particle Physics

221 222 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

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 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, in special emergency cases, partial help for the purchase and maintenance of 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.

223

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics

Giora Mikenberg, Director The Lady Davis Professor 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 of all the 2400 TGC chambers that had to be prepared for the big experiment in Geneva. Some 70% of these chambers are already at CERN after a comprehensive set of quality tests. The rest will be tested in Israel and will be shipped in the coming months.

The installation of the mammoth system has already begun. The installation is being carried out at CERN by a Israeli-dominated team. 7 out of the huge 72 sectors are already fully installed with detectors and their electronics.

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 τ -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].

225 226 The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics

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.

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 RHIC, the relativistic heavy ion collider at BNL. The Phenix experiment was specifically designed to study and characterize the quark-gluon plasma, the primordial state of matter that formed the entire universe a few microseconds after the big-bang. The QGP is characterized by two fundamental properties, the deconfinement of quarks and gluons and the restoration of chiral symmetry. The Weizmann Heavy Ion Group is mainly involved in the detection of low-mass electron-positron pairs. The goal is to further elucidate the very interesting results obtained by the group in the previous Ceres experiment at CERN, which could be linked to the restoration of chiral symmetry. In order to measure low-mass electron pairs at RHIC, the Weizmann group has developed a novel “hadron blind detector”, as an upgrade of the Phenix detector. The HBD is presently under construction and will be installed during 2006.

Detector Development for Future HEP Experiments: THGEM

Systematic investigations of the properties of novel gas-avalanche electron multipliers were carried out, and their potential incorporation within a new generation of fast radiation imaging detectors has been assessed. The novel Thick GEM-like (THGEM) multipliers, consist of metalized dielectric plates (0.4 to 3.2 mm thick) densely perforated with holes (0.3 to 1mm diameter), etched at their rims. An intense dipole field created within the holes, under high voltage applied to both surfaces, efficiently focuses radiation-induced electrons into the holes, where they undergo intense avalanche multiplication.

The THGEM is characterized by a very high electron multiplication and very efficient electron transport into and out of the holes, permitting elements cascading. Electron-multiplication factors reaching 105 and 107 were recorded in single- and double-THGEM structures, respectively, in various gases at atmospheric and at very low gas pressures. Operation conditions were investigated, under which all electrons, induced by radiation in gas or emitted from the surface of a solid converter, are focused into the THGEM and multiplied.

The avalanche mechanism is fast, with the pulse rise-time in the few-ns range; this ensures good timing properties. Consequently, the counting rate capability is very good, permitting radiation measurements at repetition rates above million events/mm2sec. The radiation imaging performances were studied with soft x-rays, using a position-sensitive 100x100 mm2 double-THGEM detector, operated in atmospheric pressure; sub-mm localization precision, compatible with the hole diameter and spacing was measured. The energy resolution is comparable to that of other gaseous multipliers. The copious avalanche-induced light emission from the THGEM holes permits track imaging with optical means. The method is being The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics 227 applied to an optical-tracking Time Projection Chamber (TPC) developed for the study of rare nuclear reactions in the field of nuclear astrophysics.

In summary, the THGEM is an attractive robust and economic electron multiplier, easily produced, spanning a large scale of geometrical parameters. It suits applications requiring large-area detectors with single-electron sensitivity, fast response, high repetition rates and moderate (sub-mm) localization properties. It has been demonstrated that it permits the efficient detection of gas-ionization electrons and of single photons, via photoelectrons emitted into the holes from a photocathode deposited on its top surface. Possible applications could be in Cherenkov Ring imaging (RICH) detectors, large TPC readout, charged-particle tracking or in sampling elements in Calorimetry. While natural applications are in particle and astroparticle physics, THGEM multipliers are currently investigated for x-ray and neutron imaging detectors.

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- COMMUON-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- COMPHYS-2005-019. 6. Quark Matter 2005: Experimental Conference Summary, I. Tserruya, Nucl. Phys. A (in press), nucl-ex/0601036. 7. Report on the Hadron Blind Detector for the PHENIX Detector, I. Tserruya, Nucl. Instr. Meth (in press). 8. Cherenkov Counters in Heavy ion Physics, I. Tserruya, Nucl. Instr. Meth. A553, 196 (2005). 9. A Hadron Blind Detector for the PHENIX Experiment at RHIC, Z. Fraenkel et al., Nucl. Instr. Meth. A546, 466 (2005). 10. Advances in Thick GEM-like gaseous electron multipliers. Part I: atmospheric pressure operation C. K. Shalem, R. Chechik, A. Breskin, K. Michaeli;. Physics/ 0601115; Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, in press. 11. Advances in Thick GEM-like gaseous electron multipliers. Part II: low-pressure operation C.K. Shalem, R. Chechik, A. Breskin, K. Michaeli, N. Ben-Haim; Physics/ 0601119; Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, in press. 12. Amplification and Scintillation Properties of Oxygen-Rich Gas Mixtures for Optical-TPC applications L. Weissman, M. Gai, A. Breskin, R. Chechik, V. Dangendorf, K. Tittelmeier, H.R. Weller; Submitted to JINST, Feb.2006.

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

Mordehai Heiblum, Director 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].

229 230 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 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 The Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Center for Submicron Research 231 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).

The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics

Uzy Smilansky, Director (until January 2005) The Wolfgang Gentner Chair of Nuclear Physics

Eli Waxman, Director (from February 2005)

The Albert Einstein MINERVA Center for Theoretical Physics was established in 1980 with the generous donation of an endowment fund from the Bundes Ministerium für Forschung und Technologie (BMFT) of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the joint committee for German Israeli Scientific Cooperation (Minerva). The main emphasis of the Center is to foster high level research in theoretical physics, while promoting cooperation among German and Israeli theorists. The Center supports human contact activities, such as theoretical physicists visiting from abroad and consultants working with different theory groups 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 2005 we supported 40 visitors who came to the Institute to collaborate and to give lectures. The visitors came from Germany (7), United States (13), England (3), France (5), Switzerland (1), Canada (1), The Netherlands (1), Russia (2), Austria (1), India (2), Mexico (1), China (1), Italy (1), and Belgium (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 2005, three 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. Ora Entin-Wohlman, Tel Aviv University; Dr. Konstantin Kikoin, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; and Prof. Yigal Meir, Ben-Gurion University. The advisors for Particle Physics were Dr. Yosef Babichenko; Prof. Amit Giveon, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Prof. Barak Kol, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem;

233 234 The Albert Einstein Minerva Center for Theoretical Physics

Dr. Yael Shadmi, Technion; Dr. Yuval Grossman, 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 (2005):

FRISNO8 - French-Israeli Symposium on Non-Linear and Quantum Optics - Ein Bokek, Dead Sea, Israel, 20/02/2005 -25/02/2005.

Symposium in Honour of the 80th Birthday of Igal Talmi, Zeev Fraenkel and Gabi Goldring - Weizmann Institute, Israel, 04/04/2005.

First International Workshop on Electrostatic Storage Devices, Kibutz Eilot, Eilat, Israel, May 29/05/05 - June 02/06/2005.

Einstein Colloquia

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

G. 't Hooft, (Utrecht) "The Black Hole Information Paradox" O. Schramm, (Microsoft) "Brownian Motion, Percolation, and other conformally invariant scaling limits" R. Kirshner, (Harvard) "The Accelerating Universe: Einstein's Blunder Undone" M. Lukin, (Harvard) "Quantum Control of Photons and Atoms" D. Gross, (UCSB) "The future of Physics" S. Schweber, (Brandeis) "Community and Genius: Einstein and Oppenheimer" A. Kitaev, (CalTech) "Quantum Computation and Anyons" http://www.weizmann.ac.il/physics/einstein_physics.html The Maurice and Gabriella Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics

Israel Bar-Joseph, Director The Jane and Otto Morningstar Professor of Physics

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.

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The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems

Itamar Procaccia, Director The Barbara and Morris L. Levinson Professor

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

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

Hydrodynamics, Turbulence and Pattern Formation-Theory

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

237 238 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems

dynamics and developed a theory of DLA which is able to predict all the multifractal properties from first principles. In particular we have offered a convergent calculation of the fractal dimension of DLA, settling a long standing question whether it is fractal or not (it is).

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

Hydrodynamics, Turbulence, and Pattern Formation-Experimental

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

1. Elastic turbulence and Batchelor regime of mixing in dilute 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. 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 239

3. Hydrodynamics of complex fluids in micro-channels. Different regimes in dynamics of a single vesicle in shear flow that appears between two disks and in micro-channels were studied in details. This investigation of dynamics in other flows such as elongation and random flows will be continued. On the next stage the hydrodynamics of concentrated solution of vesicles will be studied by measurements of its global (pressure drop as a function of discharge) and local (dynamics of a single vesicle) properties will be studied. Similarly to flows of polymer solutions, solutions of vesicles are expected to show a random flow of the elastic turbulence type, the phenomenon that is looking for. Besides, hydrodynamics of micro-emulsion near its consolute critical point was studied in various flow configurations.

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 provide us complete information about convective turbulence.

Quantum Chaos - Theory

The main problem in "quantum chaos" is to reveal the quantum mechanical implications of classical chaos. Chaotic dynamics - a generic property in classical physics, leave universal fingerprints in quantum physics, which are unraveled by the on going research in "quantum Chaos". The results are relevant and applicable in Mesoscopics, Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear physics. As a matter of fact, "quantum chaos" appears in all problems where wave propagation is studied in the short wavelength limit. Thus, "quantum chaos" is also studied in acoustics, electromagnetic propagation, cavities etc. The observation which brought "quantum chaos" to the focal point of modern theoretical physics, was the intimate connection between the distributions and statistics of many quantum observables, and the underlying classical 240 The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems dynamics. More precisely, it was found that the predictions of random matrix theory, a minimum-information statistical approach, accurately reproduce the properties of simple quantum systems, as long as the underlying classical dynamics is chaotic. In this way, the ergodicity which is the hallmark of classical chaos is extended into the quantum domain. In our recent research we contributed to this effort along the following lines:

1. Quantum graphs. In the quest for the simplest quantum systems which display spectral fluctuations which are reproduce by random matrix theory, we proposed quantum graphs, for which an exact trace formula exists, and the "classical dynamics" was shown to be mixing. An extensive test of the spectra of simple graphs have shown an excellent reproduction of various statistical measures derived from random matrix theory. Moreover, the derivation of spectral correlation functions can be reduced to the solution of combinatorial problems. With this insight, the applicability of random matrix theory for graphs was theoretically established to better degree than hitherto achieved in any other system. Various other problems of interest, such as isospectrality (which relates to the question- "Can one hear the shape of a graph?"), quantum irreversibility (dephasing) and nodal structures of wave functions on graphs are also studied. Recently we introduced a method to construct graphs which are isospectral but are not congtuent.

2. The statistics and structure of nodal domains. Real wave functions (in 2d for simplicity) vanish along lines which separate domains where the wave function has a constant sign. The properties of the sets of nodal lines and nodal domains are sensitive to the underlying classical dynamics. We revived the interest in this aspect of "quantum chaos" by introducing a new statistical measure for the distribution of the number of nodal domains. We derived the universal features of this distribution for quantum integrable problems, and conjectured its behavior for chaotic ones.

3. Can one count the shape of a drum? We study the sequences obtained by counting the number of nodal domains of wave functions ordered by increasing energies. We have shown that these sequences of integers store geometric information on the shape of the boundary of the "drum". Moreover, we conjectured and verified the conjecture numerically that these sequences resolve isospectral ambiguities. Recently we proved the validity of the conjecture for a certain class of isospectral graphs. 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

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 concrete developments. 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 the Development of Reactive Systems, and the Moross Laboratory for Vision Research and Robotics. http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/

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Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Tamar Flash, Head The Dr. Hymie Moross Professor

Research in computer science encompasses theoretical studies on the foundations of computer science, experimental aspects of computer science, computer vision and robotics, and the study of information processing by biological systems, theoretical biology and bioinformatics. 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 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

245 246 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 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.

Motor learning and adaptation: Investigating the rules that govern skill acquisition and learning in humans, and developing learning algorithms and architectures for robotic systems. Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 247

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.

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 "building blocks" of life, including a nearly complete description of all of the genes. The next challenge is to unravel how these parts interact and assemble into larger cellular machines, capable of carrying out increasingly complex functions. Our research activities address this challenge by developing computational frameworks that model complex biological systems, through integration of heterogeneous sources of biological data. Recent directions include development of: models of transcriptional control that incorporate transcription factors, DNA sequences, transcription degradation, binding competition and synergy; models of translational control through microRNA-RNA interactions; models of chromatin structure through nucleosome positions, post-translational histone modifications, and chromosomal expression domains. Applications of these models that are currently being pursued include understanding pattern formation during development and understanding control of gene expression during the cell cycle. The underlying computational techniques and 248 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 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

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professors

Achi Brandt, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel (on extension of service) The Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Professor of Applied Mathematics Uriel Feige, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Lawrence G. Horowitz Professor of Cancer Research 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 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 249

David Harel, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States The William Sussman Professor of Mathematics 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 Amir Pnueli, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Estrin Family Professor of Computer Science 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 Edriss Titi, Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington, United States Ma’of Fellowship 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 Aviezri S. Fraenkel, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, United States Isaac M. Horowitz, Ph.D., Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (deceased July 2005) Philip Rabinowitz, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States Lee A. Segel, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States (deceased January 2005)

Associate Professors

Ronen Basri, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Michal Irani, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Daniel Michelson, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Vered Rom-Kedar, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States

Senior Scientist

Boaz Nadler, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Omer Reingold, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Incumbent of the Walter and Elise Haas Career Development Chair Eran Segal, Ph.D., Stanford University, Stanford, United States

Associate Staff Scientist

Valery Ilyin, Ph.D., Kiev State University 250 Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Assistant Staff Scientists

Meirav Galun, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Dorit Ron, 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

Nathan Dinar, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Nex-Ziona, Israel Assaf Dvorkin, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (retired December 2005) Raya Leviathan, Ort Braude College, Carmiel, Israel Boaz Trakhtenbrot, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Visiting Scientists

Nathan Dinar, Israel Inst. of Bio. Rese., Nes Ziona, Israel Eitan Tadmor, University of Maryland, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Hila Amir-Kroll, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Sigal Berman, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Reuven Cohen, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Yulia Lerner, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Milena Radnovic, Ph.D., Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade, Abroad Sofya Raskhodnikova, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology Eyal Rozenman, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Hovav Shacham, Ph.D., Stanford University Amir Shpilka, Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Adam Smith, Ph.D., MIT, USA Ariel Tankus, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Yonatan Wexler, Ph.D., U. of Maryland, USA Mark Zlochin, Ph.D., Technion, Israel

Research Students

Ayelet Akselrod- Ballin Sharon Alpert Yoram Atir Evgeniy Bart Yaakov Benenson Armin Biess Barak Blumenfeld Oren Boiman Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 251

Roman Dovgard Zeev Dvir Yuval Emek Boris Epshtein Dana Fisman Jason Friedman Darya Frolova Ariel Gabizon Tiferet Gazit Yaara Goldschmidt Lena Gorelick Ronen Gradwohl Iftach Haitner Dan Harnik Tzvika Hartman Iyad Ali Hasan Suwan Tal Hassner Aron Inger Na'Aman Kam Erez Kantor Leonid Karlinsky Irena Kemelmacher Michael Kertesz Alexander Klimov Amos Korman Hillel Kugler Dan Kushnir Nissan Lev-Tov Boris Levant Dan Levi Gregory Linshiz Shai Litvak Shahar Maoz Dana Moshkovitz Lior Noy Asaf Nussboim Eran Ofek Marina Ousov-Fridin Nir Piterman Felix Polyakov Anna Rapoport Avital Sadovski-Sadot Ilia Safro Bernard Sarel Yaakov Setty Eli Shechtman Eli Shlizerman Eliezer Shochat Denis Simakov Moran Tal Eran Tromer Michel Vidal-Naquet Gera Weiss Ehud Wieder Amir Yehudayoff Ido Zelman

Administrator

Raanan Michael

Mathematics

Gideon Schechtman, Head (until June 2005) The William Petschek Professor of Mathematics

Sergei Yakovenko, Head (from July 2005) The Gershon Kekst Professor

The principal research interests of the Department lie in the two general areas of Analysis (understood in the broadest sense, including applications) and Algebra.

Topics covered in Analysis include the structure of finite and infinite dimensional spaces, 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 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 of connection between complex analytic and non-Archimedean analytic spaces has being started. It was shown that, given a smooth projective variety over the punctured complex disc, the maximal unipotent monodromy part of the rational cohomology of its fiber is canonically isomorphic to the rational cohomology of the non-Archimedean analytic space associated to the variety over the field of Laurent power series in the local variable of the disc at zero. It was also shown that there is a surjective homomorphism from the fundamental group of the fiber to the fundamental group of the non-Archimedean analytic space and, in particular, if the former is trivial, then so is the latter.

Analytic theory of ordinary differential equations: A general theorem was proved on the number of zeros for functional fields obtained as Picard-Vessiot extensions of the field of meromorphic functions. Using an explicitly derived system of Picard-Fuchs differential

253 254 Mathematics equations, this result is applied to Abelian integrals, giving a first constructive solution of the infinitesimal Hilbert 16th problem (in the hyperelliptic case). Bounds for oscillatory behavior of solutions of linear systems with polynomial coefficients were improved.

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.

Automorphic forms: First, work was continued on the boundedness in vertical strips of L- functions that appear in constant terms of Eisenstein series; one question studied was whether the boundedness is really a product of complex function theory. Second, topics were explored about how Riemann's zeta function, and its generalizations, depends on Riemann's original ideas.

Banach spaces: The geometry of finite and infinite dimensional normed spaces and maps between them is investigated, particularly the classification of Banach spaces under Lipschitz and uniform homeomorphisms, and under Lipschitz and uniform quotient maps. Some new tight isomorphic embedding results, particularly for finite dimensional subspaces of Lp, were obtained.

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 operators are obtained, using analytic continuation, from known solutions for the degenerate elliptic case. Special functions (Bessel, hypergeometric, confluent hypergeometric) appear naturally, and interesting relations are discovered.

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. Algorithms for calculating concave utility functions when the choice set is finite are given, and their geometric nature as well as their relation to well-known duality constructions is clarified.

Dynamical systems: Coupled slow and fast ordinary differential equations were examined via singular perturbations analysis. Attention was paid to the structure of switching between Mathematics 255 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: The theory of the holomorphic deformation of rational matrix functions is developed. Applications to the Schlesinger differential system are done.

A simple connection between Riccati equations and finite dimensional reproducing kernel Krein spaces was established and then exploited to resolve a number of interpolation and factorization problems. Related zero and pole cancellation problems were also explored. The investigation of inverse problems for canonical integral and differential system continued. In particular, a parameterization of the set of all solutions to an inverse input impedance problem was given under reasonably general conditions and applied to the inverse spectral problem. Explicit formulas were derived for a number of examples. The class of strongly regular de Branges spaces was introduced and explored.

Optimization and control: The control of coupled slow and fast motions was examined. The model is of singular perturbations with, possibly, measure-valued variables representing the limit of the fast variables. Design of switching modes between manifolds of equilibria or invariant measures of the fast dynamics were examined. The possibility to ignite impulses of the slow dynamics was demonstrated. The limit occupational measures of controlled dynamics were examined utilizing general convexification techniques.

Partial Differential Equations and global analysis: Influence of small noise on dynamical systems on Riemannian compact manifolds can be studied using the asymptotic of the probability density function. As the noise goes to zero, the ground state solution gets concentrated on the subsets of the recurrent set of the dynamical system, where the topological pressure (formulated as a variational problem) is achieved.

Probability and geometry: Several subjects relating probability and geometry of sets in finite dimensional space or in discrete structures are investigated. These include problems pertaining to Statistical Physics; in particular, percolation, random walks on diverse geometrical structures, and the study of convex sets in high dimensional Euclidean space.

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 a study of enveloping algebras of classical Lie superalgebras and their modules. Shapovalov determinants for Q-type algebras were computed. This allows to 256 Mathematics describe the centres of their enveloping algebras using a method of Kac. 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: A family of partial differential operators appearing in Physics as a model of an irreversible quantum system was investigated in detail. The family involves a real parameter (the "coupling constant") in the boundary conditions. The spectrum of the family, considered as a function of this parameter, behaves in a rather unusual way. In particular, there is a special value of the coupling constant where the family exhibits a phase transition: the spectrum has quite a different structure for the values of coupling constant which are smaller or larger of this special value. Some other families, exhibiting phase transition of a different type, were also studied. 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 Universtiy, Moscow, Russian Federation The Matthew B. Rosenhaus Professor Aryeh Dvoretzky, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Institute Professor Harry Dym, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States (on extension of service) The Renee and Jay Weiss Professor 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 The Herman P. Taubman Professor of Mathematics Gideon Schechtman, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel The William Petschek Professor of Mathematics Mathematics 257

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

Professor Emeritus

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 Dimitry Novikov, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Consultants

Joseph Bernstein, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Chen Dubi, SCE - Academic College of Engineering, Beer-Sheva, 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 Victor Zalgaller

Visiting Scientists

Yuriy Akimov, Kharkov State University, Ukraine Damir Arov, S. Ukrainian University , Odessa, Ukraine Antonino Casile, University of Tubingen, Germany Vladimir Derkach, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Vladimir Golubyatnikov, Russian Acad. of Sci., Novosibirsk, Russia Jacob Greenstein, University of California at Riverside, USA Vladimir Gurarie, Swinburne University of Tech., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia Istvan Heckenberger, University of Leipzig, Germany William B. Johnson, Texas A&M University, USA Victor Kac, MIT, Mass. Inst. of Tech., USA Ion-Alexandru Mihai, University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France Ngoc Gioan Jean Pagnon, University of Montpellier II, France Nikolaos Papalexiou, University of the Agean, Greece Nathalie Rouach, College de France, Paris, France 258 Mathematics

Grigori Rozenblioum, Chalmers Inst. of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden Hava Siegelman, University of Mass., Amherst, USA Israel Sigal, University of Toronto, Canada Marshall Slemrod, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA Boris Solomyak, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Shmuel Zelikson, University of Caen, France

Postdoctoral Fellows

Armin Biess, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Pavel Chigansky, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Chen Dubi, Ph.D., Ben-Gurion University, Israel Jakub Duda, Ph.D., University of Missouri, United States Omer Offen, Ph.D., Columbia University, USA Ngoc Gioan Jean Pagnon, Ph.D., Universite de Provence, Aix-Marseille I, France Eitan Sayag, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Boaz Tsaban, Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, Israel Ilya Tyomkin, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Dan Volok, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Gideon Amir Yevgenia Apartsin Dan Bernstein Ilan Degani Dmitry Gourevitch Ori Gurel-Gurevich Polyxeni Lamprou Ronni-Haim Machluf Emanuel Milman Tamar Seeman Jasmine Tal Michael Temkin Ariel Yadin Gal Zahavi

Administrator

Raanan Michael 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 was established in May 1996. It secures financial support for the entire spectrum of research activities of the Faculty, and related research at the Institute, and 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 2005 fiscal year, the Belfer Institute sponsored many programs and projects. Here we list the main ones only: The 2005 Pekeris Lecture, delivered by Prof. Christos Papadimitriou of the University of California at Berkeley, March 22, 2005 "Networks and Games". Support for scientists: Prof. Ehud Shapiro and Dr. Omer Reingold. Travel support for the doctoral students. Support for a long list of guests, including: Dr. Michael Blinov, Prof. Shahar Mendelson, Prof. I. Kupka, Dr. N. Rouach, Prof. V. Afraimovich, Prof. Eitan Tadmor, Dr. Eran Segal, Dr. G. Zaslavsky, Dr. S. Frederik, Prof. K. Frankowski. Support for system administrators, providing computer backup, maintenance and troubleshooting. Support for new equipment (mostly workstations for students), continual upgrading of communication

259 260 The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science equipment and ongoing supplies. Continued support to the Faculty Library including enriching our book collection. Support for a range of Faculty Seminars including the program of Distinguished Lecture Series. Support for faculty students attending the Israel Mathematical Union Conference, held in Jerusalem and the Amitsur Conference, held at the Weizmann Institute, organized by Prof. Amitai Regev, June 28-29, 2005. Salary support for the several students.

The Ida Cohen Center for Mathematics

Zvi Artstein, Director The Hettie H. Heineman Chair of Mathematics

The Ida Cohen 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.

261

The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems

Amir Pnueli, Director (until March 2005) The Estrin Famity Professorial Chair in Computer Science

David Harel, Director (from April 2005) 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 has taken over as of April 1, 2005. The title of the center has 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 verification.

Our research will concentrate on visual formalisms and supporting tools for modeling, and on model checking techniques for verification. We shall emphasize both intra-object and inter- object approaches, using state-based and scenario-based languages and methodologies, and will 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, will be carefully maintained and extended. We will also cultivate joint work with industry and case studies, so that our work will not result in academic advances only. We plan to pursue some conventional and less conventional application areas, including service-oriented computing, biological modeling and health care processes.

263

Feinberg Graduate School

Dean: Yosef Yarden The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology

Feinberg Graduate School

Dean: Yosef Yarden The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology

Ami Shalit, Director and Academic Secretary

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 320 new students were accepted during the academic year 2004/2005 (October 1, 2004 – September 30, 2005); of these students, 154 were accepted to the M.Sc. program and 166 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.

267 268 Feinberg Graduate School

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.

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 Dr. Jacob Isler Foundation. 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 through the Agency for International Development (AID), within the framework of the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. The 2003/2004 AID 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. Feinberg Graduate School 269

Structure

The Feinberg Graduate School's academic activities are conducted and supervised by Boards of Studies in Mathematics, 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. Ronen Basri - Mathematics and Computer Science Prof. Nir Orion – Science Teaching Prof. Shimon Levit – Physical Sciences Prof. Abraham Minsky – Chemical Sciences Prof. Elior Peles – Life Sciences

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 270 Feinberg Graduate School

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 225 trainees 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 2004/2005 was 70, a significant number of whom are 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, "Perach", and the Aharon Katzir Center.

The Science Teaching Department, headed by Prof. Abraham Arcavi, 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 accomplishments have earned it national and international recognition (for details, see the section on the Science Teaching Department). http://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/ Feinberg Graduate School 271

Ph.D. Degree Recipients - Graduation Ceremony 2005

Name Title of Thesis Advisor/s Depatrment Julia Adler Studying the multispecific Prof. Eitan Bibi Biological substrate recognition by the Chemistry Escherichia coli multidrug transporter MdfA Refael Aharon Regulation and function of Prof. Gad Galili Plant Sciences water channels (aquaporins) in Dr. Yoram plant cells Kapulnick Hani Al-Ahmad Tandem constructs mitigate Prof. Jonathan Plant Sciences transgene introgression and Gressel establishment in volunteers and in related wild or weedy species: a molecular ecology study Noga Alagem Permeation and gating of Prof. Eitan Biological inwardly rectifying K+ channels Reuveny Chemistry Tal Alergand Redox activities of RB60 and Prof. Avihai Plant Sciences RB47 proteins in a protein Danon complex mediating light regulated translation of chloroplasts psbA mRNA Hila Amir-Kroll Self-HSP60 peptide serves as a Prof. Irun Robert Immunology carrier and adjuvant in Cohen conjugate vaccines Roee Amit Interaction of DNA with Prof. Joel Physics of Complex proteins at the single molecule Stavans Systems level Mikkel Andersen Coherence and quantum Prof. Nir Physics of Complex dynamics of optically trapped Davidson Systems atoms Gad Asher The role of NAD (P)H quinone Prof. Yosef Molecular Genetics oxidoreductase 1 in protein Shaul stability 272 Feinberg Graduate School

Idan Ashur The effects of metal-ligand Prof. Avigdor Plant Sciences interactions on the catalytic Scherz activity of redox- metalloenzyme; model studied with metal-substituted bacteriochlorophyl-a system Ophir Auslaender The transport properties of one- Prof. Amir Condensed Matter dimensional semiconducting Yacoby Physics systems Shraga Aviner Tolerance induction and anti Prof. Yair Immunology leukemic effect of human veto Reisner CTLs Michal Avinun- Dephasing and phase Prof. Mordehai Condensed Matter Kalish measurements of electronic Heiblum Physics systems Dorit Avrahami A new family of fungicides Prof. Yechiel Biological derived from lipophilic acids Shai Chemistry conjugated to membrane active peptides: a structure function study Amir Bahar Neural mechanisms of taste Prof. Yadin Neurobiology learning and memory in the Dudai behaving rat Prof. Ehud Ahissar Jair Bar The role of p53 in tumor-host Prof. Moshe Molecular Cell interactions Oren Biology Itsik Bar-Nahum Polyoxometalate - Prof. Roni Organic Chemistry organometallic hybrid Neumann compounds: synthesis and catalytic applications Boaz Barak Non-Black-Box techniques in Prof. Oded Computer Science cryptography Goldreich and Applied Mathematics Shirly Becker- Mechanisms regulating Prof. Idit Immunology Herman immature B cell differentiation Shachar Merav Ben- The roles of c-Abl-p73 pathway Prof. Yosef Molecular Genetics Yehoyada in response to ionizing radiation Shaul Feinberg Graduate School 273

Yaakov Benenson Molecular computing devices Prof. Ehud Computer Science Shapiro and Applied Mathematics Armin Biess Deterministic and stochastic Prof. Tamar Computer Science computational models of spatial Flash and Applied human arm movements Mathematics David Biron Mechanical aspects of Prof. Elisha Physics of Complex cytokinesis Moses Systems Eran Borenstein Segmentation and recognition Prof. Shimon Computer Science through bidirectional top-town/ Ullman and Applied bottom-up processing Mathematics Sigalit Boura- Inhibition of insulin signaling Prof. Yehiel Zick Molecular Cell Halfon by Ser/Thr phosphorylation and Biology extracellular matrix proteins Chen Brestel Matching images by comparing Prof. Ronen Computer Science hierarchical segment Basri and Applied representations Mathematics Teodor Burghelea Elastic turbulence and mixing in Prof. Victor Physics of Complex a dilute polymer solution Steinberg Systems Ofra Chen Role of an Arabidopsis protease Prof. Robert Plant Sciences and its inhibitory serpin in Fluhr innate immunity Maralice Elaine Novel targets of the cadherin- Prof. Avri Ben - Molecular Cell Conacci-Sorrell catenin complex in oncogenesis Zeev Biology Yochay Danziger New optical elements for optical Prof. Nir Physics of Complex resonators Davidson Systems Barak Dayan Coherent control of multiphoton Prof. Yaron Physics of Complex interactions with nonclassical Silberberg Systems light Ilan Degani RCMS - Right correction Prof. Yosef Mathematics Magnus schemes for oscillatory Yomdin ODE's and cubature formulae Prof. David and commuting extensions Tannor Zohar Dor Lysosomal and mitochondrial- Prof. Adi Molecular Genetics Mukamel based events in cell death: Kimchi focusing on cathespin D and DAP3 usining mammalian and drosophila systems 274 Feinberg Graduate School

Ilanit Doron-Mor Coordination based Prof. Israel Materials and supramolecular structures on Rubinstein Interfaces gold Prof. Abraham Shanzer Nirit Dudovich Quantum coherent control with Prof. Yaron Physics of Complex shaped femtosecond pulses Silberberg Systems Hay Dvir Structural and biochemical Prof. Joel Structural Biology studies on acetylcholinesterase Sussman and glucocerebrosidase Prof. Israel Silman Mark Eisenberg Rites of passage of the engram: Prof. Yadin Neurobiology memory formation, stability, Dudai and use in medaka fish (oryzias latipes) Rivka Elbaum Preservation and evolution of Prof. Steve Structural Biology ancient DNA of Plants in the Weiner levant: study of phytoliths and Prof. Avraham olive pits Levy Avigdor Eldar Robustness of morphogen Prof. Naama Molecular Genetics gradients Barkai Noam Erez The mechanism of N-cadherin- Prof. Benjamin Molecular Cell mediated signaling Geiger Biology Aaron Fait The developmental and Prof. Gad Galili Plant Sciences physiological significance of the Prof. Hillel GABA shunt in arabidopsis Fromm Alla Falkovich Aerosol-associated organic Prof. Yinon Environmental compounds as tracers for Rudich Sciences and Energy atmospheric processes Research Liat Flaishon Mechanisms that negatively Prof. Idit Immunology regulate immature B cell Shachar migration and homing Gilgi Friedlander Using genome wide expression Prof. Naama Molecular Genetics profiles to characterize the Barkai "point of no return" during Prof. Giora sporulation in S.cerevisiae Simchen Feinberg Graduate School 275

Guy Y. Garty Development of ion-counting Prof. Amos Particle Physics nanodosimetry and evaluation Breskin of its relevance to radiation biology Doron Gerber Protein - protein recognition Prof. Yechiel Biological within the membrane milieu Shai Chemistry :structural adaptation of transmembrane domains in the assembly process Jamal Ghabboun Making molecularly modified Prof. David Materials and devices: the importance of Cahen Interfaces contact deposition for semiconductor/molecules/metal junction properties Rina Glozman Characterization of a novel Prof. Gad Galili Plant Sciences ubiquitin-like protein family Prof. Zvulun involved in intracellular Elazar trafficking Moshe Goldsmith Analysis of the mechanism of Prof. Zvi Livneh Biological translesion DNA synthesis in Chemistry Escherichia coli Tanya Goncharov Caspase-8 substrates and Prof. David Biological regulatory proteins Wallach Chemistry Lev Gregorian Spectroscopic investigations of Prof. Yitzhak Particle Physics the energy flow in a Maron nonequilibrium imploding plasma Michal Grinberg- Elucidating the apoptotic Dr. Atan Gross Biological Fuchs mechanism of tBID at the Regulation mitochondria Inna Grosheva The role of p120 catenin in the Prof. Alexander Molecular Cell regulation of cell motility and Bershadsky Biology actin dynamics Anirudh Gupta Structure, function and plasticity Prof. Henry Neurobiology of neocortical microcircuits Markram Tzvika Hartman Combinatorial algorithms for Prof. Moni Naor Computer Science genome rearrangements and Prof. Ron and Applied DNA oligonucleotide arrays Shamir Mathematics 276 Feinberg Graduate School

Vladimir Hurgin IFN-gamma regulated gene Prof. Menachem Molecular Genetics expression Rubinstein Jan Hendrik Ihmels Unraveling principles of cellular Prof. Naama Molecular Genetics organization using modular Barkai analysis of genome-wide expression data Mark Alan Iron From metalloaromatics to Prof. Gershom Organic Chemistry scorpionates and other Martin polydentate ligands: a computational study of structure, reactivity and catalysis Amiel Ishaaya Laser configurations for Prof. Asher A. Physics of Complex transverse mode selection and Friesem Systems coherent beam combining Hanna Jaaro CRNF and other p75 ligands Prof. Mike Biological Fainzilber Chemistry Joy Kahn The mechanisms regulating Prof. Tsvee Immunology SDF-1/CXCR4 mediated Lapidot motility and in vivo repopulation of human stem cells Shiraz Kalir Design-principles of the flagella Prof. Uri Alon Molecular Cell gene network of escherichia coli Biology Ariel Kamsler Hydrogen peroxide regulated Prof. Menachem Neurobiology metaplasticity in the Segal hippocampus Ariel Kaplan Dynamics and spectroscopy of Prof. Nir Physics of Complex ultra-cold atoms in dark optical Davidson Systems traps. Boaz Kaplan Calmodulin modulated cation Prof. Robert Plant Sciences channels in plants - role in Fluhr calcium signalling Prof. Hillel Fromm Feinberg Graduate School 277

Esther Kapulnik Characterization of change Prof. Nir Orion Science Teaching process occouring in science Prof. Uri Ganiel and technology teachers, during and after long in-service training programs Jonathan Kipnis Cellular and molecular Prof. Michal Neurobiology mechanisms underlying brain's Schwartz ability to benefit from autoimmunity under pathological and physiological conditions Alexander Klimov Applications of T-functions in Prof. Adi Shamir Computer Science cryptography and Applied Mathematics Bose S. The ErbB signaling network: Prof. Yosef Biological Kochupurakkal implications of ligand and Yarden Regulation receptor multiplicity Maria Korman Motor sequence learning: how Prof. Tamar Neurobiology experience and time determine Flash acquisition and specificity Dr. Avi Karni Eyal Kroupp Dynamics of an imploding Prof. Yitzhak Particle Physics plasma at stagnation Maron Hillel Kugler Topics in scenario-based Prof. Amir Computer Science requirements: smart execution Pnueli and Applied and synthesis Prof. David Mathematics Harel Premkumar Molecular basis of protein Prof. Ada Zamir Biological Lakshmanane halotolerance: structural and Prof. Joel Chemistry functional studies of Sussman halotolerant carbonic anhydrases from D. salina Sung Hyung Lee Apoptotic mechanisms involved Prof. Lea Immunology in anti-tumor immune responses Eisenbach and immunotherapy Yulia Lerner Holistic versus part-based Prof. Rafael Neurobiology representation in the human Malach brain: fMRI approach 278 Feinberg Graduate School

Raya Leviathan Validation of translation to Prof. Amir Computer Science optimized machine code Pnueli and Applied Mathematics Erel Levine Collective behavior in low Prof. David Physics of Complex dimensional driven systems Mukamel Systems Alexander Levitan Unique features of redox Prof. Avihai Plant Sciences regulation in plant organelles Danon Oded Lewinson Multidrug binding, Prof. Eitan Bibi Biological bioenergetics, structure and Chemistry physiology of the E. coli multidurg transporter MdfA Laurence Libs Class I knox genes: regulation Prof. Gideon Plant Sciences of expression and function Grafi Arthur Machlenkin Identification of novel tumor- Prof. Lea Immunology associated antigen peptides and Eisenbach development of new vaccination approaches for cancer immunotherapy Galia Maik- The role of extracellular Prof. Rony Biological Rachline phosphorylation in the Seger Regulation biological activities of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) Daniel Mandelik High-bands nonlinear Prof. Yaron Physics of Complex localizations in waveguide Silberberg Systems arrays Gal Meiri Structural elements of thermal Prof. Yigal Organic Chemistry stability in a family of closely Burstein related, novel NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases Adi Mesika Enhancement of nuclear import Prof. Ziv Reich Biological of exogenous DNA by Chemistry association with karyophilic proteins Michael Milyavsky Deciphering of transcriptional Prof. Varda Molecular Cell programs controlling malignant Rotter Biology transformation of human cells Feinberg Graduate School 279

Dirk Michael Study of novel gaseous Prof. Amos Particle Physics Moermann photomultipliers for UV and Breskin visible light Helit Nabel-Rozen functional analysis of the RNA Prof. Talila Volk Molecular Genetics binding protein 'HOW' in drosophila Iftach Nevo Study of electrical interfaces of Prof. David Chemical Physics isolated molecules and defects Cahen on GaAs (110) surfaces by Dr. Sidney scanning tunneling microscopy Cohen Noa Ofen Cognitive skill learning: how Prof. Yadin Neurobiology repetition determines Dudai acquisition Dr. Avi Karni Shlomo Oved The role of Ras-like GTPases Prof. Yosef Biological and the ubiquitin-like protein Yarden Regulation Nedd8 in negative regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor Assaf Pe'er The emission of radiation from Prof. Eli Condensed Matter gamma-ray bursts Waxman Physics Avishay Pelah The synthesis of novel cyclic Prof. Meir Biological phosphate derivatives and their Shinitzky Chemistry use for identification of their target proteins Einat Peled Resistance fluctuations in Dr. Dan Shahar Condensed Matter quantum Hall transitions. Physics Eran Perlson Retrograde injury signaling in Prof. Mike Biological lesioned nerve: a role for Fainzilber Chemistry intermediate filament in long distance translocation of map kinase Nir Piterman Verification of infinite-state Prof. Amir Computer Science systems Pnueli and Applied Mathematics Shirley Polager E2Fs and their regulated genes Prof. Doron Molecular Cell are involved in the DNA Ginsberg Biology damage response 280 Feinberg Graduate School

Tatyana Functional response of Prof. Tsvee Immunology Ponomariyov hematopoietic progenitor and Lapidot stromal cells to stress-induced signals Noa Ragonis Teaching object oriented Prof. Mordechai Science Teaching programming to novices Ben-Ari Ziv Raviv The regulation and subcellular Prof. Rony Biological localization of ERK5 Seger Regulation Yoav Rodeh Methods for verification and Prof. Amir Computer Science validation Pnueli and Applied Mathematics Dalia Rosin- Apical accumulation of Prof. Ben-Zion Molecular Genetics Grunewald drosophila PDGF/VEGF Shilo receptor ligands provides a mechanism for triggering localized actin polymerization Sven Ruhle Electron transport in Prof. David Materials and mesoporous TiO2 structures and Cahen Interfaces contact properties at the TiO2 conductive substrate interface Yael Sagi The switching mechanism of the Prof. Michael Biological bacterial flagellar motor Eisenbach Chemistry Sarit Samira TNFa promotes human T cell Prof. Tsvee Immunology development from Lapidot hematopoietic progenitor cells Amir Sapir Unidirectional notch signaling Prof. Ben-Zion Molecular Genetics depends on constitutive Shilo cleavage of Delta by Kul Shahar Seifer Flow characterization by Prof. Victor Physics of Complex ultrasound scattering on Steinberg Systems transducer array: a new tool in turbulence Iftach Shaked From the immune to the Prof. Michal Neurobiology chemical synapse Schwartz Gidi Shani Phosphorylation event within Prof. Adi Molecular Genetics the DAPk related family of Kimchi proteins regulating apoptosis Feinberg Graduate School 281

Revital Shani- Effects of retinal eccentricity on Prof. Dov Sagi Neurobiology Hershkovich contextual modulation Yael Shwartz Chemical literacy: defining it Prof. Avi Science Teaching with teachers and assessing its Hofstein expression at the high-school Dr. Ruth Ben- level Zvi Galia Shy Search of function for an Prof. Gad Galili Plant Sciences arabidopsis gene family that shows homology with yeast autophagy-associated protein Atg8(Aut7/Apg8) Olga Singurindy Analysis of the interaction Prof. Brian Environmental between flow patterns and Berkowitz Sciences and Energy precipitation/dissolution Research processes in carbonate rocks Shlomo Sklarz New methodologies in optimal Prof. David Chemical Physics control with application to Tannor ultracold matter Shalom Guy Regulation of myelin gene Prof. Michel Molecular Genetics Slutsky expression by Gp130 signaling Revel Ronen Sosnik The evolution of writing-like Prof. Tamar Neurobiology sequence movements Flash representation through practice Dr. Avi Karni Ornit Spektor-Levy High order learning skills in Prof. Bat-Sheva Science Teaching science studies: development of Eylon an instructional model, and Dr. Zahava research on implementation and Scherz students' learning Debora Steiner Regulation of adenylyl cyclase Prof. Zvi Vogel Neurobiology activity by acute and chronic exposure to opiates Asya Stepansky Regulation of lysine catabolism Prof. Gad Galili Plant Sciences through the composite LKR/ SDH in arbidopsis thaliana Daniel Strasser Dissociative recombination of Prof. Daniel Particle Physics polyatomic ions Zajfman 282 Feinberg Graduate School

Marianna Intracellular signalling Prof. Mike Biological Tcherpakov downstream of P75 and TrkA Fainzilber Chemistry receptors Liat Topper Haklai An evolutionary perspective of Prof. Elior Peles Molecular Cell Caspr homologues and their Biology associated proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melangaster and mammals Rachel Tsruya The role of Star in regulating the Prof. Ben-Zion Molecular Genetics DER pathway Shilo Tal Varsano Effects of iron deficiency on Prof. Uri Pick Biological thylakoid membranes in the alga Chemistry dunaliella salina Michel Vidal- The extraction and use of Prof. Shimon Computer Science Naquet informative features for scale Ullman and Applied invariant recognition Mathematics Tali Wallach Teachers' hearing and Prof. Ruhama Science Teaching interpretation of students' talk Even and action while they engage in mathematics problems solving Yin Wang Characterization of the brain-to- Prof. Vivian Neurobiology blood efflux of glutamate efflux Teichberg and of ways to accelerate it Adina Weinberger Control of Golgi morphology Prof. Jeffrey Molecular Genetics and function by sed5 t-SNARE Gerst phosphorylation Sarit Weissmann Inter-generic introgression from Prof. Jonathan Plant Sciences domesticated wheat (T. Gressel aestivum L.) into related wild and weedy species Galit Yahalom Suppression of splicing (SOS) is Prof. Joseph Organic Chemistry a general surveillance Sperling mechanism that requires start codons for its operation Jianshe Yan CheY acetylation in bacterial Prof. Michael Biological chemotaxis: function and Eisenbach Chemistry regulation Feinberg Graduate School 283

Cecile Yehezkel A visualization environment for Prof. Mordechai Science Teaching computer architecture Ben-Ari Prof. Tommy Dreyfus Roie Yerushalmi Novel molecular systems for Prof. Avigdor Plant Sciences exploring elementary chemical Scherz and biological processes Raz Zarivach Structural studies on ribosomal Prof. Ada Structural Biology subunits Yonath Lihi Zelnik-Manor Space-time analysis of dynamic Prof. Michal Computer Science scenes Irani and Applied Mathematics Baruch Zimerman Initial stages in adhesion and Prof. Benjamin Molecular Cell spreading of fibroblasts on Geiger Biology substrates with different physical properties 284 Feinberg Graduate School

M.Sc. Degree Recipients - Graduation Ceremony 2005

Name Advisor/s Field of Study Depatrment Itai Afek Prof. Itamar Physical Sciences Chemical Physics Procaccia Ariel Amir Dr. Yuval Oreg Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Prof. Yosef Imry Maya Amit Prof. Ada Yonath Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Anna Aronovich Prof. Yair Reisner Immunology Yoram Atir Prof. David Harel Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Inbal Ayzenshtat Prof. Jacob Anglister Life Sciences Structural Biology Maya Bar Dr. Deborah Fass Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Maya Bar-Dagan Dr. Roy Bar-Ziv Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Gali Bar-El Prof. Gregory Physical Sciences Physics of Complex Falkovich Systems Dan Barak Prof. David Harel Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Aviad Baram Prof. Michael Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Elbaum Tsevi Beatus Dr. Roy Bar-Ziv Physical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Haim Beidenkopf Prof. Eli Zeldov Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Avi Ben Shimon Prof. Ephraim Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Katchalski-Katzir Dr. Miriam Eisenstein Ido Ben-Dayan Prof. Yosef Nir Physical Sciences Particle Physics Uri Ben-Dor Prof. Ehud Shapiro Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Noga Brunicki Prof. Yair Reisner Life Sciences Immunology Michal Cardon Prof. Michal Life Sciences Neurobiology Schwartz Prof. Ofer Lider Daniel Cohen Prof. Yosef Yomdin Mathematics and Mathematics Computer Science Feinberg Graduate School 285

Inbar Cohen-Gihon Prof. Doron Lancet Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Inbal Dangoor Prof. Avihai Danon Life Sciences Plant Sciences Merav Dolev Prof. Israel Bar- Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Joseph Nimrod Dorfman Prof. Yadin Dudai Life Sciences Neurobiology Navit Dori Dr. Leeor Kronik Physical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Judith Elbaz Prof. Zvi Vogel Life Sciences Neurobiology Evan Elliott Prof. Irith Ginzburg Life Sciences Neurobiology Alexey Etin Prof. Amir Pnueli Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Anna Feldman Prof. Mark Safro Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Lior Fisch Prof. Gershon Life Sciences Chemical Physics Kurizki Sharly Fleischer Prof. Yehiam Prior Chemical Sciences Chemical Physics Ziv Frankenstein Prof. Irun Robert Life Sciences Immunology Cohen Prof. Uri Alon Orit Furman Prof. Yadin Dudai Life Sciences Neurobiology Dr. Talma Hendler Ariel Gabizon Prof. Ran Raz Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Yael Garten Dr. Yitzhak Pilpel Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Kfir Gazit Prof. Rivka Dikstein Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Ziv Gefen Prof. Amnon Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Horovitz Hagar Gelbard Prof. Rafael Malach Life Sciences Neurobiology Ilan Gendelman Prof. Tamar Flash Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Naama Geva- Prof. Uri Alon Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Zatorsky Binyamin Gil Prof. Ehud Shapiro Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Eliezer Gilsohn Prof. Doron Ginsberg Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Itai Glinert Prof. Yoram Life Sciences Biological Regulation Salomon 286 Feinberg Graduate School

Irina Gordin Prof. Amir Pnueli Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Lilach Goren Prof. Ady Stern Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Liran Goren Dr. Einat Aharonov Chemical Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Shlomo Goren Prof. David Yaffe Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Prof. Uri Nudel Ilan Gronau Prof. Ehud Shapiro Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Chen Guttman Prof. Lea Eisenbach Life Sciences Immunology Refael Haddad Prof. David Harel Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Liora Haim Dr. Yuval Eshed Life Sciences Plant Sciences Roni Haspel Prof. Eitan Reuveny Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Haim Haviv Prof. Joel Sussman Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Prof. Israel Silman Nimrod Heldman Dr. Deborah Fass Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Ayal Hendel Prof. Zvi Livneh Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Ya'akov Hoch Prof. Adi Shamir Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Gil Hornung Prof. Brian Life Sciences Environmental Sciences Berkowitz and Energy Research Prof. Naama Barkai Michal Igell Dr. Omer Reingold Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Erez Kantor Prof. David Peleg Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Yaacov Kapiluto Prof. Brian Chemical Sciences Environmental Sciences Berkowitz and Energy Research Prof. Dan Yakir Leonid Karlinsky Prof. Shimon Ullman Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Amir Karton Prof. Gershom Chemical Sciences Organic Chemistry Martin Feinberg Graduate School 287

Boaz Katz Prof. Micha Berkooz Physical Sciences Particle Physics Prof. Ofer Aharony Olga Khersonsky Dr. Dan Tawfik Chemical Sciences Biological Chemistry Ira Kogan Prof. Varda Rotter Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Naama Meira Prof. Eytan Domany Life Sciences Physics of Complex Kopelman Prof. Doron Lancet Systems Simon Korman Prof. Uriel Feige Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Anna Kossoy Dr. Igor Lubomirsky Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Yoav Lahini Prof. Yaron Physical Sciences Physics of Complex Silberberg Systems Assaf Lask Prof. Sima Lev Life Sciences Neurobiology Noam Leshem Prof. Nir Orion Science Teaching Science Teaching Dr. Yael Kali Elena Levin Dr. Deborah Fass Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Dr. Roy Bar-Ziv Reuven Levitt Prof. Uri Alon Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Ofri Levy Dr. Ilan Lampl Life Sciences Neurobiology Sagi Levy Prof. Naama Barkai Physical Sciences Molecular Genetics Efrat Lidor Prof. Moshe Oren Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Ita Lifshitz- Prof. Shimon Ullman Mathematics and Computer Science and Shpringer Computer Science Applied Mathematics Shikma Prof. David Cahen Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Litmanovitz-Tsury Idit Livnat Prof. Dov Zipori Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Erez A. Livneh Prof. Avraham Levy Life Sciences Plant Sciences Nataliya Prof. Achi Brandt Mathematics and Computer Science and Makedonska Computer Science Applied Mathematics Adi Makmal Dr. Leeor Kronik Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Shiri Margel Prof. Eytan Domany Mathematics and Physics of Complex Computer Science Systems Dganit Meidan Dr. Yuval Oreg Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Mor Mishkovsky Prof. Lucio Frydman Chemical Sciences Chemical Physics 288 Feinberg Graduate School

Eedo Mizrahi Prof. Alexander Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Finkelstein Amit Mor Prof. Jacob Anglister Life Sciences Structural Biology Uri Nadav Prof. Moni Naor Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Gabriel Nivasch Prof. Aviezri S. Mathematics and Computer Science and Fraenkel Computer Science Applied Mathematics Orly Noivirt Prof. Amnon Life Sciences Structural Biology Horovitz Dr. Miriam Eisenstein Shahar Nuriel Prof. Daniel Wagner Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Nissim Ofek Prof. Mordehai Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics Heiblum Meirav Pevsner- Prof. Irun Robert Life Sciences Immunology Fischer Cohen Maciej Pietr Prof. Ehud Ahissar Life Sciences Neurobiology Yael Politi Prof. Lia Addadi Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Prof. Steve Weiner Limor Regev Dr. Atan Gross Life Sciences Biological Regulation Daniel Reichman Prof. Uriel Feige Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Neer Saad Prof. Achi Brandt Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Tal Guta Sagiv Prof. David Peleg Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Anita Sapoznikov Dr. Steffen Jung Life Sciences Immunology Offra Sarig-Nadir Prof. Elior Peles Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Gal Schkolnik Prof. Yinon Rudich Chemical Sciences Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Netta Sela-Passwell Prof. Irit Sagi Life Sciences Structural Biology Hadas Shaham Prof. Doron Ginsberg Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Chen Ken Shalem Prof. Amos Breskin Physical Sciences Particle Physics Dr. Rachel Chechik Feinberg Graduate School 289

Reut Shalgi Dr. Yitzhak Pilpel Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Prof. Ron Shamir Yamit Sharaabi Prof. Gilad Haran Chemical Sciences Chemical Physics Yosef Shaul Prof. Gideon Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Schreiber Michal Sheffer Prof. Eytan Domany Mathematics and Physics of Complex Computer Science Systems Helena Sheikhet- Prof. Lea Eisenbach Life Sciences Immunology Migalovich Arye Shemesh Prof. Shmuel Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Pietrokovski Maxim Shklar Prof. Doron Lancet Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Ketty Shkolnik Prof. Dov Zipori Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Eli Shlizerman Prof. Vered Rom- Mathematics and Computer Science and Kedar Computer Science Applied Mathematics Doron Shlomo Prof. Gregory Physical Sciences Physics of Complex Falkovich Systems Yishay Shoval Prof. Adi Kimchi Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Amit Sitt Dr. Leeor Kronik Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Assa Sittner Prof. Ada Yonath Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Onit Srur Lavi Dr. Ernesto Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Joselevich Diana Starlets Prof. Idit Shachar Life Sciences Immunology David Strawser Dr. Milko Van Der Chemical Sciences Organic Chemistry Boom Dalit Tchorsh Prof. Yair Reisner Life Sciences Immunology Jonathan Toker Prof. Daniel Zajfman Physical Sciences Particle Physics Miriam Tsalyuk Prof. Benjamin Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Geiger Peter Tsvetkov Prof. Yosef Shaul Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Sivan Tuvi Prof. Ehud Shapiro Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Yael Chagit Tzuman Prof. Rivka Dikstein Life Sciences Biological Chemistry 290 Feinberg Graduate School

Yaron Ukrainitz Prof. Michal Irani Mathematics and Computer Science and Computer Science Applied Mathematics Yael Wexler- Cohen Prof. Yechiel Shai Life Sciences Biological Chemistry Yair Wijsboom Dr. Roy Bar-Ziv Chemical Sciences Materials and Interfaces Meirav Yizhaq Prof. Steve Weiner Chemical Sciences Structural Biology Dr. Elisabetta Boaretto Tami Zaft Dr. Steffen Jung Life Sciences Immunology Gal Zahavi Prof. Yosef Yomdin Mathematics and Mathematics Computer Science Einat Zalckvar Prof. Adi Kimchi Life Sciences Molecular Genetics Nathan Moise Prof. Abraham Chemical Sciences Organic Chemistry Zauberman Minsky Dr. Sharon Grayer- Wolf Yuliya Zilberman Prof. Alexander Life Sciences Molecular Cell Biology Bershadsky Yaniv Ziv Prof. Michal Life Sciences Neurobiology Schwartz Tatiana Zubkov Dr. Milko Van Der Chemical Sciences Organic Chemistry Boom Feinberg Graduate School 291

Prizes for Ph.D. and M.Sc. Students 2005 The John F. Kennedy Prize

Recipients Advisors Department Gad Asher Prof. Yosef Shaul Molecular Genetics Yaakov Benenson Prof. Ehud Shapiro Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Avigdor Eldar Prof. Naama Barkai Molecular Genetics Nadav Katz Prof. Nir Davidson Physics of Complex Systems

The Dimitris N. Chorafas Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Sven Ruhle Prof. David Cahen Materials and Interfaces

The Elchanan E. Bondi Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Mark Alan Iron Prof. Gershom Martin Organic Chemistry

The Dov Elad Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Reit Artzi-Gerlitz Prof. Ron Naaman Chemical Physics

The Gad Resheff Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Vladimir Litvakla Prof. Sima Lev Neurobiology

The Giora Yoel Yashinski Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Jan Hendrik Ihmels Prof. Naama Barkai Molecular Genetics 292 Feinberg Graduate School

The Daniel Brenner Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Shlomo Sklarz Prof. David Tannor Chemical Physics

The Lady Anne Chain Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Mark Eisenberg Prof. Yadin Dudai Neurobiology

The Esther Helinger Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Ron Milo Prof. Uri Alon Molecular Cell Biology

The Haim Holtzman Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Ehud Wieder Prof. Moni Naor Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

The Menashe Milo Memorial Prize

Recipients Advisor/s Department Ophir Auslaender Prof. Amir Yacoby Condensed Matter Physics

The Dean's Prize for Ph.D. Students

Recipients Advisors Department Barak Dayan Prof. Yaron Silberberg Physics of Complex Systems Avi Pe'er Prof. Asher A. Friesem Physics of Complex Systems Feinberg Graduate School 293

The Dean's Prize for M.Sc. Students

Recipients Advisors Department Avi Ben Shimon Prof. Ephraim Biological Chemistry Katchalski-Katzir Dr. Miriam Eisenstein Michal Cardon Prof. Michal Schwartz Neurobiology Prof. Ofer Lider Bareket Dassa Prof. Shmuel Molecular Genetics Pietrokovski Sharly Fleischer Prof. Yehiam Prior Chemical Physics Ariel Gabizon Prof. Ran Raz Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Yael Politi Prof. Lia Addadi Structural Biology Prof. Steve Weiner Daniel Reichman Prof. Uriel Feige Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Gal Schkolnik Prof. Yinon Rudich Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Maxim Shklar Prof. Doron Lancet Molecular Genetics Peter Tsvetkov Prof. Yosef Shaul Molecular Genetics 294 Feinberg Graduate School

Post Doctoral Fellowships for 2005

The David Aftalion Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Research

Yossi Cohen Molecular Cell Biology Michal Ortal-Schwartz Biological Regulation

The Edith and Edward F. Anixter Postdoctoral Fellowship

Omer Offen Mathematics

The Jean-Jacques Berreby Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurobiology and Brain Research

Elena Iavnilovitch Biological Chemistry

The Dov Biegun Postdoctoral Fellowship

Armin Biess Mathematics

The Sir Charles Clore Postdoctoral Fellowships

Arie Bar-Haim Chemical Physics Frederic Coquelle Molecular Genetics Daphna Frenkiel-Krispin Materials and Interfaces Yulia Lerner Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Devorah Matas Neurobiology Milena Radnovic Computer Science and Applied Mathematics David Stepensky Immunology Hila Toledano-Katchalski Molecular Genetics Ilya Tyomkin Mathematics Pazit Ziv Science Teaching Feinberg Graduate School 295

The Gina and Leon Fromer Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship

Noga Alagem Biological Chemistry Gil Amitai Biological Chemistry

The Dr. Adele Gecht Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Research

Elena Grimberg Biological Chemistry

The Goldberg Family Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Research

Shlomi Lazar Biological Regulation

The Harold and Jean Grossman Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research

Dorit Avrahami Immunology

The Arthur Kaplan Postdoctoral Fellowship

Michael Rosenfeld Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

The Edmond I. and Lillian S. Kaufmann Postdoctoral Fellowship

Seunghee Yoon Biological Regulation

The Koshland Scholars Program

Matthieu Guitton Neurobiology Amir Shpilka Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Eli Sone Structural Biology Boaz Tsaban Mathematics 296 Feinberg Graduate School

The Dr. Saul and Rose Mackoff Postdoctoral Fellowship

Izhak Michaelevski Biological Chemistry

The Sadie, Moses and Harry Marks Postdoctoral Fellowship

Yael Diskin Posner Structural Biology

The Pacific Theatres Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships

Adam Ben-Shem Biological Chemistry Joy Kahn Molecular Genetics Rony Oren Benaroya Biological Chemistry Tatyana Ponomariyov Molecular Cell Biology

The Louis L. and Anita M. Perlman Postdoctoral Fellowship

Adam Smith Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

The Dr. Robert G. Picard Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physics and/or Electronics

Anand Kumar Dubey Particle Physics

The Hughes and Sheila Potiker Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autoimmune Disease Research

Doron Gerber Immunology

The Stephen M. Reich Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research

Yael Aylon Molecular Cell Biology

The Helena Rubinstein Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences and Cancer Research

Erika Toth Neurobiology Feinberg Graduate School 297

The Sara Lee Schupf Women and Science Fellowship

Hagit Niv Biological Regulation

The Golda and Dr. Yehiel Shwartzman and Sara & Haim Medvedi Families Postdoctoral Fellowship

Helit Nabel-Rosen Molecular Cell Biology

The Marcus and Lily Sieff Postdoctoral Fellowship

Yael Fridmann-Sirkis Biological Chemistry

The Norman Sosnow Postdoctoral Fellowship

Yongdong Jin Organic Chemistry

The Ann Abrams Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ittai Flascher Neurobiology

The Anne Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Eitan Sayag Mathematics

The Dewey David Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Yonatan Bilu Molecular Genetics

The Harry K. Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Alon Marcus Condensed Matter Physics 298 Feinberg Graduate School

The Hugh David Stone Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ariel Kaplan Chemical Physics

The Weizmann Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship in Electronics Research

Hengda Zhang Particle Physics

The Aron Zandman Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic Chemistry

Mario De Bruyn Organic Chemistry Feinberg Graduate School 299

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: Inbal Friedler, Department of Chemical Physics 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: Lilach Agemy, Department of Immunology The Eda and Leon Asseo Scholarship Established in 1988 by Eda Asseo, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Ido Amit, 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: Ami Citri, Department of Biological Regulation; Judith Kraut, Department of Molecular Genetics; Galia Mazooz, Department of Biological Regulation; Nir Shani, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Igor Shats, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Asaf Spiegel, Department of Immunology The Thomas Ayers Scholarship in Energy Research Established in 1994 by Thomas Ayers, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Simon Emmanuel, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Lillian Baker Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Lillian Baker, Hallandale, Florida Recipient: Einav Gross, Department of Structural Biology The Florence and Theodore Baumritter Scholarship Fund for Russian Students Established in 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Baumritter, Boca Raton, Florida Recipient: Ilya Gelfand, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research 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 Ben-Ari, Department of Organic Chemistry The Bayer Corporation Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1996 by the Bayer Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Recipient: Amos Gdalyahu, Department of Molecular Genetics The Becker Family Fund Scholarship Established in 1975 through a bequest of Louis Becker, New York Recipient: Avraham Samson, Department of Structural Biology 300 Feinberg Graduate School

The Mollie Freeman Becker Scholarship Established in 1971 by Mrs. Samuel Becker, Newton, Massachusetts Recipient: Guy Hed, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Shlomo Beilitz Scholarship Established in 1979 through a bequest of Shlomo Beilitz, Ra'anana, Israel Recipient: Hadar Steinberg, Department of Condensed Matter 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: Nancy Gavert, MD, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Avia Herschkovitz, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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 Organic Chemistry The Alejandro y Dinorah Margounato Blum Scholarship Established in 1986 by the Leon and Elena Blum Foundation, Montevideo, Uruguay Recipient: Liraz Chai, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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: Eliezer Shochat, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 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: Yael Lifshitz, Department of Biological Chemistry The Professor Arthur Charlesby Fund for Doctoral Student Scholarships Established in 2001 by Irene Charlesby, Swindon, UK, in memory of her husband Recipient: Ran Eliash, Department of Materials and Interfaces Feinberg Graduate School 301

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: Shimon Bershtein, Department of Biological Chemistry; Shlomit Boguslavsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Leon Eisen, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Edi Goichberg, Department of Organic Chemistry; Michael Katkov, Department of Neurobiology; Leonid Gaydukov, Department of Biological Chemistry The Isidore and Theresa Cohen Scholarship Established in 1973 by the Israel, Theresa, and Ronald Cohen Charitable Trust, Cape Town, South Africa Recipient: Gideon Amir, Department of Mathematics 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: Ayelet Akselrod-Ballin, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Tsevi Beatus, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Nili Dahan, Department of Neurobiology; Yuval Emek, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Avia Herschkovitz, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Gila Lustig, Department of Biological Regulation; Dana Peled, Department of Chemical Physics; Erez Pyetan, Department of Structural Biology 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: Tal Hazak-Verdene, Department of Condensed Matter Physics 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: Tzippi Hershko, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Dan Danciger Scholarship Established in 1960 by the Dan Danciger Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri Recipient: Moran Feller, Department of Organic Chemistry 302 Feinberg Graduate School

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: Mira Kipnis, Department of Science Teaching; Eran Ofek, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Sharon Ruthstein, Department of Chemical Physics The Amos and Hortense Deinard Memorial Scholarship Established in 1989 through a bequest of Hortense Deinard, Minneapolis, Minnesota Recipient: Galit Cohen Ben-Lulu, Department of Biological Chemistry The Jack and Simon Djanogly Scholarships Established in 1971 by Sir Harry Djanogly, London, UK Recipients: Silvia Chartzman, 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 Recipient: Shay Marcus, Department of Molecular Genetics 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: Amos Gdalyahu, Department of Molecular Genetics The Dr. Joshua and Helene Ehrlich Memorial Scholarship Established in 1987 through a bequest of Helene Ehrlich, Miami, Florida Recipient: Liat Amir-Zilberstein, Department of Biological Chemistry The Leon and Kathe Fallek Scholarships Established in 1974 by Fred S. Fallek, New York Recipients: Eran Eyal, Department of Plant Sciences; Hadas Ner-Gaon, Department of Plant Sciences The Dr. Eugene I. and Charlotte Falstein Graduate Scholarship Established in 1997 by Charlotte R. Falstein, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Ziv Porat, Department of Molecular Genetics The Belle and Philip Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York Recipient: Yaron Caspi, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Lillian Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York Recipient: Idan Menashe, Department of Molecular Genetics The Shirley and Judge Wilfred Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Abraham Feinberg, New York Recipient: Eran Tal, Department of Physics of Complex Systems Feinberg Graduate School 303

The Dr. Judith Schneider and Dr. E. Richard Feinberg Scholarship Established in 1983 by Belle S. Meller, New York Recipient: Anat Bahat, 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: Alexander Sigal, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Meyer Feldman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1973 through a bequest of Meyer Feldman, Tucson, Arizona Recipient: David Baram, Department of Structural Biology 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: Shay Marcus, Department of Molecular Genetics The Joseph E. and Rose Fisher Scholarship Established in 1978 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Fisher, Canton, Ohio Recipient: Ruthie Angelovici, Department of Plant Sciences The Rita Friedell and Donald Fiterman Scholarship Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Morlan Fiterman, Highland Park, Illinois Recipient: Silvia Chuarzman, Department of Plant Sciences The Stephen W. Fleck Scholarship Fund Established in 1995 through a bequest of Herta Fleck, New York Recipient: Michael Anbar, Department of Biological Chemistry The Alexander and Lilly Foldes Memorial Scholarship Established in 1981 through a bequest of Lilly Foldes, New York Recipient: Dan Bernstein, Department of 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: Mark Iron, Department of Organic Chemistry The Harry and Lillian Frankel Scholarship Established in 1959 through a bequest of Lillian Frankel, Shawnee Mission, Kansas Recipient: Tal Hazak-Verdene, Department of Condensed Matter Physics 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: Adina Haimov, Department of Organic Chemistry 304 Feinberg Graduate School

The Rita Gehl Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1999 by Rita Gehl, London, UK Recipient: Efrat Rubinstein, Departments of Plant Sciences and 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: Mira Kipnis, Department of Science Teaching The Goldberg-Guild Scholarships Established in 1984 by Bernard Goldberg, Hallandale, Florida, and by Irwin C. Guild, Palm Beach, Florida Recipients: Ido Amit, Department of Biological Regulation; Shira Avital-Lezer, Department of Plant Sciences; Emilia-Alina Barbu, Department of Immunology; Liora Bialer, Department of Science Teaching; Ayelet Dar, Department of Immunology; Moran Feller, Department of Organic Chemistry; Jason Friedman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Ido Horesh, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Ariel Ismach, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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: Tzahi Grunzweig, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Scholarship Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goldman, San Francisco, California Recipient: Eyal Emmanuel, Department of Plant Sciences The Phillip and Beverly Goldstick Scholarship Established in 1980 by Phillip C. Goldstick, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yosef Yehuda Kuttner, Department of Structural Biology The Dorothy and Maurice Gordon Scholarship Established in 1968 by Centrose Associates, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Eliezer Shochat, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Harold J. and Marion Green Scholarship Established in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Green, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yaakov Kacher, Department of Biological Chemistry The Nandor F. Gross Scholarship Established in 1982 through a bequest of Kalman Gross, New York Recipient: Ilan Goldberg, Department of Neurobiology Feinberg Graduate School 305

The Judith E. and Samson D. 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: Ronen Sosnik, 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: Amos Gdalyahu, Department of Molecular Genetics 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: Vered Lev-Goldman, Department of Organic Chemistry The Gertrude and Benjamin R. Harris Scholarship Established in 1989 through bequests of Gertrude and Benjamin R. Harris, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Liraz Chai, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Dr. Esther Hellinger Memorial Scholarship Established in 1986 through a bequest of Dr. Esther Hellinger, London, UK Recipient: Simon Emmanuel, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Otto and Mary Hersch Scholarships Established in 1988 through a bequest of Mary Hersch, New York Recipients: Rafi Bistrizer, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Adi Diner Naaman, Department of Particle Physics; Vardit Elkhouse, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Sergiy Gerashchenko, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Arie Melamed-Katz, Department of Particle Physics The Luta and Ludwig Heusinger Scholarships Established in 1993 through a bequest of Dr. Ludwig Heusinger, Kfar Shmaryahu, Israel Recipient: Ofer Sarig, Department of Molecular Genetics 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: Sarit Bendetz-Nezer, Department of Biological Regulation The Anna Hurwitz Scholarship Established in 1984 by Allan Hurwitz, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Galia Maayan, Department of Organic Chemistry 306 Feinberg Graduate School

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Fund Scholarships Established in 1965 by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, Rehovot, Israel Recipients: Yaron Antebi, Department of Particle Physics; Tali Aqua, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Irit Ben-Avraham, Department of Organic Chemistry; Antonio De Padua Castillo Flores, Department of Molecular Genetics; Ester Feldmesser, Department of Molecular Genetics; Rachel Gabai-Malka, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Eran Gershon, Department of Biological Regulation; Menachem Katz, Department of Biological Regulation; Itai Kela, Department of Immunology; Noga Kowalsman, Department of Biological Chemistry; Sujoy Lahiri, Department of Biological Chemistry; Guy Raz, Department of Particle Physics; Eli Shechtman, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Oded Suad, Department of Structural Biology; Arul Subramanian, Department of Molecular Genetics The Malcolm Kingsberg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 through a bequest of Malcolm Kingsberg, New York Recipient: Sarit Bendetz-Nezer, Department of Biological Regulation The Jeannine Klueger Scholarship Established in 1991 by Seraphina Klueger-Kraus, Dusseldorf, Germany, in memory of her daughter Recipient: Netta Sela-Passwell, Department of Structural Biology The Neil David Konheim Memorial Scholarship Established in 1985 by George Konheim, Beverly Hills, California 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: Shay Marcus, Department of Molecular Genetics The Joseph Korodi Memorial Scholarship Established in 1993 by Emmy Singer Korodi, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Neri Minsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Yaakov 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: Yehudit Posen, Department of Biological Regulation The Robert Alan Kuniansky Memorial Scholarship Established in 1978 by Max L. and Helen Kuniansky, Atlanta, Georgia Recipient: Shira Granot-Attas, Department of Molecular Genetics Feinberg Graduate School 307

The Harold J. Lawn, M.D. Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 by Dr. Harold J. Lawn, St. Paul, Minnesota Recipients: Shay Hantisteanu, Department of Molecular Genetics; Clovis Hopman, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Alon Karpol, Department of Biological Chemistry; Uri Keshet, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Dr. Sophie N. Leschin Scholarship Fund Established in 1985 through a bequest of Dr. Sophie N. Leschin, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yaron Caspi, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Eudyce H. Levin Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1984 by Wallace "Bud" Levin, North Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Eliezer Shochat, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 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: Leanne Toube, Department of Biological Chemistry The Morris I. Lewisohn Scholarship Established in 1976 through a bequest of Morris I. Lewisohn, Teaneck, New Jersey Recipient: Jin-Chul Kim, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dorothy and Elias Lieberman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 by the Elias Lieberman Memorial Foundation, Jamaica, New York Recipient: David Baram, Department of Structural Biology 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 Established in 1986 through a bequest of Eleanor J. London, Los Angeles, California Recipient: David Margulies, Department of Organic 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: Irena Pekker, Department of Plant Sciences The Dr. Saul and Rose Mackoff Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2002 through a bequest of Dr. Saul Mackoff, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Guy Ziv, Department of Chemical Physics The Henry and Louis Malakoff Scholarship Fund, New Rochelle, New York Established in 1991 by Rebecca Malakoff, Brooklyn, New York Recipient: Hagai Shorer, Department of Biological Chemistry 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; Tali Kobilo-Moav, Department of Neurobiology

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The Rodolfo May Scholarships Established in 2000 through a bequest of Rodolfo May, Montevideo, Uruguay Recipients: Cintia Roodveldt, Department of Immunology; Ilan Volovitz, Department of Immunology The Nora Menasce Scholarships in Cancer Research Established in 2002 through a bequest of Nora Menasce, Milan, Italy Recipients: Sharon Kahan-Reef, Department of Molecular Genetics; Nathalie Moyal- Amsellem, Department of Immunology The Martin and Dianne Mendoza Scholarship Established in 1991 in honor of Martin and Dianne Mendoza by friends and admirers, London, UK Recipient: Gideon Amir, Department of Mathematics The Leo Meyer Scholarship Established in 1965 through a bequest of Leo Meyer, San Francisco, California Recipient: Galit Cohen Ben-Lulu, Department of Biological Chemistry 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: Ruthie Angelovici, Department of Plant Sciences The Paul and Felicia Muskat Scholarship Fund Established in 1984 through a bequest of Paul Muskat, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipients: Irena Pekker, Department of Plant Sciences; Ranit Gruber, Department of Structural Biology The Inez P. and David N. Myers Scholarship Established in 1981 by the David and Inez Myers Scholarship Fund, Cleveland, Ohio 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: Bareket Dassa, Department of Molecular Genetics; Racheli Fachima, Department of Structural Biology; Maria Gabriella Fuzesi, Department of Biological Chemistry; Indraneel Ghosh, Department of Molecular Genetics; Tamar Seeman- Emerson, Department of Mathematics The Fanny Fletcher and Meyer Naxon Memorial Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1985 through a bequest of Meyer Naxon, Beverly Hills, California Recipients: Oren Erstler, Department of Biological Regulation; Yehudit Posen, Department of Biological Regulation The Clara and Bela B. Nevai Scholarship Established in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Bela B. Nevai, Dobbs Ferry, New York Recipient: Ephraim Fass, Department of Biological Chemistry Feinberg Graduate School 309

The Dr. Louis B. and Rose M. Newman Scholarship Established in 1971 by Dr. and Mrs. Louis B. Newman, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Saraj Shekhawat, Department of Biological Chemistry The Cemach Oiserman Scholarship Fund Established in 1979 through Yehuda Assia, Geneva, Switzerland Recipient: Guy Hed, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Dr. Oskar Oliven Memorial Scholarship Established in 2003 through bequests of Gerald and Hedy Oliven, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Hanita Ovdat, 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: Eran Gershon, Department of Biological Regulation; Tzippi Hershko, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Ifat Kaplan-Ashiri, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Edith and Henry Plessner Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Edith Plessner, New York Recipient: Elena Butovsky, Department of Neurobiology 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: Nitzan Rosenfeld, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Kaiyin Zhang, Department of Chemical Physics The Theodore R. and Edlyn Racoosin Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through bequests of Theodore and Edlyn Racoosin, New York Recipients: Daniela Amann, Department of Molecular Genetics; Hava Ben-David Turgeman, Department of Immunology; Tal Birnberg, Department of Immunology; Eyal Blum, Department of Plant Sciences; Erez Boukobza, Department of Chemical Physics; Amnon Buxbaum, Department of Materials and Interfaces; David Dangoor, Department of Organic Chemistry; Joseph Englander, Department of Organic Chemistry; Ester Feldmesser, Department of Molecular Genetics; Neta Filip-Granit, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Evgeny Frumker, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Eran Ginossaur, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Yair Goldfarb, Department of Chemical Physics; Javier Groshaus, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Per Magne Knutsen, Department of Neurobiology; Ronen Kopito, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Lior Noy, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; 310 Feinberg Graduate School

Kikkeri Raghavendra, Department of Organic Chemistry; Amir Sagiv, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Xiaohu Tang, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Hirsch and Braine Raskin Foundation Scholarships Established in 1970 by the Hirsch and Braine Raskin Foundation, New York Recipients: Chen Luxenburg, Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Victoria Malina, Department of Immunology; Ronen Zaidel-Bar, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Harry, Lillian and Sylvan Ray Memorial Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1997 by Dr. M.L. Ray, Dallas, Texas Recipient: Dorit Granot, Department of Biological Regulation; Maria Shatz, Department of Biological Regulation 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: Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai, Department of Structural Biology The Lillian L. Rolde Memorial Scholarship Established in 1981 by L. Robert Rolde, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Yaron Caspi, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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: Elena Butovsky, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Arnold Rosenblum Scholarship in Theoretical Physics Established in 1992 by Dorothy Rosenblum, Brooklyn, New York Recipient: Nurit Avraham, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Anna and Leo Rosner Scholarship Established in 1986 by the Leo Rosner Endowment Fund, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Guy Hed, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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 Feinberg Graduate School 311

The David and Eleanore Rukin Scholarship Established in 1981 by the David and Eleanore Rukin Philanthropic Foundation, Saddle River, New Jersey Recipient: Eyal Ben-Ari, Department of Organic Chemistry The Rymer Family Scholarship Established in 1989 by the Barry Rymer Trust, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Neri Minsky, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Ayelet Akselrod-Ballin, 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: Smadar Even-Tov Friedman, Department of Immunology The Harriet Schiller Scholarships Established in 2000 through a bequest of Harriet Schiller, Teaneck, New Jersey Recipients: Racheli Gabai-Malka, Department of Materials and Interfaces; Gabriela Ridner, Department of Biological Chemistry The Max Schoenfeld Scholarship Established in 1976 by Walter E. Schoenfeld, Seattle, Washington Recipient: Irakliy Ebralidze, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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: Asa Eitan, Department of Biological Chemistry 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: Ruthie Angelovici, Department of Plant Sciences The Simon and Frieda Senderowicz-Perel Graduate Student Research Fund Established in 1999 through a bequest of Lea Senderowicz, Zurich, Switzerland Recipient: Liat Shimon, Department of Structural Biology The Max and Lena Sharp Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1972 by the Max and Lena Sharp Scholarship Fund, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: David Baram, Department of Structural Biology 312 Feinberg Graduate School

The Lily Sieff Doctoral Scholarship Established in 1998 by Helen and Martin Kimmel, New York Recipient: Zohar Biron, Department of Structural Biology 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: Yonatan Ganor, Department of Neurobiology The Irving I. Singer Foundation Scholarship Established in 1974 by the Irving I. Singer Foundation, New York Recipient: Shoham Shivtiel, Department of Immunology The Paula and Ernest Sommers Scholarship Established 2001 by Ernest Sommers, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Avraham Samson, Department of Structural Biology The Blanche and Max Steig Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Blanche Steig, New York Recipient: Ilya Sotnikov, Department of Immunology The Oscar H. Stern Memorial Scholarship Established in 1976 through a bequest of Oscar H. Stern, New York Recipient: Gideon Amir, Department of Mathematics 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: Aya Schneider-Mor, 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: Ayelet Shmueli, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Armin and Etel (Angyal) Szolovits Doctoral Scholarship Established in 2001 through bequests of Armin and Etel Szolovits, Hollywood, California Recipient: Reut Bartoov, Department of Biological Chemistry The Isaac H. Taylor Scholarship Established in 1972 by Isaac H. Taylor, Ellicott City, Maryland Recipient: Sarit Bendetz-Nezer, Department of Biological Regulation 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: Uri Sela, MD, Department of Immunology The Frances L. Urban Scholarship Established in 1978 through a bequest of Miriam B. Urban, Palo Alto, California Recipient: Ephraim Fass, Department of Biological Chemistry Feinberg Graduate School 313

The Guido Franklin van D. Memorial Scholarship Established in 2000 through a bequest of Hilda van D., Riehen, Switzerland Recipient: Izhar Neder, Department of Condensed Matter 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: Debbie Baute, Department of Chemical 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: Liat Amir-Zilberstein, Department of Biological Chemistry The Paul and Greta Weinberger Scholarships Established in 1995 through a bequest of Paul Weinberger, New York Recipient: Boaz Shapira, Department of Chemical 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: Alona Neimark, Department of Molecular Genetics The William W. Wilkow Scholarship Fund Established in 1987 by Mrs. William W. Wilkow, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Galit Cohen Ben-Lulu, Department of Biological Chemistry 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: Miri Cohen-Kandli, Department of Biological Regulation The Dr. Arthur Yarman and Gertrude Yarman Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 through a bequest of Gertrude Yarman, Miami, Florida Recipients: Efrat Assa-Kunik, Department of Molecular Genetics; Dan Frumkin, Department of Biological Chemistry; Li-Raz Rom, Department of Neurobiology The Milton Young Scholarship Established in 1983 by the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, New York Recipient: Tal Sines, Department of Molecular Genetics 314 Feinberg Graduate School

The Samuel Zonne Scholarships Established in 1980 through a bequest of Samuel Zonne, Minneapolis, Minnesota Recipients: Hila Avidan, Department of Neurobiology; Nili Dahan, Department of Neurobiology; Alex Loebel, Department of Neurobiology

Annual and Semester Ph.D. Scholarships

The Howard Bernick Scholarships in Diabetes Research Established in 2004 by Howard Bernick, President, Alberto-Culver Company, Chicago, Illinois Recipients: Shachar Iwanir, Department of Biological Chemistry; Gabriela Ridner, Department of Biological 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: Zeev Fradkin, Department of Chemical Physics; Shimon Kogan, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics; Irena Rubinstein, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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: Anat Bahat, Department of Biological Chemistry 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 Scholarship in Brain Research, in Memory of Daniel Amichai Marcus Established in 2005 by Ms. Linda (Marcus) Streit, London, UK, in memory of her son, Daniel Recipient: Sharon Gilaie-Dotan, Department of Neurobiology The Joseph Meyerhoff Scholarships Established in 1983 through the Joseph Meyerhoff Fund and the Rebecca Meyerhoff Fund, Baltimore, Maryland Recipients: Olena Branytska, Department of Organic Chemistry; Darya Frolova, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Senator Bernard Neistein Scholarship Fund Established in 2001 by Senator Bernard Neistein, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Emanual Milman, Department of 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 Feinberg Graduate School 315

The Zantker Charitable Foundation Scholarship Established in 1993 by the Zantker Charitable Foundation, Lexington, Kentucky Recipient: Navit Hever, Department of Molecular Cell Biology

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, Rehovot, Israel Recipient: Sheera Adar, Department of Biological Chemistry The Midori Goto Scholarship Established in 1990 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Ianai Fishbein, Department of Neurobiology The Elliott Gould Research Scholarship Established in 1989 by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, New York Recipient: Dafna Ben-Eli Tsafrir, Department of Physics of Complex Systems 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: Yossi Buganin, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Eitan Rowen, 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: Fabio Nudelman, Department of Structural Biology 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 316 Feinberg Graduate School

M.Sc. Scholarships in Perpetuity

The I.W. Abel Scholarship Established in 2002 by the United Steelworkers of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Recipient: Aviad Itckovitc, Department of Organic Chemistry The Henrietta and Jack Abrams Scholarship Established in 1988 by Henrietta Abrams, Lauderhill, Florida Recipient: Noam Cohen, Department of Immunology The Egle Forti Ancona Scholarship in Perpetuity (The Dana Fund) Established in 1993 through a bequest of Mrs. Egle Forti, Rome, Italy Recipient: Shai Kaplan, Department of Biological Chemistry 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: Michal Cohen, Department of Immunology The Arizona Women and Science Scholarship Established in 1996 by Arizona Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science Recipient: Shani Sela, Department of Chemical Physics The Israel W. and Fannie Backe Scholarship Fund Established in 1987 through a bequest of Fannie Backe, Worcester, Massachusetts Recipient: Ariel Solomon, Department of Molecular Genetics The Bendit Foundation Scholarship Established in 2000 by Dr. and Mrs. Emile Bendit and the Bendit Foundation, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland Recipient: Jacob Blumenthal, Department of Neurobiology The Abraham Berman Scholarship Established in 1966 through a bequest of Abraham Berman, South Africa Recipient: Tzahi Cohen-Karni, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Carolyn and Marvin Birger Scholarship Established in 2000 by Marvin Birger, Palm Beach, Florida Recipient: Einat Oron, Department of Neurobiology The Louis C. and Edith B. Blumberg Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 by the Louis Blumberg Foundation, Southfield, Michigan Recipient: Guy Nesher, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Irena-Ida Bogdanowicz Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Irena-Ida Bogdanowicz, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Eyal Kamhi, Department of Organic Chemistry The Harold and Harriet Brady Master’s Scholarship Established through a bequest of Harriet Brady, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Shlomo Urbach, Department of Physics of Complex Systems 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: Yoav Gal, Department of Biological Regulation Feinberg Graduate School 317

The Adele S. and Abraham Browner Scholarship in Biomedical Research Established in 1999 through a bequest of Adele Browner, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Eyal Cohen, Department of Neurobiology The Caspe Family Scholarship Established in 2000 by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Caspe and the Caspe Family Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa Recipient: Nir Waysbort, Department of Immunology The Helen and Harry Hans Davis Memorial Scholarship Established in 2002 through a bequest of Helen J. Davis, Wyncote, Pennsylvania Recipient: Oded Sandler, Department of Molecular Genetics The Kitty Waas Dekker, Simon Waas and Rosette Dekker Scholarship Established in 1998 through a bequest of Rosette Dekker, United Kingdom Recipient: Hen Varon, Department of Immunology The Detroit Scholarship Fund for Soviet Students Established in 1992 by friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Detroit, Michigan Recipient: Andrey Vapniarsky, Department of Biological Chemistry The Alan Dixon Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1995 by the Hon. Alan J. Dixon, St. Louis, Missouri Recipient: Dvir Netanely, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Bella and Hyman Eisenbaum Scholarship Established in 1994 through the Bella Eisenbaum Trust, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Noa Rappaport, Department of Molecular Genetics The Alex Elovic Memorial Scholarship Established in 1996 through a bequest of Bernat Elovic, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Yishai Admanit, 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: Rachel Ludmer, Department of Neurobiology The Charles I. and Fanny Engelstein Endowment Fund Established in 1995 through a bequest of Fanny Engelstein, New York Recipient: Hila Sberro, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Vadim Shpitalnik, Department of Particle Physics The Pauline and Maximilian Firestone Bursary Established in 1978 by Maximilian Firestone, New York Recipient: Manny Eisenbach, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Aaron and Zlata Fish Memorial Bursary Established in 1980 by Mr. and Mrs. Abe Fish, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Ariel Cohen, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Sonia Floomberg Memorial Scholarship Established in 1998 through a bequest of Sonia Floomberg, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recipient: Tamar Avin, Department of Immunology 318 Feinberg Graduate School

The Joyce and Joseph J. Freed Family Scholarship Established in 1995 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Freed, Wheeling, Illinois Recipient: Noa Hoffman, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Yeheshkel and Fruma Freedman Education Fund Established in 2001 through a bequest of Isaac Freedman, Boston, Massachusetts Recipient: Itzik Cooper, Department of Neurobiology The Helen and Charles Friedman Scholarship Fund Established in l986 by Helen and Charles Friedman, Paradise Valley, Arizona Recipient: Hadas Lapid-Amiezer, Department of Biological Chemistry The William F. Fuerst Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 through a bequest of Madeleine Fuerst, New York Recipient: Alon Shepon, Department of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research The Naomi and Morris Futorian Scholarship Established in 1994 by Naomi Futorian, Northbrook, Illinois Recipient: Tal Markus, Department of Chemical Physics The Prof. Eugene Gadol Scholarship Established in 2004 through a bequest of Prof. Eugene Gadol, Vienna, Austria Recipient: Eldi Schonfeld, Department of Neurobiology The Leo and Frances Gallin Scholarship Established in 1994 by Leo and Frances Gallin, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Ariel Solomon, Department of Molecular Genetics The Florence Gambino Scholarship Established 2000 through a bequest of Florence Gambino, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Liat Ruso, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Yasha Gluzman Scholarship Established in 1998 by Ilan Gluzman, Nutley, New Jersey Recipient: Arren Bar-Even, Department of Molecular Genetics The Morris and Rose Goldman Scholarship Established in 1996 by Mrs. Rose Goldman, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Bess Wayburn, Department of Molecular Genetics The Samuel L. and Rebecca R. Goldstein Bursary Established in 1977 through a bequest of Samuel Goldstein, Lynn, Massachusetts Recipient: Pinchas Birnbaum, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Ethel and Anne Gordon Scholarship Established in 1990 through a bequest of Ethel Y. Gordon, New York Recipient: Elvira Vitu, Department of Structural Biology The Helena F. and Jacob Y. Gordon Scholarship Established in 1973 by Mrs. Jacob Y. Gordon, Newton, Massachusetts Recipient: Amir Bar, Department of Physics of Complex Systems Feinberg Graduate School 319

The Salomon and Augusta Gottfried Scholarship Established in 1997 by Kurt and Sorel Gottfried, Ithaca, New York, in memory of his parents Recipient: Michele Levi, Department of Condensed Matter Physics The Harry and Isadore Gudelsky Memorial Bursary Established in 1974 by the Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Potomac, Maryland Recipient: Itai Bloch, Department of Biological Chemistry The Dr.-Ing. Jerzy Hanowski Scholarship Established through a bequest of Lola Hanowski, Aachen, Germany Recipient: Aviad Itckovitc, Department of Organic Chemistry The Harry Julius Harris Scholarship Established in 1997 through a bequest of Dorothy Harris and by Anne Ingber, New York Recipient: Sharon Marko, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 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: Adi Wilf, Department of Neurobiology The Otto and Mary Hersch Scholarships Established in 1988 through a bequest of Mary Hersch, New York Recipients: Ofir Cohen, Department of Chemical Physics; Mordechay Fridman, Department of Physics of Complex Systems; Roni Ilan, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Neta-Lee Jacobson, Department of Condensed Matter Physics; Zohar Komargodsky, Department of Particle Physics The Luta and Ludwig Heusinger Scholarships Established in 1993 through a bequest of Dr. Ludwig Heusinger, Kfar Shmaryahu, Israel Recipient: Talia Shapira, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Benjamin S. Hornstein Scholarship Fund Established in 1989 through a bequest of Benjamin S. Hornstein, New York Recipient: Ranit Gruber, Department of Structural Biology The Fanny E. and Lewis J. Isaacs Scholarship Established in 1989 through the Fanny E. Isaacs Living Trust, Glencoe, Illinois Recipient: Dikla Elbaz, Department of Science Teaching The Thomas and Ruth Isackson Memorial Scholarship Awards Established in 1992 through a bequest of Ruth Isackson, Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Erez Oxman, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Benjamin Kaufman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1995 by Nathan Jacobs, New York Recipient: Shira Siemion, Department of Biological Chemistry The Udi Khazam Memorial Scholarship Established in 1996 by the Khazam Family, London, UK and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recipient: Vadim Shpitalnik, Department of Particle Physics 320 Feinberg Graduate School

The Leon Kole Memorial Bursary Established in 1982 by Isabelle Kole Stein and children, Hollywood, Florida Recipient: Tzahi Cohen-Karni, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Frank Korrick Scholarship Established in 1991 through a bequest of Francis Charles Korrick, Sydney, Australia Recipient: Idan Efroni, Department of Plant Sciences The Margaret S. Kramer Scholarship Established in 1999 by Margaret S. Kramer, Palm Beach, Florida Recipient: Tuval Ben-Yehezkel, Department of Biological Chemistry The David and Pola Kuppermann Scholarship Fund Established in 2000 through a bequest of Pola Kuppermann, Flushing, New York Recipient: Erez Eyal, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Alexander E. Langsam Memorial Master’s Scholarship Established in 2001 by Florence Langsam, Rockville, Maryland Recipient: Michal Reiss, Department of Biological Regulation The Liselotte and Richard Laster Endowed Master’s Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 2001 by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Laster, Chappaqua, New York Recipient: Nitzan Censor, Department of Neurobiology 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 Recipient: Inbal Binsky, Department of Immunology The Anne P. Lederer Master's Scholarship in Brain Research Established in 1998 by the Anne P. Lederer Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Shay Bukshpan, 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: Sharon Haramati, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Aaron M. Lefkovits Scholarship Fund Bursary Established in 1986 by Dr. Aaron Lefkovits, Memphis, Tennessee Recipient: Gregory Ramniceanu, Department of Biological Regulation 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: Noa Madar, Department of Biological Regulation The Leyfell Family Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 by Mr. and Mrs. Aleksander Leyfell, Cambridge, Massachusetts Recipients: Avital Eisenberg, Department of Molecular Genetics The Abe Lisan Educational Grant Bursary Established in 1974 through a bequest of Abe Lisan, Glenside, Pennsylvania Recipient: Merav Persky, Department of Biological Chemistry Feinberg Graduate School 321

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: Yair Field, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Ben and Ruth Marks Scholarship Established in 1990 by Ben and Ruth Marks, North Miami Beach, Florida Recipient: Noa Hoffman, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Joory Mashal Bursary Established in 1981 by Joory and Doreen Mashal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recipient: Ya’ara Unger, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Samuel Mayer Bursary Established in 1973 by Elsie Mayer, Santa Monica, California Recipient: Tamir Klein, Department of Plant Sciences The Joseph and Mable E. Meites Scholarship Fund Established in 1983 by Joseph and Mable E. Meites, Okemos, Michigan Recipient: Erez Eyal, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Paul and Felicia Muskat Bursary Established in 1984 through a bequest of Paul Muskat, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Ranit Gruber, Department of Structural Biology The Gertrude and Valentin Nathan Scholarship Fund Established in 1997 through a bequest of Gertrude Nathan, New York Recipient: Dror Cohen, Department of Neurobiology The Harold Paul Novick Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Samson Novick, New York Recipient: Ronit Nir, Molecular Genetics The Walter Pancoe Scholarship Established in 1992 by Walter Pancoe, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yossi Oren, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Gertrude and Ivar Philipson Bursary Established in 1961 through bequests of Gertrude and Ivar Philipson, Stockholm, Sweden Recipient: Ariel Cohen, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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: Adi Perets, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Anna and Max Resnick Scholarship Established in 1996 by Howard Resnick, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Adam Mani, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Prof. David Rittenberg Memorial Bursary Established in 1971 in memory of her husband by Mrs. S. Rittenberg and friends, New York Recipient: Yair Field, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 322 Feinberg Graduate School

The Paul and Gabriella Rosenbaum Scholarship in Biology Established in 1999 by the Paul and Gabriella Rosenbaum Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Anat Florentin, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Sara Rottenberg Scholarship in Cancer Research Established in 1994 by Sophie Kalina, New York Recipient: Yifat Merbl, Department of Immunology The Ann B. Sadowsky Scholarship Established in 1987 through a bequest of Ann B. Sadowsky, Mineola, New York Recipient: Avital Eisenberg, Department of Molecular Genetics 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: Hilla Besserglick, 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: Stav Sapoznik, Department of Neurobiology The Elsie Olin and Philip D. Sang Scholarship Established in 1995 by Elsie Olin Sang, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Erez Oxman, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Jerome D. and Beverly Scheer Scholarship Established in 1991 by Jerome D. and Beverly Scheer, Potomac, Maryland Recipient: Idan Efroni, Department of Plant Sciences The Alice and Lewis Schimberg Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 by Alice Schimberg, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Maya Kahan, Department of Biological Chemistry The Henry and Soretta Shapiro Master's Scholarship Established in 1996 by the Soretta and Henry Shapiro Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Leanne Toube, Department of Biological Chemistry The Sabina D. and Benjamin Shapiro Scholarship Fund Established in 1999 through a bequest of Sabina D. Shapiro, New York Recipient: Olivia Niitsoo, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Ruth and Leonard Simon Scholarship in Leukemia/Cancer Research Established in 1999 by Mrs. Ruth Simon, Wilmette, Illinois Recipient: Avihay Bar-Ilan, Department of Immunology The Rochelle and Harold Simpson Scholarship Established in 2002 by Harold and Rochelle Simpson, Delray Beach, Florida Recipient: Adi Neufeld, Department of Biological Regulation The Rachel and Arnold Smith Endowed Master's Scholarship Established in 1996 by Rachel and Arnold Smith, Phoenix and Paradise Valley, Arizona Recipient: Omri Barak, Department of Neurobiology Feinberg Graduate School 323

The Elias and Hilda Sofaer Scholarship Established in 1994 by Michael Sofaer, London, UK Recipient: Alon Amir, Department of Neurobiology The Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Solomon Bursary Established in 1982 by Dr. Jonathan G. Solomon, Hampton, Virginia, in honor of his parents Recipient: Tamar Avin, Department of Immunology The Paula and Ernest Sommers Scholarship Established in 2001 by Ernest Sommers, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Hilla Sberro, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Sylvia and Leonard Sorkin Scholarship Established in 1997 through a bequest of Leonard Sorkin, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yosef Rosenfeld, Department of Biological Chemistry The Keren Sotskover Scholarship Established in 1992 through bequests of Eliezer and Genia (Chaine) Sotskover, Ramat Gan, Israel Recipient: Sigal Shachar, Department of Biological Chemistry The Hazel and David Spatz Scholarship Established in 2000 by the Spatz Family Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Vered Bar-On, Department of Plant Sciences The Blanche and Max Steig Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 1993 through a bequest of Blanche Steig, New York Recipient: Naamah Swerdlin, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Gabriel Armand Stein Scholarship Fund Established in 1991 by Paul Stein, Jackson Heights, New York, in memory of his son Recipient: Barak Raveh, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Nachman Syrkin and Mendel Osnos Scholarship Established in 1999 by Drs. Morton G. and Zivia Wurtele, Berkeley, California Recipient: Ido Regev, Department of Chemical Physics The Armin and Etel (Angyal) Szolovits Master's Scholarship Established in 2001 through bequests of Armin and Etel Szolovits, Hollywood, California Recipient: Hadas Elhanany, Department of Biological Regulation The Harry M. Tobe Memorial Bursary Established in 1981 by Dr. Barry A. Tobe, Downsview, Ontario, Canada Recipient: Yishai Admanit, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Ann Turman Bursary Established in 1987 by Ann E.K. Turman, Great Barrington, Massachusetts Recipient: Yael Ben-Basat, Department of Biological Regulation The Werner and Daughter Renee Usansky Memorial Bursary Established in 1982 by Sra. Sara Z. de Usansky, Buenos Aires, Argentina Recipient: Sigal Shachar, Department of Biological Chemistry 324 Feinberg Graduate School

The Rose and Ben N. Vollen Scholarship Established in 1993 through a bequest of Ben Vollen, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Itzik Cooper, Department of Neurobiology The Dr. Edgar Weil Memorial Bursary Established in 1975 by an anonymous donor, Los Angeles, California Recipient: Tamir Klein, Department of Plant Sciences The Paul and Greta Weinberger Scholarships Established in 1995 through a bequest of Paul Weinberger, New York Recipient: Jasmine Tal, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Charles Weinfeld Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 by the Charles Weinfeld Trust, Northbrook, Illinois Recipient: Noa Rappaport, Department of Molecular Genetics The Joe and Celia Weinstein Scholarship Established in 1995 by Major Max and Sylvia Shulman, New York Recipient: Gregory Ramniceanu, Department of Biological Regulation The Dr. Lee Franklin Weinstock Leadership Scholarship Established in 1994 through a bequest of Dr. Lee Franklin Weinstock, Detroit, Michigan Recipient: Yael Klin, Department of Neurobiology The Sarah Werch Research Scholarship Fund Established in 1994 by the Solomon Carl Werch Trust, Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Yifat Merbl, Department of Immunology The J. Stanley Weyman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1998 by Anne Weyman, London, UK Recipient: Anat Lasri, Department of Immunology The Rose Weyman Memorial Bursary Established in 1987 by Stanley Weyman, London, UK Recipient: Hadar Gilary, Department of Biological Chemistry The Pauline Whiteman Scholarship Fund Established in 2005 through a bequest of Pauline Whiteman, San Francisco, California Recipient: Yehonathan Hertzberg, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Ruth Ann and Sam Wolfson Endowment for the Cure of Alzheimer’s Disease Established in 2001 by Sam Wolfson, Dallas, Texas Recipient: Ravid Shechter, 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: Maya Dadiani-Chetrit, Department of Biological Regulation The Dr. Arthur Yarman and Gertrude Yarman Scholarship Fund Established in 2003 through a bequest of Gertrude Yarman, Miami, Florida Recipient: Einat Schnur, Department of Structural Biology Feinberg Graduate School 325

The Yitzhak Fund (Heath Trust) Scholarship Established in 1992 through the offices of Martin Paisner, London, UK Recipient: Yana Butenko, Department of Biological Regulation; Dmitry Gourevitch, Department of Mathematics; Tanya Karakuz, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Milton Young Memorial Bursary Established in 1980 by friends of Milton Young, New York Recipient: Manny Eisenbach, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Louis and Celia Zeibell and Ida Zeibell Scholarship in Perpetuity Established in 1995 by Jack Zeibell, Forest Park, Illinois Recipient: Yitzhak Reizel, Department of Biological Regulation 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: Nomy Wender, Department of Biological Chemistry The William N. Zinn Endowed Master’s Scholarship Established in 2003 by Robert Zinn, Houston, Texas, and Natalie Zinn Haar, Cambridge, Massachusetts Recipient: Amir Eldar, Department of Structural Biology 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: Hanan Drobiner, Department of Molecular Cell Biology

Annual and Semester M.Sc. Scholarships

The Zvika Barenboim (World Group Holdings) Scholarship Established in 2004 by World Group Holdings, Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Ziv Shulman, Department of Immunology The Yocheved and A.S. Cohen Fund Scholarship Established in 2004 by the Yocheved and A.S. Cohen Fund, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Leor Gruendlinger, Department of Neurobiology The Rose Garfin Scholarships Established in 2005 through a bequest of Rose Garfin, Miami Beach, Florida Recipients: Judith Korchia, Department of Plant Sciences; Sabrina Weisman, Department of Molecular Genetics The Cole and Gloria Goldstein Scholarship Established in 2003 by Mr. and Mrs. Cole Goldstein, Potts Point, Australia. Recipient: Guy Kaufman, Department of Neurobiology The Jorge Kassel Scholarship in the Earth Sciences Established in 1990 by Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Kassel, Naucalpan, Mexico Recipient: Alon Shepon, 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: Frida Belinky, Department of Plant Sciences 326 Feinberg Graduate School

The M.E.H. Fund Scholarship Established in 2004 by Keren M.E.H., Israel Recipient: Danya Elyashiv, Department of Neurobiology The Leon Recanati Scholarship Established in 2004 by Leon Recanati, Tel Aviv, Israel Recipient: Yael Rafaely Klein, Department of Molecular Cell Biology The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Scholarship Established in 2003 by the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Tulsa, Oklahoma Recipient: Adi Perets, Department of Materials and Interfaces The Zurich General Insurance Europe Scholarship Established in 2003 by the Alpina Insurance Company, Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland Recipient: Ivo Spiegel, Department of Molecular Cell Biology

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 Science Teaching

Abraham Arcavi, Head

The Department is composed of groups working in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, and science and technology for all (junior and senior high school). Extensive research and development is carried out in all these areas, with the aim of a) producing high-quality and up-to-date learning, teaching and assessment materials for use throughout the Israeli educational system, and b) providing ongoing professional development of teachers. The learning and teaching materials include textbooks, teacher guides, materials for teacher development, enrichment materials, innovative uses of modern technologies and development and maintenance of websites for non-frontal teaching. The work is based upon an underlying philosophy that considers curriculum development and implementation, professional development of teachers, research and evaluation as part of an integrated and continuous long-term activity.

Our belief in the central role of teachers in improving education has led us to focus our efforts also on National Teacher Centers, which serve as sources of support, information and materials for teachers throughout the country. The Centers, led by our scientists, also prepare and support teachers in leadership roles in their schools and/or districts.

In 2003, we expanded our work with teachers to include pre-service education. We established a program for Teacher Licensing (Te'udat Hora'a) in cooperation with the Feinberg Graduate School and with endorsement of the Ministry of Education. The target population of this program is graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from all the departments at the Weizmann Institute. The main objective of the program is to encourage candidates with a very strong scientific background to become teachers and teacher leaders in junior high and high schools in Israel, as well as in teacher education colleges.

Our collaboration with the Davidson Institute for Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science continues. The main goal of the new Institute is to enhance and enlarge, under the academic umbrella provided by the Department, the scope of the projects in science education – especially those which are more directly related to activities with schools, teachers, students and the public at large. The Davidson Institute provides facilities for the National Teacher Centers and modern classrooms and laboratories for the thousands of hours of teacher development programs and regular teacher courses related to ongoing curricular projects in our department, and run by their respective leaders. The Department of Science Teaching and the Davidson Institute have initiated several joint projects. The three major ones are: the establishment of a Regional Teacher Center to promote the improvement of science education in schools; the establishment of a National Center for Learning through (student) Projects; and

327 328 Science Teaching the implementation (in collaboration with their school teachers) of model lessons in science for students (The Nechmad Project).

Mathematics Group Ruhama Even, Head

Below is a short description of the 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 R&D project 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 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, and symbol sense with a symbolic-graphic system.

The Elementary Math Project (Chugim): Development and implementation of mathematical investigations for fifth and sixth graders using computerized tools.

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 R&D project 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. Science Teaching 329

Evaluation of elementary school mathematics curricula: This evaluation study of six curriculum projects for grades 1-2 was commissioned by the Ministry of Education. The evaluation is underway.

Practices of mathematics teaching in different classrooms: This research examines the role played by the classroom (i.e., by the situation) in determining the enacted curriculum, teaching practices and ways of offering mathematics to learners.

Physics Group Bat-Sheva Eylon, Head

The Group develops courses for the classical high school physics subjects (mechanics, electromagnetism, optics and waves, physics of the 20th century) and for elective courses and other educational resources for students and teachers. These courses use instructional strategies that are sensitive to student learning processes and include activity units that foster involvement. Computerized networks for course delivery are being developed and studied in selected topics. The Group is developing computerized learning environments and didactical methods for introducing computer-based activities into the curriculum.

Currently the Group is developing several modes of introducing projects into the regular study of physics. The projects are carried out either as part of the regular study, or involve external agents. "Physics and Industry" is an example of the latter, and is carried out in collaboration with the electro-optics industry. Appropriate methods of evaluation are being developed to assess and promote this kind of activity. The Group is also involved in the development of courses for the new syllabus in optics, reference frames, and visual quantum mechanics (translated from English).

The Group runs a National Teacher Center responsible for coordinating the professional development of physics teachers throughout Israel. The Center runs an internet site for teachers and develops innovative methods for professional development through the internet.

The Group is engaged in research studies aimed at improving the learning process in several areas: methods for fostering control and feedback in student problem-solving activities; methods for computer- based diagnosis of students‚ conceptions in optics; models for integrating the computer into physics instruction to enhance understanding; detailed studies of the implementation of new instructional strategies; and investigation of the utility of strategies for fostering teacher change in long-term teacher courses, including the support of professional development through the net.

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 330 Science Teaching 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). These inquiry-based laboratories were adopted as part of a continuous Professional Development of the GATSBY Project (a joint project of our Chemistry, Physics and Science and Technology for Junior High School Groups with King’s College, London, England).

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. 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.

A main project conducted by the Group is Science and Technology for All in the upper secondary school (The MUTAV project). This project has developed interdisciplinary learning modules aimed at students who opt not to specialize in the sciences. The following modules have been developed so far: "Energy and the Human Being", "Science as an Ever-Developing Entity", "From the Dinosaurs to Darwin", "Brain, Medicine and Drugs", "The Black Gold", and "Science at the service of the police". The Group conducts research on students’ achievement and attitudes towards science and learning science as a result of using these modules. The findings have confirmed that the use of these modules is successful. In addition, the group conducts leadership courses in this topic with the goal in mind to support implementation of these modules.

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 recently adopted nation wide, to learn Science Teaching 331 biology using scientific research articles that were adapted to the knowledge level of high- school biology students. According to this concept, we developed curricula in developmental biology and biotechnology, which are based on adapted primary literature. The implementation of these units was accompanied by numerous teachers’ development workshops, which were held at regional centers throughout the country, and by close observation of classrooms enacting the curricula. The data collected during the implementation was used to improve the curricula and will be further used for an in-depth analysis of the learning and teaching processes involved in the use of adapted primary literature.

The life-sciences group has developed learning materials for the junior-high school population, in line with the Science and Technology syllabus. We 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.

We have developed an internet-based learning unit in bioinformatics, which includes interactive activities, based on genome databases, 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.

In line with our major objective, we recently established an electronic list of high-school biology teachers who expressed interest in obtaining scientific updates on a regular basis. An electronic journal is sent to those teachers' private e-mail addresses twice a month. The journal contains short scientific news items, as well as class activities, which are based on them.

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).

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; 332 Science Teaching

• Development of new curriculum materials for elementary school;

• The introduction of the outdoors as a an integral and central learning environment of the science curricula;

• Intervention projects in elementary and junior high schools in order to introduce new strategies, methods and emphasis of teaching the science curricula;

• Studying how to develop environmental insights among K-12 students;

• Development of practical and effective ways and techniques for using science education as a tool to close social gaps and cultural differences;

• Development of practical and effective ways to use the computer as a distance learning tool.

• Development of practical and effective ways and techniques to lead changes among teachers.

Computer Science Group Mordechai Ben-Ari, Head

The main focus of our current research is on the use of visualization and animation in teaching computer science, in particular on the acceptance of these systems by teachers and students. We are working with two systems: the Jeliot system for teaching elementary programming and the Matrix system for teaching data structures. This research is carried out in collaboration with two universities in Finland: the University of Joensuu and the Helsinki University of Technology.

We are working on the introduction of new programming languages (Java and in the introductory courses in computer science. The work covers research and development on teaching object-oriented programming, as well as on the use of these languages in teaching procedural programming.

The Group collaborates with the Technion in the running of the National Computer Science Teachers' Center.

Science and Technology in Junior-High School Group Bat-Sheva Eylon, Head

A new syllabus for the unified subject Science and Technology in Junior-High School has been developed, and the Group is part of a national effort to implement this syllabus. The curriculum attempts to cultivate scientific and technological literacy for all citizens and to prepare the necessary background for further studies. To achieve these goals, the curriculum focuses on a thorough understanding of basic concepts and emphasizes the development of independent learning skills in the context of subject matter. The curriculum integrates Science Teaching 333 knowledge among the sciences and between science and technology. Social aspects and relevance to individual students are central considerations in the choice of activities.

The Group runs a National Teacher Center (together with Tel-Aviv University) responsible for coordinating the professional development of junior high school teachers throughout Israel. The Center is involved in intensive activities with teachers throughout the country, and educates teacher leaders. It runs a web site for teachers and trains teacher-leaders to use web- based materials and project-based learning.

Formative evaluation of the new materials is accompanied by the investigation of new instructional strategies, including a constructivist approach to the study of the particle model of matter, project-based learning, knowledge integration using special computerized programs for knowledge representation, longitudinal studies of conceptual development, and acquisition of high-order learning skills. The Group also conducts research on the professional development of teachers and teacher-leaders, and investigates new methods of student assessment.

National Teacher Centers

The Department runs National Teacher Centers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, science and technology in junior high school (in collaboration with Tel Aviv University), and computer science (in collaboration with the Technion).

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/ 334 Science Teaching

Research Staff, Visitors and Students

Professor

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 Mordechai Ben-Ari, Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Ruhama Even, Ph.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States Bat Sheva Eylon, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, United States The Chief Justice Bora Laskin Professor of Science Teaching Nir Orion, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Senior Scientist

Anat Yarden, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Scientist

Edit Yerushalmi, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

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 Scientists

Esther Bagno, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Gilat Brill, Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Consultants

Noah Dana-Picard, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel Tommy Dryfus, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Science Teaching 335

Uri Ganiel Hanna Goldring Ivy Kidron, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel (left August 2005) Anna Sfarad, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel Ornit Spektor-Levi, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

Visiting Scientist

Joseph Krajcik, University of Michigan, USA

Postdoctoral Fellows

Yael Shwartz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Ayelet Weizman, Ph.D., Tel-Aviv University, Israel Pazit Ziv, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Research Students

Ayelet Baram Ronit Ben-Bassat Levy Hana Berger Liora Bialer Carmit Cohen Rachel Cohen Iyad Dkeidek Tamar Eisenmann Osnat Eldar Hedda Falk Marcel Frailich Hadas Gelbart Yossi Gudovitch Shulamit Kapon Esther Kapulnik Mira Kipnis Tova Kvatinsky Tamar Levy Nahum Daphna Mandler Roni Mualem Tiruwork Mulat Noa Ragonis Shay Soffer Michal Stolarsky Michal Tabach Dorit Taitelbaum Tali Wallach Hagit Yarden

Administrator

Mali Karni

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 2004 the programs offered by Young@Science and the number of their participants were as follows:

Weekly Science Clubs: Afternoon courses in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computers, astronomy, aerodynamics and space research - 877 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 - 51 students.

The Amos de-Shalit Summer Science Workshop - 20 high school students.

Science Day Camp for Underprivileged Pupils - ”University. Within Reach” (in conjunction with BaSha’ar and Sekta-Rashi foundation) - 15 students.

337 338 Young@Science

Science Workshop for Ethiopian Immigrants - Sponsored by the New York Federation and the Jewish Agency has been held during August - 90 students

Competitions in Mathematics and Physics

Prof. Joseph Gillis Mathematics Olympiad - 149 high school students.

Junior High School Mathematics Olympiad - 856 students.

Physics Tournament team competition for 11th and 12th graders - 265 students, two teams (10 students) from Toronto Canada included.

Codeguru, a software and computer science competition was arranged in conjunction with a few organizations including the companies Alladin and IBM. 250 students took part in this 2- stage competition.

Math-by-Mail: A nationwide project via mail aimed at math enthusiasts in grades 3-10 - 263 students. Math-by-Mail in the former Soviet Union - 4,500 participants in grade 5 -10. (in Russian). For the first time Math-by-Mail has also been translated into English allowing 110 students from 3 schools in Toronto, Canada to take part in this program..

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 - 170 classes, (4,736 students) multi-day programs - 30 classes. (891 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 - 218 classes (7,481 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 - 330 classes (12,499 students).

"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. This summer 17 students participated in the final stage of the project, and 30 10th grade students in the first stage.

The Amos De-Shalit Popular Science Lectures - Series of 4 lectures by prominent Weizmann Inst. scientists open to the public - 700 students. Young@Science 339

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 – 36 middle school students from schools all over Israel attended our 3 delegations to the one week program at the SCT out of Izmir, Turkey. 6 of 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-2004) – 11 high school students and graduates operated the Israeli booth of the Korea Science Festival in Seoul (July 2004) 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 2004 camp along with students from other countries such as the USA, Great Britain, Japan, China and Korea.

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-Katchalski Center

Yosef Yarden, Director The Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor 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): I. Chet, 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 Y. Shaul. 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.

341 342 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalski 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 "From the Dawn of Life to the End of Days" 25th Annual Convention im Memory of Aharon Katzir.

1998: 26th annual meeting "Polymer 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 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Center 343

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 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. 344 The Aharon Katzir-Katchalski Center

2004: 25th, Prof. David Baltimore, (California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California): The Many Faces of NF-kB

2004: 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. Fifty-four such grants were awarded in 2004.

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

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 Institute-Wide Centers

The Clore Center for Biological Physics

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

The Clore Center was founded to promote and enhance interdisciplinary research in the emerging field of biological physics. Its income is based on a major donation by the Clore Foundation and additional generous gifts by other donors.

In 2003 the Clore Center received a record number of outstanding applications and supported 6 projects, carried out jointly by research groups with complementary background and expertise.

The supported projects included the following topics: (1) Novel embryonic and adult stem cell based bio-informatics strategy for gene discovery; (2) Analysis of the production, secretion and function of MMP secreted by cells migrating in the context of the extracellular matrix; (3) Robust patterning design: quantitative study of morphogen gradients in the Drosophila wing disc; (4) Combined fluorescence resonance energy transfer and voltage clamp approaches to study conformational rearrangements of ion channels at the single molecule level; (5) Systems analysis of a protein network in single living cells; (6) Photo-activated cell-free protein expression on a chip. The Clore Center also supported the purchase of a Hysitron Nanoindenter apparatus for studying the mechanical properties of novel materials.

In addition, the Center, together with the Minerva Foundation supported an international symposium on Optical spectroscopy of biomolecular dynamics.

347

The Dolfi and Lola Ebner Center for Biomedical Research

Samuel A. Safran, Vice President The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Professor

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.

349

J&R Center for Scientific Research

Samuel A. Safran, Vice President The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Professor

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.

351

Center for New Scientists

Samuel A. Safran, Vice President The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Professor

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.

353

Center for Scientific Excellence

Samuel A. Safran, Vice President The Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Professor

This Center supports activities at the Institute in all areas of research, on the basis on grant applications submitted to external funding agencies. Scientists whose proposals receive very good ratings but are not funded, can apply for interim support by the Center before reapplying to the funding agency. In addition, the Center supports research equipment and startup funds for new scientists.

355

Prospective Center for Systems Biology

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:

1. To elucidate the design principles of biological networks

2. To create new experimental and computational technologies

3. To apply these techniques to the study of cancer and other diseases

4. 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.

357 358 Prospective Center for Systems Biology

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 allocation (which is supplemented by the contribution of the Center). 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.

361 362 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Academic Affairs Office

Esther Goldstein, 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.

The Academic Affairs Office publishes annually:

• Scientific Activities • Current Research Activities Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 363

Appointments and Promotions

Appointments

To the Rank of Senior Scientist

Ehud Altman – Condensed Matter Physics Alon Chen – Neurobiology Ilan Koren – Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Boaz Nadler – Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Dimitri Novikov – Mathematics Boris Rybtchinski – Organic Chemistry Eran Segal – Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Tsvi Tlusty – Physics of Complex Systems

To the Rank of Associate Staff Scientist

Knarik Bagdasarian – Neurobiology Irena Efremenko – Organic Chemistry

To the Rank of Assistant Staff Scientist

Konstantin Adamsky – Molecular Cell Biology Stella Aronov – Molecular Genetics Arkady Bitler – Structural Biology Devrim Gouzuacik – Molecular Genetics Ghil Jona – Biological Services Nir Kampf – Materials and Interfaces Regina Katsman – Environmental Science and Energy Research Galina Melman – Organi Chemistry Alla Milner – Materials and Interfaces Dror Noy – Structural Biology Natalie Perzov – Molecular Cell Biology Shlomit Reich-Zeliger – Immunology Liora Strichman-Almashanu – Molecular Genetics Bassem Ziadeh – Biological Services

To the Rank of Junior Staff Scientist

Irina Lavelin – Molecular Cell Biology Galia Maik-Rachline – Biological Regulation Yael Pewzner-Jung – Biological Chemistry Tamar Sapir – Molecular Genetics Merav Yarmus – Molecular Genetics Ilija Zon – Materials and Interfaces 364 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Promotions

To the Rank of Professor

Itai Benjamini – Mathematics Brian Berkowitz – Environmental Sciences and Energy Research Anthony Futerman – Biological Chemistry Avi Hofstein – Science Teaching Gershom Martin – Organic Chemistry Michal Neeman – Biological Regulation Ehud Shapiro – Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Joel Stavans – Physics of Complex Systems Misha Tsodyks – Neurobiology Eli Waxman – Condensed Matter Physics

To the Rank of Associate Professor

Naama Barkai – Molecular Genetics Michael Fainzilber – Biological Chemistry Gilad Haran – Chemical Physics Sima Lev – Neurobiology Shmuel Pietrokovski – Molecular Genetics Ziv Reich – Biological Chemistry

To the Rank of Senior Staff Scientist

Rivka Adar – Biological Chemistry Alexander M. Khenkin – Organic Chemistry Leonid Konstantinovski – Chemical Research Support Rachel Mamlok – Science Teaching Tamar Unger – Structural Biology Alexander Vaskevich – Materials and Interfaces

To the Rank of Associate Staff Scientist

Gilat Brill – Science Teaching Raya Eilam – Veterinary Resources Sara W. Feigelson – Immunology Yuri Myasoedov – Condensed Matter Physics Irina Vishnevetsky – Environmental Sciences and Energy Research

To the Rank of Assistant Staff Scientists

Rachel Sarig – Molecular Cell Biology Cathy Bessudo – Plant Sciences Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 365

Awards

Allon Fellowships

The Allon Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding young researchers by the Council for Higher Education. In 2005 the incumbents were:

Asaph Aharoni Plant Sciences Ehud Altman Condensed Matter Physics Steffen Jung Immunology Milko Van Der Boom Organic Chemistry

Ma’of Fellowships established by the Kahanoff Foundation

Ma’of fellowships are intended for Arab researchers who are residence of Israel who have excelled in their profession so that they may obtain a tenured position in an Israeli Higher Education Institute. In 2005 the incumbents were:

Edriss Titi 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 2005 the incumbents were:

Yitzhak Pilplel Molecular Genetics

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 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 2005 the incumbents were:

Uri Alon, Molecular Cell Biology on Biological Computation Milko Van Der Boom, Organic Chemistry on Molecular Materials and Interface Design

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 2005, the following number of fellowships were in efect in the Weizmann Institute of Science: 5 Fellowships for initial absorption of new immigrant researchers, 1 Gileadi Fellowships and 28 Kamea Fellowships. 366 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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 2005 prize was awarded to Dr. Boris Rybtchinski, Department of Organic Chemistry. The Morris L. Levinson Prizes were established in 1982 by Mr. Morris L. Levinson, New York. The Physics Prize for 2005 was awarded to Prof. Mica Berkooz, Department of Particle Physics, for his work on string theory, field theory and cosmology. The Mathematics Prize in 2005 was awarded to Prof. Vered Rom-Kedar, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, for her mathematical research on the dynamics of idealized billiard models. The Biology Prize in 2005 was awarded to Dr. Ziv Reich, Department of Biological Chemistry, for his contribution to the understanding of the structure and principles of operation of complex integrated transport systems, and in particular transport across the nuclear membrane in mammalian cells, and the photosynthetic apparatus of higher plants. The Maxine Singer Prize to Outstanding Staff Scientists was established in 1991 by the Scientific Council of the Weizmann Institute. In 2005, the Prize was awarded to Dr. Peter Bendel, Department of Chemical Research Support, for his outstanding service to the NMR facility and important contributions to development of MRI capabilities and science and to Dr. Abraham Kofman, Department of Chemical Physics, for his pioneering work on dynamical control of quantum dacay. The Scientific Council Prize in Chemical Research. In 2005, the Prize was awarded to Dr. Igor Lubomirsky, Department of Materials and Interfaces, for his pioneering work on determining and understanding ultimate size effects for dielectric materials.

The Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Memorial Prize is awarded by the Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Memorial Fund, established in 1976, for an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in chemistry. The award for 2005 was made to Dr. Fernando Patolsky, Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem for his thesis on Microscopic and Macroscopic Characterization of Biological Supramolecular Assemblies: Development of Bioelectronic and Optoelectronic Devices.

Honors

Awarded to Weizmann Institute Academic Staff

Prof. Uri Alon – Awarded the "Teva founders prize" for breakthroughs in bio-medical science Prof. Brian Berkowitz – Elected as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union Prof. Achi Brandt – Awarded the SIAM/ACM Prize in Computational Science and Engineering Prof. David Cahen – Iris Visoly-Fisher in the Group of Prof. David Cahen - Awarded the Ormat Prize by the Israeli Section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) Prof. Ilan Chet – Awarded the Life time achievement award by the Trichoderma fungi International Society Prof. Yadin Dudai – Elected as the Yearly Volker-Henn Lecturer at the University of Zurich Prof. Gregory Falkovich – Elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, UK Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 367

Dr. Deborah Fass – Awarded the Wolf Foundation's Krill Prize for Outstanding Research Prof. Uriel Feige – Recipient of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Award for Outstanding Paper Prize Prof. Moshe Feldman – Awarded an Honorary Membership of the Society of Genetics in Israel Prof. Oded Goldreich – Boaz Barak in the Group of Prof. Goldreich - Recipient of the Doctoral Dissertation Award by Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Prof. David Harel – Recipient of a Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Rennes, France Prof. Ora Kedem – Elected as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Prof. Yitzhak Maron – Elected as an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Fellow, USA Dr. Daniela Novick – Co- recipient of the Milstein Award by the International Society For Interferon And Cytokine Research (ISICR) Prof. Itamar Procaccia – Recipient of the Weizmann Prize from the Tel-Aviv Municipality Prof. Michel Revel – Elected to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Ms. Sharon Ruthstein (in the group of Prof. Daniella Goldfarb) – Recipient of the Wolf Foundation Fellowship for Excellent Ph.D. Students Prof. Jacob Sagiv – Awarded the Israel Chemical Society Prize Prof. Israel Silman – Awarded the Samuel and Paula Elkales Prize by the Jewish National Fund Prof. Joel L Sussman – Awarded the Samuel and Paula Elkales Prize by the Jewish National Fund Prof. Reshef Tenne – Awarded the Kolthoff Prize in Chemistry by the Technion Prof. Reshef Tenne – Recipient of the Materials Research Society (MRS) Medal Prof. Reshef Tenne – Awarded the Excellence in Research Prize of the Israel Vacuum Society Prof. Meir Wilchek – Recipient of the EMET Prize in Chemistry Awarded by the A.M.N. Foundation Prof. Meir Wilchek – Re-Elected as a Member of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's Board of Governors Prof. Meir Wilchek – Re-Elected as a Member of Bar-Ilan University's Board of Governors Prof. Meir Wilchek – Elected as a Member of Sha'arei Mishpat College Prof. Yosef Yarden – Recipient of a Merit Award of the National Cancer Institute, USA Prof. Yosef Yarden – Re-Appointed as an academic scientific member of the International Board of Governors at the Technion, Haifa Prof. Ada Yonath – Elected as a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 368 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Doctors of Philosophy Honoris Causa

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

1998 David D. Baltimore Manfred D. Moross Edith Cresson Alexandra Poljakoff-Mayber Jean-Marie Lehn Albert Willner Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 369

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 Martha Laub The Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven 1991 Azaria Alon Uzia Galil H. Thomas Beck Lilian Hertzberg Hurbert Curien Dan Mayer Jean Dausset Hans A. Weidenmüller 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 370 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 371

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

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 372 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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

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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 373

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

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

2004 Irving Harris William Z. Novick 374 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

2003 Marcos Moshinsky Friede Springer Wim Kok

1999 Helen Asher

1997 Abba Eban Lord Rothschild David Ginsburg

1995 Veit Wyler Reimer Lüst

1994 Erhard Busek

1992 Ezer Weizmann Mostafa Khalil 1991 Kirk Douglas 1990 Carlos Salinas de Gortari Brian Mulroney 1989 Heinz A. Staab 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 375

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

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. Approximately 30 undergraduate students are accepted each year to the summer science 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 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 2005 the Participants were:

Ariel Biller, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Ido Cohn, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Yonat Eshchar, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Boaz Gildor, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv Nadav Goldental, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Eran Kalderon, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan Ilia Kaminker, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 376 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Shai Kinast, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Barak Kirschner, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan Hanan Levy, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Boaz Nissan-Cohen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Tomer Noyhouzer, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Gaddiel Ouaknin, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Tal Ozer, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Ofir Reich, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Eden Rephaeli, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv Eitan Rothstein, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Yaron Segal, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv Julia Shekhter, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Ephrath Solel, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Inbal Talgam, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv Shani Trattner, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Dimitry Yankelve, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Ido Zak, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Tamar Zil-bar, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

Karyn Kupcinet International Science School

The Karyn Kupcinet International Science School was established in 1971 in memory of Karyn Kupcinet by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Kupcinet of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Academic Secretary's office organizes and runs the program. Approximately 30 undergraduate students are accepted each year.

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 2005 the Participants were:

Anastassia Andriushchenko, Kharkov National University, Ukraine Luiza Angheluta, Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark Nathan Apter, SUNY, Rockland Comunity College, NY, USA Russel Berg, Wesleyan University, CT, USA Irina Bobkova, Saint-Petersburg State University, Russia Jennifer Coppens, McGill University, QC, Canada Jessica Frenkel, City University of New York, NY, USA Laura Gaynon, Yale University, CT, USA Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 377

Ariel Ginis, Yeshiva University, NY, USA Michal Hallside, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK Mark Kaganovich, Harvard University, MA, USA Victor Kasatkin, Saint-Petersburg State University, Russia Eleonor Kramarz, Imperial College, London, UK Clemence Larroche, Concordia University, QC, Canada John Philip Ottersbach, Bergische Universitat, Wuppertal, Germany Zlatko Papic , University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro Zamir Pollak, Columbia University, NY, USA Elnatan Reisner, Brandeis University, MA, USA Dov Rhodes, Indiana University, Indiana, USA Simcha Rimler, Yeshiva University, NY, USA Tatjana Simcevic, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro Alma Steingrat, Columbia University, NY, USA Vesna Stojanoska, American University in Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria Aleksandar Vacic , University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro Yu Wei, University of Manchester, UK Naama Zuessman, Bard College, NY, USA

Visiting Professors Program

The Visiting Professorships will be 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 2005 were as follows: The Morris Belkin Visiting Professorship Prof. Anna Katharina Braun, University of Mageburg, Germany The Joseph Meyerhoff Visiting Professorship Prof. Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto, Canada

The Erna and Jakob Michael Visiting Professorship Prof. Marc Fellous, INSERM E0021, Paris, France

The Rosi and Max Varon Visiting Professorships Prof. Vladimir Golubyatnikov, Russian Academic of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia Prof. Vladimir Gurarie, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia Prof. Boris Solomyak, University of Washington, Seattle, WA., USA

The Weston Visiting Professorships Prof. Sonia Berrih-Aknin, Marie Lannelongue Hospital, Le Plessis Robinson, France Prof. Vladimir Derkach, University of Donetsk, Ukraine Prof. Anatoly Ivanov, Volgograd State University, Russia Prof. Yoram Kaufman, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA 378 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Prof. Joseph Krajcik, University of Michigan, USA Prof. Nikita Lukzen, Institute of Tomography, Novosibirsk, Russia Prof. Edward Rosenberg, University of Montana, Missoula, USA Prof. Boris Rozenberg, Russian Academic of Science, Russia Prof. Leonid Vainshtein, Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia 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 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) Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 379

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) 380 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

Weizmann Professorial Chairs, CDCs 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 Rsearch 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 br Mr. and Mrs. Benson, Montreal 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 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 381

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 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 Incumbent Professor Victor Steinberg, Department of Physics of Complex Systems The Amos de Shalit Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1976 Incumbent Professor Yitzhak Frishman, Department of Particle Physics 382 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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. and Mrs. R. J. Drake of 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 Abraham Amsterdam, 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 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 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 383

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 Incumbent Professor Achi Brandt, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics 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 Incumbent Professor Yoram Shechter, Department of Biological Chemistry 384 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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 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 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 385

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 Rafael 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 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 Established in 1982 by Mr. Lubin, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yoram Salomon, Department of Biological Regulation 386 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

The Andre Lwoff Chair of Neurogenetics Established in 1984 by his friends through the French Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Rabi Simantov, Department of Molecular Genetics 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 of Immunology Established in 1982 by the Mauerberger Foundation Fund, Capetown The Hermann Mayer Chair Established in 1980 by Mr. Hermann Mayer, Paris 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 387

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 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 of Protein Research Established in 1968 by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science Incumbent Professor Matityahu Fridkin, Department of Organic Chemistry 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 L. 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 388 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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 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 Ruth Epstein Recu Chair of Theoretical Physics Established in 1981 through the estate of Mrs. Epstein Recu, Chicago Incumbent Professor Adam Schwimmer, Department of Physics of Complex Systems 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 Incumbent Professor Shimon Reich, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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 Incumbent Professor Edna Mozes, Department of Immunology 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 of Biophysics 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 389

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 Herman and Lily Schilling Foundation Chair Established in 1993 by the Herman and Lily Schilling Foundation for Medicine, Germany Incumbent Professor Alexander Tsafriri, Department of Biological Regulation 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 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 Incumbent Professor Michel Revel, Department of Molecular Genetics 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 390 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

The Elias Sourasky Chair Established in 1992 by Dr. Jaime P. Constantiner, Mexico Incumbent Professor Uri Nudel, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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 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 Alex and Ida Sussman Chair of Submicron Electronics Established in 2000 by S. Donald Sussman, New York Incumbent Professor Mordehai Heiblum, Department of Condensed Matter Physics 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 The Max and Anne Tanenbaum Chair of Nuclear Physics Established in 1976 by Mr. and Mrs. Tanenbaum, Toronto 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 The Harry Weinrebe Chair 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 391

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 Incumbent Professor Harry Dym, Department of Mathematics 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 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 Incumbent Professor Ephraim Yavin, Department of Neurobiology The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Chair of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Malignant Diseases Research Established in 1985 by his friends and associates, Chicago Incumbent Professor Yigal Burstein, Department of Organic 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 392 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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 Incumbent Dr. Dan Tawfik, Department of Biological Chemistry The Adolfo and Evelyn Blum Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1979 by bequest of Mr. Blum, New York Incumbent Dr. Asaph Aharoni, Department of 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 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 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 Incumbent Dr. Omer Reingold, Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Henry Kaplan Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1987 by Mrs. Henry S. Kaplan, Stanford, California Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 393

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 Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Career Development Chair Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Kimmelman, New York Incumbent Dr. Igor Lubomirsky, Department of Materials and Interfaces 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 Daniel E. Koshland Sr. Career Development Chair Established in 1996 by Professor Daniel E. Koshland Jr. of, Berkeley, California 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. Dan Shahar, Department of Condensed Matter Physics 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. Deborah Fass, Department of Structural Biology The Robert Edward and Roselyn Rich Manson Career Development Chair Established in 1982 in their memory, by Norman and Sandra Rich, West Liberty, IA, and Martin and Barbara Rich, Davenport, Iowa Incumbent Dr. 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 394 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

The Recanati Career Development Chair of Cancer Research Established in 1978 by the Recanati Family, Israel The Pauline Recanati Career Development Chair of Immunology Established in 1980 by the Ralli Foundation, Geneva Incumbent Dr. Steffen Jung, Department of Immunology 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 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 Professor Sima Lev, Department of Molecular Cell Biology 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 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 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 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 395

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

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 396 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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. Various Committees for the Weizmann Institute abroad also provide fellowships from time to time.

Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs 397

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 04/05 Institute researchers were active in 1,157 research projects, totaling a gross external research income of nearly $48 million.

Sources of approved funding for research grants were geographically distributed between: Israel (over $20 million), Europe (over $15 million), the USA (over $8 million) and Bi- national and International sources (over $3 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. 398 Directorate for Research and Academic Affairs

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. The office founded the International Friendship Club for Spouses of Visiting Scientists, which is quite active and meets every other week.

In 2005, the Institute hosted 525 visiting scientists who came from 29 different countries.

Division of Information Systems

Yigal Burstein The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Malignant Diseases Research

Senior Advisor to the President on Information Systems

The Division of Information Systems 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 Telecommunications Services Unit

The Computing Center (WICC) Aviva Greenman, Head

The Weizmann Institute Computing Center strives to provide 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 know by its Hebrew Acronym MACHBA . 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.

399 400 Division of Information Systems

Fully backed-up Novell Netware-based, 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 on campus, divided between PC's and Macintoshes. Currently, about 50 new personal computers are installed each month. WICC continues to make an IBM mainframe available for administrative data processing.

We have initiated a new Secured Network Infrastructure Project, which will begin implementation at the beginning of 2006.

The growth in storage requirements has proceeded unabated. While we purchased additional disks for our storage arrays during 2005, we have held off upgrading our Storage Area Network infrastructure. We anticipate a major upgrade of this infrastructure during 2006 to keep up with modern technology. The tape backup library has been expanded; today a single backup library holds all the backed-up data of the Institute.

During the last year we initiated several major projects and integrated new technologies into our system:

• The Unix Group has overseen the implementation, integration and administration of HPC clusters in various scientific departments. In the Biological Services two additional clusters were added and connected to a mutual storage, to enable secured access to research groups of WIS as well as to researchers of other academic institutions. In Mathematics two additional clusters were also added, which work in High Availability. The group also supports connection of Unix/Linux environments to scientific equipment, as well as administering and managing Uptime to control critical servers. The implementation and integration of Tivoli Storage Management for unified backup of computers with various operating systems has been completed. Today the registration to Unix services is automatic, using LDAP for authentication. The backup procedure has been enhanced to allow faster processing by keeping backed up data both on disks and tapes. • The central Unix mail server was again upgraded so as to be even more robust under the ever-increasing volume of electronic mail. In spite of these ongoing tasks, we plan to choose in 2006 a mail server platform and software which will be more reliable and will contain more features than those we have today. • 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. We continue to improve our security systems, balanced by scientific needs. We continue to add new technologies to protect our network and resources. • We continue to support the recent releases of the Macintosh OSX operating system, and all new machines come with our supported software installed. 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. Division of Information Systems 401

• All the Computing Center's NetWare-based file and print servers have been attached to the EVA 5000 storage array. The servers' resources have been clustered, so that if an individual server needs to be brought off-line for maintenance or becomes otherwise unavailable, other servers in the cluster will automatically take over providing the resource – usually without the user's noticing any interruption in service. This has led to a much higher perceived availability of resources by our users. In addition to the file and print services, iFolder and NetStorage have also been formatted as clustered resources. • The Meta-Directory project has been expanded to manage and synchronize the identities of our users on our GroupWise groupware system and Active Directory, as well as on our Novell NetWare and Unix/Linux systems. The actual meta-directory was moved to a Linux cluster to provide increased resilience for this critical system. This means that if one server fails, another server assumes its responsibilities. One outcome of the meta- directory project is that we can now provide a single web page which allows users to change their password once for all supported systems. • 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:// eGuide.weizmann.ac.il. • We have tested new PC systems and methods of installing their operating systems and applications automatically over the network. We expect this will lead to concrete changes in how we support many of our PC users over the coming years. • 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. • Administrative PCs - For 2005, the Weizmann Institute 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. A user survey, taken towards the end of 2005, showed that our users were very pleased with the system and that there have been practically no problems. 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. • This year we have implemented PatchLink, which provides automatic patching of Windows systems for subscribed PCs. Instead of users' having to constantly check the Microsoft site for updates, Patchlink pushes the patches to the users' PCs when the patches become available. 402 Division of Information Systems

In addition to the above projects, the WICC is constantly evaluating state-of-the-art techniques and innovations, always seeking to improve the computing services and technical support for the Institute community.

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, databases, etc. The Library staff provides users with optimal techniques for finding and using library material, as well as for searching the library's computerized catalog and online resources. The Information Unit is responsible for decisions concerning the access to online content and the choice of preferred interfaces. The Unit supports the Institute's personnel with sophisticated use of electronic resources and also performs intermediated scientific literature searches upon request.

The Libraries comprise over 250,000 books and bound volumes of periodicals, some 530 current periodical subscriptions in printed form, several electronic and aggregated databases, and a constantly growing collection of several thousand electronic journals. A considerable portion of the electronic journals and databases collection is a result of the 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 merger of the Chemistry and the Life Sciences Libraries collections was decided upon this year. The accomplishment of a project of this magnitude required recruitment of all relevant Library personnel.

The Library staff, consulting Library Committee members and members of the scientific staff checked all collections in both libraries. Plans were made for weeding out unneeded and duplicate library material, canceling some subscriptions, and transferring books, reference material and bound journal volumes from both libraries to be merged, to the Wix Central Library. Plans, including time schedules, were made for all upcoming stages.

The process of weeding out books and other material is now reaching its final stage. The final transfer of collections to both the Life Sciences Library and the Wix Library is planned for 2006. Division of Information Systems 403

• In order to increase the online access possibilities of additional scientific journals we have switched to more electronic-only subscriptions, thereby reducing our print journal collection by one third (occasionally against the will of some scientific staff members), and also reducing costs. We have carefully checked more electronic-only subscription model options (which cost less than print), assuring perpetual access rights to archival material.

As of the middle of this year we have ceased all new book orders and journal binding as another cost-cutting measure.

During the summer we conducted a usage survey of all our journal subscriptions, excluding the electronic subscriptions we order via the MALMAD Consortium. As a result, we have decided to prepare for another massive cancellation of print journals in order to comply with the already-known 2005/6 drastic budget cuts. • The Library Committee has approved the purchase of several book series, in electronic- only format, along with their archives. • During November and early December we tested the RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification Device using UHF frequency) developed for our purposes by a high-tech company. By using special magnetic tags, this application automatically records (in the circulation module of the ALEPH catalog) all book loans and returns by users exiting/entering the library. This part of the pilot project was deemed successful. It is to be further tested for gradual implementation when Aleph 500 Version 16 is fully installed. • During the spring and summer our librarians were involved in analyzing and characterizing Library acquisition procedures for the new purchasing and financial system, scheduled to be implemented next year by the Institute. • All members of the Library staff have been involved in carrying out different projects intended for the improvement and optimization of data, and its clear, accurate and immediate display in the ALEPH catalog. • The Libraries' website has been continually updated and now also includes links to many archives, e.g. publishers' journal archives, and book series' archives purchased to increase access potential to electronic information resources for staff and students. Links to Self Archiving policy and Open Access journals were also added to the site. • The Information Unit succeeded in embedding the TOUR resolver (in addition to all subscribed data bases) in the Google Scholar search engine. Weizmann Institute staff and students can now locate the appropriate (subscribed or otherwise accessible) copy of the full text of articles found by the search (displayed as "Weizmann e-text").

• During the past year the Information Unit has also incorporated a remarkable number of additional titles into the TDNet e-journal managing system, which are not direct Weizmann Institute subscriptions, but are available for us through aggregators such as PROQUEST. 404 Division of Information Systems

• A database management software system has been acquired by the Weizmann Institute for the joint use of the Weizmann Institute Archives, the Photo Lab and Chaim Weizmann Archives, the aim being the unification of some of the collections, especially photographs. Using the same software will enable joint use of the integrated database. During this year we have mainly dedicated our efforts to the integration of the software, and to checking the quality of the converted data from our previous Archives' database.

This data is constantly being updated. The scanning process of the Weizmann Institute Archives, including that of extremely delicate paper documents, has begun this year and is being carried out by the Photo Lab on a regular basis. The home page of The Libraries is www.weizmann.ac.il/WIS-library/home.htm

The Data Processing Department 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.

The extremely successful Internal Services project, which has been running smoothly in production for over seven 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 eighty-six services provides an on-line catalogue of items available from various Institute departments (providers), and a user-friendly interface for placing, processing, and tracking internal orders. Most importantly, the system automatically debits and credits the department budgets or projects for these transactions. New services added to the system during the past year include: • Agilent Microarrays • Biological Regulation Photocopies • Biological Regulation Veterinary Services • Clean Room – Center Members • Clean Room – European Grants • Clean Room – Swiss Pavilion • Entrance to Submicron Center • InVivo Optical Imagine Unit • Mathematics Faculty Administration Services Division of Information Systems 405

The Oracle ERP Applications-based Human Resources software package has been in production for five 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. 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. During the past year the system has been upgraded to take advantage of the most recent development tools offered by Oracle, which enable total software interfacing with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat and other widely-used applications. An additional process, known as WorkFlow, enables computerized records of student attendance, eliminating the need for filling out manual forms.

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 system, which has successfully been in production for almost five 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.

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 computerized systems for student and lecturers' salaries and student attendance, complete computerization of admissions procedures, early registration for exams, and a greatly improved group email system which allows for sending announcements/instructions/reminders to specific population groups as needed.

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 406 Division of Information Systems

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 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. Data Processing is moving steadily toward its goal of a completely web-enabled environment. During the last year the Institute has changed its approach toward the creation of an integrated Finance/Supply/Inventory system, and is now embarked on implementing an independently designed system.

The Home Page of the Department of Data Processing is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/DP/. Division of Information Systems 407

The Internet 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. The Computing Center has set up an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server, which has been designated as the sole source of all Human Resources data at Weizmann. All new applications written by the Internet Services Unit that need information from the Human Resources database already access the LDAP server to retrieve information. We are planning to redirect already existing applications to retrieve information from the LDAP server as well. This will ensure that all Human Resources data at Weizmann originates from the same source and is therefore totally uniform.

• In the last 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 easy to create a book with all the abstracts. • The unit has successfully automated the Ulpanot De Shalit program. Applications for the program, as well as placement of students in specific departments at Weizmann, are now all accomplished via the web. This system is similar to one that was written for the summer programs that are run by the Academic Affairs Office. • The unit has completed work on a Commercial Information Center for Yeda that allows all Weizmann scientists to access information about Yeda's commercialization efforts with respect to their technologies. This information acquaints the scientists with Yeda's efforts to bring their technologies to the market place. • All postdoctoral and PhD positions that are advertised by Weizmann scientists on the Weizmann web site, now also appear on the web site of the European Researcher's Mobility Portal. To accomplish this, the Internet Services Unit has created an application which smoothly transfers this data. 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.

The Internet Services Unit has been working this last year on creating an organizational portal for the Weizmann Institute. A portal is meant to be an “entrance” into the electronic systems of 408 Division of Information Systems the organization that allows each user to see a wide variety of information, both inside and outside the Institute. Each user can customize this information according to his or her needs. The portal will allow for sharing of information and knowledge between different workers, faculties, departments, and research groups at Weizmann. The Human Resources Department and the Feinberg Graduate School have been chosen as the first departments for which we will build a web site using portal technology.

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 update information via a professional and efficient interface, the unit helps the Institute put its best face forward at all times.

The Internet Services unit’s home page is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/IU/.

Telecommunications Services 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 three operators and one supervisor. The switchboard is a “Coral” product of Tadiran, and supports over 3,000 extensions throughout the campus. 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.

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 200 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 Telecommunications Services unit’s home page is: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/telecomm/ Division of Information Systems 409

Research Staff

Professor

Yigal Burstein1, Ph.D., The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Malignant Diseases Research

Senior Staff Scientist

Morton F. Taragin, Ph.D., George Washington University, Washington, United States

Engineers

Aviva Greenman, M.Sc., The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Shlomit Afgin, B.Sc., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Camille Botaz, M.Sc., University of Bucharest, Romania Yehezkel Bialik, B.Sc., Yeshiva University, NY, United States Stephen Druck, B.A., Cornell University, Ithaca, United States Issak Kopp, M.Sc., Novocherkassk Polytechnic Institute, Russia Boris Lourie, Ph.D., The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel Iris Mersel, M.Sc., Tomsk University, Tomsk, and M.Sc., Moscow University, Moscow Jerry Mersel, B.Sc., Hunter College, NY, United States Sara Yasur, B.A., Tel Aviv University, Te-Aviv, Israel

1Department of Organic Chemistry

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.

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.

411 412 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.

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.

Warehouses Unit Moti Cohen, Head

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 Division of Logistics and Research Services 413 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.

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. 414 Division of Logistics and Research Services

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, 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.

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/ Division of Logistics and Research Services 415

Engineers and Laboratories Staff

Asher Bar-on, MSM, Boston University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Mordechai Cohen, B.Sc., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Eliram Chavet, M.Sc., Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan Lilia Goffer, M.Sc., Polytechnic Institute, Chelabinsk Rafael Michaeli, B.Sc., Open University, Tel-Aviv Benjamin Pasmantirer, B.Sc., Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Gedalia Perlman, M.Sc., Polytechnical University, Leningrad

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 granted scholarships to 5 of the 20 students who participated in the program.

The Amos de-Shalit Popular Science Lectures – A series of four lectures by prominent Weizmann Institute scientists open to the public was organized by the Young@Science Department – 700 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 2005 prize was awarded to Eli Shalev, of the Hebrew University Secondary School and the HEMDA Centre for Science Education.

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. This year one-week programs were held for students having completed their first academic year in physics and chemistry and for students in the life sciences entering their third year. A two- week program was held for students entering their third year in physics and chemistry. Seventeen first-year students and forty seven second-year students participated in the schools.

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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 houses a number of educational units, including the National Headquarters of PERACH (Tutorial Project), four National Teachers' Centers (the National Teachers' Centers for Physics, Chemistry, 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 2005. Existing projects have been expanded and several new projects were initiated. During this period the number of participants in the various activities has been constantly increasing.

Many of the Institute’s activities are conducted in cooperation with the Department of Science Teaching and under its academic supervision. The various programs are structured according to centers and projects that specialize in different aspects of science, technology, and mathematics education. They are geared to different target audiences that include students, teachers, and the general adult population.

Teachers' Training and Professional Development

The Regional Center for Science, Technology, and Mathematics Head of the project: Dr. Miri Kesner

The Regional Teachers' Center promotes scientific, technological, and mathematical education in schools ranging in student age from kindergarten to high school, in the area of Rehovot and

419 420 The Davidson Institute for Science Education its surroundings. In certain specialized topics, the center's programs serve the entire country. 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 in science, technology, and mathematics. Training courses focus on implementation of curricular materials within the educational system, with a strong emphasis on giving teachers the necessary tools for coping with students' special needs as well as for dealing with exceptional students. For this purpose, a wide range of annual and summer teacher courses are offered in addition to workshops, conferences, and one-day meetings.

During the school year 2004-2005 more than 100 in-service courses were offered, in which more than 2,000 teachers participated. Most of the courses take place at the Davidson Institute of Science Education, although some are conducted in other regions of the country. Some of the Center's programs are as follows:

Brain research, substances, drugs and addiction – Science Education Head of the project: Dr. Dvora Cohen Academic advisor: Dr. Anat Yarden

The Davidson Institute conducts in-service training courses and conferences for teachers on brain research and the effects of substances such as drugs and medications on humans. These activities are part of continuing efforts to contribute to scientific literacy in the context of brain research and substance abuse. The courses and conferences present current scientific knowledge about the brain, drug use and addiction, and support the design of activities aimed at improving students' knowledge and skills regarding this subject. These special activities are then incorporated into school life in a variety of means, such as learning activities, prevention programs, or special-topic days.

The Center for Integrating Out-of-School Learning in the School Curriculum Head of the project: Dr. Yehuda Ben-Hur Academic advisor: Prof. Nir Orion Coordinator: Mrs. Aliza Dayan

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. Two national conferences that included plenary lectures, workshops, and poster session were organized in 2005, with the participation of 170 teachers in each. In addition, the center provides two support programs for schools that implement out-of- school environments.

"SHLAV1": A Center for the Advancement of Low Achievers in Mathematics Head of the project: Dr. Ronnie Karsenty Academic advisor: Prof. Abraham Arcavi

1"SHLAV" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for Improvement of Mathematics Learning. The Davidson Institute for Science Education 421

The SHLAV Center for advancing low achievers in mathematics at the secondary school level aims at conducting interventions in low-track mathematics classes, especially in the peripheral and low-income areas of Israel. The center addresses the special needs of mathematics teachers for low-achievers' by instructing them within their schools, while providing a supportive environment for the low-achieving students. Currently, the project is being carried out in two schools in the city of Lod, in which additional mathematics teachers, recruited to address the needs of special education students integrated into regular classes, are being instructed by Dr. Karsenty through weekly discussions. In addition, a new website is under construction, intended to support students during after- school hours, when they may encounter difficulties when doing homework assignments.

Conferences The Davidson Institute hosts numerous conferences and seminars for thousands of science and mathematics teachers as well as other educators. These events include, among others, the conference for middle school teachers, organized by the National Teachers Center of Science and Technology; conferences for high-school teachers in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, organized by the relevant National Teachers' Centers. In addition, two special days were organized for all teachers in the Rehovot region, with the theme "Issues of Science in Society – implementing Science into Society". Among the issues discussed were the human genome project, ecology and the impact of humans on the environment.

Program for Promoting Excellence in Science Education Head of the project: Dr. Hannah Margel Academic advisors: Prof. Bat-Sheva Eylon and Dr. Zahava Scherz

This is a joint program of the Davidson Institute of Science Education, the Weizmann Institute's Department of Science Teaching, the Society for Excellence through Education (SEE), and the Ministry of Education. It is an educational effort aimed at promoting and nurturing excellence in the Israeli educational system.

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 is being trained. These teachers will then serve as "excellence promoters" by giving special attention to outstanding students and their education. The aim of these "promoters of excellence" is to advance outstanding achievement in their schools and to create a suitable learning environment for excellent students. Participating teachers learn how to use the particular professional skills needed for dealing with gifted students. The program focuses on the main topics in science and on teaching skills. The training takes two academic years to complete; each year consists of 168 annual hours. The program is being documented in a research study funded by the Israeli Academy of Science. 422 The Davidson Institute for Science Education

Formal Science & Mathematics Education Activities This area of activities addresses students at the junior high-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 the project: Dr. Hannah Margel Academic advisors: Prof. Avi Hofstein, Prof. Bat-Sheva Eylon and Dr. Anat Yarden

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 scientific experiments through active experience. The teachers are then invited to conduct these experiments with their students at the Davidson Institute laboratories.

During the 2004/2005 school year the NECHMAD program hosted around 60 schools, 80 teachers, 275 classes, and 6,800 students.

"KATOM3"- Project providing a laptop computer for every school student and teacher in certain classes Head of the project: Dr. Yisrael Porath

This is an educational experiment whose goal is to investigate the effects of integrating portable computers into the teaching and learning activities. At the beginning of the school year 2005, portable computers were provided to teachers and students in five 7th grade classes in the towns of Yavne, Mazkeret Batya, Rosh Ha'ain (2 schools), and Kfar Saba. The teachers in these schools participate in a teachers' development program in which they are introduced to different computer-based programs and share their problems, strategies, and dilemmas regarding the new educational experience. The Davidson Institute staff supports the school teachers and administration and assists them in solving technical and educational problems. After studying the effects of this intervention, the plan is to encourage an expansion of the implementation to other schools and towns.

2NECHMAD 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. The Davidson Institute for Science Education 423

"MOACH4" - Computational Science Program for Talented Students Head of the project: Mr. Shlomo Rosenfeld

The Computational Science Program was developed by "Hemda"-Center for Science Education in Tel Aviv and is now being implemented at the Davidson Institute. This unique, interdisciplinary program is intended to enable the students to use computers as tools for scientific research, by combining specific knowledge from physics and other sciences with mathematical concepts and skills, and with computer literacy.

The program is offered to especially talented science students from 10th – 12th grade in the framework of a regional class. The first 3-year pilot program was successfully conducted and evaluated in Tel-Aviv. It was accepted by the Ministry of Education as a unique 5-point matriculation program that grants the students with bonus points for their undergraduate studies. In the Rehovot region, the classes are given once a week at the Davidson Institute campus, during after-school hours.

In their activities students develop computational models, make inquiries and comparisons, with emphasis on familiarity with various computational environments and broad knowledge areas. The students learn how to use computers for advanced experiment control methods and as tools for independent research work. By the end of the three-year program, the students are evaluated on the basis of their end product. In addition to comprehensive scientific knowledge and skills, the program strives to provide for its graduates a strong sense of confidence in their ability to face future intellectual problems and challenges.

"Computer Science, Academia, and Industry" – Educational Project Head of the project: Dr. Bruria Habermann Coordinator: Dr. Cecile Yehezkel

The Educational Program was developed as an addition to the special program in Software Engineering (SE), whose aim is to expose young students to the field of computing during their high-school studies. The program is designated for advanced students and is currently being implemented and evaluated for the first time. In the first stage of the program, a regional out-of-school class, consisting of highly motivated advanced students accompanied by their teachers, attends an enrichment workshop. The first stage of the program began in November 2005, involving around 140 11th grade students from the central district of Israel.

In the second stage, students develop projects under the apprenticeship-based supervision of professional instructors from academia and industry. Around 20 students implement their projects under this guidance.

4"MOACH" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for "Computational Science". "MOACH" also means 'brain' in Hebrew. 424 The Davidson Institute for Science Education

The project exposes the students and their teachers to industry’s professional norms and to advanced technologies and methodologies. Moreover, it enables the high-tech industry to take an active part in educating potential newcomers, and it contributes to making the SE professional domain more attractive to students and teachers.

The "Investigation into Science and Technology" (IST) program Head of the project: Dr. Zahava Scherz Coordinator: Miri Oren

The "Investigation into Science and Technology" curriculum was designed to bring school students into contact with science and technology 'in action' as well as with scientists and technicians at their workplaces. The structure of the 'IST' module is based on the students' investigative journalist role: as a team of journalists, the students decide on a subject that interests them, define the scientific question they want to explore, read background material, and proceed into a "real" investigation (laboratories and factories) where they observe and interview. The IST program enables students to follow scientific processes that they could not ordinarily observe in school because the processes are dangerous, expensive or because they require a lot of time or advanced scientific knowledge.

This is the second successive year in which the program is being carried out in the researchers’ laboratories on the Weizmann Institute campus. Last year, the program was successfully implemented with three learning groups (a total of 65 students) and the plan for 2006 includes 140 students (in seven groups) from various middle high schools throughout the country.

"Physics and Industry" - Expanding the Scope of Physics Teaching in High School Head of the Project: Prof. Bat-Sheva Eylon Coordinator: Dr. Dorothy Langley

The program is intended for physics majors (students who study physics for 5 credit-points for the matriculation exams) as an integral part of the physics curriculum for the 11th and 12th grade students, for 1-1.5 years. The students specialize in an advanced scientific area (such as electro-optics); get acquainted with the methodology of "systematic inventive thinking" (SIT) for problem-solving; and carry out a project based on an authentic technical problem. A team consisting of a science teacher, engineers from industry and experts systematically guide the students in implementing the project. The students work in parallel in their school, in a "regional academic center" (for example, at the Davidson Institute), and in industry.

The "Physics and Industry" program underwent a pilot study in several high schools and was found to be highly effective. Since the beginning of the program, about 70 students have successfully completed the program and received grades between 90 and 100 in their matriculation exams. The Davidson Institute for Science Education 425

Informal Science Education Activities

"CAMP5 Davidson" - Empowering Youth at Risk through Science Education Head of the project: Dr. Oved Kedem

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.

In the framework of the project, 16-17-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 and Toys", and "Science and Sports", which attract and challenge the interest of the participants.

In the course of the academic year 2005, around 50 boys and girls from the towns of Rehovot, Rishon-LeZion, Nes-Ziona, and Ramle took part in the program, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the local municipalities, and the "Ashalim" section of the JOINT.

In the next period (starting from November 2005), youth from Lod and Gedera are scheduled to join the project. Parts of the project are being documented in order to enable scaling up in other educational centers throughout Israel.

Science for the general public Head of the project: Dr. Zahava Scherz

"100 Concepts in Sciences" – Internet database Coordinator: Dr. Oshrit Navon

Descriptions of one hundred concepts in Sciences are being developed for the general public as a tool for enriching wide audiences' knowledge of the natural sciences. The concepts will be accessible to students and adults as a part of the Ministry of Education's website. The project includes concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science, chosen by top scientists from the Weizmann Institute, and formulated in a popular and general manner. Each concept is presented by a short definition followed by a detailed scientific explanation, an illustration, and a short list of websites for further reading. All the concepts appear as hyper– links in each others' pages, thus creating a mutually connected database.

5"CAMP" is an acronym (in Hebrew) for Active Science Community. 426 The Davidson Institute for Science Education

"Meetings at the Frontiers of Science" – a series of lectures in popular science Coordinator: Dr. Oshrit Navon

The courses introduce the frontiers of science and their influence on medicine, industry, environment, and other aspects of our lives, to the general public. The 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 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 course consists of eight to ten 2-hour lectures, given once a week. The courses attract a mixed audience of all ages (14-85). The 2005 spring semester attracted 220 participants for a series of five courses, and a similar number of people are participating in the 2005/6 Fall semester. All courses take place at the Davidson Institute campus, although some of them are also given in other science education centers in Israel (Tel-Aviv, Ra'anana, etc.).

International Activities

The International Leading Science Teachers' Program Head of the project: Dr. Zahava Scherz

The experience and expertise of the Davidson Institute and the Department of Science Teaching in the development of leading-teachers have been utilized here to establish similar frameworks for leading science teachers in other parts of the world.

In summer 2005 a pilot program was initiated, for teachers from Ramaz Jewish School in New York, guided by a team of experts from the Department of Science Teaching and the Davidson Institute. Based on its success, the first international program at the Davidson Institute's campus is planned for July 2006. The aim of the program is to develop a core of science teaching leaders in Jewish day schools in North America. In this ten-day seminar, the participants from abroad will collaborate with their counterparts from Israel, in order to create an international professional framework for science teachers. This framework will then be used to initiate and perform common science-educational projects in the future. The program will serve as a tool for future contacts and cooperation between science teachers and their students, to jointly explore the frontiers of science via the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute. http://www.weizmann.ac.il/davidson The Davidson Institute for Science Education 427

Institute Staff

Haim Harari, Prof., Chairman of the Board Yehuda Ben-Hur, Ph.D., Managing Director Ami Carmeli, Director, PERACH Oved Kedem, Ph.D., Director of Educational Projects Miri Kesner, Ph.D., Director of the Regional Teacher Center of Science, Technology and Mathematics Hana Margel, Ph.D., Director of the NECHMAD Project (Youth Investigators in the Davidson Institute) Israel Porath, Ph.D., Director of the KATOM Computer Project Zahava Scherz, Ph.D., Director of Science & Education Communication Shuli Zaharoni, Administrator

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd.

Haim Garty, Chairman

Isaac Shariv, CEO

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. functions as the commercial 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 holds an exclusive agreement with the Weizmann Institute to market and commercialize its intellectual property and generate income to support further research and education.

Yeda performs the following activities:

• Identifies and assesses research projects with commercial potential • Protects the intellectual property of the Institute and its scientists • Licenses the Institute's inventions and technologies to industry • Channels funding from industry to research projects

Additional information on the business opportunities offered by Yeda, can be found at: http://yeda.weizmann.ac.il Tel: (08) 947 0617 Fax: (08) 947 0739 SMS: (08) 9366874 e-mail: [email protected]

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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/

431 www.weizmann.ac.il