COVID-19 Research Highlights 14 Updates from the Moross Integrated Cancer Center 24 Q&A with International Board Chair Cathy Beck 34 למדע ויצמן מכון ויצמן למדע 13 46 NEW SCIENTISTS UPDATE ON THE FLAGSHIPS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

WEIZMANN MAGAZINE A publication of the Department of Resource WEIZMANN WEIZMANN Development

Healing what ails the Earth The new nerve center for neuroscience EDITORIAL STAFF Prof. Roee Ozeri, Vice President for Resource Development Tamar Levine, Director, Department of Resource 6 14 Development SCIENCE BRIEFS COVER STORY Tamar Morad, Head, Donor Communications Maria Yakhnin, Visual and Digital Production

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TABLE Yarden Jaron, Visual and Digital Production

EDITOR Tamar Morad The vaccines are here, and research abounds From the President COPYEDITOR Dear Friends, Sharon Reinheimer 20 The one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic has SCIENCE FEATURES passed and here in Israel, where the rate of vaccination WRITING STAFF is the highest in the world, we are starting to see the Sandy Cash Jennifer Racz light at the end of the tunnel. Our thoughts are with our Dinah Elashvili Anne Sperling many friends around the world; this is a network which Tali Galsky Edward Truitt keeps the Institute strong and thriving. Coronavirus-related research on campus is With thanks to the Department bounding ahead, and we expect a range of insights from of Communications this virus to play a starring role in fending off future The anthropocene is upon us Rx for the ocean pandemics and broadening our understanding of the DONOR RECOGNITION immune system. Daphna Freeman While we were required to pull back on the number Irit Oz of scientists and staff on campus in the last year, it 28 34 Ayelet Rais SPOTLIGHT ON Q&A SCIENCE BRIEFS is remarkable that unlike many other institutions, 2 Discoveries and other news Weizmann has continued to advance its research across all fields. If anything, the pandemic has ILLUSTRATION WEIZMANN WORLD underscored the importance of science for the health of Davide Bonazzi 30 Keeping apart, staying together everyone on the planet—and the imperative to keep it going strong. NEW SCIENTISTS GRAPHIC DESIGN This requires partnerships with world-leading Alexey Kletsel, Netgo Ltd. Barbara and 10 When hosts become hostages institutions—which you’ll read about here—and Roberto Kaminitz partnerships with philanthropists who deeply value STUDENTS science and all that it can do for mankind. On that PHOTOGRAPHY AND RENDERINGS 42 A future in plain sight note, I want to call your attention to a new section in Bank of Israel Yael Ilan Weizmann Magazine, ‘Updates on the Flagships,’ which 40 ART AND SCIENCE Itai Belson, Ohad Herches Liora Kogan offers sneak previews of the incredible research in our ALUMNI 49 Michael Druks / Zoom Out of the Weizmann Institute Weizmann Institute major initiatives. Photo Lab Photo Archives IN MEMORIAM With all best wishes for a pleasant and Matt Greenslade Shutterstock 50 Prof. Nir Friedman healthy spring, Axel Griesch Rami Shlush Q&A with Sincerely, S SPRING 2021

• • International

Lighting up the world Board Chair מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 19 № № 19 of computation Cathy Beck Prof. Alon Chen President, Weizmann Institute of Science Visit us: TOC2 weizmann.ac.il/WeizmannCompass 1 MAGAZINE First stone laid for Vaccination station srael’s COVID-19 vaccination WEIZMANN André Deloro Building campaign has been rolled out I successfully across the country, eizmann management and representatives at the Weizmann Institute, and with a higher percentage of awards the annual André Deloro citizens receiving the vaccination of the Adelis Foundation came together on Prize to an outstanding scientist than in any country in the world. March 11 for a moving cornerstone-laying during the International Board. Most Israeli have received their W Prof. Dan Yakir of the two-shot series through one ceremony for the André Deloro Building for Advanced Department of Earth and Planetary of the country’s four HMOs.

SCIENCE BRIEFS SCIENCE Sciences, chaired the scientific Nevertheless, the Weizmann and Intelligent Materials, the planned state-of-the-art steering committee that helped Institute did its share to make necessarily belong to any of the who hadn’t yet had a chance to facility that will house the Tom and Mary Beck Center oversee the specifications and overall sure vaccines were available to national HMOs. In late February, be inoculated with the first dose; design of the Deloro building. its entire community, which the Institute set up a temporary another station was set up three for Advanced and Intelligent Materials. At the ceremony, Weizmann also includes international vaccination station on campus weeks later, in mid-March, for President Prof. Alon Chen scientists and students who don’t for all faculty, students, and staff second doses. // presented Rebecca and Sidney Boukhris with a scroll of appreciation and, separately signed a sealed scroll dedicating the building and embedded it in a cornerstone of the new facility. “The André Deloro Building brings together investigators Weizmann and ETH Zürich sign from chemistry and physics and gives them the space and advanced equipment they need cooperation agreement to pursue their curiosity,” said Prof. Chen. “That is the Weizmann visionary gift from René Weizmann Institute of Science and “A very special thanks to our vision, shared by Mr. Deloro, who and Susanne Braginsky a member of the Executive Board longtime friend René Braginsky encouraged curiosity-driven A has enabled the launch of a of Weizmann and of the European for the ongoing support he has research and was committed to formal partnership between the Committee; and Zohar Menshes, generously provided to the giving the best people the best Weizmann Institute of Science Executive Vice President of the Weizmann Institute, but especially possible tools needed for world- and ETH Zürich, the Swiss Federal European Committee. today, for this seminal gift which Rendering of the future Deloro Building on campus class research.” // Institute of Technology, with funds Scientists at the ETH and at bridges the gap between Zürich to be earmarked to joint research Weizmann have a long tradition of and Rehovot,” said Mr. Drake. “We In attendance were Rebecca projects between scientists at collaboration, but the recent gift highly appreciate the ETH as a Boukhris, Director of the Adelis the two institutions. An online from René and Susanne Braginksy great partner for researching Foundation, and her husband ceremony marking the signing of formalizes the relationship and together in basic science. May we Sidney Boukhris, also a member of a Memorandum of Understanding creates opportunity for more continue to flourish and support the board of the foundation, which took place on March 1. immediate and robust joint fundamental science for the benefit was established to realize the vision In attendance were scientific investigations. of humanity.” // of the late André Deloro. Deloro, Mr. Braginsky, who is also a who died in 2012, was born in Cairo Life Member of the Weizmann and was educated in France. He International Board; Weizmann was a world-class engineer who President Prof. Alon Chen; ETH designed ports, industrial parks, President Joël Mesot; ETH Vice hotels, and large infrastructure President Prof. Detlef Günther; projects throughout the Middle Bob Drake, Chairman of the East. He cared deeply about Israel European Committee for the

S and established his foundation with Weizmann Institute of Science

• a focus on advancing social, edu- and Vice Chairman of the cational, and scientific causes in International Board of Weizmann; מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Israel. The Adelis Foundation has Eric Stupp, Chairman of the 19 № given generously to a range of areas L to R: Rebecca Boukhris, Prof. Alon Chen, Sidney Boukhris Swiss Society of Friends of the René Braginsky

2 3 MAGAZINE Women in science: making inroads Women in Science, where she oversaw the prestigious WEIZMANN in academia and industry postdoc program, after several years at the helm. She was rom its launch in 2007, the Israel National Pharmaceuticals, and delivered replaced by Prof. Idit Shachar, a lecture on the use of animals in a member of the Department Postdoctoral Award Program for Advancing drug development. of Immunology. Her newly Dr. Ervin Tal-Gutelmacher, titled role is Head of the B riefs Women in Science at the Weizmann Institute F who was among the inaugural Office for the Advancement of set out to increase the number of female scientists cadre of the Women Science Women in Science and Gender cience

S postdoc program, spoke in March Equality. in academia in Israel. And it has indeed been highly on the use of hydrogen and fuel “Despite the numerous successful, with about 65 percent of its former cells for transitioning to clean challenges we faced over the energy. She is CEO of HydroLite, past few years, the program participants—women scientists who have done owned by Elbit Systems, which continues to make import- focuses on the development ant strides in advancing the postdoc fellowships abroad—going on to attain faculty- of high efficiency power-to- careers of women scien- track positions in Israeli academia. But there’s another hydrogen and hydrogen-to- tists. I am sure that this will power devices. continue and grow further unintended success story among the remaining when Idit Shachar takes my 35 percent: the program alumni who have gone on to Welcoming new place,” said Prof. Addadi. leadership “I accepted this careers in Israeli high tech and biotech. appointment since I believe In January, Prof. Lia Addadi that the time is ripe for the Many of these women are attaining now works as a non-clinical stepped down from her role as Weizmann Institute—along leadership roles in their fields, safety project leader at Teva President’s Advisor for Advancing with our desire to be excellent evincing the impact of the program in science—to become a light on industry in Israel. house for social issues faced in To highlight this success, academia in Israel, and gender the Advancing Women in equality is one of them,” Science Program launched an Prof. Shachar added. online lecture series this year featuring outstanding female International researchers who have gone on Women’s Day L’Oréal-UNESCO award to to become prominent players in industry. In December, Dr. Michal Weizmann’s Office for the Rosen-Zvi, Director of Healthcare Advancement of Women in Prof. Shafi Goldwasser Informatics at IBM Research in Science and Gender Equality Haifa and a visiting professor at the took part in a nationwide event eizmann Institute computer science expert Prof. Shafi Hebrew University of Jerusalem, on International Women’s Goldwasser has been named North America laureate of the discussed the transformation Day on March 8, which W prestigious 23rd L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science of healthcare technologies brought together women International Awards. through artificial intelligence, leaders from across all Israeli Prof. Goldwasser is a member of the Department of Computer Sciences specifically as relates to breast universities. The event focused and Applied Mathematics at Weizmann and is Director of the Simons cancer research. on the status of women in Institute for the Theory of Computing at the University of California January’s speaker was Israeli academia, including at Berkeley. She is also RSA Professor of Electrical Engineering and Dr. Moran Grossman, who challenges and methods Computer Science at MIT. completed both her MSc and PhD to advance their standing, The winners were announced in February, on International at the Weizmann Institute. She among a range of other topics Day for Women and Girls in Science. Prof. Goldwasser was one of also worked as a senior scientist pertinent to women in aca- five women researchers in the fields of astrophysics, mathematics, S

at MabTrix, a startup company demia. The presenters from chemistry and informatics to receive the prize. She was • whose research originated in Weizmann included Prof. Nirit recognized for her pioneering and fundamental work in computer the lab of Prof. Irit Sagi, from the Dudovich, Prof. Michal science and cryptography; her research is essential for secure מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Institute’s Department of Biological Sharon, and Dr. Neta communication over the Internet as well as for shared computation on 19 № Regulation. Dr. Grossman Prof. Idit Shachar Regev-Rudzki. // private data. // 4 5 MAGAZINE The anthropocene is upon us Reducing stress, one cell at a time he key to overcoming chronic Institute President Prof. Alon Chen of glands. The study was published in Human-made materials now outweigh the Earth’s entire stress and its many negative the Department of Neurobiology, and Sciences Advances in January. WEIZMANN T physiological consequences may the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Prof. Chen’s group found that biomass — for the first time in our planet’s history lie in tweaking the activity of a novel developed the first-ever catalogue this small set of adrenal cells has an subgroup of adrenal cells—located of all major cell types in all tissues outsized impact on the body’s ability he mass of all human-produced products is seen markedly from “Our study provides a sort of in the adrenal gland, above our involved in the brain’s stress response to react and adapt to stress. Chronic materials—concrete, steel, the 1950s on, when concrete and ‘big picture’ snapshot of the planet kidneys, which are responsible for axis. That is, he catalogued how the stress appears to induce these cells asphalt, and more—has grown other building materials became in 2020… a crucial understanding producing a range of hormones. stress response transduces biologi- to grow bigger and more active, with B riefs T to equal the Earth’s biomass (the widely available. Following World of our major role in shaping the This discovery was made by a cally throughout the brain and body. a range of negative consequences. mass of all life on the planet)—and War II, spacious single-family face of the Earth in the current Weizmann-Max Planck research The axis starts with the hypothalamus, The group posits that regulating cience

S the trend is only accelerating. A new age of the Anthropocene,” says team, which thoroughly mapped moves to the pituitary gland, and the activity of these cells could be study at the Weizmann Institute of Prof. Milo. “Our message to both the brain’s stress response axis at an onwards to the adrenal glands. As the important in the treatment of neuro- Science found that the total mass the policy makers and the general unprecedented level of resolution. stress message moved from one tissue psychiatric and metabolic disorders. of human-made material, known public is that we cannot dismiss our Using advanced single-cell to the next, the gene expression in the The discovery could also provide a as the anthropomass, is at its impact [as humans] even though RNA sequencing, postdoctoral cells and the tissues themselves under- wealth of information on the mecha- tipping point. In fact, people are we are tiny compared to the huge fellow Dr. Juan Pablo Lopez in the went greater changes. The changes nisms of the stress axis—opening the building new structures, roads, Earth. We, as humans, share a joint neurobiology lab of Weizmann were most pronounced in the adrenal door to even more insights. // vehicles, and products at a rate that collective responsibility to take is doubling every 20 years, leading care of the planet.” to a “concrete jungle” that is The study also compares predicted to reach more than twice the dynamics of human-made the mass of living things by 2040: materials in our world to the way over two teratonnes, or two million that natural materials flow through million. The study, published the planet’s living and geologic earlier this month in Nature by Prof. Ron Milo cycles. “By contrasting human- Artificial ‘wombs’ incubate stem cell breakthrough Emily Elhacham and Liad Ben made mass and biomass over the Uri in the group of Prof. Ron Milo homes, roads, and multi-story last century, we bring into focus he miracle of life in all its images of mouse embryos. In the of the Department of Plant and office buildings sprang up around an additional dimension of the diversity is bound up in the new approach, developed over seven Environmental Sciences, shows the US, Europe, and other parts growing impact of human activity first stages of embryonic years, mouse embryos are removed th T that at the outset of the 20 century, of the world—and the frenzy of on our planet. We’re going beyond development, in which a tiny ball from the mother at day five of anthropomass equaled just around construction has been ongoing for comparing apples and oranges, to of replicating stem cells begins to development, and transferred to a 3% of the total biomass. In just more than six decades. comparing apples and cellphones,” form specific tissues like the ner- specially designed incubator where over a century, this number grew These human-induced shifts says Elhacham. vous system, heart, stomach, and they float in liquid that approximates to 100%, despite the fact that the have had a huge impact on the For more information, limbs. In mammals, this has always the nourishing environment of the number of humans quadrupled carbon cycle and human health, see Anthropomass.org, the taken place within the biological biological uterus. Using this method, A mouse embryo growing outside the in this time frame. Today, for each and have caused scientists to website built by the Milo team to uterus. Now, for the first time, ear- Prof. Hanna and his team have grown womb, from the Hanna lab person on the globe, a quantity of propose that a new Earth era complement the study. // ly-stage mouse embryos of around fetuses that survive until day 11, by anthropomass greater than their is upon us: the Anthropocene, 250 cells, placed in an artificial which time the embryo has grown I see it,” Prof. Hanna says. “Not body weight is produced every week the period during which “womb” designed by Weizmann tenfold, and has blood, a beating only does this give researchers on average. human activity has become The breakthrough, Institute scientists, have suc- heart, and a fully developed brain. an unprecedented tool for as described by This upswing in the the dominant influence on the Prof. Ron Milo cessfully been grown into mouse “We have grown hundreds studying genes that drive normal production of human-made biosphere. fetuses with fully formed organs. of mice in this way, and I’m mammalian development, it may This breakthrough, achieved in still captivated every time also provide insight into birth and the laboratory of Prof. Jacob Hanna developmental defects, or problems of the Department of Molecular related to embryo implantation. Genetics, was recently reported in This could contribute to new Nature. strategies for improved medical The new system addresses a treatments.” The New York Times significant problem in developmental reported on the breakthrough biology: the fact that, because of the in March. // S

difficulty of imaging or transplanting

• Ilana and Pascal Mantoux with inside the uterus, much of what we Prof. Jacob Hanna (center), raising know about embryonic development a toast to a decade since their naming Read the New York Times

מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 of the Hanna lab, and Yael Goren- article on the discovery 19 № is derived from non-mammals like Wegman, Executive Director of the Israel frogs or fish, or is inferred from static Friends, at right.

6 7 MAGAZINE For everything there is Wolf Prize, Dan David Prize

WEIZMANN a season — hormones too to Weizmann scientists Weizmann study identifies seasonal he prestigious Wolf Prize in chemistry has surges in human hormones been awarded to Profs. Leslie Leiserowitz and

B riefs Meir Lahav. Both are emeritus members of the hen bears hunker down to The team from the Alon noted that, in a second category T hibernate, they’re taking lab first noticed a surprising of hormones, produced in the Department of Materials and Interfaces, who together cience S W their snoozing orders from seasonal pattern in a single pituitary gland and known to hormones—secreted chemical hormone — cortisol, which plays trigger the cyclical expansion and previously won the Israel Prize and the EMET Prize. signals whose composition and a role in stress response. To see shrinkage of hormone-secreting intensity vary according to the whether other hormones might glands, the expansion and The duo are being recognized received his PhD from the Institute seasons. While this seasonal flux also fluctuate seasonally, they shrinking follows a cyclical pattern for elucidating the chemical in the same field, in 1967. in hormone activity has long turned to Prof. Amos Tanay of that tends to surge during the mechanisms behind the self- Emeritus Prof. Zelig Eshhar been recognized in animals, no the Department of Computer summer months. assembly of chiral structures— from the Weizmann Institute’s parallel dynamic has ever been Science and Applied Mathematics. In their PNAS paper, the structures containing molecules Department of Immunology was documented and measured in Prof. Tanay is the creator of scientists offered a bio-mechanistic that are mirror images of each awarded the Dan David Prize of Tel humans. Until now. computational methods that, in explanation for the seasonal other. Enabling scientists Aviv University for his pioneering A new study led by Alon Bar a number of previous studies pattern: cyclical growth and to understand these critical work on CAR T-cell therapy, which and Avichai Tendler, research based on Clalit data, resulted in shrinking of glands generates a natural processes, their involves engineering the cells of students in the lab of Prof. Uri Alon significant medical insights. “feedback circuit” with a natural discoveries have paved the way the patient’s immune system so of the Department of Molecular frequency of about a year. Taking for additional breakthroughs that they recognize cancer and Cell Biology, reveals that human Peaks and troughs place gradually over weeks and in chirality and helped provide attack it when re-injected into hormone production also follows months, this process triggers the building blocks for future the patient’s body. He worked with a seasonal pattern. Published Tracking 11 different hormones, change that differentially affects drug development. another 2021 Dan David Prize Prof. Zelig Eshhar in the prestigious Proceedings the scientists noticed that different the two hormone types, and causes Born in Johannesburg, South laureate, Prof. Steven Rosenberg, of the National Academy of hormones peaked at different peaks to occur in different seasons. Africa in 1934, Prof. Leiserowitz in establishing the groundwork and Infectious Diseases at the U.S. Sciences (PNAS), the study was times of year. For example, These results indicate that, like earned his PhD in solid-state for the clinical application of National Institutes of Health, was based on original mathematical testosterone and estradiol — the our friends in the animal kingdom, chemistry at the Weizmann CAR-T technology. also awarded the prize for his work methods that allowed the team former prevalent in men, the humans are programmed by Institute in 1965. Prof. Lahav Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of on behalf of public health during to tease hormone activity data latter in women — were found to their hormones to follow seasonal was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the National Institute of Allergy the COVID-19 pandemic. // from electronic medical records be “mirror images” of one another; patterns in matters of reproduction, covering 46 million person-years, testosterone in men surged in metabolism, growth, and stress and which include millions January and again, a bit lower, in adaptation. // of hormone blood tests. These August. Estradiol in women surged Prof. Leslie Leiserowitz (left) and Prof. Meir Lahav records — maintained by Clalit, and dipped according to the same Israel’s largest health maintenance seasonal pattern. The team also organization — allow researchers to conduct large-scale biomedical studies while preserving the subjects’ anonymity. S

•

מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 19 №

8 9 cells, the lipid droplets were scattered

MAGAZINE around the cell, whereas in infected cells, they clustered near the forming replication compartments. When hosts become This discovery seemed to indicate that WEIZMANN these droplets were the lipid source for replication compartments. If that were the case, however, how did these lipids break away from the lipid droplets to become part of the enemy hostages camp? Dr. Laufman found the missing link in the chain: namely, the viral proteins were Dr. Orly Laufman is revealing just how able to repurpose the cell’s lipolysis pathway to split apart the lipids, breaking them away from the lipid droplets and allowing them NEW SCIENTISTSNEW healthy cells are engulfed by viruses to be recruited by the enemy. By specifically by Dinah Elashvili inhibiting this pathway, she discovered that lipid droplets were not able to release their While working as a lipids, which effectively denied the replication n underlying similarity between SARS-CoV-2 (the postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Laufman compartments the materials they need to virus that causes COVID-19), dengue, Zika, Ebola, focused on a specific organelle— fully form, and deprived the virus a place to the cell’s lipid droplets—and replicate. and many other deadly viruses is that they are discovered that, not only did they Dr. Laufman then set out to identify A play a crucial role in the viral which viral proteins were responsible for all considered RNA viruses—and they pose a major replication process, but blocking recruiting the lipid droplets to the replication threat to public health and a significant economic certain viral proteins and pathways compartments in the first place. By examining stopped these droplets from each of the 15 enteroviral proteins, one at a burden on our society. These viruses, which have being hijacked by the virus. That time, she noticed that only three were found RNA (ribonucleic acid) as their genetic material, infect meant that these droplets could on the surface of lipid droplets. Believing that be an Achilles heel of the viral these proteins not only drew the lipid droplets millions of humans worldwide each year and continue infection process. to the replication compartments, but acted to baffle the scientific and medical world. as a bridge between the two, Dr. Laufman A violent hijacking administered a drug that inhibited one of the Dr. Orly Laufman, who joins the and their singular ability to carry three viral proteins. faculty of the Weizmann Institute’s out a wide range of functions. Not only can enteroviruses take The results were telling: The viral protein Department of Molecular Genetics When an enterovirus invades a control of the host cell by altering was no longer able to tether the replication after a postdoctoral fellowship at cell, its handful of proteins take the architecture of the existing compartments to the lipid droplets, which the University of California, San control of different key organelles organelles, they are capable of in turn, prevented the lipids from being Francisco, is using one group of (the different parts of a cell) and another incredible phenomenon: transferred to the replication compartments. RNA viruses, called enteroviruses, repurpose them into a makeshift creating tiny compartments Through these two methods—inhibiting as a model system to decipher virus factory. Dr. Laufman is where the virus replicates copies either the lipolysis pathway or one of the three the replication mechanisms of focusing on one organelle at a of its genome to produce virus viral proteins found on the lipid droplets— RNA viruses in human cells. time and systematically analyzing progeny. In order to build these Dr. Laufman was able to successfully “highjack Enteroviruses are a large how enteroviruses interact with replication compartments, a virus the hijacker,” and divest the enterovirus of the group of RNA viruses that each one. must instruct the host cell to tools it needed to proliferate. have a surprisingly simple “I am collecting the individual provide a large amount of lipids, At the Weizmann Institute, where construction. Made up of only pieces of the ‘virus puzzle’ so out of which these compartments Dr. Laufman also earned her PhD, she plans two basic components—genetic I can construct a complete picture are made. But until recently, the to use a combination of methods to explore material (RNA) and a protein of the enterovirus replication sources of these lipids and how they in even greater depth how enteroviral casing—enteroviruses are able to process,” she says. “By building work remained a mystery. proteins affect other parts of the cell, such quickly and efficiently highjack such a comprehensive map of Dr. Laufman discovered as the nucleus, the mitochondria, and other a healthy host cell, much like a viral mechanics, I believe that that organelles within the organelles. small pirate ship commandeering a we will be able to develop better host cell, called lipid droplets, “Because these viruses affect so many large vessel. antiviral therapeutics and vaccines supplied the elusive lipids used aspects of the host cell,” Dr. Laufman says, S

So how can something so small that will be relevant not only for to build these compartments. By “collecting all the pieces, one by one, will • and unassuming take over the enteroviruses but also for other comparing the dispersal of the allow us to understand all the ways a virus machinery of a human cell? families of RNA viruses that lipid droplets in healthy cells attacks, and give us the best chance of building מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 The answer lies within the share similar mechanisms of versus infected cells, she noticed therapeutic tools to combat it in the most 19 № enterovirus’s armory of 15 proteins replication.” a stark difference. In healthy efficient way possible.” // 10 11 MAGAZINE Healing what ails WEIZMANN the Earth

S cientists Meet Dr. David Zeevi ew N by Sandy Cash

r. David Zeevi was still a graduate student when, can degrade plastic waste, wherever it appears, into harmless under the direction of his PhD advisor at the compounds. Weizmann Institute, Prof. Eran Segal, he co-created D Taking a page the computational framework that became Day Two, a from pharma

precision medicine company that offers personalized Identifying the function of specific nutrition, diagnostic, and therapeutic solutions using microbial genes is a tall order. This is partly because, lacking signals artificial intelligence and machine learning. they would normally get from their surroundings, in the lab, some 90% In the Day Two approach, based Sciences after completing a of microbial species will not grow. on research by Prof. Segal and research fellowship at New York’s To address this challenge, Dr. Zeevi Prof. Eran Elinav, analysis of Rockefeller University, where he plans to examine microbes in their microbial populations living in the developed computational methods natural environment, and to speed gut—known as the microbiome— for studying microbial ecology in up discovery, he is taking a page is used to predict how individuals marine environments. from the pharmaceutical industry. will respond to different foods, “One of the greatest challenges Using original AI software, he making it possible to create humanity faces in the coming plans to create “knowledge maps” “prescription” diet directives that decades is learning how to clean predicting which microbial gene promote better health. up after ourselves. I want to find fragments are most likely to Now, as a newly recruited a way to use microbes — which contribute to the degradation of Weizmann faculty member, have a special talent for plastic. This approach—based on Dr. Zeevi still has his mind on metabolizing compounds — to natural language processing and microbes. But instead of focusing clean up human-generated waste, machine learning—is expected on human health, he has a different particularly plastics.” to give him a computational jump goal: to improve the health of Like his earlier, microbiome- start on the microbe-design the planet. related work, Dr. Zeevi’s current process. “Countless global processes research involves a Big Data A former Israeli Air Force rely on the workings of microbes, approach. Using original pilot, Dr. Zeevi met his partner, making them excellent indicators computational tools to analyze Bareket, when they were both of environmental health, as multiple microbial species, he undergraduates at Tel Aviv well as important targets for hopes to identify conserved University, where he also got his intervention,” says Dr. Zeevi. genomic regions that are shared first taste of the excitement of He is joining the Department by microbes living in landfills, and science. “Mathematics and cell of Plant and Environmental in areas of the ocean where plastic biology dazzled me,” he says. S

waste is seen in concentrated levels. “I fell in love with discovering how • Listen to a podcast Ultimately, he hopes to design the world works. Hopefully, the with Dr. David Zeevi on his research on personal novel “drugs” for the treatment of discoveries I reach in my new lab מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 nutrition and the gut our ailing natural environment: at Weizmann will do some good 19 № microbiome. bio-engineered microbes that for the world as well.” // 12 13 by Anne Sperling MAGAZINE e say with caution, the magic has started,” synchrotron facility, and others The vaccines are here, launched an ambitious initiative Prof. Eran Segal announced via Twitter in early to develop a novel anti-viral drug WEIZMANN February. He was referring to the remarkable against COVID-19. W The speed of their progress has rate of vaccination throughout Israel, as well as the been remarkable. The scientists and research abounds have managed to gather support, parallel drop in cases of COVID-19, hospitalizations, expertise, guidance, and resources An update on Weizmann coronavirus studies and critically ill patients. Prof. Segal’s analyses—which from colleagues around the world, and to advance a series of continue to be cited in the international and Israeli novel molecules from conception COVER STORY media—underscore a sense of cautious optimism to evidence of anti-viral activity. They have done so by building across the country. Meanwhile, the hunt for scientific an alternative drug-discovery template, working with full understanding of the virus continues, and research at transparency, and avoiding the the Weizmann Institute abounds. encumbrances of intellectual property and red tape. At the start of the crisis, scientists world.” The event, organized The scientists’ current lead at Weizmann launched more by Prof. Gideon Schreiber and molecules potently inhibit an than 60 projects exploring the Prof. Ron Diskin, was made essential SARS-CoV-2 protein: virus from a range of perspectives. possible with the support of a protease, without which the Supported by a worldwide the Weizmann Coronavirus virus cannot replicate. Moreover, community of friends through Response Fund and Israel Society through collaboration with the IIBR donations raised for the Response for Biochemistry and Molecular and several labs across the world, Fund, researchers are making Biology, and also featured the team showed the molecules meaningful contributions to speakers from the Hebrew are not only effective in a test elucidate the biology, chemistry, University of Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv tube, but also in assays against the and physics of SARS-CoV-2, University, the Israel Institute for live virus. the coronavirus that causes Biological Research (IIBR), and These promising results COVID-19. Kaplan Medical Center. Speakers prompted the next stage in the Prof. Avi Levy, who is addressed the molecular biology project, an evaluation of the safety coordinating the Weizmann of the virus, treatments for COVID- and potency of these potential Institute’s coronavirus research 19, and the yin and yang of the drugs in live animals. Following efforts, notes, “The vaccines pandemic. extensive preliminary experiments, are here, and are reducing Here’s an update on the first efficacy experiment in infection rates among some important coronavirus- mice was scheduled to begin vaccinated individuals. But, the related projects at the in March. coronavirus can mutate, and Weizmann Institute. In the meanwhile, additional there are many similar infectious drug optimization work continues, diseases out there to be dealt Molecular moonshot with the aim of nominating a with. The research done by our preclinical candidate drug in the scientists has extended our It has been a year since the COVID next few months. Such a candidate knowledge of COVID-19 and of ‘Moonshot’ consortium, led by would be put through a battery of other viruses. This research Weizmann’s Dr. Nir London, Oxford tests and experiments to make sure is critical to develop the next University’s Prof. Frank von Delft, it meets the regulatory criteria to generation of antiviral drugs and the UK’s Diamond Light Source advance to clinical studies. vaccines, and to preempting any future pandemics.” In an effort to share scientific insights on the disease between “The vaccines are here, and they will reduce S

Israeli institutions, the Weizmann infection rates. But the coronavirus can mutate, and • Institute recently hosted a full-day there are many similar infectious diseases out there webinar for scientists on ongoing מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 research entitled, “COVID-19: to be dealt with.” — Prof. Avi Levy 19 № The epidemic that rattles the

14 15 drowning an office in bureaucratic alternative and more true-to-life

MAGAZINE paperwork, so that there’s no time protocol. In the coming months, for actual business. they expect to obtain a detailed This study, published in map of how specific sequences of Nature in January, provides these regions affect the stability of

WEIZMANN a highly valuable resource for the production of Nsp1, and of the research into the development of viral genome in general. effective drugs and vaccines. The landscape

tory Dr. Nir London Like chutzpah, some of elimination Prof. Eran Segal

S things don’t translate The body’s surveillance system for

over Not all parts of viral mRNA can identifying and fighting infections results may aid the development C Mapping a hijacker’s methods be translated into protein—but is composed of two main factors. of the next generation of that doesn’t mean they don’t play The first are the human leukocyte coronavirus vaccines. Dr. Noam Stern-Ginossar studies a role in protein production. Like antigen (HLA) molecules—proteins how viruses invade healthy cells a back-up singer or a film extra, on the surface of cells that bring Gearing up the and take over the cells’ systems to these unsung regions affect the peptides from inside the infected ‘chain terminators’ survive and reproduce. Viruses molecular environment in which cell to the cell surface—much like hijack the cell’s genetic translation the genetic stars—the translated people putting their recyclable Prof. Rotem Sorek likes to borrow Dr. Rony Dahan system—and in particular, regions—produce their proteins. plastic bottles in a bin outside their solutions from the world of bacteria, the ribosomes—in order to Prof. Igor Ulitsky and his group door. Out in the open, the peptide many of which have a long history produce their own enzymes and are working to characterize exactly fragments are easily destroyed by of combatting viruses and play proteins. In her regular research how, in the coronavirus, the genetic the immune system’s second main beneficial roles in the human The immune response: it’s personal agenda, she uses a novel approach sequences that do not get translated factor, T cells—in this analogy, the body. Using precision CR ISPR-Cas he Israel Ministry of Health initiated the administration of the known as ‘ribosome profiling’ to into proteins affect the stability recycling collectors emptying just genomic engineering tools, he Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA-based vaccine via its network of health create a map of where translational and efficiency of the sequences those bins. and his lab group discovered a events occur in the viral genome— that do. But how does the immune family of enzymes within bacteria T maintenance organizations in December 2020. The effort thereby mapping the full repertoire The Ulitsky group initially system know which peptides to that produce previously unknown to vaccinate the country’s citizens and residents has been highly of proteins that the virus compels designed and synthetized a library look for and destroy—which are antiviral molecules. These new successful to date, and a world model for implementing a country-wide its host to produce. of approximately 6,000 regions of the recycling bins and which are small molecules, produced by vaccination campaign. She and her group teamed untranslated genetic sequences the garbage bins? In order to bacteria to fight viruses that infect Dr. Rony Dahan and his lab group, which focuses on the design of up with Weizmann’s de Botton (the sequences can vary from know which of them are derived them, act as ‘chain terminators’ for antibodies to treat autoimmunity and cancer, recognized this national Institute for Protein Profiling virus to virus), and then studied from the virus—via vaccine, for the viral replication machinery— as well as researchers at IIBR to their functions. The scientists example—Prof. Yardena Samuels causing a chemical reaction that effort as a great opportunity to study how the immune response understand the coronavirus’s are focused in particular on how is using a method in which she halts the virus’s ability to replicate among vaccinated persons develops and differs according to individual ‘hijacker’s handbook’ and develop certain such regions affect the isolates and analyzes the complete its genetic sequence (or ‘chain’). characteristics. The researchers recruited more than 130 volunteers— therapeutic tools. production of a protein (Nsp1) that set of peptides bound to the The Sorek group showed that these all of them eager to help. Participants include Weizmann alumni and Using a suite of enhances the virus’s virulence, HLA molecules inside the infected small molecules are modified scientists, as well as young healthcare workers, enabling the Dahan ribosome-profiling techniques in collaboration with Dr. Stern- cells—the HLA peptidome. nucleotide derivatives (genetic team to establish a wide cohort of varied ages and medical conditions. to address this problem, the Ginossar’s lab. After addressing In an analysis of SARS-CoV-2- component parts) that molecularly The eldest volunteer is a fit 92-year-old woman, and the youngest is researchers generated a certain technical challenges that infected cells, the Samuels lab ingratiate their way into the virus a 24-year-old male medical intern. high-resolution map of coding accompanied infecting cells with found 26 HLA class-I peptides and gum up the works. The study regions in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. the initial library of variants, the and 36 HLA class-II peptides, appeared in Nature in January. While the lab is still in the process of gathering data, preliminary This map enabled the researchers researchers are now generating an which are estimated to be found Given that most of the results confirmed existing understandings of the range of immunity: to quantify the expression of key in 99 percent of people worldwide. currently used antiviral drugs only 38 percent of the cohort had antibodies in their blood two weeks zones along the viral genome that Among the identified peptides, in the clinic function via the after receiving the first vaccine dose. However, following the second regulate viral protein translation. two HLA-I peptides commonly chain-termination mechanism, vaccine, 98 percent exhibited a robust anti-viral antibody response. The researchers further clarified appeared on cell surfaces, while Prof. Sorek and colleagues The remaining two percent had known underlying medical conditions the hijacking process: it isn’t that two others were derived from hypothesize that the new small that tend to interfere with normal immune cell responses. the virus forces the host cell to rare coronavirus proteins—that molecules they discovered could translate its instructions (viral is, these particular coronavirus serve as efficient antiviral drugs, The results are as yet unpublished, and Dr. Dahan and his group are mRNA) more efficiently than the peptides were marked for ‘the including against COVID-19. currently finalizing their data collection before advancing with more

S in-depth analysis of the structure of these newly formed antibodies.

host’s own instructions. Rather, recycling bin’ in very common and Yeda Research and Development • it produces more instructions. detectable ways. Seven peptides has licensed these novel small The group aims to determine whether any major variations in the Viral translation dominates were previously shown to elicit an molecules to an external company antibodies are associated with particular distinguishing characteristics מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 host translation because of the immune response, and two others to test whether they have antiviral among the volunteers—as well as in comparison to individuals who have 19 № high levels of viral mRNA — like Dr. Noam Stern-Ginossar were novel discoveries. These activities against COVID-19. These recovered from or succumbed to COVID-19. // 16 17 discoveries unveil a potential cases, SARS-CoV-2 mutations, Profs. Elinav and Amit MAGAZINE repository of natural antiviral co-occurring viral, bacterial, and are currently conducting a Educating the immune system compounds produced by bacterial fungal infections, and human host validation trial of the pipeline’s immune systems. response patterns—all of these testing accuracy in borderline with far greater precision than cases in the Hadassah-Hebrew

WEIZMANN Resolving RT-PCR. University Medical Center—cases borderline diagnoses In a series of large-scale in which RT-PCR led to incorrect experiments conducted or ambiguous results. They are When it comes to diagnosing in the past year, involving also calibrating their severity- COVID-19 in large populations, over 1,500 participants, the prediction matrix to enable t real-time polymerase chain scientists and their teams have patient stratification at diagnosis. S reaction (RT-PCR) is the workhorse continuously tweaked the system Collectively, the researchers hope

o of choice. PCR is a method for so that it keeps getting more to establish a reliable system that C verory making millions of copies of sensitive and therefore more complements RT-PCR techniques a DNA sample so that it can be reliable. They also identified by accurately resolving borderline studied in detail; doing this viral variants and unique host cases, identifying known and in ‘real-time’ means analyzing signatures that may differentiate newly mutated viruses, and using the results while the copies are between infected and non- host data to stratify patients being made. However, RT-PCR is infected individuals, and between most in need of close observation associated with relatively high rates patients likely to develop severe and aggressive treatments from of borderline, false negative, and complications and those whose those who can be managed more false positive results, and is limited disease is clinically mild. conservatively. // in its ability to detect the increasing number of mutated viruses rapidly spreading worldwide. Prof. Igor Ulitsky The labs of Prof. Eran Elinav and

Prof. Ido Amit are continuing their Your notes: n January, the Latin American Committee for the There are three main types of vaccines against COVID-19. collaborative efforts to develop and Weizmann Institute of Science hosted a webinar The first, traditional-type vaccine uses a deactivated test a massively parallel, next- entitled ‘Inoculation Nation,’ featuring Prof. Igor Ulitsky (attenuated) version of SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine generation sequencing technique I from the Department of Biological Regulation and introduces DNA in an envelope that enters the host that can characterize borderline Prof. Gabi Barbash, a former Director-General of Israel’s cell’s nucleus. The DNA is then transcribed by the cell’s Ministry of Health and Director of Weizmann’s Bench- machinery and translated to generate Spike protein. to-Bedside Program. Prof. Ulitsky discussed the new An alternative to the traditional vaccine involves SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and how they work, comparing using a different viral vector—that is, instead of using and contrasting the versions available (or soon to be) deactivated SARS-CoV-2, this vaccine uses another in terms of mechanism of action, technology, and storage. Weizmann alumna invents rapid coronavirus test attenuated virus to deliver the DNA—one that is capable Prof. Barbash discussed the vaccines in terms of safety, of infecting cells, but which is not known to cause rof. Naama Geva-Zatorsky (pictured here), a former administration, and community. Revson Fellow of the Israel National Postdoctoral a severe disease in humans. Both types of virus-based P Award Program for Advancing Women in Science, Vaccines are essentially an educational tool for the vaccines are relatively stable and easy to manufacture. has invented a ‘spit test’ for SARS-CoV-2. A former PhD immune system, introducing immune cells to versions of This second class of vaccines skips the DNA, and instead student in the lab of Prof. Uri Alon in the Department the viral proteins responsible for spreading infection, so introduces mRNA transcripts for Spike protein into the of Molecular Cell Biology, Dr. Geva-Zatorsky is that the immune system comes to recognize them should body. This vaccine is more direct in design—like sending it ever encounter them in real life—like creating a registry a telegram instead of a letter in a sealed envelope. now a professor at the Technion. She says her new of offenders. The viral mRNA is introduced into the cell in a nano- method is a simplified version of the standard PCR sized lipid package that doesn’t need to bother with the diagnostic test, and offers routine screening that can In the case of COVID-19, the main offender is an antigen nucleus; it’s ready to be translated into protein as soon as help break infection chains among students living (a substance that instigates the immune system it arrives, which is good, but it’s less stable than DNA and in the dormitories. to produce antibodies) known as Spike. To do be effective, requires special ultra-cold storage conditions. COVID-19 vaccines must convince healthy cells to not only Technion staff and students alike are being asked produce their own usual proteins, but also the binding The third group skips the DNA and the RNA too. This type to screen themselves weekly using her new NaorCov19 region of the Spike protein—and then display it on the of vaccine introduces the Spike protein directly to the test. To take the test, the person spits in a tube, scans the turns samples red if they are negative, and yellow if they S cell surface, much like displaying a ‘Wanted’ poster. An body. Although conceptually simple, in practice this type

• positive. The streamlined test is not as accurate as regular tube’s barcode (so that they can track the results), and educated immune system produces antibodies that bind of vaccine is much more challenging to render effective, PCR tests, but it is simple, easy to use, and cheap, and places it in a refrigerator at a collection station. The test and disable Spike, and mark infected cells for destruction. because our immune systems don’t just need to ‘see’ the מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 takes less than an hour to analyze in the lab. The Geva- therefore a good adjunct method for places that require This can be achieved by delivering DNA, RNA, or the protein, they need to learn about it in a particular context 19 № Zatorsky lab adds a specially developed enzyme that routine testing, such as schools with dormitories. // protein itself to the cell via vaccine. in order to generate antibodies. // 18 19 MAGAZINE WEIZMANN SCIENCE FEATURES SCIENCE

The largest bodies of water need The projects described below, and many others, have positioned Rx for thethe Weizmann Instituteocean of Science our urgent attention as a leading center of basic and by Sandy Cash applied environmental research.

A microplastic choke hold ake a breath. Now take another breath. Every out in the labs of the Department second breath you take comes from the ocean. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Far from land, the ocean and the air the Department of Plant and just above its surface looks pristine. Covering 72 percent of the Earth and supplying Environmental Science, and However, work by three Weizmann T elsewhere on campus, are creating Institute scientists—Prof. Assaf half its oxygen, the ocean is our planet’s life support a more integrated understanding Vardi, Prof. Koren, and Prof. Yinon of the biological and geological Rudich—has demonstrated that system—regulating climate, and providing food for The Tara research vessel on which Weizmann research has been conducted processes that drive the complex looks can be deceiving. an infinite variety of species, including our own. And chemical “cross-talk” between the The scientists have been into the atmosphere—can even be seen from space. These blooms here’s something you might not think about: The ocean sea and the sky. analyzing samples collected harm human health. are responsible for half of all the “Weizmann Institute during successive voyages photosynthesis on Earth, and is home to the Earth’s largest mountain ranges and its teams have developed powerful of the Tara Expedition, an The life and death of also play an important role in the techniques for studying the environmental research vessel algal blooms planet’s carbon, oxygen, phosphate, deepest canyons, and at the same time is the world’s ocean’s ancient history, and are that serves as a floating laboratory nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. most diverse habitat, sheltering the plants and animals contributing up-to-the-minute for oceanography and climate Single-cell marine algae may Infections by viruses can analyses of how marine ecosystems experts from all over the world. be small, but altogether, they spread quickly among the that make up 80 percent of life on Earth. are responding to the twin Packed in dry ice and sent back have a huge ecological impact. algae, causing the death of these challenges of climate change and to the Weizmann Institute, these Prof. Vardi is an expert on algal massive blooms in a matter of Humans are deeply dependent change—the documented rise human-generated pollution,” says samples have created the basis for blooms—colonies of algae that can days. Prof. Vardi investigates the on the ocean, but you might in global temperatures that is Prof. Ilan Koren, head of the de in-depth study of aerosols—specs stretch for thousands of miles over molecular basis of such infections, not think so based on human causing the ocean to get warmer Botton Center for Marine Science, of matter that, in Weizmann labs, the ocean surface in layers up to as well as the effect bloom demise behavior. Unlike the 12 percent of and more acidic. That’s despite whose own research focuses on were revealed to contain high levels 50 meters in depth, and can even has on carbon transfer—a critical our planet’s total land mass that is increasingly dire projections that ocean-atmosphere interactions of microplastics, fragmentary factor in the maintenance of a legally set aside for preservation, the rising water levels, increased as well as cloud and rain physics. remains of human-generated stable climate. less than 2 percent of the ocean is storm activity, and flooding we are “By gathering fundamental data plastic pollution. These surprising similarly protected. Fishing has experiencing will only get worse using a range of approaches based findings, recently published in The role of aerosols sent the majority of the ocean’s in the coming years. in biology, chemistry, physics, and Nature Communications Earth and large predators into extinction. If we want to preserve our materials science, our scientists are Environment, demonstrate how Liquid and solid particles called Pollution, which has already precious water ecosystems, we clarifying what’s going on beneath near-ocean emissions facilitate aerosols that hover over the surface destroyed 20 percent of our must first understand them. the waves. These findings may the transport of microplastics of the ocean are among the most S

coral reefs, is damaging niche A range of research projects on contribute to humankind’s ability from the shoreline to the deep significant factors in climate • ecosystems in ways we are only the oceans and, in particular, to rehabilitate endangered ocean ocean, where they affect marine research, but their chemical beginning to understand. And the Mediterranean Sea, are now ecosystems, and protect the planet ecosystems, disrupt food chains, properties and physical dynamics מכון ויצמן למדע .PRING 2021 humankind has yet to mount underway at the Weizmann we all call home.” and—eventually, when transferred are poorly understood 19 № a serious response to climate Institute. These projects, carried Prof. Ilan Koren

20 21 water temperatures and rates of ice measures that would improve Mineral mechanisms of mineral deposition that drive

MAGAZINE melting which, over time, impact our ability to prevent weather- the creation of calcium carbonate concentrations of atmospheric related disasters. With rising levels of greenhouse structures in marine organisms, carbon dioxide. gas emissions from human and at the same time, is helping Prof. Shemesh is now Not your grandmother’s activity, sea water absorbs more to characterize the role these WEIZMANN developing two new approaches. Dead Sea CO2 from the atmosphere. This organisms play in the overall First, he is analyzing oxygen lowers pH, causing a higher acid balance of marine ecosystems. isotopes left behind in the mineral The time it takes to traverse content in the ocean. One of the skeletons of a family of marine exposed land to reach the water’s results of this ocean acidification Bacteria-algae protozoa called radiolaria. He edge provides poignant evidence is reduction in the concentration ‘buddy system’ is also examining the chemical of the “retreat” of Israel’s Dead Sea of calcium carbonate in marine Prof. Assaf Vardi eatures content of Mediterranean reefs from its previous wide expanse ecosystems. Marine bacteria have been affecting F Aerosols affect climate constructed out of marine mollusk to its present, much-diminished Dr. Assaf Gal studies how the growth, development, and both directly, by scattering shells. Such shells can be used dimensions. Dr. Yael Kiro is living organisms use minerals death of algae throughout the cience

S and absorbing sunlight, and to reconstruct past sea surface looking into the history of how such as calcium carbonate to history of our planet. This is the indirectly, by their effects on temperature, productivity, this happened. build structures ranging from the research focus of Dr. Einat Segev.

clouds and incoming solar CO2 levels, and continental runoff. A geochemist who uses delicate shapes of single-celled Geologists study algae because radiation. Using a combination Together, these approaches chemical clues to read the marine algae to the bones of the chemistry of algae’s debris, of state-of-the-art chemistry and provide an enriched timeline of environmental record preserved in microbiology tools, Prof. Rudich the chemical changes that have groundwater, sediments, and rocks, is working to understand the role occurred in the ocean, and will Dr. Kiro has examined 1,500 feet of oceanic aerosols, as part of the help to put present and projected of core samples from the bottom “By gathering fundamental data... our scientists are overall profile of emissions that climate trends into historical of the Dead Sea. An international clarifying what’s going on beneath the waves. These contribute to air pollution, drive context. study she co-led based on this global climate change, and affect findings may contribute to humankind’s ability human health. His discoveries Extreme weather—the to rehabilitate endangered ocean ecosystems, and about atmospheric aerosols wave of the future? protect the planet we all call home.” contribute to a scientifically based understanding of global climate Rising global temperatures are — Prof. Ilan Koren dynamics, as well as these aerosols’ causing greater evaporation of impact on terrestrial and marine water from the ocean, a dynamic ecosystems. that drives the formation of elephants. His work focuses on two deposited over millions of years, stronger and more frequent storms. groups of mineralizing marine reflects the temperature of the The ocean’s timeline Dr. Shira Raveh-Rubin studies the algae called coccolithophores ocean at the time that the algae causes and dynamics of extreme and diatoms, which live near the were still alive. This makes algae a To understand modern-day climate weather. Her research focuses on ocean’s surface, and produce their “paleo proxy” for climate scientists; change, we need to compare these the highly destructive cyclonic Dr. Assaf Gal energy through photosynthesis. they use the algal remains as a tool dynamics to shifts in climate that storms that often leave a trail of Dr. Gal discovered a previously for estimating ancient conditions, occurred over the course of our devastation, and which transport data showed evidence of two overlooked organelle where and comparing them to current planet’s history. Prof. Aldo Shemesh moisture and pollutants across “mega” droughts: one that began calcium is stored in intracellular trends. In her postdoctoral is clarifying the picture, using long distances. approximately 120,000 years ago reservoirs, and also identified research, Dr. Segev identified a oxygen isotopes from sediments Working in collaboration with when average global temperatures a number of macromolecular symbiotic relationship between to reconstruct continental international teams, and using rose about four degrees Fahrenheit, recognition mechanisms that marine bacteria and algae that paleoclimate. He studies variations huge global meteorological and another about 10,000 years ago control their crystallization. His causes algae to “record” the wrong in such phenomena as surface datasets that contain observations following the last ice age. work is clarifying the mechanisms temperature. collected over recent history, With current water levels in After creating a research Dr. Raveh-Rubin hopes to the Dead Sea dropping roughly model that accurately reflects develop new diagnostic tools for one meter per year since the algae-bacteria interactions, understanding specific features of 1950s, and rainfall down about Dr. Segev is now studying how weather systems. Her ultimate goal 10 percent on average, Dr. Kiro’s algal debris can be deciphered to is to better identify the factors and research suggests that the region reveal long-ago changes in ocean mechanisms that determine the could be headed for another temperature. Research based on location, intensity, and frequency serious dry spell. She is currently Dr. Segev’s model may contribute S

of extreme climate events such as expanding her research to to our understanding of both • intense droughts, floods, heavy study the circulation of seawater historical climate trends, and precipitation, and dangerous storm and groundwater in aquifers the impact of climate change on מכון ויצמן למדע // .PRING 2021 systems. This in turn may lead to beneath the coastline, including microbial life at sea 19 № Dr. Yael Kiro the development of early-warning the Mediterranean. Dr. Einat Segev

22 23 Science at the Open University Finding the red flags the algorithms often used to search

MAGAZINE of Israel and published in the cancer-cell genome for possible the journal Science last year, Prof. Yardena Samuels, also from neo-antigens have predicted suggests that characterizing the Department of Molecular Cell hundreds of candidates. This interactions between cancer Biology, discovered a gene that is makes it extremely challenging

WEIZMANN cells and their resident bacteria mutated in 32 percent of colorectal for pharmaceutical companies may lead to new strategies for cancer patients as well as many to use neo-antigen targeting as improving personalized cancer other human cancers. She uses the basis of a “one-size-fits-all” treatment. In the future, it may also DNA sequencing to identify groups immunotherapy drug. become possible to manipulate of genetic mutations involved in Now, Prof. Samuels and her intra-tumor bacterial populations melanoma, and to differentiate colleagues have devised a new way to

eatures in order to make treatment these from “passengers”—genetic identify neo-antigens of melanoma F more effective. abnormalities that play no role in cells, together with the specific “Most baceria you find in tumorigenesis. T cells “primed” to respond to them. cience

S tumors are known to be present In a recent achievement, The group’s strategies were so robust normally in people, but there’s Prof. Samuels reported on a new that their neo-antigen-specific T also a minority of bacteria we method that may make it possible cells killed 90 percent of the target found that were never described to create improved and highly per- melanoma cells both in laboratory in humans or any other host sonalized treatments for patients plates and in mice. before,” Dr. Straussman says. “We with melanoma. She has identified She then went on to also found bacterial populations “red flags”—mutated peptides that demonstrate that cancer cells from The Moross Integrated Cancer Center inside the immune cells that reside appear on melanoma cells’ outer different metastases within the within cancerous tumors—a membranes, which allows the same patient have neo-antigen discovery that has implications for immune system to identify these “profiles” that are remarkably cancer immunotherapy.” cancer cells as foreign, and target uniform. This discovery may The Straussman team them for attack. Prof. Samuels’ eventually contribute to clinical surveyed seven different cancer findings offer a powerful alternative strategies in which doctors would types: breast, lung, ovarian, to current methods that seek to acti- create personalized drug regimens pancreatic, melanoma, bone, vate immune T cells against these that would stimulate T cells to Making cancer history and brain. Examination of these mutated surface peptides, which destroy not just an individual samples revealed that about are known as neo-antigens. patient’s primary tumor, but News from the Moross Integrated Cancer Center 70 percent of breast cancer tumors One of the problems in secondary malignancies as well. are characterized by the presence uncovering neo-antigens in by Sandy Cash of bacteria. Moreover, the scientists cancers like melanoma, however, is A simple blood test for discovered that the complement that they are presented by a protein lung cancer risk t was back in 1775 when English surgeon Percivall of bacterial populations found complex called HLA–a complex A bacterial ID card in breast tumors is particularly that can come in thousands of Most cases of lung cancer—the Pott, reporting on the prevalence of carcinoma among for tumors complex. In another intriguing versions, even without the addition leading cause of cancer death—are finding, revealed when the of cancerous mutations. Indeed, linked to smoking. That puts London chimney sweeps, identified the first clear link Several years ago, Dr. Ravid scientists compared lung tumors smokers first in line for medical I Straussman, a member of the from smokers to tumors from screening procedures that seek to between cancer and the environment. A century later, Department of Molecular Cell patients who never smoked, identify lung tumors early, so that Brazilian ophthalmologist Hilário de Gouvêa proved Biology, discovered bacteria Dr. Straussman discovered that patients can begin treatment and lurking within tumor cells of bacteria from smokers’ lung improve their chances for long- that cancer susceptibility is genetic — that is, it can be the human pancreas. These cancer cells had a qualitative term survival. Today, screening passed down from a parent to a child. bacteria were shown to “digest” difference: these bacteria had protocols are traditionally based and inactivate chemotherapy many more genes for metabolizing on age and smoking status. Today, these fundamental discoveries that illuminate entirely drugs, thereby blocking the drugs’ nicotine, toluene, phenol, and other However, reliance on these two realizations form the basis of new paths toward better cancer anti-cancer effects. Now, based cigarette-related chemicals. risk factors alone misses the investigations conducted under prediction, prevention, diagnosis, on a study of over 1,000 tumor By shedding light on how the mark, as preventative screening the auspices of the Moross and treatment. Among discoveries samples of different human balance of bacterial populations in this selected population fails Integrated Cancer Center, the achieved by dozens of Moross- cancers, Dr. Straussman has shown in cancerous tumors influences to identify most lung tumors. Weizmann Institute’s flagship associated labs over the past year, that unique populations of bacteria the dynamics of tumor ecology, Moreover, individuals who are not S

framework for cancer research, the following studies illustrate the reside within each tumor type. this research may “reframe” the obvious candidates for screening • housed in the Ullman Building Center’s impact, which is bringing This research, performed protocols used to diagnose and remain unaware of the danger of Life Sciences. At the same us steadily closer to the ultimate together with Dr. Noam treat human cancers, something they may face – something that מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 19 № time, Moross Center scientists are goal: the defeat of cancer in all Shental from the Department that may eventually lead to more The May 2020 issue of Science, leads to delayed treatment and contributing paradigm-shifting its forms. of Mathematics and Computer hopeful cancer prognoses. featuring Dr. Ravid Straussman’s study poorer prognosis.

24 25 Prof. Zvi Livneh and senior staff scientist he Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy MAGAZINE Dr. Tamar Paz-Elizur, both members of the Department Research, one of the three pillars of scientific Saluting the Dwek Fellows: of Biomolecular Sciences, in collaboration with T investigation operating under the auspices researchers from the UK, have proposed a new lung of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center, is cancer screening protocol based on a simple blood test. dedicated to supporting activities that contribute young leaders in cancer science WEIZMANN Relying on individual patients’ “DNA repair scores”—a to clinicians’ ability to treat and defeat cancer. summation of the Recently, the Dwek Institute launched a new activity of three initiative: the Dwek Fellowship Program, which DNA repair enzymes recognizes and supports outstanding PhD through which students and postdoctoral fellows who are actively cells are known to

eatures respond to genetic pursuing studies aimed at developing novel anti- F damage—the new cancer strategies. screening strategy

cience Supervised by Prof. Yosef Yarden, Director of

S accurately identifies the Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research, individuals at heightened risk for the selection of the inaugural cadre of Dwek lung cancer. Fellows was a two-tier process. First, a call Based on the went out to Weizmann life science laboratories examination of involved in oncology-related research, requesting hundreds of British nominations for up to two PhD or postdoctoral patients, the study candidates. This resulted in 20 applications, from demonstrated that which an academic committee selected ten finalists. Prof. Yardena Samuels a low DNA repair In December, the 10 finalists were invited to present score reveals a five-fold their research at a small workshop. greater risk for lung cancer onset than would typically be estimated based on age and smoking status alone. The event kicked off with remarks by Prof. Avigdor A low DNA repair score may also help explain why some Scherz, a member of the Department of Plant L to R: Omer Goldman, Hila Tishler, Prof. Avigdor Scherz, Hadas Lewinsky, Akhiad Bercovich, Reut Riff, Prof. Yossi Yarden non-smokers (normally not referred for preventative and Environmental Sciences who is co-inventor screening) develop lung cancer, thereby contributing of TOOKAD-VTP ®, a photodynamic treatment defenses—which could potentially improve patients’ Omer Goldman is pursuing his doctorate in cancer to the development of clinical criteria for promoting that cures early-stage prostate cancer and is response to immunotherapy. metabolism in the lab of Prof. Ayelet Erez. He is focused early diagnosis in the non-smoking population. being developed for use in other cancer types. on the urea cycle, a mammalian pathway localized These findings Dr. Reut Riff is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Ravid The fellowship finalists offered some inspiring in the liver that prevents the accumulation of toxic have important Straussman’s lab. She focuses on bacteria-mediated words of their own, describing how, through levels of nitrogen in the body. Experiments show that, implications for anti-cancer vaccines, an approach that seeks to optimize their individual research, they hope to contribute early in tumor development, significant “rewiring” is improving the cancer patients’ response to immunotherapy by exploiting to improving cancer treatment. seen in liver metabolism, as well as in compwonents effectiveness of lung bacterial activation of the body’s immune response. of the immune system—even in cancers that do not cancer screening, At the conclusion of the program, the finalists Building on the recent discovery in the Straussman lab metastasize to the liver. Preliminary studies in cancer and providing more themselves ranked the presentations, with the five that specific bacterial populations reside in particular patients provide evidence of similar metabolic dynamics, at-risk patients highest-ranked finalists named winners of the Dwek tumor types, Dr. Riff is trying to establish a pipeline suggesting that therapeutically blocking this metabolic with access to early for identifying bacteria that will home to a tumor, and rewiring in the liver could potentially provide clinical diagnosis and Fellowship. manipulate it to express tumor-specific neo-antigens. This benefits. treatment. Here’s a look at the first cadre of Dwek Fellows. would make it possible to use such bacteria to activate In another, the targeting of T cells, thereby making cancer Akhiad Bercovich is a PhD candidate in the unexpected finding Hila Tishler is pursuing her PhD in the lab of immunotherapy more effective. laboratory of Prof. Amos Tanay in the Department that emerged Prof. Ayelet Erez in the Department of Biological of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. from this study, Regulation. After a two-year stint at a biotech Hadas Lewinsky is pursuing her doctorate under the Akhiad is developing computational models of Prof. Livneh’s company where she helped develop a cancer supervision of Prof. Idit Shachar in the Department of gene expression data captured using single-cell team found that immunotherapy drug, she began doctoral research Immunology. She is focused on “suppressors”—cells in the genomics approaches. Such methods make it possible Dr. Ravid Straussman a low DNA repair at the Weizmann Institute, where she focuses on the tumor microenvironment that help shelter cancer cells score in lung cancer to identify and describe conserved behaviors of metabolic cross-talk between cancer cells and from attack. Research in the Shachar lab has shown that patients, but not in healthy people, correlates with immune cells from the tumor microenvironment, a broad increase in gene expression pathways that their microenvironment. Her recent experiments a receptor called CD84 is highly expressed in suppressor in both mouse cancer models and human patients.

S have shown how, by altering the availability of cells in the microenvironment of multiple myeloma. It has Akhiad is currently developing tools to clarify cellular

mediate the body’s immune response. This indicates • that DNA repair score data—as revealed in a blood test— an amino acid that mediates the metabolism of also shown that blocking this receptor leads to a more responses to immunotherapy drugs in many cancer could potentially contribute to personalized treatment, nitrogen, it is possible to reduce tumor growth, effective anti-cancer immune response. Hadas is types, while using his model systems to predict and מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 by helping doctors predict how individual lung cancer affect T cells’ anti-cancer activity, and potentially conducting experiments in solid tumors showing similarly experimentally validate novel combination treatment 19 № patients will respond to cancer immunotherapy. // sensitize cancer cells to the body’s immune positive results. regimes. // 26 27 in Weizmann because it is good for

MAGAZINE the world, and it shows the strength of Israel to the world. This is a different picture of Israel than the one we see in the media. Weizmann

WEIZMANN is the real Israel.” One of the success stories of the Brazil Friends in its early years— and until today—is the large number of high school graduates who apply annually for the Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute, a month-long

SPOTLIGHT ON program held every July on the Weizmann campus. Hundreds of Brazilian candidates apply every year, most of them are not Jewish and have no prior connection to Israel. “These students come back from Weizmann and become informal ambassadors for Israel Barbara and Roberto and for Weizmann for the rest of their lives,” he notes. “Their impact is felt across Brazilian science and society.” Among numerous other gifts Kaminitz to the Institute, Roberto, who is also a member of the International ‘Believers’ in the Weizmann Institute over 32 years Board, gave generously to support the Weizmann-Brazil Tumor Bank by Tamar Morad within the Moross Integrated Cancer Center, an initiative A hospitable piece of family history that was spearheaded by Brazil t 65 Ha’Neviim Street in the heart of Jerusalem, Institute of Science in the 1980s. Association President Mario he Kaminitz family owned European-style boutique near Jaffa Road, sits a low-slung stone building, Today, more than 30 years later, Fleck and was embraced by many hotels throughout pre-state Israel, in Hebron, Jaffa, Jericho, he and his wife Barbara remain friends. T Jerusalem, and Petah Tikva. In 1883, Eliezer Lipman Kaminitz, dwarfed by the city’s smorgasbord of structures, major supporters and close friends Today, Roberto believes that Roberto Kaminitz’s great-grandfather, transferred the Jerusalem A of the Institute, and he says he the role of the Weizmann Institute hotel that his family had established outside Jaffa Gate—the first but—like many ancient edifices in Jerusalem—it also is proud to have witnessed the is more critical than ever. “Fifty hotel outside the Old City walls—to a new location on Jaffa Street. hints at a more illustrious moment in time in which the growth and flourishing of the years ago, if one worked hard He planted a garden and paved a path for horse-drawn carriages Brazilian Friends. and got an education, he or she to pull into from the road. The hotel hosted tourists from abroad and building experienced its heyday. The said building is the In 1988, Roberto hosted a visit found success. Today, hard work lavish weddings. former Kaminitz Hotel, the first hotel outside the Old in his home of a delegation from the and any education are not good Weizmann Institute, including the enough: You must have a top-level Among its famous guests was Theodor Herzl, the father of modern City walls, and it was once indeed a luxurious residence newly elected President at the time, education in order to compete and Zionism. Herzl checked into the hotel on October 28, 1898, to meet Prof. Haim Harari, and former make a difference. The important with German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II during a visit to Palestine. for famed international travelers, businesspeople, and Weizmann President Prof. Michael thing now is nurturing the young The hotel was moved once again in 1908, back to the Jaffa Gate area, world leaders more than a century ago. Sela. At a dinner that included generation, and making sure that into a larger building. Baron Edmond James de Rothschild stayed at Israel’s consul general to Brazil and the world truly understands the that location of the hotel in 1914. At the outbreak of World War I, the The owner of the hotel was Eliezer they remained deeply connected many prominent guests, Prof. Sela contribution of Israeli science and hotel was confiscated by the Turks, who turned it into a post office. Lipman Kaminitz, who later sold to Israel. The family continued to asked Roberto to establish a society high-tech to the lives of everyone it, and the next generations of relish the lore of the old Kaminitz of friends in Brazil. on the planet. As I see it, the best Today it stands empty but slated for historic preservation, and his family moved to Brazil. His Hotel. “I agreed, because who can say route to advancing those goals pictures of the building adorn the walls of Roberto Kaminitz’s S

grandson, Armando, raised his Their son, Roberto Kaminitz, ‘no’ to two Weizmann presidents?” is through Weizmann—because home. • family in Uruguay and later moved who lives in São Paulo, created a Roberto asks rhetorically. “And Weizmann is a seed that—if you to São Paulo, Brazil. He and his wife new connection to Israel when he my father was a believer in the water it and take care of it—will “Jerusalem remains in my blood and Israel is far away but at the same מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Eva Kaminitz were early donors established the Brazil Association Weizmann Institute. Very quickly, blossom and grow and lead to great time very close by,” says Roberto. “I heard stories from my father 19 № to the Weizmann Institute, and of Friends of the Weizmann I became a believer too. I believe things.” // about the splendid Kaminitz Hotel, and even after it was sold, I felt a piece of my family will always be in Jerusalem.” // 28 29 MAGAZINE WEIZMANN

Weizmann World

Australia Keeping apart, staying together Canada A digital International Board in 2020 highlighted breakthrough science, key priorities

Europe ore than 1,200 attended and other deve­lopments on The Board week presented an the Weizmann Institute of campus including two new flagship opportunity to thank Prof. Jehuda France M Science’s 72nd Annual General projects, the Institute for Brain Reinharz for his years of service Meeting of the International Board and Neural Sciences and the as International Board Chair, in November, thanks to the digital Frontiers of the Universe, and and as he passed the baton to Israel format which allowed friends COVID-19 research sponsored by the Cathy Beck. across the globe to participate. Weizmann Coronavirus Response Cathy was one of seven The theme, ‘Keeping Apart, Staying Fund. In focus was the prospective PhD honoris causa recipients Latin America Together’ celebrated the devotion Institute for Host Interaction and in 2020, in recognition of her of Weizmann friends around the Infectious Disease Research, which longstanding partnership, United Kingdom world and the high value Weizmann will take insights from coronavirus leadership, and philanthropy. S

leadership and scientists place in research to the next level. Weizmann (See Q&A with Cathy on the • the global community. Institute President Prof. Alon Chen following pages.) The following United States The Board offered an presented on the two flagship highly accomplished individuals מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 opportunity to update the global projects, with a focus on astrophys- also received the Weizmann PhD 19 № Weizmann family on research ics and particle physics. honoris causa:

30 31 MAGAZINE WEIZMANN

A celebration of excellence and accomplishment orld

W Gideon J. Hamburger, a Cathy Beck, one of the distinguished business and Weizmann Institute’s pillars of community leader who has support and leadership, both in channeled his resources and Israel and Canada. A dedicated W eizmann influence to benefit a wide range philanthropist for more than of causes in Israel, and at the four decades, Cathy has given Weizmann Institute. He is a Life generously to the Institute and Member of the International served as the Chair of the Board of Board, where he has been a Board Weizmann Canada from 2010 to Meir Shalev, one of Israel’s most prolific and highly acclaimed writers, member for decades, and has 2016, spearheading and overseeing whose life’s work reflects the beauty and rich intricacies of Israel—the land served on multiple management a period of extraordinary growth and its people—through stories read by generations of children and adults. committees. and development. During the Winner of many prestigious literary awards in Israel and abroad. He was the 72nd Annual General Meeting of keynote speaker of the PhD ceremony. the International Board, she was elected Chair of the International Board (see Q&A).

Dame Carol Robinson of Shirin Natour Hafi, Sir Marc Feldmann, a Dr. Uri Arnon, an esteemed the University of Cambridge and an innovative educational leader prominent immunologist at engineer, who has made significant the University of Oxford, a chemist whose unflagging efforts have the University of Oxford whose contributions to the development renowned for her groundbreaking contributed to reduced violence discovery of the role of TNFα of the Israeli materials industry. research in structural biology and among Arab youth in Lod, a in inflammation and joint A member of the International for pioneering the use of mass mixed city in central Israel, and a destruction led to the development Board, Uri, along with his wife spectrometry as an analytical tool dramatic growth in the number of of a powerful treatment for Ruth, is a treasured member of the in chemical biology research. Arab youth eligible for high school rheumatoid arthritis and other Weizmann community and a long- matriculation in that city. autoimmune diseases. He time supporter of the Institute. collaborates extensively with Weizmann scientists, and supports immunology research S

on campus. •

מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 19 №

32 33 PhD honoris causa MAGAZINE Q&A with International Board Chair Cathy Beck Garvan-Weizmann online event

I am certain will bring new celebrates three fruitful years

WEIZMANN supporters to the Institute. How are you spending your he third anniversary of the year, including the growth of the activity of immune cells in the time during the pandemic, if Garvan-Weizmann Centre for the partnership which to date bone can lead to better long term you are not able to travel? T Cellular Genomics was marked has funded 40 researchers in immunity from diseases such as I always want to meet people in by an online event that highlighted 10 projects. COVID-19 and to improvements orld person—that’s a legacy of my key scientific developments and A presentation was given to cancer immunotherapy W work in the business world. But plans for the coming three years. by collaborating scientists treatments. Conversely, learning now that we can bridge great The Centre’s 2017 opening Dr. Ziv Shulman (Weizmann) and how to manipulate the immune distances instantly, through launched the broader Garvan- Dr. Michelle McDonald (Garvan). cell activity in the bone may lead to Zoom, we’re able to maintain Weizmann Partnership, a joint Their joint research project better treatments for autoimmune W eizmann AUSTRALIA contact with greater ease. venture between the Weizmann delves into the inner workings diseases, by dampening the I am using the opportunity to Institute and Australia’s Garvan of antibody-mediated immunity. overactive immune system. introduce myself to lay leaders Institute of Medical Research. Long term immunity occurs when Prof. Amit concluded by in all the committees and The November event featured antibody-producing cells (B cells) emphasizing the aim of the societies, and they’re doing the Profs. Ziv Reich and Ido Amit of migrate from lymph nodes to partnership over the next three same. I’m talking to them about Weizmann; Profs. Chris Goodnow the bone to reside in a dormant/ years: developing new drugs what speaks to them most about and Joseph Powell of Garvan; and inactive state, to become active and immunotherapies for the Institute, and working with Jillian Segal AO, a Weizmann when needed. cancers, infection diseases, and them on that basis to expand the International Board member Together, they are elucidating autoimmune diseases. “We have circle of friends. and Garvan board member. what renders B cells in the bone the technologies and we have the What are the challenges? Ms. Segal outlined achievements active or dormant, by visualising scientists, I believe we can do it,” n November, Cathy Beck Rehovot. Now the campus is my We have a strong worldwide and highlights from the past the B cells in the bone. Improving he said. // was elected the Chair of the second home and the scientists support network that is rightly I International Board. A longtime I have known for a long time are called the Weizmann family supporter and leader of Weizmann valued friends. I cannot wait to because when we get together, Canada and a Weizmann Institute get back to see them. in person, we are that close. Board member, Cathy is intimately You’ve been involved with the My immediate challenge is to familiar with the Institute and Weizmann Institute for many strengthen our ties, pandemic carries the legacy of her late years, and done so much. notwithstanding, and leverage parents, Tom and Mary Beck, What more could you possibly those ties for the benefit of Leadership gift from Laura and Anthony Beck whose strong leadership and do for Weizmann? our scientists. philanthropy left an indelible The scientific work and What are the areas in which honors the past and inspires the future mark on the Weizmann Institute ambition at Weizmann you see Weizmann making an campus. A native of Toronto and is endless, which places impact in the next 10 years? t’s estimated that mental health the next generations how fulfilling married to Dr. Laurence Rubin, great expectations on Rather than choose from a list of disorders begin before age 16 in it can be to give back.” Laura Cathy loves music and science, and our administrative and endless possibilities, let me say I about half of those individuals and Anthony’s gift establishes an devotes herself to philanthropy philanthropic capacities. As that what strikes me about the affected by such conditions. endowment fund, the Laura and and hands-on leadership in those Chair of the International Board, Weizmann Institute is that when With the pandemic acting as Anthony Beck and Family Fund realms, in Canada and at the I’m working with fellow Board someone comes here to engage an accelerant for mental health for Research in Neuroscience. in Weizmann Institute. members to make concerted with a specific area of interest issues, a recent gift for research the Institute for Brain and Neural Where does your devotion to and consistent efforts to expand —whether it is food security, on mental health in youth from Sciences.

the Institute originate? our network of friends and energy exploration, or disease Toronto residents and Weizmann For others considering CANADA I was introduced to the supporters. We are building on and treatment — that person friends Laura and Anthony Beck is investing in Weizmann, Anthony Weizmann Institute at a young an excellent base, but always is just as likely to end of up in particularly momentous. (Anthony advises them to “find something age by my father, and with time trying to draw in more people, meetings and collaborations Beck is the brother of IB Chair that you’re really passionate my devotion has only deepened— more interest. COVID has that bring them an entirely new Cathy Beck.) about—whether it’s cancer first to Weizmann Canada, then made for many new challenges, perspective and engages them in “For me, it all comes down to research, something in physics, to the Weizmann Institute in but it’s through challenges areas that are totally new. That’s showing our children what needs L to R: Gideon, Anthony, Laura, and or whatever it is — and when you S

that we adapt and excel. true of our supporters and of to be done in order to continue Tamara Beck find that, and no matter the level •

Weizmann Magazine I see opportunities and great our scientists. It happens to me, with our family’s belief in ‘tikkun of your contribution, you will in-depth interview with potential here. That’s why I’m time after time. That makes its olam,’ says Laura. In keeping with about showing our kids that it’s feel remarkably rewarded and

מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Cathy Beck and other 19 № members of her family excited about the new ‘friend- own kind of impact— infinitely this Jewish belief of improving the now our turn to take up the reins of fortunate to be in that position to raising’ campaign, which renewable. // world, she adds, “I feel very strongly philanthropy. It’s up to us to show give back.” // 34 35 MAGAZINE European Committee celebrates Israel Friends shine spotlight on election its 60-year anniversary of US President Joe Biden WEIZMANN riends and supporters from involvement of European friends display: past and present leadership he Israel Friends of the Europe and around the world in supporting the Institute was on and world-renowned scientists all Weizmann Institute and F came together at a festive digital recounted their own pieces of the T the Alumni Organization event in January celebrating the six-decade-long story. participated in a joint event in orld 60th anniversary of the European Weizmann Institute President February to share views on the new W Committee of the Weizmann Prof. Alon Chen shared plans Biden Administration in the U.S. Institute of Science (ECWIS). for the future Institute for Brain Featured guests were former U.S. Chairs of all the and Neural Sciences, and René Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro

European friends’ societies Braginsky, former Chair of the and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Amos Gilad, ISRAEL W eizmann and the Weizmann Young Swiss Society and a member head of the Institute for Policy and European Network (WYEN) were of the International Board, Strategy at IDC Herzliya. in attendance. described projects supported About 120 members of The event was emceed by by the Braginsky Center for WeizmannVibe, the next- Robert (Bob) Drake, Chair of the Interface between Science generation group of the Israel ECWIS ECWIS, Vice Chair of Weizmann’s and the Humanities. A dance Friends Association, celebrated Dan Shapiro Amos Gilad International Board, and a member performance, “Evolve,” by the start of 2021 with participants of the Executive Board. The historic Bob Drake Kornelia Lech and Yotam receiving a case of beer and describing the biological basis for as lovers of science and culture Baruch, highlighted a unique a sampling of delicacies. partner selection. as a “winning mix”. A toast was collaboration between the dancers, Prof. Yitzhak Pilpel, head of the Amir Shaltiel, Chair of raised for the new year, with “If past is prologue, our European friends — choreographer Shahar Binyamini, Department of Molecular Genetics, WeizmannVibe, welcomed guests great optimism for exiting the and Prof. Ofer Feinerman from gave a talk about “yeast orgies,” and praised their involvement pandemic. // who have been part of our scientific journey the Department of Physics of since the beginning — will be our partners Complex Systems. The event also highlighted European in neuroscience discovery in the years to come.” alumni of the Bessie F. Lawrence — Prof. Alon Chen International Science Summer Institute (ISSI) program. // UK: A page out of Weizmann history for the Abraham Society n February, Emeritus Sheridan Gould, Executive for the first time the British Prof. David Mirelman became Director of Weizmann UK, Government’s support for the France: Weizmann-Pasteur Gala goes digital I the latest in a long line of introduced Prof. Mirelman who establishment of a national home distinguished speakers to give described the Institute’s historic for the Jewish people. he Weizmann-Pasteur Gala, a Cole, Director General of the an online presentation to the links to the UK. His talk included Prof. Mirelman also offered Paris affair for the last 45 years, Institut Pasteur. Dr. Philippe Abraham Society, a London-based the story of how a scientific insight into Dr. Weizmann’s T took place online in December, Alla, Professor of Neurology at discussion and debating society discovery by Dr. Weizmann played a early pioneering approach to and celebrated the ongoing the American Hospital of Paris, dedicated to bringing topics of notable role in securing the Balfour patenting scientific discoveries FRANCE scientific collaboration between the described alarming neurological interest to a primarily Jewish Declaration in 1917, signaling and the crucial role it would Weizmann Institute and Institut implications of COVID-19. audience. Almost 500 participants have in funding future research. Pasteur. The gathering highlighted The Pasteur-Weizmann attended the virtual event, many As a former Vice President of KINGDOM UNITED research on the neurological Council was established at the of whom were new to the wonders Technology Transfer and a effects of COVID-19. initiative of the late Simone of the Weizmann Institute. They former Chairman of Yeda, the Maurice Lévy, President of Veil, who was France’s Minister were given a virtual whistle-stop Institute’s tech transfer arm, the Pasteur-Weizmann Council of Health and a close friend of tour of some of the Institute’s Prof. Mirelman discussed his book S

and President of Weizmann Israel. The partnership, funded highlights, starting from its Not for Profit, which traces the • France, introduced the subject and generously by French donors, has Maurice Lévy visionary founder Dr. Chaim Weizmann Institute’s expertise welcomed guests and the main seeded research in a range of areas, Weizmann to its modern success in patenting scientific discoveries מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 speakers, Weizmann President including cancer, neuroscience, viruses. To date, some 55 joint as a world-class scientific research for application in the commercial 19 № Prof. Alon Chen, and Prof. Stewart antibiotic resistance, and emerging projects have been funded. // institute. Prof. David Mirelman realm. // 36 37 MAGAZINE ACWIS looks to the sky Brazil friends take on neurodegeneration

n January, the American he Brazil Association of disease. This project will take on learning, perception, and develop

WEIZMANN Committee hosted a webinar Friends of the Weizmann the quest to overcome these and new computational tools and other I introducing Weizmann’s flagship T Institute of Science launched other diseases.” methods to explore the brain as Frontiers of the Universe initiative. its fundraising initiative for the Prof. Mike Fainzilber, Director never before. Frontiers will fund research Weizmann-Brazil Center for of the future Weizmann-Brazil “The Brazil Friends have grown by astrophysicists and particle Research on Neurodegeneration, Center and a member of the in size and scope, adding more orld physicists to elucidate the nature with more than 200 participants Department of Biomolecular and more friends in recent years,” W of space, time, and life itself—from Sciences, said research in the Weizmann President Prof. Alon the tiniest subatomic particles to Weizmann-Brazil Center will Chen said. “They have had a huge the largest galaxies. work on combatting debilitating impact on campus throughout the Drawing about diseases and conditions like years and have been instrumental W eizmann 140 participants, the online event featured two of the scientists outer space, which compelled him and expertise in astrophysics involved in this flagship project: to support the mission: “Here and particle physics—is the ideal Prof. Avishay Gal-Yam, from the was an opportunity, through our place to uncover the mysteries of “A project of the utmost importance.” Department of Particle Physics philanthropic participation, to the cosmos. — Israel Vainboim ACWIS and Astrophysics, and Prof. Oded look up at the sky once again … Prof. Aharonson followed Aharonson, from the Department and imagine what secrets of the with a presentation about his of Earth and Planetary Sciences. universe were beckoning for planetary research, and most Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and in friend-raising and fund-raising. The event opened with discovery,” he said. recently his focus on the discovery cast a wide net to better understand The Tumor Bank was… barely remarks from ACWIS Executive Prof. Gal-Yam provided of exoplanets. The ULTRASAT what happens in the brain as it ages, finished when you decided to Committee member Dr. Mark an overview of the Frontiers mission will help him detect affecting memory, behavior, and embark on your next ambitious Alexander, a major supporter initiative, including ULTRASAT, planets orbiting other stars in our bodily function. project: the Weizmann Brazil of the ULTRASAT satellite a small but mighty telescope galaxy and determine whether they It will be one of 11 centers in Center for Neurodegenerative mission—a key component of the aboard a satellite, planned to be might be hospitable to life. the Institute for Brain and Neural Research. This center is of critical Frontiers project— through the launched into space from Cape To conclude the event, the two Sciences, which will also reveal importance. We are deeply grateful Norman E. Alexander Family M Canaveral, Florida, in 2024. He also scientists engaged in a lively Q&A, new understandings about mental that the Brazilian friends have Prof. Mike Fainzilber

Foundation. Dr. Alexander spoke explained why Weizmann—with moderated by American Committee and emotional health, brain injury taken it upon themselves—all of AMERICA LATIN about his childhood interest in its multidisciplinary approach CEO Dave Doneson. // and regeneration, cognition and you—to help raise funds.” // in attendance in an online event on February 28. The new center will be part of the planned Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences, a major flagship project. (A selection of participants’ enthusiastic feedback Alumni in the spotlight, alongside Facebook Israel CEO at the event is quoted here). Mario Fleck, President of the eizmann alumni were center and Dr. Eran Goldberg, founded Brazilian Association of Friends, stage at the International Luminera also.) recalled as an excellent precedent W Women’s Day event hosted Liran Szlak, a PhD student the establishment, in 2019, of the by the Israeli Friends Association in the Department of Computer Weizmann-Brazil Tumor Bank of the Weizmann Institute. Science and Applied Mathematics, in the Moross Integrated Cancer The keynote speaker was Adi Soffer- discussed her work as co-founder Center. “Through this relationship Teeni, CEO of Facebook Israel, and of Mehamemet – Cyber Education with the Weizmann Institute the event highlighted pioneering Center, a non-profit organization spanning over three decades, women in the biotech and high- that promotes girls’ participation we have had the opportunity to tech sector. in STEM fields. Rosalie Lipsh- participate in significant and Mario Fleck Other presenters included Sokolik, a PhD student in the impactful projects,” he said. Dr. Liat Goldshaid-Zmiri, alumna Department of Biomolecular “We all know how degenerative S

and CEO of Luminera, an aesthetic Sciences, discussed her challenges diseases of the brain pose great “Weizmann is a window to the future. A longer-term • medicine company which was and goals as an ultra-Orthodox hardships to many people. All of future, a more sustainable future, a better world.” recently acquired by Allergan woman in the sciences, and the us have a friend or acquaintance מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Aesthetics. (Another two Weizmann need to engage the next generation or a relative who once suffered — Claudia and Charles Rothschild 19 № Institute alumni, Dr. Dadi Segal Adi Soffer-Teeni of her community. // from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s 38 39 MAGAZINE Lighting up the world WEIZMANN of computation ALUMNI The promise of a new laser-driven supercomputer, designed by Weizmann alumni by Dinah Elashvili

have the computational firepower omputers have been improving at a dizzying required to sustain—let alone rate since the original room-sized machines of analyze—the data. These “hard” problems are the 1940s. Today, our cell phones are millions everywhere. Take, for example, C the interactive GPS service Waze, of times more powerful than the computers used which is able to give drivers an by NASA during the first moon landing. And still, alternative route in order to avoid an impending traffic jam. But its scientists and engineerse are continuing to push the ability to recalculate a route for a limits of computing capabilities, producing more and large quantity of cars and redirect each vehicle in an optimal way so as more powerful supercomputers and working to make not to create a second traffic jam is quantum computers a reality. still quite limited. specifically tackle “hard” problems. and loss of quantum coherence number to 1,000 laser bits—a Scientists are attempting The new LightSolver computer inherent to quantum computers. number which currently is only on If computers are already so fast, complicated, even the most high- to solve these computing will use a traditional computing Not only will LightSolver’s the future roadmap of quantum why this need for more speed? performing computers cannot keep shortcomings by developing paradigm that will produce some laser computer allow it to make computer companies like IBM. In traditional computing up and are failing to solve many of quantum systems that use quantum effects, but instead of computations at extraordinary Reaching that milestone will also systems, bits are binary—either on the modern world’s most complex quantum bits, or ‘qubits,’ using classic binary bits or qubits, speeds, according to Ruti, but have practical applications and or off, 1 or 0—forcing the computer problems. This class of problems, which can exist as both 1 and they are using optical lasers. it will allow the machine to enable the solution of real-world to try possible answers to a problem known as “hard” problems, 0 simultaneously. This would Ruti and her team of be smaller (about the size of a problems involving massive one by one until it finds the correct involves such a huge amount of allow the system to perform eight—half of whom are also desktop computer), cheaper, and amounts of data, such as city-scale solution. However, as data becomes interdependent information that many calculations at once and Weizmann alumni—believe that by more energy efficient than its traffic patterns, predicting the more and more voluminous and traditional paradigms do not arrive at a solution quicker. constructing a small device where competitors’ prototypes, which are stock market, or calculating how to However, quantum computers light-based lasers circulate in free oftentimes huge in size, or require most efficiently fold a protein. are exceedingly difficult to build, space, the new device will be able absolute zero temperatures and “Using standard computers, and so far have been plagued with to make computations orders of ultra-high vacuum conditions. this kind of data-crunching is very errors that make them fail before magnitude faster and less prone “Using lasers has so many time-consuming and error-prone,” any nontrivial program has a to error than all other technology benefits,” Ruti says. “They require says Ruti. “LightSolver could solve chance to run to completion. alternatives, both traditional and less space than circuitry-based these problems.” quantum, which use electronics machines, are more precise, and “Ruti is pioneering an exciting The speed of lasers or fibers. In just one watt of lasers, can explore all possible solutions path in the Israeli quantum almost 1020 photons exist—that’s to a problem in parallel similar to tech landscape,” Prof. Ozeri A year ago, while conducting her 1 followed by 20 zeros—all of which the way qubits can. Imagine the says. “LightSolver is part of a very PhD research in Prof. Roee Ozeri’s are able to work together and massive computational power!” small and dynamic community lab in the Department of Physics influence each other to perform cal- The team is aiming to of startups that are taking ideas S

of Complex Systems, Ruti Ben- culations simultaneously, similar to develop LightSolver to contain from academic quantum physics • Shlomi teamed up with Weizmann quantum bits. At the same time, by 100 laser bits within the year — an labs, which until recently were alumnus Dr. Chene Tradonsky to using a more classical computing impressive number in a short considered crazy games by מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 launch LightSolver, a company that paradigm, LightSolver will be able period of time. In the following scientists, and turning them into 19 № is building a supercomputer to to bypass the noise problems, faults, year, they hope to increase that viable technology.” // 40 41 months later, she was back in

MAGAZINE school, insisting to her incredulous teachers that she be allowed to take the level 5 (highest) matriculation A future in plain sight exams in math. WEIZMANN “The way I see it,” Sariel says, Sariel Salmon’s story of grace under fire “is that the surgeons were able to wake me up. That was my takeaway. by Dinah Elashvili Yes, I lost my sight, but so what? It was a happy ending: I was alive. The most important thing to me is Despite being plagued by health to continue being able to learn, to

STUDENTS famous Jewish proverb states: “I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.” issues since infancy, Sariel has give back to people, to do good for unflaggingly pursued her dreams, others. And I was determined to do Few people embody this sentiment with as determined to turn her hardships that with or without my sight.” A into opportunities. When she was Since the surgery, Sariel’s much earnestness as 28-year-old Sariel Salmon, a just a year old, she was diagnosed ability to see oscillates—from Prof. Ehud Ahissar recent Weizmann Institute MSc graduate, who at with hydrocephalus—a condition being able to only make out vague in which cerebrospinal fluid splotches of color to being able to It was a research focus which involved riding bicycles in the age of 16 woke up from a surgery to find herself accumulates within the brain, read some words if the letters are that was driven by her own the total dark. Through it, we got completely blind. causing increased pressure large enough. circumstances. Her childhood a better understanding of how inside the skull. This required the doctor took a scientific approach much courage it takes to live as placement of a shunt that would Brightening the lab to his treatment of her condition Sariel. Yet, the greatest ‘Sariel drain the excess fluid from her in a way that fascinated her; she experience’ for me is the science brain to her intra-abdominal cavity. After completing high school and credits his quick instincts and she produces. She allows herself It was the first of several emergency her national service, Sariel went on ability to think outside the box for no concessions and the results are operations she would have to to study biology and physics at the keeping her alive. During one of always exceptional.” undergo. While this is a routine Hebrew University of Jerusalem. her surgeries, she was exhibiting Sariel expresses her procedure today, at the time of her She used software programs that all the symptoms of high pressure appreciation and gratitude to the first surgery 26 years ago, the risk read out her course material for her, in the brain, but when her doctor Weizmann Institute for providing was very high and survival rate was and paid friends and colleagues to saw that the correlating treatment her with the means and resources extremely low. read material out loud to her. Many made her situation deteriorate to conduct her studies. Her condition brought with it of them became her best friends, rapidly, he quickly switched tactics “The Weizmann Institute has a slew of physical impairments— and even one of them—another and treated her for the opposite always been there for me,” Sariel including limited motion on the undergraduate physics student, problem, saving her life. says. “Anything I needed—all I had right side of her body, an inability Ben—became her husband. Ben to walk, and bouts of intense volunteered to help Sariel read vertigo. It also meant repeated her math material for her physics “I feel like it is my duty to tell my story, to inspire trips to the hospital throughout her courses, and they quickly became childhood and adolescence in order best friends. One night, after ten others to change their perception to make the most to replace the shunt. months of close friendship, they of their lives,” says Sariel. But for Sariel, her main found themselves outside the library concern was continuing the in Givat Ram trying to see if Sariel schoolwork and extracurricular could see the light from the stars. During her master’s studies, to do was ask and they supplied activities which meant everything “It was a very romantic move Sariel gave birth to her first child, it. They provided me with a to her. A star pupil in school who on Ben’s part,” Sariel reminisces. and completed her degree with a disability-friendly apartment close volunteered with Magen David “And our friendship blossomed into 95% grade average. She continues to campus. They made completing Adom and the city youth council, a relationship.” to work in the Ahissar lab as a lab my coursework and research as Sariel was an extremely active After graduating from the technician, and is contemplating obstacle-free as possible. It is girl. Hebrew University, Sariel and pursuing her PhD. an amazing place to work. And Then, at 16, she suddenly Ben both came to the Weizmann “When Sariel first came the rest: It’s all about having a slipped into a coma. A subsequent Institute in 2016 to pursue their to my lab, it felt like the light positive outlook. Einstein said: surgery woke her up, but at the cost MSc. While Ben studied physics that she had been denied was ‘In the middle of difficulties lies S

of her sight. During the operation, education, Sariel joined Prof. Ehud instead radiating from her, opportunity.’ This is what I try to • the visual processing center of Ahissar’s lab in the Department of brightening the whole lab,” live by. I feel it is my duty to tell my her brain had been accidentally Neurobiology, where she studied says Prof. Ahissar. “Our team story, to inspire others to change מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 damaged, resulting in permanent how rodents use their whiskers to performed an exercise that we their perception and make the most 19 № Sariel Salmon on graudation day blindness. And yet, a mere two perceive their environment. named the ‘Sariel experience,’ of their lives.” // 42 43 digital capabilities that make Mighty and modular

MAGAZINE it possible to observe space in a way that has never been possible The Negev observatory consists Ground control to major before. of arrays of multiple off-the-shelf The new set-up will allow small telescopes coupled with

WEIZMANN scientists to scan an extremely wide commercially available and highly swath of the Universe very quickly, sensitive detectors. The system’s discoveries and to gather data with three to unique potential stems from its four times more efficiency than is modularity—which will allow a Weizmann’s new observatory in the Negev currently possible using the world’s steady increase in power as new most powerful survey telescopes. nodes are added—as well as from “Our systems’ advanced original algorithms that allow capabilities are ideal for Weizmann astrophysicists to store Prof. Eran Ofek identifying signatures of hard- and analyze the immense data sets to-track celestial events, like the generated by their observations. of optical fibers developed at the gravitational waves produced Weizmann scientists are Weizmann Institute. when neutron stars merge,” currently advancing three f The Weizmann Fast says Prof. Eran Ofek of the WAO systems: Astronomical Survey UPDATES ON THE FLAGSHIPS THE ON UPDATES Department of Particle Physics Telescope (W-FAST) is a and Astrophysics who, together ground-based system that with his departmental colleague captures 25 images per second, Dr. Sagi Ben-Ami, is leading the allowing the detection of previ- WAO effort. “The success of this ously unknown phenomena. project may mark a new era in observational astrophysics.” The W-FAST system is already The observatory will in use; LAST and LAST-Spec help advance the research of are set to be completed and Dr. Ben-Ami, a Weizmann-trained become operational in 2021 and scientist who recently joined the 2022 respectively. Institute faculty after completing postdoctoral research at Harvard Seeking answers University. Dr. Ben-Ami’s main in the stars research interest is the search for Prof. Avishay Gal-Yam exoplanets that orbit white dwarfs— When the Negev observatory is fully stars that are farther along in their f The Large Array Survey operational, studies by multiple by Sandy Cash evolution than our Sun, and which Telescope (LAST) is a Weizmann research groups are have the potential to be orbited by 48-telescope array capable of expected to help answer some of the t the Weizmann Institute of new type of star observatory, based more specific areas of the night sky,” planets that support life. “Within sampling an unprecedented most pressing questions in physics Science, experts in particle on novel, modular technologies says Prof. Avishay Gal-Yam of the three years of operation, our new 355 squared degrees of the and astrophysics: What is the nature A physics and astrophysics pioneered by Weizmann Department of Particle Physics and observatory will increase the night sky, or observing a of gravity? How did the “stuff” of are driving forward Frontiers astrophysicists. Astrophysics, who, as Chair of the observed sample by a factor of 30, single, constrained point. Once the Universe—from heavy elements of the Universe, a flagship The observatory’s Institute’s Physics Core Facilities, which will greatly boost the rate of constructed, it will be the most like gold, to stars, solar systems, and initiative that will launch a new infrastructure, featuring dozens is overseeing WAO’s development. exoplanet detection,” he says. powerful survey telescope in galaxies—come into being? How generation of scientific space of telescopic components linked “We believe that, once fully the world, with the potential might we identify massive asteroids missions and integrate the together, will make it possible operational, the observatory will to increase in power as new that could crash into Earth and research continuum stretching to scan the visible Universe at mark a major step forward in modules are added. trigger global catastrophe? What from cosmology—the origin of extremely high temporal resolution, ground-based observation.” f The LAST-Spec is a tool that does the Oort Cloud—a belt of comets the Universe’s development—to and to track quick-developing more than doubles the efficiency beyond our solar system’s furthest the behavior of fundamental celestial events. Findings achieved Seeing more, for less of conventional spectrographs. planets—reveal about how our solar particles in both inner and outer using these platforms are expected Capable of quickly system was formed? What is the fate space. A critical component of the to set the agenda for astrophysics Ground-based observatories are characterizing the nature of of planets orbiting evolved stars? Is Frontiers project is the Weizmann researchers worldwide. typically expensive, with the newest radiation emanating from an there life elsewhere in the Universe, Astrophysical Observatory (WAO), “This new facility will push the ones costing in excess of one billion astronomical source, LAST-Spec and if so, where? S

now under construction in Israel’s envelope of astrophysics discovery, dollars. But recent technological will be the first spectrograph in The Weizmann Institute also • Negev Desert. thanks to a modular design that advances by Weizmann researchers the world that is distributed— plans to construct a visitors’ center Located near picturesque makes it possible to easily expand have made it possible to achieve that is, based on multiple linked at Neot Smadar that will host מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Kibbutz Neot Smadar, the WAO capabilities, and also move a significant improvement in small telescopes, coupled educational programs and public 19 № has a “wow factor”: it is an entirely components to capture larger or cost-effectiveness, while delivering Dr. Sagi Ben Ami together through a novel system events. // 44 45 Here is a sampling of use of real-time displays of brain

MAGAZINE neurobiological quandaries activity to ‘rewire’ problematic Weizmann scientists are working neural circuits. to solve today. Imagine how much How can we encourage the more we can do in the Institute for brain to dissolve toxic amyloid

WEIZMANN Brain and Neural Sciences. tangles? How do we learn the rules of Structural biochemist Dr. Rina behavior and gain confidence Rosenzweig is borrowing that we know what we’re organic chemistry expertise doing? from Dr. Nir London to address Prof. Noam Sobel Prof. Rony Paz, a systems this neurodegeneration- neuroscientist trained in causing scourge. Profs. Eran Hornstein and F lagships mathematics, joins forces How does the brain regulate Doron Lancet are participating

the with Prof. Elad Schneidman, a body weight? in an international consortium computational neuroscientist Dr. Ivo Spiegel lent his expertise to identify gene variants that on with expertise in physics. in the impact of experience on heighten the risk for ALS. Can we see neurotransmitters brain function to molecular What are the mechanisms flow between neurons? geneticist Prof. Ari Elson in a of neural circuit U pdates Prof. Ofer Yizhar, a pioneer in study of how fat cell hormones development? the use of optogenetics to study communicate with the brain. Neurodevelopment and neural circuitry, is working How can we harness the with Dr. Assaf Tal, a chemical brain’s own immune physicist with expertise in cells–microglia—to combat magnetic resonance imaging at neurodegeneration? an atomic level. The lab groups of Prof. Tali What role does the brainstem Kimchi, Prof. Igor Ulitsky, and play in regulating stress? Prof. Ido Amit pooled their Neuroscientists Profs. knowledge to characterize Menahem Segal and Alon microglia structure and The new nerve center Chen are teaming up with genetic activity across Prof. Ayelet Erez, an expert 10 species spanning more than in pediatric oncology and 450 million years of evolution. Dr. Rina Rosenzweig metabolic diseases. Can we reverse the cognitive Can we monitor metabolism deficits of Alzheimer’s regeneration experts Profs. for neuroscience as the brain develops? disease? Oren Schuldiner and Avraham Molecular geneticist Prof. Orly Prof. Ido Amit and Yaron are tackling this complex Collaborations will drive discovery in the Reiner has teamed up with Prof. Emeritus Michal Schwartz question together. Prof. Noam Sobel and Dr. Rita identified a type of immune How do dopamine-producing Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences Schmidt from Weizmann’s microglial cell capable of neurons in the retina function Azrieli National Institute controlling neurodegeneration in health and in Parkinson’s by Anne Sperling for Human Brain Imaging and countering disease? and Research. cognitive impairment. Drs. Michal Rivlin and Meital Can we visualize Are there genes we can target Oren-Suissa are uniting their o answer the most complex questions in the field of neuroscience is to wrap neurofeedback in action? for personalized treatment of expertise to elucidate a better one’s hands around some of the biggest questions in biology, chemistry, physics, New scientist Dr. Michal Ramot amyotrophic lateral sclerosis understanding of human vision is also working with the Azrieli (ALS)? as it relates to this debilitating T computer science, mathematics, and more—because so many fields have a National Institute to improve the disease. // winding or direct path to brain science. How best to take on this enormous task can be found in multidisciplinary collaboration, which lies at the heart of the planned Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences. This flagship project will include a state-of- the-art facility designed to encourage a fusion of expertise across a range of fields S

•

and areas of emphasis—both within the Department of Neurobiology and among

מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 the many Weizmann scientists outside the department whose non-neuroscientific 19 № expertise can provide the perfect complement for the task.

46 47 MAGAZINE WEIZMANN ART AND SCIENCE

Michael Druks / Zoom Out sraeli-born artist Michael require the viewer’s time and active Says Druks, “I insert several Druks, who lives in London, participation. His work has been points of focus in the painting, I is well-known for his print exhibited around the world. which enable the viewers to own Druksland: Physical and Weizmann Institute curator the work, position it in the context Social (1974). A conceptual map, it Yivsam Azgad brought the Druks that seems appropriate to them, is an iconic image in both Israeli “Zoom Out” exhibit to the Stone and follow the lines and color fields and international art, and has been Administration Building on in many directions, beyond the featured in numerous exhibitions, campus in February. One of the painting itself. That is, the painting books, magazines, and beyond, paintings is shown here. contains several clues that allow including the “Map, Map on the This series of paintings the viewers to add on to it—to insert wall exhibition, in the Arthur (oil and ink on thin cardboard), within it—their own context, and and Rochelle Belfer Building was created as an experiment thus create meaning for themselves. S

for Biomedical Research on designed to investigate to what If and when this happens, the • campus. In recent decades, he has extent the exhibit’s visitors would viewers give the ‘system’ a time concentrated primarily on painting, be willing to linger and invest in dimension.” // מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 making works he says are “details thinking through the meaning of 19 № detached from a context” that each painting.

48 49 MAGAZINE

Thank you to our supporters LIST DONOR

f Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley WEIZMANN Oded Aharonson Alon Chen Charitable Trust f Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for f Minerva Center for Life Under Extreme f Vera and John Schwartz Professorial the Biology of Aging Planetary Conditions Chair in Neurobiology f Daniel Morris Trust f Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program f Bruno Licht f Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Center for f Sonia T. Marschak Life Sciences Research f Ruhman Family Laboratory for Research f Vera and John L. Schwartz Uri Alon in the Neurobiology of Stress f Swiss Society Institute for Cancer

IN MEMORIAMIN f Abisch-Frenkel Professorial Chair Prevention Research f Madame Olga Klein-Astrachan Rony Dahan f Vainboim Family f Braginsky Center for the Interface f Hanna and Dr. Ludwik Wallach Cancer Prof. Nir Friedman between Science and the Humanities f Miel de Botton Research Fund f f European Research Council Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg f Pearl Welinsky Merlo Foundation Foundation Scientific Progress Research Fund f Kahn Family Research Center for 1968–2021 f Enoch Foundation Systems Biology of the Human Cell f White Rose International Foundation f Rina Gudinski Career Development f analyst in the Life Sciences Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Center for Chair rof. Nir Friedman of the Department of Life Sciences Research Core Facilities. f Elie Hirschfeld and Dr. Sarah Schlesinger Ari Elson f “Nir had the courage to Rising Tide Foundation Immunology passed away on February 19, after f Mexican Association of Friends of f Marshall and Renette Ezralow f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research a two-decade long battle with cancer. A physicist follow his heart and study the the Weizmann Institute Professorial Chair P most chaotic and complex f Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program f Moross Integrated Cancer Center f Lord David Alliance, CBE and systems immunologist, he shed new light on systems, namely the human f Howard and Janet Rothenberg Pack f Dr. Chantal d’Adesky Scheinberg immune system,” said Endowment Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Ido Amit and Parkinson’s Research the abnormalities leading to immune disorders and Prof. Uri Alon, a good friend f Kekst Family Institute for Medical f Genetics and long-time colleague, from f Eden and Steven Romick Professorial Ira and Diana Riklis Fund for CAR-T to cancer, making significant advances in how we Therapy the Department of Molecular Chair f Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for f Rising Tide Foundation the Biology of Aging understand, treat, and diagnose autoimmune diseases Cell Biology. f Adelis Foundation f David E. Stone and Sheri Hirschfield A close collaborator of f and metastatic cancer. Miel de Botton Stone 75th Anniversary Fund Prof. Friedman, Prof. Benny f Joel and Mady Dukler Fund for Cancer Ayelet Erez Chain, professor of immunology Research f Blumberg Family Research Fellow Chair Husband to Ofra and father of during the aging process, he at the University College f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg Ron Diskin in Honor of Talia Lynn Steckman three children, Prof. Friedman was studied the immune system London (who is also a Trustee Foundation f Ernst I Ascher Foundation f Koret Foundation born in Tel Aviv, and completed a in depth. He also developed of Weizmann UK), said, “Nir f Garvan Weizmann Partnership f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg f Moross Integrated Cancer Center BSc in physics and mathematics new research tools including a combined an extraordinary f The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center Foundation for the Biology of Aging f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research (1989) in the prestigious Talpiot fluorescent microscopy method clarity and originality of thought, f Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Center for f Manya and Adolph Zarovinsky program at the Hebrew University that makes it possible to track the with an honesty, integrity and f Moross Integrated Cancer Center Life Sciences Research of Jerusalem. He received his MSc behavior of individual immune generosity. His bravery in the face f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research f Dr. and Mrs. Donald Rivin in physics from Tel Aviv University, cells in real time, as well as of adversity, and his unfailing f Richard & Jacqui Scheinberg f Natan Sharansky Zelig Eshhar and then went on to earn his PhD in methods to analyze properties of T energy, enthusiasm and positive f Thompson Family Foundation f Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for f Ira and Diana Riklis Fund for CAR-T physics in 2001 at Weizmann. After cells and their receptors. attitude were a true inspiration to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Fund Medicinal Chemistry Therapy a four-year postdoctoral fellowship He worked with clinicians to all who knew him.” f Vainboim Family at Harvard University, he returned understand how T cells participate “Throughout over a decade of f Wolfson Family Charitable Trust & to Weizmann’s Department of in the body’s response to pathogens, collaboration,” said Prof. Benny Wolfson Foundation Eran Elinav Nir Friedman Immunology in 2007. such as viruses, bacteria, and Geiger, Head of the Department f Sir Marc and Lady Tania Feldmann f Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Prof. Friedman combined other microorganisms, as well as of Immunology, “we were Professorial Chair of Immunology Professorial Chair novel experimental tools to malfunctioning cells of the body, all fascinated by his unique Sagi Ben-Ami f Adelis Foundation f Florence Blau, Morris Blau & Rose Peterson Fund with powerful computational such as cancerous cells. personality, which combined a f Azrieli Foundation f Norman E Alexander Family M approaches. From the development “Nir cherished the huge heart, brilliant intellect, and Foundation Coronavirus Research Fund f Morris Kahn Institute for Human f André Deloro Institute for Advanced Immunology of the immune system during interdisciplinary, collaborative deep cross-disciplinary vision, with Research in Space and Optics f Harold Altman Charitable Trust

SPRING 2021 f Kahn Family Research Center for the preterm (pregnancy), to the atmosphere at Weizmann, and the gentle and genuine modesty that f Aryeh and Ido Dissentshik Career f Alex Davidoff • Systems Biology of the Human Cell role of T cells in type 1 diabetes, incredibly warm friendship and touched everyone who interacted Development Chair f Miel de Botton f Dr. Dvora and Haim Teitelbaum autoimmune diseases, and other support of the campus community, with him.” // f Peter and Patricia Gruber Award f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg Endowment Fund מכון ויצמן למדע Foundation 19 № diseases including cancer, to the which was significant for both f Willner Family Leadership Institute for f Pearl Welinsky Merlo Foundation changing immune cell landscape of us.” says Ofra, a bioimaging — by Jennifer Racz the Weizmann Institute of Science f European Research Council Scientific Progress Research Fund

50 51 f Stuart and Rona Wolf Research Fund f European Research Council f Wolfson Family Charitable Trust & f Irving B. Harris Fund for New Directions f Brenden-Mann Women’s Innovation f Madame Olga Klein - Astrachan Wolfson Foundation in Brain Research Impact Fund f Scott Eric Jordan f Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for MAGAZINE f Celia Zwillenberg- Fridman f Monroy-Marks Integrative Center for f Richard F. Goodman Yale/Weizmann Stem Cell Research f Estate of Emile Mimran Brain Disorder Research Exchange Program Assaf Gal f Rising Tide Foundation f Dr. Scholl Foundation Center for Water f Bernard & Norton Wolf Family f The Irving B. Harris Fund for New f Abramson Family Center for Young and Climate Research Foundation Directions in Brain Research f Rose Family Fund for Crohn’s and Colitis Scientists Ron Milo Research f Sussman Family Center for the Study of WEIZMANN f M. Judith Ruth Center for Trauma and f Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for f Sir Charles Clore Research Prize Environmental Sciences f Sherri and Dr. Brian Altman Anxiety Research Stem Cell Research f Yotam Project f Lord Sieff of Brimpton Memorial Fund f Mary and Tom Beck - Canadian Center f Katy and Gary Leff for Alternative Energy Research Yardena Samuels f Yotam Project f M. Judith Ruth Institute for Preclinical f Miel de Botton Yitzhak Pilpel Brain Research f Knell Family Professorial Chair ist Avi Levy L f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg f Ben May Professorial Chair f Flora Schvartzman f Fundación Ramón Areces Avishay Gal-Yam f Gilbert de Botton Professorial Chair of Foundation f Azrieli Institute for Systems Biology f Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Biology f Jacques Asseoff Trust Plant Sciences f Charles and Louise Gartner Professorial onor f Norman E Alexander Family M Endowment f Jean-Jacques Brunschwig Fund for D Chair f Braginsky Center for the Interface Foundation ULTRASAT Data Center Fund f Y. Leon Benoziyo Institute for Molecular between Science and the Humanities the Molecular Genetics of Cancer Medicine f Sonia T. Marschak f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for f European Research Council f Miel de Botton the Advancement of Science f Hadar Impact Fund f Seed for Peace, Inc./Tova Leidesdorf Michal Rivlin f Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for f Erica Drake Fund f Dana and Yossie Hollander f André Deloro Institute for Advanced f Yotam Project Molecular Genetics f Dr. Daniel C. Andreae Research in Space and Optics f Estate of Mady Dukler f Madame Olga Klein - Astrachan f Kahn Family Research Center for f Consolidated Anti-Aging Foundation f Veronika A. Rabl Physics Discretionary f EKARD Institute for Cancer Diagnosis f Dr. Erhard, Emmi and Fred Loewinsohn Systems Biology of the Human Cell Research Fund Center for Pediatric Health f Sara Lee Schupf Family Chair Eran Ofek f Helen and Martin Kimmel Award for f f f Estate of Adrian Finer Schwartz/Reisman Collaborative f Estate of Emile Mimran Innovative Investigation Rolf Wiklund and Alice Wiklund Science Program f Richard F. Goodman Yale/Weizmann Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund f Green Family Charitable Foundation f Erika Mogyoros Exchange Program f Estate of Emile Mimran f Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust f Laboratory in the name of M.E.H f Tom and Sondra Rykoff Bioinformatics f Helen Kimmel Center for Planetary f Sharon Zuckerman Laboratory for Fund established by Margot and Ernst Eran Hornstein Facility for Plant Sciences Science Research in Systems Biology Hamburger f Dora Yoachimowicz Endowed Fund for f Schwartz/Reisman Collaborative Rina Rosenzweig f Moross Integrated Cancer Center f Mondry Family Professorial Chair Research Science Program f Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for f Abisch Frenkel Foundation for f Estate of Malka Moskowitz f Estate of Zvia Zeroni f Willner Family Leadership Institute for Michal Ramot Neurological Diseases the Weizmann Institute of Science the Promotion of Life Sciences f Karl-Johan Persson f UCLA/Weizmann Collaboration in Neuroscience f Azrieli Foundation f Rising Tide Foundation Adi Kimchi Zvi Livneh f Blythe Brenden-Mann New Scientist f Wagner-Braunsberg Family Meital Oren-Suissa Fund Melanoma Research Fund f Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair of f Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for f Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Biomedical Research f Abramson Family Center for Young Shira Raveh-Rubin f Hanna and Dr. Ludwik Wallach Cancer Stem Cell Research Magnetic Resonance Research Research Fund f Herbert L. Janowsky Lung Cancer Scientists f Abramson Family Center for Young f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research Research Fund f Azrieli Foundation Scientists f Weizmann-Brazil Tumor Bank f Moross Integrated Cancer Center f Jenna and Julia Birnbach Family Career f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for the Advancement of Science Yinon Rudich Tali Kimchi f Mike and Valeria Rosenbloom Development Chair Foundation f Maggie Kaplan Research Fund/Judith f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for Avigdor Scherz f Irwin Green Alzheimer’s Research Fund the Advancement of Science f Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Kaplan f Steven B. Rubenstein Research Fund for f Estate of Emile Mimran f Samuil and Petr Polsky Prostate Cancer Neurological Diseases Leukemia and Other Blood Disorders f Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences f de Botton Center for Marine Science Research Fund and Magnetic Resonance Research f f Joan and Jonathan Birnbach Family f Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg f Thompson Family Foundation Laboratory Prevention Research Foundation Roee Ozeri f Sharon Zuckerman f The Irving B. Harris Fund for New f Wagner-Braunsberg Family f Paul and Tina Gardner Directions in Brain Research Melanoma Research Fund Ziv Reich f Crown Photonics Center f Nancy and Stephen Grand Research f Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for f Pearl Welinsky Merlo Foundation f J&R Center for Scientific Research f Hella and Derrick Kleeman Professorial Center for Sensors and Security Medicinal Chemistry Scientific Progress Research Fund Chair of Biochemistry Rita Schmidt f Rosa and Emilio Segre Research Award f Dana and Yossie Hollander f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for f Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences f Willner Family Leadership Institute for the Advancement of Science the Advancement of Science the Weizmann Institute of Science and Magnetic Resonance Research Yael Kiro Nir London f Sir Charles Clore Research Prize 2019 f EKARD Institute for Cancer Diagnosis f Helen Kimmel Center for Planetary Research f de Botton Center for Marine Science f Joel and Mady Dukler Fund for Cancer Science f Joyce Eisenberg Keefer and Mel Keefer Career Development Chair for New f Research f Dana and Yossie Hollander f Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Paul and Tina Gardner Rony Paz Scientists f Magnetic Resonance Research f Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences Israel Englander f Daniel Morris Trust f Manya Igel Chair of Neurobiology f Sara Z. de Usansky and Hinda Machesz and Magnetic Resonance Research f Estate of Raymond Lapon f Alan and Laraine Fischer Career f Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Center for Zalc Scheib f Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for f Development Chair Life Sciences Research f Seed for Peace Inc. Raymond Lapon Fund Neurosciences f Goldhirsh-Yellin Foundation f Isidore and Penny Myers Foundation f David and Fela Shapell Family Institute f Gary Clayman f Estate of Emile Mimran for Preclinical Studies f Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program Elad Schneidman f Rosanne Cohen Orly Reiner f Moross Integrated Cancer Center f Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program f Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Professorial f S Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Brain f Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Chair f Rising Tide Foundation

• Research Institute Neurological Diseases Ilan Koren f Honey and Dr. Barry Sherman Lab f Howard Garoon, Lisa Garoon, and Nanci f Bernstein-Mason Chair of Irit Sagi f Beck / Lebovic Chair for Research in f Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Garoon Leigner Neurochemistry מכון ויצמן למדע Maurizio Pontecorvo Professorial Chair Gideon Schreiber PRING 2021 Climate Change Medicinal Chemistry f 19 № f Murray H. & Meyer Grodetsky Center for f Irving Bieber, M.D. and Toby Bieber, M.D. f de Botton Center for Marine Science f Nelson P. Sirotsky Research of Higher Brain Functions Memorial Research Fund f Azrieli Foundation f Miel de Botton

52 53 f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg f Steven Gordon Family Foundation f Friends of Linda and Richard Price f Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson f Kekst Family Institute for Medical Foundation Career Development Chair Medical Research f Moross Integrated Cancer Center Assaf Vardi Genetics MAGAZINE f Rene and Tillie Molho Family Trust f Comisaroff Family Trust f Steven B. Rubenstein Research Fund for f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research f Bronfman Professorial Chair of Plant f Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for Science f Yotam Project Leukemia and Other Blood Disorders f Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program f Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy the Biology of Aging f de Botton Center for Marine Science Research f Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Center for f Moross Integrated Cancer Center f Scott Eric Jordan Life Sciences Research WEIZMANN Oren Schuldiner Aldo Shemesh Noam Stern-Ginossar f Estate of Emile Mimran f Sam and Jean Rothberg Charitable Foundation f David and Fela Shapell Family Center for f Professor Erwin Neter Professorial Chair f Barry Rymer Family Professorial Chair f Skirball Chair in New Scientists f Claire and Marc Perlman Genetic Disorders Research of Cell Biology f Marvin Tanner Laboratory for Research f de Botton Center for Marine Science f f American Committee for the Weizmann Willner Family Leadership Institute for on Cancer f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research the Weizmann Institute of Science f Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Biology f Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program Institute of Science 70th Anniversary Lab ist Endowment f David and Fela Shapell Family Center for L f Bernard & Norton Wolf Family Genetic Disorders Research f Miel de Botton Foundation Avraham Yaron f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg

onor Ziv Shulman

D Foundation f Jack and Simon Djanogly Professorial Ofer Yizhar f Chair of Biochemistry Michal Schwartz Azrieli Foundation f Estate of Emile Mimran Yosef Yarden f Adelis Brain Research Award f Miel de Botton f Brazilian Neuroscience Research Fund f Adelis Foundation f Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Biology f Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professorial Chair in Molecular Cell f Irving B. Harris Fund for New Directions f Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg Endowment Foundation Biology in Brain Research and Magnetic Resonance Research f Peggy and Paul Schachter f European Research Council f Thompson Family Foundation Alzheimer’s Disease Research Fund f Elie Hirschfeld and Dr. Sarah Schlesinger Ravid Straussman f Morris Kahn Institute for Human f Roel C. Buck Career Development Chair Immunology f Dr. Chantal d’Adesky Scheinberg f Moross Integrated Cancer Center Eran Segal Research Fund f Rising Tide Foundation f Miel de Botton f Miel de Botton f Crown Human Genome Center f Fabricant-Morse Families Research Fund f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg Noam Sobel for Humanity Foundation f Rising Tide Foundation f European Research Council f Sara and Michael Sela Professorial Chair of Neurobiology f Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Biology f Else Kroener Fresenius Foundation Endowment f Azrieli National Institute for Human f Larson Charitable Foundation New Brain Imaging and Research Scientist Fund f Miel de Botton f Aliza Moussaieff Assaf Tal f Estate of Nili Niusia Indursky f Fannie Sherr Fund f Nadia Jaglom Laboratory for f Monroy-Marks Career Development f White Rose International Foundation the Research in the Neurobiology of Chair Olfaction f Harold Perlman Family f Sonia T. Marschak Einat Segev f Rob and Cheryl McEwen Fund for Brain Research f Abramson Family Center for Young Amos Tanay Scientists f Barry and Janet Lang f Merle S. Cahn Foundation Rotem Sorek f Ilana and Pascal Mantoux Institute for f Miel de Botton Bioinformatics f Miel de Botton f de Botton Center for Marine Science f Wolfson Family Charitable Trust and f Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg f Angel Faivovich Foundation for Foundation Wolfson Foundation Ecological Research f Knell Family Center for Microbiology f Peter and Patricia Gruber Award f Sagol Weizmann-MIT Bridge Program f Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Igor Ulitsky Foundation f Schwartz/Reisman Collaborative Science Program f Abisch Frenkel Foundation for f Ullmann Family Foundation the Promotion of Life Sciences f Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for f Yotam Project Medicinal Chemistry f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for f Willner Family Leadership Institute for the Advancement of Science Idit Shachar the Weizmann Institute of Science f Blavatnik Award f Yotam Project f Miel de Botton f Dr. Morton & Anne Kleiman Professorial Chair f European Research Council

S f Benoziyo Endowment Fund for Ivo Spiegel f Minna-James Heineman Stiftung

• the Advancement of Science f Dan C. Andreae Laboratory f Katy and Gary Leff f Judy and Bernard Briskin Multiple Myeloma Research Project f Estate of Lola Asseof for Alzheimer’s f Sagol Institute for Longevity Research מכון ויצמן למדע PRING 2021 Disease Research 19 № f Richard F. Goodman Yale/Weizmann f Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Biology Exchange Program f Bob and Nita Hirsch Family Foundation Endowment

54 55 MAGAZINE Antibody [an-ti-bä-dē] Noun, a substance produced by special cells of the body that counteracts the effects of a disease germ or its poisons WEIZMANN

Antibodies attacking the SARS-CoV-2 virus