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Author: Hilary

Triple TAU Honor: Professor Michal Feldman Wins Third ERC Grant

Written by Hilary on . Posted in Newsroom.

An outstanding milestone in economics and computer science research.

Professor Michal Feldman, a leading expert in Algorithmic Game Theory from the Blavatnik School of Computer Science at Tel Aviv University, has achieved a remarkable milestone: she has been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant for the third time. Recognized for her groundbreaking achievements, she was also named LaIsha magazine’s “Woman of the Week”, celebrating her exceptional contributions to science and academia.

Third Time’s a Charm

Winning an ERC grant three times is an extraordinary achievement, reflecting Professor Feldman’s exceptional contributions to research at the crossroads of economics and computer science.

The European Research Council (ERC), one of the most competitive and prestigious funding bodies globally, recognizes visionary researchers who push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.

This €2 million grant will support Professor Feldman’s latest project, which explores the theoretical foundations of “Algorithmic Contract Theory.” This emerging field bridges economics, game theory, and computer science to develop algorithms that incentivize cooperation while balancing economic and computational efficiency. Her work addresses critical challenges and opportunities in digital platforms, including e-commerce, online advertising, carpooling, and freelancing.

Prof. Michal Feldman. TAU Excellence.

Exploring the Frontiers of Algorithmic Contract Theory
Professor Feldman’s third ERC grant will fund her latest project, which explores the theoretical foundations of “Algorithmic Contract Theory”. This emerging field bridges economics, game theory, and computer science, focusing on developing algorithms that incentivize cooperation while balancing economic and computational efficiency. Her research tackles real-world challenges in digital platforms, including e-commerce, online advertising, carpooling, and freelancing.

A Global Leader in Research
A globally renowned researcher, Professor Feldman is the President of ACM SIGecom, a member of both the Israeli and Global Young Academies, and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Bruno Award and the ACM SIGecom Mid-Career Award.

Professor Feldman underscores the vital role of academic freedom in driving scientific excellence, which serves as a cornerstone of Israel’s economic, cultural, and security resilience. Her triple ERC grant achievement cements her status as a pioneer in her field and a shining example of academic and scientific excellence.

Why Is There No Cave Art in Israel’s Ancient Caves?

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Research suggests: extinct animals explain Israel’s lack of cave art.

For over a century, archaeologists have puzzled over the absence of cave art in the Levant in general, and specifically in Israel. Clearly, the reason is not a lack of caves, knowledge, or artistic skill. Now, a team of archaeologists from Tel Aviv University proposes an original explanation: prehistoric humans in the Levant did not create cave paintings because many large animals, the subjects of cave art in Western Europe, were already extinct here – so there was no need to try to depict them for shamanic rituals held deep within caves.

The study was published in an editorial article of the Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society, authored by a team of researchers from Tel Aviv University’s Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology & Ancient Near Eastern Cultures: Prof. Ran Barkai, Dr. Ilan Dagoni, Dr. Miki Ben-Dor, and Dr. Yafit Kedar.

Prof. Ran Barkai.

The enigma of missing cave art in Israel

“This is a century-old mystery in Israeli archaeological research”, says Prof. Barkai. “The first prehistoric cave excavation in Israel took place in 1925, but frustratingly, not a single cave painting has been found since. In other parts of the world, such as Spain and France, hundreds of spectacular cave paintings have been discovered. Here, nothing. Israel certainly has caves, and many were inhabited by humans during the same period when cave paintings were created in Western Europe – 35,000 to 30,000 years ago. Moreover, according to all material evidence, the people in both regions belonged to the same culture – the Aurignacian culture. Their tools were similar, and their artistic objects, beads and pendants, for example, were also similar. There is no doubt that humans here had the cognitive ability to paint and were no less capable than their European contemporaries”. The mystery around the absence of cave paintings in the Levant grew in recent years, as numerous studies showed that Aurignacian humans in the Levant and Europe were not only biologically and culturally similar, but also maintained contact with each other.

“These were Homo sapiens, modern humans, who probably left Africa 60,000 to 70,000 years ago”, says Prof. Barkai.

Prof. Barkai continues: “They passed through the Levant around 60,000 years ago and arrived in Europe approximately 45,000 years ago. However, new archaeological evidence shows that some returned to Israel, meaning that the migration wasn’t one-way. It seems that humans here and there kept in touch, migrating back and forth – and yet there are cave paintings in Europe and none here. To solve this mystery, we must first answer another big and much-debated question:  Why did humans in Europe paint on cave walls in the first place? We support the hypothesis that cave paintings were created as part of shamanic rituals involving altered states of consciousness, intended to convey messages to entities beyond the cave walls, in underworlds regarded as the source of abundance – asking for solutions to the extinction of large animals on which humans depended for survival”.

Reconstruction of elephant hunting using spears.

What inspired cave art?

According to the researchers, soon after modern humans first came to Europe, large animals such as woolly mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses began to disappear. These were large, fat-rich animals that prehistoric humans in Europe and elsewhere relied on as their primary food source. Watching these populations diminish, worried prehistoric Europeans ventured deep into caves and painted large animals on their walls. The practice of cave painting came to an end more or less when Europe’s large animals became completely extinct.

“It’s important to understand that cave paintings are found in many cases deep within caves – in places that are difficult and even dangerous to access. We also know from indigenous societies living today that the depths of caves are perceived as gateways to the underworld – a realm of abundance and the source of all things. Therefore, it is customary to appeal to entities from the other side in times of trouble, such as illness or inner conflict. We argue that humans in Europe went deep into caves and painted the vanishing large animals to ask these entities to bring them back, emphasizing their own dependence on large game for their survival. In Israel, we do not find such paintings because when Homo sapiens arrived the large animals were already extinct – eradicated by earlier types of humans. Here, with elephants and rhinoceroses all gone, Homo sapiens were forced to hunt smaller, faster animals. The people who migrated to Europe, on the other hand, found large game once again – woolly mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses. The newly arrived humans felt they had entered paradise, and the animals’ subsequent dwindling, in front of their very eyes, plunged them into a crisis that resulted in cave paintings. Prehistoric humans in Israel experienced no such crisis, only continuity, which is why we don’t see cave paintings here. Their anxieties were different than those of their European counterparts, and so were their rituals. This hypothesis supports our broader thesis that prehistoric humans were aware of their role in the extinction of their food sources”.

 

Can Foreign DNA Outsmart Bacterial Defenses?

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A step toward combating resistance and manipulating bacteria

A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals how bacterial defense mechanisms can be neutralized, enabling the efficient transfer of genetic material between bacteria. The researchers believe this discovery could pave the way for developing tools to address the antibiotic resistance crisis and promote more effective genetic manipulation methods for medical, industrial, and environmental purposes. The study was led by PhD student Bruria Samuel from the lab of Prof. David Burstein at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research at Tel Aviv University’s Wise Faculty of Life Sciences. Other contributors to the research include Dr. Karin Mittelman, Shirly Croitoru, and Maya Ben-Haim from Prof. Burstein’s lab. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature.

The researchers explain that genetic diversity is essential for the survival and adaptation of different species in response to environmental changes. For humans and many other organisms, sexual reproduction is the primary driver of the genetic diversity required for survival. However, bacteria and other microorganisms lack such a reproduction mechanism. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by the alarming speed at which antibiotic resistance spreads among bacterial populations, bacteria have alternative mechanisms to maintain the genetic diversity necessary for survival, including the direct DNA transfer between bacteria.

DNA transfer between bacteria plays a crucial role in their survival. Yet, a key aspect of this process has remained underexplored: how is the exchange of genetic material so prevalent despite bacteria having a wide range of defense mechanisms designed to destroy any foreign genetic material entering their cells? The new research focuses on “conjugation”, one of the main mechanisms for transferring DNA from one bacterium to another. During conjugation, one bacterial cell connects directly to another through a tiny tube that allows the transfer of genetic material fragments known as plasmids. Prof. Burstein explains: “Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules classified as ‘mobile genetic elements.’ Like viruses, plasmids move from one cell to another, but unlike viruses, they do not need to kill the host bacterium to complete the transfer”.

Plasmids That Outsmart Bacterial Defenses

As part of the natural exchange, plasmids often give recipient bacteria genetic advantages. For example, many antibiotic-resistance genes spread through plasmid transfer between bacteria. However, bacteria also have numerous defense mechanisms aimed at eliminating any foreign DNA entering their cells. “Conjugation is a well-known process that scientists also use in the lab to transfer genes between bacteria. It’s also known that bacteria possess mechanisms to destroy foreign DNA, including plasmid DNA, and some of these mechanisms are even used for various research purposes. However, until now, no one has fully explored how plasmids overcome these defense mechanisms”, says Prof. Burstein. Samuel explains that she began the research by conducting a computational analysis of 33,000 plasmids and identifying genes associated with ‘anti-defense’ systems that help plasmids bypass bacterial defense mechanisms. What was even more interesting was the location of these genes. As mentioned, plasmids are double-stranded circular DNA segments. To pass through the thin tube that connects the bacteria, one of those circular strands is cut at a certain point by a protein, which then binds to the cleaved strand and initiates its transfer to the recipient cell. “The genes for the anti-defense systems that I identified were found to be concentrated near that cutting point, and organized in such a manner that they would be the first genes to enter the new cell. This strategic positioning allows the genes to be activated immediately upon transfer, giving the plasmid the advantage needed to neutralize the recipient bacteria’s defense systems”.

Left to right: Prof. David Burstein & PhD student Bruria Samuel.

Prof. Burstein recounts how, when Samuel first showed him her results, he found it hard to believe that such a phenomenon had not been identified before. “Bruria conducted an extensive literature review and found that no one had previously made this connection,” he says. Since the discovery was made by analyzing existing databases with computational tools, the next step was to demonstrate in the lab that this phenomenon indeed occurs during plasmid transfer between bacteria. Samuel explains, “To do this, we used plasmids that confer antibiotic resistance and introduced them into bacteria equipped with CRISPR, the well-known bacterial defense system that can target and destroy DNA, including that of plasmids. This method allowed us to easily test the conditions under which the plasmid could overcome the defense system — if it succeeds in overcoming the CRISPR system, the recipient bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. If it fails, the bacteria die”. Using this method, Samuel demonstrated that if the anti-defense genes are positioned near the DNA entry point, the plasmid successfully overcomes the CRISPR system. However, if these genes are located elsewhere on the plasmid, the CRISPR system destroys the plasmid, and the bacteria die upon exposure to antibiotics.

How Can Gene Transfers Be Improved?

Prof. Burstein notes that understanding the positioning of anti-defense systems on plasmids could enable the identification of new anti-defense genes, a subject currently under highly active research. “Moreover, our study can contribute to designing more efficient plasmids for genetic manipulation of bacteria in industrial processes. While plasmids are already widely used for these purposes, the efficiency of plasmid-based genetic transfer in lab conditions is significantly lower than that of natural plasmids,” he says. “Another potential application could involve designing effective plasmids for genetic manipulation of natural bacterial populations. This could help block antibiotic resistance genes in hospital bacterial populations, teach bacteria in soil and water to break down pollutants or fix carbon dioxide, and even manipulate gut bacteria to improve human health”.

Ramot, Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company, regards this discovery as a significant biotechnological breakthrough with broad applications. Dr. Ronen Kreizman, CEO of Ramot, states: “First, I want to congratulate Prof. David Burstein and his lab team on this fascinating scientific discovery. The new research opens revolutionary possibilities in areas such as developing drugs against resistant bacteria, synthetic biology, agritech and foodtech. The ability to control and fine-tune genetic material transfer between bacteria could become a powerful tool for addressing environmental, agricultural, and medical challenges. We are currently working on commercializing this technology to realize its full potential”.

Mystery in the Stones: The Truth About Rujm el-Hiri

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Geodynamic shifts challenge Rujm el-Hiri’s role as an ancient observatory.

A new study by Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev reveals groundbreaking findings about the famous Rujm el-Hiri site (known as the “Wheel of Ghosts”) in the Golan Heights. Based on geomagnetic analysis and tectonic reconstruction, the researchers determined that geodynamic movement over 150 million years, at an average rate of 8–15 mm per year, caused significant shifts in the ground, rotating and reorienting it over millennia. This finding challenges the widely held theory that the structure was used as an astronomical observatory, as the original alignment of the walls and entrances does not correspond to celestial observations, as previously hypothesized.

The study was led by a research team headed by Dr. Olga Khabarova and Prof. Lev Eppelbaum of the Department of Geophysics at the Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with Dr. Michal Birkenfeld of the Department of Archaeology at Ben-Gurion University. The article was published in the prestigious journal Remote Sensing.

Left to right: Dr. Olga Khabarova & Prof. Lev Eppelbaum.

The researchers employed geophysical methods and remote sensing techniques to demonstrate that Rujm el-Hiri’s current orientation differs from its original position due to thousands of years of geodynamic shifts. This discovery raises new questions regarding the site’s possible identification as an observatory. The team conducted initial mapping and documentation of the archaeological landscape within 30 kilometers around the Sea of Galilee. It visually analyzed the region to identify typical landscape features associated with historical human activity and the reconstruction of archaeological objects.

According to the research team, “The study was based on calculations of the sky map and aligning the directions of the solstices, equinoxes, and other celestial bodies as they appeared between 2500–3500 BCE, coordinated with the symmetry and entrances of Rujm el-Hiri in its current position. The findings show that the entrances and radial walls during that historical period were entirely different, reopening the question of the site’s purpose”.

The study also provides the first comprehensive mapping of the archaeological landscape surrounding Rujm El-Hiri, using advanced satellite technology. Unique landscape features were identified, including circular structures with 40–90 meters diameters, thick walls, and round enclosures approximately 20 meters in diameter, which appeared to serve agricultural or herding purposes. Dozens of burial mounds (tumuli) were documented in the area, some of which were likely used as storage facilities, shelters, or dwellings, in addition to their traditional role as burial sites.

The researchers conclude: “This new study not only opens a window to understanding Rujm el-Hiri but also enriches our knowledge of ancient life in the Golan Heights and the connections between various archaeological findings in the area”.

 

What Happens When the Brain Learns Two Behaviors at Once?

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TAU researchers reveal the brain resolves conflict by blocking dual learning.

A new study from Tel Aviv University could reshape our scientific understanding of how humans learn and form memories, particularly through classical and operant conditioning. The research team found that our brain engages in fierce competition between these two learning systems and that only one can prevail at any given time. If we try to learn two conflicting actions for the same situation simultaneously, the result will be confusion, making it difficult to perform either action when re-encountering the situation. In their study, the researchers demonstrated this phenomenon in fruit flies. When the flies were trained to associate a smell with a randomly delivered electric shock (classical conditioning) and also to connect their actions to the smell and shock (operant conditioning), the flies became confused and failed to exhibit a clear response to the shock.

The intriguing research was led by Prof. Moshe Parnas and PhD student Eyal Rozenfeld from the Laboratory for Neural Circuits and Olfactory Perception at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Science Advances.

The researchers explain that humans learn in a variety of ways. A well-known example of learning is Ivan Pavlov’s famous experiment, where a dog learns to associate the sound of a bell with food. This type of learning is called classical conditioning and involves passive associations between two stimuli. On the other hand, humans can also learn from their own actions: if a specific action produces a positive outcome, we learn to repeat it, and if it harms us, we learn to avoid it. This type of learning is called operant conditioning and involves active behavior.

Freeze or flee? Cracking the brain’s decision code

For many years, scientists believed that these types of memory work together in the brain. But what happens if the two memories dictate conflicting actions? For instance, mice can be trained to fear a certain smell using both conditioning methods, but their responses will differ depending on which method is employed. Under classical conditioning, the mice will freeze in place, while under operant conditioning, they will flee. What happens if both memories are present simultaneously? Will the mice freeze, flee, or simply continue behaving as if nothing happened?

In a unique study conducted on fruit flies (Drosophila), researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the brain cannot learn using both classical and operant conditioning simultaneously. The brain actively suppresses the formation of both types of memories at the same time, using this strategy to determine which behavior to execute. During the experiment, the researchers taught the flies to associate a smell with an electric shock.  When classical conditioning was used flies learned to freeze when they smelled the conditioned odor. In contrast, when operant conditioning was used, flies learned to flee from the smell to avoid the electric shock. They demonstrated that the flies could not learn both lessons together and that attempts to teach both types of learning simultaneously led to no learning at all. Furthermore, they identified the brain mechanisms that prioritize one type of learning over the other.

“Our research completely changes the way we have thought for decades about how our brain learns,” explains Prof. Parnas. “You can think of the brain as engaging in a ‘mental tug-of-war’: if you focus on learning through your actions, the brain blocks the formation of automatic associations. This helps avoid confusion but also means you can’t learn two things simultaneously”.

Why multitasking makes you forget

Prof. Parnas adds: “Fruit flies have simple brains, which makes them easy to study, but their brains are surprisingly similar to those of mammals—and thus to our own. Using powerful genetic tools, the researchers gained a deep understanding of how different learning systems compete for ‘space in the brain.’ They found that the brain’s ‘navigation center’ intervenes to ensure that only one type of memory is active at any given moment, preventing clashes between the two systems. This discovery can help us understand why multitasking sometimes leads to forgetting important details”.

Eyal Rozenfeld concludes: “Not only does this discovery reshape what we know about human learning, but it could also lead to the development of new strategies for treating learning disorders. By better understanding how memories are formed in individuals with conditions like ADHD or Alzheimer’s, we might be able to create new treatments. It’s fascinating that our brain selects between different learning systems to avoid confusion—all without us even being aware of it”.

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TAU research overturns myths about ancient copper pollution.

A new study from Tel Aviv University overturns prevailing scientific beliefs that King Solomon’s Mines not only harmed workers’ health in the ancient copper industry but also posed risks to the health of modern residents living near the site.

In the new study, researchers conducted geochemical surveys at copper production sites in the Timna Valley, dating back to the 10th century BCE and the era of the Biblical Kings David and Solomon. They found that the environmental pollution from copper production was minimal and spatially restricted, posing no danger to the region’s inhabitants in the past or today. Additionally, TAU’s archaeologists reviewed previous studies and found no evidence that the ancient copper industry polluted the planet.

The study was led by Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef, Dr. Omri Yagel, Willy Ondricek, and Dr. Aaron Greener from the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures from The Lester & Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities at Tel Aviv University. The paper was published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports by Nature.

פרופ' ארז בן יוסף

Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef.

Did Ancient Copper Mines Really Cause Pollution?

“We inspected two major copper production sites in the Timna Valley, one from the Iron Age and King Solomon’s era and another nearby that is about 1,500 years older”, says Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef. “Our study was extensive.  We took hundreds of soil samples from both sites for chemical analyses, creating high-resolution maps of heavy metal presence in the region. We found that pollution levels at the Timna copper mining sites are extremely low and confined to the locations of the ancient smelting furnaces. For instance, the concentration of lead — the primary pollutant in metal industries — drops to less than 200 parts per million just a few meters from the furnace. By comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines industrial areas as safe for workers at 1,200 parts per million and residential areas as safe for children at 200 parts per million”.

The new study contradicts a series of papers published since the 1990s about pollution caused allegedly by the ancient copper industry. “We demonstrate that this is not true. Pollution in Timna is very restricted spatially, and only those working directly at the furnace likely suffered from inhaling toxic fumes, while just a short distance away, the soil is entirely safe. Moreover, the match we found between the spatial distribution of copper and lead concentrations in the soil further indicates that the metals are ‘trapped’ in slag and other industrial waste – which keeps them from leaching into the soil and affecting plants or humans. Our findings align with several recent studies from the Wadi Faynan region in Jordan, which also point to very low levels of pollution. Timna and Faynan are ideal sites for this type of research because they have not been disturbed by modern mining, as happened in Cyprus for example, and thanks to their dry climates the metals in the soil are not washed away. In Faynan, a team led by Prof. Yigal Erel of the Hebrew University examined 36 skeletons of people who lived at the mining site during the Iron Age, and only three showed any trace of pollution in their teeth. The rest were completely clean. We now present a similar picture for Timna”. In addition to the geochemical survey, the TAU archaeologists also conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature, pointing out that hypotheses about global pollution during the pre-Roman period lack solid evidence.

Dr. Omri Yagel recording the precise sampling location. 

Clearing the Record: Not What We Thought

“There was a trend in the 1990s, which presented ancient copper production as the first instance of industrial pollution”, explains Dr. Omri Yagel, a leading researcher in the current study. “Such statements grab headlines and attract research grants, but they unnecessarily project modern pollution problems onto the past. Moreover, the research literature tends to use the term ‘pollution’ to describe any trace of ancient metallurgical activity, and this has led to the mistaken assumption that metal industries were harmful to humans from their earliest beginnings — which is patently untrue. Even when metal production was large-scale, becoming integral to human civilization, it was the toxic lead industry that caused global pollution, not necessarily other metals. A 1990s study argued that traces of copper found in Greenland ice cores had traveled through the atmosphere from sites like Timna. This claim, however, has not been corroborated by any subsequent study.  As modern researchers grappling with the consequences of climate change, we have an inherent tendency to seek similar shifts in the past, but we must be careful. We may call a few pieces of slag lying on the ground ‘pollution’, but we should not confuse this local waste with regional or global environmental pollution”.

GPS for Cancer: Directing Drugs to the Tumor

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A breakthrough method delivers two drugs straight to the cancer site.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new platform using polymeric nanoparticles to deliver drug pairs to specific cancer types, including skin and breast cancer. The researchers explain that having both drugs arrive at the tumor site significantly amplifies their therapeutic effects and safety profiles.

The study was led by Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro and doctoral student Shani Koshrovski-Michael from the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Tel Aviv University’s School of Medicine, in collaboration with other members of Prof. Satchi-Fainaro’s lab: Daniel Rodriguez Ajamil, Dr. Pradip Dey, Ron Kleiner, Dr. Yana Epshtein, Dr. Marina Green Buzhor, Rami Khoury, Dr. Sabina Pozzi, Gal Shenbach-Koltin, Dr. Eilam Yeini, and Dr. Rachel Blau. They were joined by Prof. Iris Barshack from the Department of Pathology at Tel Aviv University’s School of Medicine, Prof. Roey Amir and Shahar Tevet from the School of Chemistry at Tel Aviv University, and researchers from the Israel Institute of Biological Research, Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands. The study was published in the prestigious journal Science Advances.

Bringing Precision to Drug Partnerships

Prof. Satchi-Fainaro explains: “Currently, cancer treatment often involves a combination of multiple drugs that work synergistically to enhance their anti-cancer effect. However, these drugs differ in their chemical and physical properties – such as their rate of degradation, their circulation time in the bloodstream, and their ability to penetrate and accumulate in the tumor. Therefore, even if multiple drugs are administered simultaneously, they don’t arrive together at the tumor, and their combined effects are not fully realized. To ensure maximal efficacy and minimal toxicity, we sought a way to deliver two drugs simultaneously and selectively to the tumor site without harming healthy organs”.

The researchers developed biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (which break down into water and carbon dioxide within one month) capable of encapsulating two different drugs that enhance each other’s activity. These nanoparticles are selectively guided to the cancer site by attaching them to sulfate groups that bind to P-selectin, a protein expressed at high levels in cancer cells as well as on new blood vessels formed by cancer cells to supply them with nutrients and oxygen.

The researchers loaded the platform with two pairs of drugs approved by the FDA: BRAF and MEK inhibitors used to treat melanoma (skin cancer) with a BRAF gene mutation (present in 50% of melanoma cases), and PARP and PD-L1 inhibitors intended for breast cancer with a BRCA gene mutation or deficiency. The novel drug delivery system was tested in two environments: in 3D cancer cell models in the lab and in animal models representing both primary tumor types (melanoma and breast cancer) and their brain metastases.

The findings showed that the nanoparticles, targeted toward P-selectin, accumulated selectively in primary tumors and did not harm healthy tissues. Furthermore, the nanoparticles successfully penetrated the blood-brain barrier, reaching metastases in the brain with precision without harming healthy brain tissue.

Additionally, the combination of two drugs delivered simultaneously was far more effective than administering the drugs separately, even at 30 times lower doses than prior preclinical studies. The nanoparticle treatment significantly reduced tumor size, prolonging time to progression by 2.5 times than standard treatments, and extended the lifespan of mice treated with the nanoparticle platform. Mice had a 2-fold higher median survival compared to those receiving the free drugs and a 3-fold longer survival compared to the untreated control group.

A New Approach to Cancer Treatment

Prof. Satchi-Fainaro summarized: “In our study, we developed an innovative platform using biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles to deliver pairs of drugs to primary tumors and metastases. We found that drug pairs delivered this way significantly enhanced their therapeutic effect in BRAF-mutated skin cancers and BRCA-mutated breast cancers and their brain metastases. Since our platform is versatile by design, it can transport many different drug pairs that enhance each other’s effects, thereby improving treatment for a variety of primary tumors and metastases expressing the P-selectin protein, such as glioblastoma (brain cancer), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma”.

The project received competitive research grants from Fundación “La Caixa”, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the Israel Science Foundation (ISF), and the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF). It is also part of a broader research effort in Prof. Satchi-Fainaro’s lab supported by an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC), ERC Proof of Concept (PoC), EU Innovative Training Networks (ITN), and the Kahn Foundation.

TAU Student Team Wins Gold at Prestigious IGEM Competition

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Develops groundbreaking cancer treatment and files patent.

The student team from Tel Aviv University (TAU) achieved a remarkable milestone by winning a gold medal at the prestigious IGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition held recently in Paris. This renowned competition focuses on synthetic biology. The team conducted pioneering research aimed at developing a treatment for patients with currently incurable cancers, thereby introducing a new dimension to cancer therapy. They have also filed a patent application for their innovative work.

About IGEM

IGEM is a global competition in synthetic biology where teams conceptualize innovative ideas to address challenges in the field. These ideas are then realized through a combination of engineering, biological, and computational tools, akin to a startup development process. The judging panel consists of researchers and scientists with expertise in the field, many of whom are past IGEM participants or mentors. This year, over 400 teams from around the world competed.

Tailored and Engineered Cancer Therapies for Terminal Patients

This year, TAU’s IGEM team included outstanding students from diverse disciplines such as engineering, life sciences, medicine, and exact sciences. Working together, they conducted advanced research in synthetic biology. The team’s groundbreaking development, showcased in the competition, is an innovative method called Precise RNA Oncotherapy (PROtech). This approach enables the design of personalized cancer therapies for patients with currently incurable cancers.

The project aims to provide tailored treatments even for patients whose cancer cell mutations do not alter protein structures. Current treatments rely on identifying cancer cells based on altered proteins, making this a revolutionary approach with immense potential. The development incorporates advanced computational models with enhanced performance compared to prior leading research, and the team is working on a groundbreaking paper in the field.

Overcoming Challenges

Professor Tamir Tuller, the academic advisor of the team from TAU’s Faculty of Engineering, shared: “This past year was especially challenging. We began our work in November despite the academic year being delayed until January. Many team members were on military reserve duty, and there was significant uncertainty about our ability to complete the project on time”.

Promoting Synthetic Biology to High School Students

In addition to their research, the team aimed to make synthetic biology accessible to high school students across Israel. They organized a national synthetic biology competition for high school students and contributed to establishing a synthetic biology program within the ORT high school network, with plans to train hundreds of students in the coming year.

Interest from Biotech and Pharma Companies

“Our development has already sparked significant interest from biotech and pharma companies, and we’ve filed a patent application with the help of Ramot, Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company”, Professor Tuller shared. He added: “In these challenging times, the students brought immense pride to Tel Aviv University and Israel. Beyond the gold medal, they also gained valuable academic experience and entrepreneurial skills that will benefit them in academia, industry, and society. I want to thank Startup Nation Central and TAU’s Entrepreneurship Center for the excellent training they provided our students in entrepreneurship”.

TAU’s IGEM 2024 Team Members:

  • Shani Elimelech (Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Gal Schwartz (Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Daniel Ben Harosh (Fleischman Faculty of Engineering).
  • Rotem Gal (Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Oren Ben Moshe (Faculty of Exact Sciences).
  • Netanel Erlich (Faculty of Exact Sciences, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Peleg Bezek (Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Tal Shemesh (Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Nav Zvi (Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences).
  • Yoni Klein (Wise Faculty of Life Sciences).
  • Itay Fabian (Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences)
  • Marana Abboud (Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences).

Tel Aviv University Hosts Inaugural DefenseTech Summit

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The event showcases Israel’s pioneering role in defense innovation

Israel has long been recognized for its ability to transform challenges into opportunities, and its defense sector is a testament to this ingenuity. Reflecting this ethos, Tel Aviv University (TAU), in collaboration with the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), hosted the first-ever DefenseTech Summit. This two-day event, held on TAU’s campus, brought together government officials, industry leaders, academic experts, and sponsors to spotlight Israel’s advancements in defense technology. The Summit is set to become an annual event, further solidifying Israel’s position as a global leader in defense innovation.

Celebrating Israel’s Defense Prowess

The inaugural DefenseTech Summit was a platform to showcase Israel’s cutting-edge defense technologies and foster collaboration across sectors. With the country fighting over a year of war on several fronts and facing evolving security challenges, the Summit’s timing was particularly significant. It provided a forum for experts and stakeholders to discuss emerging trends and Israel’s unique ability to innovate under pressure.

 

TAU alumnus Maj. Gen (Res.) Eyal Zamir speaking at the Summit’s keynote address.

The event featured a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers, all of whom are alumni of Tel Aviv University and have played pivotal roles in shaping Israel’s defense landscape:

  • Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, TAU political science alumnus and Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, delivered a forward-looking keynote. “We are at the beginning of a completely new era, and Israel has the ability to lead in defense tech and shape the future,” he stated, emphasizing the country’s role in shaping global security paradigms.
  • Brig. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Danny Gold, a TAU double-PhD alumnus and head of the Israeli Directorate of Defense Research & Development, provided an overview of Israel’s defense tech ecosystem. Known as the “father of the Iron Dome,” Dr. Gold highlighted the critical role of stellar education and interdisciplinary collaboration as cornerstones of Israel’s defense innovation.
  • Col. (ret.) Moshe Patel, TAU MBA alumnus and Director of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization, brought his expertise in missile defense systems, further underscoring the country’s commitment to pioneering solutions in complex security environments.

The Summit saw unprecedented attendance, with over 2,000 participants engaging across multiple events, including the Main Plenary Day, the Innovation Day, online sessions, the Youth Conference, and the Hackathon (which began two days ahead of the Summit).

Representatives from close to 60 countries participated, with dignitaries from 40 nations attending the exclusive, invite-only Ambassadors’ Briefing. This diverse representation underscored the global significance of Israel’s defense advancements and the Summit’s role as a hub for international collaboration.

Hackathon Highlights: Innovating for Battlefield Challenges

A major highlight of the Summit was the Hackathon, hosted by Tel Aviv University’s Entrepreneurship Center in collaboration with DDR&D. The event focused on solving three life-threatening battlefield challenges identified during the current war. Over 120 competitors on 28 teams worked tirelessly for 26 hours straight to develop innovative solutions. The hackathon was dedicated to the memory of four fallen soldiers—Eitan Oster z”l, Omri Tamari z”l, Shahar Cohen Mivtach z”l, and Adi Malik Harb z”l—and also honored Yiftach Yavetz z”l, whose father spoke about his bravery during the liberation of Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7th.

The winning teams and their groundbreaking solutions were announced during the Summit:

  • Easy Extraction of Wounded Challenge: Combat Stretcher Straps (CSS), a set of adjustable, comfortable straps designed for carrying stretchers over rough terrain without jostling the wounded and allowing carriers to keep their hands free.
  • Tourniquet Challenge: TourniCAT, a harness that can be easily applied to the shoulder or hip, cutting off circulation at a major artery to address life-threatening bleeding.
  • Cleaning System for Armed Vehicle Cameras Challenge: Adi, a rolling transparent film that continuously cleans lenses, enabling soldiers to maintain visibility without leaving their vehicles in dangerous situations. This solution was innovated by students of Druze heritage, who proudly represented their community during the hackathon.

Bridging Academia, Government, and Industry

The DefenseTech Summit exemplified the power of collaboration between academia, government, and industry. With TAU at the helm, the event underscored the importance of education as a foundation for technological advancements. By bringing together leading minds from diverse sectors, the Summit fostered discussions on innovative strategies to address current and future security challenges.

 

Summit attendees at the DefenseTech Summit’s Start-up Exhibit.

As Israel continues to face evolving threats, the DefenseTech Summit highlighted its resilience and adaptability. With Tel Aviv University’s commitment to advancing education and fostering collaboration, the annual Summit promises to be a cornerstone for the defense community, both in Israel and globally. By leveraging its unique ecosystem of talent, resources, and vision, Israel is poised to remain at the forefront of defense innovation for years to come.

Investing in the Academic Entrepreneurs behind Israel’s Innovation

Written by Hilary on . Posted in Newsroom.

Doctoral fellowships enable Tel Aviv University STEM students to make groundbreaking discoveries

Firewalls, pillcams, Flexible Stents, Mobileye, and Iron Dome are just a few examples of Israeli innovation at its very best—discoveries made by Israeli researchers that have strengthened the nation’s economy and security while benefiting millions of people around the world. 

At Tel Aviv University (TAU), innovation depends not only on the talented members of our faculty ranks but also on the thousands of PhD students working under their guidance and in their labs. TAU’s doctoral students bring to their studies everything positive that Israel stands for: brainpower, determination, creativity, social consciousness, and even a bit of chutzpah. 

“In many ways, these driven young people are academic entrepreneurs, taking intellectual risks that lead the world toward new and enriching heights.”

If Israel is to continue its role as one of the key engines driving global technological and scientific innovation, it must support its gifted young researchers on their path to excellence and discovery,” explains TAU President, Prof. Ariel Porat. 

“These students are the backbone of our progress. Providing them with fellowships is the best way of supporting them—it guarantees us the next generation of exceptional scientists, fueling discoveries that will shape the technological landscape,” he adds.


Fellowships carry great significance for recipients. For doctoral students, fellowships can be the key factor in deciding to stay in academia, especially when salaried jobs look much more enticing compared to the constant financial struggle of advanced study. 

“Whereas undergraduates are generally younger and unmarried, graduate students often have families to support. Additionally, research at the doctoral level is rigorous and demands a high degree of concentration and absorption, making working outside of studies unfeasible and counterproductive to the goal at hand,” explains Professor Tova Milo, Dean of TAU’s Exact Sciences Faculty. “Especially in STEM subjects, which usually require experimental laboratory work, the commitment asked of students is huge.”  

Optimizing Cancer Diagnostics


Amy Altshuler, a TAU doctoral student in Chemistry, says the fellowship she receives is a major factor in enabling her to move forward in her research. “The support allows me to dedicate my time and energy to my studies and research, without the need to take on a job. It also enables me to participate in academic conferences and collaborate with fellow researchers – which is crucial for my success and professional growth.”

Altshuler researches DNA microarrays, which are tools for quickly analyzing genetic changes. “These microarrays can help us understand and detect DNA changes linked to diseases like cancer. I aim to use these tools to optimize cancer diagnosis methods so that they are much faster,” she says. 

Altshuler, who grew up in Rishon LeZyon,  was passionate about the world of science since she studied chemistry in high school.  “My love for solving challenging puzzles led me to pursue scientific research. My grandfather was ill with cancer and passed away, and his death made me realize this is the field where I want to make a real difference,” she says. 

Ensuring Ethical AI

Adi Haviv, a PhD student in Computer Science, similarly affirms that her research demands her full attention.

“It would have been impossible for me to return to academia without the support I received from the University,” she says.

 

Adi Haviv, a TAU PhD student in Computer Scinece.

Haviv researches the decision-making processes in advanced AI models intending to ensure that AI is used ethically, for the benefit of society. She is exploring this area from an interdisciplinary perspective, collaborating with scholars in the legal field. “I was driven by my desire for a deeper understanding of the AI field, as well as a commitment to advancing responsible AI,” she says.

Haviv decided to return to TAU and pursue this research after several years in industry, where she worked as a team leader at eBay in New York. “From young age, I was fascinated by computers, and at the age of 14 I wrote my first lines of code. From there I was lucky to develop my passion into the research that I’m conducting today,” she says. 

Harnessing the Power of Gene TherapyAnother scientific “entrepreneur” striving to bring about a breakthrough in his field is Omer Azar, a doctoral student in a competitive Kadar MD-PhD Fellowship Program. 

 

Omer Azar, a TAU MD-PhD student in the Kadar Program.

 “My highest ambition is to become a physician and a researcher, with the tools and know-how to positively impact the lives of others. My fellowship plays a pivotal role in allowing me to focus on my research as much as I do,” Azar, who is the 29-year old and originally from Ramat Hasharon explains. 

Azar’s lab work revolves around the genetic editing of CAR-T cells, which redirects the natural T-cell’s killing capacity against cancer cells and is already saving the lives of patients with certain lymphomas. Azar is developing ways to implement the success of CAR-T cell therapy in treating hematological cancers to other cancer types. His research could “unlock” CAR-T therapy’s potential for many other malignancies, enabling a new, highly effective treatment. 

“The experiences I’ve had in the Air Force during my military service helped me conclude that what I want to do with my life is to pursue research, but to also physically help people and interact with others – a combination which could be found exemplified in the medical field,“ he concludes.

Securing Israel’s lead  

“Graduate fellowships in STEM are not only investments in individual academic excellence, but also in Israel’s future resilience and prosperity, believes Prof. Karen Avraham, Dean of TAU’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

“By fostering scientific innovation, we strengthen the country’s economic foundation, enhance its social fabric, and safeguard its security,” she says.

“In these challenging times, ensuring Israel’s leadership in science and technology is more crucial than ever. We must invest in our extraordinary human resources. We must support STEM doctoral fellows on their difficult, essential and rewarding path,” Avraham concludes. 

 

 

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