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Author: Hilary

Prof. Dan Peer Elected Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors

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TAU researcher receives top honor for innovation.

Prof. Dan Peer Vice President of R&D at Tel Aviv University was elected as a Fellow of the United States National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The appointment to the rank of NAI Fellow is the highest recognition given by the Academy, awarded to innovators whose inventions have had a decisive impact on quality of life, economic development, and social welfare.

The National Academy of Inventors counts over 1850 Fellows in 260 different institutions globally. The National Academy of Inventors was established in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventions covered by US patents.

Prof. Peer is a trailblazing scientist and a pioneer in harnessing RNA molecules as molecular drugs. His groundbreaking research focuses on developing RNA-based therapies to treat a wide range of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cancers of the blood, brain, and ovaries, and rare genetic disorders. Prof. Peer also explores the potential of RNA molecules as vaccines for infectious diseases and designs nanometric drug carriers capable of selectively targeting specific cells.

Among his many achievements, Prof. Peer and his lab were the first in the world to demonstrate systemic delivery of mRNA molecules in animals, as well as the use of short RNA sequences to silence genes in immune cells. Recently, his lab became the first to develop an mRNA vaccine against bacteria. Additionally, his team was the first to demonstrate efficient, systemic, and cell-specific gene delivery in cancer.

Prof. Dan Peer.

In addition to his innovative research, Prof. Peer serves in several leading positions: TAU’s VP of R&D, a member of the National Academy of Engineering (USA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Over the years, he has contributed to numerous groundbreaking inventions, with over 145 patents filed. Many of these have been commercialized through Ramot and licensed to various companies, some of which are currently in clinical trials. He has also founded several startups in Israel, the UK, and the USA.

NAI Fellow Selection Committee: “This prestigious honor recognizes Prof. Peer’s exceptional achievements as an inventor — his contributions have made a significant impact on innovation, economic development, and society’s welfare. Prof. Dan Peer’s election to the rank of Fellow reflects not only his accomplishments but also his dedication to advancing technology and fostering invention for the benefit of society”.

Prof. Peer: “I am very touched by the recognition of my work. The United States National Academy of Inventors is one of the most prominent bodies dedicated to encouraging inventors in academia, which gathers under its roof the best inventors, and the decision to choose me as a fellow is a great honor for me”.

Is This the Birthplace of Religious Rituals?

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A rare discovery of early rituals in the levant.

A rare prehistoric ritual complex has been uncovered in the darkest depths of Manot Cave in Western Galilee, Israel. The complex is enclosed naturally by impressive stalagmites that create a distinctive entrance to the site and feature a unique and impressive rock with geometric engravings resembling a turtle shell. The study of this complex, published in the journal PNAS, was led by Dr. Omry Barzilai from the University of Haifa and Israel Antiquities Authority, Prof. Ofer Marder from Ben-Gurion University, and Prof. Israel Hershkovitz from Tel Aviv University.

“The rare discovery provides a glimpse into the spiritual world of Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups who lived in our region approximately 35,000 years ago. The engraved rock was deliberately placed in a niche in the deepest, darkest part of the cave. The turtle-shell design, carved on a three-dimensional object, indicates that it may have represented a totem or a mythological or spiritual figure. Its special location, far from the daily activity areas near the cave entrance, suggests it was an object of worship. Notably, there are prehistoric caves in Western Europe, with similar findings testifying these places held symbolic importance and served for ritual and communal activities”, said Dr. Barzilai.

Research team (Left to right): Prof. Ofer Marder, Prof. Israel Hershkovitz & Dr. Omry Barzilai. Photo credit: Dr. Omry Barzilai.

Manot Cave has been excavated systematically since 2010 by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Ben-Gurion University. The cave is particularly well-known for its stunning stalactites and remains of habitation from several prehistoric cultures of the Upper Paleolithic period. Among its notable discoveries is a 55,000-year-old modern human skull, the oldest modern human fossil found outside Africa.

Ancient Rituals That Shaped Early Societies

In the course of study of the deep complex study, the researchers uncovered ash remains in one of the stalagmite rings near the engraved rock, confirming the use of fire to illuminate the ritual space, likely with torches. Acoustic tests revealed that the complex has enhanced natural acoustics, which could have created a unique auditory experience for communal activities such as prayer, singing, and dancing. Prof. Hershkovitz: “This is an unprecedented discovery of a space with ‘audio-visual equipment’ centered around a ritual object (the turtle), constituting the first evidence of communal rituals in the Levant. It is no surprise that prehistoric hunters chose to conduct their rituals in the darkest part of Manot Cave, as darkness embodies sacred and hidden qualities, symbolizing rebirth and renewal. Establishing ritual centers during the Upper Paleolithic was a central element in the development and institutionalization of collective identity — a necessary stage in the transition from small, isolated hunter-gatherer groups based on blood ties between individuals to large, complex societies”.

The chronological age of the ritual complex in Manot Cave was dated to 35,000–37,000 years ago, a period associated with the sudden emergence of the Aurignacian culture, known in Europe for its symbolic objects and cave paintings. “In our excavations in Manot Cave, we uncovered rich Aurignacian layers near the cave entrance that included flint tools, bone and antler implements, and shell beads”, said Prof. Ofer Marder from Ben-Gurion University.

In a small, hidden chamber adjacent to the ritual complex, a complete deer antler with signs of use was discovered. “Antlers were used as raw material for crafting tools for various purposes by Upper Paleolithic cultures in Europe, and by the Aurignacian culture in the Levant. The placement of the deer antler in a hidden chamber adjacent to the ritual site may be connected to the ritual activities in the cave”, explained Dr. Barzilai.

A deer beam from the hidden hall in Manot Cave (Photo credit: Dafna Gazit, Israel Antiquities Authority).

The geometric engravings found on the turtle shell-shaped rock were scanned with a unique confocal microscope capable of capturing extremely thin horizontal sections. “We identified fine micro-linear scratches inside some of the grooves, confirming without a doubt that the engravings are the work of human hands. These carvings are evidence of our ancestors’ artistic skills and their deep connection to rituals and symbols”, said Prof. Rachel Sarig from the Dental Medicine Laboratory at Tel Aviv University, who conducted the scans.

A turtle shell-shaped rock with geometric carvings (Photo credit: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority).

The researchers also conducted 3D photographic mapping of the cave. “We found a clear separation between the ritual complex and the areas of regular activity at the cave entrance. This observation strengthens the hypothesis about the significance of the complex and the need to differentiate it from the areas where daily activity took place”, said Alexander Wigman from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

According to the researchers, the discovery of the ritual complex in Manot Cave sheds new light on the spiritual life of the Upper Paleolithic people in the Levant. “This research enriches our understanding of prehistoric humans, their symbolic world, and the nature of the worship rituals that connected ancient communities. Identifying communal rituals in the Paleolithic era marks a breakthrough in our understanding of human society and offers more than just a glimpse into ancient ritual practices. It reveals the central role of rituals and symbols in shaping collective identity and strengthening social bonds”, the researchers concluded.

The Manot Cave project is supported by the Dan David Foundation, the Israel Science Foundation, the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the Irene Levi Sala CARE Archaeological Foundation, and the Leakey Foundation. The research involved experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Cleveland State University, the Geological Survey of Israel, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Haifa, Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University, the University of Vienna, the University of Barcelona, the University of Siena, and Simon Fraser University.

TAU Discovery Decodes a Rare Neurological Disease

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This breakthrough could pave the way for neurological treatments.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an innovative research model that allowed them to decode the mechanism underlying a severe and rare neurological disease. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as epilepsy, developmental delay, and intellectual disability.

According to the researchers: “Decoding the disease mechanism is a critical step toward developing treatments targeting specific cellular functions for this disease and other conditions with similar mechanisms affecting cellular energy production”.

The research was led by Tel Aviv University’s Prof. Abdussalam Azem, Dean of the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, in collaboration with Prof. Uri Ashery and PhD student Eyal Paz from the School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience. Additional contributors included Dr. Sahil Jain and Dr. Irit Gottfried from the School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics at Tel Aviv University, Dr. Orna Staretz-Chacham from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University, Dr. Muhammad Mahajnah from the Technion, and researchers from Emory University in Atlanta, USA. The findings were published in the prominent journal eLife.

TIMM50 Mutation Linked to Rare Brain Disorders

Prof. Azem explains: “The disease we studied is caused by a mutation in a protein called TIMM50, which plays a crucial role in importing other proteins into the mitochondria—the organelle considered the cell’s energy powerhouse. The human mitochondria operate with about 1,500 proteins (approximately 10% of all human proteins), but only about 13 of them are produced within the mitochondria itself. The rest are imported externally through various mechanisms. In recent years, mutations in the TIMM50 protein, which is responsible for importing about 800 proteins into the mitochondria, were found to cause severe and rare neurological disease with symptoms like epilepsy, developmental delay, and intellectual disability”.

Prof. Ashery adds: “Protein import into the mitochondria has been extensively studied over the years, but how a mutation in TIMM50 affects brain cells was never tested before. To investigate this for the first time, we created an innovative model using mouse neurons that mimics the disease caused by the TIMM50 protein mutation. In this study, we significantly reduced the expression of the protein in mouse brain cells and observed its impact on the cells”.

How Does a Protein Defect Link Energy Loss to Epilepsy?

Eyal Paz explains: “The impairment of the protein led to two main findings: a reduction in energy production in the neurons, which could explain the developmental issues seen in the disease and an increase in the frequency of action potentials (the electrical signals that transmit information along neurons and enable communication between them). This increase in action potential frequency is known to be associated with epilepsy. The change in frequency is likely caused by significant damage to two proteins that function as potassium channels. Imbalances in potassium levels can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and muscle weakness, potentially leading to paralysis. These potassium channels may serve as potential targets for future drug treatments for the disease”.

Prof. Azem concludes: “Our study decodes the mechanism of a severe and rare neurological disease caused by a mutation in a protein critical for importing proteins into the mitochondria. Understanding the mechanism is a crucial step toward treatment, as it enables the development of drugs targeting the specific issues identified. Additionally, we created a new research model based on mouse neurons that significantly advances the study of protein import into mitochondria in brain cells. We believe that our findings, combined with the innovative model, will enable more in-depth research and the development of treatments for various neurological diseases caused by similar mitochondrial dysfunction mechanisms”.

How Can Songwriting and AI Transform Education?

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Encouraging independent learning through an AI songwriting competition.

The Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education at Tel Aviv University recently hosted the SRL-VISION Competition, a groundbreaking event focused on creating songs using generative AI to explore innovative ways of fostering independent learning in education. This unique initiative was part of a course led by Prof. Anat Cohen, aiming to merge self-regulated learning (SRL) with the creative potential of generative AI tools. Students delved into research literature, developed practical ideas, and transformed them into imaginative songs.

And the Winner Is: “Positive Reinforcement”

The winning song, “Positive Reinforcement,” was chosen by a majority vote among the students. It emphasizes the importance of providing positive reinforcement in independent learning—benefiting both learners and educators.

This creative competition was part of the EffecTive Project, a collaborative initiative involving European universities to design programs that strengthen digital skills for teachers and teaching students. Guy Cohen, a PhD candidate assisting with the course, highlighted its purpose: “Our goal is to equip teachers and students with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital world”.

Prof. Cohen elaborated: “The primary aim of this course is to promote meaningful and innovative learning through critical thinking and AI-driven tools. Students actively engage in exploring the strengths and challenges of these technologies while developing creative approaches to teaching and learning.”

תחרות SRL VISION הראשונה

The first-ever SRL-VISION competition.

What Can Locusts Teach Us About Efficiency in Design?

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Research shows locusts’ digging valves are built just right for their task.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University examined the mechanical wear of digging valves located at the tip of the female locust’s abdomen, used to dig pits for laying eggs 3 to 4 times during her lifetime. They found that, unlike organs with remarkably high wear resistance, such as the mandible (lower jaw), the valves wear down substantially due to intensive digging.

The researchers: “This is an instructive example of the ‘good enough’ principle in nature. Evolution saw no need to invest extra energy and resources in an organ with a specific purpose that performs its function adequately. We, humans, who often invest excessive resources in engineered systems, can learn much from nature”.

The study was led by Dr. Bat-El Pinchasik from the School of Mechanical Engineering and Prof. Amir Ayali from the School of Zoology at the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, the Sagol School of Neuroscience and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University. Other participants included: PhD student Shai Sonnenreich from TAU’s School of Mechanical Engineering, as well as researchers from the Technical University of Dresden in Germany, Prof. Yael Politi and a postdoc in her group, Dr. Andre Eccel Vellwock. The article was published in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Left to right: Prof. Amir Ayali, Dr. Bat-El Pinchasik & PhD student Shai Sonnenreich.

Dr. Pinchasik: “In my lab, we study mechanical mechanisms in nature, partly to draw inspiration for solving technological problems. Recently we collaborated with locust expert Prof. Amir Ayali in a series of studies, to understand the mechanism used by the female locust for digging a pit to lay her eggs. This unique mechanism consists of two shovel-like valves that open and close cyclically, digging into the soil while pressing the sand against the walls”.

Prof. Ayali: “We know that many mechanisms in the bodies of insects in general, and locusts in particular, are exceptionally resistant to mechanical wear. For example, the locust’s mandibles, used daily for feeding, are made of a highly durable material. The digging valves, on the other hand, while subjected to substantial shear forces during digging, are used only 3 or 4 times in the female’s lifetime – when she lays eggs. In this study, we sought to discover whether these digging valves, made of hard cuticular material, were also equipped by evolution with high resistance to mechanical wear”.

To address this question, the researchers examined the digging valves in three different groups of female locusts: young females that had not yet laid eggs, mature females kept in conditions that prevented them from laying eggs – to test whether age alone causes wear and adult females that had already laid eggs 3 or 4 times. To analyze the internal structure and durability of the digging valves, the researchers used several advanced technologies: confocal microscopy, 3D fluorescent imaging, and a particle accelerator (synchrotron) in collaboration with the German team. The findings indicated significant signs of wear in the valves and a lack of elements associated with high resistance to mechanical wear. Notably, no reinforcing metal ions, typical of extremely wear-resistant biological materials, were found in the valves.

Dr. Pinchasik: “A female locust’s biological role is laying eggs three or four times in her life. In this study, we found that evolution has designed her digging valves to meet their task precisely—no more and no less. This is a wonderful example of the ‘good enough’ principle in nature: no extra resources are invested in an organ when they’re not needed”.

“As humans, we can learn much from nature – about conserving materials, energy, and resources. As engineers who develop products, we must understand the need precisely and design an accurate response, avoiding unnecessary overengineering” – Dr. Pinchasik.

Is Treatment for Genetic Autism on the Horizon?

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New study reveals brain mechanisms involved in genetically based autism which may lead to effective treatment

A groundbreaking study from Tel Aviv University expands the understanding of the biological mechanism underlying genetically-based autism, specifically mutations in the SHANK3gene, responsible for nearly one million cases of autism worldwide. Based on these discoveries, the research team applied a genetic treatment that improved the function of cells affected by the mutation, laying a foundation for future treatments for SHANK3-related autism.

The study was led by the lab of Prof. Boaz Barak and PhD student Inbar Fischer from the Sagol School of Neuroscience and the School of Psychological Sciences at Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with the labs of Prof. Ben Maoz from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Fleischman Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University and Prof. Shani Stern from the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Haifa. The article was published in the prestigious journal Science Advances.

PhD student Inbar Fischer.

Prof. Barak: “Autism is a relatively common neurodevelopmental disorder. According to current data, 1-2% of the global population and one in every 36 boys in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with numbers rising over time. Autism is caused by a wide range of factors – environmental, genetic, and even social and cultural (such as the rise in parental age at conception). In my lab, we study the genetic causes of autism. Among these are mutations in a gene called SHANK3. The impact of these mutations on the function of brain neurons has been extensively studied, and we know that the protein encoded by SHANK3 plays a central role in binding receptors in the neuron, essential for receiving chemical signals (neurotransmitters and others) by which neurons communicate. Thus, damage to this gene can disrupt message transmission between neurons, impairing the brain’s development and function. In this study we sought to shed light on other, previously unknown mechanisms, through which mutations in the SHANK3 gene disrupt brain development, leading to disorders manifested as autism”.

Specifically, the research team focused on two components in the brain that have not yet been studied extensively in this context: non-neuronal brain cells (glia) called oligodendrocytes and the myelin they produce. Myelin tissue is a fatty layer that insulates nerve fibers (axons), similar to the insulating layer that coats electrical cables. When the myelin is faulty, the electrical signals transmitted through the axons may leak, disrupting the message transmission between brain regions and impairing brain function.

How a Gene Mutation Impacts the Brain

The team employed a genetically engineered mouse model for autism, introducing a mutation in the Shank3 gene that mirrors the mutation found in humans with this form of autism. Inbar Fischer: “Through this model, we found that the mutation causes a dual impairment in the brain’s development and proper function: first, in oligodendrocytes, as in neurons, the SHANK3 protein is essential for the binding and functioning of receptors that receive chemical signals (neurotransmitters and others) from neighboring cells. This means that the defective protein associated with autism disrupts message transmission to these vital support cells. Secondly, when the function and development of oligodendrocytes is impaired, their myelin production is also disrupted. The faulty myelin does not properly insulate the neuron’s axons, thereby reducing the efficiency of electrical signal transmission between brain cells, as well as the synchronization of electrical activity between different parts of the brain. In our model, we found myelin impairment in multiple brain areas and observed that the animals’ behavior was adversely affected as a result”.

The researchers then sought a method for fixing the damage caused by the mutation, with the hope of ultimately developing a treatment for humans. Inbar Fischer: “We obtained oligodendrocytes from the brain of a mouse with a Shank3 mutation, and inserted DNA segments containing the normal human SHANK3 sequence. Our goal was to allow the normal gene to encode a functional and normal protein, which, replacing the defective protein, would perform its essential role in the cell. To our delight, following treatment, the cells expressed the normal SHANK3 protein, enabling the construction of a functional protein substrate to bind the receptors that receive electrical signals. In other words, the genetic treatment we had developed repaired the oligodendrocytes’ communication sites, essential for the cells’ proper development and function as myelin producers”.

To validate findings from the mouse model, the research team generated induced pluripotent stem cells from the skin cells of a girl with autism caused by a SHANK3 gene mutation identical to that in the mice. From these stem cells, they derived human oligodendrocytes with the same genetic profile. These oligodendrocytes displayed impairments similar to those observed in their mouse counterparts.

Autism and Myelin Damage: New Hope for Treatment

Prof. Barak concludes: “In our study, we discovered two new brain mechanisms involved in genetically induced autism: damage to oligodendrocytes and, consequently, damage to the myelin they produce. These findings have important implications – both clinical and scientific.  Scientifically, we learned that defective myelin plays a significant role in autism and identified the mechanism causing the damage to myelin. Additionally, we revealed a new role for the SHANK3 protein: building and maintaining a functional binding substrate for receptors critical for message reception in oligodendrocytes (not just in neurons). We discovered that contrary to the prevailing view, these cells play essential roles in their own right, far beyond the support they provide for neurons — often seen as the main players in the brain. In the clinical sphere, we validated a gene therapy approach that led to significantly improved development and function of oligodendrocytes derived from the brains of mice modeling autism. This finding offers hope for developing genetic treatment for humans, which could improve the myelin production process in the brain. Furthermore, recognizing the significance of myelin impairment in autism—whether linked to the SHANK3 gene or not—opens new pathways for understanding the brain mechanisms underlying autism and paves the way for future treatment development”.

Does Looking Good Lead to Doing Good?

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New study finds that feeling attractive can lead to more generosity and kindness.

Does the global beauty trend have positive social aspects as well? A new study from Tel Aviv University shows that people who make an effort to improve their appearance—whether this effort is real or imagined, in the physical world or on social media—act more kindly towards others and are twice as likely to donate to charity.

The surprising study was led by Dr. Natalia Kononov, who completed her doctorate under the supervision of Prof. Danit Ein-Gar at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University and is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, conducted in collaboration with Prof. Ein-Gar and Prof. Stefano Puntoni of Wharton, was published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing.

Prof. Danit Ein-Gar (Photo credit: Israel Hadari).

“When we enhance our appearance and feel beautiful—for example, after a fresh haircut—we behave in a more socially conscious manner”, explains Prof. Ein-Gar. “Why? Because we feel as though all eyes are on us, drawing attention, and so we strive to act better. It’s easy to criticize the selfie generation, constantly beautifying themselves and sharing polished photos, but we demonstrate a side effect of this behavior that can benefit society. People who feel good about their appearance can channel that feeling into good deeds”.

Dr. Natalia Kononov.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers conducted a series of experiments, some in virtual settings and others in a laboratory. In one lab experiment, participants were asked to use a filter to enhance a selfie they had taken. A control group, meanwhile, was asked to enhance a photo of an object in the room.

“The experimental group consisted of 50 participants, as did the control group”, Prof. Ein-Gar explains. “After viewing their enhanced photo, each participant collected an envelope with their payment in cash. Next to the payment envelope, there was a donation box so participants could voluntarily donate some or all of their payment. We observed that members of the experimental group, who saw themselves as more attractive, donated up to twice as much as those in the control group. It’s enough to imagine ourselves as more attractive—even just envisioning a more polished digital version of ourselves—to encourage prosocial behavior. This insight has significant practical implications. Until now, research has focused on the appearance of the donation seekers—whether the recipient or the fundraiser—and indeed, more attractive fundraisers have been found to raise more money. Our study introduces another relevant factor: the donor’s appearance. This opens the door to innovative strategies for streamlining charity campaigns, such as partnering with cosmetic companies, hairdressers, and beauty salons—for everyone’s benefit”.

Beauty and the Benefit

One of the most surprising experiments was conducted virtually, on Facebook. Clicking on a link randomly directed users to one of two “know yourself” questionnaires. The control group’s questionnaire asked about preferred architectural styles, while the experimental group’s questionnaire included questions about fashion styles and was designed to make respondents imagine themselves at their most attractive moments, such as envisioning themselves dressed up for a fancy social event. At the end of the questionnaire, a seemingly unrelated pop-up appeared with a link to a donation page. About 7% of respondents who answered the “beauty” questionnaire clicked on the donation link, compared to approximately 2% of those who answered the architectural questionnaire—a particularly impressive figure considering the average click-through rate on Facebook links is just 0.9%.

“Our society is obsessively focused on physical appearance while simultaneously criticizing this superficial behavior”, says Dr. Kononov. “People who are appearance-focused are often judged harshly, but we show that this behavior can have positive spillover effects that benefit others. Social mechanisms may evolve to create some balance, where behaviors that serve the individual are accompanied by byproducts that contribute to the greater good“.

 

Cotler Fellows Make a Difference

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TAU international students fight antisemitism globally

In the wake of October 7th and the ensuing war, Jewish communities around the world are experiencing a troubling surge in antisemitism, while Israelis find it increasingly difficult to advocate for the country on the international stage. One timely Tel Aviv University initiative, the Irwin Cotler Fellowship Program, is actively helping by providing key academic and practical knowledge to international students to counter anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment in their home countries.

Since its inception, about 60 alumni of the program are now Israel’s goodwill ambassadors around the world, including students from Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, Nigeria, New Zealand, India, Belgium and more. 

Each year, the program brings together 20 international students for weekly lectures and projects. They explore universal issues related to human rights and democracy; discuss Israeli society, history, diversity, and challenges; and attend field trips to communities and historical sites across the country. The Cotler Fellows is the flagship program of TAU’s Irwin Cotler Institute, founded in 2022 to advance instruction, training, and policy-oriented research on human rights, democracy, justice, and the fight against antisemitism and racism at large. 

Says Prof. Uriya Shavit, Head of the Cotler Institute: “Fellows are exposed to a variety of viewpoints and encouraged to explore the issues independently and critically. We then 
equip them with public speaking and grassroots organizational skills so that they can deliver workshops in their language to influential groups at home – such as the police, municipal leaders, sports coaches, and the like.”

Educating via Workshops

Indeed, Irwin Cotler Fellows are required to initiate, organize, and lead an international workshop, utilizing the knowledge and skills they gained in the program. Although the 2023-2024 academic year has been particularly complicated, that did not stop Cotler fellows from carrying out their missions. Ari Spielman, a 2024 Cotler Fellow from the United States who studied Environmental Studies at TAU, prepared a lecture about social movements in Israel following October 7th. 

“I gave my presentation at my alma mater, SUNY Albany, in New York. I was worried about giving the talk initially. The University Student Union had just passed a BDS bill, the first in the SUNY system. Yet in the end, we still had a good turnout, with no issues. I felt very confident with how I was able to present the information and convey what has been occurring in Israel in an understandable way to the audience,” Spielman explains. 

“My time as a Cotler fellow helped me improve my public speaking, and ability to efficiently share information. I am very grateful for having been given the opportunity to do the presentation,” he adds.

Some of the other Cotler Fellows’ workshops were conducted online and are posted on the Institute’s website and on YouTube. Here are a few examples:

  • Master student in Security & Diplomacy Julie Jakobsgaard (Denmark) – Antisemitism: Its Development and Present State in Denmark
  • Dental medicine student Joshua G. Cardenas (United States) – Balancing Tech Innovation & Ethics During Times of Crisis
  • Post-doc Dr. Mrinal Kashyap (India) – Israel-India Relations and Antisemitism Awareness
  • Law student Veronica Pana Igube (Nigeria) – Strategies for Combating Online Hate

Other workshops given by Fellows this year included: Anna Balogh (Hungary) on environmental peacebuilding and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Gülsen Aşam (Turkey) on the Syrian refugee crisis and the response of the Turkish government; Akman Sofuoğlu (Turkey) on Israel and misconceptions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and Dacha Azelmad (Morocco) on preserving Jewish memory in Morocco.

“It has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. The insightful discussions and collaborative projects have broadened my understanding of key issues and made me closer to the Jewish culture and to Israel,” says Dacha Azelmad from Morocco, a 2024 Cotler Fellow who studied for an MA in Security and Diplomacy.

“I feel more equipped and inspired to contribute meaningfully to these important conversations in the future, and I am very grateful for this opportunity. Hopefully, my engagement does not stop here!” she adds.

Alumni in ActionBeyond the mandatory workshops, in the wake of the October 7 attack, graduates of the Cotler Fellowship program chose to not remain silent and used their new skills and knowledge to engage in pro-Israel action around the world. 
In May 2024, 2023 Cotler Fellow Nathaniel Myking Udjus organized a support rally for Israel and against antisemitism in his hometown of Grimstad, Norway, together with several local political parties and political organizations. The rally drew over 500 participants from Southern Norway, who expressed their support for Israel and disagreement with the Norwegian government’s policies.

Nathaniel Myking Udjus speaking at an Israel support rally he organized in his hometown of Grimstad, Norway

Nathanial’s classmate Maia Bornsztein participated in numerous pro-Israel demonstrations that have been held in Argentina. Working with her colleagues, Maia has organized and participated in conferences on Israel and the war at local schools, universities, and more than twenty Jewish community institutions, as well as making online informative videos. Furthermore, as a member of the Latin American Jewish Congress, she has been very active in its social media campaigns, generating positive content about Jewish communities around the world and attending meetings with public officials to find common areas to build solidarity against antisemitism. 

Other 2023 alumni similarly reached out. Rafael Nabizade moderated a webinar addressing how Israel and Azerbaijan are confronting Iranian-backed religious terrorism. Aryo Brahmantyo lobbied Indonesian media to cover the situation in a more balanced manner, providing video footage to raise awareness about the atrocities committed by Hamas.

Cotler Fellow Aryo Brahmantyo appearing on Indonesian television

Markus McCraith, Cotler Fellow in the 2024 cohort, initiated and helped organize a Cotler Institute ten-day series of seminars and public lectures in his home country of New Zealand. Senior members of the Jewish communities hailed the lectures and seminars as exceptionally empowering and informative and noted that the tour raised awareness among government agencies about the reality of antisemitism and helped establish new channels for communication and cooperation with the government.

“The Irwin Cotler Fellowship Program has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me,” McCraith says.

Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue

The Irwin Cotler Institute celebrates and advances the legacy of one of the greatest and most respected Canadian jurists and human rights champions in our time, Prof. Irwin Cotler, who is one of the lecturers at the Fellowship Program and also a TAU Governor and Honorary Doctor. “I hope that through our students we’ll create a critical mass of advocacy on behalf of the Jewish people and that Tel Aviv University will be at the forefront of that involvement,” he said at the Institute’s opening. 

Hon. Irwin Cotler with wife Daniella at the TAU Canada Gala (photo: TAU Canada)

Prof. Cotler’s life and legacy were recently celebrated by our Tel Aviv University supporters in Montreal, Canada with 550 guests, family, and friends. “We paid tribute to an extraordinary person, who has dedicated his life and career to making the world a better place,” said the head of TAU Canada Montreal chapter Sharon J. Fraenkel, quoting former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosie Abella, who said, “We are all better people today because of Irwin”.

 

Nasal Spray Revolutionizes COVID Protection

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Researchers created an affordable, needle-free nasal spray COVID-19 vaccine.

A breakthrough in vaccine development: Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro’s lab at TAU’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences collaborated with Professor Helena Florindo’s lab at the University of Lisbon to produce a novel nano-vaccine for COVID-19. The nano-vaccine, a 200-nanometer particle, trains the immune system against all common COVID-19 variants, just as effectively as existing vaccines. Moreover, unlike other vaccines, it is conveniently administered as a nasal spray and does not require a cold supply chain or ultra-cold storage. These unique features pave the way to vaccinating 3rd-world populations, as well as the development of simpler, more effective, and less expensive vaccines in the future. The revolutionary study was featured on the cover of the prestigious journal Advanced Science.

Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro.

Prof. Satchi-Fainaro explains: “The new nano-vaccine’s development was inspired by a decade of research on cancer vaccines. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we set a new goal: training our cancer platform to identify and target the coronavirus. Unlike Moderna and Pfizer, we did not rely on full protein expression via mRNA. Instead, using our computational bioinformatics tools, we identified two short and simple amino acid sequences in the virus’s protein, synthesized them, and encapsulated them in nanoparticles”. Eventually, this nano-vaccine proved effective against all major variants of COVID-19, including Beta, Delta, Omicron, etc.

“Our nano-vaccine offers a significant advantage over existing vaccines because it is needle-free and administered as a nasal spray,” notes Prof. Satchi-Fainaro. “This eliminates the need for skilled personnel such as nurses and technicians to administer injections, reducing contamination risks and sharp waste. Anyone can use a nasal spray, with no prior training”.

Room-Temperature Storage, Same Effectiveness

Another major advantage of the revolutionary nano-vaccine is its minimal storage requirements. Moderna’s sensitive mRNA-based vaccine must be kept at -20°C and Pfizer’s at -70°C, generating great logistic and technological challenges, such as shipping in special aircraft and ultra-cold storage – from the factory to the vaccination station. Prof. Satchi-Fainaro’s novel synthetic nanoparticles are far more durable and can be stored as a powder at room temperature. “There’s no need for freezing or special handling,” she says. “You just mix the powder with saline to create the spray. For testing purposes, as part of the EU’s ISIDORe (Integrated Services for Infectious Disease Outbreak Research feasibility program), we shipped the powder at room temperature to the INSERM infectious diseases lab in France. Their tests showed that our nano-vaccine is at least as effective as Pfizer’s vaccine”.

These important advantages—ease of nasal administration and regular storage and shipping — pave the way towards vaccinating at-risk populations in low-income countries and remote regions, which existing vaccines are unable to reach. Moreover, the novel platform opens the door for quickly synthesizing even more effective and affordable vaccines for future pandemics. “This is a plug-and-play technology,” explains Prof. Satchi-Fainaro. “It can train the immune system to fight cancer or infectious diseases like COVID-19. We are currently expanding its use to target a range of additional diseases, enabling the rapid development of relevant new vaccines when needed”.

The groundbreaking project has received competitive research grants from the Israel Innovation Authority and Merck under the Nofar program, as well as funding from Spain’s “La Caixa” Foundation Impulse as an accelerated program, and support from the ISIDORe feasibility program. It is also part of a broader vaccine platform development program at Professor Satchi-Fainaro’s lab, supported by a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant.

Is There a Way to Stop Parkinson’s Disease at Its Source?

Written by Hilary on . Posted in Newsroom.

TAU Researchers discovered a potential new target for developing effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a new factor in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease, which in the future may serve as a target for developing new treatments for this terrible ailment, affecting close to 10 million people worldwide.

The researchers: “We found that a variant of the TMEM16F protein, caused by a genetic mutation, enhances the spread of Parkinson’s pathology through nerve cells in the brain”.

The study was led by Dr. Avraham Ashkenazi and PhD student Stav Cohen Adiv Mordechai from the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at TAU’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience. Other contributors included: Dr. Orly Goldstein, Prof. Avi Orr-Urtreger, Prof. Tanya Gurevich and Prof. Nir Giladi from TAU’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, as well as other researchers from TAU and the University of Haifa. The study was backed by the Aufzien Family Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease at TAU. The paper was published in the scientific journal Aging Cell.

Doctoral student Stav Cohen Adiv Mordechai explains: “A key mechanism of Parkinson’s disease is the aggregation in brain cells of the protein α-synuclein (in the form of Lewy bodies), eventually killing these cells. For many years, researchers have tried to discover how the pathological version of α-synuclein spreads through the brain, affecting one cell after another, and gradually destroying whole brain sections. Since α-synuclein needs to cross the cell membrane to spread, we focused on the protein TMEM16F, a regulator situated in the cell membrane, as a possible driver of this lethal process”.

α-synuclein spread in the mouse brain.

At first, the researchers genetically engineered a mouse model without the TMEM16F gene, and derived neurons from the brains of these mice for an in-vitro cellular model. Using a specially engineered virus, they caused these neurons to express the defective α-synuclein associated with Parkinson’s and compared the results with outcomes from normal brain cells containing TMEM16F. They found that when the TMEM16F gene had been deleted, the α-synuclein pathology spread to fewer healthy neighboring cells compared to the spread from normal cells. The results were validated in-vivo in a living mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.

TMEM16F Mutation Linked to Parkinson’s Risk in Ashkenazi Jews

In addition, in collaboration with the Neurological Institute at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, the researchers looked for mutations (variants) in the TMEM16F gene that might increase the risk for Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Ashkenazi explains: “The incidence of Parkinson’s among Ashkenazi Jews is known to be relatively high, and the Institute conducts a vast ongoing genetic study on Ashkenazi Jews who carry genes increasing the risk for the disease. With their help, we were able to identify a specific TMEM16F mutation which is common in Ashkenazi Jews in general, and in Ashkenazi Parkinson’s patients in particular”. Cells carrying the mutation were found to secrete more pathological α-synuclein compared to cells with the normal gene. The researchers explain that the mechanism behind increased secretion has to do with the biological function of the TMEM16F protein: the mutation increases the activity of TMEM16F, thereby affecting membrane secretion processes.

Stav Cohen Adiv Mordechai: “In our study, we discovered a new factor underlying Parkinson’s disease: the protein TMEM16F, which mediates secretion of the pathological α-synuclein protein through the cell membrane to the cell environment. Picked up by healthy neurons nearby, the defective α-synuclein forms Lewy bodies inside them, and gradually spreads through the brain, damaging more and more brain cells. Our findings mark TMEM16F as a possible new target for the development of effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease. If, by inhibiting TMEM16F, we can stop or reduce the secretion of defective α-synuclein from brain cells, we may be able to slow down or even halt the spread of the disease through the brain”.

Dr. Ashkenazi emphasizes that research on the new Parkinson’s mechanism has only begun, and quite a number of questions still remain to be explored: Does inhibiting TMEM16F actually reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? Does the lipid composition of cell membranes play a part in spreading the disease in the brain? Is there a link between mutations in TMEM16F and the prevalence of Parkinson’s in the population? The research team intends to continue the investigation in these directions and more.

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