Newsroom – Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University

Why Do City Bats Give Birth Earlier?

Written by Hilary on 25 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Research reveals the city’s surprising effect on birth timing.

A groundbreaking study from Tel Aviv University, the first of its kind on mammals, has found that bats living in urban environments give birth, on average, about 2.5 weeks earlier than bats living in rural areas. The researchers attribute this difference in birthing times between the city and the countryside to more favorable temperatures and greater food abundance in urban areas. Bats are mammals, making this the first study to link the urban living environment to the timing of birth in mammals.

The research was led by the lab team of Prof. Yossi Yovel from the School of Zoology in the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University. The study included contributions from Dr. Maya Weinberg, Dean Zigdon, and Mor Taub, and was published in the scientific journal BMC Biology.

Prof. Yossi Yovel.

Over three years, the researchers monitored ten bat colonies in urban and rural areas, sampling hundreds of female bats and approximately 120 pups from these colonies. The findings revealed that pups born in urban colonies were, on average, 2.5 weeks older, as evidenced by their longer forearms and higher body weights compared to pups from rural colonies.

Prof. Yovel explains: “Fruit bats living in cities benefit from favorable environmental conditions, including higher temperatures due to the ‘urban heat island’ effect and greater food availability, primarily from ornamental fruit trees irrigated year-round. These conditions allow urban bats to cope better with harsh winters and start their reproductive cycles earlier. This enables females to give birth earlier in the season, increasing their chances of becoming pregnant again within the same year.”

However, the researchers emphasize that it remains unclear whether the bats are shortening their pregnancies (a capability known in some bat species) or becoming pregnant earlier. They add that the study opens the door to further research on how urbanization affects mammalian reproductive patterns in general and bats in particular, and how these findings can be used to protect other species in changing ecosystems. “This study highlights the importance of understanding the connection between animals and their environments, especially in an era when urbanization is reshaping the planet,” concludes Prof. Yovel.

A mother bat in flight, carrying her pup beneath her in the city and countryside (Photo credit: Yuval Barkai).

The Scholar in the “Eye of the Storm”

Written by Hilary on 23 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

As the new director of the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism at Tel Aviv University, Prof. Julie E. Cooper brings a perspective that extends beyond historical analysis of antisemitism to its intersection with Jewish political thought. In a time when antisemitism is a source of increasing political controversy, her leadership arrives at a moment of both crisis and opportunity.

“I come to this work not as a historian of antisemitism per se, but as a scholar of Jewish politics and someone attuned to the way in which controversies about antisemitism have always been at the heart of Jewish political debate.”

This nuanced approach reflects the broader mission of the Stephen Roth Institute—to analyze antisemitism not in isolation, but as a phenomenon shaped by and shaping the political landscape of our time.

A Critical Inflection Point

Founded in 1991, the Stephen Roth Institute is one of the oldest centers dedicated to the study of antisemitism. It’s named after Stephen Roth: a human rights advocate, member of the underground resistance during WWII (helping Jewish refugees escape the Nazis), and the first director of the World Jewish Congress following the war. What distinguishes the institute, according to Cooper, is not only its longevity but its location. “Being based in Israel gives us a bit of a unique mandate,” she says.

“We are not an advocacy group or a community organization. We are a research institute, committed to fostering rigorous scholarship while also making those insights accessible to the broader public.”

While a global flashpoint for the conversation about antisemitism is currently occurring on Western campuses and in political battlegrounds, Cooper sees the Stephen Roth Institute’s location in Israel as offering a distinctive advantage. “Paradoxically, Israel is in the eye of the storm, yet in some ways, we are not party to the same debates consuming, for example, universities in the United States,” she notes.

“Our emergency is different—it’s not about how to talk about the war, but about the war itself. That gives us a different perspective and a certain ability to address more fundamental questions.”

In this spirit, the Institute’s research and public programming will focus on questions such as: what are the cultural, political, and economic causes of contemporary antisemitism? What does resurgent antisemitism reveal about the challenges confronting democracy today? Additionally, Cooper emphasizes that Israelis must remain vigilant about the cynical invocation of antisemitism for political aims, which can inadvertently undermine efforts to combat antisemitism today:

“There are cases where charges of antisemitism are exploited for political ends, and part of our role is to analyze and critique these dynamics.”

Scholarship in Action

Cooper’s own academic trajectory underscores this interdisciplinary approach. A scholar of Jewish political thought, she has written extensively on Jewish nationalism, particularly diasporic traditions that have envisioned Jewish self-determination outside the framework of a nation-state. For Cooper, this background context could potentially prove very fruitful as the Stephen Roth Institute’s programming explores antisemitism’s intersection with broader issues of nationalism, racism and the fragility of liberal democracy.

Cooper (far right, standing) speaks during a recent institute symposium on Jews in America and antisemitism. Next to her, from far left to the right, are Prof. Hana Wirth-Nesher (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Eli Lederhendler (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and American journalist and writer Franklin Foer.

The institute’s revamped website is also a reflection of its evolving mission. “We believe that scholarly rigor and accessibility are not in conflict,” Cooper says. “On the contrary, cutting-edge scholarship has a real contribution to make to public understanding.” The website now serves as a hub for academic publications, podcasts and recorded lectures, offering resources to scholars and the general public alike.

Antisemitism and Racism in Dialogue

Another major theme of Cooper’s tenure is the relationship between antisemitism and other forms of racial and ethnic hatred. “One of the fundamental assumptions of our institute is that antisemitism is not sui generis—it is best studied in the context of other forms of prejudice and discrimination,” she explains.

Keynote Franklin Foer, staff writer at the Atlantic and former editor of The New Republic, addresses the audience at a January Stephen Roth Institute symposium, entitled “Is the Golden Age of American Jews Ending?”

The Stephen Roth Institute has long explored these connections, including under the supervision of former director Prof. Scott Ury, who directed a project on the intersections of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Cooper intends to continue this tradition.

The Role of Researchers in Addressing Antisemitism and Racism

For Cooper, this moment—while fraught with challenges—is also a rare opportunity for the study of antisemitism to take center stage in global scholarship. “Unfortunately, it’s a fertile moment for the study of antisemitism,” she reflects.

“International networks are being established right now, and we are part of these networks.”

“We want to expand them and ensure that the study of antisemitism is not isolated but integrated into broader academic conversations about topics such as democratic backsliding, the demise of the liberal order, and the rise of ethnonational populism,” says Cooper.

She also sees the role of these research institutes as increasingly essential in today’s climate. “The heated nature of contemporary debates about antisemitism reflects a lack of consensus about what antisemitism even is, what counts as antisemitism and whether it is a unique phenomenon or one of many forms of racism,” she explains. Academic investigation, like the type conducted at the Stephen Roth Institute, she argues, can contribute a crucial historical perspective, allowing us to see how antisemitism has evolved, mutated and interacted with broader political and social shifts.

“These are complicated issues and understanding them requires moving beyond the superficial ideological battles of public discourse to ask deeper questions about the political world we live in and why certain forms of hatred have become resurgent.”

Harvard Jewish A Capella Choir to Perform at Tel Aviv University

Written by Hilary on 18 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Harvard’s rising Jewish a capella group, ApiChorus, is set to captivate audiences at Tel Aviv University on March 16 with a dynamic blend of songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, and English. Open to all, the concert promises to be a moving music experience, celebrating tradition, culture, and connection.

The upcoming performance is part of the choir’s international tour to Israel where they aim to us the power of music to uplift communities across the country. Beyond the stage, ApiChorus members are eager to immerse themselves in Israeli society and culture:

“We aim to connect with audiences of all backgrounds and spread the spirit of Jewish and Israeli music wherever we go.”

Members of the a capella group (photo courtesy of ApiChorus)

The group was formed in 2023 in affiliation with Harvard Hillel, bringing together undergraduates passionate about singing and Jewish culture. For many, it is not just a choir, but a community. One member shared that she joined to find a sense of belonging:

“After October 7th, I looked around and realized that amidst friends at Harvard, nearly all of whom were non-Jewish, I did not have anyone who truly understood how I was feeling and to whom I could turn for support. As a member of ApiChorus since January 2024, I have now found my Jewish community here.”

While the final setlist for the TAU concert is still in the works, expect to hear an eclectic mix of music—from energetic pop hits from icons like Shakira and Billy Joel, heartfelt Yiddish folk melodies, and beloved Israeli classics.

ApiChorus vocalists (photo courtesy of ApiChorus)

Some of the group members have shared their personal favorites. Soprano Anna Gamburd loves Al Kol Eleh by Naomi Shemer, a song that reminds her of people she loves, and Kilafti Tapuz by Arik Einstein, which she describes as sounding “like a René Magritte painting.”

Tenor Mark Takken is particularly excited about Lo T’natschu Oti by Naomi Shemer, admiring it for “its vivid imagery, beautiful melody and message of resilience.” He is looking forward to performing it at the upcoming concert.

Adina Lippman highlights Giborei Al (Superheroes) by HaTikva 6, praising its powerful lyrics: “True, everyone looks normal. However, we’re a nation of superheroes. There is a soldier hiding in everyone, ready to save the world”.

She explains how the song resonates deeply with her, especially after October 7th, reinforcing her sense of faith, resilience, and Jewish identity:

“Israel is a nation of resilience, strength, and bitakhon [security]—we are superheroes through our tefillot, chessed, and mitzvot, bringing goodness into the world.”—Adina Lippman

This past year, ApiChorus has performed at schools, synagogues, and Harvard-wide events, including the Harvard Arts First music festival. On their recent tour to New York City, the group performed at 10 concerts in just under 36 hours, singing for schools, synagogues, a senior center, and even in Central Park—all for a total of over 1,200 people.

ApiChorus at one of their performances (photo courtesy of ApiChorus)

Now, they are bringing that same energy and passion to Israel:

“We look forward to singing with you and working with you on this mission to bring Harvard’s display of musical positivity to Israel.”

Raziel Hernandez Batista’s Environmental Mission

Written by Hilary on 12 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

For Raziel Hernandez Batista, the journey to studying environmental science at Tel Aviv University (TAU) has been anything but conventional. Originally from Panama, Hernandez Batista began her academic path as a chemical engineer and found her passion for sustainability through professional experiences that revealed the scale of global waste. “I started taking sustainability courses in my senior year of undergrad,” she explains. These courses ignited her interest in bridging technical expertise with actionable solutions to environmental challenges.

Her wake-up call came while working in the food industry. “I worked in quality assurance, and every day, I was struck by the sheer waste generated—even in a small plant. It was eye-opening,” Hernandez Batista recalls. Determined to pursue a career that addressed these issues, she transitioned her focus from food sustainability to the broader nexus of water, energy, and food systems.

This search for the right graduate program led her to TAU, and specifically the international MA in Environmental Studies offered through The Lowy International School.

“I found a program that was everything I was looking for— it had the social components, the science components and the human components … it had everything in environmental studies that I wanted to focus on.”

Hernandez Batista participates in a policy development simulation in her Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development class.

The decision was solidified by a scholarship for Panamanian students, which included housing and tuition, allowing her to focus fully on her studies and particularly her interests in food, energy and water. “What better country to learn about water than Israel?” she adds.

A Global Perspective on Environmental Studies

Hernandez Batista’s experience at TAU has exceeded her expectations, largely due to the program’s unique global perspective and collaborative culture. “One of my favorite things about the program is the amount of different perspectives I get from my classmates,” she says.

“It’s beautiful to sit at a table and hear about what works—or doesn’t—work in different countries, and to really understand the cultural and policy differences. I’ve gained so, so much just from these conversations.”

She also appreciates the breadth of the curriculum, which integrates real-world policy issues with scientific exploration, and which offers not only Israeli case studies, but examples from around the world.

“The professors bring examples from every continent, which makes the learning experience incredibly eye-opening.”

For her Advertising Earth class, Hernandez Batista worked on a joint advertising campaign aimed at reducing food waste by encouraging consumers to “find joy” in good deeds.

This supportive and inclusive academic environment has allowed Raziel to explore issues specific to Panama and its neighbors. “For one project, I focused on policy recommendations for waste management in Panama City,” she shares.

Another seminar project involved assessing affordable smart technology options for water treatment systems in Panama, to help address the country’s budget constraints while improving municipal infrastructure. These experiences have helped her bridge global insights with local solutions, preparing her for the next stage of her career.

Pivoting to Groundbreaking Research

After completing the coursework MA, Hernandez Batista is now continuing on to complete a master’s thesis; she credits her advisor, Dr. Ines Zucker, for encouraging her to explore water-focused research, and specifically the issue of how nanobubbles can contribute to wastewater treatment, focusing on improving groundwater purification.

Through an internship with The Natural Step Israel (arranged by TAU’s Porter International Program), Hernandez Batista was able to attend the Israel Climate Change Conference.

“My research is about developing the fundamental science of nanobubble transport, changing their properties to optimize their mobility in soil,” she explains. The work is highly technical but deeply fulfilling. “I love this work. It’s amazing.”

A Vision for Panama’s Environmental Future

Hernandez Batista is eager to bring the knowledge and ideas she has gained in Israel back to Panama. From her research on nanomaterials to her broader studies on sustainability, she has a clear vision for improving environmental practices in her home country.

“I’m fueled with ideas from Israel and want to bring them back to Panama.”

“For example, I explored how to make water systems affordable for municipalities while maintaining high-quality results. These solutions don’t have to cost millions—they can be implemented on smaller budgets.”

Hernandez Batista celebrates graduating from her MA in Environmental Studies (coursework option) with friend Anamika.

While Hernandez Batista’s future may take her across different countries—specifically between Panama, Israel and the United States—her mission is clear: to address Panama’s environmental challenges and inspire change through innovation and collaboration. “For now, the answer is Panama,” she says. “I have so many ideas I want to implement there.”

City Life Keeps These Birds on the Move

Written by Hilary on 11 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University’s School of Zoology studied the behavior and movement of the common spur-winged lapwing. They compared the habits of “urban lapwings” to those of their “rural” counterparts. In this latest study — the third in a series — the researchers tracked spur-winged lapwings in the Beit She’an and Harod Valleys, finding that birds living in human settlements exhibited greater mobility than those in nearby fishponds and fields, especially during the nesting season.

The researchers note: “We often see birds in populated areas and cities, demonstrating that some species habituate and even flourish in human environments. However, we tend to overlook how human presence affects these animals, altering their behavior — much like the classic story of the ‘town mouse and country mouse”.

The study was led by doctoral student Michael Bar-Ziv from the School of Zoology under the guidance of Prof. Orr Spiegel. Additional contributors included Hilla Ziv, Mookie Breuer, Eitam Arnon, and Assaf Uzan, all members of the Movement Ecology and Individual Behavior Laboratory at the School of Zoology from The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University.

Prof. Orr Spiegel.

Prof. Spiegel explains: “Our lab focuses on animal behavior and movement in space, aiming to conserve nature and prevent zoonotic disease transmission. In our latest series of studies on this system, we sought to examine how urbanization and human presence influence animals, particularly birds. We chose to focus on the spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus). These common species are often found in populated areas and are large enough to carry a transmitter that continuously tracks its location. In our two earlier studies, we found that urban lapwings are bolder than their counterparts that live in more natural areas and that these behavioral differences persist even when tested in a shared and controlled environment, such as aviaries at the zoological garden at Tel Aviv University”.

How Habitat Shapes Bird Movement

This study focused on spur-winged lapwings living in the Beit She’an and Harod Valleys, comparing the spatial movement patterns of two adjacent sub-populations: those living in moshavim and kibbutzim and those in nearby fishponds and fields. Two main parameters were examined: mobility — the daily distance traveled, and exploration — whether they revisit familiar locations or explore new, unfamiliar sites.

Close-up of a Spur-winged Lapwing (Photo credit: Hilla Ziv).

Michael Bar-Ziv explains: “Spur-winged lapwings nest during spring, building their nests on the ground. We captured them at their nests, attached transmitters, and released them to continue their lives. The transmitters, which sent a signal every eight seconds, allowed us to track the birds over several months”. In total, the researchers tracked 135 individuals — half males and half females — with an average tracking period of 194 days. The longest tracking period lasted about ten months. The data collected underwent statistical analysis to compare the movement and behavioral patterns of the two groups.

Bar-Ziv adds: “First, we found that each bird has its own distinct personality, reflected in consistent movement patterns that differ from those of other individuals. Additionally, we discovered that lapwings living in human settlements are more mobile than those in undeveloped areas. We believe this is because disturbances in towns and villages cause the birds to take flight more often, increasing their overall flight distance but not their maximum distance from the nest. As for exploration, we found a more complex picture, with seasonal differences and variations between males and females. For example, during the nesting season, females in fields were more exploratory than their counterparts in populated areas, while the opposite was true for males. We don’t yet have an explanation for these patterns”.

Bird City Life

Prof. Spiegel concludes: “Many animals live around us in cities and towns, and some species even adapt well to human environments. However, research shows that even among these city-dweller species, various aspects of behavior change due to human presence compared to their behavior in the wild. Alternatively, individuals with certain personality traits may be more likely to choose urban living, which explains behavioral differences. In this study, we found significant differences, particularly increased mobility among ‘urban lapwings’ during the nesting season. Future studies will explore the potential influence of urban environments on the development and personality of chicks from a young age to adulthood. These studies will help us distinguish between the mechanisms contributing to the observed differences — whether certain types of individuals gravitate toward cities or whether urban environments shape behavior”.

Is the Spread of Deadly Pathogens Threatening Coral Reefs Worldwide?

Written by Hilary on 11 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

From Eilat to the Indian Ocean, a relentless pathogen is ravaging marine ecosystems

An international team of researchers, led by scientists from Tel Aviv University, has discovered that the pathogen responsible for the mass deaths of sea urchins along the Red Sea coast is the same one responsible for mass mortality events among sea urchins off the coast of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. This finding raises fears that the pathogen – a waterborne ciliate – could spread further, to the Pacific Ocean. The researchers warn that this is a highly aggressive global pandemic, and are now spearheading an international effort to track the disease and preserve sea urchins, which play a crucial role in the health of coral reefs.

The study, led by Dr. Omri Bronstein from the School of Zoology at Tel Aviv University’s Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, was published in the prestigious journal Ecology.

The Research Team. Photo credit: Tel Aviv University.

“This is a first-rate ecological disaster”, explains Dr. Bronstein.

She continues: “Sea urchins are vital to the health of coral reefs. They act as the ‘gardeners’ of the reef by feeding on algae, preventing it from overgrowing and suffocating the coral, which competes with algae for sunlight. In 1983, a mysterious disease wiped out most of the Diadema sea urchins in the Caribbean. Unchecked, the algae there proliferated, blocking sunlight from the coral, and the region shifted from a coral reef ecosystem to an algae-dominated one. Even 40 years later, the sea urchin population — and consequently the reef — has not recovered”.

In 2022, the disease reemerged in the Caribbean, targeting the surviving sea urchin populations and individuals. This time, armed with advanced scientific and technological tools to collect and interpret the forensic evidence, researchers at Cornell University successfully identified the pathogen as a ciliate Scuticociliate parasite. A year later, in early 2023, Dr. Bronstein was the first to identify mass mortality events among long-spined sea urchins, a close relative of the Caribbean Sea urchins, in the Red Sea.

Sea urchin mortalities on Reunion Island. Photo credit: Jean-Pascal Quod.

“Until recently, this was one of the most common sea urchins in Eilat’s coral reefs — the familiar black urchins with long spines,” says Dr. Bronstein. “Today, this species no longer exists in significant numbers in the Red Sea. The event was extremely violent: within less than 48 hours, a healthy population of sea urchins turned into crumbling skeletons. In some locations in Eilat and the Sinai, mortality rates reached 100 percent. In follow-up research, we demonstrated that the Caribbean pathogen was the same one affecting populations in the Red Sea”.

Genetic Proof Links Global Sea Urchin Deaths to One Pathogen

Now, using genetic tools, Dr. Bronstein and his international colleagues have shown that the same ciliate parasite is responsible for similar mortality events off the coast of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. “This is the first genetic confirmation that the same pathogen is present in all these locations,” he says. “Now it’s a global event, a pandemic. The Caribbean, Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean are critical regions for the world’s coral reefs, and mortality rates for sea urchins in these areas are very high — over 90 percent. As of now, we have no evidence of this pathogen in Pacific Ocean sea urchins, but this is something we are actively investigating. Although we’ve developed genetic tools for the specific identification of the pathogen, it’s difficult to monitor such rapid extinction events in the vast underwater environment. We are terrestrial creatures, and some reefs are located in deep or remote areas. If we miss the mortality event by even a couple of days, we might find no trace of the extinct population”.

Four healthy sea urchin species on Reunion Island. Photo credit: Jean-Pascal Quod.

To track the progression of the pandemic, Dr. Bronstein has established an international network of collaborators. He provides them with alerts about the likelihood of mortality events in their regions and sends them the necessary equipment to sample and preserve affected sea urchins for comparison with samples from other locations. These kits are then sent back to the laboratory at Tel Aviv University.

“For populations that are already infected, we really have no tools to help them,” says Dr. Bronstein with regret. “There is no Pfizer or Moderna for sea urchins — not because we don’t want one, but because we simply can’t treat them underwater. Our focus must be on two entirely different tracks. The first is prevention. To prevent further spread of the pandemic, we need to understand why it erupted here and now. We’ve developed two hypotheses for this. The first is the transportation hypothesis — that the pathogen from the Caribbean was transported by humans to new and distant regions after being carried in the ballast water of ships, infecting sea urchins in the Red Sea before spreading to the Western Indian Ocean.

The sea urchin Diadema setosum before (left) and after (right) mortality. The white skeleton is exposed following tissue disintegration and loss of spines. Photo credit: Tel Aviv University.

How climate change might be spreading marine diseases worldwide

Incidentally, if this hypothesis is correct, we would expect to see mortality events in West Africa as well — as many cargo ships from the Caribbean stop there on their way to the Mediterranean and then through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea. Indeed, just in the past few weeks, we’ve discovered widespread mortality events in West Africa, as we predicted, and we’ve managed to obtain a limited number of samples collected during these events, which we are currently analyzing in the lab. If ships are indeed the source of the spread, then we could think of mitigation strategies. It’s not simple, and ships will never be completely sterile, but there are measures we can take. The second possibility is even more concerning: that the pathogen has always been present, and climatic changes have triggered its virulence and outbreak. That’s a challenge of an entirely different magnitude, one that we, as marine biologists, have very limited means to address”.

In parallel with global efforts, Dr. Bronstein has recently established a breeding nucleus for the affected sea urchins at the Israel Aquarium in Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Biblical Zoo and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. This breeding population will serve as a reserve to restore affected populations and advance research into infection mechanisms and possible treatments.

“The pathogen is transmitted through water, so even sea urchins raised for research purposes in aquariums at the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences and the Underwater Observatory in Eilat became infected and died. That is why we established a breeding nucleus with the Israel Aquarium, whose aquariums are completely disconnected from seawater. We genetically test the urchins transferred to the nucleus to ensure they are not carriers of the disease and that they genetically belong to the Red Sea population, enabling us to rehabilitate the population in the future. At the same time, we are using them to develop sensitive genetic tools for early disease detection from seawater samples — essentially creating ‘underwater COVID tests’ for sea urchins”.

First of Its Kind: mRNA Drugs Delivered Straight to the Gut

Written by Hilary on 9 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Potential new therapy for Crohn’s, colitis, and other inflammatory diseases.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have achieved a breakthrough in drug delivery: they have successfully transported lipid nanoparticles encapsulating messenger RNA (mRNA) to the immune system of the small and large intestines — bypassing the liver upon systemic administration. By simply altering the composition of the nanoparticles, the researchers demonstrated that mRNA-based drugs can be directed straight to target cells, avoiding the liver.

The groundbreaking Tel Aviv University study was led by post-doctoral fellow Dr. Riccardo Rampado together with Vice President for R&D Prof. Dan Peer, a pioneer in the development of mRNA therapeutics and Director of the Laboratory of Precision Nano-Medicine at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research. The study was published on the cover of the prestigious journal Advanced Science.

Prof. Dan Peer.

Targeting Drugs More Precisely with Lipid Nanoparticles

“Everything injected into the bloodstream eventually ends up in the liver — that’s just how our anatomy works”, explains Prof. Peer. “This poses two challenges. First, drugs intended to target specific cells in particular organs may be toxic to the liver. Second, we don’t want drugs to get ‘stuck’ in the liver. Ideally, the drug would reach the target organ first, and any remnants would then break down in the liver. We discovered that altering the proportions of lipids comprising the nanoparticles determines their destination in the bloodstream. This is a general phenomenon, meaning it works regardless of the specific lipids, which makes this a significant breakthrough”.

To demonstrate the concept, Prof. Peer and his team encoded the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-10 into mRNA, encapsulated it in lipid nanoparticles with a composition different from those typically used (such as in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines), and successfully delivered it to the intestines of animal models with Crohn’s disease and colitis via intravenous injection.

“Not only were we able to deliver an mRNA-based anti-inflammatory drug directly to the inflamed intestine and improve all markers of colitis and Crohn’s disease, but we also transformed the immune cells in the intestine into factories for producing the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10”, Prof. Peer explains. “But this is just a proof of concept study. By tweaking the nanoparticle composition, we could deliver other RNA-based drugs to different organs. There’s a saying in American English: ‘It’s all in the formulation’. That’s exactly what this is about”.

Higher Phospholipids, Faster Delivery

In general, lipid-based drugs are encased in synthetic lipid nanoparticles, which mimic biological membranes. One of these lipids is phospholipid named phosphatidylcholine, a component found in all biological membranes. In vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine, the mRNA is encapsulated in lipid particles containing about 10% of this phospholipid. Prof. Peer and his team increased the phospholipid ratio to 30% and demonstrated that this adjustment caused the particles to float through the bloodstream like oil on water.

“That’s the whole trick”, Prof. Peer concludes. “We adjusted the lipid composition and found that at 30% phospholipid, the drug is directed straight to the intestine. Of course, this wasn’t a blind trial-and-error approach. We understand the mechanism, at least partially, and recognize that this ratio more closely resembles a natural biological membrane, which intestinal cells are better suited to absorb. Now, we are exploring further adjustments to target the pancreas and other organs that can only be reached by fine-tuning the lipid nanoparticle composition. This direct delivery method for mRNA drugs opens up broad possibilities for developing new and more precise therapies than ever before”.

Open Day at TAU: Choose the Unconventional, Combine Your Passions

Written by Hilary on 9 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

The winter weather, which decided to visit us in Tel Aviv for only a few hours, added to the festive atmosphere of the Open Day held on February 6th at our campus. Thousands of prospective students gathered to learn about admission requirements and the registration process, and to meet with academic and administrative staff as well as current students from the fields they are interested in. They found themselves congregating in the faculty buildings across campus and in the registration and counseling halls, where they were greeted with workshops, lectures, and panels—everything they needed to begin their academic journey.

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discover information about the diverse study program combinations offered by Tel Aviv University.

“The university offers over 200 study programs, and is part of a movement to create innovative interdisciplinary programs”, says Sharon Ariel, the university’s marketing director.

She continues: “We encourage our students to choose unconventional combinations, believing they will find ways to integrate their different areas of interest throughout their professional and personal lives. For example, students can study Biology alongside Philosophy, combine Computer Science with Music, or deepen their understanding of Law and Film Studies. This approach allows each student to find their unique path and fully realize their academic and personal potential”.

This year, Tel Aviv University also introduced special conditions for reservists who were called up for extended periods, as well as for evacuees from war zones, offering a unique undergraduate admission track to help them succeed. Visitors to the Open Day participated in immersive tours through the faculty buildings and study departments, offering a taste of various fields of study and a glimpse into the different labs. The first 200 registrants at the event received a special surprise—a pair of Saucony running shoes as a gift.

Open Day at TAU. Photo credit: LENS Productions.

Among the most popular sessions were those introducing Tel Aviv University’s innovative teaching methods, including virtual reality experiences and workshops on choosing a field of study from the Career Counseling Center at the Dean of Students’ Office. In addition, prospective students learned about the opportunity to spend a whole semester at leading universities abroad through the student exchange program, and participated in a workshop at the Campus Entrepreneurship Center, where they learned how to start advancing their startup dreams during their degree.

We were delighted to host everyone at our beautiful campus, and we hope that together with us, the prospective students will begin their journey toward the discoveries, innovations, and theories waiting to be uncovered.

Couldn’t make it to Open Day and Interested in TAU’s International Track? All the information about admission pathways and what needs to be done to start studying at Tel Aviv University is available on the TAU International website >

When Marine Animals Become ‘Plastic Distributors’

Written by Hilary on 9 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Marine animals eat and release microplastics, harming the environment.

A new Tel Aviv University study has uncovered alarming findings about the spread of microplastic particles in the marine food web. In recent years, numerous studies have examined the dangers of aquatic animals and more specifically, filter-feeding organisms, ingesting non-degradable microplastic particles. In the current study, the research team sought to understand how the biological filtration by filter-feeding organisms affects the microplastics in their environment. The findings indicate that the particles are excreted in the feces of marine animals, causing them to be unidentifiable as plastic to the aquatic environment, but potentially as other organic matter suitable for consumption.

Additionally, the presence of microplastic within feces affects the feces dispersal which causes accumulation of feces and plastic particles. This may increase carbon and nitrogen levels on the seafloor and lead to algal blooms, which have a critical impact on the balance of the marine food web.

The research was conducted by PhD student Eden Harel of the School of Zoology in the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Noa Shenkar of the School of Zoologyand the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, and Prof. Ines Zucker of the School of Mechanical Engineering and the Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, all at Tel Aviv University. The study was published in the journal Chemosphere.

Prof. Shenkar during a research dive (Photo credit: Dr. Tom Shlesinger).

Prof. Shenkar explains: “About a decade ago, when awareness of the plastic pollution problem in the marine environment began to grow, many researchers focused on identifying the location and scale of microplastic particles. Recently, the research focus has shifted to the effects and damage caused by microplastics. However, many experiments in this field are conducted using clean, purchased plastic, whereas in the sea, plastic particles are exposed to a wide range of influences and pollutants. We aimed to examine whether and how plastic changes after passing through the digestive system of a marine organism and how this process affects the presence of plastic and its availability to other organisms”.

How Marine Organisms Process Microplastics

The researchers created an experimental system in the lab simulating seawater containing ascidians — marine animals that feed by efficiently and indiscriminately filtering tiny particles from the water. They exposed the ascidians to two types of plastic particles: conventional polystyrene (PS), which is widely used, and polylactic acid (PLA), marketed as a biodegradable, environmentally friendly bioplastic. They then examined the impact of the ascidians’ filtration process on the concentration and distribution of plastic particles in the water at four intervals: at the time of exposure, after two hours (when the ascidians had filtered all available water and ingested the microplastic particles), after 24 hours, and after 48 hours (following digestion and the excretion of feces into the water).

The laboratory at Tel Aviv University where the experiment was conducted (Photo credit: Eden Harel).

The findings showed that approximately 90% of the polystyrene particles were removed from the water after two hours of filtration, but all the particles returned to the water after 48 hours, following passage through the digestive system. In contrast, the concentration of PLA particles in the water significantly decreased and remained low for 48 hours, larger PLA particles likely broke down during digestion and returned to the water as smaller undetectable nano-sized particles.

In the second phase of the study, the researchers examined what had happened to the microplastic particles that were filtered, digested, and excreted back into the water column. To do so, they isolated microplastic particles from the ascidians’ feces and analyzed them using Raman spectroscopy, an advanced device that identifies the chemical composition of materials by scattering a laser beam.

Eden Harel explains: “We found that the sensitive spectroscopy device could not identify the material as plastic at all and instead identified the particle as another type of organic material. Our findings revealed that microplastic particles are excreted from the ascidian’s digestive system coated with a fecal layer, and it is likely that the marine environment also identifies these particles as this organic material. Since many marine animals feed on feces, they may well ingest plastic that has changed its properties, identifying it as food. In this way, they are also exposed to microplastics and spread them further within the marine food web. The fecal coating may serve as a substrate for bacterial colonization and increase the adhesion and accumulation of pollutants such as heavy metals and residual organic substances (like antibiotics) on the plastic particles”.

Prof. Zucker adds: “This phenomenon also affects bioplastics marketed as ‘biodegradable’: unless conditions are met for their complete breakdown, they remain as particle pollution that changes properties during passage through the digestive system. The many transformations plastic particles undergo in the environment — from weathering to digestive processes, as investigated in this study — turn them into carriers of pollutants and diseases within the food web”.

The researchers analyzing the secretions of marine animals (Photo credit: Eden Harel).

What’s the Impact of Microplastics on Marine Life?

In the third phase of the study, the researchers examined the reverse effect: how microplastic particles affect feces, an organic material that plays a vital role in marine ecology. Eden Harel explains: “We found that plastic changes important physical properties of feces. Normal feces sink very slowly through the water column, serving as food for many organisms along the way. In contrast, feces containing microplastic particles sink rapidly to the seafloor. This removes an important nutrient source from the water column. Additionally, the faster sinking rate decreased the dispersion of the feces causing accumulation of feces and plastic particles near where the animals are settled. This accumulation can increase carbon and nitrogen levels on the seafloor and trigger algal blooms, representing another critical impact of microplastics on the balance of the marine food web”.

The researchers conclude: “In this study, we uncovered significant aspects of the influence of filter-feeding animals on the characteristics of microplastic particles in their environment and within the marine food web. The most alarming conclusion is that the microplastic problem is far more complex than initially thought. Plastic pollution in the marine environment has many unexpected dimensions, and its complexities continue to grow. Sometimes, neither we nor the environment can even recognize it as plastic. As time goes on, plastic continues to harm more and more marine ecosystems. We must develop new technologies to mitigate this dangerous phenomenon”.

Innovative Technology from Tel Aviv University researchers can double IVF Success Rates

Written by Hilary on 9 February 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

New tech enhances sperm selection, boosting IVF success.

A new technology developed at Tel Aviv University and implemented at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon has demonstrated a significant increase in the success rates of fertilization, pregnancy, and the birth of a healthy baby through in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to the findings collected thus far, the technology has increased IVF success rates from 34% to 65% — resulting in 20 pregnancies out of 31 embryo transfers compared to only 14 pregnancies out of 41 embryo transfers in the control group. Among the notable cases was a couple who, after enduring 15 unsuccessful IVF cycles over several years, conceived for the first time using this technology and finally became parents. The research team highlights that this method enables laboratories to select high-quality sperm cells (as defined by the World Health Organization) for fertilization, dramatically improving the likelihood of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby.

The groundbreaking technology was developed in the lab of Prof. Natan T. Shaked, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fleischman Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University, and is being implemented through QART Medical, a startup company established with the support of the university’s investment fund, its technology transfer company, Ramot, as well as external investors. The method has been published in leading journals, including PNAS, Advanced Science, and Fertility and Sterility. In addition to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, the technology has recently been implemented in clinical research at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, Assuta Medical Center in Ramat HaHayal, HaEmek Medical Center in Afula, and Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. It is also used at two leading international medical institutions: UCSF Medical Center in California and the University of Tokyo Hospital in Japan. To date, dozens of couples have enrolled in clinical trials.

Fertility Challenges: Declining Sperm Counts and IVF Solutions

Dr. Bozhena Saar-Ryss, Director of the IVF Unit and the Sperm Bank at Barzilai Medical Center, explains: “Fertility issues are becoming increasingly critical: one in six couples faces fertility problems, with male-related issues accounting for half of the cases. Additionally, in certain countries like Japan, Korea, and Spain, dramatic declines in birth rates are leading to population shrinkage. The causes for this are diverse and include societal trends like career prioritization and delayed marriages, as well as health issues potentially caused by environmental pollutants. Over the past few decades, sperm counts in young, healthy men have dropped by approximately 50%. One of the major challenges in IVF is selecting a sperm cell with high-quality structure and motility to inject into the egg, which enables the development of a healthy embryo”. The clinical study at Brazilai Medical Center was led by the embryologist Dr. Yulia Michailov, the Director of the IVF unit and the sperm lab at Brazilai.

Prof. Natan T. Shaked, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tel Aviv University, explains the technology: “Biological cells are transparent, making it necessary to use chemical dyes to examine their internal structure for research or fertility diagnostic purposes. These dyes enable the analysis and measurement of the cell’s internal structure under conventional microscopes. However, when it comes to IVF, using dyes on sperm cells is prohibited, as the dye may penetrate the embryo’s DNA and cause damage. Currently, because embryologists rely on subjective assessments of sperm cells based on their external appearance and motility, about 90% of sperm cells that appear suitable to embryologists fail to meet the internal morphological criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Live birth rates in IVF are only 15–25%, and many couples undergo over five treatment cycles before achieving pregnancy”.

Prof. Natan T. Shaked

Is 3D Imaging the Future of Sperm Selection for IVF?

Prof. Shaked adds: “Our technology provides embryologists with a new and essential tool to identify sperm cells that meet the WHO criteria for IVF labs. This new method provides three-dimensional imaging and visualization of the internal structure of biological cells without chemical staining, as it is based on the light-conducting properties of the cell contents, known as the refractive index. This method allows embryologists to analyze the internal structure and contents of live sperm cells and even measure new parameters like mass and volume. Embryologists can therefore select sperm cells that meet the WHO’s structural criteria, achieving results comparable to chemical staining for live cells in the first time. This significantly increases the chances of successful fertilization, pregnancy, and the birth of a healthy baby, as demonstrated by the clinical trial results”.

Dr. Ronen Kreizman, CEO of Ramot: “Ramot congratulates Prof. Shaked and his team, as well as QART Medical, on their remarkable achievements. Successes like this are a testament to the immense potential of inventions originating from Tel Aviv University. Ramot takes great pride in playing an active role in establishing innovative companies like QART Medical, which implement the groundbreaking technologies developed at Tel Aviv University. We believe that the model of creating companies around research technologies makes a significant contribution both to the economy and to humanity”.

Currently, Prof. Shaked’s team is developing a new method to detect DNA fragmentation in sperm cells, which will be integrated into the new technology. Prof. Shaked: “Our goal is to provide embryologists with a technology that enables individual sperm selection based on three essential criteria: motility, internal structure, and unfragmented DNA. This will allow embryologists to select the best sperm cell for fertilization and dramatically improve success rates in this vital procedure.

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