Month: March 2015

“Teaching is my true calling,” explains Prof. Ester Segal, winner of the 2014 Yanai Prize for Excellence in Academic Education

“Teaching is very demanding, and it’s not always easy finding the time to devote to it with all the other tasks before me, but for me it is a true calling,” explains Prof. Ester Segal from the Faculty of Biotechnology & Food Engineering. Prof. Segal was recently awarded the Yanai Prize for Excellence along with nine other faculty members. The prize, funded by Technion graduate Mr. Moshe Yanai in the amount of 100 thousand Shekels, is awarded to Technion faculty.

In her acceptance speech at the prize ceremony, Prof. Segal explained that, “The role of teacher for me is not only about the transfer of knowledge, imparting skills and assisting students in achieving the highest possible grades. It is our task to instil curiosity and a desire for knowledge, to nurture critical thinking, creativity and independence, and to prepare students for the real world that will be waiting for upon completing their studies. I believe that as educators, we should approach teaching with the same enthusiasm and responsibility we place on research on our research. Such attitude towards teaching makes it an interesting and challenging activity and motivates us to be innovative and effective in the classroom. We must keep in mind that in teaching, there is no ‘one size fits all’ – classes are always heterogeneous, and each student has a different learning style. I also believe that building communication and trust is critical for establishing an efficient and productive learning environment. I show the students empathy and care; this also means going an extra mile for them.”

Prof. Ester Segal completed all three of her degrees at the Technion’s Faculty of Chemical Engineering. In 2007, upon completion of her postdoctorate at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), she joined the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion. She currently heads the Multifunctional Nanomaterials Laboratory, located at the Faculty, and in the past year she received the Henry Taub Prize for Excellence in Research.

Prof. Segal heads a multidisciplinary research team investigating the interface between materials science and biotechnology. The main research at the laboratory focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and their application to the development of biological sensors and drug delivery systems.

In an article she recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, she reported that silicon carriers for the local delivery of anticancer drugs degrade differently when they reach the diseased environment, which can affect clinical outcomes. The study, conducted jointly with Prof. Natalie Artzi from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Harvard Medical School, sheds light on this degradation process, opening the way for improved tumor treatments.

“In this study we have shown for the first time that biomaterials in general, and nanostructured porous silicon in particular, behave differently when they are injected (or implanted) at the tumor microenvironment. Over the last few years, we successfully engineered silicon to be used as a carrier of anticancer drugs that releases its contents in a controlled manner, and now we are focusing on the degradation mechanism of the silicon at the diseased tissue,” explains Prof. Segal.

Nanostructured Porous Silicon is the common name for a family of silicon-based materials containing nano-scale holes. This material is today seen as a promising drug delivery vehicle, mainly due to its unique characteristics: a large surface area (geared for drug unloading), biocompatbility, and bio-degradability in a safe and non-toxic manner. In recent years, Prof. Segal and her doctoral student Adi Tzur-Balter developed ‘containers’ (carriers) for the delivery of anticancer drugs. Through careful design of the silicon containers, in terms of their pore diameter and surface chemistry, the group achieved optimal features for effective drug delivery.

One of the important findings of the study, which investigates the behavior of the silicon ‘containers in breast cancer tumors, is associated with the accelerated degradation of the silicon material in the diseased area. The research showed that reactive oxygen species upregulated in the cancerous environment (in vivo), induce oxidation of the silicon, causing a rapid degradation of the ‘containers’ as compared with (in vitro) lab experiments. As a result, this article sheds light on the process of nanostructured silicon degradation at the tumor microenvironment, and allows for early and smart design intervention of the silicon structure to facilitate controlled release of the drug at the targeted site.

“Mechanism of Erosion of Nanostructured Porous Silicon Drug Carriers in Neoplastic Tissues:” 

For more information: Gil Liner, Technion Spokesperson, 058-688-2208

 

Hadas Ziso is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Mechanical engineering at the Technion and winner of the Levi Eshkol Prize for 2013. “I began my academic path in the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering,” says Ziso, “where I earned my B.Sc. and M.Sc. My research, advised by Prof. Eitan Kimel, examined the treatment of cancerous tumors using ultrasound and microbubbles. I then worked for several years in the medical sector, until my return to the university as a doctoral student, advised by Prof. Moshe Shoham (head of the medical robotics lab) and Prof. Menashe Zaaroor (head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Rambam Medical Center).”

“My research involves the development of a novel robot for minimally invasive neurosurgery. This robotic system is unique for several reasons: first, the treatment will be executed automatically, under the supervision of the surgeon, according to a treatment plan based on CT/MRI scans and combined with real-time detection of the cancerous tissue. Second, the robotic system will conduct the surgery via a ~4 mm keyhole in the skull and will be able to treat tumors up to 6 cm in diameter.

The robot is equipped with a mechanism of a rigid external needle and a semi-flexible inner needle that gives the system three-dimensional freedom of movement. The external needle moves vertically and rotates, while the inner needle moves laterally. One of the main technological challenges of this project, apart from the miniaturization of the detection and therapeutic tools, is the development of a needle mechanism that can turn a sharp corner. The inner needle will have to endure a 90-degree curvature in the opening of the external needle, and still be strong enough to bear lateral loads. It must be straight upon exit, in order to accurately move the attached detection and therapeutic tools to the planned destination. A few mechanisms that met these requirements were investigated, including thin-wall tube buckling, magnetic bead chain, Nitinol wire and a tensegrity mast.

The two diagnostic and therapeutic methods that meet the system specifications, both clinically and mechanically, and are currently under evaluation are: tumor detection using 5-ALA fluorescence spectroscopy or electrical impedance measurements; and the tumor will be treated with Laser ablation or high-frequency RF ablation, in which radio wave energy vaporizes the tissue. The various detection techniques will be evaluated in clinical trials in-vitro and the therapies will be evaluated in pre-clinical trials.”

Infants’ environments play key role in their heights as adults

If you have ever wondered why you are not a little taller, it turns out it’s not all about genetics. In findings published in the Journal of Pediatrics (January 2015), an Israeli research team shows that the environment in which one lives from the womb to about age one largely determines an adult’s height. The pioneering study was conducted by researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University and Bnai Zion Hospital, in collaboration with Regional Health Offices in Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Led by Professor Ze’ev Hochberg and Dr. Alina German, of the Technion’s Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, the team found that while genetics do have a significant effect on a person’s height, so, too, do environmental elements that include the environment in the womb, nutrition and health status in the first year of life, parents and family structure, and economic and emotional events.

“Following the genetics revolution, today it is customary to attribute our personal traits to the genes,” explains Prof. Hochberg. “Indeed, there is no doubt that many of our features are genetic. However, as can be seen in our study, environmental conditions have a very significant role – around 50 percent – in determining growth and height.”

The range-difference between people who are tall or short is about 10 inches in men and 9 inches in women. Half of the variation is set at a decisive growth stage – when the child transits from infantile growth to childhood and the new study shows that this part is due only to environmental conditions before birth and during infancy. The researchers determined this phase transition in 162 sets of twins [56 pairs of identical twins (who have identical genes), 106 pairs of fraternal twins (who share only half their genes)], and 106 pairs of non-twin siblings, who also share half their genes.

“Studies on twins let us test the balance between genes and the environment,” explains Prof. Hochberg. “The difference between identical and fraternal twins shows the impact of genetics. Here we discovered the remarkable power of the environment in shaping a person. This is called plasticity in human development, which means that environmental conditions such as mother and baby nutrition, social and family interactions, can influence our growth and height.”

From an evolutionary perspective, say the researchers, this plasticity helps ‘shape’ characteristics to suit future living conditions, which are ‘adaptively predicted’ based on current conditions. For example, “children who are born into and grow up in a malnourished environment  will be shorter, and therefore require less food as they get older, while children born into a well-nourished environment will grow to be tall,” says Prof. Hochberg.

The research team also included Prof. Zvi Livshitz, Dr. Ida Malkin and Dr. Inga Peter from Tel Aviv University; Dr. Yonatan Dubnov and Dr. Hana Akones from Haifa’s Regional Health Office, and Dr. Michael Shmoish of the Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering at the Technion.

For further details: Gil Lainer – 058-6882208, Doron Shaham – 050-3109088.

UN Declares 2015 the International Year of Light

Technion and TU Berlin to hold a special symposium on the topic of green photonics

The symposium will mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany

On March 30th and 31st, 2015, the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) and the Technion will hold a joint two-day symposium on the topic of ‘Green Photonics’. The conference, which will be held at TU Berlin, will focus on problems arising from the dramatic increase in Internet use and the inability to provide the electrical energy required to support it. A significant part of the conference will be devoted to innovative technologies based on advanced use of photons, and as such pay tribute to the ‘International Year of Light’ declared by the UN, upon which the year 2015 will be dedicated to technologies based on light.

Leading researchers and developers from industrial and government laboratories worldwide will present the latest technologies related to electronic and optoelectronic computing and data communications (towards a ‘green’ web) as well as energy harvesting methods.  In the morning session of March 30th, a special ceremony will be held to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany, with participation by key government members of both countries; many decades of collaboration between Technion and TU Berlin (the former TH Charlottenburg) will also be remembered and praised.

At the end of the symposium, both leading technical universities will present an outlook on the joint efforts they are making in the development of novel technologies and applications to serve society in the 21st century. As part of this cooperation, young researchers will be fostered and financially supported.

The 2015 Green Photonics Symposium is organized by the President of TU Berlin, represented by the Center of NanoPhotonics, together with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, represented by the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute (RBNI) and the German Technion Society.

Registration is open until March 16, 2015; to register go to: http://green-photonics-symposium.com/

Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie, to serve as the Chairperson of the Association of University Heads, Israel. President Lavie replaces the outgoing Chairperson, Hebrew University of Jerusalem President, Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson

Prof. Lavie: “Scientific research at universities is a key growth engine for furthering development and strengthening the strategic status of the country. Our position among the world’s top research universities has been achieved through hard work in severely underfunded conditions. The task of the Committee of University Heads is to ensure that the Government of Israel will work towards enabling the continued functioning of universities at the highest levels.”

Prof. Ben-Sasson: “Quality of research, which is the core activity of the universities, will facilitate the future development of the State of Israel. It is therefore the obligation of the Government of Israel to place the issue of higher education as a top priority.”

The presidents of Israel’s research universities have appointed Prof. Peretz Lavie, President of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, as chairperson of the Association of University Heads of Israel. Peretz replaces the outgoing chairperson, Prof. Menachem Ben-Sasson, the President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who served for a two and a half year term.

VERA – the Hebrew acronym for The Association of University Heads, Israel, is a voluntary body founded by the heads of Israel’s research universities. The objective of the association is to promote and improve the management of aspects of common interest to all the universities and present their common interest in the most efficient manner to decision-making bodies in the field of higher education. All this in order to promote, improve and develop scientific research and standards of academic teaching for the good of the state of Israel and its citizen.

Prof. Menachem Ben-Sasson: “Over the past two years, the Association of University Heads of Israel faced tasks and challenges both at home and abroad that threatened to damage the future and the status of higher education and research in Israel. Among the challenges were attempts to impose academic boycotts on Israeli university researchers; this alongside trends at home opposing participation in budgeting programs and scientific cooperation with the European Union. This in addition to attempts by political bodies to interfere and place political pressure on Israeli academia and its operational conduct. Academic institutions operate based on criteria of academic excellence and a desire for scientific achievement approaching international standards, and the role of Government and society in Israel must allow them to continue to conduct themselves in the way that has led us to excellence.”

“The incoming chairperson will face important responsibilities. My colleagues and I are grateful to Prof. Lavie for agreeing to carry the burden of leadership of the Association of University Heads, and wish him great success in his new role. I would like to thank David Bareket, Head of the Director General Forum and VP and Director-General of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, for being an outstanding partner and my right-hand in managing the Association, and Prof. Aron Shai, Rector of Tel Aviv University and Chairperson of the Forum of Rectors.”

Prof. Peretz Lavie: “Scientific research at universities is a key growth engine for furthering development and strengthening the strategic status of the country. Our position among the world’s top research universities has been achieved through hard work in severely underfunded conditions. The task of the Association of University Heads is to ensure that the Government of Israel will work towards enabling the continued functioning of universities at the highest levels.”

“Another key issue on the agenda is the subject of academic freedom at universities. This freedom is a fundamental principle and the sine qua non for free inquiry, which has helped foster the high academic levels reached by Israeli universities. Ensuring it will be possible only if we continue to implement zero interference by political bodies attempting to violate these freedoms and impose a political agenda that is not conducted on the basis of academic and scientific standards of excellence.”

For further details: Gil Lainer – 058-688-2208, Doron Shaham – 050-310-9088

New Israeli stamp and two Nobel laureates at The Israel Chemical Society Annual Meeting

Prof. Michael Levitt, 2013 Nobel Prize laureate for chemistry: “My never-ending love for chemistry is due to a TV series”

The 80th annual meeting of The Israel Chemical Society (ICS) was held last week in Tel aviv. The meeting was attended by a delegation of senior researchers from Stanford University, including two Nobel laureates for chemistry: Prof. Michael Levitt, who was awarded the prize in 2013 (for developing computerized models for understanding the structure and properties of complex chemical systems), and Prof. William Moerner, who received the prize in 2014 (for developments in fluorescence microscopy). This year’s meeting was organized by the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry at the Technion, and ICS President, Prof. Ehud Keinan, is a member of this faculty.

The meeting opened with the introduction of a new stamp, dedicated to the International Year of Light declared by the UN, and to the three 2013 Nobel Prize laureates in chemistry – Arieh Warshel, Martin Karplus and Michael Levitt, who was the keynote speaker at the opening plenary session. U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, commented that “the Israeli success story is based on science, and the ICS played a major role in building that success even before the establishment of the state. And even though the Israeli and U.S. governments help to oil the wheels, the main force behind the science cooperation between the two countries is based primarily on the activities of the ICS and its American counterpart, which work to promote excellence in academia, by creating an environment that promotes innovation and by being willing to take risks and raise new ideas.” Throughout the first day, the ICS awarded many prizes, including the prestigious 2014 Tenne Family Prize in memory of Lea Tenne for Nanoscale Sciences, awarded to Prof. Efrat Lifshitz, a senior member of the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, for “development and application of advanced methodologies for the study of the properties of nano-scale materials. These interdisciplinary achievements have significantly impacted the field of semiconductor nanostructures and gained worldwide attention.” Roman Waxenberg, a student of Prof. Lifshitz, won the Excellent Graduate Student Prize.

Michael Levitt: Crediting a TV series

In his opening address, Michael Levitt related that his passion for chemistry was ignited when he watched “Thread of Life” starring Prof. John Kendrew, a BBC series broadcast in black-and-white in the early 1960s. “When I grew up, I chose to study physics, because to me it seemed simpler than chemistry – ‘just a few equations’ – but in the end I found my way to chemistry and medical applications.”

Levitt earned his M.A. and conducted post-doctoral research with Prof. Shneior Lifson at Weizmann Institute, “which is largely responsible for our winning the Nobel Prize.” During his stay in Israel Levitt fell in love with an Israeli and married her, and his first doctoral student (Miri Hirshberg) was also Israeli. “I’m very excited to be here,” said Levitt, “and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Nobel Prize committee for choosing us – not for the fact that they selected us, but rather for the courage to recognize the importance of the method – a calculation method that contributed significantly to biology and medicine. Ultimately, the big winner is our field of research.

“My career developed during a period of immense changes in science, which was driven by technology. It is hard to imagine the immensity of the change that has occurred in the world of computers within a few decades. In 1967 we were working on a computer with 1 megabyte of memory, which cost $1 million and took up an entire room; today you can buy a small laptop with 10 gigabytes of memory for a few thousand dollars. If similar changes had taken place in the automotive field, we would be able to buy a Volvo for $3 that would carry 50,000 passengers, travel at a million kilometers an hour, and park in a shoebox.”

At the end of his address, Levitt advised the young scientists in the room be daring (“take risks, but not stupid ones”), to follow their passion and be original, consistent, good and generous.

For further details: Gil Lainer – 058-6882208, Doron Shaham – 050-3109088.

Green, cheap, efficient photocatalyst for stable visible water splitting: a revolution in hydrogen production for fuel applications?

A novel photocatalyst made of carbon and nitrogen proves to be highly efficient in solar water splitting enabling cheap and stable generation of hydrogen.

Production of H2 and O2 from overall water splitting using solar energy is a promising means of renewable energy storage. In the past 40 years, a host of inorganic and organic systems have been developed as photocatalysts for water splitting driven by visible light. These photocatalysts however still suffer from very low solar to hydrogen energy conversion efficiency and/or poor stability (their performance deteriorates within a few hours). The poor performance of these catalysts hindered the utilization of the simple process of photocatalysis for practical hydrogen production.

Lee, Lifshitz, Kang and co-workers (from Soochow University in Jiangsu, China and Technion, Haifa, Israel) have now developed a new photocatalyst: a carbon nanodot-carbon nitride nanocomposite. This new catalyst has long-term stability (its catalytic activity remains the same within more than 200 days) and is made of C and N – cheap, earth-abundant and non-polluting elements. The photocatalyst’s impressive performance for solar water splitting is realized through two stages as schematically described in the attached figure: (1) Carbon nitride is splitting water to peroxide and hydrogen, (2) Carbon nanodots are decomposing peroxide to water and oxygen. The carbon nanodots also increase the light absorbance of the solar spectrum in its most intense wavelength (orange light). The solar to hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of the new catalyst is 2%, more than ten times larger than previously reported values. Following the techno-economical analysis of the US department of energy (DOE) a catalyst with a 2% efficiency facilitates hydrogen production cost of about 6$/Kg, not much larger than the maximum target cost of DOE (4$/Kg).

Prof. Lifshitz holds 3 academic degrees in Physics: B.Sc. (Hebrew Univ.), M.Sc. (Tel-Aviv Univ.), Ph.D. (Weizmann Inst.). He was a senior researcher at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center where he was the founding head of the Space Qualification Section, responsible for qualification tests of materials and electronic devices used in Israeli satellites. He is internationally known as the originator of the “subplantation model” which is the basis of modern deposition technology and was the first to explain the nucleation of diamond in sub-atmospheric laboratory processes. Currently he is the Alfred and Marion Bar chair professor at the department of Materials Science and Engineering at Technion. Since 2014 he is also a Chair professor at Soochow University, China, where the present research was performed. Prof. Lifshitz was listed as one of the world’s top 100 materials scientists of the 2000-2010 decade by “Thomson Reuters” and the education appendix of Times Magazine. The current Science paper of Prof. Lifshitz adds up to several other Science and Nature papers he co-authored.

The research is being carried out in collaboration with the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute.

Source:
Liu et al, “Metal-free efficient photocatalyst for stable visible water splitting via a two-electron pathway”, Science, 347(6225), 970, 27 September 2015.