A novel electrochemical method to degrade fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs), which are recognized globally as major water contaminants. These persistent pollutants contain fluorine-carbon (C-F) bonds and are, therefore, highly stable. The method is simple and cost-effective and can be used in batch and flow systems. The technology was chosen as one of four winners in a challenge organized by Mekorot's innovation unit, WaTech, to receive further funding and mentorship for prototype development. The technology is IP-protected.

A new automated system for the analysis of non-verbal signals in speech. The system detects several emotions and attitudes, as well as spoken emphasis, prosodic unit boundaries and three prosodic prototypes. Potential applications include speech-to-text, machine translation, behavioral analysis, and more. The technology has been transferred to Yeda and is now under commercialization.

A new imaging approach that uses deep learning algorithms integrated in standard imaging methods. This approach increases the efficiency of tissue pathology, enabling the analysis of up to 22 proteins simultaneously while using only five channels. The technology is IP-protected and transferred to Yeda for commercialization.

A new device that is inserted into the ureteroscope working channel intended to remove stone fragments following laser fragmentation (lithotripsy) of kidney or ureteral stones. The new device was designed together with Dr. Yaniv Shilo, an endourologist (Kaplan Medical Center), and industrial designers from Bezalel Academy of Art and it is IP-protected. The project was transferred to Yeda and is under commercialization.

Environmentally friendly, robust supramolecular plastic materials composed of organic nanocrystals. The novel plastics are IP-protected and can be incorporated into biodegradable polymers as an alternative to polluting petroleum-based plastics.

A multidisciplinary collaboration between Prof. Lior Heller, a plastic surgeon, and Prof. Brian Berkowitz, an hydrologist, to develop a device intended for the active drainage of liquids for lymphedema patients. An in-vivo safety experiment was conducted successfully. The new device is IP-protected. The project was transferred to Yeda and is under commercialization

A flow cell membrane electrolyzer for CO2 reduction. The electrolyzer uses novel metal-based catalysts that enable CO2 reduction at near-ambient temperatures and pressures to generate CO as an industrial chemical intermediate. This is a new zero-carbon emission pathway to solar fuels and commodities in the chemical industry.   
A new climatech start-up, Carbonade, was founded in 2022 based on this project.
 

Mitochondrial Carrier Homolog 2 (MTCH2) plays a key role in controlling apoptosis, mitochondrial morphology, and metabolism. Variations in this protein have been associated with higher human BMI, and its deletion in mouse skeletal muscle prevents diet-induced obesity by increasing energy expenditure. This project aims to identify a small molecule inhibitor of MTCH2 to combat obesity.

Prof. Alon Harmelin

Traditional skin allergy testing often relies on subjective visual inspection, creating a need for more precise, quantitative diagnostic methods. This project introduces an innovative multimodal optical imaging system that integrates three optical modalities to detect and image markers of allergic responses, offering a more sensitive approach to skin allergy testing.

The increasing demand for recombinant proteins has accelerated the development of advanced production methods. This project uses gUMI-BEAR, an unsupervised barcoding system, for gene variant screening, aiming to boost the production efficiency and scalability of target proteins in yeast to more effectively satisfy global requirements.

Delivering RNA molecules such as guide RNAs (gRNAs) for RNA editing to the nucleus presents a challenge that restricts their activity primarily to mature mRNA, rather than pre-mRNA. This project seeks to identify novel elements that enable RNA transport into the nucleus, advancing the potential for innovative RNA-based therapies.

Cellular senescence significantly influences cancer progression and the behavior of the tumor microenvironment, underscoring its viability as a therapeutic target for interrupting cancer growth and enhancing treatment strategies. A newly developed bi-specific antibody aims to target and eliminate senescent cells in cancerous tissues selectively.

Climate change and escalating drought severity demand novel sustainable strategies for developing drought-resistant tree species. This project offers an innovative approach with genetically modified Poplar trees designed for enhanced growth and improved water-use efficiency, addressing critical climate challenges and ensuring future wood production while minimizing deforestation and water consumption.

Traditional techniques for labeling cell surface proteins (CSPs) with fluorescent antibodies or ligands often struggle with maximizing labeling efficiency. This project presents a novel approach using fluorescent probes derived from chemically altered bacteria (B-probes), which significantly enhance the labeling of CSPs in cancer cells and tissues. The heightened sensitivity of detection through B-probes’ multivalent binding allows for the identification of antigens present at low densities.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), naturally secreted from cells, are biocompatible and interact easily with cell membranes, making them ideal as drug carriers for delicate molecules like RNA therapeutics. This project aims to create an EV-based platform for efficient RNA delivery to the lungs via inhalation.

Candida albicans, causing numerous infections annually, is challenged by a newly identified yeast strain, Kazachstania. This strain, genetically unique and effective in mouse colonization, outcompetes C. albicans, offering potential therapeutic avenues for Candida-related conditions. The project strives to explore its role in inhibiting C. albicans colonization and its potential for human clinical applications, aiming to develop non-toxic, resistance-free treatment strategies in the Vulvovaginal Candidiasis model. The sequence of the yeast strain Kazachstania is IP-protected

Additional reading

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors (LVV), used in oncolytic virotherapy and gene therapies, commonly infect cells via the LDL receptor (LDLR). Current lentiviral applications are complex and often require ex vivo cell manipulation. This project aims to validate novel adapter molecules that streamline the process by enabling targeted delivery to specific cell types in vivo.

RNA-based therapies struggle to attain adequate protein expression due to factors like translation efficiency and mRNA abundance. Recent research indicates that adequate mRNA stability, regulated by both production and degradation, is essential for applications like heterologous gene expression and gene therapy. This project aims to develop a computational pipeline to design RNA sequences with enhanced stability.

This project aims to develop yeast strains for efficient production and secretion of target proteins for the food industry. The research seeks to optimize fermentation processes to enhance protein production by harnessing the force of cellular evolution. The project is led in the lab by Dr. Noa Hefetz.

Development of an Electrostatic Ion Beam Trap to analyze a single-stage mass of a biological sample, allowing both parent molecular ion mass measurement and time-dependent fragment analysis without scanning. This new approach aims to be cost-effective, efficient, and easier to calibrate compared to traditional MS/MS systems. 

Discovery of new anti-microbial peptides that demonstrate antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum parasite, the most virulent Plasmodium species. This new approach overcomes the parasite resistance to existing drugs. This project was initiated by Daniel Ben-Hur and Edo Kiper (Ph.D. students) as an inter-lab collaboration. IP was submitted to protect the novel AMPs.

A new genetic, temperature-sensitive approach for insect male sterilization by induction of apoptotic cell death in developing germ cells. Genetically modified male insects are expected to be more competitive for females than irradiated insects — and thus pest control is more effective than current methods. The project is in the final stages of PoC.

A new algorithm and device that performs online measurements of tree carbon uptake in an accurate, reliable, and simple manner. Carbon uptake is becoming a social impact factor, in what is fast becoming global carbon credit market. Current carbon uptake measurement methods are primitive and inaccurate. A 100-tree PoC experiment is currently ongoing in Israel and Finland.