Category Archives: כתבות אמצע

Researchers at the Technion’s Faculty of Biology have presented a new strategy that could be used as a treatment for lung cancer. The study, funded by the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), was led by Prof. Nabieh Ayoub and doctoral student Feras Machour, with contributions from Dr. Enas Rinawi and doctoral student Alma-Sophia Barisaac. Their findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications and their paper was chosen as the Faculty of Biology’s “Article of the Month.”

R to L: Prof. Nabieh Ayoub and Feras Machour

The team investigated the molecular mechanisms that protect cells from DNA damage that can be caused by radiation, smoking, and other factors. When these protective mechanisms fail to repair the damaged DNA, it can lead to cancer development. Therefore, understanding these mechanisms is crucial not only from a scientific perspective but also for developing targeted cancer treatments.

The current research, conducted in collaboration with Prof. Itamar Simon and doctoral student Joyce Kamar from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, focused on a subtype of lung cancer called lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Most LUAD patients are diagnosed at the advanced or metastatic stages when treatment options are limited to surgery, chemotherapy, and other aggressive therapies. However, effective treatment of LUAD remains elusive due to the genetic diversity of the disease and the development of therapeutic resistance. Therefore, the goal of this research was to develop new, personalized treatment strategies for a specific type of LUAD characterized by the loss of RBM10 protein.

In healthy cells, RBM10 functions as a tumor suppressor. Its absence, due to mutations, leads to accelerated cell division and, in some cases, cancer development. The researchers revealed through preclinical experiments that mutations in RBM10 accelerated lung cancer development. Notably, RBM10 loss occurs in approximately 25% of LUAD patients and confers resistance to current treatments.

To identify targeted therapies against RBM10-deficient cancers, the researchers conducted extensive genomic screening that identified 60 genes that could serve as effective therapeutic targets in lung cancer with RBM10 mutations. Among these 60 genes, the researchers focused on the WEE1 gene, since drugs that inhibit it are currently undergoing clinical trials for cancer treatment. The researchers demonstrated that WEE1 inhibition is highly effective in eradicating RBM10-deficient lung cancer in mice and therefore can be harnessed therapeutically with immediate clinical applicability.

To read the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50882-0

The Technion hosted the inauguration ceremony for the Anières Preparatory Program, an initiative that will help dozens of new immigrants gain admission to various Technion faculties and programs, including computer science, electrical and computer engineering, data engineering, software engineering, aeronautical engineering, systems engineering, and chemical and biochemical engineering. The event took place approximately one year after the opening of the Marc Hamon Anières House on the Technion campus, where around 120 students currently reside while studying in the program.

Students of the program with the program’s leadership, Technion management, and Anières representatives

The Anières initiative is spearheaded by Marc Hamon, who was awarded the Technion Guardian pin in 2023 by President Prof. Uri Sivan. The title of Technion Guardian is reserved for individuals who have achieved the highest level of support and commitment to the Technion.

Hamon studied at a leading technological institution of the World ORT organization in Anières, Switzerland. A few years after the institution closed in the late 1990s, with Hamon’s support, the program was transformed into a World ORT Kadima Mada educational project, in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Education’s Naale program, the Jewish Agency, the Technion, and the WIZO Nahalal Youth Village.

Zoom call with Marc Hamon

“You are fortunate,” Marc Hamon told the students. “I was in a similar situation 55 years ago when I was given one last chance through the Anières program to become an engineer with a wonderful career. I told myself, ‘I will do everything in my power to get into that engineering school and become an engineer.’ We live in a technological world, and if I had to choose a profession today, I would choose engineering again because it is the best way to make a difference in the world. You are pioneers, the first cohort in the preparatory program, and I wish you all the success in the world.”

Joining the students of the first cohort at the event were Robert Singer, co-founder of the Anières Preparatory Program, chairman of the Board of Alumot Or and the Center for Jewish Impact, former CEO of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and former CEO of World ORT; Kim Webb, head of the Preparatory Program; Irina Nirko, head of Student Affairs at the Haifa and Northern District Administration for New Immigrants; Prof. Tali Tal, head of the Pre-Academic Education Center at the Technion; Ilana Lustig, director of the Center; Ira Lotman, director of the Anières Program; Misha Klinov, the first graduate of the Anières Program at the Technion; and Lt. Col. Oria, commander of the Atidim Program in the IDF.

“We see this program as an important bridge for integrating immigrants, recognizing the great potential they hold for contributing to Israel,” said President Sivan. “Our relationship with the Anières program is not long, but it is a deep and inspiring connection. From our very first meeting with Anières representatives some years ago, our conversation focused not on funding or construction but on values — values that to this day form the foundation of this special partnership. Anières is a program that inspires tremendous admiration, and I have no doubt that the partnership we have created will be a lifelong one. On behalf of the Technion, I want to say that we are proud of the Anières Program and fully committed to it.”

Valeria Roytsh, an 18-year-old from Ukraine who came to Israel three years ago through the Naale program, spoke on behalf of the first cohort of students. “After high school, I knew I wanted to study at a university, and then I came across the Anières Program, which led me to the best university. Thank you to the Technion, the Anières Program, and everyone who helped and will continue to help with this project for the opportunity to study physics, Hebrew, English, and mathematics in the preparatory program and be ready for studies at the Technion.”

The new program provides participants with financial, academic, and social support to help them realize their potential and gain admission to the Technion. It includes a living stipend that covers all living expenses, academic and social mentorship, a community and networking opportunities, including lectures and workshops to enhance non-academic skills.

“The Anières Preparatory Program is more than just a preparatory program—it consists of three months of Ulpan (intensive Hebrew language courses), three months of pre-preparation, and nine months of preparation,” said Kim Webb, head of the Program. “The first cohort began with 36 students selected from 498 applicants, all of whom are new immigrants with limited financial means. Next summer, we will launch two additional groups, with around fifty students in total, half of whom are new immigrants already in Israel and half from abroad.”

Anières Preparatory Program founder Robert Singer (right) with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan

Robert Singer, one of the founders of the Anières Preparatory Program, told the students, “You were selected from among 498 candidates, and from here on, it all depends on you and your dedication. Your mission here is to study and excel, and we will take care of everything else. We expect you to not only be excellent engineers but also outstanding Israelis.”

Prof. Tali Tal, head of the Pre-Academic Education Center at the Technion, under which all Technion preparatory programs operate, said, “I took on the role of head of the center to fulfill social goals that are important to me and the Technion: to expand the human diversity on campus and to give opportunities to populations whose backgrounds make it difficult for them to gain admission to the Technion without a preparatory program. The Anières Preparatory Program will undoubtedly fulfill these goals.”

Ilana Lustig, director of the Pre-Academic Center, who led the establishment of the program, told the students, “I met with the Anières team for the first time just a year ago. It was a very emotional meeting for me, and I immediately felt that we could build this. We made a focused and fast effort to recruit you — brilliant and outstanding students. I believe in this program. Each of you will receive a wonderful opportunity here — the opportunity to study at the best university in Israel and become successful citizens here in Israel.”

Misha Klinov, the first Technion graduate of the Anières Program and chairman of the program’s Alumni Association, also attended the event. Misha, who came to the Technion from the WIZO Nahalal Youth Village and completed a degree at the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is currently a master’s student at the faculty. He said, “The program paved the way for my career. It is a life-changing program.”

Lt. Col. Oria, commander of the Atidim Program in the IDF, which will guide the students in the preparatory program as they prepare for their future military service, said, “The IDF always needs talented people like you, especially today. Thank you for this collaboration, which is so important to the IDF and Israeli society as a whole. It is a great responsibility for us to guide these students as they prepare for the army and during their service, and we will do everything we can to support them in realizing their potential.”

Researchers at the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering have presented a new approach to wavefront shaping in the journal Nature Communications. The approach, which has extensive and significant applications, especially in non-invasive biological imaging of deep tissue, is demonstrated in the article on neurons (nerve cells).

In the image table: images of neurons that were captured by the system. On the left: a regular image of a neuron deep within the tissue. In the middle: the dramatic improvement provided by the new technology. On the right: a real image of the neuron taken without scattering tissue.

Wavefront shaping is a promising approach to deep tissue imaging. Until now, it was possible only via an invasive approach: fluorescent points were manually inserted into the sample, and the tissue was indirectly mapped by imaging them. That process has many disadvantages, and it was clear that direct imaging of the tissue is a better way. However, direct imaging involves various difficulties, including the fact that the radiation emitted from tissues is weak, making its measurement prone to noise, especially when it comes to deep tissue imaging.

The new technology presented by the Technion researchers overcomes these limitations and offers the possibility of direct tissue imaging by illuminating a neuron marked with the fluorescent protein EGFP, which emits light in a different color in response to illumination. This technology is based on dual correction of wavefronts – correction of the wavefront sent to the tissue and correction of the wavefront returning from it. With the help of mathematical calculations that balance the signal-to-noise ratio, the researchers achieved high resolution imaging of the neurons deep inside the tissue.

Prof. Anat Levin

Doctoral student Dror Aizik, who conducted the research under the guidance of Prof. Anat Levin, explained that “previous demonstrations of wavefront shaping corrected relatively slight distortions and were effective only for very limited tissue depths. Our research demonstrated the technology for the first time in performing deep tissue imaging and correcting very large distortions, which without our correction would have resulted in ‘noise images’ with no visual information.”

Doctoral student Dror Aizik

The new technology provided high-quality images of the neurons and their axons, even when the neurons were covered by a thick tissue layer. According to the researchers, the technology demonstrated on neurons is also relevant to many other types of tissue.

The research is supported by the European Research Commission (ERC), the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF).

Prof. Anat Levin joined the Technion in 2016, after completing her doctorate at the Hebrew University, post-doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and seven years at the Weizmann Institute of Science. She specializes in optics, image processing, and computer vision and has won numerous awards including the Michael Bruno Award, the Blavatnik Award, and the Krill Prize, as well as 3 ERC grants.

For the article in Nature Communications  click here

Researchers from two Technion faculties present a new strategy for measuring mechanical forces in biological processes. The research, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, was led by Assistant Professor Joshua Grolman and Yifan Liao from the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering in collaboration with Associate Professor Charles Diesendruck from the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry.

L to R: Assistant Professor Joshua Grolman , Yifan Liao and Associate Professor Charles Diesendruck

Mechanobiology is a field of research that deals with the influence of mechanical forces on various biological processes. Measuring these forces at the molecular level is a complex challenge, and the development by Technion researchers is expected to enable measurements that were previously impossible.

Various mechanobiological systems, which have evolved over immense periods, demonstrate high efficiency in “translating” mechanical forces into biological signals. These natural systems provide significant inspiration for engineering developments. However, it is very difficult to replicate their level of precision in artificial systems, especially at the molecular level. Therefore, breakthroughs in this field are crucial in many contexts, including drug delivery within the body, monitoring defects in materials, and developing self-repairing materials.

Yifan Liao

The technology developed at the Technion is based on mechanophores – molecular units that produce chemical or physical signals when subjected to structural changes such as pressure or stretching. Measuring these signals, which provide information about the state of the material, is a very complex technological challenge, especially when high sensitivity is required. The technology developed by the researchers is characterized by very high sensitivity compared to previous uses of mechanophores and responds even to a strain of just 5%, making it highly relevant for various biological processes that could not be monitored until now. This technique is relevant to a variety of biological and artificial materials.

Technion researchers succeeded in producing a force-sensitive material from a molecule called spiropyran, thereby creating a sort of molecular detector that provides information about the mechanical forces within the material. The required method is a click chemistry process, meaning it does not require multi-step processes and is not associated with undesirable by-products.

In the diagram: Measurement of biomechanical forces applied to alpaca wool in twisting (top) and compression (bottom) states

The new strategy, Dip-conjugation, is demonstrated in the article with an analysis of the wool fibers of the alpaca – an animal from the camel family, particularly common in South America. The advantage of this technology is that it is applicable to both synthetic and natural materials, including materials made from proteins and carbohydrates. The researchers estimate that in the industrial field, this technology will contribute to accelerating and reducing the cost of manufacturing mechanophores in polymers.

In addition to biological applications, the researchers mention that “the materials we have developed could turn many biological and artificial materials into sensors with exceptional sensitivity. They could also be used to coat aircraft components, providing alerts on emerging failures in these components.”

The research is supported by the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF).

In recent years, Reuveny and Kantor have received professional support from Dr. Arielle Fischer, a faculty member in the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Technion, as part of the collaboration between the Technion and the Olympic Committee of Israel.

Dr. Arielle Fischer

Dr. Arielle Fischer, head of the Biomechanics and Wearable Technology Laboratory at the Technion, completed a bachelor’s degree at MIT and a PhD in mechanical engineering at the Technion. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, she returned to the Technion as a faculty member in the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering.

As part of her work with the Reuveny and Kantor, her research group conducted a biomechanical analysis of the Olympic athletes’ movements during training and analyzed the relationship between typical movements in windsurfing (“pumping” and “turning”) and the athletes’ performance. According to Dr. Fischer, “We developed a tool that the coaches and the technical director use at the end of training, which helps them quantitatively and accurately understand the connection between the windsurfer’s performance and technique and the properties of the board itself (structure and elasticity). This tool allows athletes and coaches to examine their techniques and equipment, thus improving the surfers’ performance.” This approach, which supports the athletes with scientific and biomechanical understanding beyond intuition and feelings, is expected to help athletes in various other sports as well.

Congratulations to Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team on their wonderful achievements and silver medal!

We’re excited to share that at the Technion, in Dr. Arielle Fischer’s Bio-Motion and Wearable Devices Lab at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, a recent study delved into the biomechanics of rhythmic gymnasts.

Natalie Mendelson, a former Olympic gymnast and a Technion student, presented her research on the biomechanics of rhythmic gymnasts last month at the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) conference held in Austria. The study, led by Dr. Fischer and conducted in collaboration with Dr. Smadar Peleg’s lab at the Levinsky-Wingate Academic College. Dr. Fischer recognized the study’s uniqueness, combining insights from an Olympic gymnast and a talented BSc-MD student, and aimed to showcase it on an international stage, highlighting the advanced testing of Israel’s elite rhythmic gymnasts.

Natalie Mendelson

The research presented by Mendelson at the conference focused on the biomechanics of motion of rhythmic gymnasts using a Markerless Motion Analysis method. The study, involving elite gymnasts, specifically examined fouetté balance and turns, common movements in rhythmic gymnastics that can lead to significant strain and injuries.

According to Dr. Arielle Fischer, “This research aims to enhance our understanding of fundamental rhythmic gymnastics elements concerning overexertion on the lower extremity joints and feet. This is the first study on kinematics and kinetics in rhythmic gymnastics, including movement segmentation and the characterization of forces on the gymnasts’ joints. We believe the findings will contribute to injury prevention and tailored training.”

Natalie Mendelson, who competed with the Israeli rhythmic gymnastics team at the Rio 2016 Olympics is pursuing a demanding double degree in biomedical engineering and medicine (BSc and MD) at the Technion. She shared that she chose to study at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Technion because “Throughout my sports career, I faced many injuries and was always interested in what was happening in my body and how to treat or fix it. I felt helpless, in pain, and sometimes even desperate. This sparked a desire in me to help people rehabilitate, alleviate their suffering and pain, and find and develop solutions in this field. When I heard about the degree in biomedical engineering, which combines many things I love—mathematics, physics, physiology, and technology—I knew it was right for me.” Dr. Fischer’s lab is particularly focused on biomechanics, studying human movement in both elite athletes and clinical populations to describe motions, enhance performance, and aid in injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Nadav Adir and Alon Dankner, graduates of the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science, presented a dramatic achievement in the world of cybersecurity at the Black Hat USA conference in Las Vegas – the takeover of Siemens’ new controllers which are among the most secure in the world, by breaking the secure communication protocol. Adir and Dankner’s research was conducted at the Technion, together with graduates Ron Freudenthal and Or Keret, under the guidance of Prof. Eli Biham, head of the Hiroshi Fujiwara Cyber Security Research Center at the Technion, and Dr. Sara Bitan, a senior researcher at the center. Siemens updated the communication protocol of the controllers following research presented by the group at the 2019 conference.

L to R: Nadav Adir and Alon Dankner

The practical significance of this achievement lies in the fact that these controllers are used in a wide range of systems, including critical systems such as aircraft, vehicles, production lines, power stations, gas and oil pipelines, smart homes, traffic lights, and even nuclear reactors. This is why Adir and Dankner were invited to the Black Hat conference—an international prestigious event where the latest relevant knowledge in cybersecurity is presented. The Technion researchers hope that the takeover, which was of course demonstrated on isolated controllers not integrated into essential systems, will help Siemens improve its security mechanisms.

Prof. Eli Biham

The Technion research group, led by Prof. Biham and Dr. Bitan, has previously participated in Black Hat conferences three times, in 2019, 2022, and early 2024. In August 2022, the group presented at the Black Hat USA conference the cracking and takeover of Siemens’ smart controller, and the research findings were shared with Siemens to improve the product’s security. According to Prof. Biham, “Our series of appearances at Black Hat conferences repeatedly advances the security of these systems, and it is part of long-term research aimed at improving the security of control systems. Indeed, Siemens has made changes to its security mechanisms following our research.”

The Technion researchers’ attack was carried out on the CPU 1515SP controller software and for the first time took control of the software common to all controllers in the series. According to Dr. Bitan, “The successful attack in 2022 exposed potential weaknesses in this controller and other controllers in the series and reinforced the need to enhance security measures on such controllers.”

Siemens controllers are found at various critical junctions, including nuclear reactors. This issue made headlines about 15 years ago when a breach of Siemens controllers via the Stuxnet computer worm led to significant damage to the reactors in Natanz, Iran. Stuxnet is considered one of the most destructive malwares, as it allows not only damage to controllers but also the concealment of that damage.

Dr. Sara Bitan

According to Dr. Sara Bitan, “The damage is done both on the way to the controller, thereby impairing its function, and on the way out, creating a false appearance to the monitoring systems as if everything is fine. As mentioned, Siemens made changes to the controllers’ security protocol, but we were able to identify a loophole that allows an attacker to disrupt secure communication with the controller, enabling us to both influence its operation and conceal the damage externally.”

The modern world of encryption is entirely based on the use of a pair of keys mathematically related to each other: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The private key is supposed to be kept in a “safe,” in Siemens’ case, in a secure area within the controller. The Technion researchers managed to penetrate this secure area and extract the private key, thereby gaining control over both inbound and outbound communications.

In recent years, Siemens has tightened security on these controllers through version updates, and last August, it published an article stating that “successful digitization always requires extensive cybersecurity. Although such security is always an integral part of modern controllers, it is important to remember that Siemens offers a wide range of products and services designed to enhance cybersecurity.” Despite the company’s promises and efforts, the Technion group managed, as mentioned, to take control of the software in these updated controllers.

A laboratory for manufacturing processes in the semiconductor industry was recently inaugurated at the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering. Supported by Intel, the establishment of the laboratory was led by Prof. Yaron Paz along with the faculty’s teaching laboratories engineer, Ms. Luba Texler.

The inauguration was attended by Dr. Sigal Ben-Zvi, Intel-Technion Relations Manager, who cut the ribbon, and Esti Gazit, Academic Relations Coordinator at Intel Israel. The lab team showed the equipment and various workstations to the attendees.

From right to left: Hemda Tal, Prof. Yaron Paz, Dr. Sigal Ben-Zvi, Esti Gazit, and Noya Almog

“The microelectronics industry is essentially a chemical industry,” said Prof. Paz, “as it is a process industry that combines diverse chemical reactions, diffusion, and flow, all under controlled conditions. Therefore, it is not surprising that about 15% of the Faculty’s graduates integrate into this industry. For more than twenty years, the Faculty has been offering a course on the manufacturing processes of semiconductor devices, aimed not only at teaching these processes from a chemical engineer’s perspective but also at providing tools for integrating into this industry while creating a common language with professionals from various backgrounds and disciplines. Now, thanks to the new laboratory, we are adding another dimension to the training our graduates receive.”

From right to left: Shaked Regev, Dr. Anik Kuila, and Nitai Arbel

The laboratory will allow faculty students to experience manufacturing processes similar to those used in the “real world” of the semiconductor industry: atomic layer deposition, silicon oxidation, wet etching, metal layer growth, and photolithography.

“Budget constraints forced us to be creative and to design and build some of the experimental stations ourselves and adapt the lab to work in a non-dust-free space,” said Prof. Paz. “It’s important to understand that the lab was built at a total cost of less than $250,000, a minimal amount compared to similar labs in the field. The main idea was to allow students to familiarize themselves with, understand, and operate most of the functional units existing in the microelectronics industry, while circumventing the requirement for miniaturization and its financial implications. Additionally, we ensured that the functional units we created had many degrees of freedom, allowing students to ‘play’ with the various variables and thereby verify (and confront) theories on the subject.”

Prof. Yaron Paz and Dr. Sigal Ben-Zvi in the lab

“This laboratory is the highlight of the collaboration between Intel and the faculty,” said Dr. Sigal Ben-Zvi. “It is the first laboratory of its kind in the chemical engineering faculties in Israel, and it will provide students with real work experience and a very relevant set of tools for the industry.”

Most proteins in the body’s cells do not function alone but act together as complexes to achieve concerted functions. When the formation of these complexes is impaired, various diseases can develop, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Technion researchers used innovative methods to “capture” proteins in the cell during their synthesis because proteins are particularly vulnerable at this stage – during translation by the ribosome. Ribosomes in cells were analyzed using ribosome profiling, a method that sequences the mRNA being translated by the ribosomes at single-codon resolution, combined with advanced microscopy and proteomics analysis of the resulting proteins. The researchers also used simulations of the protein folding process and interactions with other proteins to form complexes at the atomic level (molecular dynamics). This led to the discovery of a mechanism that protects proteins from misfolding during their production.

In the diagram: The ribosome (in green) with the newly formed complex: N-Acetyl Transferase (NAT) A, consisting of a catalytic subunit (in yellow) and an auxiliary subunit (in gray). Interaction areas with the ribosome, chaperones acting on the ribosome, and between subunits are indicated in light blue.

The researchers found that the folding and assembly of protein complexes depends on only a few amino acids. Characterization of these amino acids revealed that they can form highly stable interactions and serve as anchors to initiate the assembly of functional protein complexes in the cell. They discovered that this process occurs during protein synthesis. Furthermore, if the assembly process on the ribosome is disrupted and these amino acids are left alone, they can destabilize the entire protein and cause it to misfold. The researchers found that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved, from yeast to humans, indicating that mutations in amino acids serving as “anchors” for initiating protein-protein interactions on the ribosome are found in various developmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

In the diagram: The new mechanism in action: during protein production by the ribosome, exposure of individual amino acids initiates the folding process and interaction with cellular proteins. These amino acids are characterized by their ability to form highly stable interactions and serve as anchors for the assembly of functional protein complexes in the cell. The connection between the protein being produced and its partners protects it from misfolding and maintains its stability at its most vulnerable stage. The process is evolutionarily conserved, so mutations in amino acids serving as “anchors” for initiating protein-protein interactions on the ribosome lead to diseases.

Based on these results, the researchers developed a model to predict such essential anchors required for creating interaction networks in cells and protecting cellular protein production processes. This model could serve as a basis for designing new proteins. By focusing on early events during protein creation, the researchers identified targets that could enable the development of preventive treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

From right to left: Dr. Fabian Glaser, student Hila Ben-Arie Zilberman, Dr. Hagit Bar-Yosef, student Johannes Venezian, and Dr. Ayala Shiber

The research, led by Dr. Ayala Shiber, was spearheaded by student Johannes Venezian, along with Dr. Hagit Bar-Yosef and student Hila Ben-Arie Zilberman from the Shiber lab, in collaboration with Prof. Oded Kleifeld’s lab from the Faculty of Biology, student Noam Cohen from Kleifeld’s lab, Dr. Fabian Glaser from the Technion Center for Structural Biology-Computational Biology (TCSB-THHI), and Prof. Juan Fernandez Recio from Spain. The paper on this topic was published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46881-w

New findings related to processed food and the potential nutritional benefits of structured proteins were revealed in a study by scientists from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion. The research, presented in the Food Hydrocolloids journal, was led by Prof. Uri Lesmes, doctoral student Gil Refael, and doctoral student Alon Romano in collaboration with Prof. Meytal Landau and doctoral student Yitzhaq (Itzik) Engelberg from the Technion Faculty of Biology, and Prof. Omry Koren from the Faculty of Medicine at Bar Ilan University.

Prof. Uri Lesmes

Proteins are important biological compounds that can form amyloid structures, which have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, where the accumulation of abnormal amyloid aggregates (plaques) disrupts brain function. Our current research examined whether we should be concerned over the formation of amyloids in processed food, and it reveals positive aspects to this question in the context of their digestive fate.

Clockwise from top left: Prof. Meytal Landau, Prof. Omry Koren, Alon Romano, Gil Refael

Amyloid structures, it turns out, lead to a slow breakdown of the protein progenitors in the digestive system and promote positive changes in the colon. In fact, these changes resemble those of “regular” dietary fibers found in fruits and whole grains. Moreover, the bacteria in our gut prefer amyloids over “naked” undigested proteins, which may lead to negative effects such as adverse fermentation in the intestines.

Graphical abstract: Left – Amyloid consumption in food, and their journey through the digestive system. Right – Creation of amyloids from eggs and whey protein

Proteins are essential components in body structure and function, and it is now clear that proper protein consumption is important for human health and can even affect various behaviors such as appetite, hunger, and fatigue. Against this background, extensive efforts are being made to develop diverse protein-rich nutritional solutions for those who seek to tone down consumption of animal products. This is the backdrop for the positive findings emerging from the research published in Food Hydrocolloids.

The researchers focused on proteins from eggs and dairy to show case that protein-amyloids formed in processed foods may:

1. Gradually break down in the upper digestive system, potentially promoting slower and more controlled absorption of proteins into the body.

1. Assist in preserving the microbial diversity in the intestines; in particular, it was found that they maintain a low ratio between two important bacterial communities (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes). This ratio indicates the health of the gur microbiota, whereas an unbalanced diet encourages an increase in this ratio which has been correlated with increased risk of disease (obesity, diabetes, and cancer).

From a wider viewpoint, the research demonstrates the inherent potential in food processing to enhance potential to promote health. According to Prof. Lesmes: “Today, we know how to precisely control and formulate foods and to estimate through models developed in my lab, how different food components will be digested in the body of different consumers. Together with innovative research tools, this scientific approach will help us understand the fate of proteins and innovative food components in the bodies of different consumers and may even facilitate development of personalized dietary choices. I believe that this research opens up new avenues for understanding the potential of “smartly” processed food to expand human nutrition sources and improve health.”

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at the Technion. The authors also thank the Smoler Proteomics Center at the Technion and Dana Benjamin from the Koren Lab at Bar Ilan University.

For the full article in Food Hydrocolloids click here

Part of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, the center advances interdisciplinary research impacting medicine and industry. In its first year, it fostered collaboration across various domains, emphasizing an integrated approach to complex problems.

Unique Capabilities and Equipment
The center features advanced MRI technology, including a Siemens 3T Prisma MRI scanner, and unique infrastructure for innovative scans. It is equipped with audiovisual tools, an eye-tracking device, response boxes, and EEG equipment for simultaneous EEG-fMRI examinations. The center also has an original mock scanner for acclimating subjects and a robot for mobility analysis.

The People at the Center

The center’s manager and experienced MRI researcher, Dr. Daphna Link-Sourani, developed the center as a well-equipped, modern, and advanced hub that encourages research collaborations within and outside the Technion, tailored to the needs of the researchers and their teams staffing the center.

Dr. Daphna Link-Sourani

There are numerous researchers from various fields and faculties at Technion engaged in research at the center, demonstrating its broad interdisciplinary impact. To mention a few from the center’s core staff:

Dr. Moti Freiman

Dr. Moti Freiman from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, academic director of the Center, focuses on AI for imaging inflammatory processes, cardiac muscle, and early pathology detection.

Assoc. Prof. Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus

Assoc. Prof. Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus from the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, researches language and reading acquisition using MRI, EEG, and eye movement data in typically and atypically developing children.

Dr. Firas Mawase

Dr. Firas Mawase from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, examines brain control over fine motor skills and the impact of brain injuries on movement.

Dr. Efrat Shimron

Dr. Efrat Shimron from the Faculty of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, develops methods to shorten MRI scan times and improve image quality using machine learning.

Dr. Yoed Kenett

Dr. Yoed Kenett from the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences, studies the role of knowledge in high-level thinking, conducting longitudinal brain research to predict creativity.

Future Goals and Collaboration

The center aims to expand interdisciplinary collaborations within the Technion, as well as leveraging Technion’s knowledge and fostering ties with other academic institutions, health institutions and industries. It supports groundbreaking MRI research, holding events and promoting human imaging in Israel and worldwide.