Uncategorized - Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology > Uncategorized

The Technion community is profoundly shaken, mourning the devastating loss of lives; infants, children, seniors, women, and men, as well as entire families who were senselessly murdered in a recent act of terror targeting peaceful communities.

We also honor the valiant members of the security forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their homes and loved ones.

The overwhelming sorrow and concern for the abducted, imprisoned, and missing weighs heavily on our hearts.

Our thoughts are steadfastly with our friends who have suffered unimaginable loss, as well as the families of those who have been abducted or injured. With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest condolences to them, and to the whole of Israel.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Yoram Bar-Sinai z”l

Aged 75, from Kibbutz Be’eri

Graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Captain (res.) Amit Chayut z”l

Aged 29, from Haifa

Amit completed his studies at the Taub Faculty of Computer Science this year

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Master Sergeant (res.) Shmuel (Sammy) Harari z”l

Aged 35, from Safed

Graduate with a master’s degree in real estate studies (MRE)

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Master Sergeant (res.) Dov Moshe Kogan z”l

Aged 32, from Nov

Graduate student and TA at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Captain (res.) Yakov Nedlin z”l

Aged 36, from Or Akiva

Graduate of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Dr. Hagit Rafaeli Mishkin z”l

Aged 48, from Hod Hasharon

Graduate of the Faculty of Education Science and Technology

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Major (res.) Moshiko (Maxim) Rozenwald z”l

Aged 35, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut

Graduate of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Captain (res.) Alon Safrai z”l

Aged 28, from Jerusalem

Third-year medical student at the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Major Dennis Krahmalov Wexler z”l

Aged 32, from Beer Sheva

Dennis was about to begin his studies at the Technion at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sergeant Major (res). Eliran Yeger z”l

Aged 36, from Tel Aviv

Master’s student at the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Major (res). Evgeny Zinershain z”l

Aged 43, from Zichron Ya’akov

Graduate of the Taub Faculty of Computer Science

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology extends its deepest condolences to the following individuals:

Shahar Amar, student in the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering,

on the death of her father, Chief Superintendent Avi Amar z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Techlet Lev, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering

On the death of her cousin, Sergeant Or Avital z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Stav Benjo, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

on the death of his sister, Staff Sergeant Omer Sarah Benjo z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Assistant Professor Eilam Yalon, faculty member in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on the death of his niece, Lin Dafni z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Galit Weizman, administrative staff member in the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry,

on the death of her cousin’s son, Sergeant Shalev Dagan z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Nir Ekstein, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

on the death of his brother, Matan Ekstein z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Prof. Emeritus Joseph Itzkovich, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, on the death of his grandson, Sergeant First Class Adi Eldor z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Guy Gavriel, student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering

on the death of her cousin, Sergeant first class Adar Gavriel z"l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Noi Glass, student in the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering

on the death of her cousin, Sergeant Yam Glass z"l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Yuval Golan, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of her cousin, Major Sagi Golan z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Yonina Novik, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

On the death of her cousin, Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Brothers, Bar Goren, student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, and Assif Goren, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of their parents, Avner and Maya Goren z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Stav Azulai, a student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, on the death of her cousin, Staff sergeant Oz Yeshaia Gruber z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Yonathan Haion, administrative staff member in the Development and Maintenance Division, on the death of his brother, Warrant Officer Sebastian Haion z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Michal Keren, teaching coordinator in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of her cousin, Gaya Halifa z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Merav Berkovich, graduate student in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning,

on the death of her father, Avraham Shraga Hasid z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Omer Itach, student in the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning

on the death of his brother, Captain Harel Itach z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Razan Kat, student in the Faculty of Biomedical Enginering

on the death of her mother, Safaa Kat Awad z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Assistant Professor Raz Palty, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his father-in-law, Avraham (Rami) Katzir z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Assistant Professor Raz Palty, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his brother-in-law, Elad Katzir z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Yotam Keren, student in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his grandmother, Hannah Kritzman z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Rafi Nave, lecturer in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences,

on the death of his son-in-law, Colonel Roi Levy z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Naomi Maori, Technion retiree, on the death of her son, Major (res.) Dan Maori z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Dr. Tamar Katz Peled, teaching fellow in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her son-in-law, Sergeant First Class Gilad Molcho z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Maya Nimri, student in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of her cousin, Captain Eden Nimri z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Amiram Enkave, administrative staff member in the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology,

on the death of his cousin, Eden Liz Ohion z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Assistant Professor Ben Engelhard, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his brother-in-law Sergeant First Class (res.) Yaacov Ozeri z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Elad Tzur, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, 

on the death of his brother-in-law Major Shay Uriel Pizm z"l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Tamar Itzhaki, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of his uncle, Major (res.) Uri Shimon Russo z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Dvir Schwartz, graduate student in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

on the death of his brother, Sergeant Segev Schwartz z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Eyal Shachar, student in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, on the death of his brother, Amir Shachar z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Prof. Yemima Ben-Menahem, visiting professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her grandson, Staff Sergeant Aner Elyakim Shapiro z”l

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

Associate Prof. Ayelet Shavit, faculty member in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her son, Staff Sergeant Tal Shavit z”l

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

Professor Daniel Shushan of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning,

on the death of his nephew, Elisaf Shushan z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Dr. Aliza Malek, lecturer in the Faculty of Mathematics and the Center for Promotion of Learning and Teaching,

on the death of her nephew, Eitan Refael Snir z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Stav Alfasi, student in the Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

on the death of her cousin, Ophir Tzarfati z”l

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Eyal Waldman, Technion honorary doctorate recipient, and Ella Waldman,

on the death of their daughter, Danielle Waldman z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Noam Zyser, graduate student in the Grand Technion Energy program,

on the death of her brother, Major Ilay Zyser z”l

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

May their memory be a blessing.

The Technion family offers its heartfelt sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones.

If there is an error on this page, or if you would like to share additional information with us, please contact Irit Gertzwolf at evpdg.officehead@technion.ac.il

Last month, a festive reception for new faculty members was held at the David and Janet Polak Visitors Center at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Among those in attendance were President Prof. Uri Sivan, Vice President for Academic Affairs Prof. Naama Brenner, Technion management, faculty deans, and the new faculty members.

President Prof. Uri Sivan,

President Sivan greeted the young researchers, saying:
“I was supposed to retire last October, but here I am welcoming you, the new faculty members, as President of the Technion. Your arrival here is symbolic, even poetic – one generation passes, and another arrives, and thus this extraordinary institution continues to evolve. The Technion is a true miracle. It opened its doors exactly 100 years ago with a class of 17 students, including one woman. Over the past century, it has grown into a globally leading technological institution, now home to 15,000 students, about 48% of whom are women. You have joined the Technion family, and I wish you much success. We are all links in a long chain that began at the Fifth Zionist Congress in 1901 and whose continuation is limitless.”

Most of the new faculty members were born in Israel, with many being Technion alumni. Others hail from the USA, Russia, Italy, and Greece. These researchers cover a wide range of disciplines, including the development of green technologies for energy production from waste, mapping brain mechanisms controlling vision, resolving data transfer bottlenecks, quantum optics, light-matter interaction, intersections of number theory and probability, innovative microscopy methods, sequential decision-making under uncertainty, infectious diseases and prevention, maternal-fetal medicine, surgery and trauma, sports medicine, preoperative anxiety, and brain tumors and their treatment.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Prof. Naama Brenner

Prof. Naama Brenner, vice president for academic affairs, added:
“From the moment you become faculty members, you become leaders for others – students at all levels – and your behavior serves as a model for them. Be critical, don’t fear asking questions, even unpopular scientific ones, and don’t hesitate to express your views. It’s important to us that you become true leaders, leaders of value.”

The new faculty members include: Prof. Vassilis Theofilis, Dr. Ameer Marzok, and Dr. Maxim Freydin (Aerospace Engineering); Dr. Avner Wallach, Dr. Gali Inbal Shainer, and Dr. Maya Maor-Nof (Biology); Dr. Avinoam Bar-Zion (Biomedical Engineering); Dr. Dvir Harris, and Dr. Ofer Neufeld (Chemistry); Dr. Tatyana Bloch, Dr. Huaquan Ying, and Dr. Roy Posmanik (Civil and Environmental Engineering); Dr. Omri Ben-Eliezer (Computer Science); Associate Prof. Ariel Cohen, and Prof. Avinoam Zadok (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Dr. Ofir Gorodetsky, and Dr. Itay Glazer (Mathematics); Dr. Andy Thawko (Mechanical Engineering); and Dr. Gilad Barshad, and Dr. Stefano Recanatesi (Medicine).

As humans, we often focus on viruses and bacteria because of their role in causing various, sometimes severe, diseases. However, an equally fascinating but lesser-known phenomenon is the ongoing battle between bacteria and bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and infect bacteria.

This struggle, which takes place in oceans, drives the co-evolution of these two populations. In some oceanic regions, viral infections are a major cause of bacterial mortality. Without the resistance mechanisms that bacteria have developed over time, bacterial populations might have been wiped out over evolutionary time.

A new study, published in Nature Microbiology by researchers from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, reveals a previously unknown mode of resistance. The study was led by Prof. Debbie Lindell, former Ph.D. student Dr. Sofia Zborovsky (currently a postdoctoral fellow in the UK), and Ph.D. student Ran Tahan.

Prof. Debbie Lindell and PhD student Ran Tahan

Prof. Lindell’s research group has been exploring this field for years and has already made dramatic discoveries about bacteriophage-bacteria interactions in marine environments. Their new study uncovers a passive defense mechanism based on an exceptionally low level of molecules involved in translation of genetic material, the process that leads to protein formation.

Dr. Sofia Zborovsky

The research focuses on the marine bacterium Synechococcus and its interaction with the bacteriophage Syn9. Synechococcus, a cyanobacterium, is a primary producer that generates food from inorganic substances and produces oxygen through photosynthesis. These bacteria are crucial for atmospheric oxygen production and are at the base of the oceanic food chain.

Without defense mechanisms, Synechococcus would likely have become extinct because of the threats it faces from bacteriophages like Syn9. The Technion researchers’ study describes an evolutionary scenario where protection arises from a reduced level of tRNA (transfer RNA), a molecule critical for gene translation.

“Studies on resistance often focus on genes providing active defense against infection,” explained Prof. Lindell. “However, not all defenses stem from active mechanisms; some, like the one we discovered, arise from ‘passive resistance.’ Our findings show that normal tRNA level reduce bacterial resistance to the virus, while low levels increase such resistance. This is a passive mode of resistance where the loss of a certain intracellular function leads to resistance against viral infection.”

In the scientific image: the virus attaches to the bacterial cell (left image) and kills it (right image). Photos: Lihi Shaulov and Gazalah Sabehi

Prof. Lindell added that this mechanism does not prevent the phage from entering the bacterial cell but halts the formation of new viruses, allowing the bacteria to survive. “The fact that certain Synechococcus strains possess multiple defense mechanisms, and that no virus can infect them, suggests that marine bacteria have evolved several layers of protection, some passive, enabling them to withstand a wide range of marine viruses. We believe this passive defense layer evolved gradually due to selective pressure, where bacteria with reduced tRNA levels survived better and passed on their traits to subsequent generations.”

This phenomenon of passive resistance, the researchers suggest, is likely more widespread than previously thought and not limited to Synechococcus-Syn9 interactions.

The study was supported by the Simons Foundation.

For the full article: click here

The hanukkiah was designed and 3D-printed using ceramic materials and natural blue and white pigments at the DD Lab research laboratory, led by Architect Shany Barath. The design incorporates the message “100 Years of the Technion” as an encoded texture on the body of the hanukkiah.

The hanukkiah features colorful candles made of semiconductor perovskite nanoparticles, produced in Prof. Yehonadav Bekenstein’s research lab. These candles glow under ultraviolet light, and their colors are determined by their size and chemical composition.

Together, the hanukkiah and candles symbolize growth, collaboration, and hope.

For the video click here

From these humble beginnings, the Technion grew steadily, and today it hosts approximately 15,000 students. With campuses in China and New York, around 575 faculty members, four Nobel Prize laureates, approximately 100,000 alumni, and as one of the world’s top 100 universities, the Technion is a globally renowned institution deeply committed to the State of Israel and impacting humanity.

The first class of architects – seated in the center: Zipporah Neufeld (the Technion’s first female student) alongside the legendary lecturer Prof. Alexander Baerwald. Courtesy of the Yehoshua Nessyahu Technion Historical Archive.

In the 100th cohort, there are approximately 2,100 undergraduate students, 48% of whom are women. This is a significant change compared to the first cohort, where women comprised less than 6%. The percentage of female deans and senior management has also increased over the past decade.

The Technion and its graduates are associated with a series of notable Israeli discoveries and inventions, including the invention of the disk-on-key (USB flash drive), the development of a miniature satellite launched in 1998, the creation of the international data compression standard (Lempel-Ziv), Azilect – a drug for Parkinson’s, the discovery of the protein degradation mechanism in cells, the discovery of quasicrystals, technology for manufacturing giant space lenses (in collaboration with NASA), DNA-based electronics, innovative diagnostic technologies, the Nano Bible, an exoskeleton that allows paralyzed individuals to walk, and the Iron Dome defense system, whose importance has been made indisputably clear in the past year.

Since the Technion opened its doors, a quarter of a century before the establishment of the State of Israel, national service has been a core component of its mission. Since the start of the Iron Swords War, the Technion and its graduates have rallied to support Israeli society. In the next 100 years, the Technion will continue to conduct groundbreaking research and train the next generation of engineers, scientists, doctors, architects, and educators who will secure the future of the State of Israel.

The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology will award the Harvey Prize in Science and Technology to Prof. Stephen Baylin, Prof. Peter Jones, and Prof. Andrew Feinberg for their groundbreaking work in cancer epigenetics.

Epigenetics focuses on changes in genome activity that are independent of the DNA sequence. Epigenetics explains how identical DNA sequences can produce different outcomes, with fundamental implications in diverse aspects of health and disease. One of the epigenetic processes extensively studied by this year’s Harvey Prize laureates is DNA methylation.

DNA methylation plays a role in determining which genes are silenced, and which can be switched on to produce proteins. The correct methylation markers are essential for life-long health, influencing embryonic development, cell division, cellular health, responses to environmental changes, and more. Disruptions in methylation can cause serious health problems, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, brain disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

The individual and collaborative work of the three laureates has revolutionized our understanding of the role of epigenetics in cell differentiation and function. Their work, which integrates epigenetics with discoveries related to genetic processes, has transformed outdated paradigms about cancer development and disproved the traditional notion that the disease is driven solely by genetic mutations. Therapeutics based on their discoveries on the epigenome are already saving lives and improving patients’ quality of life. This integration of basic science and applied medicine led to the decision to award the Harvey Prize in Science and Technology to Prof. Stephen Baylin, Prof. Peter Jones, and Prof. Andrew Feinberg.

About the Laureates

Prof. Stephen Baylin

Prof. Stephen Baylin, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, was born in North Carolina. He completed his M.D. at Duke University, followed by research training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Prof. Baylin has received numerous awards, including the Shubitz Cancer Research Prize from the University of Chicago, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research, and the American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor.

Prof. Peter A. Jones

Prof. Peter Jones, from Van Andel Institute in Michigan, was born in South Africa, raised in Zimbabwe, and completed his Ph.D. at the University of London. Currently president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute, he studies the relationships between DNA methylation, gene expression, and cell differentiation. His accolades include the American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor, the AACR Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research, past presidency of the AACR, and elections to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the AACR Academy.

Prof. Andrew Feinberg

Prof. Andrew Feinberg, a research professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was born in Pennsylvania. He earned his M.D. through the accelerated medical program at Johns Hopkins and an M.P.H. in public health. He conducted postdoctoral research in developmental biology at the University of California San Diego, medical training at the University of Pennsylvania, and advanced studies in genetics at Johns Hopkins. His numerous honors include honorary doctorates from the University of Amsterdam, University of Uppsala, and Karolinska Institute, the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, a fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and membership in the U.S. National Academy of Medicine.

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan said, “The Technion awards the Harvey Prize to researchers whose work makes a significant contribution to humanity and human welfare. The pioneering work of these three researchers has transformed the field of epigenetics, revealing its vital impact on cellular function and the onset and progression of disease, particularly cancer. Their studies have paved the way for new diagnostic approaches and accelerated the development of treatments targeting epigenetic mechanisms.”

About the Harvey Prize
The Harvey Prize, the Technion’s most prestigious award, was established in 1971 by industrialist and inventor Leo Harvey (1887–1973), a devoted friend of the Technion and the State of Israel. The prize is awarded annually for outstanding achievements in science, technology, and human health, and for significant contributions to humanity. Over the years, the prize has earned a reputation as a “Nobel predictor,” with more than 30% of recipients subsequently winning the Nobel Prize.

The prizes will be presented to the three laureates in June 2025 at a ceremony during the Technion Board of Governors meeting, marking the centenary of the Technion’s opening.

The Technion has opened a new season of its multidisciplinary series “Music, Science, and Inspiration,” founded and artistically directed by pianist Dr. Orit Wolf. These free events, open to the general public, enrich the interface between science, music, and art.

Dr. Orit Wolf. Photo: Yoel Levy

Initiated in 2022 under the auspices of the Technion President’s Fund, and with the generous support of American donor Ms. Sonia Marschak, the series was spearheaded by Dr. Wolf, a member of the inaugural cohort of the “Artist in Residence” program launched by Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan. This series’ vision is to create a platform for dialogue and inspiration among scientists, engineers, artists, and musicians. Since its inception, dozens of scientists, engineers, Nobel laureates, and international artists have participated.

The first of its kind in Israel, the series brings together scientists, academic and administrative staff, students, alumni, and the general public. Each meeting is dedicated to a different theme shared by multiple disciplines, blending music, science, and technology, with participation from Technion researchers and guest artists.

According to Dr. Wolf, “The connection between science and art is not just ‘possible’ but ‘essential.’ These seemingly distinct fields share much in common. The interdisciplinary meetings at the Technion expose artists, scientists, engineers, and the wider audience to new content, inspiring creativity and operational innovation in both art and science.”

The first event of this season will take place on Wednesday, December 11, focusing on the power of emptiness and space. It will explore the concept of void across physics (the creation of the universe), biology, landscape architecture, sculpture, and music. Dr. Wolf will host Prof. Hagai Perets from the Faculty of Physics, Prof. Tal Alon-Mozes from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Prof. Dori Derdikman from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, art lecturer Dr. Gilit Ivgi, internationally acclaimed violinist Michael Shaham, and composer Noam Yaakoby, a Technion student in mathematics and computer science.

The event will take place in the Heller Student Union Cinema, starting at 3PM and lasting approximately 90 minutes without intermission. Admission is free but requires prior registration.

For details and registration, click here

Researchers from the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering at the Technion have created a groundbreaking method for producing protein-based microgel particles. This achievement, led by Dr. Luai Khoury and M.Sc. student Tina Khirallah was recently published in Advanced Materials.

Dr. Luai Khoury and MSc student Tina Khariallah

The method developed by the Technion researchers offers numerous advantages, including efficiency, speed, simplicity of production, and the ability to work with nanoscale materials such as proteins and biological molecules. These features make it a cost-effective alternative to existing methods, with the potential to revolutionize fields like pharmaceuticals, biosensors, food, tissue engineering, and environmental science.

Microgels, part of the “soft materials” family, have generated significant interest in diverse fields, including biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, environmental engineering, and culinary science. However, current techniques for their production face significant challenges, such as controlling particle size, scaling up production for large quantities, requiring advanced equipment, adapting to biological materials, and meeting market demands for competitive pricing.

The research team developed a simple and efficient method for producing microgel particles. According to the researchers, “Our method was inspired by processes such as espresso preparation and oil extraction, which rely on creating emulsions (mixtures of two immiscible phases) within a three-dimensional porous structure.”

a) Illustration of the new system developed for producing microgels via an emulsification process within a porous medium. b) A fluorescent microscope image of protein-based microgels produced using the system. This image demonstrates the uniformity of the protein and the preservation of its structure

In their published study, the researchers demonstrated how particle uniformity and size could be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the two phases within the porous medium and by varying their ratio. They focused on producing functional protein-based particles while preserving the required protein structure. Furthermore, the particles responded to various external stimuli. These particles can also act as biological sensors, detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) molecules at different concentrations. These molecules can damage DNA, harm other cellular structures, and even lead to cell death, highlighting the importance of their detection.

For the full paper click here

A new course that will train students in social-technological entrepreneurship with an emphasis on solutions for people with disabilities has started at the Technion. Disability Breakthrough Technology is open to all Technion students, as well as students studying physiotherapy at the University of Haifa. It will include visits to the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital and the Rehabilitation Hospital at Sheba Medical Center. Course topics will include accessibility, psychology of people with disabilities, aspects of design, and background in biomedical engineering, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

Dr. Yacov Malinovich

According to Dr. Yacov Malinovich, who leads the course, “In recent years, awareness of the needs of disabled people has increased, and this has become even more important in light of the ongoing war. Some of the solutions lie in the development of suitable technologies for rehabilitation, and this is an opportunity for students and engineers to contribute significantly and directly to people’s well-being. Israel has extensive knowledge in this field, with many examples – unique wheelchairs, emergency bracelets, special surfboards, and more.”

Example of an assistive device

Dr. Malinovich is one of the founders of Haifa3D (www.haifa3d.org). Haifa 3D is a volunteer organization that designs and manufactures assistive devices for children and adults with upper limb disabilities, including “robotic” hands for children and many other devices tailored to the requests of those with disabilities. The organization has a long-term collaboration with the Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab (BRML) in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and other faculties at the Technion.

“The new course will be conducted from an interdisciplinary approach and will feature guests from various academic and rehabilitation institutions,” said Dr. Maliovich. “Through our connection with rehabilitation institutions and people with disabilities, we aim to develop relevant technological solutions that will truly assist those in need. At the end of the course, each student team will submit their product as a final project.”

The course will be held at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with t:hub – the Technion Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Haifa, and the Technion Social Incubator. It is an annual course worth six academic credits.

Professor Dan Garber from the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences has been awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). These grants of approximately €2 million per researcher support pioneering R&D efforts. They are awarded to select researchers who have groundbreaking ideas, during the formative stages of their research teams and work plans.

Prof. Dan Garber. Photo: Michal Cohen

Prof. Garber completed all his academic degrees at the Technion – a B.Sc. in electrical and computer engineering, an M.Sc. in computer science, and a Ph.D. in data and decision sciences. After earning his doctorate, he pursued postdoctoral research at Toyota Technological Institute in Chicago. He returned to the Technion as a faculty member in 2017.

Prof. Garber specializes in continuous optimization, a field bridging mathematics and computer science. “In my research group, we develop innovative and efficient algorithms for solving fundamental problems with applications in fields such as statistics and machine learning,” he explained. “Continuous optimization is a critical tool in many areas, including training neural networks in deep learning, with significant impacts across science and engineering.”

The ERC Consolidator Grant will support Prof. Garber’s ProFreeOpt project, which aims to address profound questions related to developing a new generation of highly efficient algorithms for solving a wide range of high-dimensional continuous optimization problems.