A recent study led by Prof. Daniel Mandler with Prof. Roi Baer and Dr. Hadassah Elgavi Sinai and a team at Hebrew University, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, reveals how organic molecules affect the behavior of tiny gold particles absorbed on surfaces. Their research deepens our understanding of how these nanoparticles absorbed on surfaces interact with their surroundings, offering important insights for various uses. The research was conducted jointly by PhD student Din Zelikovich, who carried out very careful experiments and MSc student Pavel Savchenko, who conducted the theoretical calculations.

The study found that different molecules, like 2- and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, can cause gold nanoparticles to have significantly different electrical properties, with differences up to 71 Mv (millivolts). This highlights how crucial these molecules are in determining how nanoparticles behave.

Using advanced computer simulations and experiments, the collaboration between the experimental and theoretical teams showed that some molecules stick to gold surfaces in predictable ways, matching what they saw experimentally. However, they also found that the kinetics, namely, the rate the nanoparticles are oxidized adds more complexity to how they interact.

For instance, they discovered that gold nanoparticles stabilized by 4-mercaptobenzoic acid reacted twice as quickly as those with citrate. This finding, backed by scientific theories, shows just how much the right molecule can change how these nanoparticles act.

Prof. Daniel Mandler emphasized the significance of the research, stating, "Our study demonstrates the profound impact that capping agents have on the redox properties of nanoparticles. This understanding allows us to fine-tune nanoparticle behavior for specific applications, potentially leading to significant impact in fields ranging from catalysis to drug delivery."

As the scientific community continues to explore the intricate world of nanoparticles, this research contributes valuable knowledge to the field of nanoparticle chemistry. By shedding light on the complex interactions between nanoparticles and their capping agents, this study opens new avenues for designing and optimizing nanoparticles for a wide range of applications, promising exciting developments in nanotechnology in the years to come.

The research paper titled “The Effect of the Capping Agents of Nanoparticles on Their Redox Potential” is now available in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and can be accessed at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.4c02524#

Researchers:

Pavel Savchenko¹, Din Zelikovich², Hadassah Elgavi Sinai¹, Roi Baer¹, Daniel Mandler²

Institutions:

1. Fritz Haber Research Center for Molecular Dynamics and Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Illustration

Title: Understanding how nanoparticles interact with organic molecules

Credit: Din Zelikovich (PhD student), Pavel Savchenko (MSc student) and Hadassah Elgavi Sinai (Senior Researcher).

 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en. 

 

 

 

PhD student Lena Dubinsky and Prof. Leore Grosman from the Computational Archaeology Laboratory at the Hebrew University’s Institute of Archaeology have pioneered a new method to study rock engravings, merging technological and visual analysis to uncover the intricate details behind ancient techniques. Utilizing the in-house developed ArchCUT3-D software, which allows a computational analysis of the three dimensional traits of rock engravings, the research showcases an innovative approach that provides new insights into the production processes and cultural significance of engravings found in Timna Park, southern Israel.

Historically, rock engravings have been examined primarily through their visual characteristics using comparative and interpretative methodologies. While recent works have focused on identifying production processes, these studies often neglected the visual outcomes. Dubinsky and Prof. Grosman’s research bridges this gap by using computational analysis to integrate both technological and visual aspects, offering a comprehensive understanding of ancient engraving practices.

"We employed ArchCUT3-D software to conduct a detailed analysis of 3-D data from various rock engravings. This method allowed us to extract micro-morphological evidence from engraved lines, decoding technical trends and variabilities in the execution of these ancient artworks. By examining a specific group of engraved figures, we established a link between the techniques used and the visual considerations guiding them," explains Lena Dubinsky.

Based on their findings, the researchers propose the term "Techné" to describe the choice of technique that goes beyond mere practicality, encompassing the intentional design and cultural concepts embedded in the engravings. This integrative approach challenges the traditional dichotomy between visual and technological research, presenting a unified framework for understanding ancient production acts.

The study highlights how social structures and individual actions influence production methods, suggesting that the decisions related to technique selection are reflective of broader sociocultural contexts. This perspective offers a richer narrative of ancient engravers' cognitive and material interactions, providing deeper insights into their cultural and technological environment.

The research underscores the potential of digital tools in archaeological studies. Their methodology not only advances the study of rock engravings but also sets a precedent for exploring other archaeological artifacts. By identifying "techno-visual codes" and the “fingerprints” of engraved complexes, this approach enhances our ability to understand the cultural and technological nuances of ancient societies.

"This study marks a significant step forward in archaeological research, combining advanced computational analysis with a nuanced understanding of ancient techniques and visual styles. It opens new avenues for exploring the interplay between technology and visuality in historical contexts, promising to deepen our knowledge of the past," says Prof. Grosman.

The research paper titled “Techné of Rock Engravings—the Timna Case Study” is now available in  Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-024-09658-5.

Researchers:

Lena Dubinsky^1,2,3, Leore Grosman¹

Institution:

1. Computational Archaeology Laboratory, Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University
2. Ceramics and Glass Design Department, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
3. Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, The Hebrew University

Pictures:

Stela engraving scanning process. (Credit: Liron Narunsky)

 

Stela engraving: annotated 3-D model (a); photograph (b). Annotation based on the analytical study of the micromorphology. (Credit: Liron Narunsky)

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in quantum technology by developing a novel method that dramatically improves the stability and performance of quantum systems. This pioneering work addresses the longstanding challenges of decoherence and imperfect control, paving the way for more reliable and sensitive quantum devices.

Quantum technologies, including quantum computers and sensors, hold immense potential for revolutionizing various fields such as computing, cryptography, and medical imaging. However, their development has been hampered by the detrimental effects of noise, which can disrupt quantum states and lead to errors.

Many traditional approaches to mitigating noise in quantum systems primarily focus on temporal autocorrelation, which examines how noise behaves over time. While effective to some extent, these methods fall short when other types of noise correlations are present.

The research was conducted by experts in quantum physics, PhD. student Alon Salhov under the guidance of Prof. Alex Retzker from Hebrew University, PhD. student Qingyun Cao under the guidance of Prof. Fedor Jelezko and Dr. Genko Genov from Ulm University and Prof. Jianming Cai from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. They have introduced an innovative strategy that leverages the cross-correlation between two noise sources. By exploiting the destructive interference of cross-correlated noise, the team has managed to significantly extend the coherence time of quantum states, improve control fidelity, and enhance sensitivity for high-frequency quantum sensing.

Key achievements of this new strategy include:

Tenfold Increase in Coherence Time: The duration for which quantum information remains intact is extended ten times longer compared to previous methods.

Improved Control Fidelity: Enhanced precision in manipulating quantum systems leads to more accurate and reliable operations.

Superior Sensitivity: The ability to detect high-frequency signals surpasses the current state-of-the-art, enabling new applications in quantum sensing.

Alon Salhov said, "Our innovative approach extends our toolbox for protecting quantum systems from noise. By focusing on the interplay between multiple noise sources, we've unlocked unprecedented levels of performance, bringing us closer to the practical implementation of quantum technologies."

This advancement not only marks a significant leap in the field of quantum research but also holds promise for a wide range of applications. Industries that rely on highly sensitive measurements, such as healthcare, stand to benefit enormously from these improvements.

The study titled “Protecting Quantum Information via Destructive Interference of Correlated Noise” is now available in Physical Review Letters and can be openly accessed at https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.223601

Researchers:

Alon Salhov¹, Qingyun Cao^2,3, Jianming Cai³, Alex Retzker^1,4, Fedor Jelezko², and Genko Genov²

Institutions:

1. Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

2. Institute for Quantum Optics, Ulm University, Germany

3. School of Physics, International Joint Laboratory on Quantum Sensing and Quantum Metrology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

4. AWS Center for Quantum Computing, USA

Funding

Clore Israel Foundation Scholars Programme, the Israeli Council for Higher Education, and the Milner Foundation. This work was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research (BMBF) by future cluster QSENS and projects DE-Brill (No. 13N16207), SPINNING, DIAQNOS (No. 13N16463), quNV2.0 (No. 13N16707), QR. X and Quamapolis (No. 13N15375), DLR via project QUASIMODO (No. 50WM2170), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) via Projects No. 386028944, No. 445243414, and No. 387073854, and Excellence Cluster POLiS European Union’s HORIZON Europe program via projects QuMicro (No. 101046911), SPINUS (No. 101135699), CQuENS (No. 101135359), QCIRCLE (No. 101059999) and FLORIN (No. 101086142), European Research Council (ERC) via Synergy grant HyperQ (No. 856432) and Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung via the Center of Integrated Quantum Science and technology (IQST) and project Utrasens-Vir. A. R. acknowledges the support of European Research Council grant QRES, Project No. 770929, Quantera grant MfQDS, Israel Science Foundation and the Schwartzmann university chair. J. M. acknowledges the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 12161141011).

Pictures credit - the authors of the paper.

Image 1)

Title: Enhanced Quantum Memory and Sensitivity by Interfering Noise

Description:

Schematic representation of destructive interference of cross-correlated noise, control sequences and experimental setup. 

Detailed description (from the paper):

(a) The qubit is subjected to environmental noise δ(t). Applying a resonant drive with Rabi frequency Ω1 creates a protected dressed qubit which decoheres mainly due to ε1(t) - the amplitude noise in Ω1. Applying a second drive with modulation frequency eΩ1, Rabi frequency Ω2 and amplitude fluctuations ε2(t), reduces decoherence due to ε1(t). 

(b) If the cross-correlation, c, of ε1(t) and ε2(t) is nonzero, a detuning eΩ1 = Ω1 + c Ω2 2/Ω1 tilts the effective-drive axis and induces a destructive interference of the cross-correlated noise, resulting in a doubly-dressed qubit with a longer coherence time. 

(c) Measurement sequences for standard and correlated double drive (DD) protocols. (d) Experimental setup and level

scheme of the NV center

Image 2)

Title: Enhanced Quantum Memory and Sensitivity by Interfering Noise

Description: A Bloch-sphere of a qubit subjected to cross-correlated noise (blue and red). The method destructively interferes this noise, resulting in superior performance.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 25,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86^th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

 

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a machine learning approach to identify potential subtypes in diseases, significantly enhancing the field of disease classification and treatment strategies. The study, led by PhD student Dan Ofer and Prof. Michal Linial from the Department of Biological Chemistry at The Life Science Institute at Hebrew University, marks a significant advancement in the use of artificial intelligence in medical research.

Distinguishing diseases into distinct subtypes is pivotal for accurate study and effective treatment strategies. The Open Targets Platform integrates biomedical, genetic, and biochemical datasets to support disease ontologies, classifications, and potential gene targets. However, many disease annotations remain incomplete, often necessitating extensive expert medical input. This challenge is especially significant for rare and orphan diseases, where resources are limited.

The research introduces a novel machine learning approach to identify diseases with potential subtypes. Utilizing the extensive database of approximately 23,000 diseases documented in the Open Targets Platform, they derived new features to predict diseases with subtypes using direct evidence. Machine learning models were then applied to analyze feature importance and evaluate predictive performance, uncovering both known and novel disease subtypes.

The model achieved an impressive 89.4% ROC Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve in identifying known disease subtypes. The integration of pre-trained deep-learning language models further enhanced the model's performance. Notably, the research identified 515 disease candidates predicted to possess previously unannotated subtypes, paving the way for new insights into disease classification.

"This project demonstrates the incredible potential of machine learning in expanding our understanding of complex diseases," said Dan Ofer. "By leveraging advanced models, we can uncover patterns and subtypes that were previously hidden, ultimately contributing to more precise and personalized treatments."

This innovative methodology enables a robust and scalable approach for improving knowledge-based annotations and provides a comprehensive assessment of disease ontology tiers. "We are excited about the potential of our machine learning approach to revolutionize disease classification," said Prof. Michal Linial. "Our findings can significantly contribute to personalized medicine, offering new avenues for therapeutic development."

The research paper titled “Automated annotation of disease subtypes” is now available in Journal of Biomedical Informatics and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2024.104650.

Researchers:

Dan Ofer, Michal Linial

Institution:

Department of Biological Chemistry, The Life Science Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en. 

 

A new study led by Dr. Tamar Friedlander and her team at The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture at the Hebrew University, in collaboration with Prof. Ohad Feldheim from the Einstein Institute of Mathematics at the Hebrew University has developed an evolutionary-biophysical model that sheds new light on the evolution of collaborative non-self recognition self-incompatibility in plants. The study introduces a novel theoretical framework that incorporates promiscuous molecular interactions, which have been largely overlooked by traditional models.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a widespread biological mechanism in plants having both male and female reproductive organs, that prevents self-fertilization and promotes genetic diversity. Under this mechanism, fertilization relies on the specific recognition between highly diverse proteins: the RNase (female determinant) and the SLF (male determinant). The interaction between these proteins ensures that plants are only compatible with non-self mates, thus maintaining a diverse gene pool.

The new model proposed by Dr. Friedlander and her team represents a significant advancement in understanding the evolutionary dynamics of self-incompatibility proteins. By allowing for promiscuous interactions—where interactions with unfamiliar partners are likely – and for multiple distinct partners per protein, the model aligns more closely with empirical findings than previous models that assumed only one-to-one interactions. This promiscuity enables a flexible interaction pattern between male and female proteins, offering new insights into how these proteins evolve and interact over generations.

"Our research shows that the ability of proteins to engage in promiscuous interactions is crucial for the long-term evolutionary maintenance of self-incompatibility systems," explained Dr. Friedlander. "We propose that the default state of this system is that recognition is likely and an evolutionary pressure is needed to avoid it, in contrast to what was previously thought. This flexibility not only helps in maintaining genetic diversity but also suggests that similar mechanisms could be operating in other biological systems."

The study also reveals how populations of these plants spontaneously organize into distinct compatibility classes, ensuring full compatibility across different classes while maintaining incompatibility within the same class. The model predicts various evolutionary paths that could lead to the formation or elimination of these compatibility classes based solely on point mutations. The dynamic balance between the emergence and decay of these classes, which provides a sustainable model of evolution, was analyzed by the researchers using a mixture of empirical and theoretical tools borrowed from the field of statistical mechanics in physics.

"These insights from our study have profound implications not only for plant biology but also for understanding the fundamental principles of molecular recognition and its impact on the evolution of biological networks," Dr. Friedlander added. "Our findings could also help in the conservation of plant biodiversity."

This research, which highlights the role of promiscuous and multi-partner molecular interactions, is likely to inspire seeking these two elements in additional biological systems, and help in explaining the evolution of various complex molecular networks.

The research paper titled “The role of promiscuous molecular recognition in the evolution of RNase-based self-incompatibility in plants” is now available in Nature Communications and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49163-7.

Pictures

Title: A shift of paradigm in the molecular recognition model: from one-to –one (left) into many-to-many (right).

Description: Previous models of self-incompatibility accounted for only one-to-one interactions between male and female-determinant proteins. The new model allows for a more general network of interactions, where each protein can interact with any number of partners.

Credit: Tamar Friedlander and Amit Jangid.

 

Title: Tamar Friedlander holding two petunias

Credit: Nathan Mengisto, Faculty of Agriculture, HUJI.

 

Researchers:

Keren Erez¹, Amit Jangid¹, Ohad Noy Feldheim² & Tamar Friedlander¹

Institutions:

1) The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

2) The Einstein Institute of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en. 

 

 

 

A new study led by PhD student Dana Katsoty from the Psychology Department at the Hebrew University, alongside Michal Greidinger from University of Haifa, in collaboration with Prof Yuval Neria from Columbia University, Prof. Ido Lurie from Tel Aviv University and Shalvata Mental Health Center and Dr. Aviv Segev from Tel Aviv University and Shalvata Mental Health Center and Kings College London, has developed a predictive model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of the mass terror attack on October 7th, 2023, and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war. This period marked by intense conflict has deeply affected the national psyche, highlighting the need for reliable predictive tools for mental health interventions.

The terror attack by Hamas militants on October 7th, 2023, marked the beginning of a profound national crisis in Israel, leading to widespread trauma and significant mental health challenges across the country. The primary objective of this research was to create a model that can predict the prevalence of PTSD in the aftermath of trauma exposure across different segments of the Israeli population based on their exposure levels to the trauma.

The research team categorized the Israeli population into six distinct groups depending on their exposure to the conflict: direct exposure to terror, close-proximity to terror, involvement of soldiers in combat and support units, intense and moderate exposure to rocket attacks, and communities indirectly affected. Utilizing national databases, the team estimated the size of each group, conducted a literature review to derive PTSD prevalence rates, and performed a random-effects meta-analysis for the prevalence of PTSD in each group.

The findings suggest that approximately 5.3% of the Israeli population, or about 519,923 individuals, may develop PTSD as a result of the terror attack and the conflict, with a prediction interval ranging from 160,346 to 879,502. The study emphasizes the substantial mental health impact of such mass trauma and provides a crucial tool for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers. This model not only facilitates the planning and implementation of necessary mental health interventions but also has the potential to serve as a framework for addressing future mass trauma incidents worldwide.

This predictive model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a pivotal opportunity for policy action. Following the mass terror attack and subsequent war, proactive measures are imperative. Policy recommendations should prioritize resource allocation for mental health services, including increased funding for counseling, therapy programs, and psychiatric care. As the need across the population is expected to be substantial, there is a pressing need for the adoption of comprehensive, system-wide models facilitating large-scale interventions. Such models should incorporate evidence-based group therapies, short-term individual protocols, initiatives for prevention and early intervention, and the utilization of digital technologies for monitoring and management of mental health symptoms. Governments should invest in training programs for mental health professionals to enhance their ability to identify and treat PTSD effectively. Integrating predictive models into disaster preparedness plans can assist in implementation of mental health interventions following mass trauma events, while global collaboration facilitates knowledge sharing and best practices for addressing mental health needs on a broader scale.

The research paper titled “A Prediction Model of PTSD in the Israeli Population in the Aftermath of October 7th, 2023, Terrorist Attack and the Israel-Hamas War” is now available in medRxiv and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.25.24303235.

Researchers:

Dana Katsoty¹, Michal Greidinger², Yuval Neria^3,4, Aviv Segev^5,6,7, Ido Lurie^5,6

Institutions:

1. Psychology Department, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
2. Department of Counseling and Human Development, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Israel
3. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
4. New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
5. Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel
6. School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
7. Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en. 

(photo credit: DALL-E, AI)

 

A new study led by Dr. Shir Atzil and her team from the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University unveils intriguing insights into the mechanisms of romantic bonding, focusing particularly on physiological synchrony—the alignment of physiological responses between individuals—and its impact on perceived romantic attraction.

Physiological synchrony refers to the alignment of physiological responses between individuals. This can include parameters like heart rate, respiration, and skin conductance. When two people are physiologically in sync, their bodily functions align in a way that is measurable and often occurs naturally during interactions.

The research integrated both experimental and observational methods to investigate how physiological synchrony influences romantic appeal. An online experiment involving 144 participants demonstrated that inducing synchrony between actors significantly boosted their attractiveness ratings. Further investigations in a lab-based speed-dating scenario with 48 participants identified individuals with a naturally high propensity to synchronize in both social and nonsocial contexts, termed 'Super Synchronizers'. These individuals were consistently rated as more romantically appealing, underscoring the potential of physiological alignment to significantly enhance perceived attractiveness.

Dr. Atzil explains, "Our findings suggest that the ability to synchronize with others might not just be a social skill but could stem from more fundamental sensorimotor abilities that require an individual to adapt themselves to dynamic inputs. This adaptability, whether in response to social cues or rhythmic patterns, is perceived as attractive, potentially because of the beneficial physiological consequences a synchronous partner can have."

The study proposes that synchronized physiological states can improve regulation across various bodily systems, making these interactions more fulfilling. Additionally, effective synchrony may indicate cognitive and evolutionary advantages, suggesting a deeper biological importance of this trait.

Despite these promising insights, Dr. Atzil notes the limitations of the research. "The cross-sectional design of our study limits our ability to draw definitive conclusions about the long-term stability of synchrony as a trait and its causal relationship with romantic attraction," she remarks. Future research will delve into these dynamics more deeply, especially considering the implications of synchrony in sustained romantic relationships and across different sexual orientations.

This study not only advances our understanding of romantic attraction but also paves the way for further exploration into how physiological and behavioral synchrony can shape human relationships in broader contexts.

The research paper titled “Social and nonsocial synchrony are interrelated and romantically attractive” is now available in Communications Psychology and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00109-1.

Researchers:

Matan. Cohen, Maayan. Abargil, Merav. Ahissar, Shir Atzil

Institution:

Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en. 

 

Cryogenic damage has long presented a significant barrier to effective organ preservation, posing challenges to advancements in transplantation and medical treatments. The formation of ice crystals during freezing can compromise cellular structures, leading to irreversible damage and organ failure. However, a new study led by Prof. Ido Braslavsky, Dr. Vera Sirotinskaya, and Dr. Liat Bahari from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Hebrew University, in collaboration with Dr. Victor Yashunsky from Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Dr. Maya Bar Dolev from the Technion, has unveiled a promising solution.

Cryogenic damage significantly impacts the potential success of organ preservation, affecting thousands of people worldwide who are in need of organ transplants. Each year, millions of individuals are diagnosed with conditions that could be treated with organ transplants, yet the shortage of viable, preserved organs leaves many on long waiting lists. The inability to effectively preserve organs for extended periods means that a substantial number of organs are discarded due to damage from ice crystal formation and other cryogenic effects. This not only limits the number of transplants that can be performed but also exacerbates the shortage, ultimately impacting the health and survival of countless patients who depend on these life-saving procedures.

Building on the foundation of previous research into ice-binding proteins (IBPs), this groundbreaking study demonstrates how the strategic use of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) can mitigate cryogenic damage and revolutionize organ freezing techniques. Through the strategic deployment of different types of antifreeze proteins, such as AFPIII from fish and TmAFP from larvae of flour beetles, the research team successfully delayed crystallization and influence devitrification even at temperatures below -80 degrees Celsius.

Utilizing a state-of-the-art microscope stage capable of precise temperature control and rapid cooling at a rate of 100 degrees Celsius per second, the study compared samples containing antifreeze proteins with those without. These samples were not frozen to an astonishing -180 degrees Celsius but when thawed gradually some were frozen while other did not. The samples were analysed under a microscope.

"The findings of our research mark a significant step forward in organ preservation technology," explained Dr. Maya Bar Dolev. "By inhibiting crystallization and crystal growth, antifreeze proteins hold immense promise for extending the viability of frozen organs and enabling previously impossible transplants."

Prof. Ido Braslavsky further emphasized the potential impact of this breakthrough: "This advancement opens doors to a new era in tissue preservation and organ transplantation. With further development, we envision longer preservation periods, enhanced quality during transport, and innovative transplant procedures, including complex organ combinations like heart-lung transplants and uterine tissue transplants."

The implications of this research are profound, offering hope for improved organ availability, extended preservation windows, and ultimately, saving countless lives. As the field of tissue preservation embraces the potential of antifreeze proteins, the future of organ transplantation shines brighter than ever before.

The research paper titled “Extended Temperature Range of the Ice-Binding Protein Activity” is now available in Langmuir and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03710.

Researchers:

Vera Sirotinskaya¹, Maya Bar Dolev^1,2, Victor Yashunsky^1,3, Liat Bahari¹, and Ido Braslavsky¹

Institutions:

1) Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science, and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

2) Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion

3) The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Ben Gurion University

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en.