Tel Aviv University - Global TAU

🌟 Gold Medal for Tel Aviv University at the iGEM International Competition! 🏆

Tel Aviv University's student team has triumphed at the prestigious iGEM synthetic biology competition in Paris, winning a gold medal! 🥇

The team developed a groundbreaking method, Precise RNA Oncotherapy (PROtech), designed for personalized treatments for cancer patients previously deemed untreatable. This innovative approach identifies and targets cancerous mutations that don't alter cell protein structures—a potential game-changer in medicine.

Beyond the competition, the team actively promoted synthetic biology among high school students in Israel, establishing a unique educational track in collaboration with ORT schools.

Led by Prof. Tamir Tuller from the Faculty of Engineering, the team received specialized entrepreneurial training from Start-Up Nation Central and TAU's Entrepreneurship Center.

🎉 Meet the exceptional iGEM team members:
- Shani Elimelech (Engineering & Life Sciences)
- Gal Schwartz (Life Sciences)
- Daniel Ben Harosh (Engineering)
- Rotem Gal (Engineering & Life Sciences)
- Oren Ben Moshe** (Exact Sciences)
- Netanel Erlich (Exact Sciences & Life Sciences)
- Peleg Bazak (Engineering & Life Sciences)
- Tal Shemesh (Engineering & Life Sciences)
- Nev Tsvi (Medicine & Health Sciences)
- Yoni Klein (Life Sciences)
- Itai Fabian (Medicine & Health Sciences)
- Marana Aboud (Medicine & Health Sciences)

Congratulations to the team for this incredible achievement and for inspiring the next generation of innovators! 🌍✨

IGEM TAU

🌟 "ExactShe" - Ruth Rappaport Mentorship & Networking Program for Women in STEM Kicks Off New Year! 🌟

On November 20, 2024, the "ExactShe" program launched its 2024-2025 year at Tel Aviv University. This program supports female students in STEM fields through mentorship and networking opportunities at critical points in their academic careers.

Around 350 students, researchers, and faculty gathered to celebrate and learn about the upcoming year's activities. The event featured inspiring stories from women faculty members in STEM and included remarks from university leaders.

Professor Tova Milo, founder of the program, emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive community and role models for women in STEM, while addressing gender underrepresentation in these fields.

Thanks to the support of the Baruch and Ruth Rappaport Foundation, the Shashua Family Foundation, the Crown Foundation, and Google, the program helps empower women in STEM and increase their representation in leadership roles.

The event concluded with a fun quiz on women in STEM, encouraging all students to join the empowering community.

More about the program: https://www.meduyakot.sites.tau.ac.il/exactshe

🌍 Fighting Antisemitism on a Global Scale

Tel Aviv University's Irwin Cotler Fellowship empowers international students to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bias worldwide by providing them with key academic and practical knowledge.

Through workshops, public speaking, and advocacy, alumni are now goodwill ambassadors, sharing their expertise in over 20 countries.

From rallies in Norway to media outreach in Indonesia and pro-Israel demonstrations in Argentina, these fellows are making a difference. Their work fosters dialogue, raises awareness, and strengthens global solidarity.

Learn more about this impactful program: https://lnkd.in/dvYAjxZJ

Tel Aviv University Canada - CFTAU

📢 Revolutionizing COVID-19 Vaccines: A Needle-Free Solution!

Scientists from Tel Aviv University and the University of Lisbon have created a groundbreaking COVID-19 nano-vaccine. This nasal spray vaccine trains the immune system against all major variants without needing a cold supply chain.

💡 Why it’s game-changing:

Needle-free and easy to use 🌿
Room-temperature storage 🌡️
Accessible for underserved regions 🌍
A step forward in global healthcare!

🔬 Learn more about this innovative solution and its potential to tackle future pandemics: https://english.tau.ac.il/research/nasal-spray-vaccine-covid

What lessons can Israel's defense technologies teach the world? ⚙️
Explore the latest in defense tech at the DefenseTech Summit, a two-day event with expert discussions, real-world insights, and exclusive networking. Top speakers from Israel and worldwide will showcase how Israeli innovations tackle global challenges.

📅 When: December 10–11, 2024.
📍 Where: Tel Aviv University.
🔗 Register now: https://deftech-summit.com/

Don’t miss the chance to shape the future of global security and innovation.

Yuval Ne'eman Workshop for Science Technology and Security
Cyber Week TLV

We’re proud to share that Tel Aviv University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering has been ranked among the world’s top 100 (76-100 range) in the prestigious Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities—the highest position for this field in Israel.

At the intersection of engineering, medicine and biology, our researchers and students are shaping the future of healthcare and science—driving innovation that places TAU at the forefront of biomedical engineering. 🧬⚙️

Discover the full rankings here: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2024/RS0220

Is there a way to stop Parkinson’s disease at its source?
TAU Researchers discovered a potential new target for developing new treatments for this terrible ailment, affecting nearly 10 million people worldwide.

Read more: https://english.tau.ac.il/research/stopping-parkinsons-at-its-source

Sagol School of Neuroscience TAU ביה"ס סגול למדעי המוח אונ’ ת"א

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have made a fundamental discovery: the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)—long studied primarily for its role in learning and memory—also plays a crucial role in stabilizing brain activity.

By setting the “baseline” level for activity in neural networks, the NMDAR helps maintain stable brain function amidst continuous environmental and physiological changes.

This discovery may lead to innovative treatments for diseases linked to disrupted neural stability, such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy.

More: https://english.tau.ac.il/research/brain-stability-nmdar

Sagol School of Neuroscience TAU ביה"ס סגול למדעי המוח אונ’ ת"א

Commemorating an Israeli hero:
Tel Aviv University held a ceremony today marking the 29th anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin Z"l. Held in Jaglom Auditorium in the Senate building, speakers talked emotionally about Rabin's legacy and about current struggles in Israel and the Jewish world.
Attendees joined in counting 101 hostages still held in Gaza, and in sending up a prayer for their quick return home. Students of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music gave a moving musical performance.
Speakers included Vice President Prof. Milette Shamir; Prof. Moti Golani, head of the Institute for the Study of Zionism; Chair of TAU's Student Union Danielle Zilber; and former TAU President and ambassador to the USA Prof. Itamar Rabinovich - himself a personal friend of Rabin during his life.

The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music TAU

Proud of our amazing Department of Emergency & Disaster Management, which recently had the incredible opportunity to represent Tel Aviv University at the WHO Emergency Medical Team Global Meeting in Abu Dhabi!

Artificial Intelligence in the Age of Democracy – Combating Misinformation

Over 70 countries, representing around 4.2 billion people, will hold elections in the next year. Amid this, the World Economic Forum recently highlighted misinformation as the greatest short-term threat to global democracies. Leading tech firms have joined forces under the Tech Accord of "Combating the Deceptive Use of AI" to address this threat.

In Israel, Tel Aviv University's Shamgar Center for Digital Law and Innovation, alongside Microsoft Israel, TAU's Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, and others, launched the "Designing AI for Democracy" competition. This initiative develops tech tools to identify bots, detect inauthentic social campaigns, and support regulation enforcement.

Out of 41 teams, 7 finalists presented their projects at the President’s Residence. The winners included VerifAI, awarded ₪30,000 for its digital verification tool, and InfluenceBlocker, awarded ₪15,000 for detecting foreign interference.

Professor Niva Elkin-Koren, head of the Shamgar Center, stated, “AI has changed the game, and we must innovate to protect social cohesion and democracy.”

We’re proud to congratulate Prof. Pavel Ginzburg from Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering on receiving the Minister of Immigration and Absorption Award, presented by President Isaac Herzog.

Prof. Ginzburg, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, leads groundbreaking research in military technology that enhances Israel's defense—from detecting hostile drones in challenging weather to developing tools that support soldiers in the field. His team’s contributions, in collaboration with Rafael and Elta, underscore the power of research to protect and support Israel’s resilience.

Read more about his research here >

Next-Level Drone Detection Could Enhance Airspace Protection TAU research introduces smart tagging to identify and track drones in extreme weather conditions

Researchers at Tel Aviv University, led by Prof. Carmit Levy, Prof. Yaron Carmi, and PhD student Avishai Maliah, have uncovered a groundbreaking cancer mechanism that could revolutionize cancer treatment.
The discovery reveals how certain tumors evade the immune system and, more importantly, how reversing this mechanism can stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells—even in cancers previously resistant to immunotherapy.

This advancement brings us one step closer to more effective cancer therapies.

https://english.tau.ac.il/research/cancer-tumors-elimination

The new 2024-25 academic year opened today across Israel's higher educational institutions.

Juggling uncertainty, turmoil, and national trauma, our resilient students are back on the Tel Aviv University campus to change the world and create a better tomorrow no matter what!

Worldwide connection through classical music:
Tel Aviv University's Symphony Orchestra, made up of talented and dedicated TAU music students, is in Frankfurt, Germany to perform a festive concert this week under famed Maestro Zubin Mehta. The concert celebrates decades of friendship with Goethe-Universität Frankfurt thanks to cherished TAU benefactors Josef and Bareket Buchmann.
The young musicians who will play are part of the TAU Buchmann-Mehta School of Music's fully-subsidized orchestral training program, which prepares students for careers in classical music around the world and with the internationally-renowned Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Even during the past tumultuous year, BMSM students' commitment to their craft has not wavered and the School has given them needed stability.
TAU flautist Shaked: “This year I lost a lot of friends, but music has helped me a lot. I feel supported by my teachers and very close with my fellow students.”
Read more: https://buff.ly/3UQqyGr

The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music TAU Israel Philharmonic - הפילהרמונית הישראלית