Bio-Tech Israel 2002 includes a Scientific Program comprising more than 40
presentations by leading Life Science researchers from Israel, and by overseas
presenters from the Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, AstraZeneca
and Crucell B.V.
Nanotechnology has become one of the hot topics in science over the past few
years. However, little is understood about the true promise nanotechnology
holds, with speculation on the field's potential running from miniature, disease
fighting robots, to self-erecting electronics factories, on a one-billionth of a
meter scale!
Israel is at the forefront of the nanotechnology revolution, with research being
performed at newly established nanotech centers at the country's major
universities. The country also has several startup companies active in the
nanotechnology field, including NanoPowders, which produces nanosized metal
powders for a variety of industrial applications, including potential applications
in life sciences. Carmel Biosensors is developing implantable, micro-devices
based on living cells for in-vivo monitoring of physiological parameters. The first
application is expected to be the monitoring of blood glucose levels in
diabetics.
Researchers from the Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and
Carmel Biosensors will present their visions of the nano-future. Their research
offers fascinating, albeit still distant visions of nanotechnologies and their
potential within the field of medicine of the future.
"Most of nanotechnology is in the R&D stage, and projections are that revenues
will come from nanotechnologies only in the year 2007," said Professor Yosi
Schacham of Tel Aviv University's Department of Physical Electronics. Prof.
Schacham also heads the Nano-Science and Nano-Technology Project, a joint
research effort involving Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University and the Israel
Ministry of Health.
Schacham is one of two Tel Aviv University researchers who will be presenting
their visions of a nanotechnology future. Schacham is developing an integrated
system on a chip intended to analyze water toxicity, while Professor Eshel
Ben-Jacob, of Tel Aviv University's School of Physics, is exploring the potential
of DNA as a cybernetic system with self-awareness.
An important feature of the Schacham's chip will be its ability to detect toxic
substance within a water sample, regardless of a priori knowledge of the
chemical structure of a toxin. The system incorporates a solid-state electronic
platform with biological cells for rapid, real-time sensing of molecules in water.
The device integrates different cell types, bacteria, yeast or human cells, which
will be genetically engineered to emit a fluorescent signal in the presence of
specific molecules in water. The cells will be embedded in a dormant state into
modular cavities in a micro-fluidic chip and integrated with a CMOS imager and
electronic circuitry for optical signal detection, signal processing and
communication units.
The technology, which demonstrated positive results in initial trials early this
year, may have additional applications in identifying toxins in body fluids and in
the air in the event of chemical warfare.
Ben-Jacob's theory on the self-aware potential of DNA arises from observing
bacterial response to environmental stress. The DNA of certain bacteria has
been observed to "recognize" a stress situation, and initiate a specific response
at the genomic level in order to increase chances for survival.
This ability to recognize environmental change may also have computational
applications, in which DNA-based systems will not only perform computation,
but actually recognize problems and change according to outcomes.
Such systems may be used to construct logical elements composed of DNA
and networks for specific digital electronic computations, or for the creation a
universal Turing machine, which is a device capable of performing all
mathematical calculations and, theoretically, doing anything the human brain
can do, including developing a consciousness of its own.
Professor Itamar Willner of Hebrew University's Institute of Chemistry will present
his work on the integration of biomaterials and transducers to develop DNA
analysis methods of unprecedented sensitivity. "Based on this method, you can
build a sensor that transmits electronically the detection of DNA and RNA
aberrations to a very high level of sensitivity," Willner said.
One development of the technology will be a system enabling the bioelectronic
detection of drug resistance in patients with HIV. The genetic information within
the HIV virus constantly changes through mutation, reducing the effectiveness
of drug cocktails used to combat the virus. By providing a test to determine drug
resistance, doctors will be able to prescribe more effectively.
Nanotechnology and Bioelectronics will be featured at BioTech Israel 2002 on
Tuesday, March 21 at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv. The program will
be chaired by Professor Yair Aharonowitz, Vice President and Dean for
Research at Tel Aviv University.
Israel's first international biotechnology conference will take place in Tel Aviv on
March 19-21, 2002 as part of National Biotechnology Week.