80 innovations from Bar-Ilan University, available for licensing, co-investment, or spin-out through BIRAD.
Shor Joseph
This circuit measures internal transistor parameters.
Mandel Yossi
The invention relates to novel proteinoid-based nanocapsules (NCs) designed for non-invasive drug delivery to the retina via topical administration (eye drops). The nanocapsules are synthesized from tailored amino acid–based polymers that self-assemble into hollow nano-sized particles capable of encapsulating therapeutic agents. These biodegradable, non-toxic, and customizable nanocapsules enable penetration across ocular barriers and delivery of drugs to posterior eye tissues, including the retina and choroid, thereby potentially replacing invasive intravitreal injections. The invention includes specific proteinoid compositions optimized for enhanced retinal penetration, safety, and drug-loading capacity.
Strelniker Yakov
We predicted that the negative permittivity can be used for attraction of like charged particles instead of repulsion. This can lead to creation of electron-electron pairs similar to Cooper pairs (with possibilities to reach superconductivity at room temperature). This phenomenon can be used also for nucleus-nucleus pairing with possibilities of low energy nuclear fusion. Negative values of permittivity we propose to achieve due to the localized surface plasmon resonances in metamaterials. These resonance frequencies can be varied over a wide range by application of static magnetic or electric fields.
Byk Gerardo
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a leading cause of incurable genetic blindness. Currently retinal gene therapies are mostly based on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors that are: i) limited in cargo size, limiting the delivery of large genes (e.g. MYO7A, a common cause for Usher 1B syndromic RP); ii) induce immune responses that may damage the retina, lower gene expression and preclude repeated treatment; iii) injected subretinally, treating a limited area, and associated with risks of retinal detachment and chorioretinal atrophy. Transient transfection in primary human non-dividing cells remains inefficient due to poor nuclear uptake and transient gene expression, typically lasting only 24–96 hours. Conventional methods like lipofection and electroporation often cause cytotoxicity and immune activation, reducing cell viability and reproducibility. Improved delivery systems are needed to overcome these barriers and achieve safe, targeted, and sustained transgene expression. We developed biodegradable nanohydrogels (NHGs) that form complexes with DNA. The new NHGs and their DNA complexes are devoid of cell toxicity, which, together with their tuned sizes, makes them potential tools for gene delivery and foreign protein expression. We demonstrate that these NHGs can be utilized to deliver genes to express foreign proteins in non-dividing human iPSC-retinal pigment epithelium cells, which are notoriously difficult to transfect. Controlling for DNA:NHG ratio, we can control for timing, duration, and levels of gene expression in human cells. Long duration of gene expression is easily achieved with protein expressed for at least 30 days post NHG treatment. Moreover, we developed a novel suprachoroidal delivery method that resulted in injected material distribution covering 80% of the retina in rats, rabbits, and monkeys. Thus, this invention includes: (1) a novel system for retinal gene therapy delivery for patients with retinal/macular degeneration; (2) a novel platform for sustained gene expression in human/other hard-to-transfect non-dividing primary cells that may be used for studying gene expression, disease etiology, etc.
Mandel Yossi
The invention relates to a stimuli-responsive carrier system that enables controlled, transient, and reversible release of therapeutic and other functional substances. The system is based on a polymeric matrix crosslinked by redox-active metal ions, whose mechanical properties and diffusivity can be reversibly modulated by externally applied stimuli, such as ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) or visible light irradiation. Upon application of the stimulus, the matrix transiently softens and becomes permeable, allowing controlled release of incorporated cargos. Removal of the stimulus results in autonomous recovery of the matrix to its original, mechanically robust state, halting further release. The dissipative mechanism enables repeated on-demand release cycles from a single carrier depot without permanent degradation. The invention has broad applicability, including medical, ocular, industrial, and environmental uses. The invention is a collaborative effort of HUJI (Prof. Itamar Willner) and BIU (Prof. Yossi Mandel). BIU will share parts of the invention that are related solely to ocular use of the application.
Grinberg Ilya
his is a new design concept for intrinsic, single-phase magnetoelectric, multiferroics. The invention is both the concept – which is rather novel wherein we have developed a ordered chemistry-based approach to produce large magnetic moments in typically weakly magnetic materials and, by extension, get large magnetoelectric coupling between the polarization and magnetization. This is the realization of the ultimate goal of research in this field for more than 20 years. We have made a robust, room-temperature ferroelectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric single-phase material.
Banin Ehud
A novel formulation to produce pickering emulsion that utilizes a green solvent and allows production of superhydrophobic coatings with antibiofilm activity.
Barda-Saad Mira
The focus of this patent application is the development of a novel therapeutic approach for controlling and improving NK cell killing of cancer cells or viruses in vivo by suppressing the key negative regulators of NK cell cytotoxicity. Natural-killer (NK) cells represent a powerful weapon of immune defense against viral infections and tumor growth, via cytotoxicity of target cells. Specifically, NK cells are particularly efficient in removing metastatic cells and tumor grafts. We recently revealed that NK cell response is inhibited by two main mechanisms: (1) dephosphorylation of signaling molecule by the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, and (2) ubiquitylation mediated degradation of signaling molecule by the E3 ubiquitin ligases c-Cbl and Cbl-b. These molecular events block NK cell activation; however, their suppression increases NK cell cytotoxicity of cancer cells. NK cell-based immunotherapies represent a promising strategy to combat cancer, yet, no clinical trial has demonstrated a significant benefit in malignancies. Our novel approach for improving NK cell killing of cancer cells is composed of an in vivo NK-targeted drug-delivery system that strike the molecular mechanisms that inhibits NK cell activation, i.e. SHP-1 and the Cbls, using specific siRNA. To specifically target the NK cells, the siRNA will be coupled to nanoparticles coated with specific antibodies to NK cells.
Byk Gerardo
The invention describes the synthesis of new nanoparticles with monodispersed sizes from 20 to 500 nm. The nanoparticles complex nucleic acids and is able to transfer genes into mammalian cells to express a foreign protein. The singularity of the nanoparticles is that they are highly biocompatible. The complexes can be incubated with cells for undetermined time without toxicity. The expression of the foreign protein start at low level after 48h but arrives to high level after 1 week with no toxicity. The transfected cells can be passed several times without loss of protein expression, indicating a controlled release of the nucleic acids and their expression. The invention includes the use of DNA or RNA. Finaly, in vivo experiments demonstrated that the gene can be administered for example SC or IM and the protein expression can be detected after 1 month.
Margel Shlomo
Synthesis and Characterization of New Durable Anti-biofilm and Antiviral Silane-Phosphonium Thin Coatings for Medical and Agricultural Applications
Margel Shlomo
The present invention describes the synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVA/PVP) hydrogels containing water soluble and insoluble functional active materials, e.g., fungicides, fertilizers, essential oils, oxidants, metal ions, drugs, dyes, etc.) for different applications in agriculture, environment, cosmetics, and medicine. For this purpose, two methods have been used, direct and a swelling method. In the direct method, PVP was added to warm PVA aqueous solution, e.g., 90-95 °C. After a while the system was cooled down slowly to room temperature. During the cooling process and the PVA/PVP hydrogel formation appropriate concentration/s of water soluble, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, urea, methyl orange or trichloro acetic acid, or water insoluble materials, e.g., essential oils such as thymol or benzoyl peroxide was/were added. The water-soluble functional materials were dissolved in the aqueous phase of the hydrogel while the water insoluble in the organic (PVP and/or PVA) part. The formation of the PVA/PVP hydrogels (due to hydrogen bonds between PVP and PVA) leads to gradual increased viscosity which enable to mold the formed hydrogel to any desired shape. The mechanical properties of the final material were improved by repeated freezing-thawing cycles. If necessary, surface crosslinking of the hydrogel for controlled release is accomplished by reacting surface PVA (hydroxyl groups) with glutaraldehyde under acidic conditions via formation of polyacetal bonds.
Popovtzer Rachala
The human microbiome is emerging as a central player in health and disease. In particular, a strong connection has been shown between the human gut microbiome population and the etiology of a variety of diseases, ranging from gastrointestinal diseases to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and brain disorders. A fundamental phenomenon of bacterial communication is quorum sensing, in which signal molecules, termed autoinducers (AI), regulate bacterial colony density and coordinate pathogenic behaviors. AI molecules are emerging as important factors, and key indicators, in various diseases. However, despite their importance, there has not yet been developed a sensitive and reliable sensor that can detect AI communication molecules in real-time, for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The present project aims to develop an innovative biochip technology, combining advanced synthetic biology together with cutting-edge electronic systems, for quantitative, sensitive, and real-time detection of AI signals for diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. Our technology consists of a nano biochip, incorporating a variety of synthetic bacteria each engineered to sense a specific disease-associated AI molecule and generate a quantifiable electric signal in response, which will be measured, and wirelessly transmitted, by the electronic component. The nano biochip will accurately associate a specific electric response with a specific AI type. The ability of the nano-biochip system to identify the specific AI signals will be investigated in bacterial conditioned media and in ex vivo samples from gastrointestinal disease patients at different stages of the disease. This novel technology has the potential to serve as a next-generation tool for non-invasive early diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of gastrointestinal diseases. The nanobiochip’s unique features will also advance the potential for real-time detection of gastrointestinal disorders within the human body.
