Newsroom – Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University

Why Sea Urchins Are Dying?

Written by Hilary on 16 November 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU meta-analysis finds pathogens, storms, and extreme temperatures are the leading causes of sea urchin mass mortality events.

Two pioneering studies by researchers from the School of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, led by Dr. Omri Bronstein, have identified the primary drivers of sea urchin mass mortality events over recent decades: pathogens, storms, and extreme temperatures. In addition, Dr. Bronstein and his team have developed an innovative method for genetic sampling in marine environments – using a swab similar to a COVID-19 test — to enable rapid and non-invasive monitoring of marine animals and underwater disease outbreaks.

The first study, published in the journal Biological Reviews, presents a meta-analysis of all 110 scientifically documented mass mortality events (MMEs) among sea urchins recorded between 1888 and 2024. Dr. Bronstein and PhD student Lisa Schmidt conducted a comprehensive review of the history of these events, showing that most reported MMEs originate in the Northern Hemisphere — particularly in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan — where the majority of research and funding are concentrated. The Tel Aviv University researchers classified five main causes of these events and found that 33% were caused by pathogens, 25% by catastrophic events such as storms and oxygen depletion, 24% by extreme temperatures, 11% by algal blooms, and 7% by human activity, such as pollution and habitat destruction.

Left to right: Mai Bonomo & Dr. Omri Bronstein holding sea urchin and sample tube

“This is a meta-analysis of all scientific literature on the subject,” says Dr. Bronstein. “For each mass mortality event, we mapped where and when it occurred, which species were affected, and most importantly — what the causes were. After filtering out hundreds of publications who lacked sufficient credible data to be included in our analyses, ee found that pathogens are the leading cause of mass mortalities among sea urchins. This finding aligns closely with what we are seeing today in the modern wave of die-offs — from the Caribbean to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. There is a tendency to attribute everything to global warming, but that is not always accurate. In many cases, mortality is not directly related to heat, as some affected sea urchin species naturally live in even warmer environments. These temperatures may not be optimal, but they are not lethal for these species. The problem is that warming influences many other environmental factors, which can combine into a deadly mix. For example, warmer waters tend to have lower dissolved oxygen and higher pathogen activity.”

A Global Sea Urchin Pandemic

In 2023, Dr. Bronstein identified a mass mortality event of long-spined sea urchins (Diadema setosum) along the Red Sea coast. He subsequently found that the same pathogen — a ciliate parasite — responsible for wiping out a related Caribbean species was also to blame. Since that discovery, the outbreak has spread to the Indian Ocean, reappeared in the Caribbean, and is now considered a global pandemic threatening sea urchin populations worldwide.

“Sea urchins are vital to coral reef health,” explains Dr. Bronstein. “They are the ‘gardeners’ of the reef: they feed on algae and prevent it from overgrowing and suffocating the corals competing for sunlight. In 1983, the most dominant Caribbean sea urchin species, Diadema antillarum, died in vast numbers from an unknown reason at the time; algae proliferated uncontrollably, shaded the corals, and the entire ecosystem shifted from coral reefs to algal fields. Even 40 years later, the sea urchin population — and the reefs — have not recovered. We fear that the same process may now occur in other parts of the world where mass die-offs are happening, mainly among the long-spined sea urchin, a relative of the Caribbean species — the black urchin with long spines familiar to everyone. Until recently, it was one of the most common reef urchins in Eilat; today it has almost disappeared from large parts of the Red Sea. This is a very violent event: within less than 48 hours, a healthy population turns into disintegrating skeletons. In some sites in Eilat and Sinai, mortality reached 100%. Later, mass deaths were recorded on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, and we are now investigating three additional mass mortality events in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and even the Mediterranean Seas. What began as a local mortality event has become regional and then global, posing a threat to coral reefs everywhere.”

Close-up of hand swabbing sea urchin underwater tank

The Challenge of Genetic Sampling Underwater

To address one of the major challenges in marine genetic sampling, graduate student Mai Bonomo and Dr. Bronstein published a separate study in Molecular Ecology Resources, developing a new, inexpensive, and non-invasive method for collecting underwater genetic samples at scale.

“The main tools used today to identify both animals and pathogens are genetic,” says Dr. Bronstein. “But molecular ecology faces a fundamental problem: there’s no simple way to sample DNA from live marine animals underwater. As a result, many studies rely on invasive methods that harm the animal or even require sacrificing it completely to bring it into the lab. Therefore, research in this field is heavily regulated, weighing each case’s scientific value against environmental ethics. For example, sampling is prohibited in marine nature reserves, there are restrictions and bans on shipping samples abroad — including corals — and every scientific publication must present the official permits for each sample it reports. Our need to overcome this bottleneck arose from the sea urchin pandemic. Today, there are only two ways to detect diseased urchins: visually — which is too late, as the animals are already dying — or through genetic tools that can detect disease before symptoms appear. But if detecting disease requires removing the animal from the sea, it makes no difference whether it’s sick or not — we end up sacrificing it.”

A Simple New Tool for Rapid, Non-Invasive Sampling

To overcome this challenge, Tel Aviv University researchers developed a specialized underwater genetic sampling kit that is durable, reliable, inexpensive, and easy to use — and it is already being adopted by research groups worldwide, especially in remote or sensitive areas.

“We developed a new tool for underwater DNA sampling that resembles a COVID-19 test,” explains Dr. Bronstein. “At the end of a special tube filled with a preservation liquid is a membrane preventing water penetration, sealed with a clip-cap — much like some toothpaste tubes. Just like a COVID test, the researcher gently swabs the surface of the marine animal, without harming or moving it. There’s no need to collect mucus as in humans — just a light swipe is enough. The swab is then inserted into the tube, piercing the membrane that protects the preservation liquid inside, and the cap is locked to secure the sample. That’s it. A single researcher can collect dozens of samples in one dive, under almost any environmental or depth conditions.

The kit has already been tested in challenging environments, including field expeditions to Djibouti and Réunion Island, and the results are very promising: samples remained exceptionally well-preserved for months without refrigeration before arriving at our lab, and still allowed for sensitive genetic analyses. In a large-scale trial we conducted in the Gulf of Eilat, we collected genetic material from hundreds of echinoderms — the group that includes sea urchins and starfish — within just a few months, and performed the most extensive genetic analysis ever conducted on these species in the region. This led to the discovery of several new species and the reclassification of others previously unknown to science. This is a simple and elegant solution to one of the most persistent technical challenges in marine molecular ecology.”

TAU Technology Moves Closer to First Human Implant for Spinal Cord Injury

Written by Raphael on 12 November 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Matricelf biotech company announced significant progress on the path toward the world’s first-of-its-kind treatment for paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries. The groundbreaking procedure, originating in a lab at TAU, aims to enable paraplegics to walk again. The treatment involves implanting functional, engineered, and patient-specific nerve tissues — allowing patients to rise from their wheelchairs and walk again, restoring their independence.

Recently, Matricelf received preliminary approval from Israel’s Ministry of Health to begin compassionate use trials in eight patients. This scientific breakthrough is based on the revolutionary organ engineering technology developed by Prof. Tal Dvir, Head of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology at TAU and Chief Scientific Officer at Matricelf.

Matricelf and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) teams at the signing of the cleanroom manufacturing agreement.

A few days ago, Matricelf and the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) signed a contract for clinical manufacturing in cleanrooms at the Institute for Advanced Cellular Therapy (I-ACT). This means that the company will soon start manufacturing the implants in compliance with the regulatory standards of Israel’s Ministry of Health and other authorities. According to estimates, within about ten months, blood samples will be taken from the first patient, leading to a procedure expected to take place a few months later.

The Institute for Advanced Cellular Therapy at Ichilov is a GMP-certified (good manufacturing practice) facility, licensed by Israel’s Ministry of Health to produce advanced cellular therapies. Production takes place in cleanrooms, a controlled environment enabling aseptic manufacturing of sterile implants, to ensure both product quality and patient safety.

Prof. Tal Dvir, Gil Hakim, CEO and Dr. Alon Sinai, Founder and President of Matricelf, explained: “The cleanroom is a crucial component in our progress toward the first clinical trial in humans for people paralyzed as a result of trauma. Only production conducted in a cleanroom meets the requirements of regulators like the Ministry of Health, and it is therefore a fundamental prerequisite for submitting a human trial application. The facility at Ichilov is a manufacturing center that operates under strict international standards consistent with our own requirements. The combination of an advanced manufacturing infrastructure and groundbreaking technology allows us to offer an innovative, safe, and potentially life-changing treatment for paraplegics worldwide.”

Prof. Tal Dvir, Head of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, Head of the Nanotechnology Center at Tel Aviv University & Chief Scientist of Matricelf.

Prof. Eli Sprecher, CEO of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and member of TAU’s Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, added: “We are proud to take part in this groundbreaking collaboration with Matricelf, which combines advanced Israeli science, a world-class clinical manufacturing infrastructure, and real hope for millions of people around the world. This partnership reflects Ichilov’s mission as a leading medical institution — not only in patient care but also at the forefront of medical innovation and research, creating solutions that will change the face of medicine in Israel and worldwide.”

The research team (Left to right): Dr. Ariel Ionescu, Prof. Eran Perlson & Tal Pery Gradus.

RNA-Based Gene Therapy Offers New Hope for ALS Patients

Written by Raphael on 11 November 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers identify a key molecular mechanism behind ALS and succeed in stopping, and even reversing, nerve degeneration.

A new international study led by Tel Aviv University researchers may pave the way for an effective treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal and currently incurable neurodegenerative disease.

The team uncovered a previously unknown molecular mechanism that drives the progression of ALS and succeeded in neutralizing it using RNA-based gene therapy. “When we added a specific RNA molecule to human cells and animal models for ALS, the nerve cells stopped degenerating and even regenerated,” the researchers said. The breakthrough findings may offer new hope to millions of patients worldwide.

Uncovering the Mechanism Behind ALS

The study was conducted in the laboratory of Prof. Eran Perlson from the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University. It was led by Dr. Ariel Ionescu and Dr. Lior Ankol, in collaboration with Dr. Amir Dori, Senior Neurologist and Head of the Neuromuscular Disease Unit at Sheba Medical Center. Additional participants included researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and research institutions in France, Turkey, and Italy. The paper was published in the leading neuroscience journal Nature Neuroscience.

Prof. Perlson explains: “Our lab studies ALS – a fatal, incurable neurodegenerative disease. ALS affects motor neurons and causes gradual paralysis of all muscles in the body. Most patients die within 3–5 years of diagnosis, due to paralysis of the diaphragm muscles and respiratory failure. We know that in ALS, the neuromuscular junctions – where nerve fibers (axons) meet muscle cells and transmit electrical signals from the brain to the muscles — are disrupted. However, the molecular mechanisms causing this damage remained unknown until now, and consequently no effective treatment has been developed. In this study, we wanted to get to the root of the matter and generate new knowledge that would enable the development of effective drugs for ALS.”

Illustration showing the gene therapy’s protective effect on motor neurons, preventing the “fire-like” degeneration characteristic of ALS

How the Disease Develops

The current study was based on a feature of ALS discovered previously in Prof. Perlson’s lab: toxic clusters (aggregates) of a protein called TDP-43 (usually responsible for regulating protein production at the site) form at the tip of the nerve, where it meets the muscle. To discover how these TDP-43 aggregates are formed, the researchers used a mouse model for ALS, tissues from ALS patients, and cultures of human stem cells.

The study found that muscle cells produce small RNA molecules called microRNA-126 and send them in vesicles, through the synapsis, to the tip of the nerve cell. The role of these molecules is to prevent the expression of the TDP-43 protein at the neuromuscular junction when it is not needed. Dr. Ionescu explains: “We discovered that in ALS, the muscle produces a smaller amount of microRNA-126, which leads to an excess of TDP-43. The excess protein forms toxic aggregates that attack molecules essential for functioning of the mitochondria — the nerve cell’s powerhouse. Damage to the mitochondria causes an energy deficit, gradually destroying motor neurons and leaving patients’ muscles paralyzed.”

Reversing the Degeneration

The study further showed that when the amount of microRNA-126 is reduced, a process similar to ALS occurs, and the neurons are destroyed. Conversely, increasing the level of microRNA-126 in tissues taken from ALS patients and in ALS model mice led to a decrease in the levels of TDP-43, and the neurons stopped degenerating and even regenerated. The researchers concluded that adding microRNA-126 rescues neurons damaged by ALS, prevents degeneration of the neuromuscular junction, and could serve as a basis for developing effective drugs for this currently incurable disease.

Prof. Perlson concludes: “In this study, we identified for the first time a critical molecular mechanism of ALS in its early stages: a reduction in the amount of microRNA-126 transferred from muscle to nerve, resulting in the formation of toxic aggregates of the TDP-43 protein that kill neurons. Our findings may serve as a basis for developing an effective gene therapy focused on adding microRNA-126, which could bring hope to millions of patients and their families around the world.”

Rethinking Insurance in a Warming World

Written by Raphael on 4 November 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

A new TAU study reveals how the insurance sector, one of the world’s largest financial forces, can take a leading role in the global response to climate change.

As global warming intensifies and extreme weather events become more frequent, insurance systems worldwide are under pressure. In the United States, for instance, rising flood and hurricane damages have driven major reforms in the federal flood insurance program (NFIP), reducing public subsidies and raising costs for homeowners.

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (Nature Portfolio), the study examines how climate change–driven hurricanes could impact profitability in the U.S. homeowners’ insurance market — and proposes a new approach: transforming anticipated financial losses into climate-mitigation investments.

The research was conducted by a joint team from Tel Aviv University, Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, and the University of Haifa, including PhD student Moran Nabriski and Prof. Colin Price from TAU’s Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, and Dr. Ruslana Palatnik from the University of Haifa.

From Risk Management to Climate Leadership

Insurance is a major economic force with a dual role; on the one hand it is a risk manager, and on the other a large institutional investor with long-duration capital. Given its systemic weight – and because insurance is fundamentally a pooling mechanism that links economic sectors – the study calls for the industry to be a proactive partner in addressing climate change. It should not only react to extreme events but also reduce risk at its source (akin to building-safety standards that prevent fire losses).

Insurance plays a dual role in the global economy: it manages risk and serves as a powerful institutional investor. Given its influence and financial reach, the researchers argue that the industry should act not only as a responder to natural disasters, but as a proactive force in reducing climate risks, much like building codes prevent fire losses before they occur.

By combining a market-equilibrium model with climate-driven hurricane damage projections, the study shows that insurers’ profitability could decline by 11%–100% across modeled scenarios, leading to higher premiums and reduced coverage. Redirecting that expected loss into emissions-reduction initiatives, the researchers note, could generate climate benefits that far exceed the industry’s direct economic share.

“Insurance is commonly viewed as a tool for transferring risk over time and across geographies, yet natural disasters occur in the same places at the same time,” said lead author Moran Nabriski. “As natural disasters intensify, the insurance industry should represent the economy not only as a responder to a changing climate, but also as a leader in confronting it. Because insurance connects all sectors of the economy, it can leverage that position into a coordinated effort with a meaningful impact on climate risk.”

The study provides a quantitative framework for assessing future risks and demonstrates how insurers’ long-term capital can become a powerful engine for financing global climate solutions.

From Hostage Square to the Doctorate: TAU to Award Einav Zangauker an Honorary Doctorate

Written by Raphael on 30 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Tel Aviv University has announced that it will confer an Honorary Doctorate upon Ms. Einav Zangauker, honoring her courageous and inspiring fight—led over nearly two years together with the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum and the wider public—for the return to Israel of all hostages, living and deceased.

Why Do We Tip? TAU Study Challenges Common Assumptions

Written by Hilary on 29 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

New research reveals that tipping is driven more by social conformity than genuine appreciation, offering only weak motivation for better service, yet pushing tipping rates ever higher.

What makes us tip? A new study explores two main motives: genuine appreciation for the service and conformity with social norms. Those who truly value the service tend to tip above the standard rate, while conformists usually align with them — leading to a gradual rise in average tipping rates over time.

The study, published in Management Science, was conducted by Dr. Ran Snitkovsky of the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, together with Prof. Laurens Debo of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Their theoretical model sheds light on the complexity of tipping and its economic and social implications.

“Tipping is a phenomenon that is difficult to explain using classical economic tools,” explains Dr. Snitkovsky. “The ‘homo economicus’, who is only interested in their own material wealth, has no reason to tip once the service has been provided.”

He adds that earlier research suggested tipping ensures better service in the future — but this doesn’t explain why people tip even when they are unlikely to meet the same service provider again, such as a taxi driver abroad. “Another common argument is that tipping provides an incentive for servers to give better service. Whether this is true or not, a self-interested customer would prefer others to tip and maintain good service quality while avoiding the expense himself. The conclusion is that to understand this phenomenon in depth, we must examine psychological and behavioral considerations.”

A recent study reported by USA Today revealed that the average American spends nearly $500 annually on tips in restaurants and bars, and that the tipping system in the U.S. generates over $50 billion each year, providing a primary source of income for millions of servers.

“We used a mathematical model and tools from game theory and behavioral economics to understand the motivations behind tipping,” says Dr. Snitkovsky. “Into this model we fed the two main reasons people report for tipping: the first is to express gratitude to the service provider, and the second is conformity —doing what everybody else does.”

“The first reason relates to my personal valuation of the service I received or the server-customer interaction, and can stem from wanting to reward the server for doing their job or showing empathy towards them,” he continues. “The second reason is tied to how I perceive myself in society — my interaction with other customers. In other words, we can distinguish between ‘appreciators’ and ‘conformists’.”

Why Tipping Rates Keep Rising

The researchers found that in societies with stronger social pressure, where people feel a greater need to comply with the norm, average tip amounts tend to rise over time.

Dr. Ran Snitkovsky, Photo credit: Israel Hadari, Tel Aviv University

“The process is inherently driven by appreciators pulling the conformists upward, but not the other way around,” says Dr. Snitkovsky. “This might explain why tipping rates in the U.S. few decades ago were around 10% and are now closer to 20%. Those who appreciate the service are willing to tip well above the average, while those who wish to comply with the customary practice ‘chase’ the average. Additionally, rising tipping rates may also reflect growing economic inequality — a hypothesis proposed by another researcher from Tel Aviv University, Prof. Yoram Margalioth of the Buchmann Faculty of Law, and supported by our model.”

A Weak Incentive for Better Service

The study also explored whether tipping provides an effective incentive for servers to improve their performance. The model shows that while tips can encourage servers to exert effort, it is a relatively weak motivator, since many customers are conformists who will tip the standard amount in any case.

“If a server knows most customers are conformists, there’s little reason to put in extra effort since they will tip the customary amount anyway,” explains Dr. Snitkovsky. “This is indeed the situation in countries like the U.S.”

“In an imaginary world where all customers are appreciators, unaffected by each other’s tipping rates, tipping would serve as a much stronger incentive. On the other hand, in such a world where tips only reflect appreciation, businesses might conclude that customers are willing to pay more for the service experience and charge higher prices upfront. This may trigger customers to adjust their expectations and reduce the tip percentage accordingly.”

The ‘Tip Credit’ System

The researchers also examined the ‘tip credit’ regulation applied in most U.S. states. This law allows employers to pay less than the minimum wage for tipped professions, covering the difference with tips. For instance, if the minimum wage is $8 per hour and the state has set the sub-minimum wage at $3, employers may pay servers only $3 and use tips to cover the $5 difference. Only if tips fall short of the minimum wage are employers required to make up the gap. If a server makes more than $8 after tips, they can keep the difference.

“We see that a higher tip credit allows businesses to reduce prices — because they rely more on tips to finance labor,” says Dr. Snitkovsky. “Consequently, they can increase supply and serve more customers. This suggests an element of economic efficiency, but the efficiency in this case comes at the expense of the individual server’s earnings. So essentially, tip credit is a mechanism allowing employers to cut into tips that ostensibly belong to servers, using them to pay wages.”

A Complex Social Phenomenon

As for his personal view, Dr. Snitkovsky admits he dislikes tipping. “I came to this study with a bias. Personally, I don’t like this practice, and I wanted to understand what drives it. First of all, tipping puts customers in an uncomfortable position. Studies have shown that tipping can encourage sexist behavior toward female servers – who may refrain from setting boundaries to avoid losing tips. Other studies demonstrate that people tend to tip more generously when a server is of their own ethnicity, introducing an element of racism. It’s easy to find good reasons to do away tipping, but the custom also has some positive effects, making it a complex phenomenon.”

He adds: “Ultimately, tipping allows those willing to pay more for the service to do so, thereby subsidizing the service for others. That’s a positive aspect. Additionally, tips do seem to encourage servers to provide better service, even though this effect is very limited. In my opinion, in the 21st century business owners have better tools to assess server performance, such as online reviews and even in-house cameras.”

When Bats Confront Rats: The Seasonal Struggle for Survival

Written by Hilary on 26 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers reveal how fruit bats adjust their behavior, from caution to confrontation, in the competition for food.

A new study from the School of Zoology at Tel Aviv University reveals that fruit bats employ a variety of strategies in their competition with other animals for food. The research team examined bat behavior in the presence of black rats, which vie for the same food sources. They found that the bats’ behavior changes with the seasons and food availability: in winter, bats tend to avoid and act cautiously toward rats, while in summer, when competition is more intense, the bats are sometimes not afraid to engage in conflict — even at the risk of injury. The researchers note that the study, conducted over seven months and documented in a semi-natural bat colony, provides a rare glimpse into the way animals balance the dangers of predation with the need to compete for resources.

A Rare Glimpse into Animal Competition

The research was conducted by the laboratory team of Prof. Yossi Yovel at Tel Aviv University’s School of Zoology, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, author of The Genius Bat. It was led by PhD students Xing Chen and Adi Rachum, with the assistance of Liraz Attia and Dr. Lee Harten. The findings were published in the journal BMC Biology.

Prof. Yovel explains that over the course of hundreds of hours of video documentation, more than 150,000 bat landings near a food source were analyzed. The researchers found that when rats were present, the number of bats’ landings dropped dramatically due to fear of confrontation and rat attacks. In addition to competing for food, rats are known to prey on bats, especially on young bats. The bats that did land near food sources displayed heightened vigilance — pausing to scan their surroundings for long periods before approaching the food. This reduced their success in obtaining food by about 20%. Moreover, in some cases rats were observed attacking landing bats, underscoring the real threat they pose.

Prof. Yossi Yovel

From Fear to Boldness

“We learned that the interactions between bats and rats are diverse and vary with the seasons, depending on food availability,” says Prof. Yovel. “In winter, when rats were relatively scarce, the bats behaved more cautiously — they avoided landings and showed constant vigilance. In contrast, in spring, with the sharp increase in food abundance (which also meant more encounters with rats), the situation changed, and the bats sometimes even attacked the rats. This behavior apparently improved their foraging success rate, which rose to 60% in summer compared to only 35% in winter.”

Prof. Yovel concludes: “We tend to describe relationships between different species in simplistic terms — either as competition or predation. This study shows how complex such relationships can be and how animals are able to adapt their response strategies to changing circumstances. Because observations in nature are scarce, this complexity is usually difficult to quantify. What we achieved in this study therefore provides another example of the adaptability and intricate lives of wild animals in urban environments.”

A Letter from TAU President Welcoming the 2025–26 Academic Year

Written by Hilary on 26 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

To the University Community,

Wishing a successful and fruitful academic year to our thousands of students and to our academic and administrative staff!

A special greeting goes out to the students beginning their first year at Tel Aviv University. The University management, academic staff, and administrative staff will do everything in their power to make your study experience both beneficial and enjoyable. You are invited, beyond class attendance, to spend time on the lawns and in the cafeterias, and to enjoy everything our campus has to offer. You will find here a microcosm of Israeli society, where people of all religions and nationalities, from Israel and from around the world, study, teach, research, and meet. This rich human tapestry is what creates the unique community of our University.

The academic year opens after two years of war, which appears to have ended about two weeks ago. The living hostages returned home, and we all experienced a few days of collective uplift. We pray for the swift return of all the fallen hostages and for better and quieter days ahead. The end of the war leaves us with many challenges, first and foremost, providing support for bereaved families and assistance to those who have been physically or emotionally wounded. During the past two years, Tel Aviv University has granted numerous scholarships to support our students who served in the reserves, or whose family members did so, in addition to broad academic assistance. This year, too, we will continue to offer such scholarships. Our debt to the reservists is immense, and the least we can do is help them complete their studies successfully.

Unfortunately, the end of the war does not also end the deep internal rift that has been tearing Israeli society apart since the beginning of the judicial overhaul. This division threatens us to no lesser degree than the external dangers we face. I am sure that each of you holds your own opinions about its causes and about the ways we might overcome this grave social crisis – the most severe one our country has faced since its founding. We expect all members of our University community, including our students, not to hesitate to express their views on this crucial matter, which is vital to our continued existence. We encourage active citizenship, value social engagement in all its forms, and are committed to maintaining a safe and democratic campus where everyone’s freedom of expression is protected.

Finally, I would like to update you about changes in the University’s leadership. A few weeks ago, our Rector, Professor Mark Shtaif, completed a very successful five-year term, during which he led a dramatic transformation in teaching and learning methods. At the same time, Vice Rector Professor Eyal Zisser also concluded his term, after having made an immense contribution to the University’s academic management. Professor Noga Kronfeld-Schor of the Faculty of Life Sciences, who until recently headed the New Environmental School, has succeeded Professor Shtaif as Rector. I wish to express my deep gratitude to Mark and to Eyal for their devoted service to the University, and to extend my best wishes to Noga for much success in her important new role.

Wishing you all a productive academic year and better days ahead,

Yours,

Ariel Porat
President of the University

Israel’s Mediterranean: A “Green Treasure” Beneath the Waves

Written by Hilary on 22 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers conduct Israel’s first ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey, revealing a natural hotspot of resilient, nutrient-rich species.

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) has conducted the first comprehensive ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey in Israel. Their findings suggest that the unique ecological conditions along the Israeli Mediterranean coast—warm, sunny, and dynamic—create a natural habitat that supports the growth of distinctive and resilient seaweeds (macroalgae) rich in nutritional and health-promoting compounds. The researchers believe these properties could serve as a foundation for groundbreaking innovations in food, health, and biotechnology.

Tel Aviv University researchers have completed Israel’s first ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey, uncovering a natural “green treasure” growing along the country’s Mediterranean coast. Their findings reveal that the region’s warm, sunny, and dynamic conditions nurture exceptional seaweeds rich in nutritional, medicinal, and biotechnological potential — from sustainable superfoods to eco-friendly cosmetics and pharmaceutical innovations.

Mapping Israel’s Underwater Laboratory

The pioneering study, led by Dr. Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi of Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR), was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Avigdor Abelson from TAU’s School of Zoology and Prof. Álvaro Israel from IOLR Haifa, in collaboration with Dr. Eitan Salomon of the National Center for Mariculture in Eilat.
Additional contributors included Prof. Félix L. Figueroa and Dr. Julia Vega of the University of Málaga, Spain, Guy Paz, head of the laboratory at IOLR, and Dr. Shoshana Ben-Valid. The study was published in Marine Drugs.

Over several years, the researchers collected nearly 400 specimens, identifying 55 seaweed species—predominantly red, alongside brown and green seaweeds. In contrast to earlier reports suggesting two annual peaks in seaweed productivity, this study indicates a single productive period in springtime, strongly suggesting an ecosystem shift likely driven by global warming.

A New Source of Sustainable Nutrition

Seasonal analysis revealed dramatic biochemical differences. During winter, local seaweeds reached exceptionally high protein levels — several tens of percent of their dry weight — making them a promising alternative protein source for both human and animal consumption.
In spring, antioxidant compounds surged by nearly 300% in some species, positioning these seaweeds as a potent source of health-promoting and anti-aging compounds.
High concentrations of phenolic compounds and natural UV filters also highlight their potential for eco-friendly cosmetics and therapeutic uses.

Nature’s Own Biotech Factory

“Israel, located at the easternmost edge of the Mediterranean Sea, offers unique environmental conditions,” Dr. Doron Ashkenazi explains. “a subtropical climate with year-round sunlight, rocky shores with small tidal fluctuations, and relatively high salinity and irradiance. Together, these factors stimulate the development of seaweeds with unique chemical traits that act as natural ‘biological factories,’ producing bioactive compounds in remarkable concentrations.”

He adds: “We believe that this study, together with the growing seaweed research field, can place Israel at the forefront of global marine biotechnology. In addition to being ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ Israel has also been blessed with a unique and life-giving sea — the Israeli Mediterranean.”

From Ecology to Economy

Prof. Álvaro Israel emphasizes: “This study provides valuable insights into the environmental factors that influence seaweed growth and quality, allowing us to translate this knowledge into practical aquaculture methods. Seaweed offers immense environmental benefits—they require no arable land, generate oxygen, capture carbon, and purify water from pollutants. They stand at the forefront of sustainable aquaculture, merging environmental advantages with economic opportunities.

Dr. Eitan Salomon adds: “Our findings illustrate the untapped biotechnological potential of seaweeds for the future of humanity – from functional foods and pharmaceuticals to a variety of advanced health applications.”

A Model for Climate Resilience

Prof. Avigdor Abelson concludes: “The Israeli Mediterranean Sea is a unique natural laboratory. It can serve as a model for understanding the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and help predict which species may thrive in a warming world. Beyond its scientific value, seaweeds represent a strategic national and global resource that can help address future challenges in food security, health, and the environment.”

From TAU’s Film School to the Red Carpet in New York

Written by Hilary on 21 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

It’s not every day that a film student gets to live every creator’s dream — to walk the red carpet, hear the applause in a glittering New York theater, and win one of the most coveted prizes in the film world.
Meyer Levinson-Blount, a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Steve Tisch School of Film and Television, did exactly that when he won second place in the narrative category of the Student Academy Awards for his film Butchers’ Mark.

“At the end of the evening, we found ourselves sitting in a restaurant, trying to understand what had just happened,” Levinson-Blount recalls. “And what happened is simple: thanks to Tel Aviv University, we got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime evening — something not everyone gets to have.”

The Oscar was waiting for them. Meyer Levinson-Blount and Oron Caspi

A Global Stage for Emerging Filmmakers

The Student Academy Awards, granted annually by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, aim to nurture the next generation of filmmakers around the world.
The competition is considered one of the most prestigious and influential in the field, with thousands of films submitted each year from academic institutions worldwide. Winners are selected for artistic quality, originality, and creative courage, and the award is widely regarded as a gateway to the international film industry.

Like the Halls of TAU’s Film Department — Only with a Tuxedo

Levinson-Blount says he truly grasped the significance of the moment only when he arrived at the ceremony at New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom:
“There was a red carpet at the entrance, journalists interviewing the winners, and inside a big open bar and a giant Oscar statue for photos,” he shares. “The night before, we stayed up late working on the speech — I even prepared a pitch document with a QR code for our next productions. At the event, we met filmmakers, producers, and academics — it felt like home, just like the corridors of TAU’s Film Department, only with tuxedos.”

The film’s plot, inspired by Meyer’s experience working at a supermarket in the fall of 2023, follows Samir, an Arab butcher in Tel Aviv accused of removing posters of the hostages, who sets out on a journey to prove his innocence.
The film explores themes of suspicion and racism in the wake of the October 7 events, portraying their complexity from a human, sensitive, and thought-provoking perspective.

From the film Butchers’ Mark. Actor Omer Samir

Gratitude and Partnership

Levinson-Blount, who immigrated to Israel from the United States about a decade ago, expressed heartfelt thanks to his creative partners after the win:
“I’m overjoyed for this opportunity — I prayed a lot for this moment,” he said. “Thank you to Oron Caspi, the film’s producer, and Omer Samir, the lead actor — I couldn’t have done it without you.”

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