Random Antimicrobial Peptide Mixture to Tackle Bacterial Contamination in Various Technologies
A WORLD FIRST: Hebrew University Engineers Enhanced Cannabis Strain with 20% More THC
Findings will Help Develop New Strains for Medical Cannabis Users and Increase Crop Yields
(Jerusalem, May 31, 2022)—Throughout the world, the cannabis plant is gaining in popularity and legitimacy as a medical treatment for a broad range of illnesses. Now, researchers at the laboratory of Professor Alexander (Sasha) Vainstein at the Hebrew University of Jerusalerm (HU)’s Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, in partnership with and funding from Mariana Bioscience Ltd, have successfully engineered a cannabis plant with higher levels of medically-important substances, such as THC.
The researchers successfully increased the level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component in cannabis, by close to 17%, and the level of CBG (cannabigerol), often referred to as the mother of all cannabinoids, by close to 25%. Further, Vainstein and his team were able to increase the ratio of terpenes, which are responsible for maximizing the euphoric effects of cannabis, by 20–30%.
The stated goal of their study was to find a way to intervene in the biochemical pathways in the cannabis plant in order to increase or decrease the production of active substances. The researchers accomplished this by manipulating a plant-based virus, that had first been neutralized so that it could not harm the plant, and then manipulating it to express the genes that influence the production of active substances in the cannabis plant. “This represents an innovative use of these tools, which were constructed using synthetic biology tools,” explained Vainstein. “Next, we developed an innovative technology based on infection with an engineered virus to facilitate chemical reactions that increase the quantities of desired substances. In collaboration with Mariana Bioscience Ltd., we examined the infected plants and found that the levels of the substances in question had indeed risen.” This is the first time that researchers have succeeded in performing such a feat with cannabis plants.
Currently, there is a great deal of research activity aimed at identifying additional substances and medical treatments that can be derived from the cannabis plant, in addition to the more than 200 active ingredients that have already been identified. Until now, there had been no way to tailor strains to produce certain cannabis substances or to alter the ratio between them. According to Vainstein, “These study results will be valuable both to industry—to increase the yield of active substances, and to medical researcher—to cultivate and develop new strains for medical cannabis users.” Vainstein added that more extensive experiments with the engineered plant are currently underway and should be available to cannabis industry leaders and medical research in the next few months.
You are cordially invited to a series of concerts
hosted by The Faculty of Agriculture of The Hebrew University, at
The Ariovitch Auditorium
- Free Admission -
The concerts will take place once a month on Wednesday, at 13:00, and will last around 1 hour
Faculty graduates create "Hop A Tour" - where visitors can find live virtual tours led by world-class tour guides.
FACING CLIMATE CHANGE TOGETHER:
UAE Minister of Food and Water Security
Meets Agtech and Foodtech Experts at Faculty of Agriculture
Ever Wonder What A Potato Feels…?
Hebrew U. Develops Bio-Sensor to Detect Early Signs of Plant Stress
and Prevent Crop Failures from Worldwide Climate Changes
In an effort to increase agricultural productivity and limit waste, a team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU)’s Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment developed a method to detect signs of stress before the plant is damaged.
Hello!
The GCCR (GLOBAL CONSORTIUM FOR CHEMOSENSORY RESEARCH) is a group of 600 scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates across 50 countries founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our goal is to collect evidence-based information to combat the spread of COVID-19.
For more information about this study, please contact Masha Niv (masha.niv@mail.huji.ac.il)
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathology of chronic metabolic diseases associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the last decade, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the mitochondrial structure, function and their physiology in metabolic syndromes such as diabetes, obesity, stroke, hypertension, liver and heart diseases.
Furthermore, progress has also been made in developing therapeutic strategies, including lifestyle interventions, pharmacological strategies and mitochondria-targeted approaches.
These strategies are mainly focused to reduce mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress and to maintain mitochondrial quality in metabolic syndromes.
The purpose of this meeting was to highlight the recent progress on the mitochondrial role in metabolic diseases, to understand the molecular basis for optimal mitochondrial function or mechanisms of dysfunction and finally correlate them with diabetes.
Hold the Steak; Chickpeas Are the Food of the Future
Hummus – a world-famous mashed chickpea dish – is one of the most popular foods in Israel, and one whose true origins are hotly debated across the Middle East. It is said that this foodstuff was first made in Egypt, where there are recipes dating back as far as the 13th century. Prof. Ram Reifen, a Hebrew University Medical Faculty graduate, pediatrician and an expert in children’s nutrition and digestive diseases, has devoted more than 15 years of research to this field. He created ChickP, a powder comprised of 60% to 90% from which milk- and meat-substitutes will be manufactured, along with high-protein energy snacks, beverages and more.
ChickP is also a safe and better alternative to soy protein – which contains phytoestrogens – and peas, both of which trigger allergic reactions in many people. Concentrated chickpea protein can actually lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
For his breakthrough, Reifen will receive, during the university’s board of governors meetings, a Kaye Innovation Award.
Prof. Ram Reifen, director of the research center for nutrigenomics and functional foods at the faculty’s School of Nutritional Sciences, has found a revolutionary new way to use these humble legumes that is likely to benefit the whole world.
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/109303/hold-the-steak-chickpeas-are-the-foo...
The aim of the visit was to identify opportunities and strengthen collaborations to increase the effectiveness of agricultural practices and food processing; to identify potential industry partners; and to explore opportunities for shared student experiences that can lead to industry connections and eventual full-time employment.
One year ago, to the week, a group of driven students came to us with a exciting idea- they wanted to represent the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at iGEM- the worlds biggest synthetic biology competition.
After a year of hard work the results are in. Of over 300 teams our students' work was nominated for best software tool, won second place in the environmental project category, and won the best plant synthetic biology award!!
Congratulations to our winners who's achievements have made us very proud.
Faculty scientists Professors Ido Braslavsky and Oded Shoseyov develop technique to print food according to pre-defined criteria in a process that will serve a variety of special-needs populations.
Journal club article in PNAS about BitterPredict, a machine learning tool that predicts whether a chemical tastes bitter. BitterPredict was developed by members of Prof Masha Niv's lab.
