Prof. Smadar Cohen, chairperson of the Department
of Biotechnology Engineering and a member of the
National Institute for Biotechnology in the
Negev, and her team developed a polymer scaffold
made from the natural polysaccharide Alginate, a
natural substance derived from algae. The unique
process of creating the Alginate scaffold enabled
Prof. Cohen to create an extra-cellular matrix,
possessing a porous shape and structure with
mechanical reinforcement, enabling the
preservation of its shape under the weight of the
growing cells. The Alginate scaffold is used to
create a wide range of different tissues, through
the use of cells from different sources. An
implantation of endothelium (a layer of thin,
flat cells that lines the interior surface of
blood vessels), enables the creation of capillary
blood vessels. Cardiomyocytes implanted into the
Alginate have been shown to start beating 24
hours after implantation. Prof. Cohen's team,
has recently shown that the Alginate scaffold not
only provides the optimal greenhouse for specific
cells from different sources, but even helps stem
cell expansion and differentiation.
Invitrogen Corporation provides products and
services that support academic and government
research institutions and pharmaceutical and
biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to
improve the human condition.
Invitrogen employs approximately 4,800 people
worldwide with over $1.2 B sales in 2005.
Israel planning "Arrow Mark 4" plse use graphic
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) subsidiary
Elta Group, the Israel Air Force, and Ministry of
Defense are designing components for the Arrow
Mark IV, which will have qualitatively better
performance than current versions. The Arrow
upgrade is one response to the threat posted by
conventional or nuclear armed Iranian ballistic
missiles, says "Defense News", citing Israeli
defense sources.
The Arrow Mark IV will have a new radar unit,
improved interceptor missiles, and other
components that will convert the system from a
theatre anti-ballistic missile defense system
into an integrated nationwide anti-ballistic
missile defense system.
An official Ministry of Defense source said the
new radar would turn the Arrow Mark IV into a
completely holographic system, which will enable
control of interceptor missiles from any location.
Elta is developing the Arrow Mark IV radar, the
Green Pine I, which will have a much deeper
monitoring range than the 700-kilometer range of
the existing radar. The new radar is scheduled to
enter operational service in 2009.
The Arrow upgrade program is part of Israel's
preparations to counter Iran's efforts to develop
and produce nuclear weapons. In the coming
months, Israel plans to launch its latest spy
satellite, which will be able to spot changes on
the ground in Iran, even in poor weather
conditions and under cloud cover.
In a separate development, the Israel Navy is
finalizing details of a contract with a German
shipyard for two more submarines, which will
reinforce Israel's strategic deterrence
capability, or launch a retaliatory strike
against Iran from the sea in the event of a
missile attack.
"Defense News" says that, in recent months,
Israeli and US officials have increased the two
countries' response coordination, in the event
that diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's nuclear
efforts fail.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev recently
signed an agreement with Invitrogen Corporation
to produce products for the Biotech/Pharma
research and production market using an alginate
scaffold developed by Prof. Smadar Cohen. and her
research team. According to the agreement with
Invitrogen Corporation, an international biotech
company will develop products that will be used
to promote tri-dimensional cell growth, based on
alginate scaffolds, a natural polymer derived
from algae.