Team:BGU Israel/Attributions

OriginALS

OriginALS

Attributions

Overview

At the Ben-Gurion University, iGEM was recently established as a General University course under the auspices of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences. The course is offered to students from all faculties in their last year of studies of their undergraduate degree. Only students that excel in their studies and have passed a personal interview with the course advisers are accepted and admitted to the course. The course takes place over a full academic year, beginning in the academic year preceding the competition (Fall Semester) and ending after the iGEM Jamboree in the following Fall. The first assignment for the course was given during the summer vacation, when each student prepared an original idea for an iGEM project and presented it to the rest of the team. After all the ideas were presented, a team vote decided what will be the team’s choice project for that year. The next part of the course, which lasts approximately three months, involved intensive literature review and research to prepare a detailed research proposal. Each student thoroughly studied a specific element of the project and taught the information to the rest of the team. The last part of the course, involved lab work. The team established the lab themselves, ordered the necessary equipment and materials necessary for their project. From then on, the team has been working in the lab, applying their idea through experiments towards a proof of concept and demonstration of the viability of the proposed approach. The goal of the iGEM course is to teach the students how to pursue independent scientific research. The students learn how to choose a research topic, whether it be a purely scientific question or one with practical applications. Then they learn how to choose experimental methods and plan experiments with the available equipment and knowledge, if necessary the team has consulted with experts in the field. Additionally, the students learn how to manage ongoing research through team meetings. The students experience real time problem solving, risk evaluation, writing research proposals, and experimental analysis. In addition to the scientific aspect of the course, there is also the Human Practice aspect. Throughout the course the students work on presenting the project to the public through many different social and media platforms, as well as creating contacts with local and international researchers.

OriginALS Team

Mor Pasi
Ben Gurion University

Team leader, plasmid designer and synthesis, biobricks design and synthesis.

Mor Sela
Ben Gurion University

Astrocyte activation, promoter assays, cytokine validation via ELISA, collaboration, lab logistics.

Avital Bailen
Ben Gurion University

Human practices, plasmids preparation, qPCR experiments and Wiki content.

Sagi Angel
Ben Gurion University

Transfection experiments (calcium phosphate), plasmids mutagenesis, Interlab, social media and collaboration.

Einan Farhi
Ben Gurion University

Transfection experiments (electroporation), cell growth calibrations, cells selection, infection via lentivirus and genotyping.

Ori Tulchinsky
Ben Gurion University

Transfection experiments (reagents), calibrations and infection via lenti virus & AAV, packaging and patent writing and application.

Liat Tsoran
Ben Gurion University

Project idea, cells handling, infection via lenti virus and AAV, apoptosis assay, human practices, public media and IsrALS contact.

Nitzan Keidar
Ben Gurion University

Promoter assay experiments and promoters validation, plasmids preparation, human practices, Interlab and vlog content.

Daniel Deitch
Ben Gurion University

Plasmids preparation, patent, poster, presentation, animation, website design and content, team designer.

Supervisors and Instructors

Prof. Lital Alfonta
Ben Gurion University

Project management, scientific guidance and consulting, critical project evaluation, lab facility and equipment.

Dr. Ramon Birenbaum
Ben Gurion University

Project management, scientific guidance and consulting, critical project evaluation, lab facility and equipment.

Dror Aizik
Ben Gurion University

Scientific guidance, assistance in the design and implementation of experiments and protocols.

Dr. Orr Schlesinger
Ben Gurion University

Scientific guidance, assistance in the design and implementation of experiments and protocols.

Eden Ozer
Ben Gurion University

Scientific guidance, assistance in the design and implementation of experiments and protocols.

Naama Hirsch
Ben Gurion University

Scientific guidance, assistance in the design and implementation of experiments and protocols.

Project support and advice

Havi Zucker
Syntezza Bioscience Ltd.

Helped as design and order our synthetic plasmid

Dr. Emil Ruvinov
Ben Gurion University

As a former advisor of Boomerang iGEM team, helped with understanding iGEM and building the OrigionALS project.

Vlad Sumeiko
Ben Gurion University

Helped with understanding iGEM, building the OrigionALS project and provided us the platform of our electoronic notebook.

Shoham Rigbi
Ben Gurion University

Helped with understanding iGEM and building the OrigionALS project.

Dr. Dinorah
Friedmann-Morvinski
Tel Aviv University

Scientific advice, imaging and staining of reactive astrocytes, supplied plasmids for inhibition of Ikkb gene.

Dr. Adrian Israelson
Ben Gurion University

Scientific advice, help in project design, provide laboratory equipment, protocols, laboratory tools and cells for experiments.

Dr. Niva
Russek-Blum
Ben-Gurion University and DSASC

Information about the disease and consultation about the idea of the project.

Prof. Rachel Levy
Ben Gurion University

Information about the disease and consultation about the idea of the project.

Dr. Perry Nissen
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Consulting and critical project evaluation.

Dr. Ayal Hendel
Bar Ilan University

Assisted us with choosing the correct Crispr system [MORE SPECIFIC].

Dr. Yuval Yugev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Helped us to understand the benefits and limits of all the viral part in the project.

Research support

Dr. Kyoung Hwa Jung
Seoul National University

Answered technical questions about his experimental protocol and provided promoter sequences for IL1 and TNFa.

Dr. Young Gyu Chai
Hanyang University

Answered technical questions about his experimental protocol and provided promoter sequences for IL1 and TNFa.

Dr. Shane Liddelow
NYU Langone in New York City

Gave us advice on how to correctly activate astrocytes.

Research support

Dr. Michal
Shani-Sekler
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Laboratory manager, order equipment, conduct with university officials, organizing conference, organizing trip to US, fundraising

Dr. Uzi Hadad
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Helped us to use the FACS for the apoptosis assay. Instructed us in the use of an ImageStream device.

Dr. Dan Levi
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Allowed us the use of the illuminometer for promoter assay.

Dr. Ran Taube
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Let us use a fluorescent microscope for imaging.

Tatiana Rabinski
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Donated us supplies for mycoplasma testing when we were in need.

Difficult technique support

Dr. Yuval Yugev
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Tought us techniques for transfection, packaging , infection and virus concentration using Letivirus.

Dr. Joy Kahan
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Taught us techniques for transfection, package, infection and virus concentration using AAV.

Shirel Argueti
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Taught us to grow microglia BV2 cell line.

Reut Bar-Yaakov
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Taught us how to perform promoter assay.

Dr. Idit Dahan
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Helped with promoter assay, qPCR, and work with cells.

Dr. Dinorah
Friedman-Morvinski
Tel-Aviv University

Performed imaging by DAPI, Nestin and GFAP to C8D30 astrocyte cell line, and showed that our cell line is activated.

Inbar Angel
Tel-Aviv University

Answered technical questions about qPCR and virus infection.

Alina Abayev
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Instructed us how to do Electroporation to mammalian cells.

General support

Prof. Rivka Carmi
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Dr. Efrat Forti
Ben-Gurion University of The Negev

Gave us a full access to the Ilse Katz Institute Analytical facilities free of charge.

Provisional Patent Provisional Application

Dr. Assaf Geyra
Geyra Gassner Kesten, IP Law

Writing and submitting OriginALS provisional.

Revital Elihis
Geyra Gassner Kesten, IP Law

Writing and submitting OriginALS provisional.

Dr. Ora Horovitz
BG Negev commercialization entity

Commercialization and patent writing advice.

Website, Design and Animation

Ron Deitch
Israel Defensive Forces

Significant contribution to the programming and design of our WIKI.

Aviv Winter
Vikki Academy

Provided us a great service creating our project animation video.

Tomer Shary
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Introduced us to Vikki Academy animation company.

Human Practices support

Efrat Carmi
The Israel ALS Research Association

Took a significant part in organizing our scientific conference and in contacting researchers and students.

Manga Bar
Beer Sheva, Israel

Discounts for hosting the fundraising events at their pub.

Coca Bar
Beer Sheva, Israel

Discounts for hosting the “Happy-Hour” event after the ALS conference we organized.

Dr. Kim de Mora
Addgene

Facilitated podcast, advice about iGEM and provided discount for lab materials.

Dr. Joanne Kamens
Executive Director at Addgene

Facilitated podcast and provided discount for lab materials.

Dr. Tyler J. Ford
Addgene

Podcast editor.

Osnat Eitan
Ben Gurion University

Director, Department of Publications and Media Relations BGU

Dani Machlis
Ben Gurion University

BGU photographer.

Naama Mishaly
Galay PR

Public relations.

Amir Rozenblit
Ben Gurion University

Press Officer & Spokesperson

Andy Friedman
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

US press.

Special thanks and donations

Kevin M. Leopold
American Associates
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Facilitated meetings with sponsors and press in the US.

Chani Pearlstein
American Associates
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Facilitated meetings with sponsors and press in the US.

Sponsors

Prof. Rivka Carmi
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Prof. Chaim Hames
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Rector of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Prof. Michal Shapira
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Dean of Life Sciences Faculty.

Prof. Amos Katz
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Dean of Health Sciences Faculty.

Prof. Joseph Kost
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Dean of School of Management.

Ilse Katz Institute
for Nanoscale Science & Technology
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Donations.

Osnat Eitan
Ben Gurion University

Director, Department of Publications and Media Relations BGU

IsrALS
The Israel ALS Research Association<

Donations.

Lumitron

Donations.

Labotal

Donations.

Biological
Industries

Donations.

MERCK

Donations.

ZOTAL

Donations.

RHENIUM

Donations.

Kirur-Benny

Donations.

A2S

Donations.

Tivan Biotech

Donations.

Bio-Rad

Donations.

Danyel BIOTECH

Donations.

Promega
Biological Industries

Donations

BioAnalytics

Donations.

Integrated
DNA Technologies

Donations.

OriginALS

About Us


The BGU-iGEM team “OriginALS” hopes to develop an innovative therapeutic approach to prolong the life expectancy of ALS patients, using Synthetic Biology. We are dedicated to promoting ALS awareness and research in Israel through public engagement and educational activities.