Prof. Yair Reisner from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Dr. Jacob Nachmias from the Hebrew University won the Rapoport Award for Biomedicine

Prof. Yair Reisner was awarded Rapport for excellence in the field of biomedical research for 2014 for a breakthrough in bone marrow transplants and Dr. Jacob Nachmias for nanotechnological treatments to fight diabetes

The winners of the 2014 Rapaport Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research are Prof. Yair Reisner from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Dr. Jacob Nachmias, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The prizes will be awarded by the Rapaport Family Foundation, in a ceremony to be held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, on March 17, 2014.

An innovative approach to bone marrow transplantation
Prof. Reisner, winner of the Rapaport Award for Biomedical Research in the senior researcher category and 60 dollars, for his groundbreaking contribution in the field of implementing bone marrow transplantation even in patients for whom a suitable donor cannot be found. Every year, more than 30,000 patients worldwide undergo bone marrow transplant treatment. The success of this treatment method relies to a large extent on genetic compatibility between the donor and the recipient, but only a few of the patients manage to find a suitable donor. Prof. Reisner's research paved the way for the application of bone marrow transplantation even in patients for whom a suitable donor was not found. Insights from Prof. Reisner's basic research led to successful treatment and impressive healing of 'bubble' children born with a severely damaged immune system - an approach adopted by many medical centers around the world. Further discoveries by Prof. Reisner later paved the way for successful transplantation of incompatible bone marrow in leukemia patients. Recently, Prof. Reisner developed an innovative approach to bone marrow transplantation in leukemia patients who cannot receive strong radiation treatments.

Antiviral grapefruit and nanorobot particles for the treatment of diabetic ulcers
Dr. Jacob Nachmias receives the award in the debut award category for a young researcher. The amount of the prize - 40 thousand dollars. The award is given in recognition of breakthroughs in the field of liver tissue engineering, his work on the life cycle of the hepatitis virus and the development of advanced nanotechnological treatments for diabetes.

His work on liver tissue engineering and the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are considered groundbreaking in the field. Dr. Nachmias identified a small molecule in the grapefruit fruit - naringenin, which is able to stop the production of viruses in the cell. After that, he created a nano component -Technology that dramatically increases the bioavailability of henaringenin. This discovery led to a clinical trial that was completed with excellent results. Another development by Dr. Nachmias is good news for diabetics: insulin in a nano package that will be a replacement for current insulin injections, and nano robot particles for the treatment of ulcers Diabetics, the technologies that hold significant promise for promoting and improving the treatment of diabetes and its many complications.

Rapaport Award
"This year we are continuing the tradition of recognizing scientists who lead pioneering research and innovative discoveries, who contributed, contribute and will contribute to eradicating diseases, improving the quality of life and alleviating the suffering of patients of all kinds," says Prof. Ariel Miller, chairman of the award committee. "The Rapaport Prizes awarded in the biomedical field are intended to encourage new discoveries and support groundbreaking innovation whose applications are for the well-being of all of our lives." The advisory committee for the award consists of leading researchers and scientists from Israel and abroad.

The Rapaport Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research is awarded simultaneously with the Rapaport Art Award, awarded by the Rapaport Family Foundation in collaboration with the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and the Award for Women Breakthroughs and Change Makers in Israeli Society, awarded by the Rapaport Family Foundation in collaboration with Lasha.

The Rapaport Prize was awarded for the first time in 2010 to Prof. Samder Cohen of Ben Gurion

Rapaport Award to Prof. Yaakov Hana - stem cell researcher from the Weizmann Institute

site:
http://rappaport-prize.com/