January 12, 2026 – Six researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) have been awarded research grants from the Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. Each recipient will receive a grant of approximately $158,540 USD (500,000 NIS) to support research in the fields of medical sciences, mental health, medical imaging, neuroscience, and food science. The grants are awarded through the Israel Office of the Chief Scientist, with the aim of promoting research innovation, scientific excellence, and developments with the potential for clinical and public impact. 

“I congratulate our researchers on this important recognition,” says Prof. Oron Shagrir, Rector of Hebrew University. “Their work exemplifies the Hebrew University’s mission to translate cutting-edge research into practical tools and treatments that address pressing medical and societal challenges, both in Israel and beyond.” 

Dr. Avihu Yona, from the HU Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, was awarded a research grant for the development of an innovative single stool-based test for diagnosing food intolerances, as an alternative to the breath tests currently in use. The suspected food component is added to the sample, and the gas production built by gut bacteria is measured. This approach allows multiple substances to be tested simultaneously, without discomfort or prolonged clinic visits, and in a simpler, more accessible, and lower-cost manner. The method has the potential to make diagnostic testing for food intolerances more widely available and to streamline current diagnostic practices. 

Prof. Adam Rose, from the Hebrew University–Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Science at the Faculty of Medicine, received a grant for implementing remote compulsory psychiatric assessments in patients’ homes using telepsychiatry and artificial intelligence. The study proposes a new model for assessing patients in psychiatric emergencies prior to their arrival at the emergency department. When the specialized hospitalization response team arrives at a patient’s home, they will initiate a video consultation with a senior psychiatrist, allowing a determination to be made as to whether immediate hospitalization is required, further evaluation in the emergency department is needed, or the patient can remain at home. In parallel, an artificial intelligence tool will be developed to analyze behavior, facial expressions, and speech patterns, supporting clinical decision-making.  

Dr. Katy Margulis, from the HU School of Pharmacy, obtained a grant for the development of an innovative treatment for acute manic episodes. The research focuses on developing a new translational approach to treating acute mania, based on understanding disruptions in brain iron balance. The study will employ an advanced imaging method, called Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (DESI-MSI), that enables precise mapping of various molecules in the brain during manic states. Integrating these findings will provide deeper insight into brain changes during manic episodes and lay the groundwork for treatments that can be rapidly translated into clinical use. 

Dr. Gali Umschweif-Nevo and Dr. Raphael Benhamou from the HU School of Pharmacy were awarded grants to develop antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) molecules for the treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Their research focuses on designing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that inhibit Neurensin-2, a newly identified protein discovered by the researchers as a key regulator of stress-related emotional behaviors and the antidepressant response. As part of the project, targeted antisense molecules will be developed to influence brain circuits involved in emotional processing and stress response. This approach is expected to pave the way for more precise and effective treatments for common mental health disorders, with fewer side effects and improved patient suitability. 

Prof. (Emeritus) Amiram Goldblum and Dr. Gali Umschweif-Nevo from the HU School of Pharmacy, were awarded a research grant for depression treatment. 

The study proposes an approach in which a single molecule acts simultaneously on several receptors involved in depression, anxiety, and PTSD, rather than relying on a “cocktail” of different medications. To achieve this, the research will use a unique, award-winning computational algorithm developed in Prof. Goldblum’s group, enabling rapid identification of promising models for therapeutic activity. The most promising molecules will first be tested in vitro and subsequently in mouse models, to advance a new generation of more effective and precise treatments for mood disorders. 

Prof. Amnon Hoffman, from the School of Pharmacy, will use the grant to develop a biodegradable imaging marker for suspicious cancerous lesions in soft tissues such as the breast and gastrointestinal system. The study will develop a marker detectable by three primary imaging modalities—MRI, ultrasound, CT, and mammography—allowing monitoring of suspicious lesions for approximately six months. After this period, the marker will degrade and disappear from the tissue. The grant will support the development of the marker under controlled conditions, testing its safety and effectiveness in animal models, and subsequently evaluating it in women who require follow-up for suspicious findings in mammography. Successful outcomes are expected to reduce the need for invasive procedures and improve both accuracy and comfort in monitoring suspicious lesions.