Download Bergman - האוניברסיטה העברית

News Release
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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
‫האוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים‬
Prof. Yehudit Bergman awarded Abisch-Frenkel Prize for
Excellence in Life Sciences
Jerusalem, December 7, 2008 – Prof. Yehudit Bergman of the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem is to be awarded tomorrow the Abisch-Frenkel Prize for Excellence in the
Life Sciences. She is being honored for “outstanding contributions to two of nature's
fundamental systems in the life sciences, the immune system and the biology of
embryonic stem cells.”
The award ceremony will take place on Monday, Dec. 8, at the Raphael Magid
Auditorium, Ein Kerem campus, where Prof. Bergman will present a lecture on
“Epigenetic Silencing of Embryonic Specific Genes.”
Bergman is the Morley Goldblatt Professor of Cancer Research and Experimental
Medicine in the Hebrew University's Hubert H. Humphrey Center for Experimental
Medicine and Cancer Research
In immunobiology, Prof. Bergman deciphered how lymphocytes select anti-body
genes to generate an antigen-specific humoral immune response. This highly
innovative work has elucidated novel insights into the molecular mechanisms
responsible for the generation of a diverse collection of antibody specificities, a
process essential to maintain health and to fight disease.
Prof. Bergman's experimental stem cell work has expanded our understanding of the
mechanisms operational in epigenetic inactivation of genes during early embryonic
development. Such a silencing process if intimately involves in maintaining the
embryonic stem cell phenotype and constitutes a major barrier to epigenetic
reprogramming during mammalian development.
According to Hebrew University Vice President for Research and Development Prof.
Hillel Bercovier, "Donor grants to young scientists are a precious treasure at the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, especially at a time when governmental funding is
on a decline. Without doubt, the Foundation's support has encouraged and motivated
our students to strive to excel in their field."
He described Prof. Bergman as an "outstanding biologist and a highly regarded leader
in the field of immunology, where she brought about a scientific revolution in our
fundamental understanding of the humeral immune response. Over the past decade,
Prof. Bergman made several groundbreaking discoveries illuminating the unique
molecular process of antibody selection and allelic exclusion."
Prof. Bercovier extended his thanks to Dr. Eva Abisch and the Abisch-Frenkel
Foundation "for all their assistance in guaranteeing that our young scientists maintain
their scientific edge and intellectual excellence in years to come."
Established in 1994 in Basel, Switzerland, by Leo Abisch Ph.D. and Eva AbischFrenkel, Ph.D., the Abisch-Frenkel Foundation supports research projects by
promising, young scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Weizmann
Institute of Science whose research potentially benefits human health and well-being.
For further information, contact:
Rebecca Zeffert, Dept. of Media Relations, the Hebrew University, tel: 02-588-1641, cell: 054-882-0661
or Orit Sulitzeanu, Hebrew University spokesperson, tel: 02-5882910, cell: 054-882-0016.
Internet site: http://media.huji.ac.il