Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Shamoon College of Engineering and Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering have developed an innovative method for the rapid determination of the identity and antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial pathogens in urinary tract infections (UTI) in patients, BGN Technologies – the university' technology transfer company – announced Tuesday.

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The novel method enables detection of bacterial pathogens directly from urine samples in 30-40 minutes. The technology combines measurements of the infrared spectrum of the infecting bacteria with machine learning algorithms, to enable the simultaneous determination of both bacterial type at the species level and bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics.

The method has been tested on over 1,000 urine samples and was able to discriminate between bacterial species with approximately 97% accuracy and determine bacterial susceptibility to various antibiotics with approximately 85% accuracy.

If left untreated or treated with ineffective antibiotics, UTIs can lead to complications such as permanent kidney damage and blood contamination. UTIs affect over 150 million people annually around the globe and is the most common outpatient infection in the US. In hospitals, UTIs account for 40% of all hospital-acquired infections

The inventors of the new method include Professors Mahmoud Huleihel and Shraga Segal, both from the Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Science at BGU; Prof. Ahmad Salman from Shamoon College of Engineering and Dr Itshak Lapidot from Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering. BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of BGU, has filed for patent protection and is now seeking a strategic partner for the further development and commercialization of this promising technology.

Huleihel, said, "The new technology offers a novel clinical decision-support tool for early and precise antibiotic recommendations, that will result in effective treatment. More broadly, our invention is timely, given the global emerging threat of antimicrobial resistance."

"This method for the identification of bacterial pathogens in UTI patients is an important and long-awaited solution for the management of UTI," said BGN Technologies CEO Josh Peleg.

"Currently, identification of the bacterial pathogen and its antibiotics sensitivity is labor intensive and can take up to three days, leading to treatment delays and potential complications. This novel solution can supply medical staff with results within 1 hour after collecting a urine sample, with very high accuracy and minimal effort. We are confident that this method has the potential to become a mainstay in hospitals and outpatient clinics alike," Peleg added.

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Probiotics are widely known for protecting the body against infections, and researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have succeeded in identifying novel drug candidates based on molecules isolated from probiotic yogurt that reduce inflammation and restore the balance of the immune system, they announced Thursday.

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Professor Raz Jelinek, the Vice President and Dean for Research and Development at BGU, and Orit Malka, a PhD student, isolated molecules secreted by a predominant yeast in kefir, a type of fermented dairy probiotic drink, and showed that the molecules have significant potential to combat pathogenic bacteria.

The researchers demonstrated that the kefir-secreted molecules significantly reduced the virulence of Vibrio cholerae – the causative agent of cholera. The anti-bacterial effect was based on disrupting communication among the bacterial cells, a promising strategy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In a follow-up study, the scientists observed that the isolated molecules had dramatic anti-inflammatory properties in various pathological conditions and disease models, such as cytokine storm, a leading cause of death in COVID-19 patients. The molecules not only eliminated the condition, but also restored balance to the immune system.

"Our research illuminates for the first time a mechanism by which milk fermented probiotics can protect against pathogenic infections and aid the immune system," Jelinek said.

"In a reality where antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming an imminent threat, the novel molecules discovered by BGU scientists pave a completely new path for fighting bacterial infections," Josh Peleg, CEO of BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of BGU, said.

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The wearable Epiness device, whose technology is based on machine-learning algorithms and EEG-based monitoring of brain activity, can generate an advanced warning about an upcoming seizure that will be sent to a user's smartphone up to an hour prior to its onset.

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The algorithms are designed to filter noise that is not related to brain activity, extract informative measures of the underlying brain dynamics, and distinguish between brain activity before an expected epileptic seizure and brain activity when a seizure is not expected to occur.

Up to 30% of epilepsy patients do not adequately respond to anti-epileptic drugs. For such patients, a viable seizure prediction device could offer a substantial improvement in quality of life, enabling them to avoid seizure-related injuries. Current seizure alarm devices can detect a seizure in real time but are unable to provide advanced warnings of impending seizures.

The system has out-licensed for further development and commercialization to NeuroHelp, a startup company that was recently founded by BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of BGU, and Dr. Oren Shriki of BGU's Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, who is also NeuroHelp's scientific founder.

"Epileptic seizures expose epilepsy patients to various preventable hazards, including falls, burns and other injuries," Shriki said.

"Unfortunately, currently there are no seizure-predicting devices that can alert patients and allow them to prepare for upcoming seizures. We are therefore very excited that the machine-learning algorithms that we developed enable accurate prediction of impending seizures up to one hour prior to their occurrence. Since we have also shown that our algorithms enable a significant reduction in the number of necessary EEG electrodes, the device we are developing is both accurate and user friendly. We are currently developing a prototype that will be assessed in clinical trials later this year," Shikri added.

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Managed by Michel Assayag, Oazis is working in collaboration with BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of BGU.

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The six startups – NeuroHelp; Panacea; 3D-Green; Flanimus; Testory; and MirageDynamics – will be featured on Zoom from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Israel Time) via this Zoom link.

Prof. Carmel Sofer, Chairman of Yazamut360 said, "The Oazis accelerator enables BGU's leading researchers to broaden their understanding in business-related aspects and in translating the knowledge developed in the labs into business initiatives. In addition, the accelerator helps the researchers find partners for establishing companies and promotes the conversion of outstanding research into successful startup companies."

CEO of BGN Technologies Josh Peleg added, "Oazis is a unique initiative in the Israeli academic landscape, and an important tool for accelerating the conversion of innovative applicable research originating from BGU into startups that will develop innovative products. It is noteworthy that since the beginning of the year we recorded a 30% increase, compared to the corresponding period in 2019, in the number of patent applications based on research from BGU."

To register for the event, follow this link.

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To commemorate the honor, she is establishing the Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer Endowed Scholarship for Psychology.

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"This is my very first honorary doctorate in Israel, and the university of Ben-Gurion in the Negev is the right place for that," says Westheimer.

"And now, if you donate money to the scholarship in psychology established at the university, I'll tell you a secret: You are going to have great sex for the rest of your life!"

Throughout her life and her career, Westheimer has maintained her commitment to the Jewish people and Israel.

In 1938, she was sent on a Kindertransport to Switzerland by her parents, who later perished in the Holocaust. After World War II, at age 17, she went to Palestine, where she fought and was seriously wounded as a sniper in the Haganah during the War of Independence.

"I am an orphan of the Holocaust and was in Israel in 1948 when David Ben-Gurion declared the State of Israel," she says. "We danced all night! I would have loved to have met him because he was brilliant and short."

"How fitting that a woman of Dr. Ruth's stature, who heard David Ben-Gurion announce the new State of Israel as a young woman in Israel in 1948, will receive an honorary degree from the university that bears his name seven decades later amidst a long and distinguished career. It is a great honor for BGU to recognize her achievements during our 50th anniversary," says Professor Daniel Chamovitz, president of BGU.

With an uninhibited approach to sex education and therapy, Westheimer, 91, transformed such conversations for nearly four decades. She has appeared on hundreds of television shows as an expert on human sexuality, traveled worldwide giving speeches and lectures, and just published her 45th book.

The critically acclaimed documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth," in which she reflects on her life and career, debuted last year and is available on Hulu.

Her media career began in 1980 when her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," premiered on WYNY-FM in New York City. By 1983, it was the area's top-rated show. In 1984, NBC radio began syndicating it nationwide as the "Dr. Ruth Show," which ran until 1990.

"Dr. Ruth has impacted the lives of people around the world by bringing human sexuality into public discourse," says Doug Seserman, chief executive officer of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. "Her uncanny energy is a true force of nature. Dr. Ruth is more productive today than most people half her age."

Westheimer earned her Ed.D. degree from Columbia University's Teacher's College and holds an M.A. in sociology from the New School for Social Research. She has taught at Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, Adelphi University, Lehman College, Brooklyn College and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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