9:15 – 9:40 -- Iair Arcavi - Tel Aviv  University

Title: Our Universe: The Motion Picture

Abstract : Many of us think of the Universe as eternal and static on human time scales. However, the Universe is actually highly dynamic, with stars exploding, torn apart by black holes, merging, pulsating, and more. Technological advancements of the last few decades are starting to not only map the entire sky, but to do so every few nights, or for parts of it even every few hours. This creates more data than we know how to handle, but also promises to reveal the physics of matter under extreme densities, temperatures and gravity. I will present some of the puzzles, challenges, and potential of this new big-data time-domain era in astronomy. 

9:40 – 10:05 -- Takashi Kawashima -  Weizmann Institute of Science

Title: How do psychedelics promote stress resilience in the brain?

Abstract : Stress resilience determines animals’ vulnerability to external disturbances and is crucial for treating mood-related disorders. Psilocybin, a psychedelic agonist of serotonin receptors, may exert mood-improving effects by enhancing stress resilience through neuroplasticity mechanisms. We study this hypothesis using advanced optical imaging in a small animal model, zebrafish. Transient exposure to psilocybin enabled lasting stress resilience, and brain-wide analysis of neural activity revealed focal suppression of the stress response in the habenula, a key mood-regulating center conserved across vertebrates, while preserving baseline sensorimotor functions. Such highly specific plasticity induced by psilocybin indicates an ancient neural circuitry that can be reinforced to enhance stress resilience.

10:05 – 10:25 -- Discussion chaired by Avishay Gal-Yam 

11:00 – 11:25 -- Neta Regev-Rudzki  - Weizmann Institute of Science

Title: How Malaria Parasites Communicate: The Social Media Within

Abstract : Extracellular vesicles (EVs), packed with protein and genetic cargo, serve as a crucial means of intercellular communication. Pathogens like the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) exploit EVs to enhance their own growth and manipulate the host's response. We found that while residing inside the host red blood cells, Pf secretes EVs carrying RNA, genomic DNA, and even a fully assembled, functional 20S proteasome complex-each playing a role in modulating host systems. Moreover, we discovered that these EVs transfer three specific Pf mRNAs, which are rapidly imported into the nucleus of human monocytes, where they interfere with the splicing machinery to inhibit target protein expression. Lastly, we demonstrated that the uptake route of Pf-EVs is governed by the membrane deformability of the target host cells.

These findings open new avenues for investigating parasite-host communication, shedding light on the virulence-promoting strategies of one of the deadliest pathogens.

11:25 – 11:50 -- Bat-El Pinchasik -  Tel Aviv  University

Title: Hysteretic Behavior in Capillary Networks

Abstract : Capillary networks are prevalent in nature, e.g. in plant xylem, the brain, bones and blood capillaries, playing a crucial role of transporting nutrition and information, with broad applications in medicine and science. However, many aspects of how these networks regulate and control flow remain unresolved. While the basic principles of capillary networks and their functions are well understood, ongoing research seeks to uncover how these systems dynamically respond to environmental changes, adapt to varying conditions, and whether they retain a memory of past states. Developing a model system for capillary networks opens the door to intriguing new questions: Can capillary networks store memory? Do they exhibit nonlinear behavior, and if so, what emergent phenomena arise from it?

Building such a model presents two key challenges. First, the need to dynamically modify the nature of bonds within the networks and understand its impact on transport. Second, designing networks capable of evolving in response to external stimuli. Successfully addressing these challenges could transform our ability to actively control macroscale flow by manipulating local bonds within the networks.

Here, a novel experimental model of capillary networks is proposed, consisting of hundreds of interconnected liquid diodes. Like electrical diodes, these microscale surface structures direct liquid flow in specific directions while preventing reverse flow. However, under certain conditions, liquid diodes may fail, permitting bidirectional flow and introducing bonds of varying properties within the capillary network.

This system will allow us to investigate whether the wetting state of liquids in the network depends on its actuation history—essentially exploring whether capillary networks can exhibit memory. This question opens up new possibilities, including the potential to encode information within these networks, analyze how transport responds to external stimuli, study the interplay between global actuation and local fluid dynamics, explore the coupling between mechanics and flow, and better understand how information propagates through capillary systems.

11:50 – 12:10 -- Discussion chaired by Steffen Jung

13:30 – 13:55 -- Ariel Afek  - Weizmann Institute of Science

Title: Deciphering the Book of Life: How Proteins Read Our DNA to Sustain Life

Abstract : Inside each of our cells lies a vast DNA molecule, carrying the instructions for life in billions of chemical letters. 

But these instructions are not laid out neatly—they are folded, twisted, and packed into an incredibly small space. 

Specialized proteins must navigate this complex landscape to read and regulate genes, but how do they find the right information?

In this talk, I will explore how proteins read the "book of life" and how the three-dimensional folding and structure of DNA influence the very instructions it encodes.

13:55 – 14:20 -- Adi Pick -  Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Title:  Towards scalable quantum algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems: Accelerating quantum adiabatic algorithms

Abstract : Traditional quantum algorithms share similarities with classical algorithms: they start with an input, apply a sequence of logic operations, and produce an output that encodes a solution to a computational problem. In contrast, adiabatic quantum computers operate on a different principle. They begin with an input and apply continuous forces – usually via electromagnetic radiation – that gradually drive the system toward the desired output. This evolution is called adiabatic when the forces change slowly. The challenge is that as the problem becomes more complex, the forces must vary even more slowly for the computation to succeed. This often results in very long or unpredictable execution times, limiting the advantages of this computational paradigm over classical algorithms.

In this talk, I will present our approach to speeding up adiabatic quantum algorithms. Our method relies on using informed guesses for the algorithm's input. Optimal input choices can be calculated efficiently, and the time required to find them is independent of the problem's complexity. Additionally, I will explain how classical optimization tools can accelerate quantum adiabatic algorithms. I will discuss the trade-off between classical and quantum computational resources in such hybrid optimized-adiabatic algorithms

14:20 – 14:40 -- Discussion chaired by Tzachi Pilpel

15:00 – 15:25 -- Anthony Joseph   - Weizmann Institute of Science 

Title: Solving some seemingly insolvable problems

Abstract : Due to severe shortage of time I will skip most of my past breakthroughs. The emphasis will be on highlights in the relationship between number theory, geometry and representation theory. It will close with some remarkable work of Fittouhi.

15:25 – 15:50 -- Michael Klinghoffer -  Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance

Title:  The Grey Area Beyond Words and Numbers

Abstract : In this lecture, accompanied by a doublebass, we shall focus on what is NOT numbers NOR words.  While trying to demonstrate why absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence, we will ask questions about living an ARTISTIC life and the DANGER of teaching young people the joy of the Arts. Dumbledore and Shakespeare will be there too...

15:50 – 16:10 -- Discussion chaired by Yasmine Fittouhi