The story of the Department of Biological Chemistry — originally the Institute of Biological and Colloidal Chemistry — is inseparable from the story of the Hebrew University. Driven by the foresight of Professor Andor Fodor, the first nominated Professor of the University and the department’s first chair, research commenced in late 1923, even before the University’s official inauguration. This "pre-institutional" activity established a culture of restless curiosity — a pioneering spirit that has defined over a century of scientific leadership. Fodor published the first paper of the Hebrew University in 1925 in the Biochem. J. and paved the road for tens of thousands of papers that followed.
Thousands of graduate students were educated at the department, some of them, as well as some department members themselves, went on the receive Nobel, Wolf, Israel and many other prizes. Beyond research, the department became a home and community for many, and happy marriages began on the laboratory benches.
We will gather to mark not only the scientific achievements, but also the unique spirit and aroma that have been evolving in the department in the last 102 years. However, we shall not be too nostalgic and cling to the past, but rather make the assembly of department’s generations a springboard for continuation and for more achievements in the next 102 years.
Organizers:
David Engelberg, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Michael Beigel, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Yoav Cabantchick, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Speakers:
Shai Arkin, The Hebrew University
Daphne Atlas, The Hebrew University
Shosh Bar-Nun, Tel-Aviv University
Eran Blacher, The Hebrew University
Yoav Canatchik, The Hebrew University
Dan Cassel, Technion
Gal Ehrlich, Ehrlich Group, Patent and Trademark attorneys
David Engelberg, The Hebrew University
Jonathan Gershoni, Tel-Aviv University
Atan Gross, Weizmann Institute
Yoav Henis, Tel-Aviv University
Roger Kornberg, Stanford University
Yossi Orly, The Hebrew University
Hermona Soreq, The Hebrew University
Einav Tayeb-Fligelman, The Hebrew University
Yosef Yarden, Weizmann Institute