Weizmann Institute researchers have developed a new way to track the culprit – giant viruses – and identify their traces in specific types of tiny algae that they attack.

In a study published recently in Nature Chemical Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers solved the mystery and provided a comprehensive description of the “biological recipes” that cells use to cook up such a varied and useful menu of crystals.

Prof. Leslie Leiserowitz realized that malaria was in fact surprisingly pertinent to his research. He learned that the malaria parasite thrives inside red blood cells thanks to its knack for crafting crystals, and he set out to study these crystals, later joining forces with a chemistry faculty colleague, Prof. Michael Elbaum.

A new study – headed by Elbaum and Leiserowitz and conducted in collaboration with prominent research teams around the world – has culminated in a scientific paper that might help outwit the malaria parasite. It reveals in unprecedented detail the structure of crystals that the parasite builds in order to survive. Since most antimalarial drugs are thought to work by interfering with the formation and growth of these crystals, the new findings might lead to improved antimalarial medications.

As we age our bodies are flooded by aging, or senescent, cells, which have stopped dividing but, instead of dying, remain active and build up in body tissues. Recent studies have shown that getting rid of these cells might delay age-related diseases, reduce inflammation and extend lives. Despite the great potential, however, there is currently no drug that can target these cells directly and efficiently.

Now, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers suggest an alternative approach. In a new study published in Nature Cell Biology, they reveal that senescent cells build up in the body by clogging up the immune system, thereby preventing their own removal. The scientists demonstrated in mice how to unclog this blockage using immunotherapy, the new generation of treatments that is revolutionizing cancer therapy. These findings could pave the way for innovative treatment of age-related diseases and other chronic disorders.

Humans are by no means alone in the search for more sustainable materials. Nature, too, has been “working” on the problem of sustainability, and it’s been at it for a great deal longer. In a new study, researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science show how design tricks employed by ancient creatures such as scorpions and sponges can help optimize the resilience of human-made materials, ultimately advancing sustainable design.