Obituary of Prof. David Lavie by David Milstein Department of Organic Chemistry The Weizmann Institute of Science 76100 Rehovot, Israel

Prof. Lavie, one of the first scientists of the Weizmann Institute, died recently at the age of 87. The scientific research Prof. Lavie spans of over a period of more then 50 years. He received his M.Sc. degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1939 and in the same year --- a decade before the official dedication of the Weizmann Institute of Science --- he started his Ph.D. studies at the Sieff Research Institute under the instruction of Prof. Haskelberg. After completing his Ph.D. research on the structure of the pesticide compounds DDT he performed post-doctoral studies at Harvard University. This work, performed in the group of Prof. Moris Capchun, dealt with structural investigations of alkaloides.

Upon returning to the Sieff Research Institute he initiated pioneering research in the field of natural compounds for medicinal purposes. He developed methods for the isolation and identification of natural compounds from plants and insects and studied their biological activity. For example, he isolated the compound Thebaine from the poppy Papaver Practeatum which grows wild throughout Asia Minor. Thebaine was used as a starting material for the preparation of the anti-addiction drug Naloxone and the analgesic drug Codeine. He also worked on several other plants such as Withania Sommifera. He studied the enzymatic reactions controlling certain biogenetic pathways and factors controlling the process of germination in feeds. In another area, Prof. Lavie studied the host-guest relationship between plants and insects. He isolated from the bark of the apricot tree compounds which attract certain insects, with the purpose of attracting the insects away from the trees, without the need to use insecticides.

In his last active years, Prof. David Lavie cooperated with Prof. Yehuda Mazur and with his son, Prof. Gad Lavie [Tel HaShomer Hospital] on the synthesis and development of antiviral and anticancer compounds of the Hypericin family.

Prof. Lavie supervised 30 graduate students, several of whom followed his path and developed successful research careers in the field of Organic Chemistry.

In the years 1966-7 he served as Head of the Department of Organic Chemistry. He was a member of the Israel Chemical Society, The Chemical Society of London [presently the Royal Chemical Society] and the American Chemical Society.

I had the privilege of knowing Prof. Lavie after he had already retired. He continued his research activity until the age of 80 and came to his laboratory almost daily. I learned to appreciate him not only as an outstanding scientist but also as a modest person, with broad knowledge, deep insight and a strong sense of humor. He was always ready to share with others his immense experience. His memory will always be with us.

Yehi zikhro barukh/May his memory be blessed