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Viral infections pose a major threat to human health. Vaccines protect from specificinfections, yet newly emerging or pandemic viral strains that exhibit genetic drift or reassortmentof genes preclude immediate responses using a vaccine strategy. Moreover, for SARS CoV-2,although current vaccines reduce severity of disease, they do not protect from re-infection,resulting in persistent community transmission and outbreaks. The emergence of drug resistancealso mitigates against pathogen-specific antiviral drugs. A complementary strategy focusing onthe host not the pathogen is the basis for development of broad-spectrum antivirals.Our immediate response to any and all virus infections is the immediate production of interferon(IFN). Data reveal that the robustness of an IFN response to respiratory infections, determinesthe outcome – an aggressive or mild infection. We provide evidence that an IFN response to viralinfection, and/or IFN treatment, induces an activated phenotype in target cells that results in anantiviral state and an optimized innate immune response, regardless of the virus. We extendedthese findings to examine the therapeutic potential of IFN treatment in hospitalized individualsinfected with SARS and showed that IFN treatment accelerated viral clearance and reduced lungabnormalities. Similarly, using human lung explants, IFN treatment cleared infection againstH5N1 avian and pandemic H1N1 influenza strains. During the Ebola virus outbreak in WestAfrica, we conducted a clinical study in Guinea and provided evidence of increased survivalassociated with IFN treatment. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we undertook a clinicalstudy in Wuhan, China, providing evidence that early treatment with an inhaled IFN acceleratedviral clearance, reduced inflammation and also reduced lung abnormalities. Given that limitingtransmission is the solution to shutting down any outbreak, we next conducted a clinical trial todetermine whether IFN treatment of SARS CoV-2 exposed, but uninfected individuals, wouldprotect from infection. We provide evidence that prophylactic treatment with IFN limitshousehold transmission, being most effective when the infected case in the household has a highviral burden.

During her conversation, Shira will share her personal journey and share what has led her to each decision and what are her key learnings.She will also share more about her position today as a Partner at Vintage, leading their investments in Healthcare and Climate.Join our ABC CHATS, Where CEOs share their ABC’s on scientific leadership, breakthroughs and failures throughout their personal stories

The development of high energy density, long running rechargeable batteries like
Li ion batteries, that power so successfully all mobile electronic devices, can be
considered as the greatest success of modern electrochemistry.
However, the basis for this success was the capability of exploring most complex
electrodes, electrolyte solutions and reactive interfaces by most sophisticated
electroanalytical tools in conjunction with advanced spectroscopic and microscopic
was a first-rate leader in electroanalytical ז"ל techniques. Professor Israel Rubinstein
chemistry. I learned a lot from him.
The main theme of this presentation is to examine what is the true horizons for advanced
high energy density batteries that can promote the electro-mobility revolution. The
limiting factor in Li-ion batteries in terms of energy density, cost, potential, durability
and cycling efficiency are the cathode materials used. We will examine most energetic
cathode materials and novel approaches we developed for their stabilization. We
describe in this lecture which electrode materials can be relevant, methodologies
of their stabilization by doping, coating, and affecting electrodes surface chemistry
by the use of active additives. Most important cathode materials are comprising the
5 elements Li,Ni,Co,Mn,O at different stoichiometries that determine voltage and
specific capacities. We will explain how the stoichiometry dictates basic cathodes
properties.1,2 We will discuss the renaissance of Li metal-based rechargeable batteries.3
We have learned how the stabilize Li metal anodes in rechargeable batteries using
reactive electrolyte solutions that induce excellent passivation through controlled
surface reactions. The emphasis is on fluorinated co-solvents that open the door for a
very rich surface chemistry that forms passivating surface films that behave as ideal
solid electrolyte interphase on both anodes and cathodes in advanced secondary Li
batteries. This field provides fascinating examples how systematic basic scientific
work leads to development of most practical devices for energy storage & conversion.