About the school


The School of Pharmacy at the Hebrew University, one of the world leaders in pharmacist training and basic research in the pharmaceutical sciences, was established in 1953.
The school prepares its graduates to practice the pharmacy profession, provides them with a scientific and professional foundation, and offers higher studies in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and pharmacy sciences (M.Sc. and Ph.D.), as well as doctoral studies in clinical pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
Graduates of the school are integrated in community pharmacy (community pharmacies, private and institutional), clinical pharmacy (hospitals and health funds), the pharmaceutical industry, the biological, chemical and biotechnology industries, the pharmacy administration and science and research institutions in Israel and abroad.
The school conducts extensive scientific research in the fields of pharmaceutical sciences and life sciences, and dozens of articles are published each year in the leading press in the world of science.
The School of Pharmacy is part of the Faculty of Medicine, located on the Ein Kerem campus of the Hebrew University and works closely with physicians and researchers from Hadassah Hospital.
 

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Recent Publications

Yoel Goldstein, Spitz, Sarah , Turjeman, Keren , Selinger, Florian , Barenholz, Yechezkel , Ertl, Peter , Benny, Ofra , and Bavli, Danny . 2021. Breaking The Third Wall: Implementing 3D-Printing Technics To Expand The Complexity And Abilities Of Multi-Organ-On-A-Chip Devices. Micromachines, 12, 6. doi:10.3390/MI12060627. Abstract
The understanding that systemic context and tissue crosstalk are essential keys for bridg-ing the gap between in vitro models and in vivo conditions led to a growing effort in the last decade to develop advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices. However, many of the proposed devices have failed to implement the means to allow for conditions tailored to each organ individually, a crucial aspect in cell functionality. Here, we present two 3D-print-based fabrication methods for a generic multi-organ-on-a-chip device: One with a PDMS microfluidic core unit and one based on 3D-printed units. The device was designed for culturing different tissues in separate compartments by integrating individual pairs of inlets and outlets, thus enabling tissue-specific perfusion rates that facilitate the generation of individual tissue-adapted perfusion profiles. The device allowed tissue crosstalk using microchannel configuration and permeable membranes used as barriers between individual cell culture compartments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation confirmed the capability to generate significant differences in shear stress between the two individual culture compartments, each with a selective shear force. In addition, we provide preliminary findings that indicate the feasibility for biological compatibility for cell culture and long-term incubation in 3D-printed wells. Finally, we offer a cost-effective, accessible protocol enabling the design and fabrication of advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices.
Lior Minkowicz, Dagan, Arie , Uvarov, Vladimir , and Benny, Ofra . 2021. Controlling Calcium Carbonate Particle Morphology, Size, And Molecular Order Using Silicate. Materials, 14, 13. doi:10.3390/MA14133525. Abstract
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is one of the most abundant substances on earth and has a large array of industrial applications. Considerable research has been conducted in an effort to synthesize calcium carbonate microparticles with controllable and specific morphologies and sizes. CaCO3 produced by a precipitation reaction of calcium nitrate and sodium carbonate solution was found to have high polymorphism and batch to batch variability. In this study, we investigated the polymorphism of the precipitated material and analyzed the chemical composition, particle morphology, and crystalline state revealing that the presence of silicon atoms in the precipitant is a key factor effecting particle shape and crystal state. An elemental analysis of single particles within a polymorphic sample, using energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) conjugated microscopy, showed that only spherical particles, but not irregular shaped one, contained traces of silicon atoms. In agreement, silicon‐containing additives lead to homogenous, amorphous nanosphere particles, verified by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). Our findings provide important insights into the mechanism of calcium carbonate synthesis, as well as introducing a method to control the precipitants at the micro‐scale for many diverse applications.
Bruno V.S. Valiate, Queiroz-Junior, Celso M. , Levi-Schaffer, Francesca , Galvão, Izabela , and Teixeira, Mauro M.. 2021. Cd300A Contributes To The Resolution Of Articular Inflammation Triggered By Msu Crystals By Controlling Neutrophil Apoptosis. Immunology. doi:10.1111/IMM.13371. Abstract
Gout is an inflammatory disease triggered by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints, resulting in high neutrophil influx and pain. Here, we studied the role of the inhibitory receptor CD300a in the resolution process in a murine model of gout. We found increased CD300a expression on neutrophils emigrated to the joint. When compared to WT mice, CD300a−/− mice had persistent neutrophil influx till 24 hr after MSU injection. This was associated with increased concentration of IL-1$\beta$ and greater tissue damage in the joints of CD300a−/− mice. There was an increase in the percentage of apoptotic neutrophils in the synovial lavage of WT mice, as compared to CD300a−/− mice. This difference was reflected in the decline of efferocytic events in the synovial cavity of CD300a−/− mice 24 hr after MSU injection. A CD300a agonistic antibody was shown, for the first time, to increase apoptosis of human neutrophils, and this was associated with cleavage of caspase-8. In conclusion, our results reveal an important role of CD300a in the control of leucocyte infiltration, IL-1$\beta$ production and caspase-8 cleavage in neutrophils, contributing to the resolution of inflammation triggered by MSU injection.
Igor Khaliulin, Ascione, Raimondo , Maslov, Leonid N. , Amal, Haitham , and Suleiman, M. Saadeh . 2021. Preconditioning Or Postconditioning With 8-Br-Camp-Am Protects The Heart Against Regional Ischemia And Reperfusion: A Role For Mitochondrial Permeability Transition. Cells, 10, 5. doi:10.3390/CELLS10051223. Abstract
The cAMP analogue 8-Br-cAMP-AM (8-Br) confers marked protection against global ischaemia/reperfusion of isolated perfused heart. We tested the hypothesis that 8-Br is also protective under clinically relevant conditions (regional ischaemia) when applied either before ischemia or at the beginning of reperfusion, and this effect is associated with the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). 8-Br (10 $μ$M) was administered to Langendorff-perfused rat hearts for 5 min either before or at the end of 30 min regional ischaemia. Ca2+-induced mitochondria swelling (a measure of MPTP opening) and binding of hexokinase II (HKII) to mitochondria were assessed following the drug treatment at preischaemia. Haemodynamic function and ventricular arrhythmias were monitored during ischaemia and 2 h reperfusion. Infarct size was evaluated at the end of reperfusion. 8-Br administered before ischaemia attenuated ventricular arrhythmias, improved haemodynamic function, and reduced infarct size during ischaemia/reperfusion. Application of 8-Br at the end of ischaemia protected the heart during reperfusion. 8-Br promoted binding of HKII to the mitochondria and reduced Ca2+-induced mitochondria swelling. Thus, 8-Br protects the heart when administered before regional ischaemia or at the beginning of reperfusion. This effect is associated with inhibition of MPTP via binding of HKII to mitochondria, which may underlie the protective mechanism.
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