Israeli Researchers Showcase Innovations at Falling Walls Summit Amidst Boycott Concerns
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Israeli researchers Bar Shahar and Omer Sharon presented innovative projects on collagen production and sleep imaging at the Falling Walls Summit in Berlin. Shahar's work aims to boost collagen synthesis in cells, while Sharon developed a portable brain activity recorder. Their participation is part of a larger Israeli delegation fostering scientific exchange, though Israeli institutions face growing boycott pressures impacting research funding and collaboration, particularly with the EU's Horizon program.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Bar Shahar presented a method to increase cellular collagen production tenfold, potentially replacing animal sources.
- Omer Sharon showcased a novel, portable device for recording nocturnal brain activity.
- A 70-person Israeli delegation attended the Falling Walls Summit to foster international scientific cooperation.
- The MIRAI project, a German-Israeli collaboration, studied the mental health impact of the October 7th attacks.
- Israeli academia reported over 1,120 boycott incidents between October 2025 and March 2026.
- Boycotts have led to a significant decrease in Israeli funding and participation in EU research programs.
Israeli scientists Bar Shahar and Omer Sharon presented groundbreaking research at the Falling Walls Summit in Berlin. Shahar, a doctoral student at Tel Aviv University, developed a method to significantly increase collagen production in mammalian cells by mimicking a natural response to low oxygen, potentially eliminating the need for animal-derived collagen in medicine and cosmetics. Her project, "Breaking the Wall of Collagen Production," earned her a spot in the global finale.
Sharon, a neuroscientist completing his postdoc at UC Berkeley, presented "Breaking the Walls of Human Sleep Imaging," a novel, portable device for recording nocturnal brain activity. His research focuses on understanding sleep's role in learning, memory, and well-being, particularly its changes with age and its connection to neurological conditions like Alzheimer's.
Both researchers are part of a 70-person Israeli delegation attending the summit, facilitated by the Israeli NGO ScienceAbroad and the German Israeli Foundation (GIF), aiming to foster international scientific collaborations. "I didn't know how many opportunities the German science system holds for Israeli researchers," Shahar commented.
The summit also highlighted existing German-Israeli research collaborations, such as the MIRAI project focusing on mental health, innovation, resilience, and artificial intelligence, which utilizes Israeli health data. A study within MIRAI analyzed the psychological impact of the October 7th attacks, identifying over 29,000 new PTSD diagnoses among 4.15 million individuals.
Despite these collaborations, Israeli institutions face increasing boycott pressures. Gur Alroey, President of the University of Haifa, is advocating for Israel's participation in the EU's Horizon research program, noting over 1,120 reported boycott incidents against Israeli academia between October 2025 and March 2026. This has led to a significant decrease in funding and project participation for Israeli entities in Horizon Europe, with success rates dropping sharply in ERC grant applications. Ami Moyal of the Israeli Council for Higher Education distinguishes between overt and "silent" boycotts impacting collaborative output.
Despite these challenges, Ronit Eshel of the Israel Innovation Authority believes collaboration with European countries remains crucial, emphasizing that "science should build bridges and promote better understanding." Israeli researchers contribute unique technologies and expertise, fostering a "collaborative creativity" that transcends direct funding.