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FacultyofAgricultural,FoodandEnvironmentalQualitySciences
TheHebrewUniversityofJerusalem
FEEDINGTHEFUTURETHROUGHKNOWLEDGEDRIVENAGRICULTURE:ANINTEGRATIVEAPPROACH
a landofwheatandbarley,ofvinesandfigtreesandpomegranates,a landof
olivetreesandhoney,alandinwhichyouwilleatbreadwithoutscarcity,inwhich
youwilllacknothingDeuteronomy8;8
March2007
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FEEDINGTHEFUTURETHROUGHKNOWLEDGEDRIVENAGRICULTURE:
ANINTEGRATIVEAPPROACH
(March2007)
TableofContents
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
THECHALLENGE WHYHEBREWUNIVERSITY THEWAY:APARADIGMSHIFT THEINTEGRATION MODEL
THEPILLARS
THE ROBERT H. SMITH INSTITUTE OF PLANT SCIENCES AND GENETICS INAGRICULTURE
THEINSTITUTEOFBIOCHEMISTRY,FOODSCIENCESANDNUTRITION THENEWINSTITUTEOFENVIRONMENTALSCIENCESANDNATURALRESOURCESIN
AGRICULTURE
THENEWCOMPLEXOFANIMALSCIENCESANDVETERINARYMEDICINE
ENCHANCING CROSSDISCLIPLINARY COLLLABORATION THROUGH FOUR UNIQUE
RESEARCHCENTERS
THERESEARCHCENTERFORBASICAGRICULTURALSCIENCES THERESEARCHCENTERFORSUSTAINABLEANIMALHEALTHANDHUSBANDRY THERESEARCHCENTERFORNUTRAGENOMICSANDFUNCTIONALFOOD THE RESEARCH CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUSTAINABILITY
ANDBIOENERGY
SHARINGKNOWLEDGEMULTIPLYINGTHEIMPACT
TEACHINGPROGRAMS EDUCATIONINAGRICULTURESHOULDKNOWNOBOUNDARIES
SUPPORTINGTHEINTEGRATIONMODELWITHNECESSARYRESOURCES
RETAININGANDATTRACTINGTOPSCIENTISTS STRENGTHENINGINFRASTRUCTUREANDINVESTINGINRESEARCH
CONCLUSION
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FEEDINGTHEFUTURETHROUGHKNOWLEDGEDRIVENAGRICULTURE:
ANINTEGRATIVEAPPROACH
ExecutiveSummary
Our future is not guaranteed. With a population growing exponentially and fragile
ecosystems damagedby human activity, the earth is under threat. We face a daunting
challenge: to provide enough healthy food for the worlds increasing populations, while
preserving the environment. With its team of worldrenowned scientists, proven track
recordforinnovativeresearchandappliedagriculturalstrategies,anditskeylocationinthe
ecologicallydiverse
Middle
East,
the
Faculty
of
Agricultural
Food
and
Environmental
QualitySciencesisuniquelypoisedtofacethechallengeofpreservingourcollectivefuture.
Our vision is to develop and disseminate innovative, daring and broadly applicable
solutionstoprovidehealthynutrition,inasustainablemanner,toaneverhungrierplanet.
OurstrategyistoassemblethecollectiveexpertiseoftheFacultyofAgriculturalFoodand
Environmental Quality Sciences around four pillar Institutes, closely linked by four
interdisciplinaryresearchcenters.
We believe that only synergistic, integrative and interdisciplinary research across
traditionalboundaries
will
lead
to
the
scientific
advances
we
aim
to
achieve.
Thus
we
will
reorganize the arcane departmental structure of the Faculty around four main research
entities:theRobertH.SmithInstituteofPlantSciencesandGenetics inAgriculture,the
Institute of Biochemistry, Food Sciences and Nutrition, the new Institute of
EnvironmentalSciencesandNaturalResources inAgriculture,and the newComplexof
AnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicine. This reorganizationwillenhance interaction
andcollaborationbetweenandamong researchers in relateddisciplines,andenableus to
produceanddisseminateinnovativeadvancesinthesediscretefieldsofknowledge.
In addition, to further facilitate and fuel interdisciplinary and integrative approaches to
agriculturalscience,
and
to
encourage
innovation
and
creativity,
these
entities
will
be
linked
by four dynamic interdisciplinary research centers: the Research Center for Basic
Agricultural Sciences; the Research Center for Sustainable Animal Health and
Husbandry; theResearchCenter for EnvironmentalProtection,Sustainability andBio
energy;andtheResearchCenterforNutragenomicsandFunctionalFood.
Thenew structureof theFacultywillbebased on the combinationof existing successful
conceptswithnew,revolutionaryapproaches toagriculturalsciences.Wewill: (i) increase
interactionamongscientistswithvariousareasofexpertise.Theutilityofthisstrategyhas
beenamplydemonstratedinthecaseoftherecentlyestablishedRobertH.SmithInstitute
ofPlant
Sciences
and
Genetics
in
Agriculture,
which
joined
three
formerly
distinct
departments. The success of the Smith Institute will serve as ablueprint for other sub
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disciplinesoncampus,andallwill then function inconcertwitheachother. (ii) introduce
Systems Biology to agricultural research. This novel approach involves integrating the
inputfromexactsciencespecialists(e.g.,mathematicians,physicists,engineersetc.)intothe
contextofagriculturalsystems,thuscombiningourlocalavailablescientificstrengthsjoined
bynonbiologyscientistsfromoutsidetheFaculty,todissectfundamentalphenomenaand
solve complexproblemson a goalorientedbasis.Thisunorthodox approachpromises to
provideamorecomprehensiveunderstandingofproblems,andthus,morenovelsolutions.
Realizing our vision rests on our continued ability to recruit talented and imaginative
faculty, to fund the research they will perform, and to provide a supportive physical
environment, including necessary research labs and equipment, that will encourage and
enable synergism within disciplines as well as fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration.
Specifically, we need tobuild a physical home for the new Institute of Environmental
Sciences and Natural Resources in Agriculture, a new teaching laboratory annex and
renovationoftwofloorsintheInstituteofBiochemistry,FoodSciencesandNutrition,and
anewwingandcommonspaceforthenewComplexofAnimalSciencesandVeterinary
Medicine. Weneed to createand endow the four interdisciplinary research centers,and
equip the newly formed research entities with stateoftheart scientific instruments and
equipment,whileattractingandfundingthehighestqualityofnewfacultyrecruits.
ThescientistsattheFacultyofAgricultural,FoodandEnvironmentalQualitySciencesare
eagertoembarkonthisnovel anddaring plan.Wefeelsurethattheproposedintegrated
approachwillleadtothedevelopmentoftheinnovativestrategiesrequiredfornourishing
mankindwhilepreservingourenvironment.
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TheChallenge
The world is changing;populations are expanding steadily and food sources are neither
keepingpace,
nor
are
they
distributed
equitably.
Pollution,
erosion,
non
potable
water,
and
soildepletion,amongotherenvironmentalchanges,areseriously andperhapsirreversibly
impacting the delicatebalance of our ecosystem and further curtailing mans ability to
produce healthy food. Ironically, in many instances, those very innovations that have
ultimatelybroughtincreasedbountytoourdinnertableshavealsotakenaheavytollonour
environment and on our wellbeing. Adding to the paradox is the fact that while
supermarket shelves inmostof theWest arebrimmingwithunprecedentedplenty, even
causingalarmoverincreasingratesofobesity,millionsofpeopleindevelopingareassuffer
fromchronichungerandmalnutrition.
Factsabouthunger:*Morethan840millionpeopleintheworldaremalnourished799millionof
themliveinthedevelopingworld.
Morethan153millionoftheworldsmalnourishedpeoplearechildrenunder
theageof5.
Sixmillionchildrenundertheageof5dieeveryyearasaresultofhunger.
Malnutritioncanseverelyaffectachildsintellectualdevelopment.
Malnourishedchildrenoftenhavestuntedgrowthandscoresignificantlylower
onmathandlanguageachievementteststhandowellnourishedchildren.
Lackofdietarydiversityandessentialmineralsandvitaminsalsocontributesto
increasedchildandadultmortality.VitaminAdeficiencyimpairstheimmunesystem,increasingtheannualdeathtollfrommeaslesandotherdiseasesbyan
estimated1.3million2.5millionchildren.
Whileeverycountryintheworldhasthepotentialtogrowenoughfoodtofeed
itself,54nationscurrentlydonotproduceenoughfoodtofeedtheir
populations,norcantheyaffordtoimportthenecessarycommoditiestomake
upthegap.*source:http://www.care.org/campaigns/worldhunger/facts.asp
Withourcollectivefutureatstake,thisdichotomousrealitymustserveasawakeupcallto
the scientificcommunity, ingeneral,andagronomists, inparticular, toweighcompetitiveagriculturalproductionneedsagainstagrowinglistofpressingenvironmentalconcerns,to
ensureenough food,healthy food,for thosewhoneed it.Whilemostagreethatachieving
highlyadvanced and sustainable agricultural practices is not linked to one particular
technology,thechargeisclear:scientistsand,infact,allstakeholdersmustsearchfornew
and more effective means of utilizing the Earths limited natural resources in sustainable
ways.
OurchallengeatTheHebrewUniversitysFacultyofAgricultural,FoodandEnvironmental
Quality Sciences is to lead in the global environment of agricultural practices by
introducing novel approaches in research and problemsolving, aimed at helping theworld feed itself. This challenge canbe metby harnessing state of the art research and
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teaching with daring initiatives which combine traditional with innovative and
sophisticatedconcepts.Morespecifically,westriveto:
1) Compileahighqualitypivotalcoreofindividualsworking,inconcert,inasupportiveenvironmentthatwillyieldintra andinterdisciplinarysolutionsfor
complexproblemsonalocal,regionalandgloballevel;
2) Identifynewfrontiersandchallengetheminordertomakeourenvironmentamoresustainableone;
3) IntroduceaSystemsBiologyresearchapproach,integratingtheinputfromexactsciencespecialistsintothecontextofagriculturalsystems;and
4) Freelyperpetuateknowledgeforthebenefitofall.
WhyUs?
The Hebrew Universitys Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality
Sciences, (The Faculty), Israels leading research institute for advanced agricultural
technology,whose researchershaveaproven track record inadvancing Israeliandworld
agriculture,ispreparedtoembracethecomplexchallengesoffeedingourhungryplanetby
developingnovel,creativeways togrowandpreservehealthy food,whileprotectingand
sustainingtheenvironment.TheFacultyisalreadyaworldrecognizedcenterofexcellence
anditsvisionandfutureplansarebasedonitsuniquequalities.Theseincludethefactthat
theFacultyisauniquehubof:
1) Naturalresourcesatthecradleofagriculturestaplesandaresourceforfutureones.2) Geological and climate diversity soil (arable and desert), water (potable, saline,
ultra saline, seawater), landscape (fertile, rocky, sandy, coastal), all within close
(maximum4hoursdrive)proximity.
3) Humanresourcesameltingpotofculturesand traditions (scientistsandgeneralpopulationalike).
4) Politicaldiversitytangentandinteractivewithdiversepopulationsandentities.Our faculty combineshighqualitybasicandapplied researchwith theability to conduct
largescale
interdisciplinary
research.
It
is
endowed
with
the
ability
to
dissect
the
traits
of
complexbiological systems, encompassing plants, animals and microorganisms, and to
harness our understanding, along with ingenuity, towards beneficial outcomes for
agricultureandenvironmentalmanagement.
TheFaculty is considered among the top such facultiesworldwide and leads theway in
cuttingedge agriculturalbreakthroughs.Someof ourpast achievements and innovations
include: Improved Plant Traits (taste, fragrance, nutritional value), Soil and Water
Management (drip irrigation), Plant andEnvironmental Protection (soil solarization,bio
fertilization andbiocontrol) andDomesticatedAnimalManagement (optimizationof the
dairyindustry,
heat
tolerant
chicken
breeding).
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TheFacultysprovenachievements reveal itspotential,whichcanbe furtherexpanded to
new and groundbreaking levels to tackle the agricultural, environmental and health
challengesofthe21stcentury.
TheWay: AParadigmShift TransitiontoIntegration
Inordertoremainatthecuttingedgeofagriculturalresearchanddevelopmentandtomeet
the challenges of modern agriculture, our Faculty will need to undergo significant
restructuring,nothingshortofafullscaleparadigmshift.Specifically,theFacultywillalter
the patterns of scientific research from the traditional emphasis on single scientistbased
programsby adapting (via reorganization and incentives) a fullyintegrated approach to
research, teaching andoutreach; anew organizationalmodelwhichwillbring together a
powerful intellectualcommunityoftopscientiststo facilitateamultidisciplinaryapproachtoagriculture. Numerousprogramsandfacultymembersfromenvironmentalscienceto
food scienceandnutrition toagriculturalpolicyandplanning, fromeconomics to animal
science to community development will come together to address the challenges of
environmentallyresponsible, healthy food production in novel ways. The Faculty will
reorganizearoundanintegrativemodelthatfocusesonmodernandsustainableagriculture
as a continuum across several main anchors ranging from (1) sustainable resources,
through (2) the process of foodproduction (both animal and plant), to (3) consumption
(deliveryandconsumptionofthehealthyfoodendproduct).Inordertoreorganizearound
this concept, a number of currently disparate departments will be combined on both
intellectualandphysicallevels.
Thenew integratedsystemwillbefarbetterequippedtobestutilizehumanandscientific
resources to examine the scientific, technological, business and social repercussions of
agricultural options and, ultimately, to translate research into innovative solutions
applicable around the globe. This new system will enable the Faculty to realize its full
potentialinresearchandteachingand,thus,tocontributetotheglobaleffort.
The transition to integrationon theRehovotcampushas in factalreadybegun with the
creationoftheRobertH.SmithInstituteofPlantSciencesandGeneticsinAgricultureat
the Hebrew University, which brought together scientists from diverse fields such asAgriculturalBotany;FieldCrops,VegetablesandGenetics;andHorticulture,enabling the
Faculty tobreak though the frontiers of plant science (by increasing productivity) and
genetics(bydevelopingnewtechnologies).Thismergerensuredthatscientificresourcesare
shared, duplication of efforts is avoided, andbrain power from different disciplines and
perspectivesisbroughttobearonscientificchallenges. Today,theRobertH.SmithInstitute
forPlant Sciences andGenetics inAgriculture serves as Israels largest andmostdiverse
academicinstitutedevotedtotheimportantfieldofplantsciences,withanimpressivearray
ofachievements.Withinonlythreeyearsof itsinception, theRobertH.SmithInstitutefor
Plant Sciences andGenetics inAgriculturehas already created theplatform required for
newscientificcollaborationstobe formed.Novelactivitieswithin theInstitutearealreadyimpactingthegeneralscientificcommunity(viafirstclasspublications),thankstothesenew
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research alliances. For example, by combining the power of genetics with plant
biochemistry,weare able todecipher fundamentalmechanisms required forproper light
utilizationby plants. Another interdisciplinary venture linking a developmentalbiology
approachtoplantphysiologyhasbroughtaboutnovelinsightsconcerningtheregulationof
plant cell growth.What theRobertH. Smith Institute is doing for plant sciences, the
proposed new integrative restructuring process will do on an even grander scale for
agriculturalandenvironmentalscienceasawhole.
In addition, the introduction of a new concept Systems Biology into agricultural
sciences ispartandparcelofourvision.Biologistsaremakingremarkablestrides in their
ability to reveal all changes in genes, RNA and proteins within a modified organism.
However, sifting through this huge amount of data and comprehending its significance
requires expertise from a variety of fields beyond biology such as computer science,
mathematicalmodeling,physics,etc.Suchanapproachisreferredtoas SystemsBiology,
anditprovidesapromisingnewpathfortheadvancementofsciencewhileatthesametime
takingintoaccountandthusavoidingpotentialnegativeimpactonourfragileenvironment.
Todosowemustcombineourlocalavailablescientificstrengths(inanappropriatephysical
and intellectualenvironment)and involvenonbiologyscientists fromoutside theFaculty,
on agoalorientedbasis. In thismannerwewill formunique scientific cadreswithinour
Faculty, with other Faculties at the Hebrew University, as well as with neighboring and
international institutes. This unorthodox approach promises to provide an original,
comprehensive understanding of the problems at hand and, concomitantly, innovative
solutionstowardsthechallengesofhelpingtheworldfeeditself.
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TheIntegratedSystem
The planned integrated system will be composed of two existing and two new major
academic pillars: the existing Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and
GeneticsinAgricultureand theexistingInstituteofBiochemistry,FoodSciences
andNutrition,alongwiththenewInstituteofEnvironmentalSciencesandNatural
Resources in Agriculture and the Complex of Animal Sciences and Veterinary
Medicine.
THEINTEGRATIONMODEL
The Facultywide integration model rests on the development of two
additionalmajorintegrativeframeworksinadditiontotheexistingRobert
H.SmithInstituteofPlantSciencesandGeneticsinAgricultureandtothe
existingInstituteofBiochemistry,FoodSciencesandNutrition:
1) A new Institute of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources in
Agriculturewillbring together topresearchers in fieldsranging fromplant
pathologyand
microbiology
to
entomology
and
soil
and
water
sciences
to
developandimplementnewwaystomanagenaturalresources.
2) AnewComplexofAnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicinewillcombine
theStudyofAnimalScienceswiththeKoretSchoolofVeterinaryMedicinein
ordertoencouragestrongercollaborationintheresearchanddevelopmentof
farmanimalbiosciences.
In addition, four new interdisciplinary Research Centers will further
encourage and fuel integrative approaches to agricultural research and
development,namely:
the
Research
Center
for
Basic
Agricultural
Sciences
;
the
ResearchCenterforSustainableAnimalHealthandHusbandry;theResearchCenter
for Environmental Protection, Sustainability and Bioenergy; and the Research
CenterforNutragenomicsandFunctionalFood.
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TheFourPillars
1.TheRobertH.SmithInstituteofPlantSciencesandGeneticsinAgriculture
TheRobertH.Smith InstituteofPlantSciencesandGenetics inAgricultureamalgamates
three formerly distinct departments Agricultural Botany;Field Crops, Vegetables and
Genetics; and Horticulture and is the largest, most diverse interdisciplinary Israeli
academic institution devoted to plant sciences. The Institute combines applied andbasic
research, employing conventional and novel research tools, at the wholeorganism and
cellularmolecular levels. Its 25 faculty members are actively engaged in exploiting the
wealthofplantvariationandinidentifyingsolutionstotheagriculturalproblemscurrently
facing Israel and neighboring countries as well as those arising from the constantly
changingharmfulglobalconditions.
TheInstituteisengagedinfourmajorthematicareas:
Management and interaction of agricultural plants with the environment(functionalphysiologyandtolerancetoabioticstress;controlofvegetativeand
reproductive development; management of agricultural crops and their
products)
Biotechnologyandbiochemistryatthecellular,tissueand intactorganism level(production of natural compounds; propagation materials and micro
propagation;developmentoftransgenicplantsandbioactiveproducts)
Genetics,breedingandgenomics (generalgenetics;breedingofcropsand farmanimals for qualitative and quantitative traits; molecular genetics, genomics,
proteomicsandbioinformatics)
Appliedecology(generalecologyofplantsandtheirenvironment;weedcontrol;natureconservation,openareas,forests,andlandscaping)
SeveralcentersoperatewithintheRobertH.SmithInstitute.TheKennedyLeighCenterfor
HorticulturalResearch,foundedin1992bytheKennedyLeighCharitableTrust,isnowan
activeelementwithintheRobertH.SmithInstituteandcontinuestopromoteandadvance
teachingandresearchinallaspectsofhorticulture,atbothnationalandinternationallevels.
Two additional centers were created following the establishment of the Institute: TheWolfsonCenter forPlantGenomics andBiotechnology inSemiAridClimates and the
Robert H. Smith Transgenic Greenhouse Center. The establishment of The Robert H.
SmithInstitutemotivatedtheWolfsonFamilyCharitableTrusttoinvestonemillionBritish
poundstoprovideinstitutememberswithstateoftheartequipmentinordertoexploitthe
wealthofnaturalplantvariation, and to engage in theongoingworldwide revolution in
plant genomics and proteomics, to identify solutions to agricultural problems and to
develop crop plants which are more tolerant to abiotic stress. At the Robert H. Smith
TransgenicGreenhouseCenter,thefirstnewlyconstructedgreenhouse,theonlyoneof its
kind in Israel,hasbeen specificallydesigned for theevaluationofnovel transgenicplants
underconfined,strictlycontrolledenvironmentalconditionsthroughouttheyear.
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2.TheInstituteofBiochemistry,FoodSciencesandNutrition
The
Institute
of
Biochemistry,
Food
Sciences
and
Nutrition
includes
the
School
of
Nutritional Sciences and the Department of Food Biochemistry. Striving to maintain
excellence in its researchand teachingofnutritionand food science, itawardsdegreesat
both theundergraduate andgraduate levels and admission standards areveryhigh.The
staff includes 12 research scientistsand 3 full time teachingmembers.The Institutehosts
researchers studying the effects of nutrients on health at the molecular, cellular, and
physiological levels, as well as researchers studying the molecular composition, physical
properties and technological aspects of foods. Thus, the Institute presents a
multidisciplinaryresearchenvironmentthatcombinesbiochemicalandmedicalexpertisein
nutritionandmetabolismwith studieson theeffectsofnutrientsoncellbiology, together
with
an
understanding
of
the
chemistry,
physics
and
technology
of
food
and
food
components. The interactionbetween nutrition and human physiology is complex and
relatestogeneticdifferencesbetweenindividuals.Afullunderstandingoftheimpactofdiet
onhealthwilloccuronlywhengene/nutrientinteractionsareelucidated.
The Institute is inauniqueposition tobea frontrunner in innovativeprojectssuchas the
development of tiny edible capsules or nanoparticles which allow medicines and
supplementstobeincorporatedintofoods,enablingthereleaseoftheircontentsondemand
at targeted tissues in the body. In collaboration with plant scientists, whole genome
metabolic profiling of fruits and vegetables can be carried out to identify secondary
metaboliteswithhealthbenefitsandorganolepticproperties.
TheInstitutehasfourmajorareasofresearchexpertiseandactivity:
a.FunctionalFoodsandNutraceuticals: Identification and isolationofbiologicallyactive
components fromplantsourcesand investigationof theireffectsonmetabolismandgene
expression. Therapeuticpropertiesaresubstantiatedinwholeanimalmodelsandinhuman
studiesthatprovideascientificbasisforhealthclaims. Foodproductssuchaspepper,olive
oil,artichokeandcompoundsisolatedfromplantsareexamplesofcandidatesforresearch
andapplication.
b.AdvancedFoodScience,Technology andBiochemistry: Methods for improving food
quality and innovative technologies for new product development. Projects include
developing environmentallyfriendly protective coatings for foods and agricultural
products, drying of foods, development of a legumebased infant formula and new
approachesforpreventingfoodspoilage.
c.Nutrigenomics:Examiningtheeffectsofdietanddietarycomponentsongeneexpression
andmetabolismatacellular,tissueandwholeanimallevel. Projectsincludeusingprobiotic
bacteriaasanticancerandantiinflammatoryagents;anticarcinogenicagentsderivedfrom
different plants; nutrients which help prevent obesity and others which promote bone
development.
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d.ClinicalandCommunityNutritionInterventions:Assessingthenutritionalneedsofthe
new immigrant Ethiopian community and providing nutrition education programs to
improveeatinghabitsinthispopulation.
ScientistsatthisInstituteseektobetterunderstandthephysiologicaleffectsoffoodsonthe
bodyby looking at the impact on metabolic pathways and gene expression in order to
preventdiseaseandpromotegoodhealth.
3.The(new)InstituteofEnvironmentalSciencesandNaturalResourcesin
Agriculture
AgricultureandtheEnvironment TowardsHarmoniousCoexistence
Themodernization
and
intensification
of
agriculture
in
Israel
has
been
achieved
by
providing farmers with scientific and technical support andby economic planning and
stablemarketingpolicies. Usingadvancedknowledge,generatedingreatpartbyscientists
at the Hebrew Universitys Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality
Sciences in Rehovot, farmers havebeen able to increase yields as well as the variety of
produce they grow. Faculty scientists have been at the forefront of national and
internationalaridandsemiaridzoneresearchintowaystorenderthedesertandwilderness
fertileandhaveaidedinturningIsraelsaridandsemiaridregionsintoarablelands.
Intensiveagricultureoverextendedareasandprolongedperiodsisknowntohaveadverse
effectson
the
environment.
This
is
certainly
true
in
Israel,
where
almost
all
the
land
suitable
for agriculture is actually farmed and water resources are currently overutilized. The
environmental situation in this country is particularly critical, as there are few natural
resources,and thesehave tobemostcarefullymanagedandprotected,whileat thesame
timeused intensively.The intensiveand rapidagriculturaland industrialdevelopment in
Israel, coupled with limitations in space and resources, has already imposed acute
environmentalproblemsthatwillsoonbecommonintherestoftheindustrializedworld(in
many cases for the same reasons, yet at a slower pace). Intense exploitation of the land,
water,biotic and open spaces has forced the Israeli scientist to investigate issues on the
cuttingedgeofenvironmentalsciences.
RegionalandGlobalConcerns
Theseenvironmentalchallengesaremagnifiedbytheregionaloverlapofresourcesandthe
factthatfreshwater,wastewater,insects,pests,andplantdiseasesdonotrecognizeborders.
Thus,improperuseofwaterresourceshaslednotonlytonationalbuttoregionalproblems.
Future plans for the utilization of scarce resources such as soil and water, new
environmental management practices and integrated control of pests and diseases must
accordingly be based on regional strategies. Indeed, a number of existing research
collaborations, withJordanian, Egyptian and Palestinian scientists, in the fields of water
safetyanditsutilization,remediation,pestcontrolandpollinationcanserveasmodelsfor
future
regional
networks
and
will
surely
have
implications
on
dealing
with
similar
problems
aroundtheworld.
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EnvironmentalStudies,ResearchandManagement
TheexpertiseofresearchersstudyingtheenvironmentattheHebrewUniversitysFacultyof
Agricultural,FoodandEnvironmentalQualitySciences isrecognizedonnational,regional
and international levels. At present, some 30 Faculty scientists are conducting over 50
researchprojectsconcernedwithenvironmentalquality,andover100studentsarestudying
Environmental Quality at the Faculty at undergraduate and graduate levels, including a
new program on Conservation Biology and Ecosystem Management launched in 2005.
About30%oftheprofessionalsattheIsraeliMinistryoftheEnvironmentaregraduateswith
advanced degrees from the Faculty, and many other faculty graduates are employedby
otheragencies focusingontheenvironmentandappliedecology,suchastheMinistriesof
AgricultureandHealth,theForestryDivisionoftheJewishNationalFund,andtheNational
ParksAuthorityaswellaswatertreatmentfacilitiesandvariousothercompaniesacrossthe
country(whichserveenvironmentalneedssuchasmonitoringtoxicwastelevels,biological
remediationofpollutedsoilsandwaters,etc.).
OurAims
In itsnewconfiguration,activityat the Institutewillbededicated to thepreservationand
improvement of the environment in general, and of soil, water andbiotic resources in
particular. By bringing together (physically and conceptually) the researchers in the
departmentsof (i)SoilandWaterSciences; (ii)Entomology;and (iii)PlantPathologyand
Microbiology,wewillenhance theFacultys researchonaridand semiarid regions, thus
enablingtheFacultyofAgricultural,FoodandEnvironmentalQualitySciencestocontinue
to lead inaddressing thecomplexenvironmentalproblems that face Israeland theworld,
now and in theyears ahead.This intensificationof teaching and research in the fieldsof
environmentalqualitysciencesandnaturalresourceswillgreatlyinfluencethequalityoflife
intheStateofIsrael,theregionandtheworld.
Togetherwithothersat theFaculty, Institute scientistswillwork towardsgreater,cleaner
and safer crop productivity, thus making foodstuffs, as well as industrial raw materials,
moreabundantlyavailable,whileatthesametimeensuringanappropriatebalancebetween
agricultureandtheenvironment. Bypioneeringtechnologiesthatincreaseyieldsandthus
bringaboutreductions inprices,makingfoodplentifulandpotentiallymoreaffordable to
populationsindevelopingcountries,Facultyscientistswillcontributetohumanwellbeing
and social stability. Concurrently, this work facilitates efforts of the more developed
countries to sustain their standard of living, without damaging the environment, in
changingclimaticconditions.
Examples of Institute research areas include: wastewater recycling and utilization,
composting of agricultural wastes and their application as soil amendments in arid and
semiaridregions,yieldimprovementindrylandagriculture,waterconservation,breeding
salttolerantcropsanduseofsalinewater forcropproduction,useofnaturalenemies for
biologicalcontrolofvariouspestsanddiseases,andunderstandingandaffectingtheactivity
ofmicroorganismsintheirenvironment(e.g.,curbingtheactivityofdetrimentalspecieslike
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disease causing agents while enhancing that ofbeneficial species like degraders of toxic
wastes).TheestablishmentofanInstituteforEnvironmentalSciencesandNaturalResources
inAgriculturewillfacilitateinterdisciplinarycollaborationsrequiringnovelcombinationsof
scientific expertise.The closeproximity of the scientists involvedwill also encourage the
more efficient sharing of expensive scientific instrumentationby the scientists and their
students.
JointAcademicActivitiesandTeachingPrograms
Faculty members of the three departments currently cooperate in theEnvironmentalQualitySciences studyprogram.AsaresultofthenewInstitute,
thisstudyprogramwillbeenhancedandstrengthenedbythesynergisticactivities
fosteredbetweenthemembersofthevariousdepartments.Inadditiontoexisting
programs in Environmental Quality, the Faculty recently developed a new
teaching program entitled Conservation Biology and Ecosystem Management ,
whichistaughtjointlybyfacultymembersfromEntomologyandPlantPathology,
together with members of the Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and
GeneticsinAgricultureandtheDepartmentofAnimalSciences.
The Institute will encourage interdisciplinary research projects and the jointsupervisionofgraduatestudents.
TheInstitutewillencouragesynergismbyconductinganinterdisciplinaryseminarcovering the various disciplines related to environmental sciences and natural
resources.
The Institute frameworkwillenablescientificequipment tobesharedamong thevariousmembers,thusensuringmaximumutilization.
Participation in the academic programs runby the Institute willbe open to allfaculty members with relevant expertise and interests, including those from the
DepartmentofAnimalSciences,andfromtheSmithInstituteofPlantSciences(via
theproposedresearchcenter seethegeneralfacultyvisionscheme).
PotentialBenefits
The Institutewillensure theFacultyofAgricultural,FoodandEnvironmentalQualitySciences continued leadershiprole inresearchonenvironmentalandnaturalresources
onthenationalandinternationallevels.
The Institute will play a central role in higher learning and training of experts inEnvironmentalSciencesandNaturalResources.
The Institutewill facilitatesynergismamong thediverseexpertiseof itsmemberswhospecialize in areas such as: Environmental quality, applied ecology, sustainable
agriculture, and management of natural resources (focusing on soil, water andbiotic
interactionsbetweenagriculturalandneighboringhabitats).
The Institute will enhance the effectiveness of the currently existing departments inresearch, teaching and administrative functions. This willbe ensuredby the planned
physical proximity of the scientists along with the support to be provided by the
proposedresearchcenters.
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4.The(new)ComplexofAnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicine
Asthe
world
population
increases
along
with
the
demand
for
healthier
and
cleaner
food,
livestockfarminginthe21stcenturyfacesnewchallenges.Amongthesechallengesare:the
developmentofwatereconomiccrops,adaptationoffarmanimalstohotandaridclimates,
generating new technologies for farming (e.g. fish culture systems), improvement of
reproduction, animal welfare, management of disease outbreaks affecting animals and
humans especiallyzoonoses(diseasesthataretransmittedfromanimalstohumanssuch
as chicken flu or mad cow disease), conservation of wildlife and endangered species,
strengthening the humananimal bond, improvement of public health conditions and
environmentalqualityinanimalproduction.Continuedresearchanddevelopmentthatwill
meet these challenges must be supported by highly knowledgeable agricultural and
veterinaryscientists
and
managers.
RegionalandGlobalConcerns
Israels location in the midst of the developing Middle East has rendered the animal
husbandrypracticetobehighlyvulnerabletodiseaserisks.Notwithstanding,thisriskhas
beenminimized inIsraeldue tothe integrationofsciencebasedproductionmethodswith
advancedveterinaryservicesfordetectionanderadicationofdiseases.Continuedresearch
anddevelopmentinthesefieldsisanecessityformaintainingIsraelsleadingedgeinfarm
animalbio andveterinarymedicalsciences.BecomingacenterofexcellenceintheMiddle
Eastwithafocusoncollaborationwithneighboringcountriesisanimportantchallengefor
thenew
Complex
for
Animal
Sciences
and
Veterinary
Medicine.
In
an
age
where
the
movementofpeople, livestock,animal feedandanimalproducts iscommonpractice, the
disseminationofknowledgeandgoods (e.g., successfulbreeds)canbeextremelyefficient
andbenefitalargenumberofpeopleonaglobalscale.Wemust,however,rememberthat
the spreadofdisease (e.g.,bird flu, SARS etc.) is alsomore rapiddue to this expanding
freedomofmovement.Thus,ahigh levelofexpertise isrequiredtotakeadvantageofthe
pros, while avoiding the cons, of mobility and the exchange of animals and agricultural
goodsinthemodernera.
AnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicineStudiesandResearch
TheFaculty
of
Agricultural,
Food
and
Environmental
Quality
Sciences
is
the
only
institution
inIsraelofferinghighereducationinthefieldsofAnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicine.
Atpresent,approximately26FacultymembersfromtheDepartmentofAnimalSciencesand
from theSchoolofVeterinaryMedicine are conducting researchprojects regarding farm
animal agriculture.Over 270 students studyAnimal Sciences at theundergraduate level,
andover160studentsstudyforhigherdegreesinthejointteachingprogramofAnimaland
Veterinary Sciences. Some of the students combine Animal Sciences studies with other
programs such as Environmental Quality, Biotechnology or Economy. Many of these
graduatesarethenrecruitedbytheMinistryofAgricultureortheMinistryofEnvironment,
while others are employed inbiotech companies or continue their academic studies. An
additional
160
students
enroll
each
year
in
a
four
year
Veterinary
Medicine
program
and
are
abletocombinethisprogramwithgraduatedegreestudies(DVM/PhDcombinedprogram).
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Research in theDepartmentofAnimalSciencesmainly involvesthephysiologyofgrowth
and reproduction, stress physiology, nutrition, growth and development as affectedby
environmental impact and aquaculture, while the research conducted in the Veterinary
School involvesmetabolicdiseases, infectiousdiseases ofpet and farm animals, zoonotic
diseases, epidemiology,biomechanics, pathophysiology, neurophysiology, pharmacology,
bioanthropology,andcomparativeoncology.Collaborationsbetweenresearchersfromboth
units focus on subjects such as nutrition and diseases or fish reproduction. The new
Complex will be located on the Rehovot campus with an affiliation to the Veterinary
HospitallocatedintheBeitDaganresearchcenter.
OurAims
The new Complex for Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicinewill create the physical
proximity required to combine world class researchers from the Department of Animal
ScienceswiththoseattheKoretSchoolofVeterinaryMedicine.This,inturnwillencourage
the development of cuttingedge research in farm animalbiosciences in a manner that
combines the conceptual and practical skills of scientists involved in breeding/raising
animals together with experts in veterinary medicine (a combination which perhaps
surprisingly,doesnotexisttoday).ResearchintheDepartmentofAnimalSciencesinvolves
aspectsofgrowthand reproductionof farmanimals,while the researchconducted in the
Veterinary School involves different aspects of disease in pet and farm animals. The
complementarynatureoftheseunitsandtheirphysicalproximityprovidean idealsetting
for collaboration and for more efficient use of resources, while maintaining independent
researchagendasaswell.TheComplexforAnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicineaims
tocreateaworld renownedcenterfortheresearchofdomesticanimalsinbothhealthyand
diseasedstates, inaridanddesertclimates.Thisclosercollaborationwillalsoenablejoint
educationalprogramsforbothlocalandforeignstudentsinanimalandveterinarysciences,
aswellasjointseminarsandotheractivities.
JointFacilitiesandAcademicActivities
Shared largeandsophisticatedequipment,suchas imagingsystems,clean laboratoriesforinvitrofertilization(IVF)research,aspecificpathogenfree(SPF)unitorequipment
forembryonicdevelopmentstudies,allofwhichwillbelocatedwithineasyaccessofall
Complexscientists.
Combined venues such as seminar rooms, a conference room, and a common site tofacilitatestaffandstudentinteractions.
PotentialBenefits
ThenewComplexofAnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicinewillcreateafocalpointfor collaborations between Israel and neighboring countries or other regions which
confrontproblemswithanimalfarminginhotandaridareas.
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Thedistinctive researchwhichwillbeproduced in sucha center,where specialists inanimal husbandry will constantly interact with experts in veterinary medicine. In
additiontoestablishingnovelresearchprograms,thiswillserveasacoreforattracting
additional excellent scientists (in these and other fields as in the case of a Systems
Biologyapproach).
ThisComplexwith itsuniqueeducationalagendawill serveasabase forestablishingnewacademiceducationalprogramsand for spreadingknowledge toboth Israeliand
foreignstudents.
EnhancingCrossdisciplinaryCollaborationthrough
FourUniqueResearchCenters
Inordertotakefurtheradvantageofthegreatpotentialforinterdisciplinaryand
collaborativeresearch,beyondorganizingtheentirefacultyaroundthefourpillars,the
FacultyseekstoestablishfourResearchCenterswhichwillcrossdisciplinesandoffer
incentivesforcollaborationacrosstheentirecontinuumofagriculture:fromthenew
InstituteofNaturalResourcesandtheEnvironment,totheSmithInstituteofPlantSciences,
tothenewComplexofAnimalSciencesandVeterinaryMedicine,totheInstituteof
Biochemistry,FoodScienceandNutrition.
Thesecenterswillenablethefollowingactivities:
(i) Innovative research initiatives based on the creative merging ofacademicforcesfromdifferentdisciplines(researchersresidinginthe
differentrestructuredfacultyframeworks).
(ii) Attractionofyoungscientists(graduateandpostdoctoralstudents)toenhanceanddiversify the compositionofnationaland international
researchteams.
(iii) Inviting highranking visiting scientists to complement the existingcadreofscientistsfunctioningonspecificprojects.
(iv) Sponsorship of relevant complex workshops and seminars forbrainstorminganddisseminationofknowledge.
In principle, research center support is intended to provide the fuel for extraordinary
activities (beyond the scope of traditional funding) that emerge from nonconventional
approachestomeetingscientificchallengesofafundamentalaswellasappliednature.The
functionof thecenterswill createaunique researchatmosphere,essential forperforming
exceptionalscience.
Thefourresearchcenterswillencompassalllevelsofinterdisciplinaryagriculturalresearch.
AcenterforbasicresearchwillbethehublinkingthefourFacultyresearchpillars. Accessto
thishubwillenablescientiststoprobeanddissectchallengesofafundamentalnature,along
withtheintegrationofinputfromexactsciences(systembiology).Theotherthreecenterswill span the entire food production process, including diverse plant and animal food
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sources,quantitative/qualitativeoptimizationofnutritionandbiofuels,holisticapproaches
towards coping with modern agriculture (intact organism), along with environmental
protectionandsustainability.
1. TheResearchCenterforBasicAgriculturalSciencesIn order to further develop agrotechnology, researchers need to increase our basic
understandingofscientificphenomenarelated toagriculture.To thisend, theFacultywill
create a multidisciplinary research center aimed at addressingbasic questions related to
agriculture; focusing on bacteria, fungi, harmful and beneficial insects, plants, and
vertebrates at the molecular, organism and community levels ofbiological organization.
ThisCenterwillenableabetterunderstandingoffundamentalaspectsofagriculturerelated
sciences,andwillbeahubwhereresearchersfromacrossthecampuswillbeencouragedto
collaborate.
A. ResearchattheMolecularLevel.Elucidatingthenatureofthebasicbuildingblocks
ofanyprocessprovidesasignificantadvantage ifchangesoralterations in theprocess
are considered.Thegeneticmaterial (DNA andRNA), the functionalgeneticproducts
(proteins) and some of the products of their activities (biochemicals) are the primary
players in the life of any organism. This center will support activities aimed at
identifying, isolating and analyzing such components of life. This includes natural
compoundsofnutritionalvalue(highqualityproteins),healthvalue(vitaminsandother
potential food additives) and therapeutic value (antifungal, antipest and anti
cancerous). In addition to the analysis of known organisms (be they beneficial or
detrimental),powerfulnew toolswillbe employed to analyze themassiveuncultured
plantandmicrobialdiversitypresent in theenvironment toprovidenewmolecules for
therapeuticandbiotechnologicalapplications.
B. ResearchattheIntactOrganismLevel.Currentadvances inourabilitiestoanalyze
specific traits of an organismhave causedus to focus on the level of complete, intact
organisms. Even though a functional life form comprises an immense number of
variables,weareeagertobravethechallengeofunderstandingcomplexsystemssuchan
intactorganism.Thus, researchat this levelofbiologicalorganizationwill focuson the
physiologyandbehaviorof theagriculturalrelatedorganismsof interest.This includes
membersoftheplant,fungalandanimalkingdom(anythingfromthedevelopmentofan
allergenicfungalsporetonutrientutilizationinplants,theendocrinefunctioninfishand
mammals to reproductiveandsexualbehavior in insects). Theoverallobjectiveof this
type of work is to identify targets for improving food production or management
practices, based on intimate, detailed and rigorously researched biological
understanding.
C. Research at theCommunity andEcosystemLevel.Agriculture ispracticed in the
field (be it land, seaor in the future space)andnewmethodsmustbeemployed in
order to understand the spatial and temporalbehavior of plant, microbe and animal
species in the environment (including interactions amongst them). The objectives of
inquiry at the community level are to understand how species interact to stabilize
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ecosystems,howbest tomanagepopulationsofpests,pathogensand invasive species,
and how to conservebiodiversity on the one hand, and exploit its offerings tobetter
mankind,ontheother.
D.SystemsBiology.The remarkableadvances inbiological researchprovideuswitha
plethoraofdatathatcanbetappedindiverseways.Invitingscientistsfromfieldsofexact
sciences(e.g.,mathematicians,physicists,computerscientists)tojoinFacultyscientiststo
probe our data, together, will yield new concepts and possibilities which can be
experimentally addressed. The Faculty will be the first to adopt this truly
interdisciplinaryapproachtoagriculturalresearch.
2.TheResearchCenterforSustainableAnimalHealthandHusbandry
Themodernlivestockindustrymakesexcessiveuseofdrugsandpharmaceuticalstocombat
infectivediseases.Excessdrugusagecausesthreemajorproblems:a)diseaseproneanimals
whose health depends on drugs rather than on natural immunity; b) pharmaceutical
remnants which are stored in the animal carcass and passed to the human consumer; c)
excretion of drugs in urine that leads to underground water contamination. Hence, the
reductionofpharmaceuticalusage isamajorobjective in sustainableagriculturalpractice
and inanimalresearch. ThisCenterseeksto investigate themeans toproducenovel,safe
andpotentvaccinestopreventinfectivediseases,boostnaturalimmunity,andalleviatethe
needforexcessivedruguse.
Intensivelivestockfarming,aspracticedinIsrael,resultsinanexcessofanimalexcrement,
which percolates through the upper soil and is a major source of underground water
contamination.Thisisfurthercomplicatedbypharmaceuticalcontaminantspresentinurine.
Toovercomethisthreatandtopreservethepurityofadiminishingwaterreservoir,research
isaimedatdevelopingstrategiestodetoxifylargeanimalexcretionsinparticularbyusing
environmentallyfriendlymicroorganismsandplants.
Animalwelfareisbecominganincreasinglyimportantissueinthelivestockindustry.Thus,
new avenues arebeing sought to reduce animal densities during the growth period to
provideamorehumane,butnotlessproductive,environment. Thetechnologyrequiredin
thisarearequiresanovelapproachtoanimalhusbandryso thatproduction ismaintained
while animals are allowed to live under nonstressful conditions on the one hand and
maintain a rationalecologicalbalance ingrazingareasandotheropen spacesadjacent to
animalrearingcentersontheother.
3.TheResearchCenterforNutragenomicsandFunctionalFood
Functionalfoodsarefoodsdesignedtoprovideaspecificbeneficialphysiologicaleffecton
health,performanceand/orwellbeingextendingbeyondtheprovisionofsimplenutrients.
The Research Center for for Nutragenomics and Functional Food willbebased on the
Facultys interdisciplinaryexpertise inmolecularplantandappliedplant sciences;human
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nutrition with special emphasis on children, the aging and those with special health
requirements;foodchemistryandtechnology,andconsumerresearch.
Understandingthespecificdietaryfactorsof functionalfoodswillallowresearchersatthe
center toaddress thespecialneedsofpopulationgroups inorder tohelp themmeet their
uniquenutritionrequirementsandthusreduce theoccurrenceofdietrelateddiseasesand
disorders,suchasobesityandallergies.Thisknowledgecouldalsoleadtoreformulationof
processedfoods,anddevelopmentofnovelfoodsandingredients,dieteticfoodsandfoods
with nutritional and health benefits, thus, offering consumers a myriad of accessible
wellnessproductspreventinga spectrumof illnessesanddisorders.Functional foods can
alsobeutilized toenhancementalperformance, fightcancer,and improveoverallhuman
dispositionandperformance.
The distinctive sets of expertise on the Rehovot campus allow for a multidisciplinary
approach to research directed at improving human wellbeing. Animal scientists can
develop new diets for farm animals that then alter the nutrient composition of food
consumedbyhumans forexample, omega3enriched eggs,meatandmilkproducts.
Collaborationwithplantscientistscanleadtothedevelopmentofnewvarietiesoffruitsand
vegetableswithincreasedconcentrationsofspecificcompoundsbeneficialtohealth. These
advances may be achieved by changing the growing conditions of plants, through
conventional genetic methodologies (cross breeding) or by using molecular techniques.
Biologicallyactive ingredients canbe isolated, characterized, analyzedandutilized in the
food and beverage industries. Food technologists can use stateoftheart methods to
incorporate beneficial compounds found in plants into a wide range of foodstuffs in
biologically available forms and can develop analytical methods for quality control and
accuratefoodlabeling.
The interdisciplinary nature of this research center also provides the opportunity for
scientistswhoarenotexpertsinnutritiontoinitiateandleadresearchschemeswhichmay
providenovelnutritionrelatedoutputs.Thus,sucharesearchplatformmaybethetesting
groundfornewpotentialusesformicroorganisms,plantsandanimals(e.g.,identifyingnew
sources for proteins, vitamins and other nutritional requirements for human and animal
welfare).
Inadditiontothepromotionofscientificexcellence,thisresearchisexpectedtobenefitthe
community at large through addressingproblemsunique to specificpopulations, andby
increasingawarenessamongthegeneralpublicastowhatconstitutespropernutritionand
whyitisimportant.
4.TheResearchCenterforEnvironmentalProtection,SustainabilityandBioenergy
Theworldisfacingsignificantandvitalchallengestoitsenvironment,requiringustobattle
desertificationandtodevelopalternativeenergyresources.Toaddressthesechallenges,this
centerfocusesonfourmaingoals,namely:(1)reclaimingandutilizingwastewater,(2)the
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development of new crops and microorganisms for alternative renewable bioenergy
sourcesand theirutilization innovelchemicalandbiochemicalprocesses, (3)wardingoff
desertificationand(4)maintainingplanthealth.
Israel isunique in itsability toreclaimwater.However, recently itwasproven thatwhen
wastewaterandsludgeare introduced intosoilsandsediments,an interaction takesplace
changing their properties. Fundamental understanding gained through research would
enablereductionoftheassociatedrisksofaccumulationinthefoodchain,(eco)toxicological
effects,developmentofresistantmicrobialstrains,andgroundwatercontamination,andwill
ultimatelyallowasafeandsustainableutilizationofthispreciousresource.
Theincreasingdemandforbiologicalresources,especiallyforrenewablealternativeenergy,
can onlybe met through innovation and advancement of knowledge in the sustainable
management, production and use of energy crops. At the core of this effort is the
developmentofabasisfornew,sustainable,safer,affordable,ecoefficientandcompetitive
alternativeenergygrownonmarginalordesertland,utilizingreclaimedwater.Hence,this
fulfillstwomainobjectives,namely,resolvingtheproblemofdesertificationandbioenergy
production.
To realize thepotential in theproductionofchemicalsderived frombiologicaloilsand to
enabletherationaldevelopmentofdesigneroilproductsatsufficientyieldstomakethem
commerciallyviable,anewplatformofunderstandingisurgentlyrequired.Thisnecessitates
thecombined researcheffortsofplant scientists,geneticists,ecologistsand soilandwater
specialistsinordertodissectandharnessthebiochemicalprocessleadingtooilproduction
intargetoilproducingspecies.Theresultscouldfacilitatetherapiddomesticationofunder
utilized species as new industrial crops, the improvement of existing oil crops and the
development of novel oil crops through gene transfer methods. The full range of
applications willbe investigated. Research performed would provide an opportunity to
applynewgenomicknowledgeinthedevelopmentofvegetableoilsforindustrialuse,while
addressingtheagronomicandruralimplicationsfortheirintroduction.
Recent years of population and income growth have aggravated the problem of over
utilization of natural resources in many parts of the world. Policy makers are now
interestedineconomicincentivestorationtheutilizationofnaturalresources. Atthesame
time,therehasbeenariseinnewinnovativeagro andbiotechnologiesthatenhancefood
productionandassistincreatingenvironmentallysustainablegrowth.Thereareobstaclesto
the widespread application of these technologies, such as modest adoption rates in
developingcountriesandconsumeropposition indevelopedcountries. Thus,economists
willjoinscientistsinthepursuitofanaffordablesourceofbioenergy.
Plant health is a significant limiting factor in food production. The center will support
interdisciplinary research striving to improve plant health in a manner that will not
compromise the environment. The development of nontraditional means for enhancing
cropprotection,whetherbyavoidingorcontrollingdetrimental factors,willbeoneof the
foci of this center, in concert with the other activities mentioned.
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SharingknowledgeMultiplyingtheimpact
Apinnacle
of
any
scientific
accomplishment,
regardless
of
its
magnitude,
is
sharing
the
finding(s)withothers.Webelievethatteachingandtrainingfuturegenerationsofscientists
ispartandparcelofourcommitmenttodisseminateourknowledgeontheonehand,and
establishthenextgenerationsofscientificleadership,ontheother.
TeachingProgramsattheFacultyofAgriculturalFoodandEnvironmentalSciences
Asthesheervolumeofaccumulatedknowledgeincreasesatastaggeringpace,weattempt
toprovideour studentswith a firmgrounding in thebasic scienceswhile fostering their
abilityto
think
critically
and
to
synthesize
a
meaningful
understanding
from
the
overwhelming floodof information they face.Our teachingprogramsprovideknowledge
andskills.Mostimportantly,weattempttoinculcatetheabilitytoacquiremoreknowledge
andskills,byprovidingtoolsforcontinuouslearning,anattributewebelieveisessentialfor
bothscientistsandprofessionals in the21stcentury. Inorder tochallenge,stimulateand
inspireourstudents,weofferawiderangeofintroductorycoursesaimedatinformingand
excitingundergraduatesabouttheirchosenfield,andcomprehensivecoursesfortrainingin
thelatestadvancesofvariousdisciplines.
Accordingly,we offer ourundergraduate andgraduate studentsvarious studyprograms
formedalong
traditional
disciplinary
lines
(Table
1).
Table1.StudyPrograms.
LeadingtoB.Sc.: LeadingtoM.Sc.:
PlantSciences PlantSciencesInAgriculture
AnimalSciences FieldCrops
PlantProtection HorticultureandOrnamentals
Soil&WaterSciences GeneticsandBreeding
Biochemistry&FoodSciences PlantProtection
Nutrition
Soil&
Water
Sciences
AgriculturalEconomics&Management Biochemistry&FoodSciences
Hotel&TourismManagement Nutrition
AgriculturalEconomics&Management
Currently,over1,200studentsareenrolledinundergraduateprograms,andmorethan500
in thevariousprograms leading to theMastersdegree. Inadditionover300 studentsare
workingontheirPh.D.sunderthetutelageoffacultymembersorassociatedscientists,and
wegraduate40veterinarianseachyearfromtheonlyschoolofveterinarymedicineinIsrael,
alsoon
our
campus.
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Inaddition to these traditional studyprograms,wehave forgedanumberofnovel inter
disciplinary programs (Table 2), which aim to create tenable curricular and professional
links between the various disciplines represented on campus. These programs allow
students to combine studies in their primary program with courses from the
interdisciplinary program. While the traditional curricula provide specific professional
competencies, interdisciplinary programs combine several competencies, and provide a
widerintellectualvision.Theendresultisatrainedprofessionalwithwellestablishedskills
inthebasicsciencesandabroadperspectiveinabroad,novelandupdatedfield.
Table2.InterdisciplinaryUndergraduateandGraduateStudyPrograms
B.Sc.:
Biotechnology NatureConservationandManagement AgricultureandtheEnvironment Agriculture,EconomicsandMarketing
M.Sc.:
Biotechnology AnimalandVeterinarySciences EnvironmentalQualityandNaturalResources
EducationinAgricultureShouldKnowNoBoundaries
The Facultys teaching and research activities go waybeyond theborders of our small
country. Inorder to increaseour impactonagriculturalpracticeworldwide,wecurrently
offer2internationalM.Sc.programs,inNutritionandinPlantSciences,whichareattended
mainly by young scientists from the developing world and Eastern Europe (see
accompanying map of the Facultys international outreach). The programs are filled to
capacity,provingtheirstrongreputationinternationally.Inaddition,Facultyscientistsoften
collaboratewithcolleaguesabroad,andhostthematconferencesontheRehovotcampus.
Inadditionaltoitsinternationaltraining,theFacultyoffersavarietyofcoursesandtraining
programs aimed at training Israeli professionals in modern agricultural approaches. The
Facultyalsohasprogramsaimedatsharingourintellectualandtechnicalexpertisewiththe
wider public be they food industry giants or new immigrant mothers.
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SupportingtheIntegrationModelwithNecessaryResources
For
six
years
you
may
sow
your
field
and
for
six
years
you
may
prune
your
vineyard;
and
youmaygatherof its crop.But the seventhyear shallbea complete restfor the land,a
SabbathforHashem;yourfieldyoushallnotsowandyourvineyardyoushallnotprune.
Leviticus25:34
Qualityresearchanddevelopmentisimpossiblewithouttheproperresourceshumanand
physical. Facultiesrequire topscientists,who in turn requirestateoftheart facilitiesand
equipment and sufficient research funding to remain on the cutting edge of scientific
inquiry.
Retainingand
Attracting
Top
Scientists
TheimpressiveachievementsandstrongreputationoftheFacultyofAgricultural,Foodand
EnvironmentalQualitySciencesareduetotheoutstanding, innovativescientiststhathave
beenattractedtothisFacultyovertheyears. Inordertocontinuetobreakresearchfrontiers
and lead the world in sustainable agricultural innovations, the Faculty must continue to
recruitandabsorbtopscientistsinthemostrelevantareasofinquiry.
Topcandidatesmeasure theprospectofjoining theHebrewUniversityagainstcompeting
offersfromotherworldclassinstitutionsandprofitableindustriesthatofferstateoftheart
laboratoriesto
incoming
scientists.
As
dedicated
researchers,
candidates
are
prepared
to
earn significantly lower salaries than theywould receive inother industries and atother
institutions. Candidates will not, however, compromise their research. This is both
understandableandlaudable. Clearly,theUniversitysultimatesuccessinrecruitingthese
topscientistsandenablingthemtofulfilltheirresearchpotentialdependsonmaintaininga
strong cadre of scientific colleagues who can challenge and inspire one another, and the
availabilityofproperlabs,necessaryscientificequipment,andresearchfundingcomparable
tothefinestuniversitiesintheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
AttractingtopyoungscientiststotheFacultywillensurethatthebesthumanresourcesare
puttoworkaddressingtheveryrealchallengesforsustaininghumanlifeonthisplanetovertime. The suggested reorganization will land the Faculty at the nexus of research and
academiaandwillhelptoattracttopscientistspassionatetoworkinanenvironmentatonce
competitiveandcollaborative,withsharedresourcesandaccesstocrossknowledge.
StrengtheningInfrastructureandInvestinginResearch
The Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences can claim outstanding
achievements in many areas of agricultural science, but the physical infrastructure to
support this research must be modernized if this high level of scientific inquiry is to
continue. The Faculty is, at this point, stretched beyond its capacity. Laboratory andteaching facilities mustbe renovated and equipment added in order to allow faculty to
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25
maximizetheirresearchpotential,andtoattractyoungscientiststojointhem. Newspaces
mustbecreatedandothersrenovatedtoallowspaceforinterdisciplinaryinquirytothrive.
Cuttingedge research will be possible only with enough funding to enable research,
conferences, travel, the funding of research assistants and the purchase of necessary
equipment.
Conclusion
Josephamassedgrainlikethesandoftheseaingreatabundanceuntilheceasedcounting,
fortherewasnonumber Genesis41:49
TheFacultyofAgricultural,FoodandEnvironmentalSciencesoftheHebrewUniversityhas
hadaremarkableimpactonworldagriculturalpractice.TheonlysuchFacultyofitskind,in
arelatively
small
country
in
a
developing
area,
it
has
managed
to
lead
and
innovate
in
best
farming practices, in the creation of innovative new means of producing and protecting
plantsandanimals,and in the studyofnutrition andhumanhealthandwellbeing.Drip
irrigation, longlife cherry tomatoes and vitamin enriched pomelos, increased yields,
protectedcrops,andwaterrecyclingarejustsomeof themany innovationsattributableto
this Faculty. Just as importantly, the Faculty has played a major role in improving
agricultural practice in developing nationsby sharing research, knowledge, and applied
solutionsdevelopedattheFacultythrougheducationalprogramsforinternationalstudents
andcollaborativeprojectswithcolleaguesworldwide.
Anew
integrative
model,
supported
by
adequate
resources
for
research,
infrastructure,
and
the absorption of top young researchers, coupled with the Facultys core of outstanding
scientistsand recordofoutstandingachievements,willensure that theFacultywillplaya
major role inaddressing thenextagriculturalenvironmentalchallenge: feeding the future
throughknowledgedrivenagriculture.