Hermona Soreq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hermona Soreq
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| חרמונה שורק | |
Hermona Soreq, December 2019 (Photographer: Douglas Guthrie)
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Hermona Even
April 3, 1947 Tel Aviv, Israel
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| Nationality | Israeli |
| Alma mater | The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Tel-Aviv University Weizmann Institute of Science |
| Known for | Research in microRNAs (miRs) and other non-coding RNA regulators of gene expression focusing on acetylcholine(ACh)-related processes |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Molecular Neuroscience |
| Institutions | The Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
Hermona Soreq is a famous Israeli professor. She teaches Molecular Neuroscience at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is well-known for her research on how our bodies use a special chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical is important for how we react to stress. It also plays a role in brain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
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About Hermona Soreq
Hermona Soreq was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel. She studied biochemistry and microbiology at the Hebrew University. She earned her master's degree from Tel-Aviv University. In 1976, she completed her Ph.D. in biochemistry at the Weizmann Institute.
From 1977 to 1979, she worked as a special research fellow. This was at the Rockefeller University in New York. There, she focused on molecular cell biology.
Her Scientific Journey
Professor Soreq began her science career at the Weizmann Institute. She worked there as a Senior Scientist. Later, she became an Associate Professor from 1979 to 1986.
In 1986, she moved to The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She became an Associate Professor of molecular biology. She also started her own laboratory there. By 1989, she became a full professor. She has led her lab at the university ever since.
Leadership Roles
Professor Soreq has held many important leadership roles. From 1995 to 2000, she was the head of the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences. This is part of the Hebrew University.
In 2000, she was chosen to be the President of the Israeli Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She served in this role until 2002. In 2005, she made history. She was the first woman to be elected Dean of the Hebrew University's Faculty of Science. She served for three years.
Her Research Focus
Today, Professor Soreq is a top expert in Molecular Neuroscience. She works at the Silberman Institute for Life Sciences. She also helped start the Hebrew University’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences. There, she leads the Soreq group.
Her main research looks at tiny molecules called MicroRNAs (miRs). She also studies other non-coding RNA regulators. These molecules help control how our genes work. She is very interested in how they relate to acetylcholine (ACh) processes.
Professor Soreq uses advanced tools in her research. These include special sequencing technologies. She also uses computer science and genetic engineering. She studies how miRs and other RNA molecules work in healthy brains. She also looks at how they act in brains affected by diseases.
Key Discoveries
Professor Soreq's team has made many important discoveries. They found special "CholinomiR" molecules in humans. These molecules can turn off many genes. They also found that the brain can control anxiety and inflammation in the body. This happens through acetylcholine.
Her studies have shown how stress affects our bodies. For example, she found that people's pulse rates increase under fear. This is linked to acetylcholine. She also found that CholinomiRs decrease a lot in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests new ways to understand and treat such conditions.
Her work also explores how these molecules respond to stress, epilepsy, and inflammation. She found that problems with certain CholinomiRs can affect liver health, anxiety levels, and blood pressure.
Professor Soreq's research also looks at differences between men and women. She found CholinomiR differences in the brains of people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Her work helps us understand how to create more personalized treatments for diseases. These diseases often involve problems with acetylcholine signaling.
Major Research Milestones
- Controlling Cholinergic Signals: Professor Soreq discovered that a molecule called MiR-132 helps control acetylcholine levels. This affects how our brain and immune system communicate. It also impacts liver health.
- Reducing Stress Reactions: Her team found that miR-211 can lessen epileptic seizures. Another similar molecule, miR-204, is linked to certain repetitive behaviors. They also found that a small change in a gene can affect a molecule called miR-608. This change can lead to higher blood pressure and inflammation.
- Changes in Diseases: Professor Soreq and her partners found that changes in acetylcholine levels can predict recovery from stroke. They also saw big increases in miR-132 in inflamed intestines. This suggests a link to inflammatory bowel disease.
- Brain Damage in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Her research showed that in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, there are problems with how RNA molecules work in the brain. This leads to brain damage.
- Stress and Daily Life: Professor Soreq's work connects stress to our daily health. She found that anxiety and metabolism-regulating miRs are linked. This helps us understand how stress can increase the risk of disease.
Professor Soreq has written over 280 scientific articles. She has also authored 8 books.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Soreq has served on the boards of several important institutions. These include the Hebrew University and the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology). She was also a research professor at the Arizona State University Biodesign Institute.
She has received many awards and honors for her work:
- 2005: Landau Prize for Biomedical Research
- 2008: Kaye Prize for Innovative research, The Hebrew University
- 2009: The Lise Meitner Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Award, Germany
- 2009: Visiting Miller Professorship, University of California, Berkeley
- 2013: National Center of Excellence (I-Core) on Trauma, member of Scientific Management
- 2013: Advanced ERC Research Award
- 2015: The Rappaport Prize for Bio-Medical Research, Israel
- 2017: ILANIT-Katzir Prize for exceptional achievements in the Life Sciences, Israel
- 2022: The EMET Prize. This prize is sponsored by the A.M.N. Foundation. It recognizes excellence in science, art, and culture in Israel.
She has also received honorary doctorates from several universities:
- University of Erlangen, Nűremberg, Germany (2007)
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel (2007)
- University of Stockholm, Sweden (1996)
