Final Outing with the group, and no more rain today!

Sunday. February 15, 2015
   Morning visit and tour of the campus of the Chaim Weitzmann institute and his home which is also on the campus. In addition to being a great scientist he was the first President of Israel.  The institute has a visitors center with films and interactive displays which demonstrate the wide range of their research.

Groundbreaking medical and technological applications that have emerged from basic research conducted by Weizmann Institute scientists include:

• Amniocentesis, a prenatal diagnostic test for the fetus 
• Sophisticated laser systems for high-precision diamond cutting
• A method for growing hybrid seeds that prevents the transmission of disease from one generation to the next and helps protect edible plants from pests
• Affinity chromatography, a key tool for purifying biological materials in the biotechnology industry
• Living polymerization, one of the most fundamental techniques of the modern polymer industry
• For solving the structure of the ribosome, the cell’s protein factory, and revealing its means of action, the Institute’s Prof. Ada Yonath was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her research should speed the development of antibiotic drugs that are more efficient, especially against antibiotic-resistant strains.

In the afternoon we toured Ayalon Institute, a fascinating site of Israel's history.  During the British Mandate  period, there was a blockade on arms and ammunition.  A secret factory was build underground on a hill located at an agricullural kibbutz ( collective farm).  It was the size of a tennis court and hidden by a bakery and laundry which sat on top of the factory.   45 people worked underground, 6 days a week..... Their work made an enormous contribution to the success of the war for independence in 1948.

It was an excellent day giving us an interesting view back in time as well as looking ahead to the great research potential in this amazing country.

   Back at the hotel this evening we had a farewell dinner for the patricians and leaders.  Tomorrow will be my last day at Chugim sxhool and Tuesday the last day at Reali!  Flying home on Wednesday weather permitting!