Nineteen-year-old Israeli explores antibiotics
“The idea is not to replace antibiotics but to have another tool,”
EARLY in his teens, Israeli Niv Gronovich first laid eyes on a petri dish and knew what his calling in life would be.
Now 19, the Hebrew University (HU) medical research intern – who will be visiting Australia this month – is working under HU Associate Professor Ronen Hazan, renowned for combating resistance to antibiotics.
Australian Friends of Hebrew University (AFHU) CEO Rob Schneider said Gronovich decided not to defer his visit due to the war in Israel, as he “would like to be a rallying point for young Jewish Australians”.
It is now widely accepted that over-use of antibiotics has sapped their effectiveness, but a process known as bacterio-phage therapy can minimise the ability of bacteria to mutate.
Gronovich explained that when a large enough number of suitably matched, genetically engineered phages infiltrate the bacteria cell, it bursts and is destroyed.
“The idea is not to replace antibiotics but to have another tool,” he said.
Israel is among a handful of countries developing phage therapy. Its laboratory at HU’s Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research has successfully trialled the therapy with more than 20 patients.
While still at school, Gronovich, who lives near Jerusalem, was enrolled in Alpha, a program for gifted students provided by Israel’s Belmonte Science Laboratories Centre. Alpha, which has 1700 students, began 10 years ago and is an initiative of HU, Israel’s Future Scientists Centre and the Education Ministry.
Alpha introduced him to Hazan, and to a laboratory, rather than just a classroom experience.
Gronovich recalled becoming passionate about medical research. “I remember going into the lab and seeing these bacteria on the plate … and I heard the stories of the people whose lives are being saved by the treatment.”
Due to become fully qualified as a physician in six years, Gronovich is currently a student at HU’s medical faculty, participating in Tzameret, an IDF program, and the military track for medical studies. It enables him to continue his research as part of his IDF obligations.
Hosted by AFHU, Gronovich will visit Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. At schools and shules, he hopes to inspire other young people who have dreams of going into medical research.
“My mantra that I learned from Alpha is to almost always go and try,” he said. “Look how meaningful it is, how it changed my life.”
To meet with Niv Gronovich, please contact Australian Friends of the Hebrew University on (02) 9389 2825 or email austfhEARLY in his teens, Israeli Niv Gronovich first laid eyes on a petri dish and knew what his calling in life would be.
Now 19, the Hebrew University (HU) medical research intern – who will be visiting Australia this month – is working under HU Associate Professor Ronen Hazan, renowned for combating resistance to antibiotics.
Australian Friends of Hebrew University (AFHU) CEO Rob Schneider said Gronovich decided not to defer his visit due to the war in Israel, as he “would like to be a rallying point for young Jewish Australians”.
It is now widely accepted that over-use of antibiotics has sapped their effectiveness, but a process known as bacterio-phage therapy can minimise the ability of bacteria to mutate.
Gronovich explained that when a large enough number of suitably matched, genetically engineered phages infiltrate the bacteria cell, it bursts and is destroyed.
“The idea is not to replace antibiotics but to have another tool,” he said.
Israel is among a handful of countries developing phage therapy. Its laboratory at HU’s Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research has successfully trialled the therapy with more than 20 patients.
While still at school, Gronovich, who lives near Jerusalem, was enrolled in Alpha, a program for gifted students provided by Israel’s Belmonte Science Laboratories Centre. Alpha, which has 1700 students, began 10 years ago and is an initiative of HU, Israel’s Future Scientists Centre and the Education Ministry.
Alpha introduced him to Hazan, and to a laboratory, rather than just a classroom experience.
Gronovich recalled becoming passionate about medical research. “I remember going into the lab and seeing these bacteria on the plate … and I heard the stories of the people whose lives are being saved by the treatment.”
Due to become fully qualified as a physician in six years, Gronovich is currently a student at HU’s medical faculty, participating in Tzameret, an IDF program, and the military track for medical studies. It enables him to continue his research as part of his IDF obligations.
Hosted by AFHU, Gronovich will visit Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. At schools and shules, he hopes to inspire other young people who have dreams of going into medical research.
“My mantra that I learned from Alpha is to almost always go and try,” he said. “Look how meaningful it is, how it changed my life.”
To meet with Niv Gronovich, please contact Australian Friends of the Hebrew University on (02) 9389 2825 or email austfhu@austfhu.org.au
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