Volume 26 Issue 20 21 Jul 2017 27 Tammuz 5777

Israeli teenager finds cure for Anthrax

Daphna Levin-Kahn – High School Jewish Life Co-ordinator

Israeli teenager cures Anthrax

This week the Year 11 students were privileged to hear from a young and brilliant scientist, interested in the field of biomedicine. Medical technology and its study are advancing at rapid rates and many of us would have heard about today’s bacterial infections and their increasing resistance to antibiotics – quite a scary thought. This inspirational talk was given by Sarit Sternberg, a truly remarkable young scientist who also happens to be a 16-year-old school student like many of our students, and how she is changing the face of Medicine.

Her study examined bacteriophages, a type of virus that infects and replicates within a bacterium, thus destroying the infection. After many hours spent analysing and testing different samples she discovered the bacteriophage killed bacterial infections such as Anthrax (she named it SNα320). Although Anthrax is not common these days and can be prevented by vaccination, it is still a vicious and life-threatening illness and is used in biological warfare attacks. This treatment will help defend against these attacks by treating those affected. Sarit’s presentation was especially motivating considering her age and that she is still a school student, and also because of her determination to make a positive change and succeed. In doing so, she accomplished not only her own goal but has also made a significant impact on Medicine and improving people’s lives.

Edan Amsalem

Sarit was absolutely inspiring to listen to. At multiple points during the speech I had to remind myself I was listening to the words of a 16-year-old and not a university graduate! Her drive to make people’s lives better, commitment to the project and ultimate success in finding the phages are inspirational at any age, but particularly relevant to those of us still in High School. It’s not often that we see examples of people our own age going out and achieving great things. One mindset that I’ve found to be particularly common is that we’ll finish school, get a degree and then we’ll start making a difference. However, the key message I got out of hearing Sarit speak was that if you have the capacity to do something, and everyone does, you should do it, regardless of your age or anything telling you that you can’t.

Sienna Amoils

It is very inspiring seeing people my age who manage to accomplish projects which people can spend a lifetime on. The one thing that I find truly amazing is the opportunity that Sarit was offered by the Hebrew University, being able to develop and work on a project at the level of a professional whilst still being able to balance school life. I learnt so much about phages and how they can possibly be more successful than antibiotics. The talk was very inspirational and I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to listen to it. 

Aron Jaffe

Sarit has been accompanying Hebrew University President, Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson on a fundraising and awareness-raising visit to Australia, as guests of the Australian Friends of Hebrew University. Following Sarit’s fascinating lecture, Professor Ben-Sasson encouraged our students to be an active part of a better future for themselves and the world.

This amazing young lady and her visit to Emanuel School even made a brief appearance in the SBS evening news!

www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/07/18/16-year-old-israeli-behind-anthrax-killing-virus

 

Liron Smith, Sienna Amoils, Sarit Sternberg, Michal Wolstein and Edan Amsalem