The Prize for Promising Young Researcher was awarded to Dr. Hanna for his pioneering study of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are endowed by nature with the tremendous potential of creating a whole living being with every organ and its functions. Nowadays, scientists are customizing these cells for another important role as a medical tool for restoring degenerating cells and damaged tissue, and for curing serious genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

The laboratory at the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science where Dr. Hanna and his team work, serves as the center for understanding the biology of these special cells. They continue to probe the basic questions concerning the mechanisms of development and differentiation in order to promote the use of these cells as a powerful medical tool.