A Collaborative Leap Towards Healthy Longevity

On October 30-31, 2024, Tel Aviv University (TAU), Northwestern University (NU), and the University of Toronto (U of T) hosted a virtual conference on healthy longevity and aging, bringing together around 60 researchers from across disciplines to pitch their work.

This first-of-its-kind collaborative conference, in part led by TAU’s Prof. Uri Ashery and supported by The Lowy International School, functioned as a "matchmaking" event. Participants were given three to four minutes to showcase their research, offering not only a rapid-fire exchange of ideas but a foundation for cross-border partnerships.

A Conference to Spark Connections

Ashery, a professor in neuroscience and head of TAU’s Healthy Longevity Research Center, opened the conference with enthusiasm. “The idea is to spark collaboration, spark connections,” he said, noting that the collaborative venture, two years in the making, represented an evolution from initial in-person plans to an accessible digital platform. Ashery hopes the virtual format will pave the way for future exchanges:

“This will hopefully be the first in a series of meetings.”—Prof Uri Ashery, School of Neurobiology Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience

Prof. Karen Avraham, Prof. Ruth Ashery-Padan, Prof. Liat Kishon-Rabin, Prof. Debbie Rand, Dr. Daniel Bar, Prof. Tanya Gurevich, and Prof. Tzipi Strauss also contributed their expertise, with each presenting their latest research findings in the fields of molecular genetics, auditory sciences, nutrition, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular health, and neurobiology. Their presentations helped spark in-depth discussions and collaborations on how to advance healthy aging and longevity research globally.

Professor Dan Peer, TAU’s vice president for research and development, also helped open the conference, highlighting the importance of both longevity research and collaboration. “Healthy aging is super important,” he remarked, hoping to see the partnerships yield pioneering research and underscoring TAU’s commitment to seeding promising ideas.

Prof. Uri Ashery introducing research at TAU related to healthy aging and longevity.

Representatives from the co-sponsoring institutions were equally enthusiastic. Dévora Grynspan, NU’s vice president for international relations, highlighted the longtime partnership between TAU and NU and revealed that she was inspired by a similar conference she previously attended.

“We were especially impressed by the interdisciplinary nature of the conference, and we were inspired to do the same.”—Dévora Grynspan, NU’s vice president

With three universities working together, the conference spanned a range of topics – from neurodegenerative disease to social participation – addressing both the clinical and community aspects of aging.

Innovative Research Pitches Across Universities and Disciplines

The core of the event lay in the researcher presentations, where participants from all three universities condensed their research into three-minute pitches. For many, this format provided a novel way to test out interdisciplinary collaborations.

Dr. Will Saban, with four seconds to go in his presentation, sums up his iPONT approach. 

Dr. Will Saban from TAU highlighted the need for better neuropsychological testing worldwide, particularly for patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. Traditional testing “is not accessible to the general public … it’s not scalable,” he pointed out, explaining that geographical, financial and logistical barriers hinder large-scale testing.

Saban has created the International Protocol for Online Neuropsychological Testing (iPONT), an accessible, automated testing protocol available in multiple languages, allowing for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach.

Prof. Silvia Koton jumps into her research on stroke epidemiology.

Another presentation came from Professor Silvia Koton, head of TAU’s Herczeg Institute on Aging. Her research focuses on stroke epidemiology, examining long-term outcomes and the cognitive impact of stroke.

“It’s important to collaborate with Northwestern University and the University of Toronto to increase the diversity of participants in aging research, to validate the findings … and to increase the impact.”—Professor Silvia Koton

A Vision for Future Collaboration

The enthusiasm generated during these sessions carried over into the breakout rooms, where participants engaged in deeper discussions on shared interests and potential joint projects. With a shared commitment to advancing healthy aging, the conference underscored the power of cross-border partnerships in tackling the challenges of longevity—setting a transformative precedent for future global health initiatives.