( Shower Yourself In Luxury. Products Of The Month //hi ti is • Showerite is another way of saying ... excellence. Dramatic, highly polished gold, silver or antique finishes. Sturdy, E-Z clean track system. The finest crafted line and the widest choice of styles and sizes available in the industry. Pacer By-Pass Tub Door with clear bevel - cut glass design which will give a rich, elegant look to any bathroom. $315.99 (List Price $414) The unique styling of this clear curved tempered safety glass shower will give any bath a dis- tinguished look. Installation Referral Available '915.99 (List Price $1200.17) Installation Referral Available cAlanagement8pecialtie8 corp. (313) 548-5656 2800 W. 11 Mile Rd. • Berkley, MI 48072 Between Greenfield and Coolidge Studio In Harvard Row Mall Larry Paul makes FURNITURE NEW. 50%-70% OFF ALL NAME BRANDS Custom Restoration, Lacquering, Refinishing of new or old furniture, antiques, office furniture, pianos. • Vertical Blinds • Levolor Blinds • Pleated Shades Wood Blinds 21728 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Harvard Row Mall Southfield, MI 48076 Free Professional Measure at No Obligation Free in Home Design Consulting Your Old >Fur Can Be Styled Into A Zip In And Out Weather Poplin Coat For Free Estimates 1, 800491'3009 Hours. Mon -Sat. 10-5 352-8622 New Rochester Hills 651-5009 CLASSIFIED GET RESULTS! Call The Jewish News 354-5959 ISRAEL I Weizmann Institute Develops Biosensor A novel strategy that lays the foundation for highly sen- sitive biosensors — microelec- tronic devices that take ad- vantage of biological detec- tion and amplification mechanisms — has been developed by Proffesor Carlos Gitler and Dr. Itzhak Yuli of the Weizmann Institute's Department of Membrane Research and Biophysics. Such biosensors may some day be used instead of animals to detect drugs and explosives, or to test phar- maceutical and cosmetic pro- ducts. They may also be in- tegrated into portable on-line monitors that would greatly improve the sensitivity of standard chemical analysis currently performed in medical diagnostics. Scientists have long been searching for ways to mimic biological sensory systems, which are known to be nature's most efficient and highly selective detection devices. The environmental signals that living organisms detect through vision, smell or taste, as well as internal signals such as nerve-to-nerve or hormone stimuli, trigger changes in chemical states. Some of these chemical modulations activate a varie- ty of ion channels — proteins that by opening up create pathways for the flow of elec- trically charged elements through otherwise highly im- permeable cell membranes. The biosensor devised at the Weizmann Institute is based on an artificial biological membrane contain- ing synthetic complexes of such ion channels, sophisticatedly attached to a gold electrode. When these channels open up in response to predetermined chemical signals, the electrical conduc- tivity of the membrane is modulated and recorded. The new bionic device will use a liquid-crystalline phospholipid membrane that is indirectly attached to the gold electrode by "spacer arms" of detergent-like molecules. One end of these arms merges naturally with the membrane, while the op- posite end is modified so as to acquire a high affinity for gold. This design endows the membrane with both mechanical stability and structural flexibility and minimizes the need to utilize an ultra-smooth electrode surface. The signal amplification of the planned biosensor is bas- Carlos Gitler ed on sensing elements of two different types. In the first, ion channels are formed from synthetic polypeptides whose structure resembles that of melittin, the major pain- inflicting toxin in bee venom. Melittin and analogous polypeptides are unique in their ability to spontaneous- - ly penetrate into the cell membrane and to self- assemble in the form of active ion channels. In the second type, the sensing element con- sists of genetically engineered proteins based on biological ion channels that Scientists have long been searching for ways to mimic biological sensory systems. open upon recognition of a given substance. Biosensors are expected to be integrated into printed cir- cuits of future monitors of chemicals in solution. Moreover, since aromas are essentially organic chemicals, biosensors will also be used as "bionic noses" capable of "sniffing out" the presence of a wide variety of materials, ranging from drugs and ex- plosives to airborne allergens such as pollen. Further research will probably enable insertion of such devices into the human body, where they will be able to detect and con- tinuously monitor minute concentrations of chemicals relevant to various diseases. Title to the patent on this biosensor design is held by Yeda Research and Develop-