On May 9, 2019, Prof. Adi Kimhi, an expert in molecular genetics from the Weizmann Institute, won the Israel Prize in the Life Sciences Research category.
Kimchi is recognized worldwide as a pioneer and leader in the field of programmed cell death​ and has also won the prize.
The study that won the Israel Prize is related to the isolation of new genes (DAP genes) that are key factors in controlling cell death. The isolated DAP-kinase gene was found to inhibit cancer development.
Gene identification was made possible by a pioneering technique that Kimchi developed based on genetic functional scanning by DNA neutralization.
In her work, she documented the contribution of the process of autopsy (the natural mechanism that destroys and disintegrates non-functioning or unnecessary cellular components through a controlled process during which the cell turns off non-essential processes, often ending in cell death) in controlling cell-to-life decisions.
In addition, it documented the high level of connectivity between autophagy and apoptosis, through double-detected proteins, and through backup mechanisms that act in response to genetic faults.
At the same time, Kimchi developed a new direction of personalized cancer medicineto identify the patient's tumor weak spots,

which are detected by an early scan of a protein map.