Prof. Jonathan Leor Professor Leor received an M.D. degree from Tel-Aviv University, continued training in cardiovascular medicine at the Sheba Medical Center, and completed his post doctorate training at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, under Robert A. Kloner, M.D., Ph.D. Today, his laboratory's research focuses on infarct repair and the heart's lack of intrinsic regenerative ability. The staff constitutes a multidisciplinary group, working on basic research in molecular biology and gene expression, cell biology, and tissue engineering in mouse, rat and pig models of disease. Research focuses on the biology of myocardial infarction, both in defining the molecular mechanisms that underlie the infarct healing processes, and in developing molecular and cell-based approaches to improve infarct repair. More specifically, Prof. Leor's laboratory research involves the following: 1) Tissue engineering using novel, injectable, bioactive materials and molecules; 2) Stem cell studies that entail cardiac stem cells, with an aim to develop cellular approaches to regenerate the heart; 3) Reprogramming of cells ex vivo and in situ, by genetic manipulation or growth factors to improve cell infarct healing; 4) Regulation of the heart's intrinsic repair response, particularly the role of macrophages; 5) Molecular imaging, cell tracking and inflammation in the heart. Prof Leor is the author and co-author of more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in prestigious journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation and Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Mail Address: jonathan.leor@sheba.health.gov.il   Selected publications
Dr. Avi Treves Avi Treves  PhD    Short Bio     Dr. Avi Treves is currently the Deputy Director of the Sheba Cancer Research CenterI at the Sheba Medical Center. Operating the Ella Institute for Treatment and Research of MelanomaII, the Family Cord Blood BankIII and Bio Regenerate Inc, a start up company developing adult stem cells technologies and storage services.   Leading a research and development program on medical applications of adult stem cells from various sources such as peripheral blood, bone marrow and cord blood. The goals are to treat degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular ischemia, diabetic leg and retinitis pigmentosa.   Co-investigator in the adoptive immunotherapy program of melanoma, which is a cell based therapy program in its clinical phaseIV. Operating a GTP Laboratory for cell Therapies.  Development and production of cell based products in good tissue culture practice (GTP) facilityV.     Expert in translational research, regulation and developing cell based technologies, products and their clinical applications. Adviser and scientific board member for biotech companies. Co-author of more than 90 scientific publications and 10 patents.   Previously, the founder and CEO of Gamida Cell Ltd.; CEO of Hadasit Ltd., the tech transfer company of the Hadassah Medical Center; Head of the R&D Division of the Hadassah Medical Center. PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science; Post doc at Stanford University Medical School, CA USA.     I. /Research_and_Development/SCRC/     II./Sheba_Hospitals/Acute_Care_Hospital/Division_of_Internal_Medicine/MELANOMA/     III.  http://www.taburit.co.il/en/      IV. Besser MJ,  Shapira R, Treves AJ, Zippel  D, Itzhaki O, Hershkovitz l, Levy D, Kubi A, Hovav   E, Chermoshniuk N, Shalmon B, Hardan I, Catane R, Markel G, Apter S, Ben-Nun A, Kuchuk   I, Shimoni A, Nagler A, Schachter J. Clinical Responses in a Phase II Study Using Adoptive Transfer of Short-Term Cultured Tumor Infiltration Lymphocytes in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Clinical Cancer Research In Press    V./Sheba_Hospitals/Acute_Care_Hospital/Division_of_Internal_Medicine/MELANOMA/Translational_Research/      List of Publications
Prof. Arnon Nagler Specialist in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Bone Marrow  Transplantation, and International Specialist in Cord Blood  Transplantation.  Advanced training in Hematology & Transplantation at Stanford University,  (U.S.A.)   Prof. Arnon Nagler has headed Tel Hashomer (Sheba) Cord Blood Bank since 2001. Pioneer and world acclaimed leader in field of umbilical cord blood, cord blood banking and stem cell separation and treatment. Professor Nagler is founding member of  NetCord and EuroCord (the European network of cord blood banks and transplants) and is a formal cord blood inspection of the FACHT/NetCord organization. Professor Nagler's cord blood bank at Sheba Medical Center was recently accredited by the NMDP.   Among Dr. Nagler's myriad of awards, his most recent include the Best Abstract Award from the American Society of Bone and Marrow Transplantation (ABSMT) in February 2004 and the Best Abstract from the National Marrow Donor Program Meeting in October, 2004. Professor Nagler has received over forty grants from government, research associations, foundations and pharmaceutical companies for his ongoing research. He holds over forty patents and trademarks, has been the lead investigator on over fifteen clinical trials, is an international sought-after lecturer, and widely published. His tenure with leading edge biotech and pharmaceutical companies included his role as Technical Leader and Medical Advisor to Gamida Cell. Dr. Nagler is a Professor Medicine at Tel-Aviv University, Director of Hematology at Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer and is also Director of Bone Marrow Transplantation and the Cord Blood Bank. Dr. Nagler served as a fellow in medicine/hematology at Stanford University School of Medicine from 1986 until 1989 and is a member of the American Society of Hematology.
Prof. Benjamin Dekel (Read More)
Dr. Sarah Ferber  Dr. Sarah Ferber is the head of the Endocrine Research Unit at the Sheba Medical Center. She graduated in biochemistry at the Technion under the supervision of Professor Avram Hershko and Professor Aharon Ciechanover, winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Joslin Diabetes Lab at Harvard Medical School.  The research in the Ferber's group focuses on tissue engineering, adult cells reprogramming and cell replacement therapy for diabetes. The research is based on the assumption that developmental factors that control pancreas organogenesis in the embryo can be implemented in redirecting the developmental fate of other adult tissues towards the pancreatic lineage and function. The capacity to activate the pancreatic lineage and function in adult liver cells, suggest that we carry our own 'stem-like-cells throughout adulthood, thus obviating the need for embryonic stem cells for generating organs in need. The lab has established a pioneer therapeutic approach based on converting adult liver tissue into functional glucose regulated insulin producing cells. The promising results in in-vitro studies using human liver tissues and in mice in-vivo model, were published in important scientific papers. (Selected Publications) The proof of concept studies demonstrated that adult human liver cells retain substantial plasticity and can be induced to assume new fates and function, upon appropriate molecular manipulation. As such liver has become a pancreatic progenitor tissue that can be used for autologous cell replacement therapy for diabetic patients. Methods used in the lab: The developmental redirection process is analyzed at molecular, cellular and functional levels. Some of the methods include: primary culture of adult tissues, gene delivery using recombinant adenoviruses, lineage tracing using Lenti-viruses, Global analyses of alterations in the profile of gene expression by micro-array-chip analyses, physiological studies using mice models. E-mail: sferber@sheba.health.gov.il;
Prof. Eyal Schiff Prof. Eyal Schiff was born in Israel in 1957, and received his M.D. degree cum laude in 1985 from the Sackler School of Medicine at the University of Tel Aviv. His thesis project, under the supervision of Prof. Modan, was selected for its excellency. During the years 1986 - 1992 Prof. Schiff was a resident in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Sheba Medical Center, under the supervision of Prof. Maschiach. During this period several of his research projects were published in the international obstetric literature. In 1992 Prof. Sibai, a leading and well-known obstetrician and researcher, invited Prof. Schiff to serve as a research and clinical fellow at the University of Tennessee. During his 2-year fellowship in the High Risk Obstetrics Department, Prof. Schiff led and published several studies with Prof. Sibai’s team. Upon returning to Israel in 1994, Prof. Schiff was appointed as the head of the High Risk Obstetrics Unit in The Sheba Medical Center. Shortly afterwards, he gained a senior lecturer degree from the Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Tel Aviv University. In 1996, Prof. Schiff was appointed as the Vice Chairman and the Head of Prenatal services in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 1998, at the age of 41, Prof. Schiff gained a Professors Degree from The University of Tel Aviv. During these years Prof. Schiff has published about 100 publications in top International literature. In 2000 Prof. Schiff took a sabbatical and dealt with the technology field, and on April 1, 2002, he was elected as the Chairman of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at The Sheba Medical Center.
Dr. Ariel Hourvitz
Prof. Gideon Rechavi Prof. Gidi Rechavi, the founder of the department, is currently the head of The Sheba Cancer Center and Professor Of Hematology. He is a specialist in Pediatrics, General Hematology and Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, head of the Tel Aviv University Cancer Biology Center, and holds the Shapiro Chair for Research in Hematologic malignancies. Under his leadership, the department of Pediatric Oncology has become the major Israeli center for treatment of childhood cancer. Prof. Rechavi is a well-known scientist in molecular biology and immunology of hematological malignancies and has co-authored more then 150 articles published in the international peer-reviewed scientific literature. E-mail - Gidi.Rechavi@sheba.health.gov.il