The clinical research activities comprise a large range of novel therapeutic studies; some of these are observational while others are therapeutic, based on cross-fertilization that occurs between the clinicians and the scientists (M.D.’s and Ph.D’s).

The Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis and Research of Hematological Malignancies: Molecular development and implementation of diagnostic tests detecting specific gene changes associated with a wide range of leukemias and lymphomas. Focus is placed on the genes of the DNA repair system, the p53 pathway and studies on a newly found gene which encodes an inhibition of apoptosis protein (IAP).

Hereditary anemias (thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies) Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory:  Molecular diagnosis of alpha and beta thalassemia. Biology of globin gene regulation. Genetic analysis of Ashkenazim and other Israeli ethnic groups for alpha thalassemia. Search for genetic modifiers of globin gene expression. Innovations in prenatal diagnosis.

Multidrug Resistance and Genetic Predisposition to Leukemia: Relationship of drug resistance genes to prognosis of HIV patients. Investigation of the genetic basis for development of hematological malignancies and chemotherapy resistance.  Studies on the use of SV40-based pseudoviral vectors for transfer of the MDR1 gene.

Coagulation Laboratory: Studies on platelet interaction with vessel wall under physiological flow conditions including interactions with tumor cells and the role of platelets in angiogenesis. Development of a novel method and a device which allows the study of the following interactions: The effect of thrombogenic modulators including  homocystein and oxidized LDL on platelet adhesion to endothelial cells, under defined flow conditions. 

The laboratory for immunophenotyping of leukemias/lymphomas and other hematological diseases: Detection of surface and intracellular antigens on normal and malignant cells for quantification of sub-population diagnosis of hematological malignancies. Developing techniques for measuring the production of free radicals in cell populations, granulocytes and in RBC.

Laboratory for hematopoiesis: Developing unique techniques for culturing of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for diagnostic purposes and for monitoring various drugs. Inhibition of differentiation for ex-vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells and of progenitor cells.

Clinical research in Thalassemia:

Hypercoagulable state in thalassemia, iron overload – chelation therapy, induction of fetal Hb synthesis for the treatment of thalassemia, oxidation  and macrophage activation, measurements of free radical.  Bone disease in thalassemia.

The Gene Therapy Laboratory: Development of somatic gene therapy - an innovative SV40 pseudo viral vector, and the development of specific vectors for various target diseases.

Mount Scopus Research Laboratory: Study of Serum amyloid A (SAA) the precursor protein in AA-type amyloidosis which develops secondary to chronic inflammation. Study of SAA expression in cancer, its role in tumor cell invasion and platelet adhesion and neutrophil activities. Development of SAA as a disease marker and therapeutic target.

RESEARCH AREAS