A first-of-its-kind international workshop in translational regenerative medicine was held this month at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, bringing together leading researchers, physician-scientists, and innovation leaders from Israel and the United States to strengthen scientific collaboration and accelerate translational research.
The workshop was a joint initiative of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM) and the Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University, the ARC Innovation Center at Sheba Medical Center, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The scientific program was led by Prof. Benjamin Dekel, director of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine and Pearl and Dr. (MD) Yechezkiel Klayman Chair of Nephro-Urology at Tel Aviv University, as well as chief of Pediatric Nephrology at Sheba Medical Center, together with Prof. Clive Svendsen, executive director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute at Cedars-Sinai.
Over two days, participants explored the latest advances in regenerative medicine across multiple disciplines, including cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, neuroscience, orthopedics, and oral and maxillofacial medicine. The program also included sessions on translational medicine, biomanufacturing, artificial intelligence in medicine and education, and clinical innovation.
Alongside the scientific presentations, participants held discussions focused on developing collaborative research projects, joint grant applications, researcher and student exchange programs, and future translational and commercialization initiatives.
The Tel Aviv University delegation included Prof. Karen Avraham, dean of the Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; Prof. Noam Shomron, Dr. Naomi Pode-Shakked, and Dr. Tomer Itkin of the Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; Prof. Lihi Adler-Abramovich of the Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine; Prof. Tal Dvir of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology; Dr. Sharon Fleischer of the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research; and Dr. Dekel Rosenfeld of the Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, reflecting the university's broad expertise in regenerative medicine and biomedical research.
"Beyond the outstanding scientific discussions, the workshop fostered an exceptional spirit of openness, collaboration, and mutual trust," Prof. Benjamin Dekel said. "These interactions have already led to new partnerships between research groups in Israel and the United States. We see this workshop as the beginning of a long-term strategic collaboration, and we have already started planning the next meeting, which will take place in Israel in 2027."
The organizers also acknowledged the contributions of Prof. Helen Goodridge (Cedars-Sinai), Oshrat Hodara-Goldberg (ARC Innovation Center, Sheba Medical Center), and Dr. Keren Shternhall-Ron (Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, Tel Aviv University) for planning, coordinating, and delivering the workshop, as well as all members of the Israeli and US delegations whose participation contributed to its success.