For the First Time in Israel: Biobank Integrating Biological Samples and Bacteria Linked to a Database

The establishment of the biobank at the Tzafon Medical Center, in collaboration with the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, is made possible thanks to a grant of 1.5 million shekels from the Israel Innovation Authority.

This week, the Tzafon Medical Center received notification that it has won a 1.5-million-shekel grant from the Israel Innovation Authority to establish The Tzafon Data and Bio-Bank in partnership with the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. This will not only be the first biobank in northern Israel but also a unique facility that will incorporate bacterial samples in addition to biological specimens.

The project is part of the Academia, Innovation, and Research (AIR) infrastructure at Tzafon Medical Center (Poriya) and will be physically located within the Biomedical Research Institute affiliated with BIU’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. A biological sample repository is an essential and innovative tool that facilitates a wide range of research opportunities and strengthens the connection between industry and the medical field. Furthermore, biobanks play a crucial role in the commercial development of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, particularly in the era of personalized medicine.

The grant is led by Prof. Avi Peretz, Head of the AIR (Academia, Innovation, and Research) Division at Tzafon Medical Center; Dr. Hagar Tadmor, who will manage the sample repository; and Dr. Maya Azrad, who will oversee the bacterial collection. Prof. Peretz explains:

"The establishment of this biobank will be a significant leap forward for research infrastructure in northern Israel. It is expected to serve both academia and industry in medical and para-medical fields. The unique sample repository will provide a foundation for conducting complex studies and industrial developments, including research on bacterial resistance to antibiotics, bacterial strain classification using molecular methods, identification and measurement of bacterial virulence factors such as toxin production, host-pathogen interactions, and more."

In recent decades, with advancements in scientific understanding of medicine, the recognition of the importance and potential of such repositories has grown, leading to the establishment of biobanks worldwide. In Israel, only a limited number of data and biological sample repositories exist, most of which are located in central Israel. These repositories serve academic institutions and industrial companies across the country, placing the medical and academic research ecosystem in northern Israel at a disadvantage. An analysis of the Israeli market reveals that while several academic centers and industrial companies operate in northern Israel, they currently rely on acquiring samples from distant repositories. The establishment of a data and biological sample biobank in northern Israel will address a critical gap that currently lacks a solution.

"This is a highly prestigious grant that enables the medical center to establish an advanced repository, providing a foundation for researchers in Israel and abroad. The establishment of this infrastructure will also strengthen northern Israel, the biotech industry, and biomedical research, serving as a catalyst for attracting further research projects to our region," adds Prof. Avi Peretz.

Dr. Noam Yehudai:

"Thanks to the establishment of the biobank and the collaboration between AIR, Bar-Ilan University, and the Israel Innovation Authority, we will now have the infrastructure to conduct complex studies. This will allow us to provide the most precise and personalized treatment for each patient in the future. The biobank will serve as a growth engine for northern Israel, both academically and in attracting entrepreneurs, startups, and biotech companies while fostering collaborations and future data-driven research."

Photo:
Seated: Dr. Hagar Tadmor
Center: Prof. Avi Peretz
Left: Dr. Maya Azrad
Photo credit: Tzafon Medical Center