SCRM Inauguration

Tel Aviv University Unveils the Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine

May 17, 2022 — At its annual Board of Governors meeting, Tel Aviv University officially inaugurated the Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, a bold initiative supported by philanthropist Sami Sagol and his family. The ceremony was attended by TAU leadership, including President Ariel Porat and research VP Dan Peer, and featured a keynote by honorary doctor Katalin Karikó, who shared insights on the emerging role of mRNA in future regenerative therapies.

From left: Sami Sagol, Prof. Ariel Porat, Prof. Dan Peer Credit: Chen Galili

What the Center Means for Regenerative Medicine

The new Center is poised to accelerate the field of regenerative medicine in Israel by bridging advanced research with clinical application. Its core mission includes:

• Training and Scholarships: Establishing a dedicated MD‑PhD track and providing fellowships for medical and doctoral candidates across disciplines.

• Research & Innovation: Supporting pioneering studies in cellular therapies, tissue engineering, biomaterials, and artificial organ development through grants and state‑of‑the‑art lab facilities.

• Collaboration & Impact: Fostering partnerships between academic institutions, hospitals, and industry—both within Israel and internationally—to drive innovation forward.

At the helm is Prof. Benjamin Dekel, a distinguished physician-scientist and the Klayman Chair of Nephro-Urology. Dekel has long envisioned clinical regenerative departments, saying: “My dream is to facilitate… cure patients with technology that our brightest researchers will develop”.

Prof. Benjamin Dekel

Benefactor Sami Sagol emphasized the potential impact, remarking: “Billions are going to come into this field… because we need it: governments, businesses and other players.” Ariel Porat added that Sagol “has predicted the scientific future many years before others”.

With its ambitious scope and top-tier leadership, the Sagol Center is positioned to dramatically transform healthcare. Within the next decade, its initiatives aim to translate laboratory breakthroughs into real-world treatments—helping patients affected by heart disease, kidney failure, neurodegenerative disorders, and paralysis.

From interdisciplinary training and research funding to pioneering therapies and industry collaborations, Tel Aviv University’s Sagol Center is rapidly advancing the global promise of regenerative medicine.