Blood Coagulation Research Institute Inaugurated

The Amalia Biron Blood Coagulation Research Institute at the Sheba Medical Center was inaugurated on February 18, 2004. 

The opening of the Amalia Biron Blood Coagulation Research Institute at the Sheba Medical Center gives a boost to research in this field. 

It is common knowledge that in the western world arterial blood clots are a major factor in death and disease. Arterial blood clots cause myocardial infarct and stroke. When blood clots develop in the lower extremities, whether as a result of surgical procedures, use of birth control pills, or because of a genetic tendency to blood clotting, there is danger of pulmonary embolism that can put the patient at high risk.

As a result, research institutes all over the world are studying the mechanism that maintains blood flow during normal circumstances, and causes blood to clot when injury causes hemorrhaging.

At the Sheba Medical Center (affiliated with the Tel Aviv University), researchers at the Blood Coagulation Research Institute, headed by Prof. Uriel Zeiligson, have made a unique contribution to knowledge in this field. Over a period of time researchers have examined patients with genetic disorders prevalent among the Jewish population, disorders that put them at high risk for hemorrhaging. The goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the factors that allow hemorrhaging to occur, and to develop medicine to treat patients who have blood vessel blockage resulting from blood clotting. 

At the Amalia Biron Blood Coagulation Research Center, at the Sheba Medical Center, research will focus on the genetic factors responsible for the tendency to blood clots. With time it has become increasingly evident that in the general population there are a large percentage of people with these genetic disorders. And when other factors such as lengthy airplane flights, surgery, problems with overweight, HRT, etc. are added to the equation, the tendency of the population to develop arterial blood clotting will be even more increased.

Researchers at the institute will also focus on developing ways to prevent the danger of other members of families, with a tendency towards developing blood clots, from also suffering this often fatal disease.