Dr. Ruty Shai
E-mail: Ruty.shai@sheba.health.gov.il
Phone: 03-5307028
Position: Head Brain Cancer Molecular Medicine Laboratory
Dr. Ruty Shai incorporates state-of-the-art technologies into her work in order to develop new therapeutic approaches and apply them to brain cancer translational research. These include determination of genes involved in pathogenesis of brain cancer, discovery of molecular pathways and potentially new therapeutic targets for molecular based diagnosis, prognosis and treatment administration.
Research Interests:
Development of new therapeutic approaches for pediatric brain cancer.
- Revealing the potential of a simple blood test for Early Detection and Easy follow-ups and longitudinal assessment of the tumor state
- With the support of Israel Innovation Authority Kamin grant funding, we have showed preclinical efficacy of a potential SiRNA treatment that can inhibit pediatric brain tumor growth and spread.
- Interrogation of the brain tumor ecosystem including metabolism, vasculature, immune responses and the microbiome.
- Novel approach in Nano-medicine: oral delivery of proteinoid nanocapsules containing synergistic drugs for personalized brain cancer.
- Mentoring students. My goal is to inspire students to explore the frontiers of medical research, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in healthcare. I am convinced that by instilling scientific thinking, fostering discovery, and promoting independent problem-solving skills, we contribute to shaping tomorrow's doctors who will be better equipped with the latest research findings.
Education:
2011-present, Research Director, The Brain Cancer Molecular Medicine Lab, Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
2010-2015, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Research Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Institute of Genetic Medicine, USA
2010-2011, Scientific Executive, Diagnostic Laboratory of Hy Lab and Patholab, Rehovot, Israel
2006-2010, Assistant Professor of Research Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Institute of Genetic Medicine, USA
2003-2007, Co Director of the Molecular Biology Core at the Research Center for Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, USA
2002-2008, Director of the Microarray Core Facility, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Institute of Genetic Medicine, USA
Affiliations:
International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC); Diagnostics Scientific Committee. A global collaborative initiative launched in 2011 by the European Commission and the US National Institutes of Health to tackle rare diseases.
Dr. Shai promotes the childhood brain cancer as a rare disease Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN); Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) - A collaborative, multi-institutional research program dedicated to the study and treatment of childhood brain tumors.
Research Grants & Awards:
2021-2024, Israel Innovation Authority, Preventing metastasis in medulloblastoma, 840,000 NIS
2019-2020, Israel Ministry of Health, Rationalized treatment in pediatric cancer, 300,000 NIS
2018, Wine award, Sensitization of pediatric GBM to TMZ by zinc, 157,000 NIS
2018, Danino award, Pediatric medulloblastoma research, 115,000 NIS
2017, The outstanding employee of Sheba Medical Center for persistent dedication, initiatives and unique contributions
2017, Minz award, Translational research in pediatric brain cancer using animal models and imaging system, 186,000 NIS
2016, Novel brain cancer treatment, Gesner, 80,000 NIS
2015, cMYC regulation by miR-34 in Burkitt’s lymphoma lacking an identifiable MYC rearrangement, Varda and Boaz Dotan, 100,000 NIS
Publications:
Here is a link to the publications of Dr. Ruty Shai
