BOG 2024: Regenerative Medicine at TAU Gets a Boost

Regenerative medicine is one of the most revolutionary areas in contemporary biomedical research. The ability to heal damaged or diseased organs by encouraging the renewal of our body's tissues—or even by creating entire organs tailored to the patient—presents us with amazing possibilities. To significantly enhance regenerative medicine research and teaching conducted across campus, the Drimmer-Fischler Family Stem Cell Core Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine was established by the Drimmer family, valued partners of TAU. The Drimmer-Fischler Laboratory was inaugurated at a ceremony during TAU's Board of Governors meeting.

Three generations of the Drimmer Family attended the ceremony: Norma Drimmer from Berlin, her children Daniel Drimmer and Deborah Fischler from Toronto, and Deborah's daughter Yasmine. Norma’s other son, Leonard, was unable to attend. The family has been contributing to Tel Aviv University's growth as a scientific powerhouse for well over a decade, starting in 2008 when Norma, along with her brother Sruel Prajs, established the Prajs-Drimmer Institute to fund research and development for drugs that would treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and ALS.

Prof. Ben Maoz: "The Center supports three different pillars. One is education for the next generation of scientists. The second pillar is the young researchers and scientists themselves. And lastly, research grants will be given for excellent science."

Thanks to the generous support of the Drimmer-Fischler families, the $1.8 million Laboratory will promote groundbreaking and innovative research toward regenerative solutions. It will facilitate entirely new capabilities to treat devastating diseases, provide a solution to the acute lack of organs available for transplant, and increase the chances of enhancing the quality of life and extending life expectancy.

It will also fund a unique fellowship for international and Israeli students chosen based on scientific excellence. At the ceremony, ten new program fellows were honored.

Deborah Fischler: "We hope that the Drimmer–Fischler Family Stem Cell Core Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine will lead to many innovative breakthroughs.  Hopefully the world will see the good that comes from Israel and how much Israel does to make the lives of everyone better."