Hadassah Transplant Unit Wins Prestigious MAVRI Research Grant from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF)
The transplant unit of Hadassah Hospital has won a prestigious MAVRI research grant from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF). The study, led by Dr. Abed Khalaileh and Dr. Ashraf Imam, will focus on the role of telomeres in liver aging processes and their impact on liver transplant outcomes, aiming to expand the pool of organs available for transplantation.
The transplant unit of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, one of the largest and most advanced in Israel, has won a prestigious MAVRI research grant from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF). The study, led by Dr. Abed Khalaileh, head of the unit, and Dr. Ashraf Imam, a senior surgeon and director of the liver transplant service, in collaboration with Prof. Dudo Tzfati from the Hebrew University, will focus on the role of telomeres—the end regions of chromosomes—in liver aging processes. The goal of the research is to deepen the understanding of aging mechanisms, improve treatment for transplant recipients, and expand the possibilities of using organs from older donors, which are currently often disqualified due to being defined as borderline. Dr. Khalaileh noted that the research was born out of daily clinical questions, and the tools developed will enable more in-depth diagnosis of liver suitability for transplantation.