Prof. Benjamin Dekel

Prof. Benjamin Dekel MD. Ph.D., is the Head of the Pediatric Stem cell Research Institute and the Director of the Division of Pediatric Nephrology at the Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Israel
Prof. Dekel research is in the field of human renal stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
In recent years stem cells have been shown to link various processes such as development, regeneration and tumorigenesis. 
The 'good' stem cell then become a 'bad' cancerous one as its uncontrolled clonogenic self-renewal mechanisms lead also to tumor propagation, relapse and even metastasis. 
Prof. Dekel’s lab has identified and characterized cancer stem cells that initiate and sustain human nephroblastoma. 
Unraveling their identity enabled specific targeting of the cancer stem cells using novel therapeutics which is now tested in clinical trials on patients with relapsing disease. 
Based on these studies and a PDX platform, we are now intensively identifying cancer stem cells in a variety of pediatric solid tumors including malignant rhabdoid tumors, Ewing Sarcoma, pulmonary blastoma, medulloblatoma and, as of late, even aggressive adult tumors such as triple negative breast cancer. es as well as biotechnology companies) for the development of innovative diagnostic and treatment methods.

Contact information:

Prof.  Benjamin Dekel, MD, PhD
Sheba Medical Center

Binyamin.Dekel@sheba.health.gov.il​