Institutions press forward with groundbreaking joint project conceived during the Governor's economic development roundtable in Israel
- Effort builds off complementary expertise in cancer, genomics, bioinformatics
- Focus is development of computational approaches to studying tumor genomics
- Findings could have significance for treatment of cancer and age-related disease
NEW YORK and BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Tauber Bioinformatics Research Center at University of Haifa and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York have launched a joint collaboration which will couple the expertise in cancer, genomics and biomedical research at Roswell Park and in bioinformatics at University of Haifa.
This important collaborative work will be supported in part by a $150,000 grant from Roswell Park to the Tauber Research Center. University of Haifa has also secured an investment from long-time friend Professor Alfred Tauber to support this critical project. The two organizations have been formally working together since Roswell Park President and CEO Candace S. Johnson, PhD, joined the governor of New York for his solidarity visit to Israel in July 2019 to explore opportunities for economic and research collaboration between New York and Israel.
“I’m proud of the sweeping series of new economic partnerships that our discussions made possible,” the governor wrote in a letter to Dr. Leonid Brodsky, Director of University of Haifa’s Tauber Bioinformatics Research Center. “I look forward to continuing our important work to strengthen our two economies and reinforce our solidarity during this critical time.”
The new collaborative research program will be focused on the development of new computational genomic approaches to the analysis of tumor “retrobiome” — inherited vestiges of ancient viruses that may be a key factor in how some cancers arise and grow. The Roswell Park team will provide University of Haifa’s Tauber Bioinformatics Research Center with whole genome sequencing data of DNA and RNA of tumors and matching normal tissues as part of preclinical and/or clinical studies. University of Haifa's recently developed computational tools will enable quantitative assessment for the degree of activity and expansion of retrobiome in tumors versus normal tissues of the same organism and identify those specific subfamilies of retroelements that are specifically active in particular cancer types.
The resulting findings may have significance not only for cancer care but for other age-related diseases and aging-associated frailty.
“University of Haifa’s Tauber Bioinformatics Research Center is delighted to embark on such a high-profile collaboration with an institute as renowned as Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a scientist as distinguished as Prof. Andrei Gudkov,” says Dr. Leonid Brodsky. “This partnership is at the forefront of U.S. and Israeli research collaboration and with the developed computational tools, I am confident, it will enable life-changing discoveries which enhance our understanding of cancer types and genomic alterations in tumor’s cells.”
“I was honored to join the governor for his trip to Israel last year. Great cancer research relies on team science and the collective efforts of passionate researchers who bring different perspectives to a shared mission,” says Roswell Park’s Dr. Johnson. “The strengths of the Tauber Center and of the Roswell Park team working under the vision of Dr. Gudkov are highly complementary, and already represent an important and groundbreaking alliance.”
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About University of Haifa
University of Haifa is a world-class university dedicated to academic excellence and social responsibility. The University expands educational opportunities and upward mobility for all members of society, secures and stabilizes the north of the country, and serves as an example of tolerance and coexistence in Israel and the entire region.
About American Society of the University of Haifa
American Society of the University of Haifa is dedicated to helping University of Haifa expand its position as a world-class academic institution. ASUH cultivates relationships, secures financial support, and serves as the vital connection among the University and its friends, supporters, alumni and partners in the United States.
About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.
Annie Deck-Miller, Senior Media Relations Manager
716-845-8593; annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org