MEDICAL RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH SERVICES FUND BY THE SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER

Their core work

Sheba Medical Center's research fund drives translational biomedical research, bridging clinical medicine with molecular biology and genomics. Their core work spans inflammatory bowel disease (particularly Crohn's disease), rare genetic disorders, and epitranscriptomics — the study of RNA modifications that regulate gene expression. They operate as both a clinical research site contributing patient data and biological samples, and as a principal investigator-led laboratory pursuing fundamental discoveries in RNA biology and autoimmune disease mechanisms. Their involvement in the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases also positions them as a contributor to pan-European research infrastructure for diagnostics and data sharing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earlier H2020 period (2015–2017), Sheba's work was clinically oriented — treatment optimization for Crohn's disease (BIOCYCLE), neurorehabilitation technologies (PACE), and brain-computer interfaces (MAMEM). From 2017 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward molecular and genetic mechanisms: epitranscriptomics (m1ARNA), long non-coding RNA (cureCD), gene therapy for rare diseases (RECOMB), and diagnostic algorithm development for autoimmune conditions (VirA). This represents a clear move from clinical trials and device-oriented research toward fundamental molecular biology with translational potential.

Sheba is deepening its molecular biology capabilities, particularly in RNA modifications and non-coding RNA, suggesting future collaborations should target epitranscriptomics, precision medicine, and gene therapy applications.

How they like to work

Sheba primarily joins consortia as a participant (6 of 9 projects), but has demonstrated leadership capacity by coordinating two ERC-funded projects (m1ARNA and cureCD) — both in their strongest research areas. With 196 unique consortium partners across 36 countries, they maintain a wide and diverse network rather than relying on repeated partnerships. This makes them a flexible collaborator who can bring clinical infrastructure and patient access to large European consortia while independently leading ambitious fundamental research.

Sheba has collaborated with 196 unique partners across 36 countries, indicating a genuinely pan-European (and beyond) network. As an Israeli institution, they serve as a key non-EU associated country bridge, connecting Middle Eastern clinical expertise with European research consortia.

What sets them apart

Sheba Medical Center is one of the Middle East's largest hospitals, which gives their research fund something most European research centers cannot offer: access to a genetically diverse patient population and a clinical environment that spans from bench to bedside within one institution. Their dual strength in fundamental RNA biology (ERC grants) and clinical disease management (Crohn's, rare diseases) makes them valuable for projects that need both molecular discovery and clinical validation under one roof. Few partners can offer ERC-level molecular research combined with a 2,000-bed hospital's clinical data infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• m1ARNA
  Their largest project (EUR 2.5M ERC Starting Grant) pioneering research on N1-methyladenosine RNA modifications — a relatively new and competitive field in epitranscriptomics.
• cureCD
  ERC-funded coordinator role (EUR 1.5M) investigating long non-coding RNA in Crohn's disease ulcers, combining their two strongest domains: IBD and RNA biology.
• EJP RD
  Participation in the flagship European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases connects Sheba to the continent's largest rare disease research infrastructure and FAIR data initiatives.