IMBM's main purposes
The main purposes of IMBM are biomathematical research of cellular, immunological and cancer growth processes, R&D of optimization methods for therapy of cancer and pathogenic diseases, and R&D of optimization methods for vaccination programs.
Facing the challenge
Through interdisciplinary scientific research, which cannot be adequately undertaken in traditional contexts, IMBM aims to influence the direction of biomedical development in Israel and abroad. It focuses on those areas that can encourage new concepts in medicine and can bridge the gap between science, high-tech industry and practical applications with the aim of solving the most urgent clinical needs.
Responding to urgent needs
Research made by the founders of IMBM provides new ways of defining better treatment for cancer and infectious diseases. Cancer is an increasingly prevalent disease. Infectious diseases, such as HIV, are still waiting for solutions from modern medicine. Current disciplines follow the long and inefficient route of trial and error for defining therapeutic protocols and vaccination strategies. Thus, despite better prognosis for these diseases, we are still facing bewildering statistics, which are especially frustrating bearing in mind the tremendous medical, scientific and financial efforts made so far.
Following the path taken by its founders, IMBM opens the gate to a new approach for solving these problems based on analytical methods rather than the traditional experimental methods. These methods, constituting a breakthrough in shortening the way for optimizing chemotherapy and vaccination strategies, will hopefully aid in improving treatment strategies.
Searching for a new approach, bringing new hope
Cancer chemotherapy is an intricate problem, and no intuitive ways exist to evaluate how small changes in the treatment protocols will affect prognosis.
IMBM will apply the most advanced analytical methods, making a symbiosis of biology, medicine and mathematics, for optimizing therapeutic protocols in cancer and infectious diseases, optimizing medical intervention in the bone marrow and optimizing vaccination strategies.
Joining forces, creating the best team
The unique independent nature of IMBM is the result of a desire and plan to encourage scientists, clinicians, pharmacists and industry leaders to contribute to this important endeavor, and join forces in this exciting mission.
The institute will include a core of scientists dedicated to its activities, and will enjoy the creativity and dynamics of scientists who will participate in the research for specific projects and during their sabbatical and post-doctorate periods.
The founder of IMBM, Prof. Zvia Agur, has also founded the Israeli Society of Theoretical and Mathematical Biology, has been its president (1996-2001) and is active in the Board of Directors of the European Society of Mathematical and Theoretical Biology. Her original and innovative research work has received prestigious awards, and is recognized by the academic community worldwide.
Scientists from various fields have already been committed to activity in the framework of IMBM, either as full-time members or as participants in various programs and projects.
The support of the deeply involved Trustees is essential for the Institute's success. Among them are members of the U.S.A Academy of Science, the Israeli Academy of Science, chief editors of most celebrated biomathematical journals, top scientists at world leading medical centers and computer industries and more.
Applying advanced research
Medical biomathematics is a new science, which by adapting theoretical mathematical models is making remarkable inroads into some of the most intractable areas of immunology and cancer research.
IMBM's work is not about the discovery or synthesis of new wonder drugs, but a radical departure from the established norms of molecular biology. It rests on the concept supported by recent research, that by mathematically investigating the major dynamics in the body of a patient undergoing medical intervention it is possible to rationalize optimal treatment strategies. To date, the results from this approach have been very favorable.
Exciting innovative projects
IMBM's projects have been defined to focus on the most concrete and practical needs of modern medicine. Among these is a project that will offer a software package with efficient algorithms for automatically defining optimal chemotherapy protocols. Another project creates a sophisticated software package to be used in medical centers for predicting bone-marrow regeneration capacity following specific interventions.
Creating concrete solutions
IMBM was established with the defined mission of directing its innovative methods and tools for the benefit and practical use of the medical and pharmaceutical community. The commercialization of the methods developed from the R&D performed by IMBM is channeled through an affiliate commercial company. Optimata Ltd.
Supporting the independent nature of IMBM
IMBM has already secured its basic funding by obtaining on-going annual support from a European fund. The founders have allocated adequate facilities and equipment needed for the initial planned research and development activity.
Additional funding is obtained through various government and international agencies; grants from research institutes; grants from companies wishing to outsource research projects; post-doctorate and sabbatical programs; graduate student activities; corporate affiliate programs; companies taking part in conferences and workshops and seeking access to a forum for collaboration with the institute.
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