About us

ISGT – The Israeli Society of Gene Therapy – Aims & Actions

The Israeli Society of Gene Therapy was established in May 2002 and is a non profit organization. The Society is an organizational tool for research and clinical development in the field of Gene Therapy in the broad sense of the term.

Over the past few years, the dramatic progress in science, in general, and in molecular medicine, in particular, is increasing the prospects of treating human diseases at the molecular level. This fast development results from scientific discoveries and the development and refinement of new technologies used to deliver genes.

Researchers and clinicians dealing with basic and applied research in the field of molecular medicine need new organizational structure facilities which will enable them to develop their research. Today, one of the promising fields in the world of molecular medicine is Gene and Cell Therapy. This is a unique multidisciplinary field that incorporates basic research and the understanding of physiological and pathological processes promoting the development of models with therapeutic potential. Gene and Cell Therapy is connected today to most fields of biological and medical research, ranging from neurology, to virology, polymers, imaging and others.

A large number of Israeli researchers working in this field strongly believe that the time has come for the development of an association that will help accelerate the construction of a bridge between researchers, clinicians and advanced biotechnology. This endeavor, in turn, will have a major impact in research and development of this field in Israel. In the course of 2005, a number of clinical trials in the field of Gene and Cell Therapy took place in Israel and a few more are planned to take place in 2006 in both Israel and in other countries.

Aims

The aim of the Society is to use a multidisciplinary approach to promote and encourage cross fertilization of ideas among investigators for the future widespread application of gene therapy in the treatment of various human diseases.

Actions

The scientific challenges confronting Gene and Cell Therapy are quite extensive. The Society's areas of research activities are very broad and include Gene and Cell Therapy, Stem Cell treatments using all means and approaches, as long as they are in keeping with the laws of the State of Israel, the ethical codes of the Israel Academy of Science and Humanities and of the international scientific community.

Below is a description of the Society's activities:

1.  Annual Conference – The Society organizes an annual national conference which includes choice plenary session lectures, lectures that were selected from submitted abstracts and a poster session. A syllabus which includes all the abstracts derived from the lectures will be distributed to the members of the Society prior to the conference. At the conference, prizes will be awarded by the Society to young scientists (M.S.c. and Ph.D. Students). The Society makes every effort to publish the abstracts in international scientific journals.
   
2. Members of the Society – The Society accepts researchers, clinicians, students and/or any person interested in the field of Gene and Cell Therapy. In addition, industrial companies and governmental entities, philanthropic organizations and others are also welcome to become members.
3.  The Society develops databases such as:
   A. Database of vectors, viruses and cell lines.
   B. Useful Internet sites.
   C. Israeli and International relevant laws in the field of Gene and Cell Therapy. 
4. The Society maintains an interactive Internet site that includes:
   A. Professional information
   B. Information about the Society's conferences
   C. Information about potential employment in the field
   D. Connection to other foundations
   E. Connection to relevant databases
   F. Questions & Answers forum. 
5. The Society maintains contact with other national foundations such as Ilanit / FISEB - Federation of Israeli Societies for Experimental Biology; and international foundations such as BSGT, ASGT, ESGT and others. The aim of these ties is to strengthen scientific relations, cooperate on joint courses and workshops, international activity with regard to regulatory issues, as well as to receive joint grants.  
6. The Society is involved in regulation and legislation on a national level, through the Ministry of Health, and in Europe through the EMEA. 
7. The Society enhances awareness of this field among grant giving entities, such as the Ministry of Science that supports a National Center for Gene & Cell Therapy.  
   

Ways of Action
 

1. The Board manages the Society's affairs and includes a president, secretary, treasurer, audit committee, scientific board chairman and awards board chairman. These members are elected at a general assembly, which gathers once a year at the annual scientific conference.
2. Funding: The Society is run by its members on a purely voluntary basis. Operating expenses are defrayed by membership fees, sponsorships and donations. 
3. Annual membership fees are determined once a year at the General Assembly which meets at the annual scientific conference.