Bridging Science Across Continents: Israeli Experts Join Forces with JCRC on Sickle Cell Disease, Haematology and Gene Therapy
Published by BILU Uganda
On Monday, 2 November 2026, the Boardroom at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Kampala became a meeting point for two continents. Leading Israeli specialists in paediatric haematology, oncology, molecular medicine and gene therapy sat down with JCRC's senior scientists and clinicians for a day built around one question: how can we work together to prevent, treat and ultimately cure sickle cell disease (SCD) and other blood disorders?
The result was a day full of ideas, generous offers and practical openings for the future.
Where the idea began
The engagement was initiated by Amb. Mirjam Blaak Sow, Uganda's Ambassador and Head of Mission in Brussels, who coordinates Uganda's relations with the Benelux countries. Her vision was to connect Ugandan research institutions with world-class expertise. Although she could not attend in person, she was represented at the meeting by Mr. Tumusiime Jacob a biomedical research scientist from the JCRC.
The programme itself was developed by Dr. Shay, Head of BILU Uganda, who also coordinated all the visiting scientists, both those who travelled to Kampala and those who joined from Israel online.
Meet the guest scientists
Prof. Shai Izraeli, MD (in person) is Director Emeritus of the Rina Zaizov Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, and holds the Dora and Gregorio Shapiro Chair of Hematological Malignancies in the Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University.
Dr. Joanne Yacobovich, MD, MPH (in person) is Chief of the Rina Zaizov Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Schneider Children's Medical Center, Head of the Molecular Hematology Laboratory at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center in Petah Tikva, and Chair of the Israeli Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ISPHO).
Prof. Ayal Hendel, PhD (online) of the Department of Genome Editing and Gene Therapy at Bar-Ilan University, joined the meeting virtually and brought the perspective of cutting-edge genome editing.
A day of learning and exchange
The visit opened with a tour of JCRC's SCD inpatient and outpatient departments, its laboratories and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, giving the guests a first-hand view of the work already under way. After a prayer, introductions and opening remarks on the purpose of the visit, JCRC presented its research activities, future programmes and the real challenges of delivering research in a resource-limited setting.
The guests then shared their own work. Prof. Izraeli outlined future scientific approaches to SCD management and institutional collaboration. Dr. Yacobovich described the research opportunities at Schneider Medical Center as a foundation for partnership. Prof. Hendel presented CRISPR-based approaches for targeted SCD therapies, offering a glimpse of where the science is heading. A lively plenary discussion followed on how each side's strengths can be combined to advance SCD prevention, treatment and cure-driven research.
The meeting involved all JCRC department directors and team leads working in haematology and cell and gene therapy, so the conversation reached the very people who will carry the work forward.
What was offered
The guests left JCRC with more than goodwill. They put concrete opportunities on the table.
Mentorship: Prof. Izraeli promised mentorship for JCRC staff in haematology.
Publishing: He extended an opportunity for JCRC to publish in the journal Hematology, described as the third biggest journal globally in the field.
Case discussions: JCRC can regularly organise case discussions with his international network in oncohaematology.
Grant guidance: He offered support and guidance to help JCRC prepare successful grant applications.
Capacity building: Prof. Hendel and Dr. Yacobovich invited JCRC teams to their laboratories for training and knowledge sharing.
The road ahead
The Executive Director of JCRC expressed deep gratitude for the offers and made a clear point in closing: the opportunities are real, and it is now up to JCRC to strategise and make full use of them. Turning mentorship, publications, case discussions and laboratory visits into better outcomes for patients will take planning, commitment and follow-through.
BILU Uganda is proud to have helped bring this partnership to life. We thank Amb. Mirjam Blaak Sow for her vision, Prof. Izraeli, Dr. Yacobovich and Prof. Hendel for their generosity, and the JCRC leadership and team for their warm welcome. This is the beginning of a conversation that we hope will bring hope to patients living with sickle cell disease and other blood disorders in Uganda and beyond.
Follow BILU Uganda for updates as this collaboration develops.
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