Critical Samples Saved in Iranian Missile Strike
Critical Samples Saved in Iranian Missile Strike
January 22, 2026
Current events, Medical Research
Prof. Ehud Ohana from BGU’s Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology
i24 News—Five years of groundbreaking research on metabolic pathways linked to chronic inflammatory diseases, including diabetes and Crohn’s disease, conducted by Prof. Ehud Ohana’s team at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), was lost after an Iranian missile strike hit BGU and Soroka Medical Center, the University’s primary teaching partner.
The June 19, 2025, attack destroyed eight operating rooms and six research laboratories. Acting with urgency and courage, BGU students rushed to save critical biological samples, preserving research that could lead to life-saving medical breakthroughs.
Prof. Ohana explained the focus of the research, saying, “Our work focuses on understanding the link between metabolism and chronic inflammatory diseases… By targeting these pathways, we may be able to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.”
The importance of this research is global. Nearly 500 million people worldwide live with type 2 diabetes, and millions more are affected by Crohn’s disease. Published in Nature Communications, the team’s findings reveal how closely metabolism is tied to inflammation, with the liver playing a central role. “The liver is a huge metabolic factory,” Prof. Ohana noted. “It converts sugar into other metabolites and clears it from the blood. If we intervene in this process, liver cells can absorb 3–4 times more sugar than usual, which could transform treatment for diabetic patients.”
Despite the destruction, BGU scientists’ determination remains unshaken. Their work continues to move forward, driven by a mission that transcends borders. As Prof. Ohana powerfully stated, “Science is a mission for us. It’s not just about Israel—it’s about advancing knowledge and helping humanity. That bigger cause drives everything we do.” In the face of devastation, BGU stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to improving lives worldwide.
Join A4BGU on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Rockville, MD, to hear directly from Prof. Ehud Ohana and his remarkable PhD student Noa Yeshoshua – REGISTER HERE
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