The Zigdon Lab

Studying Methodologies to Induce Bone Regeneration

Principal Investigator: Dr. Hadar Zigdon-Giladi

The Zigdon lab (Bone Regeneration Lab) is located at the Clinical Research Institute at Rambam (CRIR).

Our general aim is to study methods to induce bone regeneration following fractures and severe trauma to bone using scaffolds, cells and growth factors. Specifically, we study the ability of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to enhance bone regeneration. EPCs have been identified in adult bone marrow and in peripheral blood. EPCs have proliferation capacity, immaturity and participate in vessel formation in the pre and post-natal periods. Therefore, EPCs are perfect candidate to contribute to all regenerative procedure. Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrated the efficacy of EPCs to regenerate bone in a critical-size gap in rodents and large animal models.

Currently our research expanded to investigate the mechanism of EPCs in bone and blood vessel formation and to analyze the phenotype and genotype of these cells.

Our team is made of clinicians (MD) and researchers (PhD) with various expertise. We also collaborate with other leading laboratories, researchers and industries worldwide. Our vision is to improve treatments that involve bone regeneration in orthopedic, maxillofacial and neurosurgery. We envision taking cell therapy to the next level from the bench to the bed.

Meet the Zigdon Lab Team>

Research Projects

Phenotype and genotype characteristics of EPCs from different donors: This study aims to compare the genotype, phenotype and function of endothelial progenitor cells that were isolated from unrelated human donors. We found slight differences in the proliferation and migration capacities of cells from different donors. More significant differences were observed in cells' phenotype.

Revealing the pathogenesis of MRONJ: The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of medications on oral keratinocytes and gingival fibroblasts. Specifically to follow cells migration, proliferation and expression of genes that associate with wound healing.

Identify the molecule that modulates recruitment of endogenous MSCs and EPCs, revealing the molecular mechanism of MSC-EPCs interactions as a preliminary platform for a novel cell-free technology for bone regeneration.

Crosstalk between osteosarcoma cells and EPCs: We hypothesize that EPCs may contribute to tumor aggressiveness and metastasis by secretion of proangiogenic factors. We examine the presence of EPCs in osteosarcoma and correlate their levels with disease aggressiveness.

The influence of bisphosphonates on IFN β levels in inflammatory macrophages, as part of MRONJ disease phathogenesis: The aim of the study is to explore the effect of bisphosphonates on macrophage function, as part of shedding light on MRONJ pathogenesis.

Dr. Hadar Zigdon

Hadar Zigdon-Giladi (D.M.D., Ph.D) is a periodontal surgeon and researcher in the field of bone regeneration, and the Deputy Director, in the Department of Periodontology at Rambam Health Care Campus. She is also a clinical instructor in the Department of Periodontology, Head of the Laboratory for Bone Repair in the School of Graduate Dentistry at Rambam, and a member of the Clinical Research Institute at Rambam (CRIR) were she performs her research.

After graduating from the Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University in 2001, she completed a post graduate periodontology program in the Department of Periodontology, School of Graduate Dentistry, at Rambam Health Care Campus (2008), and her Periodontology Specialist Certificate from the European Federation of Periodontology (2008). She received her PhD from the Technion’s Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine (2012), focusing on bone regeneration using adult stem cells.

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