Prof. Eli Pikarsky and his colleagues at the research group of the Lautenberg Center at the Medical Faculty of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem research the various functions of the immune system cells in the development of cancer by developing models that optimally simulate the various aspects of the disease in people. Cancer is formed when cells in our body acquire several mutations, which together, provide the cells with the ability to produce cancerous tissue that continues to grow in non-compatibility with the organisms' needs. The cancerous tissue contains malignant cells but also many other cells which are being "educated" by the cancerous cells to support the tumor.



As a researching physician, Pikarsky continues to practice clinical pathological activities. His researches are guided by continuous dialogue between the findings in the models and the insights from processes taking place in human tissues. His research group aims to identify mechanisms that are vital for the continued development of cancer and with which it would be possible to intervene using therapeutic methods to stop the progress of the disease.

The main findings of his research group were the discovery of the connection between transcription factors that are active is stem cells and the development of cancer, the identification of intercellular interactions through which a chronic inflammation promotes the development of cancer, and understanding the function of tertiary lymphoid follicles – which are immunologic micro-anatomical organs that develop in inflamed tissues – in the support of and in the battle against cancer.