TEL HASHOMER, ISRAEL The Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer today dedicated a magnificent new building for its leading Center for Lipid and Atherosclerosis Treatment and Research. Named for the late Bert W. Strassburger of Germany, the curved glass-and-steel ultra-modern building was donated by Bert Strassburger's son Robbie, of Israel. More than 200 dignitaries and guests were on hand as Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau affixed the mezuzah at the main entrance to the building. Sheba CEO Prof. Zeev Rotstein delivered the main dedication address.

The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center at Sheba integrates a sophisticated patient care program with advanced scientific research into lipid metabolism disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The Center integrates a lipid clinic, a service laboratory, and research laboratories. Since its founding in 1993, the center has gained nation-wide recognition as the leading Israeli center in this field; and this year, the Israel Ministry of Health is to formally designate the Sheba center as the Israel National Center for Lipids.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the Western world. More than 10,000 Israelis die each year from the disease and its many complications.

Founded and directed by Prof. Dror Harats, the Sheba center is engaged both in primary and secondary preventive programs for cardiovascular diseases; in the diagnosis and treatment of complicated cases of lipid disorders; and in sophisticated biochemical and genetic testing. Prof. Harats diagnosed the first cases of Congenital Deficiency of Lipoprotein Lipase (a critical enzyme in lipid metabolism) – a diagnosis which has allowed for live-saving treatment of ill newborns; the ApoCll and ApoB48 genetic mutations; and of severe pregnancy-related Hyperlipidemia (type V dyslipidemia) that causes recurrent miscarriages in women.

Prof. Harats' laboratories are actively engaged in research of lipoproteins metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis, hypolipidemic drugs, targeting therapeutic genes to the vascular wall, and the development and progression of the atherosclerotic lesion. His labs are accredited by the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and they provide blood lipid profiling services to all medical centers in Israel.

Prior to the dedication ceremony, the Israel Association for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis, of which Prof. Harats is chairman, held its annual conference at the Sheba Medical Center.