The Lab

Tel Aviv Medical Center - Ichilov Hospital

Ichilov Hospital is one of the leading medical centers in Israel, with international  reputation. Professor Ella Naparstek, the head of our Jewish Stem Cell Bank, is one of the leading transplantation doctors in Israel, and also is the head of the Hematology Institute and Bone Marrow Transplantation Department. Prof. Naparstek is a graduate of Harvard University and The National Health Institute in Washington in the studies of stem cells, blood cells and cancer cells.


Cord Blood Processing
Within an average of 48 hours from collection time, the blood is processed, tested, separated in a clean room and its stem cells cryogenically stored (frozen). But the process is by no means simple.

We utilizes a hydroxyethyl starch (Hespan®) method to reduce the number of red blood cells, isolating the nucleated white blood cell fraction, which contains the stem cells. These cells are then mixed with DMSO, the cryoprotectant, and Dextran, and stored in two special tubes. Simply put, Teva-Cell uses a medically proven, scientifically advanced process to prepare your newborn’s stem cells for storage.

Each cord blood sample is also tested to confirm the absence of microbiological contamination.

Note that human tissue (HLA) typing is not routinely performed at the time of processing, but would be necessary to confirm compatibility if the stem cells are being considered for use in treatment where the recipient is not also the donor. HLA typing may be performed via blood testing as an insurance-reimbursable cost in a typical physician-ordered transplant work-up.

Cryogenic Cord Blood Storage
To store our clients’ precious stem cells, Cryo-Cell uses special tubes. Each tube includes 5ml of stem cells. A technique called "controlled-rate freezing" is used to prepare the cells for long-term storage. Then the tubes are housed in a protective box and placed in liquid nitrogen for cryogenic (frozen) preservation. Our storage conditions are closely monitored for security and temperature. Once the stem cells are stored, the parents, as the child’s guardians, have control over their use and disposal. Initially, no stem cells will be released by Teva-Cell without the parents' consent. Once the child reaches legal age, however, control passes to him or her.

How long can cord blood stem cells be stored?
Although we currently offer a 20 year storage program, it is believed that stem cells can be successfully stored long term, perhaps decades, in a cryopreserved form, though sufficient years have not passed to prove the absolute length of time. However, a recent study of cord blood at Indiana University demonstrated its viability after 15 years of cryogenic storage. Moreover, bone marrow has been stored for decades and has remained viable—there is no reason to believe that the same would not be true of cord blood.

Hospital Guarantee

Upon completion of the process of your baby's sample Ichilov Hospital will issue to you directly a proof of success, a storage conformation of your sample, and a storage commitment for no less then 20 years.