New Supplement May Alleviate Calcium Deficiency and Accelerate Bone Repair
New Supplement May Alleviate Calcium Deficiency and Accelerate Bone Repair
May 17, 2012
BGU’s Prof. Amir Sagi, an internationally known endocrinologist from the Department of Life Sciences, has long investigated crustacean reproduction and hormones. Working on crustacean aquaculture in Israel’s Arava region (the hottest and driest area), he found a project idea growing way beyond the initial research.
How, he wondered, do crayfish accomplish the extraordinary feat of building a new, bigger skeleton in only three or four days?
“They must calcify their entire skeleton in that short time. We studied their solution: storing a pellet in their stomachs, a gastrolith, which is dissolved when they molt. The process inspired us to make calcium similarly available for human consumption, both from natural resources or synthesis in the lab.”
In collaboration with Dr. Amir Berman of BGU’s Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Sagi succeeded in stabilizing a rare form of calcium carbonate that is more easily absorbed by the human body, and may alleviate calcium deficiency and accelerate bone injury repair.
The research has earned four patents, and Sagi co-founded a BGU-based startup company called Amorphical to develop new products. The business has drawn $3 million in investment so far.
Sagi hopes to have the first product on the market this year. He sees a potential to revolutionize the vitamin supplement market, and is researching pharmaceutical possibilities.
“The future for Israel is in special products like this—niche high-income products,” he believes. “We cannot compete with countries that have unlimited water, cheap space and cheap manpower. But we can do very well with niche specialty markets.”
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
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