Psifas Israeli Biobank for Genomic Research and Personalized Medicine
We are elevating medical and biotech research for a healthier tomorrow
Welcome to Psifas
At Psifas, we are committed to enhancing global health by providing unmatched high quality clinical and genomic data. Our unique platform combines Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) with deep, multidimensional, and longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) to drive groundbreaking medical research and discoveries.
Welcome to Psifas
At Psifas, we are committed to enhancing global health by providing unmatched high quality clinical and genomic data. Our unique platform combines Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) with deep, multidimensional, and longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) to drive groundbreaking medical research and discoveries.
About Us
What Is the Psifas Israeli Biobank?
The Psifas Israeli virtual biobank is a nonprofit, Universities-controlled research-driven initiative established as a centralized platform for clinical and genomic research. It integrates real-world clinical data, electronic health records (EHR), and high-quality data of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). With the capacity to recruit over 70,000 individuals annually, this virtual biobank offers researchers access to diverse population data, advancing impactful, data-driven discoveries in medicine and public health.
Operating under an open informed consent framework, Psifas retains the ability to recontact participants to invite them to take part in future studies. It also serves as a comprehensive infrastructure for clinical studies, providing services such as patient recruitment and sample collection tailored to specific study requirements. Its integrated framework empowers both academic and industry researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in precision medicine and healthcare innovation.
Funders
Universities
Clinicians
Researchers
Hospitals &
HMO
Industry
Patients
Funders
Clinicians
Hospitals & HMO
Universities
Researchers
Industry
Our Vision
Psifas envisions the creation of a national clinical-genomic database that seamlessly connects healthcare systems with cutting-edge scientific research. By enabling secure, structured access to comprehensive clinical and genetic data, the initiative fosters meaningful collaboration across academia and industry – advancing innovation in personalized medicine, biotechnology and public health in Israel.
The Clinical Genomic Database
A Research Asset
At Psifas, we are committed to advancing global health by providing researchers with access to high-quality clinical and genomic data. Our robust infrastructure integrates Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) with rich, multidimensional Electronic Health Records (EHR), creating a comprehensive clinical-genomic database. This unique combination enables exploration of genotype–phenotype relationships, real-world treatment outcomes, and drives transformative research in precision medicine.
Israel Reference Genome Study (IRGS)
The IRGS is a cornerstone project of Psifas, mapping the genetic diversity of over 60 Israeli sub-populations. By creating a population-specific genomic reference, the study lays the foundation for accurate variant interpretation and inclusive genomic medicine.
A Research Bridge Between Genomic Data and Real-World Medicine
By integrating over 20 years of high-quality clinical data with comprehensive genomic datasets, Psifas provides a robust and enriched platform for real-world evidence studies. This unique combination enables researchers to move beyond theoretical associations and test real-life outcomes, treatment responses, and patient journeys across diverse populations. By bridging the gap between genomic data and longitudinal EHRs, Psifas supports the next generation of translational medicine.
Advancing Personalized Medicine
Through Targeted Clinical Studies
As part of its mission to drive personalized medicine, Psifas supports a growing number of targeted clinical studies focused on specific patient populations. These investigator-initiated projects enrich the national biobank by gathering complementary clinical, lifestyle, and environmental data, along with optional new biological samples.
Current and upcoming studies explore complex and rare conditions such as myelodysplastic syndromes, uveitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and autoimmune responses to immunotherapy. Conducted in collaboration with leading hospitals and research institutions, each study is IRB-approved and supported by standardized CRFs, centralized monitoring, and an efficient patient recruitment process.
By integrating structured clinical data with genomic insights, these studies help transform real-world evidence into actionable knowledge that supports innovation in personalized healthcare and precision medicine.
Designed for Global-Scale Discovery
Israel’s centralized healthcare system, combined with Psifas’s scalable sequencing infrastructure and standardized ethical protocols, makes it one of the few places in the world where new multi-center prospective studies can be initiated quickly and effectively. Whether validating AI-driven biomarkers or exploring rare variant penetrance in specific cohorts, Psifas offers a trusted environment to launch data-driven collaborations with global relevance.
Collaborations, Ethics, and Research Opportunities
Psifas collaborates with leading hospitals, academic institutions, biotech companies, and personalized medicine partners in Israel and abroad. By integrating large-scale genomic sequencing with longitudinal health data, Psifas provides researchers and industry partners with secure access to comprehensive biobank infrastructure. This data is made accessible through Psifas’s research rooms, which operate with state-of-the-art technology and world-class security standards. Our mission is to empower innovation through easy access to high-quality resources, while promoting ethical, impactful, and globally relevant genomic research.
Collaborations, Ethics, and Research Opportunities
Psifas collaborates with leading hospitals, academic institutions, and biotech companies in Israel and abroad. Our mission is to empower innovation through easy access to high-quality biobank resources, promoting ethical and impactful genomic research.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Psifas Israeli Biobank?
Psifas is a national Israeli biobank combining whole genome sequencing (WGS) with electronic health records (EHR) to support clinical and genomic research in personalized medicine.
Who can access Psifas data?
Access is granted to academic researchers, hospitals, and industry partners. Each request is reviewed for scientific merit and regulatory compliance and being approved by IRB committee.
How is participant consent handled?
All volunteers provide open informed consent, including future recontact for additional studies, ensuring both flexibility and transparency.
How diverse is Psifas’s population data?
The Psifas biobank includes up to 60 Israeli sub-populations, representing diverse ethnic origins and enabling advanced ethnic-specific genetic analyses.
What kind of clinical data is included?
Psifas integrates structured EHR data, diagnosis and treatment histories, lab results, lifestyle factors, and other longitudinal clinical insights.
Does Psifas support international collaborations?
Yes, Psifas actively partners with global institutions to advance genomic research, offering a unique Israeli dataset with high-resolution sequencing and deep clinical metadata.
How can I collaborate with Psifas on a research project?
You can submit a collaboration request through our contact page. Projects involving patient recruitment, bio-samples collection, sequencing, or targeted cohort studies are welcome.
What genomic technologies are used in Psifas?
Psifas uses high-resolution Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) with a 30x coverage standard. Sequencing is performed in CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited labs to ensure data quality and consistency.
Is phenotype-genotype correlation possible within Psifas?
Yes. Researchers can access longitudinal clinical data linked to genomic profiles, enabling analysis of genotype–phenotype associations, disease progression, and treatment outcomes.
Which data can be collected in prospective studies with Psifas?
In addition to WGS, and standard clinical data such as diagnosis codes, treatment history, and lab results, Psifas can collect a wide range of biosamples, lifestyle information, and survey data, offering end-to-end CRO capabilities.
Are specific disease cohorts available for research?
Yes. The Psifas database includes a significant number of participants diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and certain rare diseases. New cohorts can also be initiated upon request with IRB approval.
How is participant privacy protected?
Data is un-identified and stored in secure cloud environments (AWS). Access is controlled and audited, and all data made available to researchers in Lifebit’s research environment is fully anonymized
What types of collaboration models are available?
Psifas offers data access and service-based collaborations under flexible structure to accommodate academic and industry partners’ needs.
What is the typical timeframe to access data?
After proposal submission and IRB approval, data access typically begins within 2-4 weeks. Psifas provides onboarding support and secure access to approved datasets.
Does Psifas require any rights to research outputs resulting from the use of its database?
No. Psifas does not claim any ownership over the findings of the research. However, if a study is published, it must acknowledge that the research was conducted based on Psifas database.
Partner with Psifas
Access, Collaboration & Contact
Learn more about how can you access our database, or how can you partner with us to prospectively recruit patients’ volunteers sequencing infrastructure and how to collaborate with the Psifas Israeli Biobank team.