Pillars of Excellence
Research
Genetics/Diseases: A project to map and characterize genes that cause genetic diseases in Israel in both Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi populations is underway by staff at the Department of Genetics, under the direction of Prof. Motti Shohat. Breakthroughs have been achieved in identifying genes responsible for maternally transmitted deafness, mental retardation, learning disabilities, renal failure, and dysplasia (skeleton deformity), providing the possibility for preventing such conditions in the future.
Liver/Hepatitis C: Researchers have discovered an important viral protein, the Hepatitis C serine protease, which transforms normal cells into malignant ones. They analyze the protease activity and screen various natural compounds and synthetic agents for their ability to inhibit the virus. Research is being conducted under the direction of Prof. Ran Tur-Caspa, Director of the Liver Institute and the Department of Medicine D and Deputy Dean of the Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine.
Neurology/Parkinson's: A novel drug (AD4) has been discovered that crosses the blood-brain barrier and could offer new hope for treatment in Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer's. Prof. Eldad Melamed, Chief of the Department of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center and Tel Aviv University together with Dr. Daniel Offen, Director of the Neurology Laboratory at the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine, collaborated on this important discovery.
Orthopedics/Hip Therapy: A new technique is being used for treating degenerative diseases of the hip. Rather than replacing the hip-which requires amputation, the outer layer of cartilage is "peeled" and "covered" with a thin metal covering to reconstruct the natural joint.
Development of Medical Technologies to Improve Health of Patients
Eye Surgery Microscopic Incisions: Rabin Medical Center is one of ten medical institutions worldwide chosen to perform eye surgery using a mini incision microscopic technology, which consists of a slim optic fiber that illuminates the inside of the eye. This technique, used by the Department of Ophthalmology, is less invasive, cuts surgery time, and uses local instead of general anesthesia, thereby hastening the recovery process.
Camera in a Pill: A miniature camera, weighing only 1/7th of an ounce, has been developed by Rabin Medical Center to view the digestive track. This new imaging system, used by the Gastroenterology Institute under the directorship of Prof. Yaron Niv, has enough battery power to take 50,000 color images, enabling doctors to see areas that a conventional endoscopic examination cannot reach.
Pinpointing the Exact Location of a Brain Tumor: Rabin Medical Center now uses a navigation system-called the "Navigator"-to create 3D images of tumors to assist during brain surgery. This improved technology significantly lowers the risk of difficult and extensive brain surgery, especially for tumors located deep in the brain.
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