The Raphael Recanati Genetics Institute

The Raphael Recanati Genetics Institute at Rabin Medical Center, the largest and most advanced of its kind in Israel, enables the hospital to develop renowned clinical work and genetics research using advanced technology and equipment. Tracing genes responsible for hereditary diseases is essential to the development of treatment and prevention programs. The Genetics Institute’s research activities focus on investigating the molecular and patho-physiological basis of rare syndromes through identifying and studying new genes and generating potential therapeutic protocols, medication treatments and gene therapies

Genetics Institute Fields of Involvement

Pediatrics Genetics Clinic and Adult Genetics Clinic: This clinic offers counseling and evaluation of children and adults with birth defects, suspected or diagnosed genetic syndromes, chromosomal syndromes, metabolic disorders, developmental delay and mental retardation, and a family history of genetic conditions.

Familial Mediterranean Fever Clinic: This clinic, now the largest and best clinic in both Israel and internationally, identifies the causative gene for this common genetic disease in Israel and other Mediterranean countries.

Gaucher Center: This Center of excellence within the Genetics Institute evaluates and treats Gaucher, a prevalent disease in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. These Patients benefit from enzyme replacement, therapy infusions, and new oral approaches.

Prenatal Genetic Counseling: In Israel many tests are carried out during pregnancy to evaluate and asses the fetus, including screening blood to evaluate for chromosomal aberrations and ultrasounds to detect congenital birth defects.

Genetic Screening Based on Background: The institute currently performs 30,000 tests and about 300 prenatal molecular genetics diagnoses annually.

Oncogenetics: This is a new field of genetics dealing with family genetic predisposition to cancer where onco-genetics counselors assess individuals and families with genetic predisposition to cancer. Approximately 1,000 patients are evaluated annually.

Cytogenetics: The demand for cytogenetic testing has increased and includes amniocentesis, CVS, bone marrow, and FISH analyses.

Molecular Genetics: New tests are constantly being introduced, including Duschene Muscular Dystrophy testing, TPMT (a new pharamcogenetic test used to asses a patient’s ability to tolerate specific chemotherapy treatment), and soon advanced testing for the genetic component in colorectal cancer.