Headed by Prof. Ohad Birk, brings together basic scientific research and effective translational clinical applications.
Different segments of society face unique medical concerns. Genetic diseases are one of the most striking examples of this. Ashkenazi Jews and the Bedouin community, for example, suffer disproportionately from very specific hereditary diseases. The Genetics Institute is tackling these often life-threatening challenges head-on. Using best practice techniques in carrier testing, clinical and prenatal diagnosis, and genetic counseling, Soroka is making the Negev a healthier place to live for people from every walk of life.
The Genetics Institute at Soroka, brings together basic scientific research and effective translational clinical applications. Genetic diseases are common in the various ethnic Jewish communities in the Negev and the Bedouin communities, in which marriages between close relatives are common.
The Genetics Research Lab has deciphered the molecular basis and mechanisms of more than 50 human diseases, including some of the most prevalent and serious hereditary diseases of Arabs and Jews. These discoveries have led to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of other medical conditions.Our team also implements their scientific findings in wide-scale, far-reaching carrier screening programs that have led to a 30% reduction in the infant mortality rate in the Bedouin community and the near eradication of two of the hereditary diseases most common among Jews of Moroccan and Iraqi origin. With the advent of new technologies that enable more rapid and less costly genome sequencing, once unique new genes are identified, they can immediately be used in pre-pregnancy screening in target populations. These advances enable our scientists and clinicians to eliminate conditions that place significant burdens on patients and their families.
Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070