Genetics

Health Min. reviews possible sperm donor genetic mismatch at Assuta Medical Center, Tel Aviv

The ministry is examining a private genetic test conducted abroad after a patient raised questions about whether the sperm donor used to conceive her child was genetically matched.

View of the Assuta medical center in Ramat haHayal, Tel Aviv. June 17, 2025.
Prof. Zeev Shoham, M.D.

AI in sperm selection: Changing the future of IVF

"Ayala’s story shows how openness about genetic illness can inspire others and encourage greater awareness."

Young ambassador: A girl’s journey to the World Cup puts a spotlight on genetic awareness

A saliva based genetic test at Mor Institute.

Innovative saliva test launches in Israel to screen for dozens of hereditary diseases


Red hot: Gene that allows eating massive amounts of chili peppers found in Israel

The ability to eat huge amounts of red chili peppers is due to a defective gene discovered by Jerusalem researchers in a Palestinian boy and his cousin.

Chili peppers at a market in India

Dogs in Chernobyl nuclear plant are genetically distinct from others - study

The mysterious dog populations in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant are genetically distinct from the other dog populations near the nuclear disaster site in Ukraine.

 A dog in Chernobyl Nuclear Plant.

University of Haifa scientists unlock key to drought-resistant wheat plants - study

An international team of scientists found that the right number of copies of a specific group of genes can stimulate longer root growth.

 Wheat is seen in a field near the southern Ukranian city of Nikolaev July 8, 2013.

New model explains huge variety of sizes of hereditary material in nature

Why is ‘junk DNA’ not deleted from the original genome over millions of years of evolution?

A DNA double helix is seen in an undated artist's illustration released by the National Human Genome Research Institute to Reuters on May 15, 2012.

Researchers successfully elongate mouse limbs shortened by genetic disease

Patients with the disease Robinow Syndrome and similar diseases that affect the skeletal system have short-limb dwarfism and facial abnormalities.

The forelimb (top) and hindlimb (bottom) of a mouse embryo, stained to reveal the bones (purple) and cartilage (blue)

The science behind colorful snakes - study

Researchers have located and successfully edited the gene responsible for reptilian color variants.

Snake (illustrative)

Newly-discovered gene mutation blocks babies from metabolizing vitamin D

Adults living with this gene may not know they have it. The symptoms include frequent kidney stones and high levels of calcium in the blood.

We will soon be able to manufacture these without needing to use animals. Dairy products

Baby born with fully developed teeth shocks mother, doctors

This happens in between about 1 in 800 to 1 in 6000 births - and the mother was as shocked as anybody.

 Baby with two baby teeth.

Israeli researchers develop new process for creating custom enzymes -study

Enzymes that are modified using this process, called the CADENZ Method, could have long-reaching impacts.

An illustration showing four modular enzyme fragments (highlighted) that Weizmann Institute’s CADENZ method can combine to generate active enzymes at a hitherto unseen rate

Why aren't humans covered in body hair like animals are? - study

Humans appear to have the genes for a full coat of body hair, but evolution has disabled them, a new study has found.