Israel Active

Attacks of epilepsy that have been brought on by head injury could be prevented using a new treatment developed by a team including scientists from Ben-Gurion University. In laboratory tests, Losartan (marketed as Cozaar) significantly cut down seizures.

For the first time ever, Israel Technion scientists have transplanted engineered muscle tissue containing major blood vessels to repair a damaged abdomen. The breakthrough may lead to full abdominal surgery in humans using laboratory-generated tissue.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem geneticists have identified how different species of animals can have so many identical genes. Genes are silenced by on/off patterns in the epigenome. They also explain how twins with identical DNA sequences can have so many different characteristics.

Weizmann Institute graduate Leemor Joshua-Tor describes her research which includes the discovery of a protein that can destroy defective genes in the RNA that are responsible for viruses and diseases such as macular degeneration and cancer.

Israel’s Entera Bio has obtained orphan status from the US FDA for its oral treatment for hypoparathyroidism (decreased function of the parathyroid glands). The condition results in muscle cramping, twitching, or involuntary contraction, and several other symptoms.

Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center now offers radiowave treatment instead of surgery to eliminate abnormal cells and prevent the development of cancer in patients suffering from Barrett esophagus. Instead of 10 days’ hospitalization, patients go home the same day.

There is hope for many of the 5 million sufferers of colitis thanks to scientists at Israel’s Bar Ilan University. They have identified that the gene tmf1 controls the production of beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut, which stop colitis developing.

Israeli biotech Bonus Biogroup, which has developed a method for producing bone grafts from stem cells, has begun a clinical trial of jawbone grafts. The trial's interim results are due in four months.

Israel’s Syneron has obtained FDA approval for its non-invasive UltraShape System for fat cell destruction. Pulsed focused ultrasound energy targets subcutaneous fat, while keeping the surrounding tissue intact. The system is already sold in Europe, Canada and Asia Pacific countries.

Surgeons at Poland’s John Paul II hospital were impressed with the first use of Israel’s Gardia WIRON devices. The devices place filters into the arteries prior to stent insertions, which then protect patients against dangerous blood clots and emboli that develop during these vital operations.