From the Start-up Nation to the Brain Nation
Bloomberg TV’s Countdown program featured Israel’s advances in Neurotech - Brain Science. The reporter also tried out IDC’s Brain Machine Interface.
Projecting sight for the blind
Researchers in Optogenetics at Israel’s Technion are working on a substitute for damaged retinas. A light-sensitive protein can turn the ganglion cells in the eye into photoreceptors. Visual images projected onto these cells stimulate neurons and recreate the image in the brain. Watch this space!
The unsung Israeli hero of Parkinson’s treatment
Professor Hagai Berman of Hebrew University will receive he Rappaport Prize for Excellence in Biomedical Research as overdue recognition for his work on Deep Brain Stimulation. Over 100,000 Parkinson’s sufferers have been treated with DBS, one of the most effective treatments for the ailment.
Israel’s brain center gets off the ground
A groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The new building will be home to the largest neuroscience center in Israel and one of the most ambitious in the world.
UK GlaxoSmithKline delegation in Israel
The GSK delegation visited the Weizmann Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Hadassit in Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion University, Israel Technion and other institutions. Dr. Duncan Holmes said, “We recognize the huge expertise of Israeli academics in research in this field.”
Rare treatment saves baby from whooping cough
Doctors at Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya saved the life of a month-old baby who contracted whooping cough before immunization. The baby’s blood was replaced with infused blood and she was soon weaned off her respirator and has now been discharged.
Simply saving lives
An all-women Israeli company is producing “MediTags” - bracelets that contain medical and personal details in Hebrew and English. They can store details of allergies in case the wearer is rendered unconscious; or the contact details for an Alzheimer’s patient in case they get lost.
UK Guardian hails Israeli cancer test
Unique recognition of Israel’s medical success in the UK newspaper that normally only criticizes Israel. It picked up a British Journal of Cancer article on the innovative diagnosis breath test invented by Israel Technion Professor Hossam Haick. Also featured on the BBC.
Ex-Turkish finance minister has stem cell treatment in Israel
(Thanks to Israel21c) Kemal Unak?tan spent nearly two-and-a-half months at the International Center for Cell Therapy & Cancer Immunotherapy in Tel Aviv. He received groundbreaking stem cell treatment to wean him off dialysis and avoid a kidney transplant.
New treatment for psoriasis
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University and Teva have developed an improved version of an experimental medicine for the treatment of the chronic skin disease psoriasis. It inhibits the faulty immune system signal interleukin-17 that triggers the inflammation associated with psoriasis.