Israel Active

Israel’s Weizmann Institute scientists managed to trick the immune systems of mice into targeting one of body's players in the autoimmune process - an enzyme known as MMP9. The method has the potential to treat Crohn's plus opens up novel treatments for many other diseases.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem brain scientists have tapped onto the visual cortex of people suffering from congenital blindness by using sensory substitution devices (SSDs) – making it possible for them in effect to “see” and even describe objects. Video camera images are converted into “soundscapes,” using a predictable algorithm, allowing the user to listen to and then interpret the visual information coming from the camera.

Abbott Laboratories’ new multi-year collaboration agreement with the Weizmann Institute is already bearing fruit. Its biological diagnosis processing techniques promise to enable Abbot to develop tests that can be performed at home instead of in distant hospitals.

Israel’s InspireMD has announced significant positive results for its trials of its innovative MGuard coronary stent. Wrapped in an expandable mesh, the stent reduces the risk of life-threatening rupture and embolization during and post surgery when compared to traditional bare-metal stents.

50 top North American hospital bosses were shown around Hadassah and Sheba medical centres and they liked what they saw. From clinical care to service, to IT, clinical technology and crisis management. Joseph Mapa, CEO of Toronto’s Mt. Sinai Hospital said, “It’s state-of-the-art.”

Medi-tate Ltd. has obtained Europe’s CE Mark certification for its mechanical Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) device for a minimally invasive procedure to reshape the urethra. Medi-tate says that 15 million American men have the BPH symptom.

Israel’s VisionCare has raised a further $4 million to finance the marketing of its implantable telescope, smaller than a pea in size, for the treatment of end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

69 year-old retired paediatrician Dr Vladimir Promovich became blind last year. When doctors at Kaplan Medical Centre received a donated cornea, they used new technology to divide the cornea for transplantation into two recipients – one being Dr Promovich. After full recovery, Dr Promovich has promised to volunteer at Kaplan. “After all, I worked here, and now they have given me my sight back.”

Meir Turgeman was one of the first residents of Sderot in 1955. 25 years ago he became deaf due to defective middle ears. A titanium implant device was placed inside his skull, receiving and transferring stimuli directly to the auditory nerve and he began to hear immediately. Referring to the threat from Gaza rockets he said, “I will be able to run to the shelter when the Red Alert is sounded.”

I reported in May that Israeli biotech Compugen discovered 4 new protein variants that stimulate the immune system into targeting cancer cells. Now tests have shown that CGEN-15001T will fight carcinomas, sarcomas, melanoma and haematological cancers.