Israeli researchers advance treatment for deadly parasitic disease; Israeli startup Amai Proteins gives hope to diabetics; Hadassah surgeons do coral-based knee replacement; and much more!

By Michael Ordman

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

New treatment for Leishmaniasis

I reported previously (see here) on Israel’s work to combat Leishmaniasis – a deadly parasitic disease common in the Middle East. Now Professor Shulamit Michaeli, at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, is working to commercialize a compound that in 20 minutes kills two types of Leishmania parasites.

https://www.israel21c.org/nanodrug-tames-leishmaniasis-and-other-parasitic-diseases/

Sweet protein gives hope to diabetics

Israeli startup Amai Proteins has synthesized the protein thaumatin, found naturally in the Nigerian katemfe plant, which acts as a sweetener but does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels. Amai have conducted initial test tastings and have raised NIS 3 million of funding.

https://www.israel21c.org/new-sweet-protein-holds-out-hope-for-diabetics/

First Israeli coral-based knee replacement

I reported previously (see here) about Israeli startup CartiHeal which invented the Agili-C knee implant that uses coral-derived material to repair damaged knee cartilage. Doctors at Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital have just performed the first Israeli Agili-C surgery.

https://www.jns.org/patient-receives-new-knee-made-from-coral-thanks-to-israeli-startup/

Enzyme can prevent spinal-cord damage

Tel Aviv University scientists have discovered an enzyme that controls blood glutamate levels and could help patients recover from spinal injuries if administered soon after an accident. Reducing the release of glutamate after a trauma enabled lesions at the injury site to regenerate.

https://www.israel21c.org/new-study-offers-hope-of-recovery-from-spinal-cord-injury/

Reading memories in the brain

Israeli scientists have discovered that both positive and negative memories are stored in genes within areas of the brain that can be retrieved even post-mortem. The findings could one day help treat patients with psychiatric disorders such as OCD, schizophrenia and trauma.

http://nocamels.com/2018/04/israeli-scientists-uncover-innovative-method-to-read-memories-even-after-death/

https://elifesciences.org/articles/31220

His ankle is now his knee

Jacob A’s lower leg was amputated after a work accident.  But his foot was fine, so in Israel’s first “rotationplasty” operation, doctors at Haifa’s Rambam hospital turned it upside down and made the ankle joint into a knee joint.  Once Jacob has a prosthetic fitted, he should be able to walk normally.

http://aforam.org/his-ankle-replaces-knee-function-after-rare-surgery-at-rambam/

Bio-protection for life

I reported previously (see here) on Israeli startup Nobio (previously named Nanolock) and its revolutionary nano-polymer that causes bacteria to die immediately on contact. Nobio has just raised $3.6 million of funds to help it obtain FDA approval. See also new video.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-startup-nobio-creates-particles-that-kill-bacteria-on-contact/

https://www.nobio.com/technology/

$4 million to advance cancer resistance testing

I reported previously (Jun 2017) on Israeli biotech NewStem which is developing a stem cell platform to test cancer treatments in the lab before potentially wasting them on patients. NewStem has just received $4 million of funds from an unlikely source – Hollywood Media Corp.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-stem-cell-startup-raises-4-million-for-chemo-effectiveness-technology/

The future of medicine is being formulated in Israel

British philanthropist David Dangoor writes that Israel is at the forefront of development of personalized medical innovations that can solve prohibitive and largely ineffective medical treatments being used in the UK and elsewhere.

https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-future-of-medicine-is-being-formulated-in-Israel-562881

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