Making science fiction a reality; Busting the protein link to Alzheimer’s; Heart diagnosis AI that any doctor can use; and much more!
by: Michael Ordman
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Making science fiction a reality
Israeli-founded Bionaut Labs (see here previously) has safety-tested its micro robot containing a magnet, that can travel via spinal fluid, directly to the brain, to deliver therapy or perform surgery. It can also navigate to any part of the body. Bionaut plans to begin human trials in late 2024.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/400m-apple-face-id-inventors-create-tiny-robot-to-treat-brain-disease/
https://www.ourcrowd.com/companies/bionaut-labs
Busting the protein link to Alzheimer’s
Israeli biotech MemoryPlus has developed a peptide to block the interaction of proteins PTEN & PSD-95, that causes memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients. The disease makes excessive PTEN, which attacks PSD-95, weakening the brain’s synapses. The peptide also lowers PTEN levels.
https://nocamels.com/2023/08/protein-busting-drug-could-be-new-era-for-alzheimers-therapy/
https://shiraknafo.com/
https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/memoryplus
Heart diagnosis AI that any doctor can use
Doctors at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center have developed AISAP POCAD (AI Point of Care Assisted Diagnosis) to diagnose a patient’s cardiac problem As Soon As Possible. The AI system uses any manufacturer’s supplied combination of handheld ultrasound probe and digital tablet.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sheba-startup-uses-ai-to-help-doctors-image-and-diagnose-cardiac-issues-in-minutes/
A miniature human heart, grown from stem cells
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Israel’s Technion Institute have created a tiny functioning human heart, smaller than a grain of rice. It will help scientists study the heart and develop new treatments for cardio-vascular diseases.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-researchers-grow-miniature-beating-model-of-a-human-heart/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-023-01071-9
Short-circuiting the lung cancer gene
Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have found that Erbitux – a therapy for colon and neck / head cancer – can also cure lung cancer in non-smokers with a mutated EGFR gene. They have also identified a biomarker to identify those patients.
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/select-group-study-may-bring-improved-therapy-preselected-lung-cancer-patients
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/pdf/S2666-3791(23)00295-1.pdf
The power of enzymes
Israel’s Enzymit is developing enzymes to enable some life-changing chemical reactions (see videos). First, though, it has synthesized hyaluronic acid – a natural biopolymer used to heal eyes, wounds, inflammation, and more. This avoids the use of animal tissue or costly alternate processes.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/technology-science/1690889148-israeli-startup-enzymit-achieves-breakthrough-in-hyaluronic-acid-production
European grant for preemie formula
Israel’s ELGAN (see here previously) has been awarded a $2.5 million grant by the European Innovation Council (EIC). It will help ELGAN clinically test its ELGN-GI oral formula for the treatment of intestinal malabsorption that prevents preterm infants from absorbing nutrients.
https://nocamels.com/2023/07/startup-treating-newborns-in-serious-condition-raises-2-5m/
World-first newborn surgery saves baby’s ovaries
Surgeons at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem detected twisted fallopian tubes in a fetus during a routine ultrasound of the mother. They immediately delivered the baby and performed a complex operation to save her ovaries.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-753159
More heart ops for children from South Sudan
Israeli NGOs IsraAID and Save A Child’s heart returned to South Sudan to assess children who needed heart surgery (see here previously). They screened 74 children including 4-year-old Gladys who was in urgent need. Gladys was rushed to Israel for surgery.
https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-ngos-screen-south-sudan-kids-for-lifesaving-surgery/
https://saveachildsheart.org/children-in-israel
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