Medical Leaps: Artificial Retinas, Cell Analysis…and More

The development of artificial retinas and personalized medical videos are only two of the many achievements Israel has made recently in the medical field.

In his weekly column titled “Good News from Israel,” Michael Ordman highlights Israeli achievements in many fields and offers heartwarming stories about the Jewish State. Following is a list of medical achievements in the first column of 2015.

Breakthrough in Development of Artificial Retinas

Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University have developed a wireless, light-sensitive, flexible implantable film that mimics the function of the photosensitive cells in the retina. It could potentially form part of a device to replace a damaged retina.

http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/24287

Cell Analysis System Makes First Discovery

Professor Itai Yanai of Israel’s Technion developed the CEL-Seq cell analysis method in 2012, identifying the on-off status of each of the 20,000 genes in a cell.  It has just been used to determine embryonic development sequences and could help in understanding how cancer develops.

http://www.technion.ac.il/en/2014/12/animal-evolution-mystery-solved/

3D Compass in the Brain

Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have demonstrated that brains of mammals (including humans) contain a 3D compass.  Microelectrode recordings revealed that certain neurons activate only when the head is at a particular 3D angle.  It explains conditions such as vertigo and disorientation.

http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/3d-compass-in-the-brain#.VKgjBckpqSo

Beit Issie Launches Disabilities Tech Center

On Dec 3rd (International Disabilities Day) Beit Issie Shapiro – Israel’s leading organization for developing therapies for disabled children – launched its Technology Consulting Center, to share its expertise in the field of disabilities and technology.  Also, an amazing video.

http://en.beitissie.org.il/tech/welcome/

Parkinson’s Treatment Trials Success

Israel’s NeuroDerm has announced positive results for its Phase II trials of ND0612H, intended for severe Parkinson’s disease patients. The results indicate that ND0612H may provide an effective alternative therapy to current treatments requiring surgery.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-neuroderm-soars-on-positive-parkinsons-phase-ii-results-1000997231

Personalized Medical Videos

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israeli physician Dr. Rami Cohen has developed a proprietary platform for healthcare workers to easily create personalized instructional videos for patients. Telesofia Medical uses clips and graphics to generate videos in the time it takes to produce a prescription.

http://www.israel21c.org/headlines/a-cure-for-medical-misunderstandings/

To read more Good News by Michael Ordman, click HERE.