In the 20th century, Jews, more than any other
minority, ethnic or cultural, have been
recipients of the Nobel Prize, with almost
one-fifth of all Nobel laureates being Jewish. Of
the total Israel has six Nobel laureates.
A total of nearly 700 individuals and 20
organizations have been Nobel recipients.
Jewish names appear 127 times on the list, about 18 percent of the total.
Of these 48 have been awarded for achievements in
the fields of medicine and biomedicine. It is
estimated that about one-third of the faculty at
Harvard Medical School is Jewish.
A 12th century physician Moshe ben Maimon-Rambam
(Maimonides) is the role model for a generation
of Israeli physicians who became active not only
in the care of the sick but in the development of
treatments and medical systems. Israeli
researchers and developers developed the first
fully computerized, no radiation diagnostic
instrumentation for breast cancer.
An Israeli company developed a computerized
system for ensuring proper administration of
medications, thus removing human error from
medical treatment.
Israel's Given Imaging developed the PillCam -
the first ingestible video camera, which is so
small it fits inside a pill. Used to view the
small intestine from the inside, the camera helps
doctors diagnose digestive disorders of the small
intestine and esphagus without invasive treatment.
C2Cure is producing disposable miniature imaging
medical devices. The viewing systems consist of
miniature, disposable video camera and a light
source that are assembled on the tip of
endoscopes. The technology is suitable for
minimally invasive surgery (MIS) endoscopic
market and the intra-vascular segment.
A new acne treatment developed in Israel causes
acne bacteria to self-destruct - all without
damaging surroundings skin or tissue.
A new brain implant has been developed in Israel
that can lower the risk of stroke, by diverting
blood clots away from sensitive areas of the
brain.
Primate research at Hebrew University is leading
to the development of a robotic arm, that can
respond to the brain commands of a paralyzed
person.
Two Israeli researchers are creating
cancer-killing molecules that will recognize
cancerous cells and target them aggressively,
while not affecting normal cells.
Israeli researchers developed a novel stem cell
therapy to treat Parkinson's Disease - using a
patient's own bone marrow stem cells to produce
the missing chemical that enable the restoration
of the motor movement. Insightec developed an
ultrasound system for removing tumors without
surgery.
Researchers at the Technion have developed an
antibiotic that destroys anthrax bacteria as well
as the toxins it secretes into the bloodstream of
the infected body.
At the recently held Biomedical Israel 2006
conference held in Jerusalem Prof. Rafael Beyar,
a developer of cardiac stents has chosen a
cross-section of 17 medical companies which we
present in this month's report.. These include
cardiovascular imaging and image integration,
heart failure and cardiac arrest, pharmaceutical
cell and gene therapy. Many of these companies
are seeking additional funding to further their
activities.