ILSI-Biomed Israel

The Law of the Ordinary and Contact Lenses against Glaucoma

A new invention in the form of contact lenses against glaucoma, shows how biomedical devices should be designed I like to think about biomedical instruments as bits of magic. Not because they cause wonders and provide instant-cures (though some do), but because the more ordinary and mundane in appearance they are, the better they become – much as in magic tricks. It’s the Law of the Ordinary ™. If you market a device for overcoming seizures, and it looks like a robotic arm-sleeve, the...

Almost-Breakthroughs of the Year: Genetic Engineering and Longevity Drug

The magazine Science picked two runner-ups for the Breakthrough of the Year award: genetic engineering and a novel longevity drug Do you read Science, the magazine? You really should. It's one of the best sources for breakthroughs in research. This month they have a special section, where they tried to pick the Breakthrough of the Year. They probably had to do quite a lot of thinking, but eventually they settles on the discovery of Ardi - the missing link between our ancient ape-like ance...

A Single Shot of Genetically Engineered Viruses Cured Legal Blindness

In a phase I clinical trial, researchers used gene therapy to cure a genetic disorder causing legal blindness Those of us dealing in the field of biomed are probably tired of hearing people ask about genetic engineering, and when-oh-when will we be able to cure all the illnesses of the world with it. While genetic engineering does have plenty of potential for treatment of genetic disorders, most of the scientific research in the field screeched to a halt eight years ago, when certain genetica...