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Booze-Proof Hornets Could Hold Key to Studying Alcoholism

The AHA! Team — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:15:10 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – Researchers find that hornets have several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. A new discovery from researchers at Tel Aviv University has identified a surprising champion of alcohol tolerance – the Oriental hornet. In their recently-published study, the researchers put the Oriental hornet in the spotlight, where it stands alone — and completely sober — as the only known animal capable of consuming high concentrations of alcohol continuously without experiencing any adverse effects. This finding could revolutionize scientists’ approach to alcohol-related research. “This is a remarkable animal that shows no signs of intoxication or illness even after ingesting huge amounts of alcohol,” notes the research team, spearheaded by Sofia Bouchebti and Prof. Eran Levin at TAU’s School of Zoology and Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol. What makes this discovery particularly striking is how it contrasts with other species’ reactions to alcohol. While alcohol naturally occurs in nature through the fermentation of sugars by yeasts and bacteria in ripe fruits and nectar, most animals — including humans — can’t handle significant amounts without serious consequences, such as impeded balance and embarrassing phone calls. Even fruit flies, which commonly dine upon fermenting fruits, show signs of intoxication after a nibble too many (proving that nature has a particularly cruel sense of humor and that the best things in life are out to kill us). Incredible ability to handle alcohol So, what makes the hornets able to drink the rest of the animal kingdom under the table? To find this out, the research team conducted a series of increasingly ambitious experiments to test the hornets’ extraordinary capabilities. In perhaps the most striking demonstration, hornets were given a diet consisting of 80 percent alcohol — a concentration that would be lethal to most organisms (though this is still being rigorously tested by college students). Remarkably, these insects not only survived but showed no behavioral changes or health impacts throughout their normal three-month lifespan. Levin explains the key to the puzzle, discovered via analysis of the hornet’s genome: “The hornet possesses several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol; this genetic adaptation may be related to their incredible ability to handle alcohol.” The evolution of this unique ability might be rooted in the hornets’ longstanding relationship with yeasts. The insects naturally harbor yeasts in their digestive systems, creating a symbiotic relationship that may have driven their adaptation to alcohol tolerance. With alcohol-related deaths accounting for 5.3% of global mortality, the implications of this research could make for more than an interesting “did you know” at the next social function you attend. “We believe that, following our research, Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol,” Levin concludes. To read the original article click here.

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Honey Water Benefits + How to Make It

AHA Publisher — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 07:00:01 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Although it does contain sugar and a considerable amount of calories, honey is a rich source of nutrients, including enzymes, vitamins and minerals. That’s why you may want to add honey water to your beverage selection. Of course, honey can be used to add a sweet, unique flavor to things like tea, yogurt or oatmeal, and it’s also capable of providing some impressive health benefits due to its unique compounds. If you’re looking to support your immune system and digestion, why should you drink honey with water? High-quality honey, such as raw honey and Manuka honey, is known to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, according to studies. This explains why honey water benefits — especially when you add some fresh lemon juice, turmeric or cinnamon — can include soothing an upset stomach, sore throat and much more. Benefits of Drinking Honey Water Honey is a sweet, vicious substance that is created by certain types of honeybees that extract nutrient-rich nectar from flowers. Raw honey is a crude form of honey immediately taken out of the cells of the honeycombs within a beehive. It isn’t pasteurized or heated to very high temperatures, keeping its enzymes and pollen intact. Plus, it commonly contains bee pollen and propolis, which are both two very positive health additions. Raw honey contains a whopping 22 amino acids, 27 minerals and 5,000 enzymes. Minerals it contains include: iron zinc potassium calcium phosphorous magnesium selenium Additionally, it provides vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin. For even more benefits, Manuka honey (sourced from New Zealand) is a great choice, since it’s very high in antimicrobial compounds, including methylglyoxal. Potential benefits of drinking honey water include: Assisting in weight loss, especially if you consume it in place of sugary drinks such as high-calorie energy or coffee drinks Keeping you hydrated Supporting digestion, such as by combating constipation or acid reflux symptoms Easing a sore throat or cough — try it as a natural alternative to cough syrups and cough medications Promoting restful sleep thanks to honey carbs, which can release the calming neurotransmitter serotonin Decreasing a bloated stomach Reducing nausea (especially if you add ginger) Aiding in immune system function and fighting oxidative stress, particularly if you use Manuka or raw honey, which have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties Reducing allergies — honey (especially locally produced types) contains enzymes and other compounds that help your body acclimate to allergens, including pollens Giving you energy, such a before a workout, thanks to its sugar and carbohydrates — some studies show honey even improves exercise recovery and promotes bone formation Possibly helping normalize cholesterol levels, such as by increasing levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol Does honey water reduce belly fat? Or is the sugar actually likely to contribute to weight gain? When consumed in moderate amounts, honey water may help you maintain a healthy eight or even lose weight. For sake of comparison, one serving of honey water contains about six to 12 grams of sugar and 25 to 50 calories, while a can of soda typically contains about 30 grams of sugar and over 100 calories. In general, drinking enough water and staying hydrated can also help manage your appetite and potentially reduce cravings. Some people find that drinking lots of water makes them feel fuller — plus it can help reduce bloating by assisting in elimination. When combined, benefits of cinnamon and honey can also include supporting healthy blood sugar levels and fighting allergies, since cinnamon is rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants. Additionally, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer and lipid-lowering effects. How to Make Many people like to drink honey water on an empty stomach first thing the morning to get their digestive systems working, but honey water with cinnamon, turmeric and milk can also make a good bedtime treat. (This concoction is also called moon milk.) Other good times to have a cup include pre-workout (the carbs can help fuel your muscles boost your energy) or when your’e feeling sick, such as with a stomachache or soar throat. How much honey water should you drink each day? Because of the sugar content, limit your daily intake of honey to about one tablespoon daily. You might choose to have one to three cups of honey water daily with about one teaspoon of honey in each cup. To make honey water at home: Stir about one teaspoon of honey (preferably organic, raw or Manuka types) into 8 ounces of warm water, but avoid boiling water, which can ruin some of the honey’s delicate nutrients. You might also try adding a half teaspoon of powdered cinnamon and/or the same amount of turmeric. Other ingredients to try using in order to make a “secret detox drink” include apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper and fresh lemon juice, which can all support digestion and a healthy metabolism. Risks and Side Effects Honey is safe for internal and topical use, but like all foods, some people may react adversely. If you experience skin irritation, stomach pain, sweating, diarrhea or nausea after using it, stop consuming it right away. Infants under one should not be given honey due to potential allergic reactions. If you plan to use honey as part of your daily health regime and you already take medications, talk to your doctor about possible interactions. Conclusion Honey, especially organic, raw and Manuka honey, is high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, bee pollen, antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. Honey water benefits include reducing bloating, constipation and acid reflux; easing a sore throat, cough and colds; supporting a healthy immune response; decreasing allergies; fighting free radical damage; and beating cravings for sweets. Consume about one to three cups daily, with about one teaspoon of high-quality honey per serving. Try some first thing in the morning, before a workout or before bed with some warm milk. Other healthy additions include turmeric, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar. To read the original article click here.

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Landmark Discovery May Lead to Safe, Effective Antiviral Drugs Against COVID-19

AHA Publisher — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:00:03 +0000

Argonne National Laboratory via News-Medical – The COVID-19 vaccines currently rolling out are providing hope that the spread of the disease can be halted. But infection rates are still high, and for those who contract COVID-19, the search for effective treatments remains important. Researchers examining the atomic structure of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have made a landmark discovery that could contribute critical information to the design of safe and effective antiviral drugs in the fight against the virus. “Understanding enzymes goes hand in hand with understanding their atomic structures -; and the higher resolution the better, because subtle differences can affect the interpretation. We wanted the best data possible, so we went to the APS.” (Natalie Strynadka, University of British Columbia) Using a powerful X-ray beam to study SARS-CoV-2 proteins in crystallized form, a team from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has observed -; for the first time ever -; the virus’s main protease, an important enzyme of the virus, performing its function. This widely pursued antiviral target is a central enzyme that allows the virus to cut up large proteins called polyproteins into smaller functional units, a process necessary for the virus to be replicated and infect other human cells. “What we’ve captured at high resolution is one of the important steps in that process that has never been visualized before in any viral protease of this class,” said Natalie Strynadka, the UBC biochemistry professor who led the research team with colleague Mark Paetzel. The research was published in Nature. The breakthrough was made possible by the Advanced Photon Source (APS), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility at DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory. The APS produces X-rays that are roughly a billion times brighter than those used by doctors and dentists, allowing researchers to examine the structure of the coronavirus protease in very fine detail at the atomic level. Data was captured at the General Medical Sciences and Cancer Institutes Structural Biology Facility at beamline 23-ID-B at the APS. The newly uncovered information may be of particular interest to scientists worldwide who are racing to develop antiviral treatments for COVID-19. If the main protease is inhibited by a small molecule drug, the polyproteins won’t be clipped into functional pieces, effectively blocking viral replication and subsequent transmission. “We now have a much better blueprint of these mechanistic structures that will inform making the best inhibitor possible,” Strynadka said. ”Better knowing the structure as we now do helps guide drug research, narrowing the field of potential targets instead of having to screen billions of potential molecules.” Michael Becker, a protein crystallographer with Argonne’s X-ray Science Division, said Strynadka’s research stands out because the team was focused on understanding the mechanism of the protease. “This understanding will improve everyone else’s work in designing drugs,” Becker said. ”Because the more deeply you understand how something works, the better the chance you have of controlling or stopping it.” Remote access capabilities at Argonne made it possible for the researchers in British Columbia to collect data in real time and to manipulate the APS beamline located about 2,200 miles away in Illinois. UBC team members Jaeyong Lee and Liam Worrall shipped crystals of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease preserved in liquid nitrogen from Canada to Argonne. Workers at the APS were on hand to answer questions, ensure the working order of the equipment, and load the samples. “The remote interface is fantastic. It’s almost like being there,” Strynadka said. ”We’re very thankful for the use of the APS. Canada does have a national synchrotron facility, but it currently doesn’t have the same capability as the APS, which is a very high-level facility with micro-focused beams. Understanding enzymes goes hand in hand with understanding their atomic structures -; and the higher resolution the better, because subtle differences can affect the interpretation. We wanted the best data possible, so we went to the APS.” To read the original article click here.

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How CoQ10 Can Improve Mental, Brain, and Physical Health

AHA Publisher — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 07:00:24 +0000

Dr. Will Cole via Dr. Caroline Leaf – The supplement world is vast. The amount of beneficial nutrients is ever expanding due to our growing knowledge surrounding our health. But knowing where to start is another thing. By educating ourselves on the importance of various nutrients, we can better prioritize what makes the most sense to incorporate into our wellness routines since each person’s individual requirements are going to be different. One of the supplements I often find myself recommending to my patients in my functional medicine telehealth clinic is CoQ10 for its ability to naturally help elevate certain areas of health that are important to have optimal health. What is CoQ10? CoQ10 stands for coenzyme Q10 and is a type of coenzyme that helps your enzymes work more efficiently and is found in every cell in the body – specifically in the mitochondria of the cell. In order for your body to utilize CoQ10, it needs to convert the inactive form ubiquinone, into ubiquinol which is the active form of this nutrient. It acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals to help protect your cells and DNA from damage. Too many free radicals in the body can contribute to chronic inflammation and lead to a variety of inflammatory health conditions such as heart disease, autoimmune conditions, and even cancer. CoQ10 Health Benefits 1. Lowered inflammation In multiple studies, CoQ10 was shown to reduce levels of the inflammatory compounds CRP and TNF-a as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. This is most likely due to its ability to inhibit production of the inflammatory protein NF-kB. 2. Migraine relief Those who struggle with frequent migraines are also more likely to have lower levels of CoQ10. But research has shown that regular supplementation can help alleviate migraine severity and frequency. 3. Fibromyalgia This autoimmune disease affects millions of Americans and is characterized by chronic inflammation and pain throughout the body. In cases of fibromyalgia, CoQ10 is unevenly distributed throughout the body which contributes to higher oxidative stress – which is important since increased oxidative stress is a contributor to inflammation and chronic pain. This makes regular supplementation important for those struggling with this condition. 4. Stabilized blood sugar By improving insulin resistance, supplementation of CoQ10 can help reduce blood sugar levels for those with higher than normal levels. 5. Enhanced cardiovascular health Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in America with 1 person dying every 37 seconds. But studies have been looking into the effects of CoQ10 supplementation and its ability to significantly improve these statistics. 6. Improved Brain Health One study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that in 18 people with depression found that 400 to 800 mg/day CoQ10 for a month decreased the severity of depression symptoms and significantly improved symptoms of fatigue, sadness, and difficulty concentrating or brain fog. CoQ10 Sources While your body produces half of the CoQ10 we need, we need to get the rest from outside sources. Some of the best food sources of CoQ10 include grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, and wild-caught seafood such as sardines, shrimp, and scallops as well as dairy and eggs. Our CoQ10 levels also decrease as we age so it’s important to be even more mindful as we get older. Additionally, those taking statins (cholesterol-lowering medications) and those with disorders of the mitochondria should be mindful of their levels as these can also contribute to low CoQ10. But since CoQ10 has poor absorption rates, supplementation may be necessary in cases of deficiency when food isn’t enough. CoQ10 is considered fat-soluble meaning it is best taken alongside a high-fat meal to increase absorption. However, bioavailability of this nutrient is still low regardless of how it is taken in, so long-term supplementation may be necessary for certain individuals. Up to 1,200 mg per day has been proven safe for long-term use. CoQ10 Side Effects While CoQ10 is generally safe for most people, if you are taking blood thinners it may decrease their effectiveness. It’s important to talk with your doctor before adding in supplements to avoid any possible interactions. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Leaf click here.

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13 Emerging and Promising Covid Treatments

AHA Publisher — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 07:00:09 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – “We believe humanity needs a toolbox of different solutions for Covid-19,” says Immanuel Lerner, CEO of Pepticom, one of the companies detailed below. In parallel to vaccine research, there’s an urgent need for effective treatments for the respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Scientists across the globe are working on vaccines to prevent Covid-19 infection. (Click here to read about six Israeli vaccine candidates.) But in the meanwhile, and even after initial vaccines are approved, there is an urgent need for effective treatments for the respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Most potential treatments target the life-threatening lung inflammation typical of serious Covid-19 cases. It’s caused by a phenomenon called a “cytokine storm.” Cytokines are proteins that trigger inflammation as a natural response to infection. In response to a virus overload, in this case in the lungs, the immune system activates a storm of cytokines. Too many cytokines lead to too much inflammation, which can damage the lungs and cause respiratory distress. Israeli hospitals were among the first anywhere to use dexamethasone, a steroid drug, to stop cytokines storms and reduce lung inflammation in severely ill Covid-19 patients. However, steroids can suppress the immune response too strongly. Additionally, an Israeli hospital is among the first to do a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of ivermectin, a drug to treat parasitic infections in people and animals, to see if it can shorten the duration of the disease if given to Covid-19 patients immediately after diagnosis. Israelis are also formulating novel therapeutics of their own. Below we summarize 13 potential Israeli treatments using a variety of approaches – such as placenta-derived cells, peptides, blood plasma of recovered patients, and the cannabis compound CBD. There is plenty of room for more than one treatment. “We believe humanity needs a toolbox of different solutions for Covid-19,” says Immanuel Lerner, CEO of Pepticom, one of the companies detailed below. Pluristem On June 11, Pluristem Therapeutics of Haifa announced a multicenter Phase 2 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efficacy and safety study of its PLX-PAD cells for treating severe Covid-19 complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). PLX, an injected regenerative placenta-derived cell therapy, stimulates the immune system’s natural regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages, possibly preventing or reversing a cytokine storm. PLX cells potentially reduce the incidence and/or severity of Covid-19 pneumonia and pneumonitis. Pluristem has treated Covid-19 patients under compassionate use programs in the United States and Israel. Initial data from 18 patients showed that 75% were off mechanical ventilation within 28 days. “PLX cells are available off-the-shelf and once commercialized, can be manufactured in large-scale quantities, offering a key advantage in addressing a global pandemic,” the company said. Silkim Jerusalem-based Silkim Pharma recently submitted Coronzot, its novel treatment for Covid-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms, to the FDA’s Investigational New Drug (IND) program. IND designation would give Silkim permission to start human clinical trials and to ship Coronzot across state lines before a marketing application has been approved. Coronzot’s novel mechanism targets a pivotal factor in cytokine storms. It removes an inflammatory overaccumulation of labile iron and replaces it with a minute amount of gallium or zinc. This not only suppresses the storm but also inhibits viral proteins that attack the lungs and heart. Gallium inhibits virus replication and promotes apoptosis (self-destruction) of already invaded cells. Zinc helps suppress inflammatory reactions and enzymes that enable coronavirus replication. The company is actively engaged in the FDA process. “We look forward to finalizing the IND and then moving towards conducting clinical studies of Coronzot for Covid-19,” said Silkim Pharma CEO Dror Chevion. RedHill Biopharma RedHill Biopharma, based in Raleigh, North Carolina and Tel Aviv, is “moving rapidly to advance our development program with opaganib for Covid-19,” according to a June 10 statement by Dr. Mark L. Levitt, RedHill medical director. RedHill acquired opaganib from US-based Apogee Biotechnology, which developed this oral drug to fight cancer, inflammation and viruses. RedHill has seen encouraging preliminary findings from six Israeli Covid-19 patients given opaganib under compassionate use to reduce lung inflammation. All were weaned from supplemental oxygen and discharged from the hospital without having to receive mechanical ventilation. RedHill plans a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled Phase 2/3 clinical study on 270 US patients with severe Covid-19 pneumonia. “We are expanding the development program to Russia and additional European countries, in parallel with the US clinical study, in order to accelerate the collection of robust data on the potential efficacy of opaganib against Covid-19,” said Levitt. The company is working with government agencies worldwide to allow more patients access to the investigational drug through clinical studies and compassionate use programs. InnoCan InnoCan Pharma Israel and Tel Aviv University tech-transfer company Ramot are collaborating to develop a new CBD-loaded exosome technology to fight lung inflammation. Exosomes, small particles created from stem cells, can act as “homing missiles” targeting specific damaged organs and facilitating cell-to-cell communication. Combining the cell-healing properties of exosomes with the anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabis-derived compound CBD is expected to have a strong synergetic effect. The treatment is administrated by inhalation. Stero Biotechs Stero Biotechs of Bnei Brak has started a small clinical trial at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva on the tolerability, safety and efficacy of a CBD-enhanced steroid treatment for hospitalized Covid-19 patients. “Steroid treatment is usually the first or second line of treatment for hospitalized patients. CBD enhances the therapeutic effect of steroid treatment and treats the bio-mechanism affected by the virus,” the company explained. Eybna and CannaSoul Two Israeli cannabis R&D firms, Eybna Technologies and CannaSoul Analytics, are developing a proprietary terpene formulation for modulating cytokine storms. Terpenes are organic compounds found in cannabis and other plants. Studies suggest they can be effective antiviral agents. CannaSoul’s Cytokine Storm Assay (from its Myplant-Bio subsidiary) will aid in optimizing and customizing Eybna’s novel NT-VRL inhaled formulation for treatment and prevention of viral infections in high-risk populations and actively ill patients. “The FDA considers this assay as a good predictor for cytokine storm response and immunotoxicity, and it is commonly required in the development of biological treatments,” according to CannaSoul Chairman and CSO Prof. Dedi Meiri. “The NT-VRL formulation intended to be used via inhalation,” said Eybna CEO Nadav Eyal. “This delivery method dramatically increases the terpenes’ bioavailability by directly contacting the infected cells in the respiratory system.” CannaSoul aims to identify other cannabis molecules capable of suppressing a cytokine storm in response to Covid-19 without completely suppressing the immune system. It is also studying how cannabis molecules could modulate the ACE2 receptor, which allows the virus to inject its genetic expression into human cells. Kamada Based in Rehovot, Kamada has begun supplying its experimental plasma-derived Hyperimmune IgG therapy for compassionate use in severe Covid-19 cases in Israel. The treatment is based on plasma donated by recovered Israeli Covid-19 patients. One critically ill patient at Hadassah Medical Center showed initial improvement after having the experimental IgG therapy but ultimately did not survive. During the third quarter of this year, Kamada expects to start a Phase 1/2 clinical study in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in Israel and hold a pre-IND meeting with the FDA to expand clinical development in the United States in partnership with Kedrion Biopharma. Kedrion is collecting plasma from recovered American Covid-19 patients at 23 FDA-approved centers across the United States. This will be used by Kamada to manufacture additional batches of the product. “To the best of our knowledge, Kamada is the first company globally to complete manufacturing of a plasma-derived IgG product for the treatment of Covid-19,” said Kamada CEO Amir London. Israel Institute for Biological Research The government-run Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) announced in May that analogues of two drugs for Gaucher’s disease proved effective against SARS-CoV-2. This drug cocktail is made up of the FDA-approved Cerdelga and an analogue of a second drug in advanced stages of the approval process. The IIBR study on cell cultures demonstrated that the two-drug treatment significantly reduced the replication capacity of the coronavirus and the destruction of the infected cell. This potential treatment is currently being tested in animals infected with the coronavirus. The IIRB also isolated several key coronavirus antibodies that successfully neutralized aggressive coronavirus in lab tests. These could form the basis of a future treatment following further testing. Pepticom Based in Jerusalem, Pepticom computationally designs novel peptide drug candidates using artificial intelligence. The company raised $5 million last year. Three months ago, Pepticom began implementing its proprietary AI technology on various coronavirus proteins to identify novel peptides that inhibit interaction between the spike protein of SARS-Cov-2 and the ACE2 receptor – thereby stopping the virus from entering the cell. CEO Immanuel Lerner says three such proteins have already been identified and are being validated in the lab. “Using AI is a fast way to find these peptides, which are less expensive and easier to produce than antibodies,” Lerner tells ISRAEL21c. “Many parties are interested in looking at our results and finding ways to develop this further.” Bonus BioGroup In April, Bonus BioGroup initiated a preclinical study of MesenCure, its unique drug for treating acute and life-threatening respiratory distress in coronavirus and pneumonia patients. MesenCure consists of activated mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells from healthy adult donors. The activation of these MSCs is intended to boost their ability to reduce lung inflammation, promote regeneration of the diseased lung tissue, and alleviate respiratory and other symptoms in the lungs. The development of MesenCure relies on more than a decade of related experience and technologies that Bonus BioGroup has used in developing its lead product, a tissue-engineered bone graft also based on MSCs. “With the current coronavirus outbreak, Bonus BioGroup has started tissue culture studies into the potential of these MSCs, further activated, to alleviate inflammation, including in the lungs, and possibly attenuate the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients,” the company explained. The preclinical study in several animal models is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2020. The company said preliminary results indicate that “following the treatment with MesenCure, the microscopic appearance of the treated lungs was similar to a healthy lung, and a significant improvement in additional related parameters was achieved.” Bonus BioGroup presented these results to 1,800 scientists, physicians, and public opinion leaders at the virtual conference of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy in May. NanoGhost Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Prof. Marcelle Machluf developed a drug-delivery technology that uses reconstructed mesenchymal stem cells as nano-vesicles to transport medicine directly to a target. NanoGhost is the startup she established to commercialize the technology, which has proven successful in treating pancreatic, lung, breast, prostate, and brain cancer in mice. The NanoGhost technology has been patented in the United States and Europe, with additional patents pending in India and China. Now, Machluf is adapting her technology to create decoy NanoGhosts that attract and entrap the coronavirus, making for a less severe infection. She explains it in the video below. Enlivex Enlivex Therapeutics of Ness Ziona is developing Allocetra, a novel immunotherapy medication to treat organ dysfunction and acute multiple organ failure associated with sepsis and Covid-19, as well as solid tumors. Allocetra rebalances a severely unbalanced immune system by engaging with the immune system’s own regulation mechanisms. It is designed to restore safe immune balance following a cytokine storm. Enlivex is starting to recruit Covid-19 patients in Israel and in the United States to test the potential effect of Allocetra on moderate to severe cases. A patent from the Japan Patent Office is expected during the third quarter of 2020. Weizmann Institute of Science Organic chemist Nir London of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot is co-leading a collaborative project to identify small molecules that can bind to and inhibit a protease enzyme that the SARS-CoV-2 virus needs to reproduce. London and his research team had previously developed an advanced method for identifying potential inhibitors for numerous proteins. “So far, we have made close to 800 compounds and...

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