December 2020: Avraham: Innovative treatment for deafness
Prof. Karen Avraham, Edmond J. Safra member, developed an innovative treatment that may prevent deafness in children who were born with certain genetic mutations that cause hearing loss.
Prof. Karen Avraham, Edmond J. Safra member (Medicine), developed an innovative treatment that may prevent deafness in children who were born with certain genetic mutations that cause hearing loss. According to the new study, led by Prof. Avraham and published in the medical journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, the treatment works by delivering genetic material into the cells of the inner ear using a harmless synthetic virus, enabling the genetically dysfunctional cells to continue functioning normally.
According to the study, the scientists were able to prevent the gradual deterioration of hearing in mice that had the genetic mutation for deafness. The novel therapy could lead to a breakthrough in treating children born with various mutations that cause hearing loss and, eventually, deafness.
The new study gained a significant international exposure with more than 50 references in English speaking media, as well as some more in German, French, Spanish and Chinese. See some of the reports in online media: newzealandonlinenews, soundhealthandlastingwealth , globalhealthnews, sciencecodex, and businessworld.