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Cyprus and Israel Join Forces For Groundbreaking Gene Editing Project

by News Editor

March 31, 2025

The Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) has launched EDIT-4-IRON, an ambitious genome editing initiative aimed at transforming treatments for iron-related blood disorders.

Backed by a €200,000 grant under the “RESTART 2016–2020, Bilateral Collaborations” program from the Research and Innovation Foundation, this 36-month project strengthens scientific ties between Cyprus and Israel while reinforcing both nations’ positions as leaders in genetic and haematological research.

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A Pioneering Collaboration

Led by Dr. Carsten W. Lederer, Head of the MGTD and Associate Professor at CING, the Cypriot team includes haematologist Dr. Panayiota L. Papasavva and gene editing expert Dr. Petros Patsali. On the Israeli side, gene editing specialist Dr. Ayal Hendel, a professor at Bar-Ilan University (BIU), spearheads the project.

Both institutions bring extensive expertise to the table. CING, the national reference laboratory for rare anaemia research and diagnosis in Cyprus, has been at the forefront of gene therapy innovations. BIU, meanwhile, holds multiple patents in editing technology and is a national leader in advanced therapy medicinal product development for blood disorders.

Training The Next Generation

Beyond its scientific breakthroughs, EDIT-4-IRON will provide cutting-edge training opportunities. The project supports two PhD students—one in Cyprus (Azzam Mohamed Ahmed Abdelfattah) and one in Israel—alongside an MSc student in Israel, offering them hands-on experience in gene therapy technologies and international networking prospects.

A Revolutionary Approach To Iron Disorders

EDIT-4-IRON aims to revolutionise treatments for inherited and acquired iron-related haematological disorders (IHDs), such as transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia, non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia, hereditary haemochromatosis, and polycythaemia vera. These conditions, often marked by iron overload or ineffective erythropoiesis, currently rely on small-molecule therapies that require lifelong administration and come with significant side effects.

By leveraging CRISPR/Cas and base editing technologies, researchers aim to create gene knockouts that induce an iron-restrictive state, potentially offering a long-term therapeutic alternative for thousands of patients worldwide.

A Data-Driven Approach

The project will rigorously evaluate the safety and efficacy of these gene-editing strategies through ex vivo and in vivo testing, using primary patient samples from Cyprus, cell lines, and murine disease models. This approach ensures that any breakthroughs can be translated into real-world clinical applications.

Setting the Stage For Innovation

EDIT-4-IRON officially kicked off on May 26, 2025, with a meeting between the Cypriot and Israeli teams to define collaboration frameworks, project milestones, and deliverables. With its combination of groundbreaking science, international cooperation, and a commitment to patient-centric innovation, this project marks a significant step forward in the fight against iron-related blood disorders.

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Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.