Latest news with #KateBingham
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists unlock secret behind rare disease where flu can cause paralysis
The family of a man who was paralysed at the age of two after catching the flu have expressed their 'hope' as scientists have discovered that a faulty gene may be responsible for the rare condition. It is hoped that the finding could potentially one day lead to a treatment for the illness. When Timothy Bingham was two, he had a mild flu-like illness which left him unable to walk. Three years later following another infection, he was paralysed and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Kate Bingham, mother of Timothy, who is now 28, said: 'About 25 years ago Tim got a flu like infection and a temperature. 'What seemed like a minor illness had devastating consequences. 'The attack, and subsequent attacks – did terrible damage. First to his legs, then his arms, his face and his chest. 'And now he needs 24-hour care. His diaphragm barely works at all so he can't cough. 'It's hard for him to chew and he can't drink unassisted. He can't move in bed so needs turning throughout the night. The things we all take for granted he can't do.' The rare condition was spotted again in 2011 when an unnamed eight-month-old girl was left unable to breathe on her own without the support of a ventilator after a mild chest infection. Scientists suspected that there could be a genetic reason behind the condition after the girl's two brothers had experienced similar severe problems following mild infections. Now scientists at the University of Manchester have found a genetic mechanism behind the severe reactions to mild infections seen among these children – a change to a gene called RCC1. Researchers found that 24 children from 12 families from the UK, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Slovakia have been found to have changes in the same gene. Writing in the journal Lancet Neurology, the research team describe how the condition 'mimics' Guillain-Barre syndrome – a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the nerves – and 'overlaps mechanistically' with motor neurone disease. The research team, led by Professor Bill Newman from the University of Manchester, said that their study reveals that 'variants in RCC1 as a novel cause of neurological disease.' 'Until this study, little was known about why some people experience severe nerve damage after they have had a mild infection like flu or a stomach upset,' Professor Newman said. 'This work provides families with an explanation and is the first step in us developing an effective treatment. As children are well before they develop nerve damage following an infection, this gives us an opportunity to treat at risk children before problems occur. 'The similarity with Guillain-Barre syndrome and with conditions like motor neuron disease may help us understand these more common conditions and why some people are at greater risk and what treatments may be effective.' Mrs Bingham from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: 'As Tim's mum the discovery of a gene which is linked to what happened to Tim means everything to me. 'For so long we have lived with uncertainty of not knowing the full picture. 'This breakthrough brings us great hope as it will do to all those people who have waited years for answers. This is something that helps us look to the future.' She added: 'I'm proud of how strong Tim has been. 'He now has a girlfriend he met online who is wonderful. 'He proves there is life beyond disability.' The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, LifeArc and the Wellcome Trust. Sam Barrell, chief executive of LifeArc, said, 'For many people living with rare conditions, the wait for a diagnosis can be agonisingly long – around a third wait more than five years. 'In Timothy's case, that uncertainty stretched for over twenty years. 'This discovery provides a potential target for treatment and the first step towards delivering a brighter future for people that could be living with this same devastating condition.'
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Man, 28, caught flu aged two - now he needs 24-hour care
Timothy Bingham was paralysed at the age of two after contracting a flu-like illness and has been in a wheelchair since, but his family has now expressed their "hope" The relatives of a man who became paralysed at two years old following a bout of flu have voiced their "hope" after researchers identified that a defective gene could be behind this uncommon condition. The discovery raises the possibility of eventually developing a treatment for the illness. Timothy Bingham was just two when he contracted what appeared to be a minor flu-like bug that robbed him of his ability to walk. Three years on, another infection struck, leaving him paralysed and wheelchair-bound ever since. His mother, Kate Bingham, whose son is now 28, explained: "About 25 years ago Tim got a flu-like infection and a temperature. What seemed like a minor illness had devastating consequences. "The attack, and subsequent attacks – did terrible damage. First to his legs, then his arms, his face and his chest. And now he needs 24-hour care. His diaphragm barely works at all, so he can't cough. "It's hard for him to chew and he can't drink unassisted. He can't move in bed, so needs turning throughout the night. The things we all take for granted he can't do." Scientists encountered the rare condition once more in 2011 when an unnamed eight-month-old girl was left dependent on a ventilator to breathe following what started as a mild chest infection. Researchers began to suspect a genetic component might be at play after discovering the girl's two brothers had suffered similar devastating effects from seemingly minor infections. Scientists at the University of Manchester have discovered a genetic mechanism that triggers severe reactions to mild infections in certain children, linked to a modification in the RCC1 gene. The research identified 24 children from 12 families across the UK, Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and Slovakia, all exhibiting changes in this same gene. Published in Lancet Neurology, the researchers describe how the condition "mimics" Guillain-Barre syndrome - a rare disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves - and shares mechanisms with motor neurone disease. The study, led by Professor Bill Newman from the University of Manchester, reveals that "variants in RCC1 as a novel cause of neurological disease". Professor Newman said: "Until this study, little was known about why some people experience severe nerve damage after they have had a mild infection like flu or a stomach upset. "This work provides families with an explanation and is the first step in us developing an effective treatment. As children are well before they develop nerve damage following an infection, this gives us an opportunity to treat at risk children before problems occur. "The similarity with Guillain-Barre syndrome and with conditions like motor neuron disease may help us understand these more common conditions and why some people are at greater risk and what treatments may be effective." Mrs Bingham from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, expressed her relief at the discovery: "As Tim's mum the discovery of a gene which is linked to what happened to Tim means everything to me. For so long we have lived with uncertainty of not knowing the full picture. "This breakthrough brings us great hope as it will do to all those people who have waited years for answers. This is something that helps us look to the future." She added: "I'm proud of how strong Tim has been. He now has a girlfriend he met online who is wonderful. He proves there is life beyond disability." The research leading to this discovery received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, LifeArc, and the Wellcome Trust. Sam Barrell, chief executive of LifeArc, said: "For many people living with rare conditions, the wait for a diagnosis can be agonisingly long – around a third wait more than five years. In Timothy's case, that uncertainty stretched for over 20 years. "This discovery provides a potential target for treatment and the first step towards delivering a brighter future for people that could be living with this same devastating condition."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists unlock secret behind rare disease where flu can cause paralysis
The family of a man who was paralysed at the age of two after catching the flu have expressed their 'hope' as scientists have discovered that a faulty gene may be responsible for the rare condition. It is hoped that the finding could potentially one day lead to a treatment for the illness. When Timothy Bingham was two, he had a mild flu-like illness which left him unable to walk. Three years later following another infection, he was paralysed and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Kate Bingham, mother of Timothy, who is now 28, said: 'About 25 years ago Tim got a flu like infection and a temperature. 'What seemed like a minor illness had devastating consequences. 'The attack, and subsequent attacks – did terrible damage. First to his legs, then his arms, his face and his chest. 'And now he needs 24-hour care. His diaphragm barely works at all so he can't cough. 'It's hard for him to chew and he can't drink unassisted. He can't move in bed so needs turning throughout the night. The things we all take for granted he can't do.' The rare condition was spotted again in 2011 when an unnamed eight-month-old girl was left unable to breathe on her own without the support of a ventilator after a mild chest infection. Scientists suspected that there could be a genetic reason behind the condition after the girl's two brothers had experienced similar severe problems following mild infections. Now scientists at the University of Manchester have found a genetic mechanism behind the severe reactions to mild infections seen among these children – a change to a gene called RCC1. Researchers found that 24 children from 12 families from the UK, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Slovakia have been found to have changes in the same gene. Writing in the journal Lancet Neurology, the research team describe how the condition 'mimics' Guillain-Barre syndrome – a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the nerves – and 'overlaps mechanistically' with motor neurone disease. The research team, led by Professor Bill Newman from the University of Manchester, said that their study reveals that 'variants in RCC1 as a novel cause of neurological disease.' 'Until this study, little was known about why some people experience severe nerve damage after they have had a mild infection like flu or a stomach upset,' Professor Newman said. 'This work provides families with an explanation and is the first step in us developing an effective treatment. As children are well before they develop nerve damage following an infection, this gives us an opportunity to treat at risk children before problems occur. 'The similarity with Guillain-Barre syndrome and with conditions like motor neuron disease may help us understand these more common conditions and why some people are at greater risk and what treatments may be effective.' Mrs Bingham from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: 'As Tim's mum the discovery of a gene which is linked to what happened to Tim means everything to me. 'For so long we have lived with uncertainty of not knowing the full picture. 'This breakthrough brings us great hope as it will do to all those people who have waited years for answers. This is something that helps us look to the future.' She added: 'I'm proud of how strong Tim has been. 'He now has a girlfriend he met online who is wonderful. 'He proves there is life beyond disability.' The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, LifeArc and the Wellcome Trust. Sam Barrell, chief executive of LifeArc, said, 'For many people living with rare conditions, the wait for a diagnosis can be agonisingly long – around a third wait more than five years. 'In Timothy's case, that uncertainty stretched for over twenty years. 'This discovery provides a potential target for treatment and the first step towards delivering a brighter future for people that could be living with this same devastating condition.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists unlock secret behind rare disease where flu can cause paralysis
The family of a man who was paralysed at the age of two after catching the flu have expressed their 'hope' as scientists have discovered that a faulty gene may be responsible for the rare condition. It is hoped that the finding could potentially one day lead to a treatment for the illness. When Timothy Bingham was two, he had a mild flu-like illness which left him unable to walk. Three years later following another infection, he was paralysed and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Kate Bingham, mother of Timothy, who is now 28, said: 'About 25 years ago Tim got a flu like infection and a temperature. 'What seemed like a minor illness had devastating consequences. 'The attack, and subsequent attacks – did terrible damage. First to his legs, then his arms, his face and his chest. 'And now he needs 24-hour care. His diaphragm barely works at all so he can't cough. 'It's hard for him to chew and he can't drink unassisted. He can't move in bed so needs turning throughout the night. The things we all take for granted he can't do.' The rare condition was spotted again in 2011 when an unnamed eight-month-old girl was left unable to breathe on her own without the support of a ventilator after a mild chest infection. Scientists suspected that there could be a genetic reason behind the condition after the girl's two brothers had experienced similar severe problems following mild infections. Now scientists at the University of Manchester have found a genetic mechanism behind the severe reactions to mild infections seen among these children – a change to a gene called RCC1. Researchers found that 24 children from 12 families from the UK, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Slovakia have been found to have changes in the same gene. Writing in the journal Lancet Neurology, the research team describe how the condition 'mimics' Guillain-Barre syndrome – a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the nerves – and 'overlaps mechanistically' with motor neurone disease. The research team, led by Professor Bill Newman from the University of Manchester, said that their study reveals that 'variants in RCC1 as a novel cause of neurological disease.' 'Until this study, little was known about why some people experience severe nerve damage after they have had a mild infection like flu or a stomach upset,' Professor Newman said. 'This work provides families with an explanation and is the first step in us developing an effective treatment. As children are well before they develop nerve damage following an infection, this gives us an opportunity to treat at risk children before problems occur. 'The similarity with Guillain-Barre syndrome and with conditions like motor neuron disease may help us understand these more common conditions and why some people are at greater risk and what treatments may be effective.' Mrs Bingham from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: 'As Tim's mum the discovery of a gene which is linked to what happened to Tim means everything to me. 'For so long we have lived with uncertainty of not knowing the full picture. 'This breakthrough brings us great hope as it will do to all those people who have waited years for answers. This is something that helps us look to the future.' She added: 'I'm proud of how strong Tim has been. 'He now has a girlfriend he met online who is wonderful. 'He proves there is life beyond disability.' The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, LifeArc and the Wellcome Trust. Sam Barrell, chief executive of LifeArc, said, 'For many people living with rare conditions, the wait for a diagnosis can be agonisingly long – around a third wait more than five years. 'In Timothy's case, that uncertainty stretched for over twenty years. 'This discovery provides a potential target for treatment and the first step towards delivering a brighter future for people that could be living with this same devastating condition.'
The Herald Scotland
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Gordon Brown: Here is how to create 300,000 Scots jobs in 10 years
A new report to be published this week by the think tank Our Scottish Future lays bare this challenge. We could create 300,000 good jobs over the next ten years – and be in the lead in areas as advanced as precision medicine, quantum computing, carbon capture and storage, and even video games. Go to Dundee and you'll find the most advanced video games technologies that rival Grand Theft Auto and which had their origins in the city. Read more Go to Aberdeen and you'll find them developing wind and wave power and hydrogen to complement the world leadership we enjoyed in North Sea oil and gas. Come to Glasgow and the city that was once home to shipbuilding and steel is now at the centre of the world life science industry, with academic, clinical and commercial expertise from drug discovery to the most up-to-date personalised medicine based on DNA, and remarkable advanced manufacturing. And look at Edinburgh, where not only is fintech moving forward, but the city has had for 60 years a lead in artificial intelligence and is home to some of the most advanced computers in the world. But to convert our ideas and innovations into jobs, we have to invest in the future – in research, in education, and most of all, in people. For every £1 we spend on research in our world-class universities, we get back just £1.46 in business investment. That's half what the UK delivers. Across the OECD, it's more than triple. And look at the skills gap. We turn out a higher share of graduates than in most countries in the world – but too many well qualified Scottish university leavers end up working in non graduate jobs. This is not just a shortfall hurting our economic growth. It's indicative of the fact that we in Scotland are squandering our potential. The report, Innovation Nation, pulls no punches. It says what many of us already know: the system isn't working. We have the talent, the research, and the ambition. We have the capability - and the need - to deliver inclusive economic growth, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs through exciting growth sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and green energy. What we don't have is the leadership and joined-up thinking to make it count. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown (Image: free) That's why this week in Glasgow Our Scottish future is bringing together some of the brightest minds in the world of innovation and technology. With us is Kate Bingham who pioneered the vaccine task force that saved thousands of job of lives. Kasim Kutay who heads one of most Europe's most innovative bioscience groups, Novo Nordisk. Michael Spence, the Nobel Prize winner who's the expert on AI. Jim Rowan who has headed not only Volvo but BlackBerry and Dyson in his time, pioneering the development of manufacturing from his Scottish engineering genius. And we have David Sainsbury the author of Windows of Opportunity and Britain's most successful science minister who has spent a lifetime arguing for the importance of innovate clusters to growth. We have Chris van der Kyl who has himself set up a large number of innovative companies from his base in Dundee. And we will have key investors from the public and private sectors and other economic experts. What's more we will have trade minister Douglas Alexander and Scottish labour leader and Anas Sarwar at an event to be introduced by the SNP Lord Provost of Glasgow. Read more For as we will show late in the week it is not too late to steer a new direction. A real industrial strategy. Innovation hubs in our great cities. Local authorities, UK and Scottish governments working together to drive real change in local areas across Scotland. And support for the businesses that want to grow, scale, and stay in Scotland. These recommendations represent a win-win for Scotland, where we raise the roof and lift the floor – creating good jobs, tackling poverty, and building a fairer, greener, more dynamic Scotland. We have a choice. Stick with the status quo, with patchy growth and missed opportunities. Or take bold action, seize the initiative, and once again lead the world in science, in enterprise, and in building a better society. Let's take that chance. Let's build Scotland's future together – and become the innovation nation we were always meant to be. Gordon Brown was Britain's Labour Prime Minster from 2007-2010
