Dr. Moustache and the Bubble Baby Disease: A CIRM Success Story

More than 50 patients treated successfully, but a commercialization caveat

Jakob at UCLA with his Dr. Moustache disguise, photo courtesy of Paola Andrea Fernández de Soto AbdulRahim. See more photos at end of this story, including Donald Kohn and his UCLA team.

Editor’s note: This article by yours truly first appeared on July 26 on Capitol Weekly, which focuses on state government and political news. Some changes and additions have been made, including additional photos. Also added is a companion piece with Donald Kohn's remarks about the progress of his CIRM-funded work.

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Dr. Moustache has done it again.

Another child has been treated for a deadly affliction known as the “bubble boy” disease. Dr. Moustache and his “magical team” did have a little help, courtesy of the people of California who put tens of millions of dollars into financing his cell and gene therapy. 

But just who is Dr. Moustache? He is a fictional character conjured up by Paola Andrea Fernández de Soto AbdulRahim. She is the grateful mother of the child who was treated just 10 days ago by the real-life, moustachioed researcher Donald Kohn at UCLA. In her children’s book, “In My Magical Bubble,” Dr. Moustache plays a key role. (Dr. Moustache, by the way, prefers the British spelling of his name instead of the American version -- mustache.) 

Fernández de Soto AbdulRahin’s five-year-old son, Jakob inspired her book, and his real-life treatment was completed July 19. Kohn, his “magical” team and Jakob’s family all celebrated with a moustache party in Jakob’s hospital room.

It was “a moment to honor the most wonderful man who is giving us our son back, the beautiful team that helps him