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

Jakob at UCLA with his Dr. Moustache disguise, photo courtesy of Paola Andrea Fernández de Soto AbdulRahim.

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.

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