Pioneers in research that has lead to better health and medicine world-wide, Weizmann has a long list of achievements.
Some include the discovery of the basis of amniocentesis and new fertility treatments; the founding of two leading treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) called Copaxone® and Rebif®; and the development of advanced image scanning technology. Currently under development are vaccines for flu and diabetes; growing new organs and T cells to treat damaged spines from stem cells; and finding out how diseases originated. Discovering how medicine and therapies will evolve is also a key focus: personalised medicine that provides treatments and therapies based on the individual’s genetic make-up are the future, and Weizmann’s new Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine is working hard to make this a reality. In Australia, Weizmann collaborations with leading universities have also played a role in understanding the basis of disease in a bid to develop better treatments and help our world to become a healthier place. Weizmann has recently joined forces with Australia’s famous Garvan Institute of Medical Research to establish the Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics where these two great research centres will create synergistic research platforms to advance cellular genomic science.
Weizmann facts
Leading MS drugs Copaxone® and Rebif® developed by Weizmann, treating some of the 23,700 Australians with MS
A type 1 (juvenile) diabetes treatment is now in Phase III clinical trials
Deciphered 3-billion-base-pair genome in its role as part of the Human Genome Project
Selected Achievements
Seeking medical solutions through developing artificial enzymes that can change and evolve
Weizmann Scientists – led by Professor Dan Tawfik – have designed artificial enzymes that can evolve in a test tube at faster rates, opening doors for different applications in medicine and industry.
Seeking ways to prevent brain damage from head injury, stroke or disease
The cause of brain damage from injury is from glutamate, a neurotransmitter that floods the brain when such an event occurs. A method the makes this excess glutamate leave the brain quickly and safely into the blood stream has been developed by Weizmann’s Professor Vivian Teichberg.
Seeking ways to double the chance of women conceiving who have fertility issues
Now used around the world, the process of performing a uterine biopsy before in vitro fertilization was found by Weizmann’s Professor Nava Dekel to double the chance of pregnancy success.
Latest News
Down to the Synapse: Connecting Brain Circuits to Behaviour
When a threat is looming and an escape route is open, one would expect any animal to flee imminent danger. But when microscopic worms faced a threatening signal in a…
Weizmann Institute scientists reveal how viruses outwit cellular immune systems
We are used to thinking of the immune system as a separate entity, almost a distinct organ, but the truth is much more complicated. Breakthroughs in recent years – some…
Neurons Caught Rapidly Switching Gears
Even during routine tasks such as a daily stroll, our brain needs to shift gears, switching from navigating the city to jumping out of the way of a bike or…
Sweetness That Comes at a Price: Sugar Substitutes May Affect the Human Body in Unanticipated Ways
Non-nutritive sweeteners – also known as sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners – are supposed to deliver all the sweetness of sugar without the calories. But a controlled trial conducted by…
Other achievements
Advancing Technology
Weizmann’s research into advanced technology is immense and acts as a time line for technology’s evolution.
Fighting Cancer
Nearly half the life science research at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel is focussed on cancer.
Exploring the Physical World
Although over the centuries we have learned much about our physical world, from the earth below to the stars above, there are still many mysteries to uncover.
Protecting our Planet
Providing solutions to our planet’s environmental challenges is part of Weizmann’s business.
Enriching Education
Science education is a core endeavour of the Weizmann Institute of Science.