About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the future of humanity.
The brain is one of the last great frontiers of medicine – one that will be explored at the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences. Bringing together Weizmann’s renowned neuroscientists and the advanced technologies that are transforming the field, the initiative will drive breakthroughs in areas from autism to Alzheimer’s, dementia to depression, movement disorders to memory problems, neurochemistry to neuroimmunity. Research partnerships will span disciplines and the globe. The Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences will take neuroscience research into the future.
In order to finally understand the brain, a comprehensive approach is needed – one that combines a range of disciplines, a host of instrumentation and methodologies, and experts from across the sciences.
The Weizmann Institute possesses such diversity and capabilities, with more than 40 groups focused on neuroscience and multiple teams from other fields contributing to this work. Sophisticated equipment, such as the region’s only 7-Tesla MRI, advances the research. Weizmann’s scientific community is close knit, collaborative, and agile, its scientists working together toward a common goal: truly comprehending the brain and developing treatments for its diseases and disorders.
A revolution in technology is driving a revolution in neuroscience, as researchers can now visualize, investigate, and understand the brain in ways not possible just a decade ago. Weizmann’s Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences will leverage such developments and take neuroscience to new heights.
A new, purpose-designed structure will provide the physical proximity and foster the interdisciplinary spirit needed to inspire collaborations. The initiative will combine excellence in neurobiology with insights from fields like chemistry, physics, linguistics, computer science, and engineering. And by attracting young neuroscientists and inspiring students to specialize in the field, it helps guarantee the growth and future of innovative brain research.
Brain-related conditions are on the rise: neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s; stress, depression, and other mental illnesses; and autism, ADHD, and other disorders all take a toll on the individual, their family, and society. In order to take aim at these challenges and shed light on the brain’s complexities, the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences will have centers focused on perception, mental health, memory, cognition, neurodegeneration, learning, the aging brain, and other vital topics. By developing medicines and therapies that are truly effective, the Institute’s research could transform the lives of millions of people worldwide.
©2024 American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
