On April 11, 2018, American Committee supporters from across the country heard from CEO Marshall S. Levin during his most recent conference call focused on “Science at the Leading Edge: Latest Breakthroughs from the Weizmann Institute of Science.”
Prof. Avishay Gal-Yam searches the skies for exploding stars that contain the elements necessary for life, and is working with NASA and others on a UV-wavelength satellite.
In just the past few years, understanding of the microbiome has transformed how we perceive diet and nutrition, and is already altering how we take care of ourselves. Weizmann Institute scientists from a range of disciplines – just some of which are immunology, neuroscience, biology, genetics, chemistry, machine learning, mathematics, and computer science – have led the way in microbiome research, regularly producing headline-making discoveries. Several of these researchers are also medical doctors, and their experience in working with patients helps move therapies more quickly from the lab to you.
The good news is that we’re living longer than ever. The not-so-good news is that age-related diseases – including vision problems – are also sticking around. As just one example, the National Institutes of Health says that because of increased longevity, the number of people with age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, grew 18 percent – from 1.75 to 2.07 million – over a single decade.
Fortunately, the Weizmann Institute of Science’s dedicated researchers are investigating age-related diseases from a number of angles, from the basic biochemistry of the retina to imaging the brain in action. Interdisciplinary groups study computer-aided and artificial vision and experiment with vaccines that could prevent degenerative eye diseases. By finding ways to better understand, protect, preserve, and treat the eyes, Weizmann scientists are improving life for people worldwide.
Prof. Karina Yaniv was first in the world to grow lymph cells in the lab, and is working to develop clinical treatments for conditions such as lymphedema.
As we look forward to another year of innovative, life-improving science for the benefit of humanity, what better place to find hope for the future than in young scientists?
The Weizmann Institute of Science scours the globe for the brightest, most talented researchers, always aiming to bring fresh ideas and creative thinkers to campus. We’d like you to meet a few of these remarkable new recruits:
This was a year of particularly awe-inspiring breakthroughs at the Institute.
As we enter a time of year abundant with food-centric holidays, it's helpful to think about how we eat – and how much. And given the link between overeating, obesity, and diabetes, it's no coincidence that November is American Diabetes Month. Weizmann scientists are looking at the complexities of diabetes and developing novel treatments.
On October 10, 2017, nearly 200 American Committee supporters from across the country joined a special conference call with CEO Marshall S. Levin. The second in a series of semi-annual calls focused on “Science at the Leading Edge: Latest Breakthroughs from the Weizmann Institute of Science.” Mr. Levin opened with the news of the Weizmann Institute’s sixth place ranking in the prestigious Nature Index of Innovation, and Weizmann Prof. Michal Schwartz’s distinction as “Lady Globes” Woman of Year for her groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research.
October 10, 2017
©2019 American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
