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 benefit of humanity.
May 28, 2022...
Michael Sela, a world-renowned Israeli immunology expert who also served as president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, died on Friday at the age of 98.
An Israel Prize laureate at the age of 35 for his life science research who also earned many other awards during his career, Sela was involved in the development of the drug Copaxone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis as well as three cancer treatment drugs. His research shed light on the genetic aspects of the functioning of the immune system and led to new fields of immunology.
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/feature-stories/remembering-prof-michael-sela/
May 31, 2022...
The worldwide community of the Weizmann Institute of Science deeply mourns the passing of our beloved longtime leader, preeminent scientist, and dear friend, Prof. Michael Sela.
Throughout his illustrious career, Michael made numerous discoveries that forever changed immunological research, shedding light on the genetic control of the immune response.
He co-invented the blockbuster drug Copaxone® for the treatment of multiple sclerosis as well as three cancer treatment drugs – Erbitux®, Vectibix®, and Portrazza® – which have improved the lives of millions worldwide.
Jun 03, 2022...
In the late 1960s, as a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Prof. Sela wanted to shed light on the causes and nature of the potentially disabling disease. He and two colleagues—Ruth Arnon and Dvora Teitelbaum—injected synthetic proteins into lab animals in an attempt to induce something akin to multiple sclerosis as part of that quest.
To their surprise, none of the laboratory animals developed the malady. “We wanted to cause disease, and we were unsuccessful,” Prof. Sela later told TheMarker, an Israeli newspaper.