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.
Mar 17, 2021... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—March 17, 2021—To observe how a tiny ball of identical cells on its way to becoming a mammalian embryo first attaches to an awaiting uterine wall and then develops into the nervous system, heart, stomach, and limbs: This has been a highly sought-after grail in the field of embryonic development for nearly 100 years. Now, Prof. Jacob Hanna of the Weizmann Institute of Science and his group have accomplished this feat. The method they created for growing mouse embryos outside the womb during the initial stages after embryo implantation will give researchers an unprecedented tool for understanding the development program encoded in the genes, and may provide detailed insights into birth and developmental defects as well as those involved in embryo implantation. The results were published in Nature.
Mar 17, 2021...
The mouse embryos looked perfectly normal. All their organs were developing as expected, along with their limbs and circulatory and nervous systems. Their tiny hearts were beating at a normal 170 beats per minute.
But these embryos were not growing in a mother mouse. They were developed inside an artificial uterus, the first time such a feat has been accomplished, scientists reported on Wednesday.
Oct 18, 2021... Prof. Jacob Hanna of Weizmann’s Department of Molecular Genetics embodies the creativity, innovation, and outside-the-box thinking that have been hallmarks of the Institute since its inception. In this engaging webinar we hear from Prof. Hanna on the use of his revolutionary methods to study stem cells and how he is making major leaps forward in this field. His groundbreaking work could pave the way to medical applications such as the ability to repair damaged tissue, treat autoimmune diseases, grow transplant organs, cure infertility, and much more. Following the presentation the American Committee's Senior Vice President for Donor Relations and National Programs, Bonnie Diamond, led a dynamic Q&A session.
Dec 20, 2021... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—December 20, 2021—Prof. Eldad Tzahor peered into his microscope one day and saw steak. As part of Tzahor’s research into repairing muscle tissue, Dr. Tamar Eigler, a postdoctoral fellow in his lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, had been experimenting with cultured muscle stem cells. One of these experiments had produced the surprising sight that appeared before Tzahor’s eyes: The cells had started fusing into tiny fibers that thickened rapidly, within hours creating large muscle fibers resembling those in whole cut meat.
Jan 05, 2022...
Scientists have been exploring the idea of growing organs outside the human body for transplantation procedures but nothing concrete has come yet. However, new research by a team from the Weizmann Institute shows that we may be drawing closer to that being possible.
The ability to culture organs in labs would make a whole lot of difference in medicine. It could make it possible to preserve millions of lives each year. Numerous people require transplantation but getting an organ is a problem.
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