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.
Apr 01, 2020...
JERUSALEM — Teams of epidemiologists and computer scientists on three continents have started mass population surveys to try to get ahead of the coronavirus and ensure that scarce diagnostic tests, and even scarcer ventilators, are sent where they can do the most good.
More than two million people in Britain and 150,000 Israelis have already completed simple questionnaires, and many are updating their answers daily. Analysts of the data — including symptoms of Covid-19 and test results, as well as risk factors and demographics — say they have been able to identify incipient outbreaks days ahead of the authorities.
May 08, 2020...
It started with a tweet. Alpha Lee, co-founder and chief scientific officer of machine-learning company PostEra, read on Twitter that Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron facility, had identified a set of chemical fragments that attach to an important coronavirus protein.
Lee wondered if his company, formed just six months earlier, could help connect the dots from fragments to viable drugs to fight COVID-19. PostEra uses AI algorithms to map routes for drug synthesis to speed the drug discovery process. But to do so, they would need some design ideas. So Lee asked the Internet.
May 27, 2020...
Gallons of Israeli blood will be packed in liquid nitrogen on Monday and rushed to America’s national health agency, in the hope it will help to solve some of the biggest mysteries of the coronavirus.
Daniel Douek, the scientist who collected the thousands of samples, conducted an initial analysis and prepared them for shipment, said that he is “extremely excited” that they are leaving for the US.
May 05, 2020... Dr Nir London, Senior Scientist, Department of Organic Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, has brought together a wide range of players—from academia in four countries, to biotech and contract research organisations, to specialised software companies—to accelerate the development of a drug against COVID-19. Dr London reveals more details about this endeavour, in interaction with Sanjiv Das
Apr 07, 2020...
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has triggered a paradigm shift in assumptions regarding vaccine development.
The pandemic has made it clear, to governments and big pharma alike, that dedicating significant resources to proactive vaccination strategies are key to save lives. Healthcare systems buckling under the strain of the coronavirus would simply collapse under the additional burden of a severe influenza outbreak.
Apr 02, 2020... In this videoconference, Dr. Ron Diskin shares a new presentation on coronavirus and the state of the research. He goes from the history of the virus – from discovery to how it moves through animals and humans...
Apr 02, 2020... In this videoconference, Prof. Benny Geiger, Head of the Institute’s Department of Immunology, gives an overview of what the Institute as a community is doing to fight coronavirus, and how researchers from across Israel have created a scientific support network.
Apr 05, 2020... This clever and engaging animation accompanies Dr. Ron Diskin’s overview of coronavirus – a whole history in less than three minutes! He takes us from its discovery in the 1960s to the 2002 SARS outbreak to MERS in 2012 to today.
Apr 06, 2020... This impressive and inspiring video is a fast-paced snapshot of the Weizmann Institute’s rapid response to coronavirus. There are now more than 50 projects underway, many in collaboration with prestigious institutions around the world.
Apr 07, 2020... Prof. Alon Chen – president of the Weizmann Institute and a leading neurobiologist who studies mental health – shares a two-part presentation in this videoconference with American Committee supporters.