Centers and institutes

The Azrieli Institute for Systems Biology provides a platform for a large range of disciplines that apply holistic tools to comprehending biological phenomena, from genome architecture and function to model organism development and cancer.

The Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research provides funding that supports the Sustainability and Energy Research Initiative (SAERI). Together, these entities encourage fundamental scientific research to explore new ways to create and use clean energy sources. Areas of exploration include solar energy, wind, and hydroelectric, geothermal energy, and biofuels.

The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science focuses on ensuring the continuity of scientific research and collaboration being carried out in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for High Energy Physics focuses on understanding how particles get their mass, an historical challenge for physicists. Among other projects, the center funded Weizmann Institute scientists searching for the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator at the European Organization of Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland.

The Nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for Neurological Diseases promotes research and understanding of the molecular basis of neurological diseases, including developmental disorders of the brain, e.g., fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome, as well as neurodegenerative diseases of the aging brain.

Braginsky Center for the Interface between Science and the Humanities provides funding for projects that focus on the intersection of science and humanities such as neuroscience and psychology; and chemistry and archaeology.

The Weizmann-Brazil Center for Neurodegeneration Research focuses on the causes and trajectories of neurodegenerative diseases, in order to improve the ability to prevent, early detect, delay, or even cure these diseases. The Center serves as a platform for initiating and boosting collaborations with clinicians in hospitals and medical centers. This center is part of the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences.

The Clore Center for Biological Physics supports research activities that use the methods of physics and physical chemistry to study biological systems. Under the center’s auspices, biologists, chemists, computer scientists, and physicists work together to explore a variety of fundamental issues in biology, and develop new approaches to address them.

The Crown Institute for Genomics provides next-generation gene sequencing services and data analysis to help scientists at the Weizmann Institute; and researchers from academia, hospitals, and industry; to conduct biomedical research in collaboration with the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine.

The Crown Photonics Center promotes the study of light and its applications. The Weizmann Institute is a global leader in basic photonics research. Photonics has given rise to the discovery of gamma rays, ultraviolet light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves, with applications ranging from biomedicine to homeland security, and including computing, medical diagnostics, imaging, on-chip data communication, and laser defense.

The de Botton Center for Marine Science funds research on the oceans and, in particular, the Mediterranean Sea, toward an integrated understanding of the processes that govern the Sea’s interactions with the atmosphere and its biogeochemistry.

The André Deloro Research School of Physical Science is part of the charitable legacy of French builder and visionary, André Deloro and the Adelis Foundation he created. It provides enrichment and an extra level of support for graduate students in the physical sciences throughout their years at the Weizmann Institute’s Feinberg Graduate School.

The de Picciotto Cancer Cell Observatory in Memory of Wolfgang and Ruth Lesser offers Weizmann’s scientists services in the field of advanced optical imaging and image analysis, using the state-of-the art technologies in the field. It is a part of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center (MICC).

The Melvyn A. Dobrin Center for Nutrition and Plant Research focuses on increasing plant productivity and nutritional quality through improved understanding of plant genetics, biochemistry, and physiology.

The Solo Dwek and Maurizio Dwek Research School of Chemical Science works hand in hand with the Faculty of Chemistry at the Weizmann Institute to enhance the education of graduate students in chemistry. It was created by two brothers, Maurizio and Solo and their families in 2008.

The Carl and Micaela Einhorn-Dominic Institute for Brain Research supports research on human diseases at the molecular level including studies addressing biochemical mechanisms that underlie the major threats to human health, such as cardiovascular defects, cancer, and infectious diseases.

The EKARD Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research, part of The Moross Integrated Cancer Center (MICC), provides a supportive framework for leading researchers working on novel ways to achieve early detection of cancer, which may help clinicians provide more accurate diagnoses and identify specific molecular signatures. Early detection and diagnosis of cancer can greatly improve the medical community's ability to control the outcome of therapy, offer the most effective treatment, and avoid useless and often harsh methods of combating the disease.

The Center for Energy Research promotes research in all aspects of energy including direct conversion of sunlight, thermal electricity generation, thermally driven chemical processes, and photochemistry.

The Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics funds research on the molecular and genetic mechanisms that underlie basic biological processes in complex organisms at the level of single-cell organisms and cells in culture.

The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics advances theoretical and experimental research in nanophysics and is fueled by the success of the research on mesoscopic physics, a sub-discipline of condensed matter physics that deals with materials of an intermediate length scale. The scale of such materials can be described as being between the size of a quantity of atoms, such as a molecule, and of materials measuring microns.

The Nancy and Stephen Grand Research Center for Sensors and Security develops new types of sensors and ways to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of sensing methods. These include biosensors, biomedical sensors, and experimental technologies needed to make sensors smaller, more accurate, and capable of detecting minute quantities of substances noninvasively.

The Gruber Center for Quantum Electronics supports research on the behavior of electrons in matter. The study of quantum electronics is enabling the miniaturization of technology and the development of the transistors and integrated circuits of tomorrow. As the size of devices shrinks and reaches the nanometer scale, the effects of quantum mechanics on electrons becomes more pronounced and, eventually, determines their electronic properties.

The Dana and Yossie Hollander Center for Structural Proteomics elucidates how proteins are arranged in space, which informs how proteins function and how dysfunctional proteins lead to various diseases; and lead to the design of new drugs, diagnostic tests, proteins engineered for industrial use, vaccines, antibodies, and other blood products, biosensors, agrochemicals, and biologically engineered organisms. The Center is a national service provider.

The Center for Immunotherapy harnesses the latest scientific advancements to promote the development of new immunotherapy strategies to combat various diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.

The Morris Kahn Institute for Human Immunology is dedicated to understanding acquired immunity, i.e. how the immune system protects the body from invading pathogens. The center focuses on investigating cellular and molecular interactions that underlie the antibody mediated immune response against infectious pathogens, in response to vaccination and during intestinal immune response. In addition, our scientists harness the emerging new findings for the design of immunotherapeutic strategies. By elucidating the cellular and molecular components involved in successful immune responses, we aim to pave the way for new approaches for manipulating the immune system and direct it against tumors.

The Ilse Katz Institute for Material Sciences and Magnetic Resonance Research advances research utilizing magnetic resonance (MR) and advancing MR technology. Institute scientists have made major inroads advancing theoretical work on the basic quantum mechanical principles underlying MR, devising a wide variety of new materials, research techniques and medical applications.

The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center was established in 1972, following the tragic death of Aharon Katzir-Katchalski at the hands of terrorists, as a living memorial. The Center promotes activities in physical biology and macromolecular science and in such other areas of science that fall within the wide-ranging interests of Aharon Katzir-Katchalski, especially the impact of scientific and technological advances on human society.

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science trains students at the MSc and PhD level in both the natural sciences and archaeology, enabling them to implement the most sophisticated analytical tools and methods in studies of ancient cultures based on their material remains.

The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design supports scientific activities (including international conferences) focused on molecular design. In particular, the Center provides seed funding for research projects encompassing diverse aspects of molecular design, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborations. Research supported by the Center includes, but is not limited to, development of functional materials based on metal–ligand coordination (van der Boom group), fluorescent molecular sensors for protein detection (Margulies group), polyoxometalate-based catalysts (Neumann group), stimuli-responsive molecules and materials (Klajn group), chemical reaction networks (with implications for synthetic biology and origins of life) (Semenov group), new sensors for magnetic resonance imaging (Bar-Shir group), pincer-type organometallic catalysts (Milstein group), sustainable materials self-assembled from small-molecule building blocks (Rybtchinski group), as well as development of new methods in computational quantum chemistry (Martin group), uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of retinal proteins (Sheves group), and computational design of biologically active small-molecule compounds (London group).

The Helen Kimmel Center for Planetary Science nurtures novel collaborations in planetary surface geology and geophysics, planetary geochemistry and exobiology, planetary atmospheres and climate, and extrasolar planets. It enables a graduate studies program in planetary sciences, and enables the Weizmann Institute to take a leading role in national and international space research initiatives.

The Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure & Assembly advances research on the assembly of biological macromolecules into functionally active intracellular units and organelles. It supports research projects in nucleic acids and protein expression and purification, crystallization, and crystallographic data collection, the area in which Prof. Yonath’s research won her the Nobel Prize.

The Knell Family Center for Microbiology aims to promote the understanding of microorganisms and to harness this knowledge for the benefit of creating new tools to improve human health and our environment.

The Henry Chanoch Krenter Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Genomics enables the convergence of high-resolution bioimaging and genomics techniques toward a coherent picture of cancer’s ability to function, grow, evade treatment, and respond to treatment.

The Lorry I. Lokey Research School of Biochemical Science was established by Lorry Lokey of San Francisco, in 2007 for the benefit of graduate students working in biochemistry. It was the first of the five Research Schools created to support and enhance graduate education at the Weizmann Institute’s Feinberg Graduate School.

The M. Judith Ruth Institute for Preclinical Brain Research is paving the way towards groundbreaking discoveries in mental health and illness, as well as brain development and degeneration, by supporting preclinical core facilities and advanced disease modeling platforms for innovative comparative medicine research.

The Mantoux Institute for Bioinformatics uses innovative computational tools to help scientists efficiently and accurately analyze the reams of intricate information that modern, large-scale basic, preclinical, and clinical studies generates. This merger of biology and computing has become a major driving force in biological investigation worldwide.

The Ben May Center for Chemical Theory and Computation brings together theoretical and computational scientists to study the fundamental properties of materials and physical systems, using advanced theoretical and computational tools and spanning a broad range of scales.

The Belle S. and Irving E. Meller Center for the Biology of Aging advances research on the pathology of aging, including the immune system, the vascular system, connective tissues, and more.

The Institute for Microbiome Research promotes the integrated application of immunology, molecular cell biology, and mathematical approaches to the examination of how microbial species, residing naturally in the intestinal tract, influence the incidence and progress of a host of human conditions and diseases. Built around the “Personalized Nutrition Project” and resting on intensive collaboration with clinical researchers, Institute activities have implications for the eventual design of personalized treatments for disorders including obesity and diabetes, inflammation, cancer, and neurodegeneration.

The Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva Center for Biomembrane Research was inaugurated in 1988 to commemorate Dr. Cohn's major contributions to the scientific links between Germany and Israel. Through its activities, special attention has been given to promoting contacts between Israeli and German scientists.

The John von Neumann Minerva Center for the Development of Reactive Systems advances the development of complex reactive systems, mainly through the processes of modeling and analysis. Research concentrates on visual formalisms and supporting tools for modeling, and on powerful simulation and analysis methods. The center works closely with applications for industry; other projects include service-oriented computing, tactical simulators and health care processes.

The Minerva Center for Life under Extreme Planetary Conditions is devoted to understanding life in extreme conditions on solar system planets and beyond, studying the physical, geochemical, and biological aspects of the topic, and seeking to develop a framework for addressing questions at the forefront of the search for life in the universe.

The Minerva Center for Nonlinear Physics of Complex Systems supports research on nonlinear dynamics and its applications including turbulent flows, theoretical and experimental investigations of pattern formations, and pattern selection and variability. These studies are applied to specific problems taken from astrophysics, geophysics and biology.

The Moross Integrated Cancer Center (MICC) works to unravel the complexity of cancer by harnessing the power of basic research to facilitate translation into the clinical arena in the quest for cancer prevention, early diagnosis and, ultimately, a cure. The overarching goal of the MICC is to move toward personalized cancer medicine, facilitating translational research by enabling the flow of insights from the lab and feedback from patient treatment and samples. The MICC includes six components: the Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Prevention Research, EKARD Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research, Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research, Weizmann-Brazil Tumor Bank , Kleinman Cancer Cell Sorting Facility, and the de Picciotto Cancer Cell Observatory In memory of Wolfgang and Ruth Lesser.

The Irving and Cherna Moskowitz Center for Nano and Bio-nano Imaging is focused on enhancing the imaging capacities of the Weizmann Institute. The center encourages new initiatives for improving imaging techniques and capabilities and supports the purchase of new, state-of-the-art equipment and the upgrade of existing facilities.

The Center for Research on the Development of Innovative Neurotechnologies supports the development of new technologies and techniques to benefit the centers in the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences. This center brings together biologists, physicists, chemists, engineers, and computer scientists to design and build innovative tools.

The Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences Research enables scientists in the Institute to advance cutting-edge biomedical research with the hope that such investigations will lead to real medical applications. The center recruits exceptional new scientists and funds the purchase of biomedical research equipment, and supports leading scientific research.

The Max Planck Society - Weizmann Institute of Science Research Center (MPS-WIS) for Integrative Archaeology/Anthropology advances research on archaeology through the integrated use of laboratory methods.

The Dr. Karl and Leila Ribstein Center for Information Technology supports and enhances the integrated, campus-wide computing and communications networks of the Weizmann Institute, in recognition of the essential role of sophisticated computer infrastructure in all aspects of modern science and administration.

The Center for Research on Positive Neuroscience initiates empirical research on a range of brain functioning such as resilience to stress and individual differences in how we overcome traumas, injuries, and age-related deficits. This center is part of the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences.

The Sagol Institute for Longevity Research promotes the interdisciplinary investigation of phenomena associated with human aging and longevity. Institute activities include studies related to neurobiology, metabolism, nutrition, and cardiovascular diseases.

The Vera and John Schwartz Family Center for Metabolic Biology supports the research of the Metabolic Profiling Unit (MPU), which works to identify and monitor metabolites. Its goal is to advance diagnostic, treatment, and new strategies for disease prevention.

The Schwartz/Reisman Institute for Theoretical Physics (SRitp) creates an informal intellectual framework for physicists by hosting extended, loosely structured international workshops in theoretical physics.

The David and Fela Shapell Family Center for Genetic Disorders Research supports research on Down's syndrome and other genetic disorders. The center utilizes transgenic technologies toward elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which genetic mutations affect cell characteristics.

The Dr. Barry Sherman Institute for Medicinal Chemistry funds innovative research on compounds that hold promise for becoming therapies for a range of human diseases and disorders, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and infectious diseases.

The Sussman Family Center for the Study of Environmental Sciences funds investigations involving complex inter-relationships among the major Earth systems and toward the discovery of novel, non-polluting energy sources.

The Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Prevention Research sponsors initiatives for a non-conventional approach to fighting cancer, by focusing on finding innovative and groundbreaking research methods and tools and by building an interactive community of scientists.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Plant Molecular Genetics supports research understanding the molecular genetics of plants, and thereby contributes to addressing important global challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, sickness, and environmental concerns.

The Weizmann-Brazil Tumor Bank, part of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center (MICC), supports the preservation and an in-depth investigation of tumors in various stages of progression, both in vitro and in vivo. The facility helps Weizmann Institute researchers identify genes associated with tumor growth, thereby promoting the development of new strategies for cancer treatment.

The Willner Family Leadership Institute provides support for scientific research, education, and leadership development. Funding is used for the recruitment of young scientists and outfitting their labs, new research and technology initiatives, the purchase of scientific instrumentation systems, and science education.

The Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery unit serves Israeli researchers from universities, research institutes and biopharmaceutical companies, providing high throughput screening in order to support biomedical discovery and therapeutic and prophylactic molecules.

The Yad Abraham Research Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy promotes cancer research with a focus on its genetic components and toward developing new avenues for early detection of malignant processes and of novel therapeutic approaches.