Centers and institutes

The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research funds studies in the physiology, biochemistry, and functioning of the human brain and on brain diseases, toward devising improved therapies and cures. The Azrieli Institute will work in concert with the new Israel National Center for Brain Imaging and Stimulation, a government-funded entity to be led the Weizmann Institute and in partnership with the Technion and Sourasky Medical Center.

The David Barton Center for Research on the Chemistry of Life was established to support basic research and innovative directions in biological chemistry with a focus on proteins as chemical catalysts or building blocks.

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.

The 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 Dimitris N. Chorafas Institute for Scientific Exchange supports international scientific conferences at the David Lopatie Conference Centre on the Weizmann Institute campus, with the aim of enriching intellectual exchange and solidifying the Weizmann Institute’s role as a world hub of scientific research.

At the Clore Institute for High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy, scientists ask profound questions regarding the physiology, biochemistry, and functioning of chemicals and biological factors, study issues of relevance to human pathologies, and develop cutting-edge high-field magnetic resonance methods and technologies for exploring physiological and biochemical phenomena.

The Crown Human Genome Center supplies experimental and computational genetic information knowledge to the academic, medical, and biotechnology communities in diagnostics, agriculture, genetic diseases, drug development, and gene therapy. It is a vital part of the strategic infrastructure that has increased Israel’s capacity to use the vast information resulting from the worldwide Human Genome Project. With its many collaborators, the center also has been a major partner in conducting groundbreaking research to investigate the human genome.

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-Lesser Cancer Cell Observatory in Memory of Wolf 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 Mel Dobrin Center for Nutrition 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 Experimental Physics fosters research in all areas of experimental physics, ranging from the most basic aspects of particle physics to experimental studies of basic material properties such as semiconductors and superconductors. Research also involves atomic, molecular, plasma and optical physics and interdisciplinary studies of the physics of biological systems.

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 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 primary aim of the Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science is to train students at the 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 funds projects around the design and synthesis of organic and organometallic molecules of novel properties and the development of new synthetic methodology, with application in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries.

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 Ida Kohen Center for Mathematics supports activities within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The Dr. Erhard, Emmi and Fred Loewinsohn Center for Pediatric Health advances research on childhood and congenital diseases.

The Charles W. and Tillie K. Lubin Center for Plant Biotechnology supports research on plant growth and productivity which could be later applied for improving crops. The center’s work is helping in a variety of ways to address important global challenges such has hunger, malnutrition, sickness, and environmental challenges.

The Ben May Center for Chemical Theory and Computation brings together theoretical and computational chemists to study the fundamental properties of atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions, using advanced algorithms, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. Research conducted with the support of the Ben May Center may inform the design of more productive and efficient manufacturing processes, and the characterization of new compounds and materials.

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 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, the Ekard Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research, the Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research, The de Picciotto-Lesser Cancer Cell Observatory in Memory of Wolf and Ruth Lesser, the Weizmann-Brazil Tumor Bank, and the Kleinman Cancer Cell Sorting Facility.

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 New Scientists administers charitable gifts and endowments dedicated to helping young faculty members and researchers excel during their critical first years at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

The Perlman Institute of Chemical Sciences supports the regular maintenance and activities of the Perlman Chemical Sciences Building, established by the late Harold Perlman, a founding member of the Chicago Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Through its support, scientists at the Department of Materials and Interfaces and the Department of Chemical Physics enjoy a modern research facility. Scientific research projects conducted at the Perlman Building are diverse and include, among other things, the development of advanced chemical nano-structures such as nanotubes; finding alternative energy sources and improving existing technologies for the production of sustainable energy; identifying theoretical models of cellular shapes and dynamics; and exploring advanced methods of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

The Center for Quantum Science and Technology promotes research on quantum mechanics and its application to critical challenges in physics, chemistry, optics, and engineering. Building on earlier discoveries about how matter behaves at the nanoscale, scientists associated with the Center are examining how complex quantum properties such as superposition and entanglement may make it possible to construct the powerful and massively efficient technologies of the future.

The Gabrielle Rich Center for Transplantation Biology Research was created to especially support the research of Prof. Tsvee Lapidot, Prof. Dov Zipori and Prof. Yair Reisner, dedicated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The Dr. Scholl Center for Water and Climate funds projects on water and climate toward advancing an improved understanding of the global environment.

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 Mary and Tom Beck Canadian Center for Alternative Energy Research provides funding that supports the Alternative Sustainable Energy Research Initiative (AERI). 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.

This center provides a financial backbone required for transforming innovative projects that have strong translational potential from curiosity-driven basic science into more mature technologies, thereby increasing the likelihood of industry’s willingness to invest in their technology transfer and subsequent commercialization.

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 – is a nationally accessible resource, open to qualified Israeli researchers at universities, research institutes, and biopharmaceutical companies. It provides screening and analysis of thousands of potentially bioactive molecules in order to support biomedical discovery and targets for creating new therapeutic drugs. Dr. Haim Barr, Head.

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.