https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/space-physics/development-synthetic-antigens
September 12, 2010
In the 1950s, Prof. Ephraim Katzir developed simple synthetic models, known as polyamino acids, that made it easier to study the properties of proteins. Application The study of the properties of polyamino acids, and above all of their immunological propertie...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciencesmade-institute/copaxone®-ms-medication
October 10, 2010
In the late 1960s, Institute scientists Profs. Ruth Arnon and Michael Sela and Dr. Dvora Teitelbaum synthesized several molecules known as copolymers. They were hoping to create an animal model for studying multiple sclerosis. Surprisingly, rather than causing symptoms of MS...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/space-physics/immobilized-enzymes-used-pharmaceutical-industry
September 12, 2010
In the 1960s, Prof. Ephraim Katzir developed a method for binding enzymes to a variety of insoluble carriers. Enzymes speed up many chemical processes, and the binding enables them to be reused time and again. Application Immobilized enzymes have become an im...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/method-preventing-transplant-rejection
September 12, 2010
Prof. Yair Reisner studied molecules of various sugars and sugar-binding proteins called lectins, which allow cells to identify one another and latch on. Reisner started this research while a graduate student under the guidance of Prof. Nathan Sharon. Application...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/space-physics/method-separating-biological-materials
September 12, 2010
Prof. Meir Wilchek developed a method called affinity chromatography for separating biological materials, such as enzymes, antibodies, hormones and receptors. Prior to the advent of this method, many years of research were often needed to isolate a few milligrams of a substa...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/antibody-fragment-used-genetic-engineering-techniques
September 12, 2010
Prof. David Givol spent a significant part of his career investigating the structure-function relationship of antibodies. He identified the smallest fragment of antibody containing all its binding properties, i.e. the part of the molecule responsible for recognizing the fore...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/amniocentesis
September 12, 2010
Prof. Leo Sachs was the first to use cells from the amniotic fluid surrounding the human fetus for diagnostic purposes. The procedure later became known as amniocentesis. Application Early applications, carried out in the 1950s, included detection of the sex...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/math-computer-science/rsa-algorithm-secured-transations
September 12, 2010
Prof. Adi Shamir, together with two colleagues from the United States, developed an algorithm (now called RSA, for the last initials of its inventors) that allowed for the delivery of encrypted codes and their decryption (by public key) between parties that had not previousl...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/chemistry/light-sensitive-coating-sunglasses
September 12, 2010
In the 1960s, Institute scientists discovered photochromism, a reversible change in the color of materials due to exposure to light. Following up on this research, Prof. Valeri Krongauz developed a very active photochromic polymer that could be used for producing light-sensi...
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/space-physics/cutting-diamonds-lasers
September 12, 2010
Prof. Yehiam Prior developed an advanced method for cutting diamonds with lasers. The method practically halves the loss of material and makes it possible to cut stones into virtually any shape. Application The Institute’s method for laser cutting of diamonds...