On March 1st 2014, the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC) proudly hosted Prof. Michael Levitt, who recently received the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He gave a fascinating talk on structural biology and its many intriguing medical applications, and addressed a group of over 100 local Israeli and Jewish community leaders.
Prof. Levitt is an American-British-Israeli citizen, who was born in South Africa, and is a Professor of Cancer Research and Structural Biology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and British Royal Society.
Prof. Levitt spoke about the beginnings of computational biology and how the field was born and how it because a cornerstone of basic scientific research. He explained how the field advanced over the past few decades to allow scientists to visualize the structure of molecules, while also showing how the molecules interact and move. Prof. Levitt also spoke about his vision for the future, and that he would like to better understand and research how molecular structures play a role in the context of our analysis of an entire organism.
The lecture’s audience showed enthusiasm and great interest, as Prof. Levitt was very charming and charismatic, while mixing the science with his personal life, and ending with insights and thoughts.
Recently, Prof. Levitt visited TASMC and met with Prof. Barbash and other senior staff, to learn more about their efforts and to give a talk. Prof. Levitt joined TASMC’s US Board of Directors, in order to support efforts to increase contributions towards the many projects that are in need. During the event, Dr. Karin Weiner-Lachmi, the Managing Director of the Western Region of TASMC US, presented a touching film about a 16 year-old ballerina who was diagnosed and treated for cancer at TASMC. This movie brought to the surface, the need for contributions towards the renewal of the children’s ICU at TASMC, which treats 650 children every year. Dr. Weiner-Lachmi also highlighted the need, and provided an update, on efforts to finalize the purchase of a genome sequencer for Parkinson’s research at TASMC. Several of those who attended the event, expressed their willingness to contribute towards the sequencer and children’s ICU, and we hope that you will consider joining us as well.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all who volunteered in support of this event. In particular, I would like to thank Esther and Robert Nio from Esther’s German Bakery, for the wonderful refreshments, Rina Levitt for taking the photos, and last but not least I would like to thank Daniel Levitt for all his help in making this evening happen.
For more information contact: Dr. Karin Weiner-Lachmi: karinw@tlvmc.gov.il /telephone: +1-650-283-03
