Department of Molecular Neuroscience

Welcome to the Department of Molecular Neuroscience at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Our research interests cover the fields of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience. We seek to understand how the nervous system develops by studying how brain cells differentiate and how they establish axons and dendrites to form synapses. We are interested in the molecular and cellular aspects of how neurons and glia maintain their function and cope with challenges and how they regulate their environment. Finally, we seek to understand what goes awry in neurodegeneration and other brain disorders and what mechanisms protect neurons and enable their regeneration.

To address these questions, Molecular Neuroscience groups are using integrated biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches in vertebrates and invertebrates, omics and computational approaches, human stem cells and brain organoids.

Training is the lifeblood of our academic activities. Molecular Neuroscience faculty actively mentor Feinberg Graduate School students on the Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience track as well as in the Excellence Clusters of Life Sciences, Systems Neuroscience, and Computational and Systems Biology.

Side by side with the sister Department of Brain Sciences, the Department of Molecular Neuroscience looks forward to increase integration in neuroscience, via the Flagship Neuroscience Initiative of Weizmann Institute and our planned new building.