Michael Sela
Immunology pioneer, Copaxone co-developer and a builder of scientific and cultural life
Michael Sela (1924–2022) connected the chemistry of molecules with the question of how the immune system recognizes them. That work produced fundamental insights and helped open a path toward medicines. He also served as president of the Weizmann Institute of Science and supported Israeli cultural life, treating scientific discovery and artistic creativity as complementary parts of a curious society.
Making immune responses experimentally understandable
Born in Poland, Sela moved with his family to Romania and immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1941. He studied chemistry at the Hebrew University and completed doctoral research under Ephraim Katchalski. At Weizmann, he investigated synthetic antigens: designed molecules that enabled immune responses to be studied under more controlled conditions. This approach helped connect chemical structure with measurable biological effects.
His research contributed to understanding genetic differences in immune responses and to approaches involving synthetic vaccines. He also trained scientists and helped build research settings in which chemistry, immunology and medicine could inform one another.
A route from basic research to Copaxone
Sela, Ruth Arnon and Dvora Teitelbaum studied synthetic materials initially intended to help investigate an animal disease resembling multiple sclerosis. Unexpectedly, some materials suppressed the disease rather than provoking it. Sustained research, clinical investigation and cooperation with physicians and Teva eventually led to Copaxone, approved in the United States in 1996. It is not a cure for multiple sclerosis, but became an important treatment for reducing relapses in appropriate forms of the disease.
Leadership beyond the laboratory
Sela was president of the Weizmann Institute from 1975 to 1985. His public work included international scientific partnerships and support for music, opera and dance in Israel. The Israel Prize in life sciences and the Wolf Prize, shared with Arnon, recognized the importance of his research.
Why this legacy belongs in Moreshet
Moreshet records Sela’s contribution in discoveries, benefits to patients and the institutions he helped strengthen. His story at Moreshet.com shows how basic research in Israel can reach people throughout the world. It also preserves the example of a scientist whose sense of public responsibility extended into education and culture.