Understanding the Human Mind
Pioneering new paths in medicine and healthcare
Tackling neurological issues affecting millions worldwide.
The Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) is Israel’s foremost institute for interdisciplinary brain research and an intellectual powerhouse at the forefront of the revolution in neuroscience.
ELSC houses some of the world’s leading innovators in neurological research. Attracting world-renowned scientists, decorated faculty, and next-gen students, ELSC has created a home for increasingly novel projects that are changing the very future of medicine and human understanding of the body’s most important organ.
Prof. Hermona Soreq is a founding member of ELSC and a world-renowned molecular neuroscientist. She pioneered the application of molecular biology and genomics to the study of cholinergic signaling, with a recent focus on its RNA processing regulation and signaling changes. Her research is focused on neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Utilizing their strength in computational neuroscience, ELSC scientists and researchers are working to better understand the human mind by creating brain-machine interfaces that enable paralyzed patients to activate robotic limbs; developing treatments for Parkinson’s patients; enabling the blind to see through sensory substitution devices; and developing therapies to ameliorate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, among other innovations.
Cognitive science stands as an innovative discipline for researchers and clinicians, with wide-ranging implications. Researchers in the field work to understand how our brain functions in key areas of acquiring language and speech faculties, how it enables us to perceive the world around us, and what factors drive decision-making processes, creativity, and awareness of stimuli that can help or harm us. Current research at ELSC is tackling topics such as sensation, perception, and awareness in health and disease; how brains generate and control movement; and the characterization and repair of a diseased brain. The diversity of this research is relevant to a wide range of academic applications, including psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and computer engineering.
Biological research at ELSC is primarily focused on developing new therapies to address Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, behavioral and substance addictions, and neurological diseases that affect millions of people globally. In a recent groundbreaking study, HU neuroscientists Hermona Soreq and Yonatan Lowenstein reported the discovery of a molecular mechanism that leads to accelerated cognitive deterioration in female patients with Alzheimer’s. This study, along with many others taking place at the University, will be instrumental in helping develop the drugs needed to combat and treat this debilitating condition.
Additionally, the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science has seen many benefits from advancements in artificial and biological intelligence. The new Hebrew University Center for Computational Medicine recognizes this potential and will dedicate much of its attention to harnessing computational power to better understand and mimic human neurological processes.
Providing vital insights into disease genesis and identifying potential targets for therapy and protocols for prevention, the research conducted at the Center will pave the way for the next generation of computationally trained doctors and researchers. By using machine learning, computational medicine offers a more personalized approach by not just addressing an illness or disease but also treating the patient with more individualized and effective care. Learn more about how Hebrew University is changing the world, one discipline at a time.
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