Prof. Charles Weissmann

Head, Department of Infectology
Scripps Research Institute, Palm Beach County, Florida

Charles Weissmann began his career earning doctoral degrees in both medicine and organic chemistry from Zurich University in Switzerland. Prof. Weissmann then ventured into the then new field of molecular biology, where he was soon recognized as one of the most creative investigators.

Over several decades he established himself as one of the leading pioneers of modern biochemistry and molecular biology. He contributed importantly to the elucidation of the life cycle of RNA bacteriophages, developed site-directed mutagenesis and reverse genetics, and was the first to clone and express human alpha-interferon genes in E.coli. This discovery paved the way for the manufacture of a family of drugs which are used today to treat hepatitis and some forms of cancer.

In recent years Prof. Weissmann has made breakthroughs in the investigation of diseases induced by prions (small proteinaceous infectious particles that resist inactivation by procedures that modify nucleic acids) that affect animals, such as mad cow disease, and humans, for example Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.

Prof. Weissmann has been internationally recognized for his work, including memberships in the Royal Society (United Kingdom) and National Academy of Science (USA). Prof. Weissmann has been awarded six honorary doctoral degrees and many leading scientific prizes. He was a cofounder of Biogen, the first European biotechnology company and has served on several corporate boards.