Born in Poland in 1924, Prof. Michael Sela immigrated to British Mandate controlled Palestine in 1941. He studied chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received his PhD in protein chemistry, for research done at the Weizmann Institute, also from the Hebrew University (1954). A member of the Weizmann Institute faculty since 1950, he served as the founder and first Head of the Department of Chemical Immunology (1963-75), as Dean of the Faculty of Biology (1970-73), as the Institute Vice President (1970-71), as its 6th President (1975-85), and as Deputy Chairman of the Institute's International Board of Governors (1985-2004), and as a Life Member of the Board. He continued to be actively engaged in the Institute’s leadership after his term as President, serving on the Executive Council (which became the Executive Board), until his passing. In the last month of his life, he became a member of the newly established Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology.

Prof. Sela is widely known in the scientific world for his seminal research in immunology, specifically for his development and use of synthetic antigens, molecules that trigger the immune system response. These studies have led to a deeper understanding of the genetic control of the immune response, as well as to the design of vaccines based on synthetic molecules. One of Prof. Sela’s major research efforts culminated in the approval by the U.S Food and Drug Administration of copolymer-1 (Copaxone®), a drug for multiple sclerosis. Copolymer-1 was originally synthesized and developed by Prof. Sela jointly with the Institute’s Prof. Ruth Arnon and Dr. Dvora Teitelbaum. Another practical medical success of his research was the discovery of synergistic effect of an antibody conjugated and a small chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment cancer, and later on a similar synergistic effect due to two distinct antibodies against the same receptor.

Prof. Sela held a number of visiting professorships and membership of several prestigious academies. His numerous prizes and honors include the Israel Prize in the Natural Sciences (1959); the Rothschild Prize in Chemistry (1968); together with his colleague Prof. Ruth Arnon the Wolf Prize in Medicine (1998). the Albert Einstein Golden Medal, UNESCO (1995); the Harnack Medal of the Max Planck Society (1996); the Interbrew-Baillet Latour Health Prize of Belgium (1997); the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit Award of Germany (1986); Officier (1987) and Commander (2011) of the Order of Legion of Honor, France (1987); and Grand Officier of the Italian Solidarity Star (2007). Sela and colleague Prof. Ruth Arnon were also named the 1998 Wolf Prize Laureates in Medicine. Sela was awarded honorary doctorates from the Universities many universities and was made an honorary fellow of the Open University of Israel.

Michael and his wife Sara were pillars of the Weizmann community, and, as ardent and generous supporters of music and the arts, their home on campus became an epicenter of the Israeli social and cultural scene, and Institute events. They generously supported the Weizmann Institute, funding both science and cultural activities, including the renovation of the Michael Sela Auditorium.

Michael’s legacy will live on and his passion, sharp intellect, and vision will remain as an example and inspiration to all who were fortunate to know him.

He is survived by his wife Sara and their three daughters, Irit, Orlee and Tamar.