The Lautenberg Center has been established in 1968 as the first department of Immunology at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School. Investigations at the Lautenberg Center range over a spectrum of topics in cellular and biochemical immunology, molecular cell biology and genetics, cancer biology and immunology, the biology of autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders, immuno-genetics and transplantation immunity. Although the specific research projects differ widely, the Center achieves a high degree of integration of its efforts. This is accomplished by a framework of constant interactions between the individual research teams including weekly formal seminars, informal discussion groups and a journal club, periodic research planning and data analysis meetings between different groups, and frequent policy meetings among the faculty members. One of the highlights of the Center’s activity is the annual three day retreat where the Center’s research workers present their current studies for critical group evaluation, as well as other scheduled occasions for a steady exchange of ideas and information. The Center stands at the hub of an international network of scientific endeavors. Many of its graduate students and post-doctoral fellows come from abroad. Senior scientists from other institutions are constant visitors of the Center, presenting lectures and participating for various periods of time in its research program. The Center’s scientists are involved in collaborative research efforts with colleagues at Hadassah Medical Center, other hospitals and leading universities and research centers in Israel and other parts of the world. The Center’s members organize symposia, workshops and advanced training courses in Israel and abroad. It is emphasized that such international research connections are vital to the progress of science and medicine. The Center impels these connections constantly and widely.
