Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

2023 INDUCTEE Samuel Weiss, PhD Patient Care, Brain & Mind, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

December 8, 1955

(Tel Aviv, Israel)

Education:

D.C.S. Health Sciences, Montreal QC (1975)
PhD Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary AB (1983)

Awards & Honours:

2023: Member of the Order of Canada

2022: Lecturer of a Lifetime, University of Calgary

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Samuel Weiss

His discovery of the metabotropic glutamate receptor remains a defining moment in establishing neurogenesis research as a pathway to exploring treatments for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, ALS, and multiple sclerosis through neurological repair.

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Genuine revolutions in science are rare. The acceptance of adult neurogenesis is one of these, recognition that the central nervous system of mammals contains neural stem cells capable of replicating normal cell types, including neurons. Samuel Weiss, PhD, demonstrated this in experiments with mice in 1992. His discovery of the metabotropic glutamate receptor remains a defining moment in establishing neurogenesis research as a pathway to exploring treatments for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, ALS, and multiple sclerosis through neurological repair. Since then, Dr. Weiss has contributed to our understanding of the importance of neural stem cell research in connection with tumour biology, remyelination mechanisms in pregnancy, and even aspects of interpersonal and social behavior. The scope of these achievements extends from medical science to conceptions of mind and human development, from pessimistic degenerative determinism to possibilities of ongoing regenerative development and repair. Dr. Weiss’ directorships at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute of the University of Calgary and the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction has advanced neuroscientific research worldwide. His work has furthered a fundamental revolution in our understanding of the mechanism of life.

Key Facts

Discovery of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (1985) facilitating investigation into many neurological disorders entailing glutamate receptor.

Discovery of mammalian neural stem cells (1992) revolutionizing our understanding of adult neurogenesis.

Founding Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (2004-2017),world class research institute advancing understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.

Director of CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (2017-2025) stimulating and advancing neurological work across Canada.

Fun Fact: Sam has been hiking the Canadian Rockies with his great friend Ken for 45 years, all the while ‘running ahead and talking too much’, much the same as his camp counsellor described him when he was 10.

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Recognition of the regenerative capacity of the adult brain represents a revolution in our understanding of disease mechanisms and possible therapies.  Dr. Weiss’ discovery (1992) that the adult mammalian central nervous system contains neural stem cells is a rare watershed moment in the history of science dispelling the once orthodox belief that the adult brain has no capacity to regenerate.  This transformative discovery has since paved the way for numerous investigations into harnessing the properties of neural stem cells to elicit recovery from neurological insults, with promising applications for treatment of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, ALS, and multiple sclerosis.

Samuel Weiss Image

2024

  • Weiss induction

    Samuel Weiss inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    Halifax, Nova Scotia

  • CIHR

    Scientific Director of CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction

    Stimulating and coordinating neuroscience research across Canada.

  • Hotchkiss

    Founding Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute

    Leadership in Organizational Development, Brain & Mind

    World class research institute with 450 scientists and trainees advancing understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke and depression.

  • Explores regenerative properties of pregnancy on stem cells.

    Published findings establish that pregnancy-regulated hormone prolactin repairs nervous system after a demyelinating insult providing impetus to using prolactin-elevating drugs as potential medications to promote myelin repair in MS patients.

  • Develops “neurosphere” formation assay, stem cell detection procedure

    Brain & Mind

    Instrumental in discovery of glioma cells, now a leading area of research in glioblastoma therapy

  • Pivotal paper published in Science in 1992 announces seminal discovery that the adult mammalian central nervous system contains neural stem cells.

    Brain & Mind

    Discovery dispels orthodox belief that the adult brain has no capacity to regenerate. Dr. Weiss’s discovery generates numerous investigations into harnessing the properties of neural stem cells in order to elicit recovery from neurological insults.

  • Dr. Weiss and colleagues identify ionotropic and metabotropic receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate.

    Brain & Mind

    Landmark study inaugurates new field of research into therapies for neurological disorders targeting glutamate receptors.

1985

His work has furthered a fundamental revolution in our understanding of the mechanism of life

Additional Resources:

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