William Weis
William “Bill” Weis, PhD, known for elucidating the three-dimensional structures of a variety of molecules and for developing advanced X-ray crystallography methods, passed away from brain cancer on Oct. 13, 2023. Bill’s dedication, expertise, and passion for deciphering cell adhesion and molecular signaling and for advancing cutting-edge techniques in structural biology were world renowned. Throughout his scientific career, he made a profound impact on our academic community and the lives of countless students, postdocs, and collaborators.
Weis described the structure of many proteins, including a group called catenins, which bind cells together and build tissue. His research also focused on cell-cell communication and the internal and external organization of cells. The imaging techniques he developed include advanced X-ray crystallography methods, which enhance the resolution of three-dimensional structures of proteins. These structures help scientists determine how the proteins interact with surrounding molecules and which molecules are good possibilities for drugs.
Read Stanford Medicine's entire Obituary for Bill Weis: