Leroy Hood

Lee Hood, MD, PhD, President and Co-found of the Institute for Systems Biology

Leroy Hood (born October 10, 1938) is an American biologist who has made significant contributions to the fields of biotechnology and genomics. He is renowned for his development of the DNA sequencer, the automated DNA synthesizer, and the protein sequencer, which have revolutionized biological research and medicine.

Early Life and Education

Leroy Hood was born in Missoula, Montana. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1960. He then went on to receive an M.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1964 and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Caltech in 1968.

Career

Hood's career has been marked by his pioneering work in the development of technologies that have advanced the field of molecular biology. He was a faculty member at Caltech from 1970 to 1992, where he developed the automated DNA sequencer, a key technology that enabled the Human Genome Project.

In 1992, Hood moved to the University of Washington where he co-founded the Department of Molecular Biotechnology. He later founded the Institute for Systems Biology in 2000, which focuses on the integration of biology, computation, and technology to understand and treat complex diseases.

Contributions to Science

Leroy Hood's contributions to science are numerous and include:

• The development of the automated DNA sequencer, which has greatly accelerated the process of DNA sequencing.
• The invention of the automated DNA synthesizer, which allows for the rapid synthesis of oligonucleotides.
• The creation of the protein sequencer, which has facilitated the study of proteins and their functions.
• The development of the ink-jet oligonucleotide synthesizer, which has improved the efficiency and accuracy of gene synthesis.

Awards and Honors

Hood has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including:

• The Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
• The Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology
• The National Medal of Science
• The Lemelson-MIT Prize

Personal Life

Leroy Hood is married and has three children. He continues to be active in the scientific community and serves on various advisory boards and committees.

See Also

• Biotechnology
• Genomics
• Human Genome Project
• Institute for Systems Biology