|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Technology Dr. Leroy E. Hood The 2002 Kyoto Prize laureate in Advanced Technology is Dr. Leroy E. Hood of the United States. His development of automated instruments for the determination of protein and DNA sequences and their syntheses played a major role in the mapping of the human genome. Hood developed an automated peptide sequencer approximately 100 times more sensitive than previous instruments, and later automated peptide and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) synthesizers. He also devised and developed an automated fluorescence DNA sequencer, which included a key technology that led to the development of the high-speed capillary DNA sequencers now in common use. Through these achievements, Hood helped complete the mapping of the human genome - a process that had been predicted to take up to a century - in just a few years, making a significant contribution to the development of molecular biology. The goal of molecular biology is to gain an understanding of life processes at the molecular level, and its first step is to determine the structure of proteins. One of the key substances that make up the human body, proteins are molecules of varying length comprising twenty kinds of amino acids. Each protein's characteristics are determined by the sequence of amino acids it contains. One of Hood's achievements was the development of a high-speed, sensitive peptide sequencer for identifying such sequences. Employing a gas-phase-based detection method, his invention achieved a 100-fold increase in sensitivity over conventional instruments. The sequence information of amino acids in a protein is in turn contained in DNA, which acts as a genetic library providing all the information needed to sustain life. This information is stored in the form of sequences of four chemical substances called bases, which are arranged in an orderly manner to form each DNA strand. Each base serves as a letter in the code, and the sequential arrangement of these letters determines the structure of an organism. The discovery of restriction enzymes in the 1970s made it possible to cut and bond DNA, giving rise to several subsequent genetic engineering techniques, including the cloning of selected DNA fragments and the separation of DNA fragments of different lengths, based on which the sequence of bases along the DNA strand can be determined. However, each technique required a considerable amount of time and skill on the part of researchers. In 1984, Hood came up with an automated peptide synthesizer and a DNA synthesizer, the development of which was a major factor in the rapid diffusion of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), a DNA amplification technology developed around the same time. There is no room for argument that the DNA synthesizer and PCR drove the remarkable progress we have seen in DNA studies. In 1986, Hood announced the development of the world's first automated fluorescent DNA sequencer, which drastically reduced the time required for sequence determination and thus led to the development of the capillary DNA sequencer that is now widely used. In fact, the development of the DNA synthesizer and sequencer resulted in rapid advancement of the Human Genome Project. In 2001, a rough draft of the human genome was published. This is expected to lead to epoch-making new therapies and establish a selection method for individually optimized treatments. Additionally, deciphering the genetic information of various species through genome projects is expected to make valuable contributions to the advancement of life sciences, such as providing important insights into the history of the evolution of life, as well as clues for solving the food crisis and environmental issues. The development of many types of high-speed, automated instruments by Hood and other researchers has been a major driving force behind progress in genomic science studies. Hood graduated from the California University of Technology in 1964 and went on to teach and conduct research at both the university and the University of Washington. He left the University of Washington to found the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle where he serves as President and Director. [ back to top ] [ back to press releases ] |
|