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American Biologist to Receive 2002 Kyoto Prize in "Advanced Technology" Dr. Leroy Edward Hood of Seattle to be recognized for lifelong contributions including assistance in mapping the human genome SAN DIEGO — June 21, 2002 — Dr. Leroy Edward Hood, a biologist, inventor and entrepreneur living in Seattle, Wash., will receive the 2002 Kyoto Prize in "Advanced Technology" for outstanding contributions to biotechnology and medical technologies, The Inamori Foundation announced today. On November 10, Dr. Hood and two other 2002 Kyoto Prize laureates in the categories of "Basic Sciences" and "Arts &Philosophy" will receive diplomas, Kyoto Prize gold medals, and cash gifts of 50 million yen -- approximately US$400,000 apiece -- during prize ceremonies in Kyoto, Japan. In addition, the three will convene in San Diego, Calif., March 5-7, 2003, for the second annual Kyoto Laureate Symposium at the University of San Diego. Advanced Technology Dr. Leroy Edward Hood, president and director of the Institute for Systems Biology, has played a crucial role in advancing the life sciences, contributing particularly to the successful mapping of the human genome during the 1990s -- a process originally predicted to require up to 100 years to complete. The analysis and understanding of amino acid sequences is essential to the field of molecular biology. Dr. Hood's success in developing automated instruments for the synthesis and determination of protein and DNA sequences represents a milestone contribution to this field. In 1980, Dr. Hood developed an automatic peptide sequencer that was 100 times more sensitive than previous instruments, dramatically reducing the time required for amino acid sequencing. He unveiled his automated peptide and DNA synthesizers in 1984, followed by the world's first automated fluorescence DNA sequencer in 1986, the latter of which serving as the precursor to today's capillary DNA sequencers. Because the arrangement of amino acid sequences forms the genetic code of DNA -- the "blueprint of life" -- this field of research has been greatly advanced by Dr. Hood's work. Dr. Hood will be the sole American citizen honored this year and the 25th American laureate in the 18 years of the Kyoto Prizes. Basic Sciences The 2002 Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences has been chosen from the field of mathematical sciences. Receiving the award will be French mathematician Mikhael Leonidovich Gromov, who completely toppled the traditional approaches to geometry. While mathematicians before him studied the individual properties of each space, Professor Gromov proposed the innovative idea of considering the distance between spaces, which he identified as "like" (close) or "unlike" (far). This has created a deeper understanding of spaces by allowing them to be compared. Arts &Philosophy The 2002 Kyoto Prize for Arts &Philosophy has been chosen from the field of architecture. Receiving the award will be Tadao Ando, a self-taught Japanese architect and professor at the University of Tokyo, for his pioneering modern architecture that forges new visions of harmony with nature. The superior artistic quality of his works, which maintain a modernist signature while continuing the natural traditions of Japanese architecture, has received global acclaim. Inamori Foundation Background The Inamori Foundation was established as a not-for-profit organization in 1984 by Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman emeritus of Kyocera Corporation. Dr. Inamori created the foundation with a personal donation of 20 billion yen, and his subsequent donations have raised its net assets to approximately 64.5 billion yen (roughly US$500 million) as of March 31, 2002. The Inamori Foundation reflects Dr. Inamori's belief that human beings have no higher calling than to strive for the greater good of humankind and all the world - and that mankind's future can be assured only when there is a balance between scientific development and psychological maturity. "Today, we are rushing ahead with incredible scientific and technological achievements, while understanding of our emotional and spiritual development lags deplorably," Dr. Inamori has said. "It is my hope that the Kyoto Prizes will encourage balanced development of both our scientific and our spiritual sides, and hence provide impetus toward the structuring of new philosophical paradigms." Kyoto Prize Background Dr. Inamori created the Kyoto Prizes after consultation with the Nobel Foundation of Sweden, which received the first Kyoto Prize as a special commemorative award in 1985. Since then, the Kyoto Prizes have been presented annually in the categories of Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts &Philosophy. Over the past 18 years, Kyoto Prizes have been awarded to 57 laureates from 12 countries - ranging from scientists, engineers and researchers to architects, sculptors and film directors. The United States leads all nations with 25 laureates, followed by the United Kingdom (nine), France (seven) and Japan (seven). It is characteristic of the Kyoto Prizes that they are presented in appreciation not only of outstanding human achievements, but also of the spirit that motivated each laureate's contributions to mankind. # # #
Contact:Jay Scovie, North American Media Liaison The Inamori Foundation Phone: 1-(858) 576-2674 e-mail: jay.scovie@kyocera.com Erin Cecil, Fleishman-Hillard for the Inamori Foundation Phone: 1-(619) 237-7741 e-mail: cecile@fleishman.com (For San Diego Media) Stephanie Kellems, Alarus Agency for the Inamori Foundation Phone: 1-(619) 235-4542 e-mail: skellems@mill.net Download photos at: http://www.kyotoprize.org [ back to top ] [ back to press releases ] |
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