Leroy Hood was born on October 10, 1938, in Missoula, Montana, under the zodiac sign of Libra. While public information about his parents and siblings is limited, Hood's academic background is well-documented. He earned his undergraduate degree from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He later obtained a medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1964, followed by a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Caltech in 1968.
Hood played a foundational role in the emergence of genomics—the study of genomes—and proteomics, which focuses on the study of proteins and their functions. He was instrumental in developing several groundbreaking scientific instruments that transformed biological research. Among his key inventions were the automated DNA sequencer, protein sequencer, DNA synthesizer, protein synthesizer, and the inkjet DNA synthesizer. These technologies enabled scientists to sequence DNA and proteins more efficiently, laying important groundwork for the Human Genome Project and other large-scale biological studies.
The introduction of these instruments brought about a revolution in biology. The DNA sequencer, for instance, allowed researchers to decode genetic material at an unprecedented scale and speed. The inkjet DNA synthesizer was particularly innovative in enabling the creation of custom DNA arrays, facilitating research in genetic modulation and diagnostics. Hood's inventions significantly advanced the precision and scope of molecular biology. He later licensed some of these technologies to Agilent Technologies, promoting their widespread commercialization and use in both academic and industrial research.
| Birth Date: | 10 Oct, 1938 |
| Age: | 81 yrs |
| Occupations: | Biologist University teacher |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Missoula |
| Education: | California Institute of Technology Johns Hopkins University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American biologist |
| Net Worth 2021: | 3 million |
