Leroy Hood (born 1938), US biologist. Hood has made fundamental contributions to the study of genomics and proteomics with his research and development of scientific instruments. His inventions include a protein sequencer, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and protein synthesisers, and an automated DNA sequencer. These devices paved the way for the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, which Hood was involved in from its inception. Hood is a proponent of cross-disciplinary research and in 2000 co-founded the Institute for Systems Biology to advocate an interdisciplinary approach to biological research. Photographed at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA, in 1989.