About the Institute

The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) is a non-profit research institute dedicated to the study and application of systems biology. Since its establishment in Seattle in 2000 the Institute's staff has grown to more than 280 members.

What is Systems Biology?

Systems biology is a powerful approach to studying complex biological systems made possible through technological breakthroughs such as the human genome project. Unlike traditional biology that examines single genes or proteins in isolation, systems biology simultaneously studies the complex interaction of many levels of biological information to understand how they work together.

What makes ISB unique?

Collaboration
ISB's knowledge sharing environment stands in sharp contrast to conventional research institutions where individual researchers work in isolation in pursuit of narrowly defined goals. The Institute's approach is to focus its study on systems as a whole rather than on individual cells, genes or proteins. The comprehensive nature of this work demands integration in every aspect of the Institute's research. At ISB a multidisciplinary group of scholars and scientists, from biologists and mathematicians to computer scientists and physicists work collaboratively to help unravel the mysteries of human immunity and disease. Together they are working to identify strategies for predicting and preventing diseases such as cancer, arthritis, AIDS and diabetes.

A new way to look at data
Studying complete biological systems requires an ability to analyze large quanties of data quickly and efficiently. The ISB uses high throughput data analysis to give scientists a better understanding of how genes, proteins and other biological agents work together. To accomplish this engineers work together with scientists to develop better machines and techniques to gather and analyze data.

What are the goals of ISB?

The goal of the institute is to increase our understanding of the human immune system and other biological systems so that medicine can become more predictive, preventative and personalized. A deeper and more comprehensive understanding of how biological systems work together can lead to the development of:

• New ways to predict a patient's susceptibility to a particular disease or illness
• More effective diagnoses and treatment for a variety of diseases
• Unique and targeted wellness and prevention plans for everyone

The Institute for Systems Biology was co-founded in 2000 by Dr. Leroy Hood, Dr. Alan Aderem and Dr. Ruedi Aebersold.

Dr. Leroy Hood has been at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological research for more than 30 years. He has published more than 500 peer-reviewed papers, received 12 patents, co-founded nearly a dozen companies and was awarded the 2002 Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology for his outstanding contributions to biotechnology and medical technology. Prior to co-founding the Institute, Dr. Hood spent 22 years at Caltech and then moved to the University of Washington in 1992 to serve as the William Gates III Professor of Biomedical Science.

Dr. Alan Aderem is an internationally recognized immunologist and cell biologist who's earlier research in cell biology helped scientists around the world understand the ways cells communicate with each other. Prior to co-founding the Institute, Aderem headed the Laboratory of Signal Transduction at The Rockefeller University in New York. Under his leadership, the Institute is focusing research on the development of new drugs and vaccines for infectious diseases.

Dr. Ruedi Aebersold is one of a handful of pioneers in the field of proteomics - the ability to analyze the large number of proteins present in a particular cell type or tissue. Dr. Aebersold's group has developed a method called Isotope Coded Affinity Tags (ICAT) which identifies and counts proteins expressed in a cell or tissue. Dr. Aebersold has previously served on the faculties of the University of Washington and the University of British Columbia.

Who are ISB's partners?

The Institute has quickly established partnerships and collaborations in the academic and corporate communities, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the University of Washington, Stanford University, Rockefeller University, the Institute for Molecular Cell Biology (Singapore), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Merck & Co. and IBM.

How has ISB served as a catalyst for emerging biotechnology companies?

Over the last two years several new companies have emerged through the work of ISB. These include: Cytopeia, which produces high-speed cell sorters that use cell analysis techniques developed by ISB; MacroGenics, which uses genomics, proteomics and immunology to develop improved antibody therapies; and Celtrans, a start-up biotechnology company developing a therapeutic approach using blood stem cells in combination with traditional therapies to treat disease.

How is ISB helping our community?

As we move to an information and technology based economy, proficiency in science is increasingly a pathway to success in college, work and life. But statistics show that too many American students are falling behind in science and math. ISB is committed to redefining how science is taught in K-12 classrooms so that our children find science stimulating and relevant to the world they live in. To do this ISB is working to redesign K-12 science curriculum so that all students attain high levels of achievement in the sciences.