Institute for Systems Biology Names New Faculty Members
Four New Appointments Increase Faculty Membership to Eleven

SEATTLE - Thursday, February 25, 2005 -- The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), a non-profit research institute dedicated to studying and applying systems biology announced today that four scientists in disciplines ranging from immunology to proteomics have been named as faculty members.

"ISB has taken a significant step forward in its growth as a research institute, stated Dr. Leroy Hood," ISB president. "I know that these individuals will each play a significant role in fulfilling the institute's mission."

In June of 2004, ISB embarked on a recruitment effort to add additional faculty members to further build out its capabilities. The areas of emphasis in the search focused on the biology of model systems; biological systems involved in immune responses; the development of technologies required for systems analysis; and computational, mathematical and statistical tools to understand, model and analyze biological systems.

The Institute has appointed three ISB candidates -- Dr. Nitin Baliga, Dr. Adrian Ozinsky and Dr. Jeff Ranish to faculty positions. "Each of these individuals has a deep understanding of systems biology, an understanding, which has at least in part been fostered by the unique environment and culture here at the ISB," stated Hood.

Dr. Baliga, a biologist, has focused his research on taking a systems approach to the halobacterium model system. Dr. Ranish, also a biologist, is fully utilizing the powerful tools of proteomics to study complex protein machines in his research. Dr. Ozinsky is an immunologist who has successfully applied microfluidics to the analysis of macrophages, a key blood cell mediating immune responses.

The final faculty candidate appointed is Dr. Ilya Shmulevich, currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "Ilya brings a rare combination of talents to ISB -- as a mathematical scientist with a very deep interest and understanding of biology. I know he will contribute significantly to the computational and mathematical challenges we face in studying and applying systems biology," stated Dr. Alan Aderem, ISB director.

About the Institute for Systems Biology
The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) is an internationally renowned non-profit research institute dedicated to the study and application of systems biology. ISB's goal is to unravel the mysteries of human biology and identify strategies for predicting and preventing diseases such as cancer, diabetes and AIDS. The driving force behind the innovative "systems" approach is the integration of biology, computation, and technology. This approach allows scientists to analyze all of the elements in a system rather than one gene or protein at a time. Located in Seattle, Washington, the Institute has grown to 11 faculty and more than 170 staff members; an annual budget of more than $25 million; and an extensive network of academic and industrial partners. For more information about the ISB visit: www.systemsbiology.org