Dr. LeRoy Hood

How can precision medicine be used to prevent, treat and cure disease? Can we take precision medicine a step further and use it to promote overall wellness by giving people specific steps to improve their health?

These are questions that LeRoy Hood, M.D., Ph.D., president and co-founder, Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), and chairman, P4 Institute, has spent his career working to answer.

Dr. Hood will present his compelling research and perspectives in a session entitled “Systems Medicine and P4 Medicine: Transforming Healthcare Through Wellness” at Individualizing Medicine 2016: Advancing Care Through Genomics. Hosted by the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, the fifth annual genomics conference takes place October 5–6, in Rochester, Minn.

In addition to his presentation, Dr. Hood will also share his expertise as a participant on the Consumer Genomics Panel Discussion, providing a unique perspective on the DNA tests now available over-the-counter. The discussion will look at the risks, the reliability and how to best use the information to guide health decisions.

A world-renowned scientist and biotechnology inventor and entrepreneur, Dr. Hood’s discoveries have changed the course of biology and the way genetics is used to understand human health. As a pioneer in the field of genetics, Dr. Hood led a team that developed the DNA gene sequencer/synthesizer, and the protein synthesizer/sequencer – four instruments that paved the way for the successful mapping of the human genome. In addition, he has been involved in the creation of more than 15 biotech companies, transforming the way genomic information is used to improve overall wellness.

A new framework for improving wellness

Dr. Hood and his colleagues developed the concept of systems biology, the study of biological processes taking place within the body. When biological networks are disrupted by disease, they typically produce proteins not seen under healthy conditions. By identifying these biological changes, called biomarkers, researchers hope to be able to detect and treat disease much earlier than is possible today.

How can the information gained from the systems biology approach be applied to caring for individuals?

Dr. Hood and his colleagues have developed the concept of P4 Medicine to guide the future management of disease and wellness. He explains that the systems biology approach, combined with tools to analyze and collate patient data plus patient-activated social networks has led to medicine that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory – P4 medicine.

For example, one of Dr. Hood’s colleagues developed early onset osteoporosis, a potentially debilitating disease, in his mid-30’s. However, he underwent genetic testing that revealed a defective calcium transporter, impacting the way he absorbed calcium. After taking 20 times the normal amount of calcium for several years, he fully restored his bone health.

To help other individual’s in this same way, Dr. Hood co-founded Arivale, a company dedicated to providing participants with ongoing wellness coaching using periodic genomic and biological measurements to develop an individualized health plan.

Attend the conference to learn more

Hear Dr. Hood and many other experts in precision medicine speak at the upcoming #CIMCon2016 conference.

For a complete schedule and list of speakers, visit the conference website.  You may also learn more about the conference on the video blog series, “Story by Story.”   Follow the latest news related to the conference on the Center for Individualized Medicine blog, Facebook or Twitter at @MayoClinicCIM and use the hashtag #CIMCon16.

The Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine is hosting the conference with support from the Satter Foundation.

Tags: #CIMCon16, center for individualized medicine, Dr. LeRoy Hood, genomics, individualized medicine, Institute for Systems Biology, mayo clinic, over-the-counter DNA test, P4 Medicine, personal genomics, Precision Medicine, predictive medicine, Uncategorized, wellness, wellness coaching