The vision of ISB is to integrate these concepts using a cross-disciplinary approach combining the efforts of biologists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, physicists, and physicians.

[2] On its website, ISB has defined four areas of focus:[3] Leroy Hood co-founded the Institute with Alan Aderem and Ruedi Aebersold in 2000.

[4] Lee Hood was the director of a large molecular biotechnology lab at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, and was a key advisor in the Human Genome Project, having overseen development of machines that were instrumental to its later success.

In 2012, the SCImago Research Group, based in Spain, ranked ISB 4th worldwide on its Excellence Rate scale.

[13] ISB faculty members have launched several companies, including: Cytopeia (acquired by BD in 2008), Integrated Diagnostics,[14] Macrogenics,[15] NanoString Technologies,[16] and Accelerator Corporation.