Media Center

23-Feb-2005
Press Release

Genome of Deadly Amoeba Shows Surprising Complexity; Study Reveals Evidence for Lateral Gene Transfer from Bacteria

The genome sequence of the parasitic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica, a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in developing countries, includes an unexpectedly complex repertoire of sensory genes as well as a variety of bacterial-like genes that contribute to the organism's unique biology. TIGR scientists led the project, which presents the first genome-wide study of an amoeba. About 50 million people a year are infected by the parasite, which causes as many as 100,000 deaths annually.

13-Jan-2005
Press Release

Scientists Decipher Genome of a Fungus That Causes Life-Threatening Infections in Persons With Impaired Immunity

Cryptococcus Study Sheds Light On How Fungi Cause Disease

06-Jan-2005
Press Release

Scientists Reveal Molecular Secrets of the Malaria Parasite

Groundbreaking Research Project May Help Boost Vaccine Development

06-Jan-2005
Press Release

Scientists Decipher Genome of Bacterium that Helps Clean Up Major Groundwater Pollutants

Cryptococcus Study Sheds Light On How Fungi Cause Disease

04-Jan-2005
Press Release

Genome Comparison of Four Campylobacter Strains Yields New Genetic Markers and Clues to Virulence

In a study that could benefit medical and food-safety research, scientists have used the tools of comparative genomics to find new clues about why some strains of the bacterium Campylobacter - which each year cause more than 400 million cases of gastrointestinal disease - are more virulent than others. The analysis is helping researchers develop more comprehensive detection methods for analyzing human and environmental isolates of the bacteria.

15-Dec-2004
Press Release

Microbe's Genome Reveals Insights Into Ocean Ecology

Unexpected findings about the genetic makeup of a marine microbe have given scientists a new perspective on how bacteria make a living in the ocean - a view that may prove useful in wider studies of marine ecology. The analysis by TIGR and collaborators of the DNA sequence of Silicibacter pomeroyi found that the metabolic strategies of marine bacterioplankton are more diverse and less conventional than previously thought.

10-Dec-2004
Press Release

Innovative Metagenomics Strategy Used To Study Oral Microbes

In an innovative new project, TIGR scientists and collaborators are using a metagenomics strategy to explore the complex mix of microbes in the human mouth. The research could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis and other oral diseases.

15-Nov-2004
Press Release

Influenza Genome Sequencing Project Is Launched

TIGR will sequence a large number of human isolates of the influenza virus as part of a landmark influenza genome sequencing project announced Monday by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. The project aims to help scientists better understand how flu viruses evolve as they spread through the population.

08-Nov-2004
Press Release

TIGR and Virginia Tech Sign Memorandum for New Alliance

A new alliance between TIGR and Virginia Tech University is expected to enhance the Institute's computational and experimental capacity as well as enrich the university's basic research in the life sciences. The Memorandum of Understanding, announced Monday, anticipates joint research projects, shared use of related facilities, adjunct faculty appointments, and opportunities for students to participate in research.

28-Oct-2004
Press Release

TIGR's Fraser, Salzberg Honored As AAAS Fellows

TIGR President Claire M. Fraser and Senior Bioinformatics Director Steven L. Salzberg have been named as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in recognition of their contributions to genomics and bioinformatics.

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Newly Discovered Human Brain Cell: Rosehip Neurons

What’s next for exploring the newly discovered human brain cell, the rose hip neuron? We caught up with Dr. Richard Scheuermann on the road to discuss how the J. Craig Venter Institute is advancing knowledge about what makes humans unique. See the full press release.

Ocean Sampling Day 2018

J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) scientists, led by Lisa Ziegler Allen, PhD, are collaborating with Kelly Goodwin, PhD (NOAA), Brian Palenik, PhD (UCSD), and Maitreyi Nagarkar (UCSD) to participate in this year’s Ocean Sampling Day on June 21. The team, which also includes Sarah Schwenck...

J. Craig Venter Institute Education Program Fosters Learning Opportunities with Salisbury University Students and Faculty

Patti Erickson, PhD first connected with the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in the Fall of 2016 as an associate professor at Salisbury University looking for opportunities to expose undergraduate students to biology outside of the classroom. Soon thereafter, she and a group from Salisbury...

JCVI Makes Strides in Microbial Analysis of Artwork which May Lead to Better Preservation

Through the da Vinci DNA Project, researchers at JCVI began taking samples from aging artwork with the aim of understanding which microbial species are present are present on each.

BioVision Alexandria 2018

The BioVision Alexandria conference convened at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in Alexandria, Egypt this past April. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a commemoration of the Ancient Library of Alexandria and an attempt to rekindle the global cultural and scholarship role of the library....

J. Craig Venter Institute Inspires Kids on “Take Your Child to Work Day”

Last month when my kindergarten-aged daughter brought home a note from school to dress up as their future career choice, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from her that she aspired to be a scientist just like me. So, we dug through my clothes and found her an old lab coat and decorated the...

JCVI to Receive Grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to Define the Language of Human Cell Classification

Researchers at J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), led by Richard Scheuermann, PhD, director of JCVI’s La Jolla Campus, have been awarded a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative DAF, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation as part of the Human Cell Atlas project. JCVI will be...

J. Craig Venter Institute Teaches Students about Genomics at Annual High Tech Fair

In January, JCVI was one of more than 40 San Diego STEM-related organizations who participated in the Fleet Science Center’s annual High Tech Fair. This year more than 3,000 local middle and high-school students, their teachers, and families descended upon Balboa Park throughout the...

Dr. Scheuermann featured on the Illumina Genomics Podcast

In Episode 14 of the Illumina Genomics Podcast, Dr. Richard Scheuermann is the featured guest. Dr. Scheuermann discusses advancements in cell ontology, informatics, machine learning, and how his approach to biology has adapted over the years to incorporate the massive increases of data and...

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13-Jun-2025
GEN

J. Craig Venter Describes a Human Genomics Revolution Still In Progress

Despite profound impact on bio-medical research, progress in understanding has been slow

02-Apr-2025
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Scientist renowned for study of adolescent brains named president of J. Craig Venter Institute

Anders Dale says he will move roughly $10 million in NIH funding from UCSD to JCVI.

12-Dec-2024
The Scientist

Mirror Bacteria Research Poses Significant Risks, Dozens of Scientists Warn

Synthetic biologists make artificial cells, but one particular kind isn’t worth the risk.

28-Apr-2024
Chemical & Engineering News

Can CRISPR help stop African Swine Fever?

Gene editing could create a successful vaccine to protect against the viral disease that has killed close to 2 million pigs globally since 2021.

17-Jan-2024
Grow by Ginkgo

Getting Under the Skin

Amid an insulin crisis, one project aims to engineer microscopic insulin pumps out of a skin bacterium.

24-Oct-2023
Noema

Planet Microbe

There are more organisms in the sea, a vital producer of oxygen on Earth, than planets and stars in the universe.

29-Aug-2023
Vanity Fair

The Next Climate Change Calamity?: We’re Ruining the Microbiome, According to Human-Genome-Pioneer Craig Venter

In a new book (coauthored with Venter), a Vanity Fair contributor presents the oceanic evidence that human activity is altering the fabric of life on a microscopic scale.

21-Aug-2023
GEN

Lessons from the Minimal Cell

“Despite reducing the sequence space of possible trajectories, we conclude that streamlining does not constrain fitness evolution and diversification of populations over time. Genome minimization may even create opportunities for evolutionary exploitation of essential genes, which are commonly observed to evolve more slowly.”

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