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Study finds DNA carrying antibiotic resistance genes can remain functional after common lab decontamination steps
La Jolla, California—May 8, 2026—A new study in the journal Cell Reports Methods raises a practical biosafety question that begins after an experiment ends: What happens to engineered DNA once a culture has been decontaminated and discarded?Scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) tested two of the most common decontamination steps used before disposing of bacterial cultures—bleach treatment and autoclaving—and found that antibiotic resistance genes carried on engineered DNA...
J. Craig Venter, genomics pioneer and founder of JCVI and Diploid Genomics, Inc., dies at 79
La Jolla, California—April 29, 2026—The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) announced that J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the Institute’s founder, board chair, and chief executive officer, died today in San Diego following a brief hospitalization for unexpected side effects that arose from treatment of recently diagnosed cancer.Dr. Venter was a visionary scientific leader whose work helped define modern genomics and launch the field of synthetic biology. He drove scientific and technological change...
This Earth Day, I Stopped Studying Waste and Started Picking It Up
Hollywood Cemetery is part of the SimplyGreen vision led by Shayda Frost and Timothy Amoui, a reimagining of abandoned spaces into places of sustainability, reflection, and community. It's a reminder that environmental work doesn't just happen in pristine landscapes, it happens in the overlooked, the forgotten, and the in-between. This Earth Day, that vision came to life as I joined Chattahoochee Riverkeeper for a river cleanup woven directly through the landscape of Hollywood Cemetery. ...
Team simulates a living cell that grows and divides
A simulated cell in the early stages of division. Left half shows cytoplasm (blue cubes), mRNA degradation machinery molecules (pink), and sugar transporters (brown). Right half adds the membrane (green) and ribosomes (yellow/red). Graphic by Zane Thornburg, as part of Figure 1 of the paper, “Bringing the genetically minimal cell to life on a computer in 4D.” Journal: Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.02.009 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — By simulating the life cycle of a minimal bacterial cell —...
Genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter launches Diploid Genomics, Inc. (DGI), ushering in a new era in human genomics
La Jolla, CA—January 22, 2026—Diploid Genomics, Inc. (DGI), an AI-driven advanced genomics analytics company, launches in partnership with Healthier Capital, a leading health-tech venture capital firm, under the leadership of genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, Ph.D. DGI is developing the next‑generation discovery and diagnostics platform for complex and deadly diseases, making future health outcomes more predictable, measurable, and actionable. DGI plans to employ advanced AI models,...
Scientists engineer microbial teams to transform mixed plastics into valuable products
La Jolla, California—December 11, 2025—Each year, the world produces more than 400 million metric tons of plastic, much of which ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment. While recycling programs exist, they are often limited in scope and effectiveness, especially when it comes to the most difficult category of waste: mixed plastics. Now, a team of researchers led by Tae Seok Moon at the J. Craig Venter Institute and Moonshot Bio, Inc. has developed pioneering...
Remembering Hamilton O. Smith
Hamilton O. Smith August 31, 1931 – October 25, 2025 It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Hamilton O. Smith, M.D., a scientific giant, compassionate mentor, and beloved by all who had the honor of knowing him. Ham was humble, gentle, and brilliant. He died peacefully at home in Ellicott City, Maryland on October 25, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to science, and a life rich in love, discovery, and service. Ham had a large and active family...
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.noto-color-emoji-regular { font-family: "Noto Color Emoji", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; } 🇦🇺 Australia Georg Fritz, Heng Chooi, Hongqi Sun, Paul Low, Rob Atkin The University of Western Australia 🇨🇦 Canada Warren Mabee Queen's University Christian Euler, Joshua Pulsipher, Luis Ricardez-Sandoval, Tizazu Mekonnen, Trevor Charles, Valerie Ward, Yilan Liu University of Waterloo 🇰🇷...
The passing of Clyde A. Hutchison, III
Clyde A. Hutchison, III November 26, 1938 – September 27, 2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clyde A. Hutchison, III, J. Craig Venter Institute distinguished professor Emeritus. He died this past Saturday peacefully at home with his wife Phifer and son Edward in La Jolla, California. He was 86. Friend and colleague John Glass, JCVI professor and La Jolla campus director, memorialized Clyde’s remarkable life and career in the following note to JCVI...
4th Minimal Cell Workshop
View complete playlist for the workshop on YouTube. Day 1 — September 23, 2024 Time PDT Video Title Presenter Organization PI 5:00 AM Introduction John Glass (jglass@jcvi.org) J. Craig Venter Institute 5:15 AM Acholeplasma laidlawii as a New Platform for Creating Synthetic Cells × Daniel...