American biologist and entrepreneur Craig Venter developed a new technique to identify unknown genes in other organisms, cells, or tissues, using small segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) called expressed sequence tags (ESTs). He then attempted to patent the gene fragments identified through this technique, a move considered controversial in scientific circles.
In 2010, Venter's team announced that he and his team had sewn together strands of DNA to create the first man-made bacterial cell, Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0. After insertion of his synthetically-designed genome, the cell created proteins according to the blueprint in the synthetic genome, and continued acting as a normal bacterial cell.
Venter has also contributed to the sequencing of the genomes of the fruit fly, mouse, and rat, and he is the founder or co-founder of The Institute for Genomic Research (1992), Celera Genomics (1998), Synthetic Genomics (2005), and the J. Craig Venter Research Institute (2006). Critics and colleagues have described Venter as an egomaniac; his response is: "I wouldn't have mapped the human genome if I was lacking in confidence."
[1] Interview, 60 Minutes, 21 November 2010.
Father: John Eugene Venter (accountant, b. 18-Aug-1923, d. 10-Jun-1982)
Mother: Elizabeth Jeanne Wisdom (artist)
Brother: Gary Gene Venter
Sister: Suzzanna Patrice Venter Taylor ("Susie")
Brother: Keith Henry Venter
Wife: Barbara Rae-Venter (attorney, m. 1968, div., one son)
Son: Christopher Emrys Rea Venter
Wife: Claire M. Fraser-Liggett (geneticist, b. circa 1955, m. 1981, div. 2005)
High School: Mills High School, Millbrae, CA (1964)
University: College of San Mateo (attended)
University: BA Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego (1972)
University: PhD Physiology & Pharmacology, University of California at San Diego (1975)
Teacher: Neurochemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo (1976-84)
J. Craig Venter Research Institute Founder & President (2006)
Synthetic Genomics Inc. Co-Founder (2005)
Celera Genomics Founder (1998)
Human Genome Sciences The Institute for Genomic Research (1992-98)
National Institutes of Health (1984-92)
Award for the Industrial Application of Science (2002)
FFF Walter Kistler Prize (2008)
National Medal of Science (2008)
Benjamin Rush Medal (2011)
Hillary Clinton for President
Obama for America
Science Debate 2008
World Technology Network
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
Surviving Progress (11-Sep-2011) · Himself
Appears on the cover of:
Time, 3-Jul-2000, DETAILS: Cracking the Code! (with Francis Collins)
Author of books:
Monoclonal and Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies (1984, with Claire M. Fraser-Liggett, Jon Lindstrom)
Structure and Physiology of the Slow Inward Calcium Channel (1987, with D. J. Triggle)
Target-Size Analysis of Membrane Proteins (1987, with Chan Jung)
A Life Decoded: My Genome, My Life (2007, memoir)
AKA John Craig Venter