He Helped Reveal 'the Language in Which God Created Life'
Newser • • general
Key Points:
- J. Craig Venter, a pioneering geneticist known for accelerating DNA sequencing, died at 79 in San Diego due to complications from cancer treatment.
- In the 1990s, Venter challenged the publicly funded Human Genome Project with his private company Celera, successfully speeding up genome sequencing using the "whole-genome shotgun" method.
- His efforts led to the landmark 2000 announcement of the first assembled human genomes, including his own, marking a historic milestone in genetics.
- Venter's earlier achievements included sequencing the first complete genome of a free-living bacterium in 1995 and later decoding the fruit fly genome as preparation for human genome sequencing.
- He received prestigious awards such as the Nierenberg Prize and the National Medal of Science, and was recognized for his bold approach to understanding and creating life.
