Not-for-profit research institute advancing the science of genomics through bold innovations to improve human health and environmental sustainability. Learn more at https://www.jcvi.org.
⚒️ Article: Eukaryotic microbes within a subglacial brine-fed system in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are largely of marine origin, a legacy of past incursions of seawater @jcvi.org @scrippsocean.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
I got the chance to speak with Craig Venter @jcvi.org at the end of March about the state of American science, AI and genomes. I had no idea this might be one of his last interviews. Watch the interview here: youtu.be/Zxg38eUL5IY
‘Swashbuckling’ geneticist and human genome decoder J. Craig Venter dies at age 79Scientist and medical technology entrepreneur J. Craig Venter published the first bacterial genome ever decoded in 1995. The result heralded a new age of discovery for geneticswww.scientificamerican.com
Our collaborative work is out in Environmental Science & Technology, a high-impact @acs.org journal. Thanks to Kim Parker for her leadership & researchers in her & my labs for tireless efforts in this challenging project funded by NSF, US EPA & USDA @jcvi.org pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Genetic Markers Remain Detectable in Genetically Engineered Microbes Biocontained with a CRISPR Kill SwitchBiocontainment strategies, such as kill switches, have been developed to avoid the unintended proliferation of genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) intended for open-release environmental applications. However, the presence of GEM DNA after successful biocontainment presents new environmental risks and challenges for monitoring. In this study, we investigated whether biocontainment using a CRISPR-Cas9 kill switch, which causes double-strand breaks in target genes essential for GEM growth, could resolve this challenge in a model Escherichia coli GEM. Surprisingly, the escape rates of the GEM as determined by CRISPR-targeted gene abundances were as high as 10–1.6 to 10–1.0 in LB media, despite the escape rates measured by colony forming units (cfu) being only 10–6.2 under the same condition. This discrepancy suggested that the CRISPR-Cas9 kill switch prevents colony growth while still leaving a large fraction of target genes intact for detection by molecular methods. Within 1 h after biocontainment, these target genes remained predominantly inside an intact cell membrane and were resistant to degradation by DNase, though degradation was observed in river water over multiple days. Overall, a detailed understanding of the impact of the biocontainment mechanism on both the GEM and its DNA is needed to minimize unintended environmental risks.pubs.acs.org#SynBYSS conference is scheduled on Jun 8-11, 2026 in Barcelona. Given the 100-year celebration of Architect Gaudi in Barcelona, we suggest early booking of hotels. Details can be found: www.jcvi.org/events/synbyss (speakers, abstract submission & registration) @jcvi.org @marcguellc.bsky.social
SynBYSSThe International SynBYSS Conference is focused on bringing together the synthetic biology community with the explicit goal of developing young...www.jcvi.orgOur work on waste plastic polyethylene upcycling is out @cp-trendsbiotech.bsky.social thanks to huge efforts by Yuxin Tian, Seong-Min Cho, Sunkyu Park & Jinjin Diao @ncstate.bsky.social & @jcvi.org supported by NSF Global Center, DOE BER & AIChE Langer Prize! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Elucidation of odd-chain dicarboxylate metabolism in Acinetobacter baylyi and application to polyethylene upcyclingPolyethylene (PE) is a versatile polymer, but its end-of-life management is challenging due to its recalcitrant structure. We present a promising appr…www.sciencedirect.comRegistration & abstract website is open! 2nd #SynBYSS conference on June 8-11, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Architect Gaudi passed away on June 10, 1926. Book a hotel room ASAP, given the centennial festival. 24 more speakers will be selected from abstracts. @jcvi.org eventum.upf.edu/140550/detai...
The 1st paper from the Moon lab in 2026, spearheaded by Yifeng Hu! "Elucidating biodegradation of dimethyl terephthalate by two Rhodococcus strains for its valorization applications" @jcvi.org www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Elucidating biodegradation of dimethyl terephthalate by two Rhodococcus strains for its valorization applicationsDimethyl terephthalate (DMT) serves as the precursor in the production of polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene…www.sciencedirect.com
From decoding the human genome to exploring life across the world’s oceans, Craig Venter (@jcvi.org) shared a remarkable journey on the #BIGIDEAS stage. 📹The full conversation with President & Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social is now available to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30p...
BIG IDEAS: A Conversation with Genomics Pioneer Craig VenterYouTube video by Stowers Institute for Medical Researchwww.youtube.comOur paper is out in @natcomms.nature.com "Engineering microbial consortia for mixed plastic upcycling!" This achievement was possible thanks to collaborative efforts by Jinjin Diao, Yuxin Tian, Seong-Min Cho & Sunkyu Park! Thanks, NSF Global Center team! The link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
J. Craig Venter InstituteA circular economy turns waste into resources—and JCVI scientists are making it real. We are engineering microbes to upcycle mixed plastic waste into valuable products like lycopene and lipids. No sorting, no landfills—just innovation for a sustainable future. 🧪🧬 www.jcvi.org/media-center...
Thank you to all who filled our auditorium for an engaging #BIGIDEAS conversation with Craig Venter (@jcvi.org) and President & CSO @planaria1.bsky.social. We're grateful to share these convos with such a curious and enthusiastic community. 💻 Read a full recap of the event here: bit.ly/3Yrz1AV
Building on early work with J. Craig Venter Institute (@jcvi.org), our Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative’s genome sequencing project with @sangerinstitute.bsky.social has proven to be an invaluable approach to accelerating scientific discovery. Explore the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project ⤵️
Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics ProjectAn ambitious project to read the genomes of 1,000 freshwater and marine species that represent more than 500 symbiotic relationships, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Sanger Ins...www.sanger.ac.uk