To call Craig Venter a pioneer would be a masterpiece of understatement. His is a career of firsts: The first genome sequenced in 1995 (Hemophilus influenzae); the first complete haploid human genome sequence in 2001; the first metagenome in 2004; the first diploid human genome sequence in 2007; the first bacterial cell controlled by a synthetic genome in 2010; and the first synthetic eukaryotic genome in 2014.
Craig Venter is arguably one of the most influential scientists of our age. From genomics, to metagenomics, to synthetic biology, and back again. The breadth of disciplines that his work has impacted is staggering and matched only by the success that he has realized in doing so. The one recurring theme in all of his endeavors? Speed. A need to always be doing more, and to be doing it faster.
When the first human genome sequence was published in 2001, it was met with tremendous excitement. Finally we would be able to understand, and cure, a whole range of human diseases and afflictions. The answers to numerous scientific challenges were finally within our reach. Or so we thought. Fast forward almost 15 years and we are starting to reap the benefits.
Why the delay? One of the main reasons was simply one of capacity. When the first genomes were sequenced, the amount of data generated overwhelmed the computing power of the day. As computing capacity has caught up with our ability to generate data, we are starting to realize the immense power of these technologies.
Basically, in sequencing a human genome we are converting analogue information (the DNA sequence) into a digital code. Synthetic biology allows us to construct synthetic life forms from digital information. Dr. Venter’s work is merging these two fields in a way that will realize his vision of life at the speed of light.
In a scenario that just a few years ago might have been considered science fiction, Dr. Venter describes their use of a “digital biological converter” to respond to the emergence of a new influenza strain in China (H7N9). Using the digital sequence data ─ made available via the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data ─ scientists at the J Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), Synthetic Genomics Vaccines, Inc. (SGVI), and Novartis were able to construct synthetic starter cultures (commonly known as seed strains) that could be scaled up and taken into vaccine production right away. This ground breaking approach allowed the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to stockpile vaccines to a new influenza strain before it had a chance to reach the US.
So what’s next? Well, in March 2014, Dr. Venter, along with Peter Diamandis and Robert Hariri announced the formation of Human Longevity, Inc (HLI). With the goal of sequencing a million human genomes by 2020, HLI plans to develop the most complete human genotype, microbiome, and phenotype database available in order to better understand, and address, age-related diseases in humans. An audacious goal for sure, but if anyone can do it, it’s Dr. Venter.
This blog discusses highlights from the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo Plenary Opening Lecture: Life at the Speed of Light, by J. Craig Venter, J. Craig Venter Institute. Dr. Venter's full lecture can be viewed on the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo website.