J. Craig Venter, Genomics Innovator, Dies at 79

J. Craig Venter died on April 29, 2026, at the age of 79, after a brief hospitalization related to treatment for recently diagnosed cancer, the J. Craig Venter Institute stated.

CBS News reported the death occurred on a Wednesday. S. funding.

1 billion-nucleotide human genome. In 2000, the Human Genome Project and Celera Genomics teams announced draft human genome sequences. In 2001, the Human Genome Project published its results in Nature, and Venter’s team published in Science.

Venter developed whole genome shotgun sequencing, in which short, random strands of genomic DNA are sequenced and computationally assembled. 8 million DNA letters. He co-founded the Institute for Genomics Research in 1992 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with Claire Fraser, to whom he was married for 23 years.

Venter developed a way to uncover functional genes using automated DNA sequencing. Venter founded the J.

“'He is a true pioneer and maverick who revolutionized genomics by enabling new sequencing methods and trying to create synthetic cells. It's a huge loss for all genomics and synthetic biology researchers.' — Tae Seok Moon, synthetic biologist at the J. Craig Venter Institute In 2010, Venter announced his team created the first synthetic species, a bacteria designed with man-made DNA. That year, Steve Kroft profiled Venter on 60 Minutes for his work in mapping the human genetic code. The Human Genome Project launched in 1990. Venter graduated from high school as an indifferent student who preferred to sail and surf. He was conscripted into the U.S. Navy and sent to Vietnam as a war orderly.”