Pioneering geneticist and decoder of the human genome J. Craig Venter dies at age 79

image via New Scientist

April 30, 2026, 11:20 AM

• •J. Craig Venter died at age 79.
• •He published the first bacterial genome in 1995.
• •Founded Celera Genomics and pioneered whole-genome shotgun sequencing.
• •Co-led the race to decode the human genome.
• •Also researched marine genetics and synthetic biology.
• •Co-founded Human Longevity for aging-related disease research.

J. Craig Venter, the scientist renowned for his work in genome sequencing and synthetic biology, has passed away at the age of 79. Venter made significant contributions to genetics, including publishing the first bacterial genome and leading the race to decode the human genome. His innovative methods and competitive spirit revolutionized the field, sparking both admiration and controversy. Beyond genomics, Venter explored marine microbial communities and delved into longevity research.

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