Genetics pioneer: Dr J Craig Venter

US genetics pioneer Dr J Craig Venter, well known for sequencing the human genome, recently made global headlines for leading a team that invented the world's first synthetic cell.

Dr Venter is on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, which is based at NTU and promotes cutting-edge biofilm research.

The Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering is a key national research outfit that will harness the power of micro-organisms to solve critical water and environmental challenges. With S$120 million invested by the Singapore government, it aims to become a world leader in microbial biofilm research, and a source of unique environmental engineering applications that will address global problems including unsafe water, toxic pollutants and well as biofilm-related diseases.

Dr Venter, who is Founder, Chairman and President of the J. Craig Venter Institute, will be contributing his expertise and resources as well as that in his eponymous institute to help the Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering achieve its vision to be the leading biofilm research centre in the world.

Dr Venter has previously worked closely with Prof Staffan Kjelleberg, the Director-designate of the Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, and his team from the Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation at the University of New South Wales, Australia, in various environmental and microbial genomics projects. His contributions will be instrumental to the new setup at NTU and inspirational to young budding scientists.