Corporate Information

Synthetic Genomics, Inc., a privately held company founded in 2005, is dedicated to developing and commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address global energy and environmental challenges. The scientific strength at Synthetic Genomics lies in the decades of pioneering scientific research by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D. and Nobel Laureate Hamilton O. Smith, M.D. The company’s scientific team includes leading researchers with expertise in areas such as metabolic engineering, microbiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, plant genomics, climate change and energy policies. In addition to the in-house research at Synthetic Genomics, the company is also funding synthetic genomic research at the J. Craig Venter Institute, a not-for-profit research organization with more than 400 staff and scientists dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics, understanding its implications for society, and communicating those results to the scientific community, the public and policymakers.

Scientific and Business Leadership

J. Craig Venter, Ph.D.
Founder, Chairman, CEO, Co-Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Venter is regarded as one of leading scientists of the 21st century for his invaluable contributions in genomic research, most notably for the sequence and analysis of the human genome. In addition to his role at Synthetic Genomics, he is founder and chairman of the J. Craig Venter Institute, a not-for-profit research institute dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics, including human genomic research, environmental research, evolutionary biology, the exploration of social and ethical issues in genomics, as well as alternative energy solutions through microbial sources. Dr. Venter was the founder of Human Genome Sciences, Diversa Corporation and Celera Genomics. Dr. Venter and his teams have sequenced more than 200 organisms including the human genome, fruit fly, mouse, rat, and dog as well as numerous bacteria and viruses. He is the author of more than 200 research articles and is among the most cited scientists in the world. Dr. Venter is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, scientific awards and a member of many prestigious scientific organizations including the National Academy of Sciences.

Aristides A. N. Patrinos, Ph.D.
President

Dr. Patrinos joined Synthetic Genomics from the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. He was the director of the Office of Biological and Environmental Research overseeing human and microbial genome research, structural biology, nuclear medicine and health effects and global climate change. Dr. Patrinos is well known for his leading roles in the development of the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the U.S. Human Genome Project. In addition, he helped create the Joint Genome Institute and developed and launched the Genomes to Life Program, a research program dedicated to developing technologies to use microbes for innovative solutions to energy and environmental challenges. Dr. Patrinos received his undergraduate degree from the National Technical University of Athens and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.  He is a member of several prestigious professional societies and is the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, including three Presidential Rank Awards and two Secretary of Energy Gold Medals.

Hamilton O. Smith, M.D.
Founder, Co-Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Smith is the scientific director of the synthetic genomics and biological energy groups at the J. Craig Venter Institute.  He received the 1978 Nobel Prize for his work on the discovery of restriction enzymes, which are one of the primary tools used in the field of recombinant DNA technology. Dr. Smith is widely considered one of the experts in DNA library construction and DNA manipulation techniques. He was formerly the senior director of DNA Resources at Celera Genomics. Prior to joining Celera, Dr. Smith joined the scientific team at The Institute for Genomic Research, a position he held after leaving the Johns Hopkins University where he was professor of molecular biology and genetics. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Juan Enriquez
Founder

Mr. Enriquez is an experienced business leader, author, and academic recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the economic and political impacts of life sciences.  He was the founding director of Harvard Business School’s Life Sciences Project and then founded Biotechonomy LLC, a life sciences research and investment firm. Mr. Enriquez has been an active investor in early-stage private companies in the biotechnology and information sciences sectors. While at Harvard, he wrote various articles and case studies, won a Mckinsey Prize, and published the best-selling book As the Future Catches You, an analysis of the impact of genomics on business and society.  His latest book United States explores why, as technology advances, some countries are successful while others disappear. Mr. Enriquez serves on a number of boards including Cabot Corporation and The Harvard Medical School Genetics Advisory Council,. He earned a BA and MBA from Harvard, with Honors.

Scientific Advisory Board

Clyde Hutchison, Ph.D.
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Hutchison is a molecular biology pioneer who developed site directed mutagenesis techniques and is the world’s foremost expert on mycoplasmas, the bacteria with the smallest known genomes. He is a member of the synthetic genomics and biological energy groups at the J. Craig Venter Institute. Dr. Hutchison is Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.