His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, to Tour J. Craig Venter Institute
ROCKVILLE, MD — September 27, 2006 — The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) today announced that His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York will visit the JCVI research facilities. Prince Andrew will be given tours and presentations led by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, JCVI, on the pioneering genomic research conducted at JCVI's Rockville, Maryland campus.
Prince Andrew will be in the Washington, DC metropolitan region in his role as spokesperson for UK Trade & Investment, an organization that supports companies in the United Kingdom doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK.
"From the 1995 publication of whole genome shotgun sequencing of the first free living organism to the 2001 publication of the sequenced and analyzed human genome, we have continued to blaze new trails in many areas of genomic research including our current work in environmental and synthetic genomics. We are honored to host Prince Andrew so that he and others in the business community in the UK can learn about the exciting science of genomics and the many applications of this field," said Dr. Venter.
During his visit to the JCVI, Prince Andrew will learn about breakthroughs JCVI researchers are making in areas such as synthetic genomics, environmental genomics and human genomic medicine. As well, he will see first hand the new tools and techniques that are being developed at the JCVI's state-of-the-art DNA sequencing center. Other JCVI scientists interacting with Prince Andrew include: Hamilton O. Smith, M.D., Nobel Laureate and head of synthetic genomics and biological energy; Robert L. Strausberg, Ph.D., President and head of human genomic medicine; Marvin Frazier, VP of Research; and Yu Hui Rogers, head of the DNA sequencing facility.
Dr. Venter added, "Genomics holds the keys to unlocking so many vexing societal issues such as climate change and clean energy production, human disease and more efficient and safe food production. But to reap these rewards we need better international scientific literacy and improved funding mechanisms to support many researchers worldwide who are dedicated to tackling these issues."
About The J. Craig Venter Institute
The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is a not-for-profit research institute which through its two operating divisions, The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and The Center for the Advancement of Genomics (TCAG) advances the science of genomics; the understanding of its implications for society; and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the JCVI is home to approximately 500 scientists and staff with expertise in human and evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics/informatics, information technology, high-throughput DNA sequencing, genomic and environmental policy research, and public education in science and science policy. The JCVI is a 501 (c)(3) organization. For additional information, please visit http://www.venterinstitute.org.
Media Contacts
Heather Kowalski
J. Craig Venter Institute
202-294-9206 (c)
hkowalski@kowalskicommunications.com
# # #