Craig Venter wants to patent some life forms
Craig Venter, the controversial entrepreneur who led the private-sector effort to sequence the human genome, is now seeking a patent for a “minimal genome,” a type of synthetic biology aimed at creating life forms, or living “machines.”
It may even be used for creating ethanol or other biofuels, something that several other companies are working on.
The US patent application (see the application here), filed by Hamilton Smith and colleagues at the J. Craig Venter Institute… Continue Reading
LS9 and Gevo latest biofuel companies, backed by Khosla Ventures
LS9 and Gevo are the two latest biofuel start-ups in Silicon Valley backed by venture capital firm Khosla Ventures.
LS9, of San Carlos, was first mentioned by the Mercury News after it launched recently. It is using synthetic biology to produce proprietary biofuels that resemble petroleum — but which are designed to be “renewable, clean, domestically produced, and cost competitive.”
It was founded in 2005 by Khosla Ventures, Flagship Ventures, along with two scientists, Chris Somerville,… Continue Reading