Al Gore Fetes UCSD Science Center Focused on Digitizing Life

A gala attended by about 250 to celebrate a 45,000-square-foot, $37 million science center at UCSD was summed up with one word: Wow!

Speaking at the black-tie event Saturday night at the new J. Craig Venter Institute, which was built not only to advance science, but to showcase how science can be compatible with the best of environmentally sustainable practices, according to a UT San Diego report, former Vice President Al Gore marveled at how the research building was constructed to exacting environmental specifications.  

Gore, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his environmental work calling attention to global warming, told the crowd gathered for the celebration and fundraiser: “When you talk about (being a) zero-carbon, net zero-energy facility — wow! You’re usually not talking about a facility like this.” 

The facility is named for the scientist who helped sequence the first human genome, J. Craig Venter, who started his research career as an alumnus of UCSD. He says opening the center represents a life-long dream of returning to the campus. 

Work at the institute focuses on translating DNA into computer language. Digitizing biology will enable scientists to reverse-engineer life, and to create synthetic life forms that can help provide renewable energy, new disease treatments and other products to serve humanity, Venter told UT San Diego.