J. Craig Venter has broken ground on his new, 45,000-square-foot biologics lab, which will be tucked away on a corner of UC San Diego's campus. With the kind of trademark fanfare that characterizes all of Venter's initiatives, the acclaimed scientist said that this new R&D complex could well be the first true net zero-energy lab in the world. The hip design includes the use of recycled rainwater for washing photovoltaic systems and roof garden that will help cool the structure. The genomics center and its 125 investigators and staffers will also be closely integrated with the college. The building is a unique design that will meld the environmental philosophies of our genomics research with the sustainability goals that I believe must be part of all of our lives," said Venter. Release