One such approach , attempted by Craig Venter and others at The Institute for Genomic Research , involves engineering existing prokaryotic cells with progressively fewer genes , attempting to discern at which point the most minimal requirements for life were reached . One such approach , successfully attempted by Craig Venter and others at The Institute for Genomic Research , involves engineering existing prokaryotic cells with progressively fewer genes , attempting to discern at which point the most minimal requirements for life were reached .