Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot from a blockbuster movie, but it's now a reality thanks to the efforts of Colossal Biosciences. This biotech company has successfully revived the dire wolf, a creature last seen during the Pleistocene era, and the world now has three of these majestic animals living in a secret location in the US.
Romulus and Remus at three months oldThe masterminds behind this project, Colossal Biosciences, utilized the DNA of the common gray wolf, advanced gene-editing techniques, and domestic dog surrogates to bring Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister, Khaleesi into existence. These dire wolves embody the awe-inspiring vision of a mother of dragons—huge, white, and undeniably impressive.
“I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works,” said CEO of Colossal, Ben Lamm.
“Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies. It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”
Romulus and Remus at one month oldColossal Biosciences isn't new to making headlines. Previously, they engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse, resembling a mammoth in miniature form, using computational analysis of 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes spanning from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. Critics argue that the dire wolves might be more akin to regular wolves in elaborate costumes, as the dire wolf DNA available today might not be sufficient for a true genetic clone.
The company's ambitions extend beyond creating viral sensations and owning impressive pets. Colossal Biosciences aims to use its research to aid in the preservation of current species for future generations.
“The de-extinction of the dire wolf and an end-to-end system for de-extinction is transformative and heralds an entirely new era of human stewardship of life,” said Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and member of the board of observers for Colossal.
“The same technologies that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well. This is an extraordinary technological leap in genetic engineering efforts for both science and for conservation as well as preservation of life, and a wonderful example of the power of biotechnology to protect species, both extant and extinct.”
As for the dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure their well-being at a 2,000+ acre preserve, where they are cared for by a dedicated team of staff.
