In brief
In a groundbreaking achievement in de-extinction, scientists have bred gray-wolf pups that exhibit characteristics of the long-extinct dire wolf, using advanced genetic editing techniques. This ambitious project, led by Colossal Biosciences, marks a significant step forward in the effort to revive extinct species as well as potential conservation methods for endangered species.
Article text: For years, scientists have been fascinated with the concept of de-extinction, the idea of bringing back species that have long disappeared from the Earth. A recent initiative led by Colossal Biosciences has taken significant steps toward achieving this goal, specifically with the dire wolf—a creature made famous by the popular series "Game of Thrones." This gigantic species is believed to have gone extinct around 13,000 years ago, but thanks to advancements in genetic technology, it seems that the dire wolf may be making a comeback of sorts.In 2021, scientists successfully extracted DNA from dire wolf fossils. Building on this momentum, researchers from Colossal have modified 20 genes in gray wolves to incorporate features reminiscent of dire wolves. The modified cells were used to create embryos, which were then implanted into surrogate dogs. The results are three healthy wolf pups, including two males, Romulus and Remus, aged six months, and a female named Khaleesi, who is just two months old. These pups display characteristic traits such as a larger size and a distinct, dense pale coat that is not typically seen in contemporary gray wolves.Beth Shapiro, the chief scientific officer at Colossal, remarked that this innovation marks a milestone in the field of de-extinction. "We’re creating these functional copies of something that used to be alive,” she mentioned in an interview. While the wolves will remain in captivity, the technology developed in this project holds potential applications for the preservation of endangered species, like the critically endangered red wolf found mainly in North Carolina.Colossal Biosciences, which was valued at $10 billion as of January, is housing these wolves in a specially designed facility across 2,000 acres in a secret location in the northern United States, further emphasizing the delicate nature of their research and its implications for the future of wildlife conservation.
